GERMAN ECONOMY MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON: GERMAN ECONOMY MINISTER WILL TRAVEL TO CHINA NEXT WEEK

The U.S. seized the sanctioned oil tanker Skywave in the Indian Ocean, according to three U.S. officials, as the Trump administration maintains pressure on Iran over its nuclear program. The vessel, sanctioned in March for transporting Iranian oil, was likely carrying more than 1 million barrels of crude loaded at Iran’s Kharg Island in February, according to brokers and Lloyds List Intelligence data. The seizure marks at least the third U.S. action against Iran-linked shadow-fleet tankers, following the April seizures of the Majestic X and Tifani. President Donald Trump said he had been “an hour away” from ordering new strikes on Iran before delaying action at the request of Gulf allies.

RUBIO BLAMES CUBA'S LEADERSHIP FOR SHORTAGES OF ELECTRICITY, FOOD, FUEL