First Thing: US-Iran ceasefire at risk after exchange of fire in strait of Hormuz
The United States and Iran engaged in an exchange of fire in the Strait of Hormuz, posing the most significant challenge to their month-long ceasefire. Iran accused the US of violating the truce by targeting two ships and civilian areas, while the US stated its actions were in retaliation. President Trump asserted that the ceasefire remains intact, though he expressed uncertainty about the prospects of a negotiated end to the war. Prior to these strikes, reports indicated that both nations were nearing an agreement to halt hostilities, with a memorandum shared via Pakistan. The article also briefly mentions the shelving of the US "Project Freedom" initiative to guide tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and Tennessee Republicans redrawing congressional maps to eliminate the state's sole Democratic, Black-majority district.