U.S. strikes Iranian launch sites in Hormuz; Cuba’s GAESA empire blocked, Iraq oil-graft network sanctioned.
Voices
“[The Cuban regime] has brought the island to ruin and auctioned off the island as a platform for foreign intelligence, military and terror operations.”
Sec. of State Marco Rubio · May 73
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade.”
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander · May 410
“These networks undermine Iraq’s sovereignty, rob the Iraqi people of national resources, and fuel violence against both Iraqis and Americans.”
Dept. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, State · May 74
Significant items
- Hormuz fight. Three U.S. destroyers came under Iranian missile, drone, and small-boat fire transiting the strait May 7; CENTCOM struck back at launch sites, command nodes, and ISR facilities.1May 7 · CENTCOM
- Tanker disabled. An F/A-18 from USS Abraham Lincoln disabled the Iranian-flagged tanker Hasna in the Gulf of Oman May 6; 25 vessels have been turned back since the blockade began April 13.2May 6 · CENTCOM
- GAESA blocked. Rubio designated GAESA — Cuba’s military conglomerate, controlling ~40% of the island economy and ~$20B in illicit assets — plus MOA Nickel and GAESA executive Lastres under Executive Order 14404.3May 7 · State
- Iraq oil-graft. State sanctioned Iraq’s Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij al-Bahadly for diverting Iraqi crude into the Iranian sales chain, alongside officials of two Iran-aligned militias and oil-sector cutouts.4May 7 · State
- Foreign-ownership DFARS. DoD proposed a rule (DFARS Case 2021-D011) requiring defense contractors to disclose beneficial ownership and any foreign ownership, control, or influence to DCSA; comments due July 6.5May 7 · DoD
- FCC Covered List. The Commission proposed barring Covered-List entities from blanket section 214 authority to provide domestic interstate telecom services; comments due June 8, replies July 7.6May 8 · FCC
- Section 301 hearings. USTR convened public hearings May 5–8 in Section 301 investigations of 16 economies’ structural excess capacity in manufacturing sectors.7May 5–8 · USTR
- Microreactor licensing. NRC proposed a risk-informed framework for rapid licensing and high-volume deployment of microreactors and comparable small reactors; comments due June 15.8May 1 · NRC
- UK Skyhammer. The UK tested British-built Skyhammer interceptor missiles in Jordan against Shahed-style attack drones during Defence Minister Pollard’s regional visit; the missiles will be supplied to UK Armed Forces.9May 1 · UK MoD
Sources
- U.S. Central Command, “CENTCOM Protects U.S. Warships Transiting Strait of Hormuz,” May 7, 2026. centcom.mil/…/protects-us-warships-strait-of-hormuz
- U.S. Central Command, “U.S. Forces Disable Vessel in Gulf of Oman Attempting to Violate Blockade,” May 6, 2026. centcom.mil/…/disable-vessel-gulf-of-oman
- U.S. Dept. of State, “U.S. Sanctions Target Cuba’s Military Regime, Elites,” May 7, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/cuba-military-regime-elites
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Sanctioning Iran-Aligned Actors Undermining Iraq’s Sovereignty and Exploiting Its Resources,” May 7, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/iran-aligned-actors-iraq
- Federal Register, “Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Mitigating Risks Related to Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (DFARS Case 2021-D011),” May 7, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/dfars-2021-d011-foci
- Federal Register, “Protecting Against National Security Threats in Domestic Telecommunications Service” (FCC NPRM, WC Docket 26-82), May 8, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/fcc-covered-list-section-214
- USTR, “Public Hearings Regarding Section 301 Investigations Relating to Structural Excess Capacity,” May 4, 2026. ustr.gov/…/section-301-structural-excess-capacity
- Federal Register, “Licensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors With Comparable Risk Profiles” (NRC), May 1, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/nrc-microreactor-licensing
- UK Ministry of Defence, “New interceptor missiles successfully tested in the Middle East as Defence Minister visits region,” May 1, 2026. gov.uk/…/skyhammer-interceptor-tested
- U.S. Central Command, “U.S. Military Supports Launch of Project Freedom in Strait of Hormuz,” May 4, 2026. centcom.mil/…/project-freedom-strait-of-hormuz