Iran Denies Ceasefire Violations Amid Strait of Hormuz Dispute; USPS Suspends Pension Contributions Amid Financial Crisis

Iran has denied violating the two-week ceasefire agreement with the United States and Israel, countering President Donald Trump's accusations regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump criticized Tehran for not facilitating oil transit through the strait, stating, "That was not the deal." Since the ceasefire commenced, only a limited number of vessels have navigated the waterway, leading to a rise in oil prices. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps asserted that Iran has "absolutely not carried out any launches toward any country during the ceasefire." However, reports from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia indicate alleged Iranian drone attacks and pipeline damage, respectively. Concurrently, Israel continues military operations in Lebanon, with Hezbollah claiming retaliatory actions, potentially jeopardizing the ceasefire. Disagreements persist over Lebanon's inclusion in the ceasefire terms, with upcoming negotiations between the U.S. and Iran scheduled in Pakistan.

In a separate development, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced a temporary suspension of its employer contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to conserve cash amid a severe financial crisis. This measure, effective immediately, is projected to save approximately $2.5 billion in the current fiscal year. USPS officials emphasized that current and future retirees should not be immediately affected. The agency also proposed increasing the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents, pending regulatory approval. Postmaster General David Steiner warned that without significant changes, including potential reductions in delivery days and increased borrowing authority, USPS could deplete its cash reserves within 12 months.