US-IRAN WAR: The U.S. military says it has struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iranian missiles targeted two U.S. Navy warships in regional waters.

According to U.S. Central Command, an American aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer evaded multiple Iranian attacks, with no U.S. personnel injured. CENTCOM said two Iranian oil carriers were permanently disabled while a third unladen tanker was destroyed.

The U.S. military said the tankers were part of a shadow network allegedly helping finance Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and regional armed proxies. The strikes reportedly took place near Kharg Island, Jask and the Gulf of Oman.

The latest strikes mark another major escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, with tensions rising around Iran’s oil exports and the strategically vital Gulf region.

Watch the full report for the latest developments on the U.S. strikes, Iranian missile attacks, oil tankers and escalating tensions in the Gulf.

US-IRAN WAR | U.S. Strikes 3 Iranian Oil Tankers After Navy Warships Targeted

United States President Donald Trump while defending Vice President JD Vance &nbsp;said that the war with Iran is “small potatoes”. Asked during an Oval Office exchange about Vance’s comments made a day earlier that the on-and-off attacks in the Middle East are not a “war", Trump said US strikes on Iran are now “intermittent” and “a lot of people don’t call it a war.”&nbsp;“I call it a military conflict because it’s small potatoes for us. It’s not a big thing," said Trump, speaking to reporters.&nbsp;Vance, when asked during a White House press briefing Thursday about whether the fighting could end before voters cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 elections said “I wouldn’t call it a war, right now, there is no active shooting.”&nbsp;During his interaction Trump highlighted that the US casualties in the Iran conflict is relatively lower than some other recent US wars.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobody-will-do-it-once-i-m-gone-trump-admits-to-putting-his-name-on-everything-1788591162628">'Nobody will do it once I’m gone': Trump admits to putting his name on everything</a>&nbsp;“We did Venezuela and we did this. In Venezuela, we lost nobody,” said Trump, talking about the capture of its then president Nicolas Maduro and his wife by US forces and taking them to New York City to face federal drug trafficking charges.&nbsp;“And this, we lost 18 people. And, in Vietnam we lost 100,000 people. And in other conflicts, we lost tens of thousands of people," said Trump.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Trump again threatened to attack Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain “very soon”. Backing his months-long US military campaign against Iran Trump said, "We're in five months now. And you know what we did in five months? They're not going to have a nuclear weapon; that's what we did.""Iran will not have a nuclear weapon because if they did, you probably wouldn't be standing here very long," he added.&nbsp; &nbsp;

During his interaction Trump highlighted that the US casualties in the Iran conflict is relatively lower than some other recent US wars.

United States President Donald Trump while defending Vice President JD Vance said that the war with Iran is “small potatoes”. Asked during an Oval Office exchange about Vance’s comments made a day earlier that the on-and-off attacks in the Middle East are not a “war", Trump said US strikes on Iran are now “intermittent” and “a lot of people don’t call it a war.” “I call it a military conflict because it’s small potatoes for us. It’s not a big thing," said Trump, speaking to reporters. Vance, when asked during a White House press briefing Thursday about whether the fighting could end before voters cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 elections said “I wouldn’t call it a war, right now, there is no active shooting.” During his interaction Trump highlighted that the US casualties in the Iran conflict is relatively lower than some other recent US wars. ALSO READ: 'Nobody will do it once I’m gone': Trump admits to putting his name on everything “We did Venezuela and we did this. In Venezuela, we lost nobody,” said Trump, talking about the capture of its then president Nicolas Maduro and his wife by US forces and taking them to New York City to face federal drug trafficking charges. “And this, we lost 18 people. And, in Vietnam we lost 100,000 people. And in other conflicts, we lost tens of thousands of people," said Trump. Meanwhile, Trump again threatened to attack Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain “very soon”. Backing his months-long US military campaign against Iran Trump said, "We're in five months now. And you know what we did in five months? They're not going to have a nuclear weapon; that's what we did." "Iran will not have a nuclear weapon because if they did, you probably wouldn't be standing here very long," he added.

During his interaction Trump highlighted that the US casualties in the Iran conflict is relatively lower than some other recent US wars.

Iran war is "small potatoes" for US, says Trump as he defends Vance

For decades, regime change in Iran was the ambition nobody in Washington or Jerusalem quite wanted to admit openly.Not anymore.Donald Trump is again asking when Iranians will “rise up and fight.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared toppling Iran's government a “central mission” and says the objective is “within reach.” US Senator Ted Cruz has gone further, advocating that Iranian opponents of the government be armed to overthrow it themselves.The message is unmistakable: the Islamic Republic is wounded. Now, its enemies want Iranians to finish the job.But revolutions cannot simply be commissioned from abroad.Iran has already suffered something approaching political and military decapitation. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is gone. Senior commanders and political figures have been eliminated. The old hierarchy has been ripped apart.And yet, the Islamic Republic remains.That may be the greatest problem confronting the regime-change strategy.Destroying leaders is not the same as destroying institutions.Iran's political system was constructed precisely to withstand enormous pressure. The Revolutionary Guards, clerical establishment, security apparatus and overlapping centres of authority mean that when one powerful figure disappears, another can occupy the space.And the replacements are not necessarily moderates.Iran has elevated veteran hardliner Mohsen Rezaei to a crucial national-security position. Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian may favour negotiations and de-escalation, but Iran's presidency has never possessed absolute authority over the country's military-security establishment.That leaves Washington confronting an uncomfortable possibility: it can decapitate Iran's leadership without liberalising Iran.There is no denying the fury inside the country.Economic pressure is enormous. Oil exports have collapsed under the American blockade. Inflation and economic isolation are squeezing ordinary Iranians. Years of demonstrations have already exposed deep frustration with clerical rule.But asking Iranians to revolt from Washington is very different from Iranians deciding independently to revolt.Every call from an American president or Israeli prime minister risks handing Tehran another propaganda weapon: the argument that dissent is not an indigenous demand for freedom but a foreign-backed attempt to dismantle the Iranian state.And there is another question Washington cannot escape.What happens the morning after?Ted Cruz says the objective should be regime collapse and has argued for giving opponents of Tehran the weapons to achieve it.But collapse is not a political settlement.Iraq should have permanently buried the assumption that removing a hated government automatically produces a stable successor. Saddam Hussein's government was destroyed rapidly. The political, sectarian and security consequences outlived the invasion itself.Iran — with more than 90 million people, powerful security institutions, ethnic and regional fault lines and an enormous strategic footprint — would present an even more consequential challenge.None of this absolves Tehran.The Islamic Republic has brutally suppressed opposition. Iranians have repeatedly risked imprisonment and death demanding political and social change. Their grievances are real, and their right to determine their government belongs to them.That is precisely why their future cannot simply become another strategic objective written in Washington or Jerusalem.Trump can call for an uprising.Netanyahu can declare regime change within reach.Cruz can advocate putting weapons into Iranian hands.But none of them can manufacture the legitimacy required to govern Iran the day after the Islamic Republic falls.<h2>The Verdict</h2>America and Israel may have succeeded in changing many of the men who rule Iran.They have not yet changed the system that rules Iran.And perhaps that is the lesson being forgotten amid all the talk of imminent victory.You can bomb a command centre. You can eliminate a commander. You can even decapitate a government.But a revolution belongs to the people who must live with what replaces it.And if Washington and Jerusalem confuse regime destruction with nation-building, Iran could become another brutal reminder that in the Middle East, removing the old order is sometimes the beginning of the war — not the end of it.

The Islamic Republic has brutally suppressed opposition. Iranians have repeatedly risked imprisonment and death demanding political and social change. Their grievances are real, and their right to determine their government belongs to them.

For decades, regime change in Iran was the ambition nobody in Washington or Jerusalem quite wanted to admit openly. Not anymore. Donald Trump is again asking when Iranians will “rise up and fight.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared toppling Iran's government a “central mission” and says the objective is “within reach.” US Senator Ted Cruz has gone further, advocating that Iranian opponents of the government be armed to overthrow it themselves. The message is unmistakable: the Islamic Republic is wounded. Now, its enemies want Iranians to finish the job. But revolutions cannot simply be commissioned from abroad. Iran has already suffered something approaching political and military decapitation. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is gone. Senior commanders and political figures have been eliminated. The old hierarchy has been ripped apart. And yet, the Islamic Republic remains. That may be the greatest problem confronting the regime-change strategy. Destroying leaders is not the same as destroying institutions. Iran's political system was constructed precisely to withstand enormous pressure. The Revolutionary Guards, clerical establishment, security apparatus and overlapping centres of authority mean that when one powerful figure disappears, another can occupy the space. And the replacements are not necessarily moderates. Iran has elevated veteran hardliner Mohsen Rezaei to a crucial national-security position. Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian may favour negotiations and de-escalation, but Iran's presidency has never possessed absolute authority over the country's military-security establishment. That leaves Washington confronting an uncomfortable possibility: it can decapitate Iran's leadership without liberalising Iran. There is no denying the fury inside the country. Economic pressure is enormous. Oil exports have collapsed under the American blockade. Inflation and economic isolation are squeezing ordinary Iranians. Years of demonstrations have already exposed deep frustration with clerical rule. But asking Iranians to revolt from Washington is very different from Iranians deciding independently to revolt. Every call from an American president or Israeli prime minister risks handing Tehran another propaganda weapon: the argument that dissent is not an indigenous demand for freedom but a foreign-backed attempt to dismantle the Iranian state. And there is another question Washington cannot escape. What happens the morning after? Ted Cruz says the objective should be regime collapse and has argued for giving opponents of Tehran the weapons to achieve it. But collapse is not a political settlement. Iraq should have permanently buried the assumption that removing a hated government automatically produces a stable successor. Saddam Hussein's government was destroyed rapidly. The political, sectarian and security consequences outlived the invasion itself. Iran — with more than 90 million people, powerful security institutions, ethnic and regional fault lines and an enormous strategic footprint — would present an even more consequential challenge. None of this absolves Tehran. The Islamic Republic has brutally suppressed opposition. Iranians have repeatedly risked imprisonment and death demanding political and social change. Their grievances are real, and their right to determine their government belongs to them. That is precisely why their future cannot simply become another strategic objective written in Washington or Jerusalem. Trump can call for an uprising. Netanyahu can declare regime change within reach. Cruz can advocate putting weapons into Iranian hands. But none of them can manufacture the legitimacy required to govern Iran the day after the Islamic Republic falls. The Verdict America and Israel may have succeeded in changing many of the men who rule Iran. They have not yet changed the system that rules Iran. And perhaps that is the lesson being forgotten amid all the talk of imminent victory. You can bomb a command centre. You can eliminate a commander. You can even decapitate a government. But a revolution belongs to the people who must live with what replaces it. And if Washington and Jerusalem confuse regime destruction with nation-building, Iran could become another brutal reminder that in the Middle East, removing the old order is sometimes the beginning of the war — not the end of it.

The Islamic Republic has brutally suppressed opposition. Iranians have repeatedly risked imprisonment and death demanding political and social change. Their grievances are real, and their right to determine their government belongs to them.

The Verdict | Kill the leaders, save the regime? Why Iran refuses to fall

Diesel prices in the United States surged to a record high on Friday as the war in Iran continued to disrupt energy supplies around the world, putting additional pressure on businesses that depend on diesel to power factories, machinery and commercial vehicles. The national average price of diesel reached $5.85 a gallon, according to AAA, marking an increase of more than 55% since the war began. The latest jump pushed prices above the previous record set four years ago during the global energy crisis triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;Other refined petroleum products have also become significantly more expensive. Average US gasoline prices reached $4.15 a gallon on Friday, up nearly 40% since the start of the conflict, AAA data showed. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was trading at around $96 a barrel on Friday, roughly 30% higher than it was when the war began. The rise in diesel prices is particularly significant for the wider economy because diesel powers a large share of commercial transportation and heavy equipment, including freight trucks and farm machinery. Higher fuel costs raise the expense of operating factories and transporting goods, increasing the possibility of higher prices for consumers.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-national-dies-in-ice-custody-hours-after-arrest-beijing-demands-answers-from-us-1788509100830">Chinese national dies in ICE custody hours after arrest, Beijing demands answers from US</a>&nbsp;Some companies have responded by passing those additional costs on to customers through fuel surcharges. UBS has also identified rising diesel prices as an increasing risk for homebuilders, highlighting how the fuel shock could spread beyond transportation and logistics. The latest energy crisis began after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran responded by effectively shutting the Strait of Hormuz, the strategically important Persian Gulf passage through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and significant volumes of petroleum products typically move.&nbsp;The disruption to crude oil supplies has also hit refineries, where crude is processed into products such as diesel and gasoline. Missile strikes have damaged refineries in the Middle East, further tightening supplies. Russia's refining sector has also been affected. Ukraine has attacked and damaged several Russian refineries, prompting Moscow to impose a ban on refined fuel exports through the end of September.&nbsp;The outlook means that a drop in crude prices alone may not immediately translate into cheaper diesel or gasoline. Refinery disruptions, limited spare refining capacity and continuing uncertainty around supplies from the Persian Gulf and Russia could keep refined fuel prices elevated.

US diesel prices hit a record $5.85 a gallon as the Iran war disrupts oil supplies, tightens refinery capacity and pushes gasoline and fuel costs higher

Diesel prices in the United States surged to a record high on Friday as the war in Iran continued to disrupt energy supplies around the world, putting additional pressure on businesses that depend on diesel to power factories, machinery and commercial vehicles. The national average price of diesel reached $5.85 a gallon, according to AAA, marking an increase of more than 55% since the war began. The latest jump pushed prices above the previous record set four years ago during the global energy crisis triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Other refined petroleum products have also become significantly more expensive. Average US gasoline prices reached $4.15 a gallon on Friday, up nearly 40% since the start of the conflict, AAA data showed. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was trading at around $96 a barrel on Friday, roughly 30% higher than it was when the war began. The rise in diesel prices is particularly significant for the wider economy because diesel powers a large share of commercial transportation and heavy equipment, including freight trucks and farm machinery. Higher fuel costs raise the expense of operating factories and transporting goods, increasing the possibility of higher prices for consumers. Also Read: Chinese national dies in ICE custody hours after arrest, Beijing demands answers from US Some companies have responded by passing those additional costs on to customers through fuel surcharges. UBS has also identified rising diesel prices as an increasing risk for homebuilders, highlighting how the fuel shock could spread beyond transportation and logistics. The latest energy crisis began after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran responded by effectively shutting the Strait of Hormuz, the strategically important Persian Gulf passage through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and significant volumes of petroleum products typically move. The disruption to crude oil supplies has also hit refineries, where crude is processed into products such as diesel and gasoline. Missile strikes have damaged refineries in the Middle East, further tightening supplies. Russia's refining sector has also been affected. Ukraine has attacked and damaged several Russian refineries, prompting Moscow to impose a ban on refined fuel exports through the end of September. The outlook means that a drop in crude prices alone may not immediately translate into cheaper diesel or gasoline. Refinery disruptions, limited spare refining capacity and continuing uncertainty around supplies from the Persian Gulf and Russia could keep refined fuel prices elevated.

US diesel prices hit a record $5.85 a gallon as the Iran war disrupts global energy supplies, pushing fuel costs and business expenses higher

US diesel prices hit record high of $5.85 per gallon as Iran war disrupts global fuel supply

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday disputed whether the ongoing US conflict with Iran was still a war, saying major combat operations ended after about six weeks. On being asked during a White House news briefing if the war would be over by the midterm elections in November, Vance said, “I wouldn’t call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting. I recognize there have been places where this has flared up.”&nbsp;The vice president further said that major combat operations ended after about six weeks.&nbsp;“When you ask, ‘When will this end?’ You’re asking me a question like, ‘When will the Iranians stop shooting at ships?’ I think the reality is I don’t know the answer to that question. You would have to ask the Iranians,” Vance said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobel-laureate-machado-says-venezuela-s-illegitimate-regime-has-no-right-to-strike-us-oil-deal-1788463885343">Nobel laureate Machado says Venezuela’s ‘illegitimate’ regime has no right to strike US oil deal</a><h2>‘No negotiations until Strait of Hormuz attacks stop’</h2>&nbsp;Vice President Vance further said that the US would not negotiate with Iran while attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz continue.“The president’s been very clear: We’re not talking to them, and we’re not going to talk to them unless they stop shooting at commercial shipping,” Vance said during the news briefing.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ganga-nears-danger-mark-in-varanasi-most-ghats-submerged-pm-modi-orders-relief-work-on-war-footing-1788455040726">Ganga nears danger mark in Varanasi, most ghats submerged; PM Modi orders relief work on ‘war footing’</a><h2>‘Gas could have been much, much higher’</h2>&nbsp;On being asked when Americans would expect lower gas prices and could expect to pay less at the pump, Vance said the US has been able to avert a global energy crisis from Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;“We’ve been quite successful up to this point,” Vance said. “Gas, frankly, could have been much, much higher were it not for our efforts, but I’m not going to make a promise about when it’s going to return to $3.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-ready-to-help-end-russia-ukraine-war-says-eam-jaishankar-during-kyiv-visit-1788437687980">India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit</a>&nbsp;The vice president said the US was fighting Iran so it wouldn’t be able to have a nuclear weapon. He argued that the energy crisis from the war with Iran could have been much worse if it hadn’t been responded to effectively.<h2>‘Extremely skeptical about hitting Iran wedding’</h2>&nbsp;The Vice President further said that he was “extremely skeptical” of the Iranian allegations that the US hit a wedding party during strikes earlier this week.Iranian officials said four civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in the attack. The US military said it was looking into the allegations.&nbsp;“I will say that the Iranian state media has not been a very good scribe about what’s happened in the conflict thus far, so I’m extremely skeptical of this,” Vance told reporters.He reiterated what the US military has been saying, which is that civilians are not targeted.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bar-council-has-no-power-to-discipline-law-students-before-enrollment-supreme-court-1788442808743">Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;“Unfortunately, obviously, sometimes things happen, but in this particular case, I don't think that we have any information one way or the other,” Vance said. “We’re investigating it because obviously we care, we want to know.”&nbsp;<h2>‘Oil flow through Hormuz nearly back to pre-war levels’</h2>&nbsp;Vance went on to say that the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz was nearly back to levels seen before the Iran war, adding that Tehran’s control of the waterway was “effectively gone”.&nbsp;“If you go back three months ago, how much oil and gas was coming out of the strait under Iranian threats? It was virtually nothing. Now, it’s almost back to where it was before the conflict even started,” the VP said.&nbsp;Vance also downplayed the threat of Iranian cyberattacks in America and said that Iran’s ability to disrupt the daily lives of Americans was “not zero, but it’s quite limited.”&nbsp;“What I would say is that we feel quite confident the homeland is safe,” he said. “We also feel quite confident that the Iranians are going to try to do a lot of things that they don’t have the capability to do.”&nbsp;He added that the Trump administration’s stated goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was of top importance.

On being asked when Americans would expect lower gas prices, Vance said the US has been able to avert a global energy crisis from Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that the energy crisis from the Iran war could have been much worse if it hadn’t been responded to effectively.

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday disputed whether the ongoing US conflict with Iran was still a war, saying major combat operations ended after about six weeks. On being asked during a White House news briefing if the war would be over by the midterm elections in November, Vance said, “I wouldn’t call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting. I recognize there have been places where this has flared up.” The vice president further said that major combat operations ended after about six weeks. “When you ask, ‘When will this end?’ You’re asking me a question like, ‘When will the Iranians stop shooting at ships?’ I think the reality is I don’t know the answer to that question. You would have to ask the Iranians,” Vance said. Also Read: Nobel laureate Machado says Venezuela’s ‘illegitimate’ regime has no right to strike US oil deal ‘No negotiations until Strait of Hormuz attacks stop’ Vice President Vance further said that the US would not negotiate with Iran while attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz continue. “The president’s been very clear: We’re not talking to them, and we’re not going to talk to them unless they stop shooting at commercial shipping,” Vance said during the news briefing. Also Read: Ganga nears danger mark in Varanasi, most ghats submerged; PM Modi orders relief work on ‘war footing’ ‘Gas could have been much, much higher’ On being asked when Americans would expect lower gas prices and could expect to pay less at the pump, Vance said the US has been able to avert a global energy crisis from Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. “We’ve been quite successful up to this point,” Vance said. “Gas, frankly, could have been much, much higher were it not for our efforts, but I’m not going to make a promise about when it’s going to return to $3.” Also Read: India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit The vice president said the US was fighting Iran so it wouldn’t be able to have a nuclear weapon. He argued that the energy crisis from the war with Iran could have been much worse if it hadn’t been responded to effectively. ‘Extremely skeptical about hitting Iran wedding’ The Vice President further said that he was “extremely skeptical” of the Iranian allegations that the US hit a wedding party during strikes earlier this week. Iranian officials said four civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in the attack. The US military said it was looking into the allegations. “I will say that the Iranian state media has not been a very good scribe about what’s happened in the conflict thus far, so I’m extremely skeptical of this,” Vance told reporters. He reiterated what the US military has been saying, which is that civilians are not targeted. Also Read: Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court “Unfortunately, obviously, sometimes things happen, but in this particular case, I don't think that we have any information one way or the other,” Vance said. “We’re investigating it because obviously we care, we want to know.” ‘Oil flow through Hormuz nearly back to pre-war levels’ Vance went on to say that the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz was nearly back to levels seen before the Iran war, adding that Tehran’s control of the waterway was “effectively gone”. “If you go back three months ago, how much oil and gas was coming out of the strait under Iranian threats? It was virtually nothing. Now, it’s almost back to where it was before the conflict even started,” the VP said. Vance also downplayed the threat of Iranian cyberattacks in America and said that Iran’s ability to disrupt the daily lives of Americans was “not zero, but it’s quite limited.” “What I would say is that we feel quite confident the homeland is safe,” he said. “We also feel quite confident that the Iranians are going to try to do a lot of things that they don’t have the capability to do.” He added that the Trump administration’s stated goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was of top importance.

On being asked when Americans would expect lower gas prices, Vance said the US has been able to avert a global energy crisis from Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that the energy crisis from the Iran war could have been much worse if it hadn’t been responded to effectively.

‘I wouldn’t call it a war,’ says JD Vance on ongoing conflict with Iran

Iranian First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, said on Thursday, “dark months await” for the US economy. In a post on the social media platform X, Aref said that Iran's security strategy has changed. He urged Americans to stockpile fuel and claimed that any future US attack will trigger an “asymmetric” and “multi-layered” response.&nbsp;"The recent US crimes against the Iranian nation have changed our security calculations and defence doctrine. From now on, our response will be asymmetric, multi-layered and aimed at depriving the aggressor of security,” Aref said in a post on the social media platform X.However, Aref's remarks remain vague, without implying any specific measures to hurt the US economy. His remarks came as the fighting renewed between the US and Iran, once again raising concerns over energy supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gloria-steinem-dies-92-life-legacy-controversies-1788438128001">Gloria Steinem, feminist trailblazer and co-founder of Ms magazine, dies at 92</a>The latest escalation began after a US strike on Iran’s Larak Island on Aug. 30 ended a roughly month-long lull in direct hostilities. Iran has since launched missiles and drones against US military facilities across the region, including bases in Kuwait and the UAE.Iran has accused the US once again targetting civilians. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said shrapnel from a missile hit a family wedding ceremony at a home in southern Iran, killing four people. Washington at first denied these reports. But on Wednesday, it said it was looking into it. Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins stressed repeatedly that the "U.S. military never targets civilians," which he accused Iran's military forces of doing.Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, pointing out the failure of the Americans to implement the provisions of the Islamabad Memorandum, said that the United States must fulfil its commitments before Iran proceeds with reopening the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref warns of asymmetric responses and economic strain as US-Iran hostilities escalate near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, said on Thursday, “dark months await” for the US economy. In a post on the social media platform X, Aref said that Iran's security strategy has changed. He urged Americans to stockpile fuel and claimed that any future US attack will trigger an “asymmetric” and “multi-layered” response. "The recent US crimes against the Iranian nation have changed our security calculations and defence doctrine. From now on, our response will be asymmetric, multi-layered and aimed at depriving the aggressor of security,” Aref said in a post on the social media platform X. However, Aref's remarks remain vague, without implying any specific measures to hurt the US economy. His remarks came as the fighting renewed between the US and Iran, once again raising concerns over energy supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Also Read: Gloria Steinem, feminist trailblazer and co-founder of Ms magazine, dies at 92 The latest escalation began after a US strike on Iran’s Larak Island on Aug. 30 ended a roughly month-long lull in direct hostilities. Iran has since launched missiles and drones against US military facilities across the region, including bases in Kuwait and the UAE. Iran has accused the US once again targetting civilians. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said shrapnel from a missile hit a family wedding ceremony at a home in southern Iran, killing four people. Washington at first denied these reports. But on Wednesday, it said it was looking into it. Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins stressed repeatedly that the "U.S. military never targets civilians," which he accused Iran's military forces of doing. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, pointing out the failure of the Americans to implement the provisions of the Islamabad Memorandum, said that the United States must fulfil its commitments before Iran proceeds with reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref warns of asymmetric responses and economic strain as US-Iran hostilities escalate near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran VP warns ‘Dark Months Await’ US economy as Hormuz tension rises

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Sept 3) said 18 people had been killed in the Iran conflict, correcting Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who had earlier said no Americans had been killed. “Sec. Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind when he said nobody was killed. 18 people were killed in Iran!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/schizophrenia-hallucinations-delusions-iran-slams-trump-advises-him-to-consult-psychologists-after-us-prez-calls-hormuz-us-terrotory-1787926399000">‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’</a>&nbsp;Lutnick, speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, had said that no Americans had died in the conflict that began at the end of February. His remarks were specifically in reference to the war with Iran, which he described as an “economic chokeout”.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-us-dollar-system-how-powerful-is-bessent-s-economic-outcast-warning-wion-explains-1787645878031">What is US dollar system? How powerful is Bessent’s ‘Economic Outcast’ warning for China | WION Explains</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari accused the US of becoming “desperate and confused” in its confrontation with Tehran, citing what he described as changing positions from Washington. “One day it talks about a ceasefire and an agreement, and the next day about the Strait of Hormuz, an economic blockade and military action,” Kowsari said, according to Iranian state media.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/great-near-great-below-average-trump-puts-himself-above-lincoln-washington-in-bizarre-ranking-of-greatest-us-presidents-1787903513307">‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents</a>&nbsp;Kowsari acknowledged that Iran had suffered losses in US attacks but said Washington had failed to achieve its broader objective. “We were harmed in the US attacks and we are not saying that we were not harmed,” he said. “But the US could not achieve its goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and bringing to power the system it wanted.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/weapons-equipment-technical-and-tactical-iran-says-it-has-new-surprises-ready-if-another-war-breaks-out-1787911559031">‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Donald Trump corrected Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, clarifying that 18 people died in the Iran conflict. Iran acknowledged US attack damage while dismissing American efforts to overthrow its government.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Sept 3) said 18 people had been killed in the Iran conflict, correcting Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who had earlier said no Americans had been killed. “Sec. Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind when he said nobody was killed. 18 people were killed in Iran!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Also read: ‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’ Lutnick, speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, had said that no Americans had died in the conflict that began at the end of February. His remarks were specifically in reference to the war with Iran, which he described as an “economic chokeout”. Also read: What is US dollar system? How powerful is Bessent’s ‘Economic Outcast’ warning for China | WION Explains Meanwhile, Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari accused the US of becoming “desperate and confused” in its confrontation with Tehran, citing what he described as changing positions from Washington. “One day it talks about a ceasefire and an agreement, and the next day about the Strait of Hormuz, an economic blockade and military action,” Kowsari said, according to Iranian state media. Also read: ‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents Kowsari acknowledged that Iran had suffered losses in US attacks but said Washington had failed to achieve its broader objective. “We were harmed in the US attacks and we are not saying that we were not harmed,” he said. “But the US could not achieve its goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and bringing to power the system it wanted.” Also read: ‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out

Donald Trump corrected Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, clarifying that 18 people died in the Iran conflict. Iran acknowledged US attack damage while dismissing American efforts to overthrow its government.

‘Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind’: Trump says 18 were killed in Iran conflict, contradicts his commerce secretary

Iran used its Kheibar Shekan missile on US military targets and infrastructure in the Middle East this week. The missile, which means Castle Breaker in Persian, has emerged as an important weapon in Tehran's arsenal in its war against the US. While Donald Trump has been claiming that Iran no longer has many weapons, the country has been demonstrating that that's not true by using the medium-range ballistic missile to hit enemy targets.&nbsp;US and Iran renewed strikes this week after the former attacked rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran struck several US bases in the region, such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Kheibar Shekan missile has emerged as a massive force in these strikes.<h2>What is Kheibar Shekan missile?</h2> Developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it is a medium-range missile capable of striking targets 1,450km away. It can carry a warhead weighing 449kg to 590kg. The missile was launched in 2022; the word Kheibar means a fortified settlement, while Shekan means breaker or destroyer.&nbsp;It is a solid-fuel missile, which means it is pre-loaded with fuel. Typically, adding fuel to missiles can take hours. But since the Kheibar already has the needed fuel, it saves crucial time in a moment of crisis and can be launched within minutes. They are easier to operate and become harder to detect because of this logistical advantage.&nbsp;Solid fuel also means that it does not break down even if stored inside the missiles for a long time. Since it is extremely dense, it burns quickly and provides a powerful thrust to the missile.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">IRGC vs USAF in Jordan: Kheibar Shekan and Emad ballistic missiles vs US Air Force at Prince Hassan Airbase in Jordan; the 3rd wave in past two days. The missile strikes were in retaliation for US strikes, including today&#39;s on a wedding party. [IRGC 1/9] <a href="https://t.co/iSGdJXP7hz">pic.twitter.com/iSGdJXP7hz</a>&mdash; Jon Elmer (@jonelmer) <a href="https://x.com/jonelmer/status/2094947928666165318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Missiles in US-Iran war</h2> According to state broadcaster IRIB, Iran has been using the missiles since the start of the war on February 28. It recently used them to carry out retaliatory attacks on US assets in Jordan. Iran used the missiles to hit a US jet maintenance facility and a new command-and-control centre in Jordan’s Azraq. IRGC has also released videos showing the Kheibar Shekan missiles being used in conjunction with Fateh-110, Zolfaghar and Emad ballistic missiles.&nbsp;<h2>Iran's missile arsenal</h2> Iran has both short- and medium-range missiles. Fateh variants - Zolfaghar, Qiam-1 and Shahab-1/2 - have a range of roughly 150km to 800km. The medium-range ballistic missiles include Shahab-3, Emad, Ghadr-1, the Khorramshahr variants and Sejjil, Haj Qassem and Kheibar Shekan. It cruise missiles include Soumar, Ya-Ali, the Quds variants, Hoveyzeh, Paveh and Ra’ad.

US-Iran war: Iran has been attacking US targets in the Middle East with its newer Kheibar Shekan ballistic missiles. The medium-range missile was recently used against a US jet maintenance facility and a new command-and-control centre in Jordan’s Azraq. 

Iran used its Kheibar Shekan missile on US military targets and infrastructure in the Middle East this week. The missile, which means Castle Breaker in Persian, has emerged as an important weapon in Tehran's arsenal in its war against the US. While Donald Trump has been claiming that Iran no longer has many weapons, the country has been demonstrating that that's not true by using the medium-range ballistic missile to hit enemy targets. US and Iran renewed strikes this week after the former attacked rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran struck several US bases in the region, such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Kheibar Shekan missile has emerged as a massive force in these strikes. What is Kheibar Shekan missile? Developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it is a medium-range missile capable of striking targets 1,450km away. It can carry a warhead weighing 449kg to 590kg. The missile was launched in 2022; the word Kheibar means a fortified settlement, while Shekan means breaker or destroyer. It is a solid-fuel missile, which means it is pre-loaded with fuel. Typically, adding fuel to missiles can take hours. But since the Kheibar already has the needed fuel, it saves crucial time in a moment of crisis and can be launched within minutes. They are easier to operate and become harder to detect because of this logistical advantage. Solid fuel also means that it does not break down even if stored inside the missiles for a long time. Since it is extremely dense, it burns quickly and provides a powerful thrust to the missile.

US-Iran war: Iran has been attacking US targets in the Middle East with its newer Kheibar Shekan ballistic missiles. The medium-range missile was recently used against a US jet maintenance facility and a new command-and-control centre in Jordan’s Azraq.&nbsp;

Iran's Castle Breaker missiles struck US bases in Jordan this week. What are they?

Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari has accused the United States of becoming “desperate and confused” in its confrontation with Tehran, citing what he described as shifting positions from Washington. “One day it talks about a ceasefire and an agreement, and the next day about the Strait of Hormuz, an economic blockade and military action,” Kowsari said, according to Iranian state media.Kowsari acknowledged that Iran had suffered losses in US attacks but said Washington had failed to achieve its broader objective. “We were harmed in the US attacks and we are not saying that we were not harmed,” he said. “But the US could not achieve its goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and bringing to power the system it wanted.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-over-100-000-people-dead-trump-accuses-iran-of-killing-protesters-calls-it-failed-nation-1788184730792">'Now over 100,000 people dead': Trump accuses Iran of killing protesters, calls it 'failed nation'</a>Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee chairman Ebrahim Azizi said the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen without Tehran's approval, as tensions in the Persian Gulf remain high. “The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without the will of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Azizi said on Thursday, according to the parliament's ICANA news agency.“The conditions in the Persian Gulf have changed,” he added. The comments came as Israel also issued a warning over any potential Iranian attack. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that an Iranian attack on Israel would trigger strikes against Iranian infrastructure, including energy facilities.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/schizophrenia-hallucinations-delusions-iran-slams-trump-advises-him-to-consult-psychologists-after-us-prez-calls-hormuz-us-terrotory-1787926399000">‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’</a>“An Iranian attack on Israel will free us from all constraints,” Katz said. “We will strike all infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, and return Iran to the Stone Age and darkness.” Katz said Israel was “well prepared, defensively and offensively, for every possibility”.

Iranian lawmakers claimed the US is "desperate and confused," asserting the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without Tehran's approval, while Israel warned of devastating strikes against Iranian infrastructure if attacked.

Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari has accused the United States of becoming “desperate and confused” in its confrontation with Tehran, citing what he described as shifting positions from Washington. “One day it talks about a ceasefire and an agreement, and the next day about the Strait of Hormuz, an economic blockade and military action,” Kowsari said, according to Iranian state media. Kowsari acknowledged that Iran had suffered losses in US attacks but said Washington had failed to achieve its broader objective. “We were harmed in the US attacks and we are not saying that we were not harmed,” he said. “But the US could not achieve its goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and bringing to power the system it wanted.” Also read: 'Now over 100,000 people dead': Trump accuses Iran of killing protesters, calls it 'failed nation' Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee chairman Ebrahim Azizi said the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen without Tehran's approval, as tensions in the Persian Gulf remain high. “The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without the will of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Azizi said on Thursday, according to the parliament's ICANA news agency. “The conditions in the Persian Gulf have changed,” he added. The comments came as Israel also issued a warning over any potential Iranian attack. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that an Iranian attack on Israel would trigger strikes against Iranian infrastructure, including energy facilities. Also read: ‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’ “An Iranian attack on Israel will free us from all constraints,” Katz said. “We will strike all infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, and return Iran to the Stone Age and darkness.” Katz said Israel was “well prepared, defensively and offensively, for every possibility”.

Iranian lawmakers claimed the US is "desperate and confused," asserting the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without Tehran's approval, while Israel warned of devastating strikes against Iranian infrastructure if attacked.

Iran lawmaker says US ‘desperate and confused’ as tensions rise over Hormuz

It is midterm election season in the US, and President Donald Trump has't got much to show for victory in Iran war. Reports, including in Wall Street Journal, suggest that he is weighing whether to declare the Iran war over. Trump administration has meanwhile officially asked for ending the usage of the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’, which started the war on February 28. Trump's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is planning US troops extension in the Middle East into 2027, and the Pentagon appears to be readying for a prolonged US military presence in the Gulf. Is there a gap between the thinking of the president and Hegseth on the course of the war?<h2>Operation Fury naming officially ends</h2>The Pentagon has said months ago that Operation Epic Fury officially ended on May 5. &nbsp;An August 7 Air Force email obtained by CBS News instructed military leaders to stop using the name in Iran operations, which still continued with occasional strikes from the US Central Command targeting Iranian assets. The letter told the services to use the term "overseas operations in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility." This guidance from Hegseth's public affairs office was disseminated across the Defence Department, according to officials cited by CBS News.Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on May 5 itself that Operation Epic Fury is over.&nbsp;"The president notified Congress…we're done with that stage of it. We're now on to this Project Freedom," he had said at the time.Hegseth separately described Project Freedom as a defensive maritime mission protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed</a><h2>What's in a name? The broader conflict has not ended and Pentagon is preparing for longer war</h2>Whatever name the US gives it, the reality is that the conflict is far from over. Trump notified Congress on July 7 that "military action" against Iran had restarted after talks collapsed and the April ceasefire ended. Since then, US and Iranian forces have continued exchanging fire up to this week.The WSJ report said that Hegseth is extending troop deployments into 2027. The Pentagon is maintaining about 50,000 troops and 19 warships in the region. This includes two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-on-modi-pezeshkian-meeting-no-country-should-help-iran-evade-sanctions-1788406366516">Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'</a>&nbsp;These military assets are engaged in intercepting Iranian missiles, protecting commercial shipping across Hormuz, and blockading Iranian ports. US forces remain ready for larger strikes.Army air-defence deployments reportedly shifted from nine to 12 months.The USS Gerald R Ford spent 11 months at sea before returning in May, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing for a longer-than-normal deployment.&nbsp;The WSJ reported that elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division could remain in the Middle East well into 2027. It quoted Bryan Clark, a former senior Navy official, as saying: "They're setting it up to be sustained over the long haul, meaning well into next year."<h2>As midterms loom, Trump has an Iran war exit dilemma</h2>US officials told the WSJ that Trump is privately discussing with aides whether to declare the war over. Trump favours economic pressure on Iran, which he beilives can force the Islamic Republic to dismantle its nuclear programme."I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?," Trump recently wrote on Truth Social.Some of his aides &nbsp;warned that further escalation could damage Republican prospects in the November midterm elections. Trump maintains he doesn't care about the midterms, and that the poll prospects are not influencing his decisions. The strain is already visible, even as he inisists that the US forces remain ready to strike "any time we want".Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-launches-retaliatory-strikes-with-missiles-and-drones-iranian-media-1788294861231">Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack</a>&nbsp;According to Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a further extension of air-defence deployments could wea out troops, delay maintenance and hamper longer-term modernisation.&nbsp;But a recent military letter to families of servicemen said "a longer tour weighs heavily on every household, including our own."What are these mixed signals telling us? Trump may be looking for a political and diplomatic exit from the Iran war. But Hegseth's Pentagon is positioning US forces for a conflict that could last well into 2027. At this time, both are looking for a fig leaf, a headline that they can take to Americans and the world, to claim victory against Iran.

A report claimed that Trump is weighing to end the Iran war. A military letter has asked for not using the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’ for US operations in the Gulf. But US troop deployments are being extended into 2027. Midterm concerns, economic pressure, or mixed signals?

It is midterm election season in the US, and President Donald Trump has't got much to show for victory in Iran war. Reports, including in Wall Street Journal, suggest that he is weighing whether to declare the Iran war over. Trump administration has meanwhile officially asked for ending the usage of the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’, which started the war on February 28. Trump's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is planning US troops extension in the Middle East into 2027, and the Pentagon appears to be readying for a prolonged US military presence in the Gulf. Is there a gap between the thinking of the president and Hegseth on the course of the war? Operation Fury naming officially ends The Pentagon has said months ago that Operation Epic Fury officially ended on May 5. An August 7 Air Force email obtained by CBS News instructed military leaders to stop using the name in Iran operations, which still continued with occasional strikes from the US Central Command targeting Iranian assets. The letter told the services to use the term "overseas operations in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility." This guidance from Hegseth's public affairs office was disseminated across the Defence Department, according to officials cited by CBS News. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on May 5 itself that Operation Epic Fury is over. "The president notified Congress…we're done with that stage of it. We're now on to this Project Freedom," he had said at the time. Hegseth separately described Project Freedom as a defensive maritime mission protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed What's in a name? The broader conflict has not ended and Pentagon is preparing for longer war Whatever name the US gives it, the reality is that the conflict is far from over. Trump notified Congress on July 7 that "military action" against Iran had restarted after talks collapsed and the April ceasefire ended. Since then, US and Iranian forces have continued exchanging fire up to this week. The WSJ report said that Hegseth is extending troop deployments into 2027. The Pentagon is maintaining about 50,000 troops and 19 warships in the region. This includes two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers. Also read: Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions' These military assets are engaged in intercepting Iranian missiles, protecting commercial shipping across Hormuz, and blockading Iranian ports. US forces remain ready for larger strikes. Army air-defence deployments reportedly shifted from nine to 12 months. The USS Gerald R Ford spent 11 months at sea before returning in May, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing for a longer-than-normal deployment. The WSJ reported that elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division could remain in the Middle East well into 2027. It quoted Bryan Clark, a former senior Navy official, as saying: "They're setting it up to be sustained over the long haul, meaning well into next year." As midterms loom, Trump has an Iran war exit dilemma US officials told the WSJ that Trump is privately discussing with aides whether to declare the war over. Trump favours economic pressure on Iran, which he beilives can force the Islamic Republic to dismantle its nuclear programme. "I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?," Trump recently wrote on Truth Social. Some of his aides warned that further escalation could damage Republican prospects in the November midterm elections. Trump maintains he doesn't care about the midterms, and that the poll prospects are not influencing his decisions. The strain is already visible, even as he inisists that the US forces remain ready to strike "any time we want". Also read: Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack According to Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a further extension of air-defence deployments could wea out troops, delay maintenance and hamper longer-term modernisation. But a recent military letter to families of servicemen said "a longer tour weighs heavily on every household, including our own." What are these mixed signals telling us? Trump may be looking for a political and diplomatic exit from the Iran war. But Hegseth's Pentagon is positioning US forces for a conflict that could last well into 2027. At this time, both are looking for a fig leaf, a headline that they can take to Americans and the world, to claim victory against Iran.

A report hinted that Trump is weighing to end the Iran war. A military letter has asked for not using the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’ for US operations in the Gulf. But US troop deployments are being extended into 2027. Midterm concerns, economic pressure, or mixed signals?

Is Trump ending Iran war? 'Operation Fury' naming ends, Hegseth extends troop plan to 2027 as prez appears tired ahead of midterms

More than 17 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz by ship on Monday (Aug 31), marking the highest wartime flow since the conflict between the US and Iran began on February 28, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday (Sep 2).Speaking to CNBC, Wright claimed that when Saudi Arabia’s and the United Arab Emirates’ pipelines that bypass the strait are included, regional oil exports on Monday exceeded levels seen before the war. Before the conflict, about 20 million barrels per day of crude and petroleum products moved through Hormuz.<h2>Iran’s losing leverage over global oil trade?</h2>Wright said Tehran was gradually losing its ability to use the strait as a pressure point on the global economy as the US military helps commercial tankers navigate the waterway.Iran is “causing some disruption but they are losing that card,” Wright told CNBC, arguing that US-backed shipping operations were reducing Tehran’s ability to restrict energy supplies.“With or without Iran, oil and gas will flow out of the Arabian Gulf region and it’s happening,” Wright said.The comments came during an interview with CNBC’s Brian Sullivan in Venezuela, five days after President Donald Trump announced a major oil agreement with Caracas’ interim government.<h2>Tankers face continued attacks</h2>The US military has established a shipping corridor along Oman’s coast for tankers operated by Gulf allies. Many vessels travel through the route at night and switch off their transponders to lower the risk of being targeted.Iran has repeatedly demanded that commercial ships instead use a northern route through Iranian waters and has attacked vessels using the US-protected corridor. At least two tankers have been attacked in Hormuz this week, according to incident reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre.On Wednesday (Sep 2), US crude futures fell roughly 1 per cent after briefly approaching $90 a barrel as fresh US-Iran military exchanges ended a period of relative calm.Wright also defended Washington’s higher oil-flow estimates, saying US military and Energy Department data also capture covert tanker movements that private tracking firms can miss.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright claims more than 17 million barrels of oil crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, despite Iran’s attacks and efforts to disrupt tanker traffic.

More than 17 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz by ship on Monday (Aug 31), marking the highest wartime flow since the conflict between the US and Iran began on February 28, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday (Sep 2). Speaking to CNBC, Wright claimed that when Saudi Arabia’s and the United Arab Emirates’ pipelines that bypass the strait are included, regional oil exports on Monday exceeded levels seen before the war. Before the conflict, about 20 million barrels per day of crude and petroleum products moved through Hormuz. Iran’s losing leverage over global oil trade? Wright said Tehran was gradually losing its ability to use the strait as a pressure point on the global economy as the US military helps commercial tankers navigate the waterway. Iran is “causing some disruption but they are losing that card,” Wright told CNBC, arguing that US-backed shipping operations were reducing Tehran’s ability to restrict energy supplies. “With or without Iran, oil and gas will flow out of the Arabian Gulf region and it’s happening,” Wright said. The comments came during an interview with CNBC’s Brian Sullivan in Venezuela, five days after President Donald Trump announced a major oil agreement with Caracas’ interim government. Tankers face continued attacks The US military has established a shipping corridor along Oman’s coast for tankers operated by Gulf allies. Many vessels travel through the route at night and switch off their transponders to lower the risk of being targeted. Iran has repeatedly demanded that commercial ships instead use a northern route through Iranian waters and has attacked vessels using the US-protected corridor. At least two tankers have been attacked in Hormuz this week, according to incident reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre. On Wednesday (Sep 2), US crude futures fell roughly 1 per cent after briefly approaching $90 a barrel as fresh US-Iran military exchanges ended a period of relative calm. Wright also defended Washington’s higher oil-flow estimates, saying US military and Energy Department data also capture covert tanker movements that private tracking firms can miss.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright claims more than 17 million barrels of oil crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, despite Iran’s attacks and efforts to disrupt tanker traffic.

Over 17 million barrels of oil crossed Hormuz on Monday? US claims record flows

While U.S. President Donald Trump calls Iran a failed nation, the latter's war-time performance is stark. According to Iranian state media, IRGC's missile strike caused extensive damage to an aircraft hangar at the Muwaffaq Salti air base in Jordan. Iran has carried out retaliatory strikes despite US' warning.

US-Iran War: Trump threatens Iran with 'Total' destruction if attacks continue

A Financial Times report is claiming that Russia has been secretly helping Iran develop advanced supersonic cruise missiles under a programme codenamed ‘C430L’. The multiyear programme began in 2023, claimed the report, which cited leaked Russian communications, travel documents and defence patent analysis. The programme allegedly involves Russian missile specialists, technical exchanges and assistance with a ramjet propulsion system that could allow missiles to travel at several times the speed of sound, the FT investigative report published on Tuesday (Sep 1) said.<h2>How C430L began</h2>According to the report, the defence programme was arranged by Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport in coordination with NPO Mashinostroyenia, which is a Russian design bureau sanctioned by the US since 2014.Russian arms-export officials and senior NPO Mashinostroyenia engineers repeatedly travelled to Iran before a formal agreement was signed with Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics in November 2023, said the report.Senior NPO engineers with expertise in cruise missiles and air-breathing propulsion, including a specialist in supersonic ramjet technology were involved, it claimed.<h2>Supersonic missile for Iran? The ramjet technology&nbsp;</h2>Ramjet engines use a technology specifically designed for supersonic speeds. A ramjet propulsion system is at the centre of the C430L programme. Unlike conventional rocket propulsion, a ramjet uses the missile’s forward speed to compress incoming air before combustion, allowing sustained high-speed flight within the atmosphere.Military experts told FT this tech was almost certainly for anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles. If developed, these weapons could threaten US aircraft carriers, warships and other military assets in the Middle East.Ramjet tech is covted for long by Iran, which built and flight-tested it. But the FT report said there is no evidence that a fully Russian-assisted supersonic cruise missile has entered operational service.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iranian-president-masoud-pezeshkian-asks-pm-narendra-modi-to-use-india-s-influence-to-end-west-asia-war-1788179170273">Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asks PM Narendra Modi to use India’s influence to end West Asia war</a><h2>The alleged Russian technical assistance to Iran</h2>By 2025, the NPO received extensive Iranian technical material relating to the ramjet system.The Russian engineers who examined data from an Iranian flight test enquired about fuel-system changes, combustion stability, air intakes and engine nozzles. The correspondence suggests Russian specialists were not simply transferring designs but were helping Iranian engineers identify technical problems and improve an already tested propulsion system, claimed the FT report. It said Rosoboronexport in 2025 proposed sending about 24 Russian specialists to Iran for technical consultations linked to Tehran’s responses to the Russian questions about the flight-test data.C430L remained active amid US-Iran war. Russian officials were preparing technical reports for Tehran while both sides discussed a further phase of cooperation amid the US-Iran conflict this year. In June, a letter from Rosoboronexport allegedly showed negotiations continuing over elements of that next phase, but it's not clear if that has begun.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-war-irgc-strike-claim-raises-questions-as-pentagon-cracks-deepen-1788288595083/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-war-irgc-strike-claim-raises-questions-as-pentagon-cracks-deepen-1788288595083/embed</a><h2>Why the ramjet technology matters for Iran</h2>A reliable ramjet could give Iran the foundation to build several generations of high-speed cruise missiles rather than simply acquire one finished weapon. Russian expertise could be particularly valuable because ramjet development is technically difficult, FT cited Fabian Hinz of Conflict Armament Research as saying. “Getting a 60-year-old engineer to fly over and problem-solve, using their experience, is hugely valuable.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-launches-retaliatory-strikes-with-missiles-and-drones-iranian-media-1788294861231">Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack</a><h2>Russia-Iran military partnership is growing</h2>C430L fits into a broader pattern of Russia-Iran military cooperation. During the Ukraine war, Iran supplied Russia with drone technology, while Russia provided Iran with military and intelligence assistance during the latter's conflict with Israel and US.Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at the two nations' cooperation during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.Putin told Pezeshkian that Moscow was “trying to give you the help you need in this difficult period” and was “supplying you with the goods you need”. He did not mention what assistance or goods, and his remarks came the same day as the FT report.There has been no official confirmation of the C430L allegations made in the FT report. There is no concrete evidence that a Russian-assisted supersonic cruise missile is currently operational with Iran.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos. &nbsp;

An FT investigation report has alleged that Russia secretly helped Iran develop ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missiles. The programme codenamed C430L, could give Iran the capability to target US warships, as per the report

A Financial Times report is claiming that Russia has been secretly helping Iran develop advanced supersonic cruise missiles under a programme codenamed ‘C430L’. The multiyear programme began in 2023, claimed the report, which cited leaked Russian communications, travel documents and defence patent analysis. The programme allegedly involves Russian missile specialists, technical exchanges and assistance with a ramjet propulsion system that could allow missiles to travel at several times the speed of sound, the FT investigative report published on Tuesday (Sep 1) said. How C430L began According to the report, the defence programme was arranged by Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport in coordination with NPO Mashinostroyenia, which is a Russian design bureau sanctioned by the US since 2014. Russian arms-export officials and senior NPO Mashinostroyenia engineers repeatedly travelled to Iran before a formal agreement was signed with Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics in November 2023, said the report. Senior NPO engineers with expertise in cruise missiles and air-breathing propulsion, including a specialist in supersonic ramjet technology were involved, it claimed. Supersonic missile for Iran? The ramjet technology Ramjet engines use a technology specifically designed for supersonic speeds. A ramjet propulsion system is at the centre of the C430L programme. Unlike conventional rocket propulsion, a ramjet uses the missile’s forward speed to compress incoming air before combustion, allowing sustained high-speed flight within the atmosphere. Military experts told FT this tech was almost certainly for anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles. If developed, these weapons could threaten US aircraft carriers, warships and other military assets in the Middle East. Ramjet tech is covted for long by Iran, which built and flight-tested it. But the FT report said there is no evidence that a fully Russian-assisted supersonic cruise missile has entered operational service. Also read: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asks PM Narendra Modi to use India’s influence to end West Asia war The alleged Russian technical assistance to Iran By 2025, the NPO received extensive Iranian technical material relating to the ramjet system. The Russian engineers who examined data from an Iranian flight test enquired about fuel-system changes, combustion stability, air intakes and engine nozzles. The correspondence suggests Russian specialists were not simply transferring designs but were helping Iranian engineers identify technical problems and improve an already tested propulsion system, claimed the FT report. It said Rosoboronexport in 2025 proposed sending about 24 Russian specialists to Iran for technical consultations linked to Tehran’s responses to the Russian questions about the flight-test data. C430L remained active amid US-Iran war. Russian officials were preparing technical reports for Tehran while both sides discussed a further phase of cooperation amid the US-Iran conflict this year. In June, a letter from Rosoboronexport allegedly showed negotiations continuing over elements of that next phase, but it's not clear if that has begun. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-war-irgc-strike-claim-raises-questions-as-pentagon-cracks-deepen-1788288595083/embed Why the ramjet technology matters for Iran A reliable ramjet could give Iran the foundation to build several generations of high-speed cruise missiles rather than simply acquire one finished weapon. Russian expertise could be particularly valuable because ramjet development is technically difficult, FT cited Fabian Hinz of Conflict Armament Research as saying. “Getting a 60-year-old engineer to fly over and problem-solve, using their experience, is hugely valuable.” Also read: Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack Russia-Iran military partnership is growing C430L fits into a broader pattern of Russia-Iran military cooperation. During the Ukraine war, Iran supplied Russia with drone technology, while Russia provided Iran with military and intelligence assistance during the latter's conflict with Israel and US. Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at the two nations' cooperation during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. Putin told Pezeshkian that Moscow was “trying to give you the help you need in this difficult period” and was “supplying you with the goods you need”. He did not mention what assistance or goods, and his remarks came the same day as the FT report. There has been no official confirmation of the C430L allegations made in the FT report. There is no concrete evidence that a Russian-assisted supersonic cruise missile is currently operational with Iran. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

An FT investigation report has alleged that Russia secretly helped Iran develop ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missiles. The programme codenamed C430L, could give Iran the capability to target US warships, as per the report

Inside C430L: The alleged secret Russian mission to help Iran with supersonic missiles

U.S. President Donald Trump claims Iran is a failed nation...But look closer...And you see how cracks within the Pentagon are widening.With the resignation of U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, the extent of damage by Iran continues to startle America...Iranian state media released these visuals of ballistic missiles being fired at the U.S. bases of King Hussein and Muwaffaq Salti in Jordan. This was a retaliation for America's strike on two launchers in Larak Island, which resulted in multiple civilian and military casualties.Although Jordan's army claimed to have averted any damage by destroying eight Iranian missiles that breached its airspace, satellite imagery depicts a different story.Take a look at these images.According to Iranian state media, they confirm a direct impact and extensive damage to an aircraft hangar at the Muwaffaq Salti air base.While trying to repel Iran's strikes, a report claimed that U.S. forces fired over 80 Patriot interceptor missiles, which could account for around ten per cent of the remaining U.S. stockpile of these missiles. It added that up to four interceptors were fired at each Iranian missile.Now, this assumes significance, as three U.S. military personnel were killed in the last Iranian ballistic and drone attack on this Jordan air base on July 17.Frustrated by Iran's resistance, Trump lost his cool when asked about the possibility of using nuclear weapons on Iran.Ironically, Trump's bravado comes at a time when key military leaders advised U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth against extending operations against Iran. They reportedly warned him that prolonging the war is unsustainable and risks weakening the U.S. military's ability to confront threats elsewhere.Amid this, Daniel Driscoll, who oversaw operations, modernisation and resource allocation for nearly one million active and reserve soldiers, quit after months of friction with Hegseth.Now, let's take a brief look at his background.Driscoll was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2007, after which he was deployed to Iraq. He has received multiple military awards, including the Army Recommendation Medal and Combat Action Badge.After retiring from the Army, he held leadership positions in investment banking, private equity and business operations, such as the COO of a 200 million U.S. dollar venture capital fund.In February 2025, he became the youngest-ever U.S. Secretary of the Army. He is said to be close to U.S. Vice President JD Vance.He came into the spotlight last year, after Trump chose him to take part in talks with Moscow and Kyiv to end the war in Ukraine.But what was the trigger for his exit?According to Reuters, he reportedly raised concerns about Hegseth blocking his efforts to modernise the Army. He was reportedly miffed at the U.S. Secretary of War firing generals who were leading these efforts.Driscoll was believed to be pushing the Army to acquire cheaper weapons.The report claimed that while Hegseth long wanted to remove Driscoll, his ties to Vance made it tough for him to do so.U.S. Army Chief Randy George's ouster in April reportedly caught Driscoll off guard and led to his increased frustration with Trump.Hegseth has been under scrutiny for blocking the promotion of senior Army officials and his leadership during the ongoing Iran war.This is not all.According to the report, Deputy Under-Secretary of Army Dave FitzGerald, who has been focusing on innovation, is also likely to quit soon.While it is unclear whether Driscoll's resignation has been accepted, White House lauded his outstanding leadership role in advancing Trump's agenda to make America strong again and restore an emphasis on readiness and lethality.At a time when the U.S. is dealing with depleted weapon stockpiles and exhausted personnel, its Army's top civilian and uniformed leadership positions are vacant now...However, is the U.S. contemplating a return to hostilities in West Asia?According to Axios, Trump and his senior aides have been considering waging limited strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. This is aimed at preventing Iran from reconstituting its radar and missile capabilities to attack ships.While the U.S. President sparked speculation in this regard by posting an AI-generated video of an attack on Iran's oil lifeline of Kharg Island, Vance construed it as a message to the Iranians.Speaking at the SCO summit in Bishkek, Pezeshkian made a key intervention. He accused the U.S. of making excessive demands and breaching its commitments less than two weeks after signing the memorandum of understanding with Iran.At the same time, he made it clear that Iran will reciprocate if the U.S. honours the MOU.Pezeshkian's stance is vital, as Iranians have been bearing the brunt of the U.S. naval blockade as well as the enhanced economic sanctions.With the Iranian president extending an olive branch, will America now reciprocate?All eyes will be on the next few days to determine Trump's future course of action.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-unleashes-fury-on-us-base-in-jordan-frustrated-trump-erupts-over-nuke-question-1788286787276/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-unleashes-fury-on-us-base-in-jordan-frustrated-trump-erupts-over-nuke-question-1788286787276/embed</a>&nbsp;

Donald Trump faces growing Pentagon tensions as Iran strikes US bases, Daniel Driscoll resigns and Washington weighs possible renewed strikes.

U.S. President Donald Trump claims Iran is a failed nation... But look closer... And you see how cracks within the Pentagon are widening. With the resignation of U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, the extent of damage by Iran continues to startle America... Iranian state media released these visuals of ballistic missiles being fired at the U.S. bases of King Hussein and Muwaffaq Salti in Jordan. This was a retaliation for America's strike on two launchers in Larak Island, which resulted in multiple civilian and military casualties. Although Jordan's army claimed to have averted any damage by destroying eight Iranian missiles that breached its airspace, satellite imagery depicts a different story. Take a look at these images. According to Iranian state media, they confirm a direct impact and extensive damage to an aircraft hangar at the Muwaffaq Salti air base. While trying to repel Iran's strikes, a report claimed that U.S. forces fired over 80 Patriot interceptor missiles, which could account for around ten per cent of the remaining U.S. stockpile of these missiles. It added that up to four interceptors were fired at each Iranian missile. Now, this assumes significance, as three U.S. military personnel were killed in the last Iranian ballistic and drone attack on this Jordan air base on July 17. Frustrated by Iran's resistance, Trump lost his cool when asked about the possibility of using nuclear weapons on Iran. Ironically, Trump's bravado comes at a time when key military leaders advised U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth against extending operations against Iran. They reportedly warned him that prolonging the war is unsustainable and risks weakening the U.S. military's ability to confront threats elsewhere. Amid this, Daniel Driscoll, who oversaw operations, modernisation and resource allocation for nearly one million active and reserve soldiers, quit after months of friction with Hegseth. Now, let's take a brief look at his background. Driscoll was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2007, after which he was deployed to Iraq. He has received multiple military awards, including the Army Recommendation Medal and Combat Action Badge. After retiring from the Army, he held leadership positions in investment banking, private equity and business operations, such as the COO of a 200 million U.S. dollar venture capital fund. In February 2025, he became the youngest-ever U.S. Secretary of the Army. He is said to be close to U.S. Vice President JD Vance. He came into the spotlight last year, after Trump chose him to take part in talks with Moscow and Kyiv to end the war in Ukraine. But what was the trigger for his exit? According to Reuters, he reportedly raised concerns about Hegseth blocking his efforts to modernise the Army. He was reportedly miffed at the U.S. Secretary of War firing generals who were leading these efforts. Driscoll was believed to be pushing the Army to acquire cheaper weapons. The report claimed that while Hegseth long wanted to remove Driscoll, his ties to Vance made it tough for him to do so. U.S. Army Chief Randy George's ouster in April reportedly caught Driscoll off guard and led to his increased frustration with Trump. Hegseth has been under scrutiny for blocking the promotion of senior Army officials and his leadership during the ongoing Iran war. This is not all. According to the report, Deputy Under-Secretary of Army Dave FitzGerald, who has been focusing on innovation, is also likely to quit soon. While it is unclear whether Driscoll's resignation has been accepted, White House lauded his outstanding leadership role in advancing Trump's agenda to make America strong again and restore an emphasis on readiness and lethality. At a time when the U.S. is dealing with depleted weapon stockpiles and exhausted personnel, its Army's top civilian and uniformed leadership positions are vacant now... However, is the U.S. contemplating a return to hostilities in West Asia? According to Axios, Trump and his senior aides have been considering waging limited strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. This is aimed at preventing Iran from reconstituting its radar and missile capabilities to attack ships. While the U.S. President sparked speculation in this regard by posting an AI-generated video of an attack on Iran's oil lifeline of Kharg Island, Vance construed it as a message to the Iranians. Speaking at the SCO summit in Bishkek, Pezeshkian made a key intervention. He accused the U.S. of making excessive demands and breaching its commitments less than two weeks after signing the memorandum of understanding with Iran. At the same time, he made it clear that Iran will reciprocate if the U.S. honours the MOU. Pezeshkian's stance is vital, as Iranians have been bearing the brunt of the U.S. naval blockade as well as the enhanced economic sanctions. With the Iranian president extending an olive branch, will America now reciprocate? All eyes will be on the next few days to determine Trump's future course of action. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-unleashes-fury-on-us-base-in-jordan-frustrated-trump-erupts-over-nuke-question-1788286787276/embed

Donald Trump faces growing Pentagon tensions as Iran strikes US bases, Daniel Driscoll resigns and Washington weighs possible renewed strikes.

Iran unleashes fury on US base in Jordan, frustrated Trump erupts over nuke question | Gravitas

US CENTCOM has confirmed that it has begun fresh strikes on IRGC targets in Iran at 12 pm in local time on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB, has reported that several explosions were heard at Iran's Bandar Abbas.&nbsp;“Today at 12 p.m. ET, US forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran. The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region," said US CENTCOM in a post on the social media platform X.According to an Al Jazeera report, which cites IRIB, five explosions were heard around Masan village in Qeshm, while four explosions were also heard from the Strait of Hormuz in Qeshm. According to the deputy political, security, and social affairs officer of the Hormozgan governorate in Bandar Abbas, no casualties have been reported.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-praises-iran-resilience-russia-necessary-equipment-1788279988882">Putin praises Iran’s resilience, says Russia providing Tehran with ‘necessary equipment’</a>According to Al Jazeera, which cites anonymous US officials, the attack on an IRGC target is still going on. According to Iranian state media IRNA, explosions were heard in Chabahar and Konarak. The Deputy Governor for Security and Law Enforcement of Sistan and Baluchestan Province said four projectiles struck Chabahar and Konarak.&nbsp;“Expert investigations are underway to determine the details of the incident, potential damages, and further information,” said General Ali Khalil Abadi.<h2>Trump threatens Iran; "biggest" attacks are waiting&nbsp;</h2>In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump said that there will be "much harder and higher level" attacks on Iran if it retaliates against these attacks.&nbsp;"If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran!," wrote Trump in a Truth Social post as US CENTCOM carried out attack on Iran.&nbsp;US attack on Iran comes after the recent escalation since Sunday, August 30. US first struck Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday evening; Iran retaliated by targeting a US military base in Jordan and the UAE. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump posted an AI video of an attack on Iranian Kharg Island. Then, on Monday, Trump said that there will be a further response to the Iranian attacks.US Embassy across the West Asia region has issued a security alert urging US citizens to stay alert, review travel plans, and prepare for potential travel disruptions or consider departing due to elevated regional tensions. US Crude oil prices are hovering around $90/barrel and now stand at their highest level since July 24. Meanwhile, Iran's parliament speaker and top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, urged citizens to curb their petrol consumption on Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

US CENTCOM confirmed strikes on IRGC targets in Iran on Tuesday, citing attempted attacks on commercial shipping and US service members.

US CENTCOM has confirmed that it has begun fresh strikes on IRGC targets in Iran at 12 pm in local time on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB, has reported that several explosions were heard at Iran's Bandar Abbas. “Today at 12 p.m. ET, US forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran. The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region," said US CENTCOM in a post on the social media platform X. According to an Al Jazeera report, which cites IRIB, five explosions were heard around Masan village in Qeshm, while four explosions were also heard from the Strait of Hormuz in Qeshm. According to the deputy political, security, and social affairs officer of the Hormozgan governorate in Bandar Abbas, no casualties have been reported. Also Read: Putin praises Iran’s resilience, says Russia providing Tehran with ‘necessary equipment’ According to Al Jazeera, which cites anonymous US officials, the attack on an IRGC target is still going on. According to Iranian state media IRNA, explosions were heard in Chabahar and Konarak. The Deputy Governor for Security and Law Enforcement of Sistan and Baluchestan Province said four projectiles struck Chabahar and Konarak. “Expert investigations are underway to determine the details of the incident, potential damages, and further information,” said General Ali Khalil Abadi. Trump threatens Iran; "biggest" attacks are waiting In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump said that there will be "much harder and higher level" attacks on Iran if it retaliates against these attacks. "If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran!," wrote Trump in a Truth Social post as US CENTCOM carried out attack on Iran. US attack on Iran comes after the recent escalation since Sunday, August 30. US first struck Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday evening; Iran retaliated by targeting a US military base in Jordan and the UAE. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump posted an AI video of an attack on Iranian Kharg Island. Then, on Monday, Trump said that there will be a further response to the Iranian attacks. US Embassy across the West Asia region has issued a security alert urging US citizens to stay alert, review travel plans, and prepare for potential travel disruptions or consider departing due to elevated regional tensions. US Crude oil prices are hovering around $90/barrel and now stand at their highest level since July 24. Meanwhile, Iran's parliament speaker and top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, urged citizens to curb their petrol consumption on Tuesday.

US CENTCOM confirmed strikes on IRGC targets in Iran on Tuesday, citing attempted attacks on commercial shipping and US service members.

US strikes IRGC targets in Iran as explosions reported in Bandar Abbas

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump. His departure is another high-profile exit from the administration after National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard's exit. The matter was first reported by CNN quoting sources but has now been confirmed by the White House. A statement by White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly lauded Driscoll for “outstanding leadership.” Apart from Gabbard, Trump administration has witnessed the exit of dozens of career prosecutors and top officials—including Kevin Driscoll, acting head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-top-us-intelligence-official-tulsi-gabbard-resigns-1779470018180">Trump’s top US intelligence official Tulsi Gabbard resigns</a><h2>Why has Dan Driscoll resigned?</h2>According to CNN sources, Driscoll's departure comes months after friction with Hegseth and also in the wake of six months into the Iran war. Hegseth reportedly fired the Army chief of staff, Gen Randy George, and two other generals earlier this year. George and Driscoll worked closely together. Driscoll, a close ally of Vice President JD Vance, was at one point seen as a potential alternative to Hegseth.&nbsp;<h2>Who is Dan Driscoll ?</h2>A former Army Ranger and venture capitalist, Driscoll advocated for improved living conditions for personnel, equipment modernisation, and applying insights from Ukrainian forces regarding commercial technology in combat. Under his leadership, private enterprises pledged to invest over USD 25 billion into data centres, critical mineral refineries, and dining facilities on US Army installations. Driscoll was confirmed by the Senate on February 25, 2025, in a 66-28 vote. Trump had previously nominated him as Army secretary, highlighting his background as a former soldier, investor, and political adviser. Driscoll previously served in the US Army as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader with the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom before graduating from Yale Law School. He later worked in venture capital and private equity and served as a senior adviser to Vance. move comes after months of reported friction between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ignored-intelligence-warning-of-defeat-in-iran-war-gravitas-1787852090583">Trump ignored intelligence warning of defeat in Iran War | Gravitas</a><h2>What the White House said?</h2>In a statement, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, "Secretary Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army by providing outstanding leadership during historic military operations, restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, assisting with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and more. The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War."

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned from his post, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. His departure comes amid reported tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The White House praised Driscoll for his leadership and role in Russia-Ukraine negotiations.

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump. His departure is another high-profile exit from the administration after National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard's exit. The matter was first reported by CNN quoting sources but has now been confirmed by the White House. A statement by White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly lauded Driscoll for “outstanding leadership.” Apart from Gabbard, Trump administration has witnessed the exit of dozens of career prosecutors and top officials—including Kevin Driscoll, acting head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. Also Read: Trump’s top US intelligence official Tulsi Gabbard resigns Why has Dan Driscoll resigned? According to CNN sources, Driscoll's departure comes months after friction with Hegseth and also in the wake of six months into the Iran war. Hegseth reportedly fired the Army chief of staff, Gen Randy George, and two other generals earlier this year. George and Driscoll worked closely together. Driscoll, a close ally of Vice President JD Vance, was at one point seen as a potential alternative to Hegseth. Who is Dan Driscoll ? A former Army Ranger and venture capitalist, Driscoll advocated for improved living conditions for personnel, equipment modernisation, and applying insights from Ukrainian forces regarding commercial technology in combat. Under his leadership, private enterprises pledged to invest over USD 25 billion into data centres, critical mineral refineries, and dining facilities on US Army installations. Driscoll was confirmed by the Senate on February 25, 2025, in a 66-28 vote. Trump had previously nominated him as Army secretary, highlighting his background as a former soldier, investor, and political adviser. Driscoll previously served in the US Army as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader with the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom before graduating from Yale Law School. He later worked in venture capital and private equity and served as a senior adviser to Vance. move comes after months of reported friction between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Also Read: Trump ignored intelligence warning of defeat in Iran War | Gravitas What the White House said? In a statement, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, "Secretary Driscoll has been highly effective in advancing President Trump’s agenda to Make America Strong Again at the Department of the Army by providing outstanding leadership during historic military operations, restoring an emphasis on readiness and lethality, assisting with negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and more. The United States Army is more powerful than ever thanks to his work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War."

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned from his post. His departure comes amid reported tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The White House praised Driscoll for his leadership and role in Russia-Ukraine negotiations.

Trump admin hit by another top-level exit as US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns

The US Iran war has witnessed a brief exchange of strikes again.Days after Donald Trump threatened unprecedented economic sanctions on Iran, and the U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions on 60 individuals and entities, the West Asia region once again witnessed military action. This time, the target for American troops was the Larak Island.US military struck two Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island, and later said that the strikes were to prevent Iran from deploying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. The attack comes after Trump last week said that the US Navy removed or detonated all mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway which has remained the biggest flashpoint between both countries.Larak Island serves as a critical maritime choke point at the narrowest section of the Strait of Hormuz. The island’s location and military infrastructure give Tehran a strategic position from which Iranian authorities can monitor and even control the scale of maritime activity across a waterway that is the root cause for stalemate in talks right now.The IRGC said that the US strike killed and wounded several soldiers and civilians. In response, Iranian forces claimed to have hit two U.S. airbases in Jordan with ballistic missiles, inflicting heavy damage. Iran also claimed a strike targeting US personnel in the UAE. However, Emirati officials denied that any such attack had occurred.Following the first strike and retaliation in a month, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian warned, that while Iran does not seek war, the country can deliver a decisive response in the face of aggression. The US President on his part has issued a fresh threat, warning of a strike on Kharg Island, which is Iran's main oil export terminal.Trump had shared an AI generated video with the caption, 'Kharg is going to be blown to smithereens.'But the expanse of American strikes is still unclear. Will the US resume full-scale or even partial sporadic strikes on Iranian assets?The question arises amid reports, which indicate that Washington is attempting to avoid large-scale combat with Iran to preserve its stockpiles of critical munitions and missile interceptors.The Wall Street Journal had reported that the US is shifting its strategy toward a tighter maritime blockade and intensified economic sanctions.Question is: will Trump change that tactic if the economic impact on Iran is not what Washington had anticipated? &nbsp;

The US-Iran war sees fresh strikes on Larak Island as Iran retaliates, while Donald Trump threatens action against Iran's Kharg Island.

The US Iran war has witnessed a brief exchange of strikes again. Days after Donald Trump threatened unprecedented economic sanctions on Iran, and the U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions on 60 individuals and entities, the West Asia region once again witnessed military action. This time, the target for American troops was the Larak Island. US military struck two Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island, and later said that the strikes were to prevent Iran from deploying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. The attack comes after Trump last week said that the US Navy removed or detonated all mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway which has remained the biggest flashpoint between both countries. Larak Island serves as a critical maritime choke point at the narrowest section of the Strait of Hormuz. The island’s location and military infrastructure give Tehran a strategic position from which Iranian authorities can monitor and even control the scale of maritime activity across a waterway that is the root cause for stalemate in talks right now. The IRGC said that the US strike killed and wounded several soldiers and civilians. In response, Iranian forces claimed to have hit two U.S. airbases in Jordan with ballistic missiles, inflicting heavy damage. Iran also claimed a strike targeting US personnel in the UAE. However, Emirati officials denied that any such attack had occurred. Following the first strike and retaliation in a month, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian warned, that while Iran does not seek war, the country can deliver a decisive response in the face of aggression. The US President on his part has issued a fresh threat, warning of a strike on Kharg Island, which is Iran's main oil export terminal. Trump had shared an AI generated video with the caption, 'Kharg is going to be blown to smithereens.' But the expanse of American strikes is still unclear. Will the US resume full-scale or even partial sporadic strikes on Iranian assets? The question arises amid reports, which indicate that Washington is attempting to avoid large-scale combat with Iran to preserve its stockpiles of critical munitions and missile interceptors. The Wall Street Journal had reported that the US is shifting its strategy toward a tighter maritime blockade and intensified economic sanctions. Question is: will Trump change that tactic if the economic impact on Iran is not what Washington had anticipated?

The US-Iran war sees fresh strikes on Larak Island as Iran retaliates, while Donald Trump threatens action against Iran's Kharg Island.

Race To Power | Larak Island strike raises questions over Trump's next move

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Aug 31) took a dig at Iran by accusing the Islamic Republic of killing more than 100,000 protesters. "Iran is officially a Failed Nation. IT IS DEAD! They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, they have no currency, they are not paying their soldiers or police, Inflation is at 300%, and their leadership is in total disarray and incapable of properly representing the country," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/schizophrenia-hallucinations-delusions-iran-slams-trump-advises-him-to-consult-psychologists-after-us-prez-calls-hormuz-us-terrotory-1787926399000">‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’</a>&nbsp;"The only thing they have is FAKE NEWS from the USA, a willingness to kill their protesters (now over 100,000 people dead. They must be tried for war crimes against humanity!), and a good line of "BULLS**T." Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J.TRUMP," he added.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wash-rice-twice-use-less-water-for-wudu-over-367-000-uk-campaign-urges-south-asians-muslims-to-save-water-amid-drought-1787563912742">‘Wash rice twice, use less water for wudu’: Over $367,000 UK campaign urges South Asians, Muslims to save water amid drought</a> &nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/great-near-great-below-average-trump-puts-himself-above-lincoln-washington-in-bizarre-ranking-of-greatest-us-presidents-1787903513307">‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents</a>&nbsp;This came just hours after the US struck two Iranian launch systems on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/video-remember-the-coupe-who-climbed-empire-state-building-they-are-facing-burglary-criminal-mischief-charges-1787659415861">Video | Remember the couple who climbed Empire State Building? They are facing burglary, criminal mischief charges</a>&nbsp;"I can confirm that earlier today US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz," one US official said, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-human-rights-emergency-jemima-goldsmith-urges-uk-pm-andy-burnham-to-intervene-over-ex-husband-imran-khan-s-prison-treatment-1787568862766">'A human-rights emergency': Jemima Goldsmith urges UK PM Andy Burnham to intervene over ex-husband Imran Khan’s prison treatment</a>&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump called Iran a "Failed Nation," accusing its leadership of killing over 100,000 protesters. The statement followed US strikes on Iranian launch systems on Larak Island.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Aug 31) took a dig at Iran by accusing the Islamic Republic of killing more than 100,000 protesters. "Iran is officially a Failed Nation. IT IS DEAD! They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, they have no currency, they are not paying their soldiers or police, Inflation is at 300%, and their leadership is in total disarray and incapable of properly representing the country," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Also read: ‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’ "The only thing they have is FAKE NEWS from the USA, a willingness to kill their protesters (now over 100,000 people dead. They must be tried for war crimes against humanity!), and a good line of "BULLS**T." Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J.TRUMP," he added. Also read: ‘Wash rice twice, use less water for wudu’: Over $367,000 UK campaign urges South Asians, Muslims to save water amid drought

US President Donald Trump called Iran a "Failed Nation," accusing its leadership of killing over 100,000 protesters. The statement followed US strikes on Iranian launch systems on Larak Island.

'Now over 100,000 people dead': Trump accuses Iran of killing protesters, calls it 'failed nation'

President Donald Trump has vowed retaliation after Iran launched missile strikes targeting US forces in Jordan, saying Washington will respond forcefully while leaving open the possibility of renewed talks with Tehran. "We're going to hit them hard," Trump was quoted as saying to Fox News' Trey Yingst in a phone call on Monday. “There will be a response.” Trump said US forces intercepted most of the missiles fired overnight, with one missile allowed to pass through air defenses because it was not expected to strike a target.&nbsp;According to a US source cited by Fox News, Iran fired at least eight ballistic missiles at US forces in Jordan on Sunday. The attack reportedly caused no significant impact. The Iranian missile barrage came after US forces carried out a strike against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps launchers on Larak Island. American officials said the operation followed the identification of preparations for an IRGC rocket launch intended to deploy new sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iranian-president-masoud-pezeshkian-asks-pm-narendra-modi-to-use-india-s-influence-to-end-west-asia-war-1788179170273">Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asks PM Narendra Modi to use India’s influence to end West Asia war</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump says the United States will respond to the Iranian missile attack on U.S. forces overnight. &quot;We&#39;re going to hit them hard,&quot; President Trump told Fox News. &quot;There will be a response.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/sjLOLSxm4g">pic.twitter.com/sjLOLSxm4g</a>&mdash; Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) <a href="https://x.com/TreyYingst/status/2094402295517622376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

US Central Command described the operation as ‘limited, precise action’ against minelaying forces that posed an ‘imminent threat’ to commercial shipping and the free flow of global commerce. Despite the escalating military confrontation, Trump indicated that there could still be an opening for negotiations. "They want to meet so badly," Trump said. "I just don't know if you can count on a deal with them. The sanctions are kicking in really strongly."&nbsp;Iran is also facing increasing economic pressure as US sanctions weigh on the country's oil exports and broader economy. Iranian officials have increasingly acknowledged the impact of the sanctions, while regional intelligence sources have warned that worsening economic conditions could fuel renewed unrest. The Iranian rial has fallen to about 2.1 million per US dollar, marking a historic low and underscoring the depth of the country's economic difficulties.&nbsp;Although Tehran is facing mounting financial pressure, Iranian officials have shown no clear indication that they are prepared to alter their position or reach an agreement with Washington. The latest exchange of strikes has therefore heightened fears of a broader regional escalation, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy and commercial shipping.

Trump vows retaliation after Iran strikes US forces in Jordan as sanctions deepen Iran's economic crisis and uncertainty over US-Iran talks grows

President Donald Trump has vowed retaliation after Iran launched missile strikes targeting US forces in Jordan, saying Washington will respond forcefully while leaving open the possibility of renewed talks with Tehran. "We're going to hit them hard," Trump was quoted as saying to Fox News' Trey Yingst in a phone call on Monday. “There will be a response.” Trump said US forces intercepted most of the missiles fired overnight, with one missile allowed to pass through air defenses because it was not expected to strike a target. According to a US source cited by Fox News, Iran fired at least eight ballistic missiles at US forces in Jordan on Sunday. The attack reportedly caused no significant impact. The Iranian missile barrage came after US forces carried out a strike against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps launchers on Larak Island. American officials said the operation followed the identification of preparations for an IRGC rocket launch intended to deploy new sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Also Read: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asks PM Narendra Modi to use India’s influence to end West Asia war

Trump vows retaliation after Iran's missile strikes on US forces in Jordan, while sanctions deepen Iran's economic crisis and talks remain uncertain

'We are going to hit Iran 'hard'. There will be a response': Trump after Tehran's strikes on US bases in Jordan

Iran is looking for a negotiated end to the war with the US, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday. While speaking alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan, Iran's President accused Washington of failing to fulfil ​its commitments under past agreements."Nevertheless, we are still trying to achieve an agreement and understanding, and we believe that continuing the war is in no one's interest, neither ours, nor the region's, nor humanity's," Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying. "We ​believe the solution to the existing issues is dialogue and cooperation and that every capacity must be used to prevent the spread of insecurity and conflict."These statements come a day after the US and Iran exchanged attacks, the first time since late July, driving up oil prices roughly 3.5 per cent to $91/barrel. US President Donald Trump also posted an AI video of an attack on Iran's oil hub Kharg Island with the caption “Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!! President DJT.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-retired-army-serviceman-dies-chinese-manja-kite-string-1788174173102">Retired Army serviceman dies after banned Chinese 'manjha' slits throat while riding bike in Jammu</a>An Iranian official dismissed this post as “laughable”. "Trump’s tweets are laughable, and conditions in Kharg are calm and appropriate," Hamid ​Bovard, chief executive of government-run National Iranian Oil Co, said on Monday.A US official said on Monday that the military had not targeted Kharg Island in overnight strikes; rather, they attacked Larak Island. According to Washington, "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz". According to Iran's IRNA news agency, two people were killed, and others were injured in the attack.Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Economic Outcast” targetting Iranian economic interests across the globe. He also said that new secondary sanctions were likely to be unveiled weekly in the effort to pressure Iran, with an initial focus on banks. Trump has so far failed in all his major objectives when he set out to achieve them with Iran: overthrowing Iran's Clerical rulers, curbing Iran's ability to launch attacks on regional rivals and dismantling Iran's nuclear programme.&nbsp;

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran is seeking a negotiated end to the war with the US, calling for dialogue to prevent further conflict.

Iran is looking for a negotiated end to the war with the US, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday. While speaking alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan, Iran's President accused Washington of failing to fulfil its commitments under past agreements. "Nevertheless, we are still trying to achieve an agreement and understanding, and we believe that continuing the war is in no one's interest, neither ours, nor the region's, nor humanity's," Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying. "We believe the solution to the existing issues is dialogue and cooperation and that every capacity must be used to prevent the spread of insecurity and conflict." These statements come a day after the US and Iran exchanged attacks, the first time since late July, driving up oil prices roughly 3.5 per cent to $91/barrel. US President Donald Trump also posted an AI video of an attack on Iran's oil hub Kharg Island with the caption “Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!! President DJT.” Also Read: Retired Army serviceman dies after banned Chinese 'manjha' slits throat while riding bike in Jammu An Iranian official dismissed this post as “laughable”. "Trump’s tweets are laughable, and conditions in Kharg are calm and appropriate," Hamid Bovard, chief executive of government-run National Iranian Oil Co, said on Monday. A US official said on Monday that the military had not targeted Kharg Island in overnight strikes; rather, they attacked Larak Island. According to Washington, "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz". According to Iran's IRNA news agency, two people were killed, and others were injured in the attack. Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Economic Outcast” targetting Iranian economic interests across the globe. He also said that new secondary sanctions were likely to be unveiled weekly in the effort to pressure Iran, with an initial focus on banks. Trump has so far failed in all his major objectives when he set out to achieve them with Iran: overthrowing Iran's Clerical rulers, curbing Iran's ability to launch attacks on regional rivals and dismantling Iran's nuclear programme.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran is seeking a negotiated end to the war with the US, calling for dialogue to prevent further conflict.

Iran seeks negotiated end to US war as Pezeshkian calls for dialogue

Iranian students are facing growing uncertainty over university admissions, with changes and delays creating concerns about their academic plans and future opportunities. The situation has left many students and families waiting for clarity on admission decisions, enrollment procedures and access to higher education across Iran.

Iranian students face uncertainty over university admissions 

US President Donald Trump has shared an AI video on his platform, Truth Social, claiming that Iran’s Kharg Island is “being blown to smithereens.” Trump provided no evidence of his claim. Neither did he provide any context to his statement. There has not been any statement by US Defence Forces or Iranian government or media on the same. However, Trump's claim comes as US forces attacked Iran’s Larak Island in the weekend. In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked US bases and facilities in Jordan and United Arab Emirates (UAE). &nbsp;In the video, US missiles are seen attacking the Kharg Island as explosion destroys the key installations.&nbsp;

<h2>Where is Kharg Island?</h2>Kharg Island is a small coral and rocky island, that falls under Iran's Bushehr Province. It is situated in the northern part of the Persian Gulf and functions as the country’s main oil export hub. Often referred to as Iran’s “crown jewel,” Kharg Island ships out roughly 90–95 per cent of the nation’s crude oil. The oil terminal here has the capacity to load around 7 million barrels per day and can service up to ten supertankers at once. The revenue generated from oil exported through Kharg Island is estimated at around $78 billion each year, making it a crucial financial pillar for the Iranian state. The island hosts facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including missile storage areas, naval mine depots, and air defence installations. Kharg is also the heart of Iran’s oil industry. If exports from the island were seriously disrupted, Iran would lose access to the route that handles almost all of its crude exports.<h2>Trump and his threats on Kharg Island</h2>In March, Trump had warned several times that US will hit Kharg Island to paralyse Iran's oil economy. He amde contradictory statements, once claiming that United States may carry out more strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub “just for fun” and sometimes claiming that the US strikes had “totally demolished” most of Kharg Island. US forces conducted a large-scale precision strike on Iran's Kharg Island on the night of March 13. Iran has threatened to reduce US-linked oil facilities in the region to a "pile of ashes." After the strike on Kharg Island, Trump said that the US had “totally obliterated every military target” on the island.&nbsp;&nbsp;(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)&nbsp;

Trump shared an AI-generated video claiming Iran’s Kharg Island is “being blown to smithereens”, without providing evidence. The key Iranian oil hub handles most of the country’s crude exports. His claim comes amid escalating US-Iran tensions following strikes on Larak Island.

US President Donald Trump has shared an AI video on his platform, Truth Social, claiming that Iran’s Kharg Island is “being blown to smithereens.” Trump provided no evidence of his claim. Neither did he provide any context to his statement. There has not been any statement by US Defence Forces or Iranian government or media on the same. However, Trump's claim comes as US forces attacked Iran’s Larak Island in the weekend. In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked US bases and facilities in Jordan and United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the video, US missiles are seen attacking the Kharg Island as explosion destroys the key installations.

Trump shared an AI-generated video claiming Iran’s Kharg Island is “being blown to smithereens”, without providing evidence. The key Iranian oil hub handles most of the country’s crude exports. His claim comes amid escalating US-Iran tensions following strikes on Larak Island.

Iran's Kharg Island under attack? Trump shares AI video after attack on Larak Island

US forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island situated in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to several reports citing US officials, marking the first strikes in the war in over a month. Officials said Iranian forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with mines into the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces were observed preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official told Fox News.&nbsp;Iran’s Fars News Agency also reported an explosion near the Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.&nbsp;“Revolutionary Guard forces were observed preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines toward the Strait of Hormuz,” reported Axios quoting a US official.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-based-terrorist-handlers-isi-using-porn-sites-and-encrypted-apps-to-communicate-with-recruits-in-j-k-1788115668072">Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&amp;K</a>&nbsp;Last week, US Central Command (CENTCOM) had completed an operation to clear sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes.&nbsp;“US forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway,” the official said.&nbsp;Larak Island is a small Iranian island located off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran, east of Qeshm Island and south of Hormuz Island. It is part of Hormozgan province.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-nepal-floods-himachal-identifies-67-vulnerable-glacial-lakes-plans-early-warning-systems-for-4-high-risk-ones-1788107314977">After Nepal floods, Himachal identifies 67 vulnerable glacial lakes, plans early warning systems for 4 high-risk ones</a>&nbsp;It is the first known US strike in Iran since late July, when President Donald Trump had paused a two-week US military campaign in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump had, however, said at the time that Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be “immediately and systematically destroyed.”“There is a Zero Tolerance policy on mine placement in full force and effect,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.&nbsp;Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran's IRGC, also reported that a drone conducted the strike and two people have been killed while two others were wounded.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-successfully-launches-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-to-unravel-mysteries-of-universe-1788094822217">NASA successfully launches Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to unravel mysteries of universe</a>&nbsp;The IRGC responded to the US strikes and said in a statement that the US attack “will be answered by the sons of Iran and will result in the punishment of the aggressor”.&nbsp;Iran’s ⁠Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp said the US ⁠attack on Larak ⁠Island killed and wounded ‌several Iranian fighters and civilians and promised to respond ⁠and punish those responsible, according to Iran’s ⁠state broadcaster IRIB.&nbsp;“The American-Zionist adversary, once more acting out of frustration over its domestic challenges and waning influence in the region, aims to resurrect its malevolent presence and sway public perception," the IRGC statement read.&nbsp;

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces were observed preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official told media outlets. Iran’s Fars News Agency also reported an explosion near the Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

US forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island situated in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to several reports citing US officials, marking the first strikes in the war in over a month. Officials said Iranian forces were observed preparing to launch rockets with mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces were observed preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official told Fox News. Iran’s Fars News Agency also reported an explosion near the Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. “Revolutionary Guard forces were observed preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines toward the Strait of Hormuz,” reported Axios quoting a US official. Also Read: Pak-based terrorist handlers, ISI using porn sites and encrypted apps to communicate with ‘recruits’ in J&K Last week, US Central Command (CENTCOM) had completed an operation to clear sea mines from the strait’s international shipping routes. “US forces are monitoring the area closely and remain prepared to protect the free flow of commerce through this essential waterway,” the official said. Larak Island is a small Iranian island located off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran, east of Qeshm Island and south of Hormuz Island. It is part of Hormozgan province. Also Read: After Nepal floods, Himachal identifies 67 vulnerable glacial lakes, plans early warning systems for 4 high-risk ones It is the first known US strike in Iran since late July, when President Donald Trump had paused a two-week US military campaign in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump had, however, said at the time that Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be “immediately and systematically destroyed.” “There is a Zero Tolerance policy on mine placement in full force and effect,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran's IRGC, also reported that a drone conducted the strike and two people have been killed while two others were wounded. Also Read: NASA successfully launches Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to unravel mysteries of universe The IRGC responded to the US strikes and said in a statement that the US attack “will be answered by the sons of Iran and will result in the punishment of the aggressor”. Iran’s ⁠Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp said the US ⁠attack on Larak ⁠Island killed and wounded ‌several Iranian fighters and civilians and promised to respond ⁠and punish those responsible, according to Iran’s ⁠state broadcaster IRIB. “The American-Zionist adversary, once more acting out of frustration over its domestic challenges and waning influence in the region, aims to resurrect its malevolent presence and sway public perception," the IRGC statement read.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces were observed preparing to launch rockets and deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a US official told media outlets. Iran’s Fars News Agency also reported an explosion near the Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

US forces strike Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday (August 30) called on Muslim countries across the region to unite against the United States and Israel, in a written message issued six months after the Middle East war started. Khamenei has remained out of public view since assuming the position shortly after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed at the beginning of the war on February 28. Iranian authorities have so far released no video or audio recording of the new supreme leader.&nbsp;In his Sunday message, issued as Shia Muslims marked the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, Khamenei stressed the importance of unity among Islamic nations. "The solution to the problems of the Islamic nations is unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness," he said Sunday as Shia Muslims marked the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. "Anyone, in any position, who does anything that leads to division among Muslims and creates conflict in the Muslim community, knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, has served the purpose of the enemies of Islam," he added, according to his official website.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-vs-israel-are-erdogan-and-netanyahu-preparing-for-a-bigger-confrontation-1788071149354">Turkey vs Israel: Are Erdogan and Netanyahu preparing for a bigger confrontation?</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Now, after passing through difficult, turbulent times and having traversed numerous ups and downs from the early dawn of Islam to the present time, Islam and its followers have reached a fateful, decisive juncture. Today, Muslims can play a highly effective, fateful role.&mdash; Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (@MKhamenei_ir) <a href="https://x.com/MKhamenei_ir/status/2093938755220504787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Khamenei also urged the rulers of regional countries to identify what he described as their main adversary and oppose its strategy. The supreme leader called on the rulers of regional countries to ‘recognise your real enemy, understand its plan, and confront it’, referring to the US and Israel.&nbsp;During the conflict, Iran launched attacks against US military bases and facilities across the Middle East, including locations in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. The attacks have contributed to strained relations between Tehran and several of those countries, adding to existing regional tensions.&nbsp;Khamenei, who holds the final authority over major state policies in Iran, also called for greater unity among Iranian officials and the public, urging them to set aside internal differences while confronting Israel and the United States. "Again, this servant's advice to the Iranian people is to not allow any differences to arise among themselves in any way," he said, echoing remarks made in another statement on Friday.&nbsp;"I firmly declare that doing anything detrimental to social cohesion is prohibited," he had said in Friday's message. In the same Friday statement, Khamenei also called for the gradual de-dollarisation of Iran’s economy and urged greater domestic production to help strengthen economic growth. His economic message comes as Iran continues to face the effects of years of US sanctions, alongside the economic pressure caused by months of a US naval blockade. The measures have placed further strain on livelihoods and economic activity across the country.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei urges Muslim nations to unite against the US and Israel, while calling for Iranian unity and economic reforms

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday (August 30) called on Muslim countries across the region to unite against the United States and Israel, in a written message issued six months after the Middle East war started. Khamenei has remained out of public view since assuming the position shortly after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed at the beginning of the war on February 28. Iranian authorities have so far released no video or audio recording of the new supreme leader. In his Sunday message, issued as Shia Muslims marked the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, Khamenei stressed the importance of unity among Islamic nations. "The solution to the problems of the Islamic nations is unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness," he said Sunday as Shia Muslims marked the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. "Anyone, in any position, who does anything that leads to division among Muslims and creates conflict in the Muslim community, knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, has served the purpose of the enemies of Islam," he added, according to his official website. Also Read: Turkey vs Israel: Are Erdogan and Netanyahu preparing for a bigger confrontation?

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei urges Muslim nations to unite against the US and Israel while calling for social cohesion and economic reforms

Iran's Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei calls for Muslim unity against 'enemies of Islam'

The United States says it has achieved a major breakthrough in the Strait of Hormuz. But the bigger question is whether Washington’s declaration that the crucial waterway is now free of Iranian sea mines matches the reality faced by commercial ships.US Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper on Thursday (Aug 27) claimed that American forces had cleared Iranian mines from internationally recognised shipping routes. “We have successfully cleared sea mines in the strait’s international shipping lanes that were laid months ago by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” he said.<h2>Did US really clear mines from Hormuz?</h2>The Pentagon’s confidence rests on an operation in which more than 200 mine-like objects were removed from the main shipping lane. However, according to an Axios report citing US officials, 11 of them were actually mines, with just a few properly deployed. That distinction matters when assessing how serious the threat was – and how much the operation has truly changed conditions.President Donald Trump offered an emphatic assessment: “That sucker is open. The Iranian response is very mild. They don’t want us to go back at them. That’s the whole ball game. The rest doesn’t matter,” he told Axios.<h2>Are US shipping claims overstated?</h2>But oil experts and tanker trackers remain sceptical of US claims that traffic has recovered as strongly as officials suggest. Washington says 20 to 30 tankers are now crossing the southern channel each night, carrying around 9 to 10 million barrels of oil. That is still only about half the pre-war volume.<h2>Iran rejects US control</h2>Iran, meanwhile, has rejected the idea that US military control guarantees lasting security. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned: “In a region where we don’t sell oil, no one else will sell oil either.”He has also argued that the security of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the “absence” of US troops.The dispute exposes the larger problem. Clearing mines may reopen a physical passage, but does it make the Strait of Hormuz genuinely secure?With tankers still reportedly coming under attack and oil flows below normal levels, Washington’s declaration of victory may be premature. The real test will not be what US officials say has been cleared – but how many ships are willing to sail through the strait.

The US says it cleared Iranian sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz, but tanker trackers and experts question Washington’s claims, raising doubts over whether the key waterway is truly safe.

The United States says it has achieved a major breakthrough in the Strait of Hormuz. But the bigger question is whether Washington’s declaration that the crucial waterway is now free of Iranian sea mines matches the reality faced by commercial ships. US Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper on Thursday (Aug 27) claimed that American forces had cleared Iranian mines from internationally recognised shipping routes. “We have successfully cleared sea mines in the strait’s international shipping lanes that were laid months ago by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” he said. Did US really clear mines from Hormuz? The Pentagon’s confidence rests on an operation in which more than 200 mine-like objects were removed from the main shipping lane. However, according to an Axios report citing US officials, 11 of them were actually mines, with just a few properly deployed. That distinction matters when assessing how serious the threat was – and how much the operation has truly changed conditions. President Donald Trump offered an emphatic assessment: “That sucker is open. The Iranian response is very mild. They don’t want us to go back at them. That’s the whole ball game. The rest doesn’t matter,” he told Axios. Are US shipping claims overstated? But oil experts and tanker trackers remain sceptical of US claims that traffic has recovered as strongly as officials suggest. Washington says 20 to 30 tankers are now crossing the southern channel each night, carrying around 9 to 10 million barrels of oil. That is still only about half the pre-war volume. Iran rejects US control Iran, meanwhile, has rejected the idea that US military control guarantees lasting security. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned: “In a region where we don’t sell oil, no one else will sell oil either.” He has also argued that the security of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the “absence” of US troops. The dispute exposes the larger problem. Clearing mines may reopen a physical passage, but does it make the Strait of Hormuz genuinely secure? With tankers still reportedly coming under attack and oil flows below normal levels, Washington’s declaration of victory may be premature. The real test will not be what US officials say has been cleared – but how many ships are willing to sail through the strait.

The US says it cleared Iranian sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz, but tanker trackers and experts question Washington’s claims, raising doubts over whether the key waterway is truly safe.

US plays ‘mine games’ over Hormuz: Iranian mines gone, but is the strait safe?

WASHINGTON – Six months into the war U.S. President Donald Trump launched on Iran, the conflict is at an impasse, and the American leader has switched his campaign for global dominance to a new target – Canada. At issue is trade between the two neighbours, who share the world’s longest border and in the past have been close and friendly allies. Canada is the second biggest trade partner of the United States, slightly behind Mexico. Since Trump came into office in his first term, he has repeatedly suggested that the United States annex Canada and turn it into the 51st U.S. state. Canadian governments and most of the public reject the idea and find it offensive, as they do Trump’s habit of calling Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his predecessor Justin Trudeau “governors”. Trade negotiations, prompted by new U.S. tariffs on Canada (50 percent on hundreds of products), collapsed in the final hour of an August 21 deadline when the Americans added conditions to the deal the Canadians found unacceptable. The tariffs took effect the following day. Canada responded that it would retaliate “dollar for dollar” with tariffs to take effect on September 8, effectively the start of a full-blown trade war unless either side makes concessions. But that appears unlikely. No further meetings are scheduled. Trump’s taunts took on a sharper edge this week when he complained that “I deal with many countries and Canada is easily the most difficult and unreasonable.” To further irritate his northern neighbour, he issued an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-canada-trade-war-trump-orders-lake-ontario-renamed-lake-america-canada-hits-back-1787878478524">US-Canada trade war: Canada hits back as Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed 'Lake America'</a> The lake straddles the U.S.-Canadian border, and roughly 75 percent of its surface belongs to the Canadian province of Ontario. But other than stirring the anger of an already angry Canadian public, the name change has as little practical impact as Trump’s move, on the first day of his second term, to name the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Trump’s order applies to federal maps and databases from which a small army of Department of the Interior bureaucrats have to remove references to Lake Ontario. U.S. government agencies and official military or diplomatic communications must call the body of water Lake America. Individual states have no obligation to comply with the order. Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York State, the only American state that borders the lake, promptly declared she would ignore the name change. In a blistering televised speech after the collapse of the Washington talks, Carney reminded his citizens that after taking office in 2025, he had warned that “America is trying to break us so that they can own us. And I promised, ‘That will never, ever happen.’ We are keeping that promise.” It was a bold promise in a dispute that pitches Canada against a superpower neighbour with an economy 13 times larger and a population of 340 million (Canada has 40 million) that turns the U.S. into the world’s richest market. But despite this disparity, Canada looks unlikely to bend to Trump’s will.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mojtaba-khamenei-alive-dead-iran-war-putting-on-show-mystery-1787800507116">'If he is dead, they're putting on a pretty good show': Trump casts fresh doubt over Mojtaba Khamenei's fate</a> Criticism of Trump’s tariff war has come from unexpected corners. The Wall Street Journal reminded its readers that Trump had complained about an editorial last year that called tariffs against Canada and Mexico “the dumbest trade war in history.” After the collapse of the negotiations, “it got dumber this weekend as Mr. Trump escalated with another round of border taxes on Canadian imports, a mere 10 weeks before midterm elections.” The reference is for elections on November 3 for Congress – all 435 seats of the House of Representatives and a number of contested seats in the Senate. Analysts predict that the Republican Party will lose its majority in the House, partly because of the deeply unpopular war against Iran. Unlike renaming a border lake, a presidential executive order cannot end the conflict with Iran. Iran responded to a furious bombing campaign by the U.S. and Israel by deploying a geographic weapon more powerful than a nuclear bomb: the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carried before the war 20 percent of the world’s oil, much of the world’s the world’s fertilizer, and 19 per cent of liquefied natural gas. Iran’s closure of the Strait prompted a profound crisis in the global economy, from a supply shock in energy markets and disruptions to global agriculture and food shortages. In the United States, it led to sharply higher prices for petrol and an overall higher cost of living. The deeply unpopular war and the way he handled it drove Trump’s approval rating down to 33 percent, its lowest in his two terms. Democrats hoping to take over the House have plenty of ammunition for the election campaign. That includes reminders that the president has consistently lied about the state of the war he announced with a pre-dawn social media posting on February 28. It said that war was necessary “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” Today, on the 60th day since the start of the war, there still has not been a convincing explanation of what was ”imminent” about the threat from Iran. After all, Trump boasted about the “total and complete obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear capacities after a 12-day joint U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in June 2025. Within hours of the war posting, Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, “one of the most evil people in History,” had been killed. That was followed four days later by “we have won.” Then came proclamations of victory on an almost weekly basis. Beginning on March 23, Trump said on 38 different occasions that the U.S. and Iran were close to a ceasefire agreement after the Iranians “begged” for talks. There were minor changes in the rhetoric: “We are very close” and “it’s practically done” and “just the final details are missing.” But the man who wrote “The Art of the Deal” was left without a deal. The Strait of Hormuz is no longer the open international waterway it was before February 28. Who controls it remains a matter of dispute. What is not in dispute is that the U.S. is stuck in a stalemate and the kind of open-ended Middle Eastern conflict Trump promised to avoid when he campaigned for his second term. He’ll face frequent reminders of that promise between now and November.

Beginning on March 23, Trump said on 38 different occasions that the U.S. and Iran were close to a ceasefire agreement after the Iranians “begged” for talks. There were minor changes in the rhetoric: “We are very close,” “it’s practically done,” and “just the final details are missing.”

WASHINGTON – Six months into the war U.S. President Donald Trump launched on Iran, the conflict is at an impasse, and the American leader has switched his campaign for global dominance to a new target – Canada. At issue is trade between the two neighbours, who share the world’s longest border and in the past have been close and friendly allies. Canada is the second biggest trade partner of the United States, slightly behind Mexico. Since Trump came into office in his first term, he has repeatedly suggested that the United States annex Canada and turn it into the 51st U.S. state. Canadian governments and most of the public reject the idea and find it offensive, as they do Trump’s habit of calling Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his predecessor Justin Trudeau “governors”. Trade negotiations, prompted by new U.S. tariffs on Canada (50 percent on hundreds of products), collapsed in the final hour of an August 21 deadline when the Americans added conditions to the deal the Canadians found unacceptable. The tariffs took effect the following day. Canada responded that it would retaliate “dollar for dollar” with tariffs to take effect on September 8, effectively the start of a full-blown trade war unless either side makes concessions. But that appears unlikely. No further meetings are scheduled. Trump’s taunts took on a sharper edge this week when he complained that “I deal with many countries and Canada is easily the most difficult and unreasonable.” To further irritate his northern neighbour, he issued an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” Also read | US-Canada trade war: Canada hits back as Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed 'Lake America' The lake straddles the U.S.-Canadian border, and roughly 75 percent of its surface belongs to the Canadian province of Ontario. But other than stirring the anger of an already angry Canadian public, the name change has as little practical impact as Trump’s move, on the first day of his second term, to name the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Trump’s order applies to federal maps and databases from which a small army of Department of the Interior bureaucrats have to remove references to Lake Ontario. U.S. government agencies and official military or diplomatic communications must call the body of water Lake America. Individual states have no obligation to comply with the order. Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York State, the only American state that borders the lake, promptly declared she would ignore the name change. In a blistering televised speech after the collapse of the Washington talks, Carney reminded his citizens that after taking office in 2025, he had warned that “America is trying to break us so that they can own us. And I promised, ‘That will never, ever happen.’ We are keeping that promise.” It was a bold promise in a dispute that pitches Canada against a superpower neighbour with an economy 13 times larger and a population of 340 million (Canada has 40 million) that turns the U.S. into the world’s richest market. But despite this disparity, Canada looks unlikely to bend to Trump’s will. Also read | 'If he is dead, they're putting on a pretty good show': Trump casts fresh doubt over Mojtaba Khamenei's fate Criticism of Trump’s tariff war has come from unexpected corners. The Wall Street Journal reminded its readers that Trump had complained about an editorial last year that called tariffs against Canada and Mexico “the dumbest trade war in history.” After the collapse of the negotiations, “it got dumber this weekend as Mr. Trump escalated with another round of border taxes on Canadian imports, a mere 10 weeks before midterm elections.” The reference is for elections on November 3 for Congress – all 435 seats of the House of Representatives and a number of contested seats in the Senate. Analysts predict that the Republican Party will lose its majority in the House, partly because of the deeply unpopular war against Iran. Unlike renaming a border lake, a presidential executive order cannot end the conflict with Iran. Iran responded to a furious bombing campaign by the U.S. and Israel by deploying a geographic weapon more powerful than a nuclear bomb: the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carried before the war 20 percent of the world’s oil, much of the world’s the world’s fertilizer, and 19 per cent of liquefied natural gas. Iran’s closure of the Strait prompted a profound crisis in the global economy, from a supply shock in energy markets and disruptions to global agriculture and food shortages. In the United States, it led to sharply higher prices for petrol and an overall higher cost of living. The deeply unpopular war and the way he handled it drove Trump’s approval rating down to 33 percent, its lowest in his two terms. Democrats hoping to take over the House have plenty of ammunition for the election campaign. That includes reminders that the president has consistently lied about the state of the war he announced with a pre-dawn social media posting on February 28. It said that war was necessary “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” Today, on the 60th day since the start of the war, there still has not been a convincing explanation of what was ”imminent” about the threat from Iran. After all, Trump boasted about the “total and complete obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear capacities after a 12-day joint U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in June 2025. Within hours of the war posting, Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, “one of the most evil people in History,” had been killed. That was followed four days later by “we have won.” Then came proclamations of victory on an almost weekly basis. Beginning on March 23, Trump said on 38 different occasions that the U.S. and Iran were close to a ceasefire agreement after the Iranians “begged” for talks. There were minor changes in the rhetoric: “We are very close” and “it’s practically done” and “just the final details are missing.” But the man who wrote “The Art of the Deal” was left without a deal. The Strait of Hormuz is no longer the open international waterway it was before February 28. Who controls it remains a matter of dispute. What is not in dispute is that the U.S. is stuck in a stalemate and the kind of open-ended Middle Eastern conflict Trump promised to avoid when he campaigned for his second term. He’ll face frequent reminders of that promise between now and November.

Beginning on March 23, Trump said on 38 different occasions that the U.S. and Iran were close to a ceasefire agreement after the Iranians “begged” for talks. There were minor changes in the rhetoric: “We are very close,” “it’s practically done,” and “just the final details are missing.”

Trump, self-proclaimed ‘peace president’, wages wars on multiple fronts

Iran has prepared new weapons, equipment and military tactics for use in any future conflict, Iranian Defence Ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik said, according to state news agency IRNA.&nbsp;“Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical surprises have been prepared in line with the principle of surprise, and they will be seen on the battlefield,” Talaei-Nik said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/great-near-great-below-average-trump-puts-himself-above-lincoln-washington-in-bizarre-ranking-of-greatest-us-presidents-1787903513307">‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents</a>&nbsp;He said Iran had more than doubled production of some defence products between last year's war with the United States and Israel and February, adding that Tehran was seeking to further increase output to strengthen deterrence and prepare for possible future conflicts.&nbsp;Talaei-Nik also said around 9,300 companies were part of Iran's defence industry supply network. He said the network allowed weapons and equipment production to continue even when some factories were damaged.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/where-to-kill-barron-trump-iranian-state-tv-airs-murder-threat-for-trump-s-son-offers-10mn-reward-1787557266532">‘Where to kill Barron Trump?’: Iranian state TV airs murder threat for Trump’s son, offers $10mn reward</a>&nbsp;The comments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy with the United States could resume if Washington changed its approach towards Tehran. “Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible,” Araghchi said in a post on X after talks with Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister.&nbsp;Araghchi said progress would depend on the United States recognising that “pressure doesn't work”. He urged Washington to build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge Iran's rights and uphold its commitments.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/don-t-trust-israel-syria-challenges-israeli-claims-after-airstrikes-hit-military-airbase-over-alleged-turkish-presence-1787235011676">‘Don’t trust Israel’: Syria challenges Israeli claims after airstrikes hit military airbase over alleged Turkish presence</a>&nbsp;The remarks come amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran signalling both its military preparedness and willingness to return to diplomacy under what it considers more favourable conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Iran’s Defence Ministry claims it has prepared new weapons, equipment, and military tactics for future conflicts while doubling production, alongside signalling a willingness to resume diplomacy if the US shifts its approach.

Iran has prepared new weapons, equipment and military tactics for use in any future conflict, Iranian Defence Ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik said, according to state news agency IRNA. “Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical surprises have been prepared in line with the principle of surprise, and they will be seen on the battlefield,” Talaei-Nik said. Also read: ‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents He said Iran had more than doubled production of some defence products between last year's war with the United States and Israel and February, adding that Tehran was seeking to further increase output to strengthen deterrence and prepare for possible future conflicts. Talaei-Nik also said around 9,300 companies were part of Iran's defence industry supply network. He said the network allowed weapons and equipment production to continue even when some factories were damaged. Also read: ‘Where to kill Barron Trump?’: Iranian state TV airs murder threat for Trump’s son, offers $10mn reward The comments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy with the United States could resume if Washington changed its approach towards Tehran. “Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible,” Araghchi said in a post on X after talks with Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister. Araghchi said progress would depend on the United States recognising that “pressure doesn't work”. He urged Washington to build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge Iran's rights and uphold its commitments. Also read: ‘Don’t trust Israel’: Syria challenges Israeli claims after airstrikes hit military airbase over alleged Turkish presence The remarks come amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran signalling both its military preparedness and willingness to return to diplomacy under what it considers more favourable conditions.

Iran’s Defence Ministry claims it has prepared new weapons, equipment, and military tactics for future conflicts while doubling production, alongside signalling a willingness to resume diplomacy if the US shifts its approach.

‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out

Iran has agreed to draw up a list of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as mediators renew efforts to restore shipping through the crucial waterway six months after the war disrupted global trade. The move followed fresh diplomatic pressure from Qatar, whose prime minister travelled to Tehran on Thursday (Aug 27) and urged Iranian leaders to respect freedom of navigation in the strait.Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani later said he had stressed to senior Iranian officials “the importance of respecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.”Iran, however, appears unwilling to reopen the waterway without extracting concessions from Washington. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran was preparing a list of conditions after mediators asked it to clearly spell out its demands.Speaking through an interpreter in an interview with Al Manar TV, Rezaei said Iran had also agreed with Oman on a proposed shipping corridor. The route would run partly through Omani waters and partly through Iranian waters, with ships using a designated central channel if the United States met Tehran’s conditions.Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-lie-iran-rejects-report-alleging-assassination-plot-against-trump-s-son-1787897270552"> ‘A lie’: Iran rejects report alleging assassination plot against Trump’s son</a><h2>What is Tehran demanding?</h2>Iran’s earlier demands have included lifting what it calls a US blockade of Iranian ports, paying compensation and removing sanctions. It remains unclear whether Tehran will modify those terms to make an agreement acceptable to Washington.The dispute over the strait has become a major bargaining point since the US and Israel launched the war six months ago. Iran threatened to strike vessels crossing the waterway without its authorisation, causing shipping traffic to plunge and oil prices to rise. Before the conflict, the narrow passage between Iran and Oman carried about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply.Qatar and Pakistan had earlier helped broker a June memorandum of understanding that produced a ceasefire and set out shipping arrangements. But the agreement quickly unravelled over disagreements about Iran’s authority over maritime traffic.Trump declared the MOU “over” just three weeks later. Now, with direct US-Iran talks stalled, mediators are trying once again to unlock the strait – but Tehran has made clear that any reopening will come on its terms.&nbsp;

Iran has agreed to set out conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after Qatar urged Tehran to respect freedom of navigation, as mediators seek to restore shipping through the vital waterway.

Iran has agreed to draw up a list of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as mediators renew efforts to restore shipping through the crucial waterway six months after the war disrupted global trade. The move followed fresh diplomatic pressure from Qatar, whose prime minister travelled to Tehran on Thursday (Aug 27) and urged Iranian leaders to respect freedom of navigation in the strait. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani later said he had stressed to senior Iranian officials “the importance of respecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.” Iran, however, appears unwilling to reopen the waterway without extracting concessions from Washington. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran was preparing a list of conditions after mediators asked it to clearly spell out its demands. Speaking through an interpreter in an interview with Al Manar TV, Rezaei said Iran had also agreed with Oman on a proposed shipping corridor. The route would run partly through Omani waters and partly through Iranian waters, with ships using a designated central channel if the United States met Tehran’s conditions. Also read | ‘A lie’: Iran rejects report alleging assassination plot against Trump’s son What is Tehran demanding? Iran’s earlier demands have included lifting what it calls a US blockade of Iranian ports, paying compensation and removing sanctions. It remains unclear whether Tehran will modify those terms to make an agreement acceptable to Washington. The dispute over the strait has become a major bargaining point since the US and Israel launched the war six months ago. Iran threatened to strike vessels crossing the waterway without its authorisation, causing shipping traffic to plunge and oil prices to rise. Before the conflict, the narrow passage between Iran and Oman carried about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply. Qatar and Pakistan had earlier helped broker a June memorandum of understanding that produced a ceasefire and set out shipping arrangements. But the agreement quickly unravelled over disagreements about Iran’s authority over maritime traffic. Trump declared the MOU “over” just three weeks later. Now, with direct US-Iran talks stalled, mediators are trying once again to unlock the strait – but Tehran has made clear that any reopening will come on its terms.

Iran has agreed to set out conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after Qatar urged Tehran to respect freedom of navigation, as mediators seek to restore shipping through the vital waterway.

Will Strait of Hormuz reopen soon? Iran agrees to set conditions after Qatar talks

Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Major General Mohsen Rezaei, has warned that continued US pressure on Tehran could trigger a much more serious confrontation, while issuing fresh threats against Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In an interview with Al-Manar, reported by Iran's state news agency IRIB, Rezaei said Tehran would respond forcefully if the blockade remained in place. He also claimed that any renewed conflict with Israel would be different from previous rounds of fighting.<h2>Rezaei threatens Netanyahu</h2>Rezaei made a direct threat against Netanyahu during the interview. "We will send Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, to hell," he said, according to IRIB.He also claimed that Netanyahu had spread false reports about an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate US President Donald Trump's son. Rezaei alleged that the reports had alarmed Trump and affected his decision-making."Netanyahu has panicked Trump and disrupted his decision-making by spreading false news about an 'Iranian plot to assassinate Trump,'" he said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/glorifies-terrorism-israeli-far-right-mp-zvi-sukkot-smashes-palestinian-memorial-with-sledgehammer-watch-video-1787810944014">'Glorifies terrorism': Israeli far-right MP Zvi Sukkot smashes Palestinian memorial with sledgehammer | WATCH</a><h2>Warning over Lebanon</h2>Rezaei also addressed tensions involving Israel and Lebanon, saying that Dahiyeh and Beirut remained Iranian "red lines"."We are monitoring the situation with full seriousness," he said, adding that Israel would be forced to withdraw from occupied territory in Lebanon."If the conflict resumes, we are preparing ourselves for a new phase; any future war will be different from the previous ones," Rezaei said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mojtaba-khamenei-alive-dead-iran-war-putting-on-show-mystery-1787800507116">'If he is dead, they're putting on a pretty good show': Trump casts fresh doubt over Mojtaba Khamenei's fate</a><h2>Iran threatens US economic interests</h2>Rezaei linked the widening US economic pressure campaign to what he described as the failure of military action to force Tehran into submission. "The US shift to economic pressure demonstrated the futility of military strikes," he said. He warned that Iran would respond to any further escalation by targeting US economic interests in the region.Rezaei also claimed Iran had exported between 70 million and 80 million barrels of oil during the ceasefire period, saying Tehran had managed to break through the naval blockade."Continuing the siege means a severe confrontation with the American enemy," he said. "If the blockade continues, we will target American economic interests 100 per cent, with intensity and force."

Iran's top security official has issued fresh warnings to Washington and Israel as pressure on Tehran intensifies. He has threatened a forceful response if the blockade continues and warned that any renewed conflict with Israel could enter a very different phase.

Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Major General Mohsen Rezaei, has warned that continued US pressure on Tehran could trigger a much more serious confrontation, while issuing fresh threats against Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an interview with Al-Manar, reported by Iran's state news agency IRIB, Rezaei said Tehran would respond forcefully if the blockade remained in place. He also claimed that any renewed conflict with Israel would be different from previous rounds of fighting. Rezaei threatens Netanyahu Rezaei made a direct threat against Netanyahu during the interview. "We will send Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, to hell," he said, according to IRIB. He also claimed that Netanyahu had spread false reports about an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate US President Donald Trump's son. Rezaei alleged that the reports had alarmed Trump and affected his decision-making. "Netanyahu has panicked Trump and disrupted his decision-making by spreading false news about an 'Iranian plot to assassinate Trump,'" he said. Also read | 'Glorifies terrorism': Israeli far-right MP Zvi Sukkot smashes Palestinian memorial with sledgehammer | WATCH Warning over Lebanon Rezaei also addressed tensions involving Israel and Lebanon, saying that Dahiyeh and Beirut remained Iranian "red lines". "We are monitoring the situation with full seriousness," he said, adding that Israel would be forced to withdraw from occupied territory in Lebanon. "If the conflict resumes, we are preparing ourselves for a new phase; any future war will be different from the previous ones," Rezaei said. Also read | 'If he is dead, they're putting on a pretty good show': Trump casts fresh doubt over Mojtaba Khamenei's fate Iran threatens US economic interests Rezaei linked the widening US economic pressure campaign to what he described as the failure of military action to force Tehran into submission. "The US shift to economic pressure demonstrated the futility of military strikes," he said. He warned that Iran would respond to any further escalation by targeting US economic interests in the region. Rezaei also claimed Iran had exported between 70 million and 80 million barrels of oil during the ceasefire period, saying Tehran had managed to break through the naval blockade. "Continuing the siege means a severe confrontation with the American enemy," he said. "If the blockade continues, we will target American economic interests 100 per cent, with intensity and force."

Iran's top security official has issued fresh warnings to Washington and Israel as pressure on Tehran intensifies. He has threatened a forceful response if the blockade continues and warned that any renewed conflict with Israel could enter a very different phase.

Iran warns of 'severe confrontation' with US if blockade continues, Rezaei threatens to 'send Netanyahu to hell'

US-Iran diplomacy is gaining momentum amid a tense standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. As both sides face mounting pressure over regional security and energy supplies, diplomatic efforts could play a key role in preventing further escalation.

US vs Iran: Diplomacy gains momentum amid standoff over Hormuz 

US President Donald Trump was reportedly warned against launching attack on Iran in February by US intelligence chiefs, who cautioned him that the American military operation could backfire, strengthen hard-line forces in Tehran and trigger a wider regional crisis. According to a report, then-US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard told Trump in February that killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could lead to an even more authoritarian government, one potentially more determined to pursue weapons of mass destruction.<h2>What did Gabbard say?</h2>The Wall Street Journal reported that Gabbard was summoned to the Oval Office before the US-Israel strikes began on February 28. Trump was reportedly seeking her assessment after being encouraged by the previous summer’s Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, and strikes on Venezuela’s Caracas that led to capture of Nicolas Maduro.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pushed for military action, arguing that Iran was at its weakest and that its nuclear ambitions could finally be extinguished, the report added.However, according to WSJ, Gabbard warned Trump that Tehran would likely retaliate. She warned that Iran could shut the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices higher, while striking US allies across the Middle East – which is exactly what happened.<h2>What did US military leaders say?</h2>US military leaders also cautioned that the conflict would cost American lives, consume dwindling stocks of munitions and stretch US forces already deployed across the region.Vice President JD Vance was also reportedly against entering the war but assured Trump he would support him if the president chose to proceed.Trump ultimately followed the recommendations of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command. They presented detailed plans for disabling Iran with Israeli assistance.Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, and Khamenei was killed on the first day. Trump initially celebrated the result, but the situation soon became more complicated as the consequences predicted by Gabbard began unfolding.<h2>Trump’s Iran war drags on</h2>The war has now entered its sixth month, despite Trump initially saying it would take six weeks. Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia and Qatar have pressed Washington to end the fighting, while Republicans have grown concerned about its impact ahead of the midterm elections.The 60-day negotiating period under the June 17 peace framework has also expired. Trump has since turned to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to intensify economic pressure on Tehran through Operation Economic Outcast.The conflict has killed 3,000 Iranians and 18 US service members, while another 756 American troops have been injured.White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales defended Trump’s approach, saying: “He will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. It would be wise for Iran to reach a deal. Otherwise, they know what could happen.”

US President Donald Trump was warned by Tulsi Gabbard and US intelligence against striking Iran. Despite warnings that the consequences could backfire, Trump launched Operation Epic Fury in February—and many of those risks materialised.

US President Donald Trump was reportedly warned against launching attack on Iran in February by US intelligence chiefs, who cautioned him that the American military operation could backfire, strengthen hard-line forces in Tehran and trigger a wider regional crisis. According to a report, then-US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard told Trump in February that killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could lead to an even more authoritarian government, one potentially more determined to pursue weapons of mass destruction. What did Gabbard say? The Wall Street Journal reported that Gabbard was summoned to the Oval Office before the US-Israel strikes began on February 28. Trump was reportedly seeking her assessment after being encouraged by the previous summer’s Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, and strikes on Venezuela’s Caracas that led to capture of Nicolas Maduro. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pushed for military action, arguing that Iran was at its weakest and that its nuclear ambitions could finally be extinguished, the report added. However, according to WSJ, Gabbard warned Trump that Tehran would likely retaliate. She warned that Iran could shut the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices higher, while striking US allies across the Middle East – which is exactly what happened. What did US military leaders say? US military leaders also cautioned that the conflict would cost American lives, consume dwindling stocks of munitions and stretch US forces already deployed across the region. Vice President JD Vance was also reportedly against entering the war but assured Trump he would support him if the president chose to proceed. Trump ultimately followed the recommendations of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command. They presented detailed plans for disabling Iran with Israeli assistance. Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, and Khamenei was killed on the first day. Trump initially celebrated the result, but the situation soon became more complicated as the consequences predicted by Gabbard began unfolding. Trump’s Iran war drags on The war has now entered its sixth month, despite Trump initially saying it would take six weeks. Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia and Qatar have pressed Washington to end the fighting, while Republicans have grown concerned about its impact ahead of the midterm elections. The 60-day negotiating period under the June 17 peace framework has also expired. Trump has since turned to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to intensify economic pressure on Tehran through Operation Economic Outcast. The conflict has killed 3,000 Iranians and 18 US service members, while another 756 American troops have been injured. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales defended Trump’s approach, saying: “He will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. It would be wise for Iran to reach a deal. Otherwise, they know what could happen.”

US President Donald Trump was warned by Tulsi Gabbard and US intel against launching strikes on Iran. Despite the likely consequences being pointed out, all of which came true, the US military launched Operation Epic Fury in February.

Did Tulsi Gabbard warn Trump Iran war could backfire? What US intel got right

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‘I wouldn’t call it a war,’ says JD Vance on ongoing conflict with Iran

Iran VP warns ‘Dark Months Await’ US economy as Hormuz tension rises

Trump says 18 were killed in Iran conflict, contradicts his commerce secretary

Iran's Castle Breaker missiles struck US bases in Jordan. What are they?

Iran lawmaker says US ‘desperate and confused’ as tensions rise over Hormuz

Is midterms-bound Trump ending Iran war? Hegseth extends troops plan but…

Over 17 million barrels of oil crossed Hormuz on Monday? US claims record flows

US-Iran War: Trump threatens Iran with 'Total' destruction if attacks continue

C430L: The alleged Russian mission to help Iran with supersonic missiles

Iran unleashes fury on US base in Jordan, frustrated Trump erupts over nuke question | Gravitas

US strikes IRGC targets in Iran as explosions reported in Bandar Abbas

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns amid reports of tensions with Hegseth

Race To Power | Larak Island strike raises questions over Trump's next move

Trump accuses Iran of killing protesters, calls it 'failed nation'

'Going to hit Iran hard': Trump after Tehran's strikes on US bases in Jordan

Iran seeks negotiated end to US war as Pezeshkian calls for dialogue

Iranian students face uncertainty over university admissions

Iran's Kharg Island under attack? Trump shares AI video

US forces strike Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei calls for Muslim unity against US, Israel

US plays ‘mine games’ over Hormuz: Iranian mines gone, but is the strait safe?

Trump, self-proclaimed ‘peace president’, wages wars on multiple fronts