Pinned
Trump posts AI ‘Strike on Kharg’ image in warning to Iran
President Donald Trump has historically said he would never signal what he is going to do militarily before he does it – although he has used threats on striking Iranian targets as a leveraging tool for peace.
Kharg Island has been talked about as a key Strait of Hormuz asset for Iran and a potential strategic target for a Trump takeover to help reopen the key oil shipping that has been attacked by Iran.
That Kharg post followed a series of Trump Truth Social image posts threatening to strikes Iranian oil tankers and nuclear sites and hailing the U.S. military as “guardian Angels of the world.”
US natural gas hits 11-week low as domestic production trumps Iran war supply fears
U.S. natural gas futures fell about 3% to an 11-week low as record domestic production and ample storage outweighed global supply fears tied to the Iran war.
Front-month futures dropped to about $2.78 per million British thermal units, while Lower 48 output reached a record 112.3 billion cubic feet per day Sunday.
The decline contrasted with elevated prices overseas, where the Iran conflict and disruptions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine have kept European and Asian gas benchmarks near $20 and $22, respectively.
The split underscores how surging U.S. production has shielded the domestic market even as Middle East fighting continues to pressure global energy supplies.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Breaking News
Houthis claim Saudi oil infrastructure attack as Riyadh reserves right to respond
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility Monday for drone attacks targeting Saudi crude oil supply and transport infrastructure, escalating concerns that the Iran war could further disrupt regional energy flows.
Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones aimed at oil facilities in Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
The kingdom said it reserves the right to respond and initially blamed Iran-allied armed groups in Iraq.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group targeted sensitive sites linking eastern Saudi Arabia with the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.
He claimed the attack was retaliation for alleged Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace. No casualties or material damage were immediately reported.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Breaking News
Pentagon moves to rebuild missile stockpiles as Iran war strains US arsenal
The Pentagon announced new seven-year production agreements Monday as concerns mount over funding and depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles after years of arms transfers to Ukraine, missile-defense operations in the Middle East and the expanding Iran war.
The conflicts broke out or intensified during former President Joe Biden’s term, while critics and government watchdogs warned that insufficient production capacity was leaving the military unable to replace weapons quickly enough.
A Government Accountability Office report found that billions in supplemental funding were needed to replenish arms sent to Ukraine.
“Rebuilding the Arsenal of Freedom requires moving with speed and precision to scale the production of critical munitions,” Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey said.
The agreements with L3Harris and Lockheed Martin will expand production of propulsion components for PAC-3 MSE and THAAD interceptors, which are used to defend American forces and allies against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft.
L3Harris said the PAC-3 deal could nearly triple its production capacity.
The announcement did not disclose a price tag, leaving Congress and the administration to confront how much additional Pentagon funding will be needed to rebuild an arsenal strained by multiple wars and years of neglecting weapons-production capacity.
Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this report.
Saudi Arabia reserves right to respond after Iran-linked drone attack
Saudi Arabia said Monday that it reserves the right to respond after drones launched by Iran-allied armed groups in Iraq targeted oil facilities in Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
The kingdom’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones, according to Saudi officials.
No casualties or damage were immediately reported.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and warned that Riyadh could take further action, marking another sign that the Iran war is spilling across the region and threatening critical energy infrastructure.
The strikes coming from Iraq is noteworthy because of a recent diplomatic trip to the White House that was followed quickly by an Iraq diplomatic trip to Iran.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Breaking News
Saudi Arabia intercepts drones targeting oil facilities in Riyadh, Eastern Province
Saudi Arabia said Monday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones targeting oil facilities in Riyadh and the kingdom’s Eastern Province.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said the drones were launched by Iran-allied armed groups in Iraq, according to a government statement.
Officials did not immediately report casualties or damage.
The attempted strikes mark the latest sign that the Iran war is threatening to spread across the region and disrupt critical energy infrastructure.
The strikes coming from Iraq is noteworthy because of a recent diplomatic trip to the White House that was followed quickly by an Iraq diplomatic trip to Iran.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Gordon Chang: China wants Trump, US tied down in Iran war
China wants to protect Iran and see the President Donald Trump “tied down and humiliated” in the conflict, foreign policy expert Gordon Chang warned Monday.
“President Trump is trying to entice the Chinese and the Russians not to get involved,” Chang told “Mornings with Maria.” “And this was after Secretary of War Hegseth saying that China was enabling Iran. And Hegseth was right about that.
“Trump tried to soft play that, you know, I don’t know how the Chinese are going to react, but certainly they want to see us humiliated there.
“They want to protect Iran, their proxy. So they want that oil out of the region as well. So they’re going to be really in very difficult right now. And I think Trump’s going to have his hands full, especially when XI Jinping comes to Washington on the 24th of September.”
Weekend ship traffic remains limited through Strait of Hormuz
Twenty-nine vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz from Friday through Sunday as the Iran war continued to disrupt traffic through the critical oil shipping route.
Twelve ships crossed Friday, followed by six Saturday and 11 Sunday.
Traffic was heavier through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where 100 vessels crossed over the same period — 35 Friday, 31 Saturday and 34 Sunday.
Breaking News
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu departs for Washington for Trump talks, Graham funeral
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just departed for Washington, D.C., on Monday to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the funeral service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
“Of course, our goal is to maintain our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us.I am embarking on this mission with one clear goal — to ensure the security, strength, and future of our beloved State of Israel.”
“I am on my way to Washington for a meeting with our friend, President Donald Trump,” Netanyahu said in a video message translated from Hebrew. “This is my eighth meeting with him since he was elected president for his second term — more than any other international leader.
“This is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility.
“From my experience as prime minister, in these complex times, one must act with both great determination and great wisdom. We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, with Iran at the forefront.
“Of course, our goal is to maintain our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us. I am embarking on this mission with one clear goal — to ensure the security, strength, and future of our beloved State of Israel.”
The visit comes after Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday that the Iran war should end only when Tehran abandons its nuclear program or its government falls or is severely weakened.
He warned that any Iranian attack on Israel would draw a “very, very forceful” response.
Netanyahu said the decision on whether to resume major U.S. strikes was largely Trump’s and that the meeting would allow him to hear the president’s plans for the conflict.
Netanyahu’s visit was planned before Graham’s death earlier this month, but he is now coming for both purposes.
“And I am also setting out for an additional purpose: to pay my last respects to our friend, a true friend of mine and of the State of Israel — Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest friends of the State of Israel of all time,” Netanyahu’s video statement concluded.
“And I am certain that in this matter, I am representing you as well, citizens of Israel.”
Fox News’ Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.
Oil reaches 1-week low as markets rise on hope for Middle East talks
Oil prices fell to a one-week low Monday after the United States and Iran paused strikes over the weekend, fueling hopes that diplomacy could ease the conflict and reopen shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude dropped nearly 8% to about $89 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell roughly 7% to around $83.
Both benchmarks reached their lowest levels since July 20.
President Donald Trump paused U.S. attacks to give negotiations more time, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told “Fox News Sunday.”
But traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited, leaving uncertainty over when oil shipments could return to normal.
The market retreat followed a surge that briefly pushed Brent above $100 as fighting disrupted exports through the Strait of Hormuz and spread toward the Red Sea.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Mediators report progress as Trump, Iran hold fire for third day
Mediators have made progress in efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to negotiations after three straight days without reported attacks, two regional officials told The Associated Press.
Qatar and Pakistan are leading talks aimed at restoring an interim ceasefire and resolving disputes over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran acknowledged that messages were being exchanged through mediators but said direct negotiations with Washington had not resumed.
Tehran also said the strait remained closed as Iran and Oman discussed a system for managing commercial shipping.
The pause followed nearly two weeks of strikes and counterstrikes that killed U.S. service members and raised fears of a broader Middle East war.
President Donald Trump remains resolute on the vow that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon as he weighs a major strike, if not operations to take Iran’s enriched nuclear material.
AP contributed to this report.
Iran claims it turned back 5 ships in Strait of Hormuz after one suffered ‘accident’
Iranian authorities claimed Monday that six vessels attempted to pass through what Tehran called an “unsafe” route in the Strait of Hormuz, with one ship suffering an “accident” and the other five being turned back toward the Persian Gulf.
That accident was reportedly due to hitting a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media Sunday.
An unidentified Iranian official told local media the vessels had switched off their navigation and positioning systems before entering the southern passage.
Iran said ships must use a Tehran-designated transit route through the strait, but offered no independent evidence supporting its account. The identities, ownership and conditions of the vessels were not immediately clear.
US eyes Iran’s enriched uranium as expert warns troops could become targets
The United States is weighing how to secure Iran’s enriched uranium as the war raises new concerns about Tehran’s nuclear stockpile and the safety of American forces in the region.
Brian Kennedy, president of the American Strategy Group, told “Fox & Friends First” the mission could expose U.S. troops to Iranian retaliation.
He warned that American bases and personnel could become targets.
Kennedy argued that any operation must be backed by stronger missile defenses to protect U.S. forces as Washington considers its next move.
Jordan downs 2 drones as Iran war threatens wider region
Jordan’s military said it intercepted and shot down two drones Monday as fighting linked to the Iran war continued to threaten neighboring countries.
The Jordanian armed forces said the drones caused no casualties or material damage.
Officials did not identify who launched them or their intended targets.
Jordan has repeatedly sought to keep the conflict from spilling across its borders as missiles and drones move through regional airspace.
Four American soldiers were killed in Iranian strikes on Middle East bases, including in Jordan.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Developing Story
Markets rise, oil dips amid 3-day pause in Iran war strikes
U.S. stock futures climbed and oil prices fell sharply Monday after Washington and Tehran paused attacks in the Iran war, easing fears of a wider conflict and renewed inflation pressures.
Dow and S&P 500 futures rose about 1%, while Nasdaq futures gained 1.7%. Airlines and cruise operators rallied as Brent crude slid nearly 9% to about $88 a barrel.
WTI Crude is hovering around $83, roughly a 7% drop amid a third consecutive night of a temporary ceasefire.
Energy stocks, including Exxon Mobil and Occidental Petroleum, fell.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was still limited, while attacks by Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi oil facilities near the Red Sea kept traders alert to further disruptions.
Breaking News
Iran rejects talks as Trump pauses 2-week bombing campaign for them, weighs major blow
Iran said Monday it was not seeking renewed talks with the United States and remained in control of the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump paused a two-week bombing campaign that military commanders reportedly said was running out of targets.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei rejected the White House’s claim that the pause was intended to create room for negotiations. Tehran said it would halt its retaliatory attacks only as long as Washington refrains from launching new strikes.
Iranian state media also claimed six ships were turned back after attempting to cross the strait without Tehran’s permission, signaling that the bombing campaign had failed to loosen Iran’s grip on the critical energy route.
The 13-night U.S. operation struck military targets, bridges and tunnels.
Oil prices fell sharply after the bombing stopped, with WTI crude oil price is trading around $82.52 to $83.01 per barrel, down roughly 7.6% from previous sessions as geopolitical risk premiums cool down.
But Iran’s continued control of shipping lanes leaves Trump weighing his next move as he prepares to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.
Iran issues second warning to Ukraine after deadly Caspian Sea blast
Iran escalated its threats against Ukraine after accusing Kyiv of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing one sailor and wounding another.
“Ukraine, too, may soon come to understand that Iran does not let actions go unanswered,” Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Commission, wrote Sunday on X. “The list of those who have miscalculated continues to increase.”
Iranian officials said the Saturday strike caused an explosion aboard the vessel.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi separately blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and warned the incident “cannot go unanswered.”
Zelenskyy has said Ukrainian forces struck vessels in the Caspian Sea that Kyiv alleges were being used to transport military cargo linked to Iran.
Ukraine said it struck the vessel for attempting to supply Iran with weapons amid nearly two weeks of pounding strikes in retaliation of Iran’s having killed four American soldiers.
The renewed strikes came after Iran violated the memorandum of understanding (MOU), forcing President Donald Trump to resume pounding strikes on Iran’s Strait of Hormuz terror infrastructure.
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