Middle East c2026-09-05 16:42:12US Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers in Retaliation for IRGC Ballistic Missile AttackThe US military hit three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday, permanently disabling two and destroying a third empty vessel. The strikes came in retaliation for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launching ballistic missiles at US Navy ships in the region. The attacks occurred near critical oil export chokepoints, raising concerns over oil prices and shipping risks. President Trump had downplayed the conflict as "small potatoes" the day before.330
Donald Trump2026-09-03 02:25:33Trump floats renaming Strait of Hormuz as US strikes Iran again and Brent tops $95U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sept. 2 that the Strait of Hormuz could be renamed the "Trump Strait," arguing that U.S. forces already control the waterway. He also said a new round of attacks on Iran "won't last too long." The remarks came as U.S. forces carried out a second strike on Iran within three days, targeting radar systems and mine-laying equipment along the country's southern coast. U.S. Central Command described the operation as a retaliatory move after Iran's Revolutionary Guard had allegedly threatened commercial shipping and U.S. personnel in the strait. Iran answered with drone and missile attacks on several U.S. bases in the Middle East. Tehran, for its part, accused the U.S. of hitting a wedding in Sirik, saying at least four people were killed and around 67 were wounded, while Washington said civilians were not targeted. The renewed fighting tightened pressure on energy flows through the strait. U.S. Energy Secretary Wright said 17 million barrels of crude still moved through Hormuz on Monday, with recent daily averages near 8 million barrels. Brent crude briefly reached $97 a barrel and was quoted around $95.63, while West Texas Intermediate climbed 9% in three trading sessions to about $91.850
Trump2026-09-01 15:42:34US Weighs 'Mowing the Lawn' Strikes on Iranian Military Targets Near Strait of Hormuz, Report SaysThe Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to conduct periodic limited strikes on Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, an operation dubbed 'mow the lawn' by US military officials. The plan, proposed by US Central Command, aims to prevent Iran from rebuilding its capacity to attack commercial vessels. President Trump has not yet approved the plan, but the White House's stance may have shifted after Iran's recent missile attack on a US base in Jordan. If approved, the US would move from sporadic strikes to a sustained, low-intensity military campaign against Iran, heightening risks in the region.820
Iran2026-09-01 12:33:39Iran Warns US Military Actions Will Worsen Security Crisis in Strait of HormuzIran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said US military actions will further escalate the security crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. He accused the US of conducting ongoing naval blockades, economic warfare, and attacks on Iranian infrastructure, and criticized some regional countries for breaking promises and serving as a launchpad for attacks on Iran. Iran has responded by striking relevant targets.850
Hormuz2026-08-30 23:44:57US Military Strikes Iranian Rocket Launchers in Strait of Hormuz; Bitcoin Slides to $77,000US Central Command confirmed on Aug. 31 that American forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first time Washington has publicly acknowledged an attack on Iran since late July. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched missiles at a US military base and vowed to retaliate over the strike on Larak Island, which the IRGC said killed and wounded multiple people, including civilians. Markets moved fast. WTI crude gapped up nearly 2% at Monday's open, and Brent returned to $90 a barrel, up 2.3% on the day. Spot gold opened lower. Crypto sold off across the board in HTX data: Bitcoin dropped to $77,000 and was last seen at $77,399.02, down 1.7% in the past hour. Ethereum slid below $2,400 to $2,398, losing 2.76% over the same stretch.930
Strait of Hor2026-08-28 10:24:16Trump Says Strait of Hormuz 'Is Open' as US Officials Claim Iran's Leverage Is FadingUS officials say American forces have spent the past two months steadily eroding Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that has been Tehran's strongest leverage since the war began in late February. Officials now describe the shift as a potential turning point in the conflict, one that could gradually relieve pressure on the global economy and improve the chances of reaching a better agreement with Iran. President Donald Trump told Axios in a phone interview Thursday that the strait "is open" and that Iran's response has been "very mild." "They don't want us to hit them again. That's the whole thing. Nothing else matters," he said. The US actions came after the collapse of a US-Iran memorandum. Washington then moved unilaterally to reopen the waterway. A task force formed with the UAE has been guiding ships through the southern shipping lane, providing air cover, and intercepting Iranian drones and cruise missiles. A two-week bombing campaign has significantly weakened the Revolutionary Guard's ability to attack vessels in the strait. A minesweeping operation involving Navy divers, SEAL teams, underwater and surface drones, and private contractors is clearing mines. The blockade of Iranian ports has been restored. (Jinshi)1150
Iran2026-08-28 09:55:52Iran's Parliament Speaker: 'Either Everyone Sells Oil, or No One Sells Oil'Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf has responded to U.S. Central Command chief Cooper's claim that American forces have fully taken control of the Strait of Hormuz and cut off Iran's oil exports. According to Iran's PressTV, Ghalibaf reposted his own earlier message to lay out the response: the rule of the game in this war is that either everyone can sell oil or no one can. “If our security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will be safe,” he added, and the Strait of Hormuz can only be secure without U.S. military presence. Ghalibaf also repeated that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war state. The remarks come after Cooper said U.S. forces had fully controlled the strategic waterway and severed Iranian crude shipments. Ghalibaf said Iran had made that point on multiple occasions. The report was compiled by Jinshi and originally carried by Odaily Planet Daily, citing PressTV.840
Policy Regula2026-08-28 00:07:13U.S. authorities prepare case against service member over military action betsFederal authorities are preparing to bring charges against a U.S. service member accused of betting on military action in prediction markets and making more than $1 million in profit. The individual has been under scrutiny since the spring and allegedly placed wagers tied to military strikes involving Iran and Venezuela. The matter is part of a broader set of investigations into service members who traded war-related contracts tied to the timing and outcome of military operations. Separately, U.S. authorities are also investigating a KPMG employee accused of betting that a company’s results would come in above what the broader market expected. The report was cited by Odaily.960
