U.S. President Donald Trump has played down the six-month conflict with Iran, calling it “small potatoes” for the United States while backing Vice President JD Vance’s view that the continuing hostilities should not necessarily be described as a war. Trump Calls Iran Conflict ‘Small Potatoes’ Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on September 4, Trump said he

Iran sanctions pressure has intensified after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed Tehran’s leadership is showing signs that Washington’s new economic campaign is working. Iranian officials rejected that assessment, while oil prices fell despite continuing US-Iran tensions. Bessent claim focuses on Iranian leaders Bessent said on

President Donald Trump has renewed his US Hormuz control claim, saying Washington has “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz as more oil tankers move through the strategic waterway. Shipping remains well below normal levels, however, while Iran continues to dispute American claims of control. Trump Hormuz claim Trump told reporters on Wednesday that a large number of vessels had recentl

Oil prices surged on Monday as fading hopes for a US-Iran settlement renewed fears of prolonged supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude closed above $90 a barrel, while WTI oil also climbed sharply as traders reacted to stalled diplomacy and Iran's warning of possible military escalation. Brent crude rises as Iran ceasefire hopes fade Brent crude futures settled $2.22 higher at

USS Abraham Lincoln mental health concerns are drawing scrutiny after its unusually long deployment, prompting CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper to defend the crew's resilience. Cooper said the carrier has among the Navy's lowest number of reported mental health cases while acknowledging the strain of prolonged service at sea. CENTCOM response addresses menta

Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami has urged a more measured diplomatic approach as the Iran war continues to strain daily life, governance and the economy. His remarks add to a widening Iran war debate between hardliners seeking prolonged resistance and officials who see negotiations as part of an eventual exit. Khatami Iran diplomacy call focuses on cost of war Khatami warned that Iran

US Vice President JD Vance says Vance Iran war goals now place affordable oil and gasoline for Americans at the top of Washington’s priorities, followed by preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. His remarks also put renewed focus on the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on energy markets. Oil price goal moves to top of Vance’s priorities Speaking in a Fox News interview on August 13

Panama Canal shipping costs have surged as global maritime disruption and tighter water conditions squeeze one of the world's most important trade routes. The Seaspan Benefactor reportedly paid about $4 million for priority transit as some vessels faced waits of roughly 10 days. Canal congestion pushes auction prices sharply higher The Seaspan Benefactor, a container ship with capacity of roughly 10,000 TEU, reportedly paid about $4 mill

Trump’s Iran economic pressure strategy is currently taking priority over renewed major military action as Washington watches Tehran’s worsening economy. Indirect Iran talks and a possible Strait of Hormuz arrangement continue, but major disagreements remain unresolved. Trump Iran Economic Pressure Strategy Takes Priority US President Donald Trump has signaled that Washington is temporarily

Pezeshkian met Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss Iran’s military situation, economic pressures, currency, energy and public needs. The meeting drew added attention amid continuing speculation over the Supreme Leader’s health and limited public visibility. Pezeshkian Meets Mojtaba Khamenei Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei for detailed dis

The US Army missile stockpile has reportedly declined after extensive Iran war missile use, raising concerns over the ATACMS stockpile shortage, PrSM missile shortage, and overall US military readiness. Officials are now focused on rebuilding long-range precision missile inventories while maintaining global defense capabilities.   US Army Missile Stockpile Depleted During Iran War The US Army missile stock

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran will not expand war or prolong the current conflict, but it will defend its borders against threats. He also stressed social unity, national security, military coordination and his commitment to remain in office. Iran War Policy Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday, August 4, that Tehran was not seeking to continue or expand the ongoi

The Pentagon has asked Congress for $18.2 billion in emergency Pentagon missile funding to replenish advanced interceptors used during the war with Iran and subsequent attacks on American bases. The proposal highlights growing concern over US missile stocks as operations in the Middle East continue. THAAD Restock Receives Largest Funding Share Pentagon documents submitted to congressional defen

US President Donald Trump is considering a renewed Trump Iran air war as military officials prepare options for a potentially intensive two-week operation. The reported US air plan would focus on Iran’s missile capabilities, although Trump has not announced a final decision. US air plan The Wall Street Journal reported that US military planners have developed a two-week air campaign intended to weaken Iran’s ability to produce, store and launch missiles. The proposal would represent a wider and more sustained operation than the limited retaliatory strikes conducted during earlier stages of the confrontation. People familiar with the discussions told the newspaper that Trump is examining several military choices. One option involves a concentrated campaign against a broader range of Iranian missile facilities. Another would limit the scale of US action and leave greater room for negotiations with Tehran. The president has not publicly approved the reported campaign. The absence of a final decision remains important because planning by the Pentagon does not automatically mean that military action will take place. CENTCOM Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, reportedly developed the more intensive proposal. CENTCOM oversees American military activity across West Asia and has already directed US operations involving Iran, regional missile defence and maritime security. According to the report, Cooper believes sustained strikes could severely reduce Iran’s offensive missile capacity and ease pressure on US defensive systems. However, senior officials are also considering the strain that an expanded campaign could place on American interceptor supplies and military resources needed in other regions. Official CENTCOM material confirms that Cooper currently leads the command and has overseen recent US operations involving Iran. However, CENTCOM has not publicly released the reported two-week proposal. Iran arms Iran’s missile infrastructure remains central to Washington’s calculations. Previous US and allied strikes damaged launchers, storage areas and production facilities, but assessments cited in recent reporting suggest that Tehran still retains missiles and can rebuild parts of its military network. Iran has also continued launching missiles and drones despite months of military pressure. That resilience has raised questions about whether air power alone can permanently remove the threat or merely delay Iran’s ability to restore its arsenal. A wider campaign could target launch systems, underground facilities, command centres and manufacturing sites. Such an operation would also carry substantial risks, including retaliation against US forces, Gulf partners, energy facilities and commercial shipping routes. Trump call The final Trump call will determine whether Washington chooses a major escalation or a narrower response. The president has recently promised strong retaliation following Iranian attacks, but he has also paused military action at different stages to allow diplomatic efforts to continue. The White House and Pentagon had not publicly confirmed the specific two-week plan when the report emerged. Any article describing the proposal should therefore present it as a reported option under consideration, not as an approved military operation. Iran talks Iran talks remain a possible alternative even as military preparations continue. Washington and Tehran remain divided over Iran’s nuclear programme, missile forces, regional activities and support for armed groups. A limited US response could preserve space for intermediaries to pursue negotiations. A prolonged air campaign, however, could trigger another cycle of Iranian retaliation and American strikes, increasing the danger of a wider regional conflict. Trump now faces a difficult choice: attempt to reduce Iran’s missile threat through sustained military force or pursue a more restrained response that keeps diplomacy alive. The Pentagon can prepare options, but the political and strategic consequences will depend on the decision made by the White House.

Americans increasingly doubt the Iran war will end soon as diplomacy stalls, Congress debates presidential war powers, shipping risks rise in the Strait of Hormuz and new polling shows voters expect the conflict to continue for months or years rather than weeks. Timeline remains uncertain U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has declined to place a deadline on the conflict. Waltz sa

The Trump administration's handling of the Iran conflict came under intense scrutiny during a Senate hearing after a heated confrontation between Senator Gary Peters and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The exchange quickly became the hearing's defining moment as lawmakers debated military strategy, troop support and billions of dollars in additional defence spending. The hearing also examined whether the administration has a clear long-term plan for the

President Donald Trump said the latest US strikes on Iran hit the country “very hard” and were carried out in honour of three American soldiers killed in attacks in Jordan and Iraq. The renewed CENTCOM attacks have intensified the Iran retaliation cycle and raised fresh concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump Iran strikes honour fallen US soldiers Trump said the military operation recogni

Iran Warns US of Retaliation Beyond Proportional Response Iran has warned that its response to the latest US military strikes will not be limited to matching the scale of Washington’s attacks. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran intends to impose consequences that will make the United States regret its actions, adding to fears of a wider confrontation across the Middle East. Iran re

US President Donald Trump has strongly criticized a report on the Iran conflict, accusing the publication of presenting a misleading picture of the war’s outcome. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump said the article ignored what he described as major military, economic and regional changes after months of fighting. Trump also warned that the coverage could become part of a multibillion-dollar lawsuit. He claimed the report unders

Netanyahu rejects influence claims Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected claims that US President Donald Trump controls his decisions or that he directs Trump’s actions, saying both leaders act independently in the interests of their own countries. Speaking at the JNS Summit in Jerusalem on Sunday, June 21, Netanyahu addressed speculation over whether the two leaders influence each other’s positions on the Iran war and br