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Trump urges Hezbollah to ‘act nicely’ after US-brokered Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
President Donald Trump said Thursday he hopes Hezbollah will “act nicely” amid the 10-ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
“I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“It will be a great moment for them if they do. No more killing. We must finally have peace!” he added.
The 10-day ceasefire, announced earlier Thursday, is to pause weeks of fighting between Israel and Lebanon and allow space for negotiations toward a peace agreement
27 mins agoLebanese army claims Israel shelled southern Lebanon in ceasefire breach
Israel has allegdly committed violations of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon that came into effect at midnight local time Thursday, according to reports.
Reuters reported that the Lebanese army claimed early Friday local time there had been intermittent shelling of several southern Lebanese villages after the 10-day ceasefire with Hezbollah got underway.
In a statement, the Lebanese army also called on citizens to hold off on returning to southern villages and towns, the outlet reported.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Avichay Adraee also said in a Telegram post that during the ceasefire, Israel would “maintain its positions in southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah’s ongoing terrorist activities.”
He warned Lebanese civilians against heading south of the Litani River, about 20 miles north of the Israel-Lebanon border.
53 mins agoCENTCOM conducts F-16 readiness flights across Middle East
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday that it is conducting readiness flights across the Middle East, underscoring that American forces remain “forward and ready” in the region.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons are operating within its area of responsibility.
“U.S. forces are forward and ready across the Middle East, including America’s Air Force,” CENTCOM said.
“U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted a readiness flight in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” the command added.
1 hour agoRubio, UK foreign secretary discuss next steps after Iran ceasefire
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke Thursday with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to coordinate next steps following the Iran ceasefire, according to a State Department readout.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the two officials also focused on the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss next steps following the Iran ceasefire and the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure commercial vessels can move freely through the strait and energy supplies can reach global markets,” Pigott said.
1 hour agoBeirut residents begin returning amid celebratory gunfire as ceasefire takes hold
Beirut residents who fled the region during the war between Hezbollah and Israel began returning as the ceasefire took effect Thursday night.
The 10-day ceasefire, announced by President Donald Trump, is intended to pause hostilities and allow for de-escalation.
By midnight local time, gunfire was heard in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, according to The Times of Israel.
State media also reported “heavy gunfire” accompanying the start of the truce, the outlet said.
Celebratory gunfire rang out shortly after midnight and continued for more than half an hour, with red tracer rounds visible in the night sky.
According to Reuters, Hezbollah said Thursday that the presence of Israeli troops on Lebanese territory would give Lebanon and its people “the right to resist.”
In its first comment on the proposed truce, the group added that any ceasefire must not allow Israel freedom of movement within Lebanon.
2 hours agoIAEA chief pushes for strict verification in potential US-Iran nuclear deal
Any potential deal between Iran and the United States must include “very detailed” measures to verify Tehran’s nuclear activities, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Thursday.
IAEA’s Rafael Grossi also warned against an “illusion of an agreement,” according to reports.
“Iran has a very ambitious, wide nuclear program, so all of that will require the presence of IAEA inspectors,” Grossi said.
“Otherwise, you will not have an agreement. You will have an illusion of an agreement. Any agreement on nuclear technology requires very detailed verification mechanisms,” Grossi added.
2 hours agoCENTCOM releases audio of US Navy enforcing Iranian port blockade
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday released audio capturing a tense moment at sea, underscoring the U.S. military’s enforcement of the blockade on Iranian ports.
The recording features a sailor aboard the USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), accompanied by video from the guided-missile destroyer’s embarked helicopter as it flies over the Gulf of Oman.
“Audio of a sailor aboard USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), with video from the guided-missile destroyer’s embarked helicopter flying over the Gulf of Oman,” CENTCOM said in a post shared on X.
CENTCOM went on to describe how “the U.S. Navy diverts a merchant vessel while enforcing the blockade on ships entering or departing Iranian ports.”
“U.S. forces are prepared to sustain the blockade as long as it takes,” it said.
3 hours agoUS eyes Iran fast boats with ‘kill’ tactics tested in Venezuela drug-boat strike
The U.S. is preparing to take on Iran’s fast-attack boats using a playbook it already has tested in another theater — lethal strikes on small vessels tied to drug trafficking networks in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
Since September 2025, U.S. forces have conducted dozens of deadly strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, part of a broader military campaign targeting cartel-linked networks. The U.S. campaign against drug-trafficking boats offers a glimpse of how American forces handle small, fast-moving targets at sea.
Officials now suggest similar tactics could be used against Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump made that link explicit in a Truth Social post Monday, warning that any Iranian boats approaching the blockade would be “immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea … It is quick and brutal.”
Since the campaign began, U.S. Southern Command has carried out dozens of strikes on vessels, killing more than 160 people and destroying dozens of boats. Those operations rely on surveillance, rapid targeting and precision strikes, capabilities that could also be used in the Gulf.
But in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, U.S. forces are targeting nonstate actors with limited ability to respond. In the Strait of Hormuz, they would be confronting Iran’s military — armed, organized, and operating in one of the most strategically sensitive waterways in the world.
Applying that approach in the Persian Gulf, against a state-backed military force, carries far higher risks.
This is an excerpt from a report by Morgan Phillips.
3 hours agoRussia says Ukraine drone strategy is drawing Europe deeper into conflict
Europe’s plans to increase drone supplies to Ukraine are pushing the bloc’s countries deeper into a war with Russia, its Defense Ministry warned Wednesday.
The ministry’s comments came after governments in a number of EU countries decided to increase the production and supply of drones to Ukraine, a move Moscow views as escalating the conflict.
The Ministry also published a list of factories and enterprises in several European countries it alleges manufacture drones or drone components, and gave their addresses, including sites in Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Israel and Poland, among others, according to Reuters.
“The European public should not only have a clear understanding of the true causes of the threats to their security, but also be aware of the addresses and locations of Ukrainian and joint enterprises producing UAVs and components for Ukraine within their own countries,” it said.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, said in a subsequent post on X that the list published by the military amounted to a list of potential targets for Russia’s armed forces.
“When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!” he said.
3 hours agoIDF confirms striking hundreds of Hezbollah targets, ceasefire goes into effect
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Thursday it struck hundreds of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in the 24 hours leading up to a ceasefire.
As the ceasefire with Lebanon got underway, the IDF said launchers, headquarters and terrorists from the Hezbollah terror organization were struck.
“In the past 24 hours, the IDF struck more than 380 Hezbollah terror organization targets in order to support the operations of ground forces operating in southern Lebanon,” it said.
“Among the infrastructure struck: terrorists, headquarters and numerous launchers, including launchers that fired rockets toward Israeli territory and were dismantled in a rapid response.”
“The IDF is on high alert in defense and will operate in accordance with directives from the political echelon,” it said.
The 10-day ceasefire took effect temporarily halting clashes between the IDF and Hezbollah.
Yonat Friling contributed to this report
3 hours agoIran signals ‘cautious optimism’ on US talks, UN envoy says
Iran welcomes and supports diplomatic efforts to bring a “sustainable end to this unlawful and unwarranted war,” including by Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said Thursday.
“Despite our deep mistrust of the United States, stemming from its repeated betrayal of diplomacy, we nevertheless enter the negotiations in good faith and remain cautiously optimistic,” Iravani told the U.N. General Assembly, the Associated Press reported.
“We believe that should the United States adopt a rational and constructive approach and refrain from advancing demands that are inconsistent with international law, this negotiation can lead to a meaningful outcome,” Iravani added.
Iravani was speaking at an Assembly meeting in support of vetoes by Beijing and Moscow of a U.N. Security Council resolution backed by the U.S. and Gulf nations aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz.
4 hours agoNetanyahu says Trump committed to Iranian port blockade, nuclear dismantling
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said President Donald Trump is determined to continue the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports and efforts to dismantle what is left of the the regime’s nuclear capabilities.
According to Iran International, Netanyahu also said that joint steps could “remove this threat once and for all” and “fundamentally change our security and diplomatic situation for years to come.”
4 hours agoThree arrested after attempted arson at London Persian-language media office
UK police said on Thursday that three people had been arrested in connection with an attempted arson attack targeting the offices of a Persian-language media organization in northwest London, according to Reuters.
The incident happened at the premises of Volant Media, the parent company of Iran International, and follows two similar events in the British capital.
The outlet also reported that an ignited container was thrown toward the building on Wednesday evening, landing in a nearby car park where the fire extinguished itself. Police confirmed there was no damage to the property, and no injuries were reported.
Iran International also said a suspicious vehicle was denied entry to its London site shortly before the incendiary devices were thrown.
It also said it viewed the incident in the context of “growing threats and intimidation” directed at the organization and its journalists.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the attempted arson is not being treated as a terrorist attack but is being investigated by Counter Terrorism Policing London.
4 hours agoRockets fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel after ceasefire announced, says IDF
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Thursday it was preparing for rocket fire from Lebanon, with a current focus on northern Israel, following recent ceasefire developments.
The IDF continued to conduct ongoing situational assessments. At this stage, there is no change in Home Front Command guidelines, it said.
The military emphasized that any changes to civilian instructions will be communicated in an orderly and timely manner.
Since the ceasefire announcement, made by President Donald Trump, several rockets have been launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel, according to the IDF.
Magen David Adom (MDA) teams have been dispatched to multiple locations following the launches.
The ceasefire is aimed at halting hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, operating from Lebanon.
Yonat Friling contributed to this report.
5 hours agoCanada denounces Tehran repression, urges further talks with US
Canada has urged Tehran and Washington to continue negotiations toward a lasting peace settlement while condemning Iran’s internal repression of protesters and political dissent.
“The Government of Canada urges all parties to continue negotiations for a durable end to the conflict,” Ottawa said in a statement Thursday, according to Iran International.
“We thank Pakistan and all other parties for their work to facilitate recent negotiations and a ceasefire, and we support ongoing efforts.”
Ottawa also voiced solidarity with Iranian protesters and denounced the violence against them.
“We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people, whose voices must be heard, as they demand that their rights be respected,” the statement said.
5 hours agoWhite House reveals how Trump, Rubio and State Department orchestrated Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
The White House confirmed Thursday that Israel and Lebanon worked with the State Department to formulate a Memorandum of Understanding for a ceasefire, and outlined the steps that led to it.
The State Department met Tuesday with the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, and Lebanon acknowledged that Hezbollah was a mutual problem for both countries, the White House said.
Following that meeting, President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who agreed to a ceasefire under certain terms. Secretary Rubio also called the president of Lebanon overnight on Wednesday and secured his agreement to the ceasefire.
On Thursday morning, Trump spoke directly with the president of Lebanon, followed by another call with Prime Minister Netanyahu to finalize the agreement.
As these calls were taking place, the State Department was simultaneously working with both governments to draft a Memorandum of Understanding for the ceasefire, the White House told Fox News.
“The U.S. hopes this ceasefire will help accelerate discussions between Lebanon and Israel to achieve a permanent peace agreement between the two countries,” the White House said.
Peter Doocy contributed to this report.
6 hours agoRussia must not benefit from Iran war, warns German official
Russia must not emerge as the winner of the Iran war, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Thursday.
“It’s not in our interest and it cannot be in the interest of the United States,” Lars Klingbeil said in a joint statement with the finance ministers of Ukraine and Norway at the International Monetary Fund spring meetings, Iran International reported.
Klingbeil also said Russia’s economy is growing as a result of the Middle East conflict and is benefiting from the energy situation.
6 hours agoUS blockade may be ‘more powerful than bombing’ says Trump
The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, which began April 13 after ceasefire talks ended in Islamabad, may prove more powerful than military strikes alone, President Donald Trump said Thursday.
Speaking to reporters before departing for Las Vegas, Trump also said the relationship between the United States and Iran had improved.
“We have a very good relationship with Iran right now,” Trump said.
“As hard as it is to believe, and I think it’s a combination of about four weeks of bombing and a very powerful blockade,” the president continued.
“The blockade is maybe more powerful than the bombing, if you want to know the truth,” Trump added.
6 hours agoTrump says Iran agreed to return ‘nuclear dust’ buried underground following US strikes
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has agreed both to forgo nuclear weapons and to return material buried deep underground following recent U.S. military action, describing the development as a significant step forward in a high-stakes standoff.
Speaking to reporters before departing for Las Vegas, Trump also confirmed Iran had “agreed” the nation would not have a nuclear weapon and very “powerfully.”
“The big thing we have to do is we have to make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, because if they do, you want to talk about problems, you’d have problems,” the president said.
“So very important is that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and they’ve agreed to that. Iran has agreed to that, and they’ve agreed to it very powerfully.”
“They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that’s way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers. So we have a lot of agreement with Iran, and I think something’s going to happen.”
Trump also stated that it was a “very positive, very complicated subject.”
“I don’t think we’re waiting. I think we’re moving very fast. It could happen pretty quickly,” he confirmed.
6 hours agoTrump appeals to Pope Leo in defense of Iran war: ‘World would be in great danger’
President Donald Trump made an appeal Thursday to Pope Leo XIV in defense of the war in Iran, saying the world would be “in great danger” if the regime in Tehran obtained a nuclear weapon.
“It’s very important that the Pope understands, very, very important. It would be nice not to say it. Iran killed 42,000 people that were totally unarmed. They were protesters. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they did, every country, including Italy, where he’s stationed, every single country and in the world would be in trouble,” Trump told reporters.
“So we’re doing very well with respect to that, having to do with the whole situation on Iran. The blockade is amazing. It’s holding up very strong, very powerfully. And I think we’re making a lot of progress on that. But the Pope has to understand, Iran, very simple, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. The world would be in great danger,” Trump added.
Pope Leo has been critical of Trump and his administration’s actions in Iran. He has criticized Trump’s comment that Iranian civilization would end as “unacceptable” and also drew ire from the American president by stating that God does not bless those who drop bombs.
In a statement issued earlier Thursday, the pope said, “Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.” The pontiff did not name Trump or any other officials in that statement.
Asked if he would meet with the pope to iron out their differences, Trump responded, “I don’t think it’s necessary.”
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
6 hours agoLebanese PM Nawaf Salam welcomes Trump-announced ceasefire between Hezbollah, Israel
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the newly announced ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, expressing appreciation for the diplomatic efforts that helped bring it about.
Salam also thanked “regional and international efforts to reach the outcome.”
“I welcome the announcement of the ceasefire declared by President Trump, which is a central Lebanese demand we have pursued since the first day of the war, and was our primary goal in the Washington meeting on Tuesday,” he said in a post shared on X.
“As I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement, I pray for the martyrs who fell, and affirm my solidarity with their families, with the wounded, and with the citizens who were forced to flee their cities and villages, and I hold full hope that they will be able to return to them as soon as possible.”
He went on to thank “regional and international efforts to reach the outcome, especially those by the United States, France, European Union countries and all Arab brothers, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt, in addition to the State of Qatar and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,” he said.
7 hours agoUS military expands blockade of Iranian ports to include cargoes deemed contraband: report
The U.S. military widened its blockade on Iranian ports Thursday to include cargoes deemed contraband, with a Navy advisory saying that ships suspected of trying to reach Iranian territory are “subject to belligerent right to visit and search,” according to Stars and Stripes.
“These vessels, regardless of location, are subject to visit, board, search and seizure,” the Navy reportedly said in the advisory.
Contraband items that were named included weapons, ammunition, nuclear materials, crude and refined oil products, iron, steel and aluminum, Stars and Stripes reported.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon for further comment.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
8 hours agoHouse rejects Democrat attempt to limit Trump’s Iran war powers
House Republicans blocked a new attempt by Democrats to halt the U.S. military campaign against Iran, standing by President Donald Trump, who has voiced confidence that the conflict in the Middle East could wrap up soon.
Lawmakers voted 213 to 214 against approving the resolution introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., which would have required Trump to end hostilities with Iran absent congressional approval. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, was the lone Democrat to join Republicans in opposing the measure.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has repeatedly called on Congress to end the Iran conflict, was the sole Republican to back the war powers resolution. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, voted present.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., could afford to spare just two GOP defections in a party-line scenario.
The failed vote comes as House Democrats have been engaged in a relentless pressure campaign to force Republicans to assert congressional oversight over the conflict.
“This is not a skirmish. This is not a military operation. This is a war,” Meeks said Thursday. “Now we’re not the Iranian parliament, and we should not be rubber stamps.”
But House Republicans are largely standing by the president and argue that a successful war powers resolution would undermine him.
8 hours agoPakistan says ‘no dates yet’ for next round of US-Iran talks
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday that “There are no dates yet” for the next round of U.S.-Iran peace talks.
“We will announce the timing of these talks as and when it is decided,” Andrabi said, adding that Pakistan’s role as a mediator and facilitator did not end when the first round of talks concluded over the weekend.
Andrabi said Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is visiting Iran with a delegation, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also traveling to regional countries to promote peace.
“We will continue to advocate for peace, prosperity and stability,” he said.
Asked about the first round of talks, Andrabi said there was “certainly not a major breakthrough in terms of any concrete document emanating from these talks, but there was no breakdown as well.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
8 hours agoEurope has ‘maybe six weeks or so’ of jet fuel left, energy agency leader says
Fatih Birol, the director of the International Energy Agency, revealed Thursday that Europe has “maybe six weeks or so” of jet fuel left as the global energy trade continues to be impacted by the conflict with Iran.
Nearly 20% of the world’s traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz in peacetime. Birol warned that not reopening the waterway within weeks could compound the repercussions for global energy supplies.
“In Europe, we have maybe six weeks or so [of] jet fuel left,” he said. “If we are not able to open the Strait of Hormuz… I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of lack of jet fuel,” he told The Associated Press.
“Many government leaders tell me that if Hormuz is not open until [the] end of May, many countries — starting from the weaker economies — are going to face huge challenges, and this will go from the high inflation numbers to coming close to slow growth or even to recession in some cases,” he added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
9 hours agoIsrael, Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire, Trump announces
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.
“I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE,” Trump added.
Israel initially said the ceasefure between the U.S. and Iran did not apply to Lebanon, and Israeli forces had continued striking Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists there since.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
9 hours agoTrump predicted Israel–Lebanon leaders would speak ‘tomorrow’ — Beirut swiftly shut it down
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will not speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for now, a Lebanese official told Fox News Digital, dealing a setback to U.S. efforts to broker direct contact between the two countries as fighting continues across southern Lebanon.
The development came after President Donald Trump said late Wednesday that the two leaders could speak for the first time in decades.
“We are trying to create a little breathing room,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon had not spoken in some 34 years and saying, “It will happen tomorrow.”
But Lebanese officials quickly pushed back. A senior Lebanese official told Fox News Digital that no call between Aoun and Netanyahu is likely before a ceasefire is reached.
Three Lebanese officials told Reuters that Aoun has no plans to speak with Netanyahu in the near future. Two of the officials said Lebanon’s embassy in Washington conveyed that position to the Trump administration before Aoun held a phone call Thursday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a brief statement after the call, Lebanon’s presidency said Aoun thanked Rubio for U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire.
Shortly afterward, Lebanon’s presidency said Aoun also spoke by phone with Trump.
According to the Lebanese presidency official X account, Aoun thanked Trump for his efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon and achieve what it described as a lasting peace and stability that could pave the way for a broader regional peace process.
The presidency said Aoun urged Trump to continue those efforts in order to stop the fighting as quickly as possible.
Trump, according to the Lebanese readout, voiced support for Aoun and Lebanon and said he remained committed to securing a ceasefire as soon as possible.
10 hours ago14 vessels have now turned around in US blockade of Iranian ports: CENTCOM
U.S. Central Command announced Thursday that 14 ships “have turned around to comply with the blockade” of Iranian ports after the first 72 hours of enforcement.
“U.S. forces are focused, vigilant, and highly motivated as they execute a blockade on vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports,” CENTCOM said on X.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said earlier Thursday that “More than 10,000 sailors, marines and airmen, over a dozen ships and dozens of aircraft” are carrying out the blockade.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
11 hours agoHegseth: China assures US it will not send weapons shipments to Iran during ceasefire
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the Trump administration has received assurances from China that it will not supply weapons shipments to Iran during the ongoing ceasefire.
“President Trump has a very strong and direct relationship with President Xi and they communicated on that,” Hegseth said. “And China has assured us that that indeed is not going to happen.”
Trump has warned China it would face “big problems” if it supplies air defense systems to Tehran.
“If China does that, China is gonna have big problems, OK?” Trump told reporters on Saturday.
U.S. intelligence assessments indicate China may be preparing to supply Iran with shoulder-fired air defense systems — and could possibly have already moved some, according to multiple news reports citing intelligence sources. Officials caution the intelligence is not definitive, and there is no evidence the systems have been used against U.S. or Israeli forces.
Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
11 hours agoCENTCOM commander says ‘morale is very high’ among US troops after returning from Middle East visit
U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Thursday that morale is “very high” across the U.S. military during Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
Cooper spoke at the Pentagon after returning from a trip to the Middle East. CENTCOM said Wednesday that Cooper engaged regional partners in six different countries during his visit and met with U.S. troops.
“Morale is very high, and anyone in the military can take about two seconds to figure out what morale looks like by meeting around with the people,” Cooper said Thursday. “And it is crystal clear these are motivated young men and women.”
“I had the wonderful privilege of writing a letter early on in the operation, to the team forward, and I told them this was going to be a mission of extreme consequence and serving at a time where you are making a difference — consequential, as the secretary and the chairman have described over and over again — is incredibly and deeply meaningful. And I think that’s the key part of the drive, as well as being great teammates across the board. It’s a privilege to watch” he also said.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
11 hours agoCaine says 13 ships have turned around 24 hours plus into blockade: ‘Wise choice’
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said 13 ships have so far “made the wise choice of turning around” instead of attempting to break through the U.S. military’s blockade on Iranian ports.
“As of this morning, U.S. Central Command has not been required to board any particular ships,” Caine said at the Pentagon as he showcased a series of graphics illustrating the ongoing blockade.
“At each point, the United States Navy, will transmit a warning,” Caine also said. “A young sailor, normally on the bridge of one of those destroyers, a junior officer picks up that mic and transmits, and I quote, ‘do not attempt to breach the blockade. Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure transiting to or from Iranian ports. Turn around or prepare to be boarded. If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force.’”
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
12 hours agoMore than 10,000 sailors, Marines, airmen participating in Iranian blockade, Caine says
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said Thursday that “More than 10,000 sailors, marines and airmen, over a dozen ships and dozens of aircraft” are carrying out the ongoing U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports.
“I’d like to emphasize during this pause that the United States Joint Force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment’s notice,” he said.
“The unprecedented effort by America’s joint force during Operation Epic Fury set the conditions for this ceasefire,” Caine added.
Caine said enforcement of the blockade “will occur inside Iran’s territorial seas and in international waters.”
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
12 hours agoHegseth says Houthis have stayed out of Iran conflict so far: ‘A good decision’
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Thursday that Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have so far decided to stay out of the Iran conflict and tensions surrounding maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
“As far as the Houthis thus far, they have stayed out of it, which, of course, we think is a good decision by them,” Hegseth said. “And I think it’s a reflection of the fact that, over a year ago in Operation Rough Rider, we had an ongoing and intense campaign that demonstrated American capabilities, which has them, hesitating, to want to do something on that strait, which I think would be a poor choice.”
The U.S. launched a major air and naval campaign in 2025 — known as Operation Rough Rider — to counter Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, after the group began targeting commercial vessels in opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza.
Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
12 hours agoHegseth rips ‘legacy Trump-hating press’ coverage of Iran war: ‘Endless stream of garbage’
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth slammed the news media’s coverage of the war with Iran Thursday, calling it an “endless stream of garbage.”
Speaking at the Pentagon, Hegseth ripped the “legacy Trump-hating press,” adding, “Your politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors.”
“I just can’t help but notice the endless stream of garbage, the relentlessly negative coverage. You cannot resist peddling, despite the historic and important success of this effort and the success of our troops,” Hegseth added. “Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what side some you’re actually on. It’s incredibly unpatriotic.”
Hegseth said he listened to a story in church over the weekend from the Gospel of Mark about Jesus entering a synagogue and thought to himself “our press are just like these Pharises.”
“Not all of you, not all of you, but the legacy Trump hating press,” Hegseth said. “Our politically motivated animus for President Trump nearly completely blinds you from the brilliance of our American warriors. The Pharisees scrutinized every good act in order to find a violation, only looking for the negative. The hardened hearts of our press are calibrated only to impugn.”
“I would ask you to open your eyes to the goodness, the historic success of our troops, the courage of this president, and this historic moment for a deal that could end the Iranian nuclear threat, the incredible battlefield victory laid before your eyes, the not one, but two incredible rescue missions,” he said. “Miracles, you might say, or a locked in blockade.”
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
12 hours agoHegseth urges ‘new’ Iranian regime to ‘choose wisely’ on deal with US: ‘We are locked and loaded’
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told Iran’s new regime Thursday to “choose wisely” on reaching a deal with the Trump administration, adding that the U.S. military is “reloading with more power than ever before and better intelligence.”
Hegseth spoke at a Pentagon news briefing attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, who recently returned from the front lines.
Hegseth said Cooper is making sure the U.S. military “continues to implement an ironclad blockade and ensures that our forces are maximally postured to restart combat operations should this new Iranian regime choose poorly and not agree to a deal.”
“And that is what we urge this morning, that this new Iranian regime choose wisely,” Hegseth said.
“We’re watching you,” Hegseth said in a message to Iran’s military leadership. “Our capabilities are not the same, our military and yours. Remember, this is not a fair fight and we know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them to. While you are digging out, which is exactly what you’re doing — digging out of bombed out and devastated facilities — we are only getting stronger.”
“You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. You have no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities. You only have what you have. You know that. And we know that. You can move things around, but you can’t actually rebuild. You can dig out for now, but you can’t reconstitute. But we can,” Hegseth continued.
“We are reloading with more power than ever before and better intelligence, even more importantly, better intelligence than ever before. As you expose yourself with your movement to our watchful eye, we are locked and loaded on your critical dual use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation and on your energy industry. We’d rather not have to do it, but we’re ready to go at the command of our president and at the push of a button,” he also said.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
13 hours agoPentagon to hold briefing at 8 a.m. ET on Operation Epic Fury
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine will hold a briefing at 8 a.m. ET at the Pentagon as President Donald Trump’s blockade on Iranian ports is in full effect.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
13 hours agoIDF uncovers more than 130 Hezbollah weapons in school in southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces said it uncovered more than 130 weapons belonging to the terrorist group Hezbollah inside a school in southern Lebanon.
The firearms found in the area of Bint Jbeil included “Kalashnikov rifles, pistols, and additional weapons,” it said.
“Alongside the weapons, the troops also found Hezbollah flags and other terrorist organization insignia. The forces confiscated the weapons and continued operations to search the area and clear it of terrorists,” the IDF added.
Hezbollah is aligned with Iran, and Israel has been targeting the terrorist group since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion.
“The Hezbollah terrorist organization systematically exploits the civilian population in Lebanon in order to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops,” the IDF also said.
Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
13 hours agoUS Marines conduct live hoist training on USS Tripoli during Iranian port blockade
U.S. Central Command released a new photo Thursday showing Marines conducting “live hoist training” on the flight deck of the USS Tripoli, one of the American ships operating in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury.
“Tripoli and its 3,500 Sailors and embarked Marines are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports,” CENTCOM said.
CENTCOM also said Wednesday, “After implementing the blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports, American forces halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.”
“U.S. Sailors, Marines, and Airmen remain positioned and ready to act against any vessels seeking to violate the blockade,” it said.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
14 hours agoChinese foreign minister says international community demands reopening of Strait of Hormuz
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that there was a unanimous demand from the international community to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Wang Yi told Iran’s Araghchi in a phone call that Iran’s sovereignty, security and legitimate rights should be respected as a littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz, but that freedom of navigation and safety through the strait was needed.
“Working to resume normal passage of the strait is a unanimous call from the international community,” Wang said on the call, according to a government statement on Wednesday.
Wang also stressed that the current situation had reached a critical juncture between war and peace, adding that the window of peace was opening.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
14 hours agoIran threatens to sink American ships in Strait of Hormuz during military blockade: report
An Iranian military adviser threatened that Tehran could sink U.S. ships in the Strait of Hormuz during an ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.
Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed on state TV Wednesday that President Donald Trump wants to be the “police” of the key waterway, according to the AFP.
“Is this really your job? Is this the job of a powerful army like the US?” Rezaei reportedly said. “These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles and have created a great danger for the U.S. military. They can definitely be exposed to our missiles and we can destroy them.”
Rezaei also remarked that it would be “great” if U.S. forces launched a ground invasion of Iran, claiming Tehran “would take thousands of hostages and for each hostage we would get a billion dollars,” reports said.
U.S. Central Command announced Wednesday that “Ten vessels have now been turned around and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the U.S. blockade on Monday.”
“After implementing the blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports, American forces halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea,” it added.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
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