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Iran dares Trump to attack again, warns US of ‘unfinished jobs’ as tensions soar<\/p>\n
Iran’s foreign minister issued a defiant response to President Donald Trump<\/a> on Sunday, challenging the United States to launch another attack and warning that Tehran was prepared to retaliate.<\/p>\n \u201cLast time you wanted to ‘finish the job,’ Iran emerged even stronger,\u201d Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.<\/p>\n \u201cWant to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n Araghchi<\/a> also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> of pushing the United States toward another war to avoid prosecution.<\/p>\n \u201cNetanyahu is driving America into another war to stay out of jail, whatever the consequences for Israel\u2014let alone POTUS,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Araghchi\u2019s remarks came after Trump warned that the United States could \u201csoon finish the job\u201d against Iran unless Tehran changes course and gave Netanyahu his \u201ccomplete and total endorsement\u201d for reelection Sunday.<\/p>\n Netanyahu also vowed Sunday to bring down the Islamic Republic, saying he had instructed Israel\u2019s security agencies to pursue that goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n 1 hour agoTrump reveals why he waited to endorse Netanyahu ahead of high-stakes election<\/p>\n President Donald Trump said Sunday he had always planned to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> but held off to avoid making the endorsement too early.<\/p>\n “I was always going to do that. I just didn’t want to do it too soon,” Trump told Axios<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trump also said the two leaders have a “good relationship” and would “continue to do well” together if Netanyahu wins reelection.<\/p>\n “It is important that Israel has a person they can count on,” Trump<\/a> said.<\/p>\n Asked whether he could work with another Israeli leader, Trump said: “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Who wants to take the chance?”<\/p>\n Israel’s Oct. 27 elections are nine days away, with Trump’s endorsement potentially providing a boost to Netanyahu’s reelection bid.<\/p>\n 2 hours agoOil prices fall after Trump waives sanctions, tariffs on Russia<\/p>\n Oil prices fell in early Asian trading Monday after President Donald Trump<\/a> waived sanctions and tariffs on Russia, a move that could increase Russian fuel exports, Reuters<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Brent crude futures fell $1.06, or 0.96%, to $108.80 per barrel by 2214 GMT after closing Friday at their highest level since May 19. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 23 cents, or 0.23%, to $101.18 per barrel.<\/p>\n 5 hours agoYemen’s military claims 370 Houthis killed in 1,326 strikes during sweeping 24-hour offensive<\/p>\n Yemen\u2019s armed forces launched a 24-hour offensive under \u201cOperation Dawn of Yemen\u201d on Sunday, carrying out more than 1,000 targeted strikes that killed hundreds of Houthis, the military said.<\/p>\n “As part of Operation Dawn of Yemen, our forces executed 1,326 direct targeting ops over the 24 past hours against Houthis militia targets across all fronts, resulting in neutralizing 370 Houthi members & destructing & disabling dozens of military vehicles,” an armed forces spokesperson said in a post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n 5 hours agoIran taunts Macron over French protests, warns of consequences<\/p>\n Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused French President Emmanuel Macron<\/a> of hypocrisy on Sunday over his response to protests in France.<\/p>\n \u201cBack in January, you prescribed \u2018peaceful assembly without fear of punishment\u2019 for those attacking our law enforcement centers and public institutions at the behest of foreign malign actors,\u201d Baghaei said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou quickly declare that destruction and attacks on state institutions will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be swiftly punished,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Baghaei went on to say that Tehran<\/a> had not forgotten how, before the \u201caggression against Iran,\u201d Macron had sent a message to President Donald Trump<\/a> saying, \u201cWe can do great things on Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt soon became clear that your version of \u2018great things\u2019 meant aligning with a campaign of aggression and atrocities that eventually engulfed the region and the world,\u201d Baghaei added.<\/p>\n Baghaei also warned that Macron\u2019s policies could ultimately backfire and quoted French writer Jean de La Fontaine: \u201cA trick crafted too skillfully may turn against its designer; and betrayal often returns to its master.\u201d<\/p>\n His X post also featured footage of protests and an image of Macron\u2019s message to Trump.<\/p>\n Breaking News5 hours agoTrump warns Putin could side with Iran if Russia peace talks fail, says Ukraine ‘in shambles’<\/p>\n President Donald Trump<\/a> defended his Russia strategy Sunday while warning that immediate action against Moscow could derail peace talks and drive Moscow into a closer alliance with Tehran.<\/p>\n In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/a> of driving up global diesel prices through refinery strikes.<\/p>\n \u201cMy decision on Russia is a very simple one,\u201d Trump said Sunday before describing his efforts to negotiate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.<\/p>\n Trump said he didn’t want to do anything that would \u201cdrive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table\u201d and claimed significant progress was being made in peace talks and ongoing hostage negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cRussia is doing very little, if anything, to help the Islamic Republic of Iran, compared to what they could be doing, and I want to keep it that way, and will, unless stupid people get in the way,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n Trump also accused Zelenskyy of targeting Russian<\/a> diesel refineries, saying the Ukrainian president was using them \u201cas a target\u201d while knowing that the attacks are \u201cseriously hurting the world diesel markets, including those in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFarmers, ranchers, and businesses of all kinds are suffering greatly from this, but Russia is, nevertheless, sending, at a low price, millions of barrels of diesel to the World,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n \u201cZelenskyy doesn\u2019t care, and frankly, with all of the money that Europe is famously giving him, and that Crooked Joe Biden gave him in the past, he doesn\u2019t want to end this war, and probably never did,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe could have made a better deal two years ago than he can now. His country is in shambles, a large portion of his land is lost, his oceans and seas are gone, and his male population is low, wounded, and\/or dead,\u201d Trump added.<\/p>\n \u201cI WANT THIS WAR END!\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n 7 hours agoIran threatens AI, data firms with ‘enforcement’ as new Persian Gulf authority looms<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Sunday that a new \u201cPersian Gulf Data Authority\u201d would soon be established, signaling a possible new effort to penalize companies across the region.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Persian Gulf Data Authority is coming,\u201d Ghalibaf <\/a>announced on X.<\/p>\n \u201cTo governments, funds, and firms in the region: you are kindly advised to give no resources to any AI or data company aiding invasions or killing children,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cNo finance, equity, land and energy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAssist them and face our enforcement,\u201d Ghalibaf warned.<\/p>\n While Ghalibaf provided few details about the new authority, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, had warned last week that undersea cables, data centers and AI facilities could become targets if the United States and Israel resumed strikes on Iran, according to Iran International<\/a>.<\/p>\n “If war breaks out, many cables, data centers and artificial intelligence facilities, valued at $2 trillion, will be within range,” Rezaei said, according to state media.<\/p>\n 8 hours agoIran touts \u2018new operational plan\u2019 if US, Israel resume strikes<\/p>\n A senior Iranian security official warned Sunday that Tehran has prepared a more devastating military response if the United States and Israel launch renewed strikes, threatening to abandon the rules of previous conflicts.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ramblings and repeated threats of these days from American and Zionist officials do not change the reality of the field,\u201d Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran\u2019s Supreme National Security Council, said on X.<\/p>\n \u201cIran’s armed forces have prepared a more devastating plan than the 12- and 40-day wars for a new adventure,\u201dRezaei said before adding that Iran’s \u201cnew operational plan will not proceed with rules that they know.\u201d<\/p>\n Rezaee’s remarks came as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iranian media outlets Sunday that an offer to the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days remains on the table, Reuters<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump also warned on Truth Social Sunday that Washington could \u201csoon finish the job\u201d against Iran unless Tehran changes course.<\/p>\n 8 hours agoNetanyahu thanks Trump for ‘extraordinary endorsement’<\/p>\n Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> thanked President Donald Trump for his endorsement in the Oct. 27 Knesset elections.<\/p>\n “President Trump, my friend Donald \u2013 thank you for your extraordinary endorsement. Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran’s regime get nuclear weapons. Thank you for your clarity, courage and unwavering support.”<\/p>\n – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X<\/p>\n Trump is supporting Netanyahu<\/a> and his Likud Party, urging Israel voters to pick the man he called a “great warrior” and U.S. “partner for peace” amid the multi-front war on Iran and its nuclear weapons aspirations.<\/p>\n “I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times,” Trump wrote Sunday morning in a full-throated endorsement<\/a> of the Likud leader. “Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure \u2014 But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today.”<\/p>\n 9 hours agoEnergy Secretary Chris Wright: Global security outweighs energy price surge amid Iran war<\/p>\n Energy Secretary Chris Wright<\/a> defended the Trump administration\u2019s decision to confront Iran, arguing that protecting the world from a nuclear-armed Iranian regime outweighed the energy price surge triggered by the conflict.<\/p>\n \u201cGasoline prices<\/a> did come down; they never got remotely close to $5 a gallon,\u201d Wright told CNN\u2019s “State of the Union” on Sunday. <\/p>\n “No, of course I\u2019m not comfortable, but I\u2019m happy they\u2019re coming down. <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve gone down the last few weeks, as have diesel prices, and will continue to come down, that\u2019s what President Trump works on every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Wright defended the decision to confront Iran.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Iranian government killed 30,000 to 40,000 of their own citizens in January of this year before the conflict,\u201d Wright said. \u201cAre you comfortable with a nuclear-armed Iranian regime<\/a> that\u2019s in power right now? I don\u2019t think anyone is comfortable with that.\u201d<\/p>\n Wright also said the administration is pursuing additional diesel supplies to ease prices, including a temporary waiver allowing Russia to export diesel.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> for reelection Sunday, calling him a \u201cGreat Warrior Prime Minister\u201d and praising his leadership during the Iran war.<\/p>\n Trump said Iran has been \u201csystematically destroyed, both militarily and financially\u201d and says the U.S. could \u201csoon finish the job<\/a>\u201d unless Tehran rapidly changes course.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Israel has the wrong leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves,\u201d Trump wrote on Truth Social.<\/p>\n \u201cBIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN<\/a>!\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n 10 hours agoEgypt urges de-escalation, talks security with Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n Egypt\u2019s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty said Sunday that he discussed regional developments and the importance of de-escalation during a phone call with his Saudi counterpart.<\/p>\n The conversation came as Saudi Arabia faces renewed attacks<\/a> from Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen and Egypt weighs additional support for the kingdom.<\/p>\n The ministers also discussed efforts to protect regional security and stability as the Iran war continues to threaten energy markets and shipping routes.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 10 hours agoEnergy Secretary Wright: Russia diesel waiver \u2018carrot\u2019 to attain peace as Russian FM heads to Iran<\/p>\n Energy Secretary Chris Wright<\/a> defended the Trump administration\u2019s decision to waive sanctions on Russian diesel exports, calling the move a \u201ccarrot\u201d aimed at ending global wars and lowering global energy prices. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is a carrot to try to end a war,\u201d Wright told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. \u201cIt\u2019s not an economic lifeline for Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n “What the president move was done was for diesel fuel, which is what the world is short right now. And Russia exports today, zero diesel. This is an incentive to Russia that if they can reduce the conflict with Ukraine, they can get an energy ceasefire or reduce the conflicts such that they have diesel to export, will allow it to flow to world markets. This is a carrot to try to end a war. It’s not an economic lifeline for Russia.”<\/p>\n – Energy Secretary Chris Wright to ABC’s “This Week”<\/p>\n The comments came as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov prepares to travel to Iran on Monday for talks amid the broader Middle East conflict.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the president move was done was for diesel fuel<\/a>, which is what the world is short right now,\u201d Wright said. \u201cAnd Russia exports today, zero diesel. This is an incentive to Russia that if they can reduce the conflict with Ukraine, they can get an energy ceasefire or reduce the conflicts such that they have diesel to export, will allow it to flow to world markets.\u201d<\/p>\n Wright said the policy is designed to pressure Moscow to reduce its war effort while increasing fuel supplies for Americans and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a carrot for Russia to reduce the war effort and drive down energy prices for Americans and the rest of the world at the same time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Wright added that gasoline and diesel prices peaked several weeks ago but have fallen only slightly.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 10 hours agoBessent says Iran war driving \u2018energy shock\u2019 as gas prices surge<\/p>\n Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent<\/a> said the Iran war is fueling an \u201cenergy shock\u201d that has pushed gas prices higher, but predicted prices will fall once the conflict ends.<\/p>\n \u201cGas prices will come down by the new year\u201d depending on \u201cwhat happens with the Iran conflict,\u201d Bessent said during an NBC “Meet the Press” interview Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have an energy shock<\/a>,\u201d Bessent said. \u201cWe will get to the other side of the Iran conflict and those prices will come down.\u201d<\/p>\n Bessent said the energy markets could ultimately be better supplied than before the war, as the administration faces pressure over inflation and rising fuel costs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wage increases are going to be persistent,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will get to the other side of the Iran conflict. And I believe that the energy markets are going to be better supplied than they were.\u201d<\/p>\n 10 hours agoSenate candidate Mike Rogers calls to \u2018wrap up\u2019 Iran conflict as diesel prices hit Michigan<\/p>\n Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers<\/a> said the Trump administration should bring the Iran conflict to an end, arguing that the war is driving up diesel prices and hurting Michigan farmers during the critical harvest season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time to wrap up the Iran conflict,\u201d Rogers said. \u201cWe\u2019ve have got to get this thing settled. Our initial objectives have been met. Let\u2019s wrap it up. Let\u2019s get these prices back down. Let\u2019s get people putting a little more money in their wallets.\u201d<\/p>\n Rogers said he would have supported legislation keeping sanctions on Russia<\/a>, expressing skepticism about the administration\u2019s plan to lower diesel prices.<\/p>\n \u201cI do worry about the optics of it, but I understand what his motives are,\u201d Rogers said, referring to President Donald Trump. \u201cHis motive is to try to get prices back down on diesel<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeptember and October are the two biggest harvest months for Michigan,\u201d Rogers said, adding that high diesel costs make it harder for farmers to bring crops out of the fields and leave families struggling at the grocery store.<\/p>\n 11 hours agoRussia\u2019s foreign minister to visit Tehran as Iran war tensions simmer<\/p>\n Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to visit Tehran on Monday, according to Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, as Moscow and Tehran coordinate amid the ongoing Iran war.<\/p>\n The visit comes as Iran faces pressure<\/a> over its nuclear program, attacks on regional shipping and its efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n Iranian and Russian officials are expected to discuss the conflict, regional security and diplomatic efforts aimed at ending hostilities.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump, seeking to make peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, recently moved to lift sanctions on Russia<\/a>, perhaps as leverage for peace.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 13 hours agoDem Sen Kaine seizes on Iran conflict as ‘war of choice’ in midterm messaging<\/p>\n Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., discussed growing concerns about the Iran conflict on “Fox News Sunday<\/a>.” <\/p>\n Kaine also denounced President Donald Trump’s waving of sanctions against Russia, pushed the Democrats’ 2026 midterm narratives.<\/p>\n 13 hours agoTrump tells Fox News that Iran ‘excursion’ had to be done, despite oil price, political shocks<\/p>\n President Donald Trump defended his decision to launch military action against Iran despite concerns that the war could drive up oil and gas prices<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trump told Fox News correspondent Molly Line in an exclusive back-stage rally interview Saturday that rural voters should understand that Iran is \u201cthe No. 1 state sponsor of terror<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think when you explain and I’ve seen it, Molly, when you explain to them that Iran is the number one state sponsor of terror, they’re very, very tough and very evil, and they’ve killed many Americans, but they’ve killed many people,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n Trump acknowledged that oil prices could have risen higher after the strikes.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought oil would be much higher when I did it, and I knew that’s not good politically,\u201d Trump said. \u201cBut I also, you know, I don’t view things politically<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump said the economy had been performing well before he ordered the operation.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the stock market was the best for oil in case of the best. They’re also better now,\u201d Trump said. \u201cEverything was going good and I said, I have to do the excursion<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n 13 hours agoOil prices hit 5-month high as Iran war rattles Middle East markets<\/p>\n Oil prices surged<\/a> nearly 4% as escalating Middle East tensions fueled fears of tighter global supply and pushed Saudi Arabia\u2019s stock market higher.<\/p>\n Brent crude settled at $109.86 per barrel, up $3.94, or 3.7%, its highest level since May 19. Saudi Arabia\u2019s benchmark index rose 0.8%, led by a 2.1% gain in oil giant Saudi Aramco.<\/p>\n The rally came as Iran continued to threaten<\/a> the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi saying Tehran\u2019s proposal to reopen the key shipping route within seven days remains on the table.<\/p>\n Qatar\u2019s stock market fell 2% to its lowest close since April 2020, while Egypt\u2019s blue-chip index dropped 2.6% as regional tensions deepened and Iran-aligned Houthis intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 13 hours agoSaudi Arabia says danger has passed in Najran<\/p>\n Saudi Arabia\u2019s Civil Defense<\/a> said Sunday that a potential danger in the southern Najran region had passed.<\/p>\n The warning came as Iran-aligned Houthis continue attacks on Saudi Arabia following the collapse of a truce in Yemen. Egypt\u2019s parliament is set to continue discussions Monday on whether to authorize support for Saudi Arabia amid the escalating Houthi threat. <\/p>\n Egypt<\/a> has said it is prepared to help defend Saudi Arabia\u2019s security, territory and resources if requested.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n Breaking News13 hours agoSaudi Arabia issues Najran danger alert as Egypt weighs support amid Houthi attacks<\/p>\n Saudi Arabia\u2019s Civil Defense<\/a> issued an alert warning of potential danger in the southern Najran region Sunday as Iran-aligned Houthis continue attacks on the kingdom.<\/p>\n Egypt\u2019s parliament will continue discussions Monday on whether to authorize support for Saudi Arabia amid the escalating Houthi threat<\/a>, according to lawmakers and local media.<\/p>\n The developments come as Saudi Arabia battles renewed Houthi attacks following the collapse of a truce in Yemen. Egypt has said it is prepared to help defend Saudi Arabia\u2019s security, territory and resources if requested.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 14 hours agoVP Vance: Iranian Strait of Hormuz terror, Democrats’ anti-supply agenda cause high oil prices<\/p>\n Vice President JD Vance said Saturday that if President Donald Trump did not step up against the Iranian threats in the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, oil prices would be much higher than they are even now.<\/p>\n “I recognize that gas prices are too high right now,” Vance said at a CBS town hall<\/a>. “And I think it’s important to be honest about why they are so elevated. And there are a few different things going on. <\/p>\n “So the first thing that’s going on, obviously, is what’s happening in the Middle East, particularly the fact that the Iranians are shooting at every commercial ship that they can. It’s a global energy market. So that’s pushing up the price of fuel everywhere.<\/p>\n “There are also a lot of things that we’ve done already to lower fuel prices and frankly, to keep them from going even higher. We’ve never had a situation like this where you have effectively largest state sponsor of terrorism that’s trying to completely choke off world energy supply. The fact is that if we just like left and we let the Iranians control shipping out of the Strait of Hormuz, what that would mean is, is you would pay a lot more for gasoline.”<\/p>\n Also, leftist green energy plans continue to be unwound by the Trump administration, and it will take time to undo that damage, according to Vance.<\/p>\n “There are also other things that we, frankly, should have been doing years ago, and we are now doing quite affirmatively,” Vance continued. “So a couple of days ago, I was in Texas and we announced that we’re going to use what’s called the Defense Production Act<\/a> to massively increase the amount of refining capacity that we have in the United States of America. <\/p>\n “That’s actually the biggest reason why gas prices are so high is because when Joe Biden was president, we had about 20% of American refining capacity that went offline. <\/p>\n “We’re slowly bringing that online, but it does take a little bit of time. And because we shut down so much refining capacity, we were more susceptible to this shock that we’ve seen in the Middle Eastern energy prices<\/a>. So there’s a lot that we we, we are doing. It’s just we also are working against an Iranian regime that’s shooting at commercial shipping.”<\/p>\n 15 hours agoBenjamin Netanyahu: Let’s forge a different future for the Middle East<\/p>\n Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described his goals<\/a> with the United States in the last two years of President Donald Trump’s time in office on Fox News’ “Life, Liberty & Levin.”<\/p>\n Netanyahu, who is facing Oct. 27 elections, is urging lasting peace and security in the Middle East against radical Islamic terror groups<\/a> backed by Iran.<\/p>\n 15 hours agoBenjamin Netanyahu: The Iranian people have been taken captive by ‘ideological thugs’<\/p>\n Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined his vision for the future of Iran\u2019s Islamic regime on Fox News’ “Life, Liberty & Levin<\/a>.”<\/p>\n 15 hours agoIran defense minister: \u2018If he drops a single bomb,\u2019 troops will leave \u2018in a horizontal position’<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defense minister Sunday, ending months of interim leadership as Tehran warns the Trump administration against resuming military strikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the American enemy makes another miscalculation, the response of the valiant Iranian people and the fighters of Islam will be surprising and extensive,\u201d Akhlaqi said. <\/p>\n He added that Iran had taken steps to counter a possible U.S. attack involving the GBU-43\/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, known as the \u201cmother of all bombs<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe U.S. president should focus on ensuring his forces are withdrawn safely from our region,\u201d Akhlaqi said. \u201cIf he drops a single bomb, he will have to see how many of his troops end up being carried out of the region in a horizontal position.\u201d<\/p>\n Akhlaqi replaces Majid Ebn al-Reza, who served in an interim capacity after former Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes in February. <\/p>\n Akhlaqi, a longtime veteran of Iran\u2019s defense industry and aerospace and missile sectors, is under U.S. and European Union sanctions.<\/p>\n In a program presented to lawmakers, Akhlaqi pledged to rebuild Iran\u2019s military-industrial infrastructure, accelerate defense technology development and expand cooperation with private-sector companies.<\/p>\n The U.S. has reporedly developed strike plans that could include using the massive bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites<\/a> if President Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 16 hours agoTug struck by two projectiles off UAE coast, UKMTO says<\/p>\n A tugboat sailing near the United Arab Emirates was struck by two unknown projectiles Sunday, leaving one person with minor injuries and damaging the vessel<\/a>, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.<\/p>\n The incident occurred northeast of Khor Fakkan as the tug traveled southbound. <\/p>\n The vessel remained operational and continued on its route, UKMTO said.<\/p>\n The incident adds to growing maritime security concerns in the region as the Iran war threatens shipping<\/a> through the Gulf and nearby waters.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 16 hours agoEgypt backs Saudi Arabia as Houthis intensify attacks amid US strike pause<\/p>\n With President Donald Trump pausing U.S. strikes<\/a> in the region, Saudi Arabia is intensifying its campaign against Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen \u2014 and Egypt says it is ready to provide Riyadh with military support.<\/p>\n \u201cEgypt will provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible forms of support to defend its security and stability, protect its resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites,\u201d the Egyptian presidency said.<\/p>\n The Houthis have renewed attacks on Saudi Arabia<\/a> following the collapse of a truce, targeting Riyadh\u2019s international airport and Saudi Aramco, the kingdom\u2019s state oil giant.<\/p>\n Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi convened the National Defense Council and sought parliamentary authorization to support Saudi Arabia if requested.<\/p>\n Egypt previously joined the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen\u2019s civil war in 2015. The move comes as the Iran-backed Houthis expand attacks against the world\u2019s largest oil exporter while the Trump administration\u2019s war strikes remain on pause.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 16 hours agoIran parliament names minister of defense amid war<\/p>\n Iran’s parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as its minister of defense<\/a>, according to state media reports Sunday.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump says Iran’s peace negotiators are begging to remain alive<\/a> as he laments having removed more than two layers of past leaders, which is making peace talks difficult with a regime scrambling for form.<\/p>\n Iran ended months of interim leadership at the ministry and placing a former head of the country’s Aerospace Industries Organization in charge of its defense production and procurement apparatus.<\/p>\n Reuters contributed to this report.<\/p>\n 16 hours agoIran urges US to accept proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, which US says is open<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s proposal<\/a> to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days remains on the table, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday, as Tehran and Washington remain at odds over conditions for ending the eight-month war.<\/p>\n Iran presented the plan in September after an interim ceasefire collapsed. <\/p>\n “Our situation is clear and based on the seven-days proposal presented to the U.S.,\u201d Araghchi said in Baghdad. <\/p>\n “They shared comments which we are reviewing, but our proposal is still on the table and if there is any honesty on the U.S. part, which there isn’t, the way to reopening the Strait of Hormuz is obvious.”<\/p>\n The battle over control of the Strait of Hormuz remains the sticking point for Iran, while President Donald Trump has maintained the Strait remains open for all but Iran.<\/p>\n The “vast majority” of Iran’s attempted attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are “unsuccessful” as the key waterway remains open for transit, U.S. Central Command spokesperson and U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins told Fox News Digital<\/a> this week.<\/p>\n Hawkins spoke after CENTCOM said the GFS Pride, a Singapore-flagged, Cyprus-owned container ship was hit by an Iranian projectile in the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday and sunk while being towed ashore due to a fire on board the ship.<\/p>\n “The U.S. military has assisted in providing coordinated protection for thousands of ships that have safely transited,” Hawkins said. “That translates to about 97% of the ships that have sought to transit the Strait of Hormuz have done so successfully without being hit by an Iranian projectile.<\/p>\n “But let’s be clear here. What the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran is doing is unjustified, and it’s also unsuccessful because they are not achieving their objective of closing the Strait of Hormuz.”\u00a0<\/p>\n