US launches new strikes on Iranian military targets used to attack ships in Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. launched a fresh round of strikes on Iranian military targets Wednesday morning with a focus on degrading Iran's ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz
Trump says Iran released wrongfully detained American in 'gesture of goodwill'
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday evening that Iran released an American citizen who had been detained in the country since December 2024.
“Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the ‘presidency’ of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump said the American is now safely outside Iran and in good condition.“The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” he added.
The release comes as the U.S. continues pressing Tehran to end attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
American’s release would mark first from Iran since 2023, advocacy group says
The American citizen President Donald Trump said was released by Iran on Wednesday would be the first known American freed from Iranian custody since September 2023, according to research by the Foley Foundation.
The Foley Foundation estimates about five Americans remain wrongfully detained in Iran following the release.
Among those publicly identified are Reza Valizadeh, a 49-year-old journalist and dual Iranian-American citizen detained since March 2024, and Kamran Hekmati, a 61-year-old Jewish American held since May 2025.
The advocacy group also reported that three Americans were taken captive by Iran in 2025.The identity of the American released Wednesday has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Israeli foreign minister says Iran, proxies remain regional threat after meeting with House chairman
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Wednesday that he discussed the evolving security situation in the Middle East and the threat posed by Iran and its proxy groups during a meeting with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast.
“It was a pleasure to meet again with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Brian Mast, a steadfast friend of Israel and a true champion of the U.S.-Israel alliance,” Sa’ar wrote on X.
“We discussed the rapidly evolving regional picture, and the ongoing threat Iran and its terror proxies pose to the region,” he added. “I stressed that Israel cannot allow radical forces on our borders threatening our citizens.”
The meeting comes as Israel and the United States continue coordinating on regional security amid escalating tensions with Iran and ongoing U.S. military operations targeting Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
IRGC Navy commander vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed, threatens “severest blows”
An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy commander vowed Wednesday to maintain Tehran’s strategy of keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed and threatened further attacks against what he called the “aggressor enemy.”
“In response to the commander-in-chief, while maintaining the strategy of keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed, we will inflict the severest blows on the aggressor enemy,” IRGC Navy commander Ali Ozmaei wrote in a post on X, according to Iran International English.
The statement came as U.S. forces intensified pressure on Iran, launching a second wave of strikes Wednesday targeting military capabilities used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also announced it disabled a non-compliant oil tanker attempting to reach an Iranian port after the vessel ignored repeated warnings during enforcement of the renewed U.S. naval blockade.
State Department approves possible $484M C-17 sustainment sale to Kuwait
The State Department approved a possible $484 million foreign military sale to Kuwait to sustain the country’s fleet of C-17 strategic airlifters, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Wednesday.
The proposed package includes aircraft modifications, spare parts, communications equipment, software, training, technical support, logistics services and other sustainment items for Kuwait’s C-17 fleet.
The State Department said the sale would “support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States” by strengthening the capabilities of Kuwait, a major non-NATO ally.
“Kuwait’s C-17 fleet provides strategic airlift capabilities that directly support U.S. and coalition operations around the world,” the agency said, adding that the sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Boeing, based in Arlington, Virginia, will serve as the principal contractor if the sale moves forward.
US sanctions IRGC weapons procurement network amid renewed Iran tensions
The Trump administration imposed sanctions Wednesday on four individuals and three entities accused of supporting weapons procurement for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, citing continued Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The State Department said the sanctions target overseas procurement efforts and financial networks that sustain the IRGC’s weapons capabilities.
“Despite good faith efforts by the United States to implement the Memorandum of Understanding, Iran has continued to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including through attacking commercial vessels,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters. The administration said the action builds on sanctions announced May 8 and June 10 targeting networks that support Iran’s military activities.
“The United States will continue to deny the IRGC and the Iranian government access to resources that sustain their destabilizing activities,” the State Department said.
US disables tanker allegedly violating Iran naval blockade, CENTCOM says
U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker Wednesday after it allegedly attempted to violate the newly reimposed naval blockade on Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
CENTCOM said U.S. forces tracked the Curaçao-flagged tanker M/T Belma as it sailed through international waters toward Iran’s Kharg Island despite repeated warnings.
“The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the U.S. blockade,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
A U.S. aircraft then “disabled the vessel after firing Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack,” leaving it unable to continue toward Iran, according to CENTCOM.
The military said the action came during the first 24 hours after the U.S. resumed enforcing its naval blockade of vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. During that period, CENTCOM said it redirected two compliant commercial vessels and disabled one non-compliant vessel.
“U.S. forces remain vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance,” the statement said.
Trump predicts Iran will be ‘defeated very soon,’ oil could fall to $55
President Donald Trump predicted Wednesday that Iran will be “defeated very soon” and said oil prices could fall to about $55 a barrel once the conflict settles down.
“We’ll have Iran defeated soon. They’ll be defeated very soon,” Trump said during remarks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Trump said the fighting has not caused the dramatic surge in oil prices some had predicted, noting crude was trading around $79 a barrel.
“A lot of people thought oil would go up to $350 a barrel,” Trump said. “It went up a little bit because I had to take tough action because they did not obey what they’re supposed to obey.”
“When that settles down, I think you’re going to have $55 oil, maybe less,” he added.
Vance rules out US ground invasion of Iran: ‘We’re not in that business anymore’
Vice President JD Vance ruled out sending American ground troops into Iran to overthrow its government, arguing that regime change must come from the Iranian people rather than the U.S. military.
“If the Iranian people want to rise up and change their government, that’s up to them,” Vance said during an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience.” “But we’re not going to send 150,000 ground troops in order to accomplish a change in a regime.”
“We’re not in that business anymore. We’re just not,” he added.
Vance also warned against allowing Iran to collapse into a failed state like Libya, saying such an outcome could unleash terrorism and send millions of refugees into Europe and the United States.
He said the administration’s immediate goals are to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, protect the flow of oil and gas and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump says Iran wants to meet, leaves open possibility of 'wiping out' IRGC
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran reached out seeking a meeting as he left open the possibility of destroying the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) if negotiations fail.
Asked in an exclusive interview with FOX Business’ Edward Lawrence whether the U.S. could “wipe out” the IRGC as it did ISIS, Trump replied, “Yeah. It does. We will see what’s happening.”
“We received a call just as I was coming here that they want to meet,” Trump said in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. “They always want to meet.”
Trump said Iran’s weapons, missile launchers, drone capacity and manufacturing capabilities have been depleted by nearly 90%, but cautioned the regime remains dangerous.
“They’re nasty people, but they want to make a deal,” Trump said. “And you don’t have to be a genius to realize that when you see what’s happening to them every night. And now, today, we gave them a little daytime shot too.”
The comments came as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a second wave of strikes against Iranian military targets Wednesday afternoon.
CENTCOM announces second wave of US strikes against Iran
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Wednesday afternoon that American forces launched a second wave of strikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities used to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“At 3 p.m. ET, U.S. forces launched operations for a second wave of strikes today against Iran,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
“The strikes are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway vital to global commerce,” the military said, adding that “the U.S. military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief’s direction.”
CENTCOM shares images of USS George H.W. Bush nighttime flight operations
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shared new images Wednesday showing sailors conducting nighttime flight operations aboard the USS George H.W. Bush as the aircraft carrier transited the Arabian Sea.
“U.S. sailors conduct nighttime flight operations aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) while transiting the Arabian Sea,” CENTCOM wrote in a post on X.
The images come as U.S. forces continue operations in the region, including a fifth consecutive day of strikes targeting Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump on Iran: ‘They better behave’
President Donald Trump on Wednesday declined to set a public deadline for Iran as the U.S. continued military strikes against Iranian targets.
Asked by reporters before departing for an event at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, whether he was giving Iran a deadline before the U.S. “start[s] bombing bridges,” Trump said he would not specify one.
“I don’t like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know,” Trump said. “They know the story. They better behave.”
Trump’s comments came as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched another wave of strikes targeting Iranian military sites used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the fifth straight day of U.S. military operations.
Trump, Hegseth and other military leaders to announce major defense investments at summit
President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and other key military and diplomatic leaders are headlining a defense summit at the U.S. Army War College on Wednesday where Trump is expected to tout major defense investments.
The summit will also feature Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Army Secretary Dan Driscoll; CIA Director John Ratcliffe and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
The expected defense investments come as recent U.S. strikes in Iran have reduced American stocks of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot and THAAD interceptors.
Also expected to attend are major industry leaders like JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet, General Dynamics CEO Phebe Novakovic, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, SpaceX director Antonio Gracias and Palantir chief technology officer of analytics Shyam Sanka.
The Associated Press contributed to this post.
Iran's foreign minister in Doha for Sheik's funeral days after Iran attacked Qatar
Iran's top diplomat, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, traveled to Qatar on Wednesday for the funeral proceedings of Qatar's former emir just days after Iran attacked Qatar.
Araghchi's visit will see him "meet with Qatari authorities and offer his condolences," Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement posted to social media.
Qatar's former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled the country from 1995 to 2013, died Sunday.
The same day Al Thani died, Qatar reported being targeted by an Iranian attack, condemning the "flagrant breach of international law."
Qatar's Ministry of Interior reported that the country's air defense systems intercepted the Iranian missile and drone strikes, but claimed falling shrapnel from the interceptions injured a child.
US concludes positive two days of discussions over Israeli-Lebanon withdrawal
Talks between the U.S., Israel and Lebanon concluded on a positive note Wednesday after two days of productive discussions on a withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from pilot zones in southern Lebanon, an official from the U.S. State Department told Fox News.
The sides agreed on the structure and guidelines for Israel's withdrawal from the pilot zones "to be finalized and implemented in the coming days," the official said.
Talks will now advanced to the technical stage "which will focus on implementing all areas of the Trilateral Framework with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the official said.
Israeli forces launched a ground invasion into Southern Lebanon in March as part of a targeted operation against the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah.
In June, Israeli and Lebanese officials agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework deal that set the groundwork for an Israeli withdrawal "after the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups."
Despite Hezbollah leaders rejecting the framework, Israeli, Lebanese and U.S. leaders have worked on its implementation since June.
Fox News' Nicholas Kalman contributed to this report.
Video shows Iranian drone strikes sparking fire in Kuwait
Eyewitness video captured the moment a drone slammed into a building in Kuwait.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for strikes on Kuwait while the Kuwaiti Army confirmed that civilian and critical facilities were targeted on Tuesday.
Iranian strikes also targeted other U.S. allies in the region, including Bahrain and Jordan.
US redirects two commercial vessels as it restarts Iran naval blockade
Since restarting the naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. forces have redirected two commercial vessels attempting to evade the blockade, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported in a Wednesday post on X.
"Since restarting the naval blockade against Iranian ports 17 hours ago, U.S. forces have redirected 2 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade," CENTCOM wrote.
"The U.S. military remains vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance," the post concluded.
CENTCOM releases video of precision strike on Iranian missile storage
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released video of a precision strike on an Iranian military target on Wednesday, part of a 90-minute wave of strikes intended to degrade Iran's attack capacity.
"CENTCOM launched precision munitions against coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island during the 90-minute wave. The strikes further degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM wrote in a post on X.
The strikes, CENTCOM shared, ended at 7:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning.
U.S. 'must brace for the closure of all other export corridors,' says IRGC
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is threatening to shut down additional energy export corridors, issuing a warning to the U.S. on Wednesday.
The IRGC warned Wednesday that the U.S. "must brace for the closure of all other export corridors that benefit the U.S. and its allies," according to Reuters.
"Regional energy exports are either shared by all, or denied to all," the IRGC added.
Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen fired missiles into Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally, on Monday, claiming the kingdom bombed a Houthi-controlled airport.
Controlling much of the territory in northwest Yemen, the Houthi terrorists had previously disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, attacking vessels transiting through the Bab al-Mandab Strait between Yemen and Africa's east coast in 2025.
Trump won’t rule out Kharg Island takeover: What a US assault could look like
Hundreds of U.S. Marines storm ashore as helicopters thunder overhead, Navy warships and fighter jets establish overwhelming air and sea superiority, and commanders issue one final warning to Iranian forces: surrender or be overrun.
That is how military experts envision the opening hours of a potential U.S. operation to seize Iran's Kharg Island — the tiny but strategically vital island that handles roughly 90% of the Islamic Republic's crude oil exports and has become the centerpiece of Washington's economic pressure campaign against Tehran.
The scenario was thrust back into the spotlight Tuesday after President Donald Trump declined to rule out taking the island. "I can't say that to you because if I did, it would be foolish," Trump told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst during an exclusive interview on ‘Special Report’ when asked directly whether he planned to seize Kharg island. He added that previous U.S. strikes intentionally avoided the island's oil facilities because they are "a chunk of the world economy."
"There are a lot of ways to skin this cat," retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward, former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told Fox News Digital in an interview.
This is an excerpt from a story by Efrat Lachter.
Indian marine engineer killed after Iran says it struck commercial ship off Oman
An Indian marine engineer is dead after a commercial vessel was struck off the coast of Oman on Sunday, according to Reuters, citing his family and the Indian consulate in Dubai.
Heramb Karmarkar, 30, was an engineer aboard the Cyprus-flagged GFS Galaxy, which Iranian authorities later said they had targeted off the coast of Oman on Sunday.
The ship and its 24-member crew were hit by an "unidentified projectile," Reuters reported, citing Cyprus authorities.
Iran said it targeted the vessel after it attempted to transit through what Tehran described as an unauthorized route despite warnings to change course.
Vivek Tandon, Karmarkar's father-in-law, told Reuters that the ship's operating company informed him that Karmarkar had died.
Karmarkar is the second Indian national reported killed in the region this week. India's Ministry of External Affairs said an Indian crew member aboard a UAE-flagged supertanker died after an Iranian cruise missile struck the vessel Tuesday.
Reuters contributed to this post.
CENTCOM announces fresh strikes on Iranian military targets
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a fresh round of strikes on Iran intended to degrade the Islamic Republic's military capacities following repeated Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
"At 6 a.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching a wave of strikes against Iran. The strikes are designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM wrote in a Wednesday morning post on X.
The strikes followed multiple rounds of similar U.S. strikes from the previous days.
Strait of Hormuz closure could have impact on human rights, United Nations warns
The United Nations on Tuesday condemned the renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East, warning that closing the Strait of Hormuz again would harm human rights in that region and beyond.
U.N. rights chief Volker Turk called the renewed attacks "a huge setback for civilians in the region and beyond," warning about the "impact on human rights far beyond the region."
The strait "is a vital lifeline on which millions are reliant," Turk said.
"Disruptions to the flow of food, medicines, and other necessary commodities have severe socioeconomic and humanitarian consequences, both regionally and globally, he continued, adding that diplomacy, restraint and de-escalation must be prioritized," he said.
Turk said hostilities between the U.S. and Iran "must stop immediately," urging an immediate return to the ceasefire.
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