Iranian Army spokesperson says Strait of Hormuz will reopen 'if America leaves the region'

Vice President JD Vance said Saturday that the United States has achieved significant victories against Iran but must still prevent Tehran from rebuilding its nuclear program and keep energy flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.

During a CBS town hall, Vance said the U.S. had destroyed Iran's nuclear program but acknowledged that Tehran's attacks on commercial shipping have complicated efforts to end the conflict.

"I would say in some ways we have won decisively, but they're the Iranians. You know, the enemy gets a vote here, and they have responded in certain ways," Vance said.

The vice president outlined two remaining objectives: securing a long-term, verifiable commitment from Iran not to rebuild its nuclear capabilities and preventing a global energy crisis.

Vance also credited the U.S. Navy with keeping oil and gas moving through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that gasoline prices could rise sharply if American forces withdrew.

"They would be three times as high if it weren't for the United States Navy keeping oil and gas moving out of the Strait of Hormuz," he said of gas prices.

Oil prices surged Friday, with Brent crude approaching $110 a barrel as the U.S.-Iran war and threats to energy infrastructure in the Middle East fueled concerns about global supplies, according to Reuters.

Brent crude settled at $109.86 a barrel, up 3.7%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude finished at $101.41, a gain of 3.5%, Reuters reported.

The price increases came amid concerns about disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, continued attacks by Iran-backed Houthis against Saudi Arabia and uncertainty surrounding Russian energy supplies.

The developments have added pressure to global energy markets as the Trump administration weighs the economic consequences of additional sanctions on Russia.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, urged President Donald Trump to reverse course on Russia sanctions Saturday, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of responding to American concessions with continued aggression, including providing Iran with intelligence to target U.S. troops.

In a post on X, McCaul criticized Trump's recent diesel agreement with Russia and his decision to waive Russia-related sanctions, arguing that Moscow has continued attacking Ukraine despite U.S. diplomatic efforts.

"When President Trump pressured Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia, Putin turned around and provided Iran with intelligence to help target American servicemembers," McCaul wrote.

"Time and again, we have seen how Putin responds to American concessions: with contempt for the United States and increased violence against innocent Ukrainians."

McCaul also invoked the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., citing their efforts to increase economic pressure on Moscow.

The remarks come as Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump's sanctions waiver Saturday, arguing that the administration needs time to assess the economic consequences of additional sanctions amid disruptions to global energy supplies from the Iran war and other conflicts.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump's decision to waive Russia-related sanctions and tariffs for 60 days on Saturday, citing mounting pressure on global energy supplies from the U.S.-Iran war, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the war in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters, Rubio said the administration needs time to assess the economic impact of imposing additional sanctions and tariffs, including those affecting countries such as India.

"The problem is these sanctions were not just sanctions on Russia. They include tariffs on a number of countries, India, for example, and others. And so I think the president wants to take the 60 day period of time to sort of analyze what imposing both sanctions and tariffs will mean to the global economy and even to the US economy," Rubio said.

Rubio pointed to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and strikes on energy infrastructure in the Russia-Ukraine war as factors complicating the administration's decision.

His remarks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Trump's sanctions waiver, arguing that the move benefits Moscow and undermines efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Saturday that American forces have redirected 138 commercial vessels as part of an ongoing naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.

In a post on X, CENTCOM shared an image of the USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), a guided-missile destroyer, transiting regional waters in support of the blockade.

"USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) transits regional waters in support of the naval blockade against Iranian ports. As of Oct. 17, CENTCOM forces have redirected 138 commercial vessels to ensure strict compliance," CENTCOM wrote.

The announcement comes as U.S. forces continue military operations against Iran under Operation Epic Fury, which began in February.

Airstrikes blamed on Saudi Arabia killed three children and wounded more than a dozen people in Yemen, according to the Iran-backed Houthis, as fighting between the group and the Saudi-led coalition intensifies.

The Houthi-run health ministry said Saturday that strikes on Friday hit homes in al-Ar village in Yemen's Dhamar province, according to The Associated Press.

The victims included an 8-year-old child and two 10-year-olds, the Houthis said.

Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the allegations, AP reported.

The Houthi-run ministry said the children were among 124 people killed in Houthi-controlled territory since fighting resumed in September.

President Donald Trump reiterated Saturday that Iran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, pointing to his administration's military campaign against Tehran during a rally in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

"And just as I promised, I am ensuring that and it's very big. This is the reason we went there, because the nasty Iran won't have, doesn't have, and never will have a nuclear weapon inside," Trump told supporters.

The president argued that action against Iran's nuclear ambitions should have been taken years earlier, while praising his administration's accomplishments.

Trump's remarks come as the U.S.-Iran war continues following the launch of Operation Epic Fury in February. The president has recently expressed optimism about reaching an agreement to end the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday during a gathering of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baghdad, Iraq, as the U.S.-Iran war continues.

The two officials discussed bilateral relations and developments in Gaza and Yemen, with an emphasis on diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions, according to posts on X from the Iranian government.

"During the bilateral talks, FM Araghchi also reviewed the latest developments in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, briefing his Turkish counterpart on ongoing diplomatic trends and emphasizing Islamic cooperation to face shared regional challenges," the Iranian government said.

Araghchi also urged OIC member nations to take steps against what he described as Israeli genocide and to counter Islamophobia, according to the Iranian government's account of the meeting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Donald Trump's handling of Iran, warning that Tehran's nuclear ambitions pose a direct threat to American cities.

During an appearance on Fox News' "Life, Liberty & Levin," Netanyahu argued that Iran's leadership seeks to dominate the Middle East, control critical waterways and oil supplies, and eventually threaten Europe and the United States.

"And then every single city in the United States, every single city, will be held hostage to the blackmail of these fanatics," Netanyahu warned, referring to the possibility of Iran obtaining nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Netanyahu also described Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen as extensions of Iran's leadership, arguing that confronting Tehran requires sustained military and economic pressure.

"I think President Trump has been absolutely brilliant and clear, a great clarity, great conviction," Netanyahu told host Mark Levin.

The Israeli leader said Trump recognized the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions during a meeting at Mar-a-Lago before the last presidential election, adding that the president understood the stakes extended beyond Israel's security.

The Israel Defense Forces said Saturday that it eliminated four Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, "including a terrorist who infiltrated Israel during the October 7 Massacre." 

"The terrorists advanced attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops and attempted to restore Hamas’ terror capabilities, in systematic violation of the ceasefire," the IDF wrote on X.   

"The terrorists were eliminated to remove the threat they posed," it added. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that President Donald Trump's move to waive many Russian-related sanctions and tariffs under a new law backed by late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham "seems wrong to me." 

Trump said Friday that the waiver was in the "national interests of the United States." The president's move comes after the administration reached a diesel release deal with Russia in a bid to ease the strain on global energy prices during the U.S.-Iran war. Zelenskyy also has been critical of that agreement. 

“Sanctions relief will continue. I think the diesel deal and the move regarding the Lindsey Graham Act are not the end of it. Unfortunately,” the Ukrainian leader said on X on Saturday. 

“It’s unfortunate because we all had great respect for Lindsey. He devoted his life to America. We had an excellent relationship with him. And shortly before the tragedy, Lindsey was in Ukraine. He always supported us very strongly and pushed for as much assistance to Ukraine as possible,” Zelenskyy continued. 

“It’s difficult without him, I’ll be honest. I want to thank both Democrats and Republicans who supported his bill. That was a major victory: this truly bipartisan support. And now, the decision to undo all of this, to block all of it, seems wrong to me,” Zelenskyy also said. “And it definitely helps only the Russians. It only fuels their satisfaction and their desire to keep killing people. This certainly does not stop the war.” 

FOX Business’ Brie Stimson and Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this post.

U.S. Central Command released a series of photos Saturday showing U.S. Air Force Airmen preparing a KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft ahead of takeoff from a base in the Middle East. 

More than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently stationed across the region, CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins told Fox News Digital this week. 

"They are highly vigilant, they are highly dedicated, and they're serving with courage and bravery. And they're doing so alongside our regional allies and partners," he added. 

"It shouldn't be forgotten that we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf allies and partners to help them defend their airspace from unjustified and unwarranted attacks from Iran, and we have been highly successful in working together, and will continue to do that," Hawkins also said.

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 U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins told Fox News Digital this week.

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 on Wednesday and sunk while being towed ashore due to a fire on board the ship.

"The vast majority of Iran's attempted attacks on innocent civilian mariners transiting an international waterway, being the Strait of Hormuz, they are unsuccessful. As a matter of fact, 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.

"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," he added. "It is open, it is available for transit, and we've seen that transit continue this very day."

Turki al-Maliki, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, announced Saturday that "We intercepted and destroyed 4 drones during the past hours in the Riyadh, Eastern, and Southern regions."

The development comes after Al-Maliki said on Friday that Saudi Arabia "intercepted and destroyed 3 drones in the southern region and Riyadh region," as well as two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and a ballistic missile launched in the direction of the city of Yanbu.

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been launching attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said Saturday that an LNG tanker has come under attack off the coast of Yemen. 

"A master of an LNG tanker has reported being approached by a small skiff with seven persons onboard," the UKMTO said. "The skiff fired two shots at the tanker whose armed Security Team fired 2 warning shots at the small craft which forced them to alter course." 

The incident, which happened 140 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen, comes as the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been launching attacks on Saudi Arabia in a new front that has opened up during the U.S.-Iran war. 

Attendees at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Exposition were skeptical of President Donald Trump’s signal that a deal with Iran to end the war may be near, arguing the United States needs to continue its military and economic pressure on Tehran to bring the conflict to a close.

"Look at history, and that area only respects strength, right?" a member of AUSA’s Marne chapter in Georgia told Fox News Digital about Iran. "We're not going to get a deal with them. We're going to have to, unfortunately, beat them into submission."

He added, "There is no such thing as negotiation. So I think we're probably looking at at least another year, if not two."

The war began in February with joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The conflict has continued despite an April ceasefire and a June agreement intended to pave the way for a broader settlement, which later collapsed amid renewed fighting.

Trump still signals optimism about ending the conflict, saying earlier this month that Iran was "ready to fold up" and suggesting the war could end before the November midterm elections.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi said Saturday that his government will implement “any measure” to help defend Saudi Arabia from attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. 

The remark comes after 12 people were killed in an attack against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last week. 

Addressing King Salman and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, el-Sisi said his country would do what it takes to defend them, according to The Associated Press. 

El-Sisi added that if need be he would convene parliament for an emergency session to authorize that such measures be taken. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said Saturday that two ships have been attacked in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Saudi Arabia, including one hit by an RPG fired from a small boat. 

Both incidents unfolded Friday near Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia, according to the UKMTO. 

In the first attack, a tanker reported being "struck by an unknown projectile," although all the crew were determined safe and have been evacuated. 

Later in the day, another tanker reported "being attacked by an RPG from a small boat, resulting in damage to the aft port quarter," the UKMTO said. 

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for either incident. 

Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said Friday that "if America leaves the region, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen and collective security will be established with the participation of the region's countries, and the global economy will improve. 

"If it doesn't leave, we'll expel it," he added in a post on X. 

Akraminia also was quoted by Iran's Mehr News Agency as saying that “Despite Trump’s repeated allegations, Iran’s current air defense capabilities far surpass pre-war and wartime levels.” 

Trump declared that Iran is no longer “the bully of the Middle East” as he touted U.S. military strikes against Tehran during a midterm campaign rally in Montana on Wednesday. 

"They don't have a Navy; they don't have an air force; their army is decimated; their leaders are gone," Trump said. "I should have probably left the leaders because I don't know who we're negotiating with. They had their first-string leaders are all gone. Their second-string leaders are all gone. Half of their third-string leaders are gone. And now their main thing that they ask in negotiation is, 'Will you please allow us to live?' 

"This is all they do. They don't want us to go after them." 

Yesterday's Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage of the conflict with Iran.

Fox News Digital's Eric Mack contributed to this post.