Trump administration drive to seize election powers sparking ‘chaos’ despite pushback
"The United States and Iran traded more attacks across the Middle East after Tehran was said to have rejected a U.S. cease-fire proposal delivered by the leader of Iraq.
American forces targeted Iranian military assets and facilities, including drone storage sites, to reduce the threat to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said. The attacks began at 2:15 a.m. local time and ended just over two hours later, according to the command, which oversees operations in the Middle East.
The Iranian military said it had launched drone attacks on Friday morning against U.S. military targets at bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps issued a warning for residents of countries that host American forces to keep at least 500 meters from military bases where those troops are located.
The resurgence in fighting has sent the price of oil above $100 for the first time since May. A threat by the Iranian-allied Houthi militants in Yemen to expand the fight to the Red Sea and target Saudi ships has injected further uncertainty into global energy markets.
The Houthis claimed on Wednesday to have struck two Saudi tankers, the first attacks since the group announced a blockade of Saudi ships this week. The Saudi authorities confirmed a strike on one tanker. This has stoked fears that, like the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea shipping route might also be blocked.
Mr. Trump said in a social media post on Thursday that from now on, he would make Iran pay for any damage to ships and cargo in the Strait of Hormuz using Iranian funds under U.S. control.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, later said — without mentioning Mr. Trump — that such a move would set an “incendiary precedent.”
Here’s what else we’re covering:
Energy markets: The price of Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, was up more than 7 percent at $100.95 a barrel on Friday. The price of crude is nearly 40 percent higher since the start of the war. Read more ›
Tracking casualties: A group of Democratic senators urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide “a full and accurate accounting” of all American troops killed or wounded in the war, saying the Pentagon has reported “inconsistent casualty figures.” Read more ›
"The United States and Iran traded more attacks across the Middle East after Tehran was said to have rejected a U.S. cease-fire proposal delivered by the leader of Iraq.
American forces targeted Iranian military assets and facilities, including drone storage sites, to reduce the threat to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said. The attacks began at 2:15 a.m. local time and ended just over two hours later, according to the command, which oversees operations in the Middle East.
The Iranian military said it had launched drone attacks on Friday morning against U.S. military targets at bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps issued a warning for residents of countries that host American forces to keep at least 500 meters from military bases where those troops are located.
The resurgence in fighting has sent the price of oil above $100 for the first time since May. A threat by the Iranian-allied Houthi militants in Yemen to expand the fight to the Red Sea and target Saudi ships has injected further uncertainty into global energy markets.
The Houthis claimed on Wednesday to have struck two Saudi tankers, the first attacks since the group announced a blockade of Saudi ships this week. The Saudi authorities confirmed a strike on one tanker. This has stoked fears that, like the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea shipping route might also be blocked.
Mr. Trump said in a social media post on Thursday that from now on, he would make Iran pay for any damage to ships and cargo in the Strait of Hormuz using Iranian funds under U.S. control.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, later said — without mentioning Mr. Trump — that such a move would set an “incendiary precedent.”
Here’s what else we’re covering:
Energy markets: The price of Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, was up more than 7 percent at $100.95 a barrel on Friday. The price of crude is nearly 40 percent higher since the start of the war. Read more ›
Tracking casualties: A group of Democratic senators urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide “a full and accurate accounting” of all American troops killed or wounded in the war, saying the Pentagon has reported “inconsistent casualty figures.”
