Vance signals ‘much different phase’ in Iran war within 'couple of months'
Vice President JD Vance says the Iran war could shift within months as the US works to prevent Tehran from rebuilding, while Saudi defenses intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca Tuesday, prompting the coalition to declare the holy city’s security a “red line.”
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Vance outlines ‘second phase’ of Iran war as conflict approaches major shift
Vice President JD Vance said the Iran war will enter a “much different phase” in the coming months during an interview with the New York Post aboard Air Force Two on Monday.
“We can’t predict the future, but I think the president is right to say that this thing will enter a much different phase in a couple of months,” Vance told the outlet.
“He’s also the commander in chief, so he’s the person who determines … when conflicts start and when they stop,” he said of President Donald Trump.
“I certainly understand there’s some impatience from the American people, but fundamentally what’s happening right now is that the United States is not engaged in aggressive operations. We’re just not,” Vance said.
Vance said what is happening is that the Iranians are occasionally shooting at commercial shipping, “usually not successfully.”
“The first phase was destroy the nuclear program, destroy their conventional military, destroy their ability to project power in a way that they were able to even a couple of years ago,” Vance said.
“And then the second phase of this is ensure that they’re not able to rebuild and try to maintain as much global stability in the wake of that,” he said.
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Rare video shows historial US rescue of injured F-15E airman deep inside Iran
The U.S. military released newly declassified video showing one of the largest combat search-and-rescue operations in history where two American airmen were extracted from hostile territory during the war with Iran.
The rescue mission began after an F-15E Strike Eagle, call sign DUDE44, was hit by a missile over Iran in April. Both crew ejected and landed about 5 miles apart.
DUDE44 Alpha was rescued about eight hours later, but DUDE44 Bravo suffered severe injuries, including a broken back, arm and shoulder.
Stranded deep inside Iran for two days, Bravo climbed a ridgeline and took cover as U.S. forces coordinated a massive recovery operation.
The video shows helicopters searching for Bravo. The mission ended as elite Air Force pararescue operators reached Bravo and extracted him.
U.S. bombers and drones are also seen carrying out strikes against Iranian forces as the rescue operation put more than 90 U.S. service members on the ground.
It marked the first U.S. ground operation inside Iran in decades.
Ed Sheeran loses 4 tour acts after Macklemore booted over pro-Palestinian comments
Ed Sheeran’s tour of North and South America faces disruptions after four supporting acts quit in protest of rapper Macklemore’s removal from the lineup, according to The Times of Israel.
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas withdrew following Macklemore’s removal by promoters over his onstage pro-Palestinian comments.
Rowe and Danish band Lukas Graham were scheduled to fill Macklemore's slot on upcoming U.S. dates, while Irish group Beoga regularly joined Sheeran onstage during the middle of his set. Producer and artist Finneas — Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator — was slated to join the tour's South American leg later this year.
"I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran," Finneas said in a statement. "I stand with Palestine and its people."
Diesel prices hit record $6.27 as Iran war tightens global supply: report
U.S. diesel prices surged to a record $6.27 a gallon Tuesday as the war with Iran and fragile global fuel supplies drove up energy costs, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The national average has climbed from $3.69 a gallon a year ago and passed $6 for the first time Friday.
In California, diesel averaged $8.21 a gallon Tuesday, according to the report.
Supply pressures had also intensified after an attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, a route which helps bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts estimated the pipeline disruption had stranded at least 2.5 million barrels of oil per day.
Wilson calls on Turkey, Pakistan to help Saudi Arabia fight 'Iranian puppet' Houthis
Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson said Tuesday that Turkey and Pakistan should work with Saudi Arabia and help defeat the Houthis after Saudi coalition forces said they intercepted a Houthi drone over Mecca.
“The Iranian puppet foreign Houthis occupying Yemen now attack the Muslim holy sites of Mecca in Saudi Arabia,” Wilson said in a post on X.
“We stand with our partners in Saudi Arabia against the hateful Houthi aggression,” he added.
“If the Mecca Alliance means anything, then Turkiye and Pakistan must work with Saudi Arabia to destroy the foreign Houthi terrorists and liberate Yemen from Iran,” he added.
Saudi air defenses destroy Houthi drone near Mecca, coalition says
Saudi air defenses destroyed a Houthi drone that attempted to enter the airspace near Mecca on Tuesday, according to the Saudi-led coalition.
“The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a drone that attempted to enter the airspace of the Holy Capital,” coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said in a statement posted on X.
“The hostile drone was intercepted south of the city of Makkah al-Mukarramah [Mecca],” he said.
Al-Malki emphasized that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and “the guests of the Most Merciful” is a red line, stressing that the coalition’s Joint Forces Command would not hesitate to take necessary measures against the Houthi militia and its “hostile, terrorist behavior.”
Syria fuel price hikes spark broadest protests since Assad’s ouster
The steepest fuel price hikes since the start of the Iran war have triggered Syria’s largest anti-government protests since the fall of Bashar al-Assad nearly two years ago, Reuters reported.
Demonstrators burned tires and blocked key roads, including the main highway linking Damascus and Aleppo, after the Syrian government raised diesel prices 40% to 175 Syrian pounds ($1.32) per liter.
Protesters blocked convoys of crude oil tankers headed to central refineries, with crowds demanding the immediate dismissal of the head of the Syrian Oil Company, as well as the nation's energy and economy ministers.
The government also raised the price of 90-octane gasoline 26% to 185 pounds, 95-octane gasoline 28% to 195 pounds, and household and industrial gas prices about 9%.
Rubio praises Oman de-escalation efforts, condemns Iranian attacks on shipping
Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Oman’s efforts to ease regional tensions and condemned Iran’s recent attacks on shipping during a call Tuesday with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi.
Rubio reiterated the United States’ commitment to “ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and to freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
“He expressed support for deepening ties between Oman and the United States,” Pigott added.
Israel says Hamas Rafah Brigade commander killed in Gaza strike
Israel struck the commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade in Gaza, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement Tuesday.
“The IDF and Shin Bet eliminated tonight the Rafah Brigade, which advanced terrorist plots against our forces,” Katz said on X.
“The policy that the Prime Minister and I are leading, and which the IDF is executing in the most professional and appropriate manner, is clear: we eliminate terrorists and remove threats and do not attack civilians and uninvolved parties — and this in contrast to the blood libel fabricated by the creators of the NazA film against our heroic soldiers,” he added.
“Our message is clear: No terrorist is immune, and Hamas will not be in Gaza,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said on X.
The IDF also named Nael Abu Obeid as the Commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade and Head of Hamas’ Military Wing Operations Array.
"He was responsible for managing the activities of the brigade’s terrorists and directing them to advance and carry out terror attacks against Israeli civilians & IDF troops and to restore the brigade’s force buildup," the IDF said on X.
US tightens Iran blockade as CENTCOM redirects 103 ships
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) tightened its blockade against Iranian ports on Tuesday, launching helicopters from the USS Rafael Peralta in the Arabian Sea.
“An MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter lifts off from the flight deck of USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) as the ship enforces the U.S. blockade against Iran in the Arabian Sea,” the command said on X.
“As of Sept. 15, U.S. forces have redirected 103 commercial vessels to ensure compliance,” CENTCOM added.
US war with Iran costs $38B in 6 months as CBO warns of depleted weapon stocks
The six-month U.S. war with Iran has cost the United States $38 billion so far and is projected to cost about $3 billion more each month, the Congressional Budget Office announced Tuesday.
That amount reflects the costs of replacing expended munitions and equipment lost in battle, increased flying hours, other operations and increased fuel costs.
It also reflects the fact that the initial, intense phase of the conflict lasted just over a month — less intense combat operations are still ongoing — and that relatively few U.S. forces have been involved compared with the much larger and longer U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The war is also expected to increase inflation by 0.5% in the first three months of 2027, according to the CBO, which calculated costs through Aug. 1.
The office said the majority of the costs stem from the rapid drawdown of munitions, and it estimates that it could take five years to replenish U.S. stockpiles.
US envoy tours southern Lebanon pilot zones, vows support for Lebanese army
U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa visited southern Lebanon on Tuesday to evaluate progress in pilot zones while reaffirming Washington’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces.
"My visit to southern Lebanon allowed me to witness firsthand the challenges facing its communities,” Issa said in a statement before adding that he deeply sympathized with residents who have “endured displacement and uncertainty.”
Issa also said that he understood their urgent desire to return home and "rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.”
The pilot zones are trial areas established under a U.S.-backed framework, where the Lebanese army deploys to restore state authority and allow displaced civilians to return as Israeli forces withdraw.
GOP Rep Thomas Massie introduces 8 articles of impeachment against War Secretary Pete Hegseth
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a resolution to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and read eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on the House floor Tuesday.
Massie formally entered a resolution to impeach Hegseth for "high crimes and misdemeanors" on the House floor for, among other things, allegedly violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 in Iran and for his role in the operation that led to former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro's capture and extradition.
The first three of the eight articles of impeachment Massie introduced accused Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973, arguing that Hegseth's Department of War is "waging the Iran war despite no declaration of war, statutory authorization, attack on the United States, or imminent threat."
His first article seeks to establish "that the war was unlawful from its inception."
The second article claims that Hegseth disobeyed Congress after both the House and the Senate directed the removal of troops from Iran.
The third article claims that Hegseth is "continuing hostilities in Iran after expiration of the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day termination period and any potential 30-day withdrawal period."
This is an excerpt from a report by Fox News Digital's Robert McGreevy.
US, Israeli and Arab military commanders met in Germany over Iran war, report says
Top military commanders from the U.S., Israel and several Arab nations met last week in Germany to discuss the war with Iran and other regional tensions, Axios reported Tuesday.
Citing Israeli officials, the outlet said the private meeting was organized by U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper and was not officially announced.
In addition to Cooper, the meeting was attended by the military chiefs of staff of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, Axios said.
Iran warns ‘it won’t be pretty’ as Tehran claims it will expose US military losses
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed Tuesday that Tehran will soon release details about American military casualties and equipment damage and while citing the Pentagon's inspector general report released Monday.
“Fiction: Iran is defenseless,” Araghchi wrote in a post shared on X.
“Fact: 100s of U.S. military sites blown to pieces; dozens of aircraft scorched. (Source: The Pentagon).”
“That's just the tip of the iceberg. We'll reveal it all in due course,” Araghchi said.
“For those who've sold lies about Iran, it won't be pretty,” he warned.
Bessent touts 'very good' conversations with Chinese officials about cutting economic ties with Iran
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that he has had "very good" private conversations with Chinese officials about severing economic ties with Iran.
Bessent said this during a House Financial Services committee hearing while answering a question from Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., about Operation Economic Outcast, the initiative launched last month by the Treasury Department to degrade Iran's economy.
"With China, we have had some very good private discussions, and I look forward to those continuing this weekend when I meet my Chinese counterpart," Bessent said.
He added that he expected more momentum to come out of President Xi Xinping's visit to the United States scheduled for Sept. 26. Xi will be meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.
During the hearing, Bessent also shared that the United Arab Emirates has "cut off financial transactions and trade with Iran."
Additionally, he reminded lawmakers that the Treasury Department sanctioned the Dubai-based branches of an Egyptian bank that has sent more than $1.8 billion to Iran since last year.
"That bank will be closing," he said.
“The strength of our economy has allowed the United States to wage the greatest economic isolation campaign in the history of the world against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its enablers,” Bessent said in his opening statement. “President Trump has taken action that his predecessors have long deferred against a regime that devotes itself to ‘Death to America”’ and seeks nuclear weapons to do just that. Under his leadership, America is no longer managing the Iranian threat. We are ending it.”
Rep Ayanna Pressley spars with Bessent over gas prices spurred on by Iran war
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., clashed with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over rising gas prices amid the Iran war.
Pressley began by asking Bessent how long President Donald Trump initially said the war would last.
"I don't recall," Bessent responded.
"Jog your memory. Four to five weeks. It's been six months. So he lied. And we're all paying the cost since the war started. Gas prices are up 52%. Yes or no? Are you aware of that?"
Bessent questioned that statistic and its timeframe, saying "I think that's not a good number."
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.98 on Feb. 27, the day before the war started. As of Tuesday, it had climbed to $4.32.
Rubio speaks with Oman foreign minister as Iranian attacks roil Gulf region
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi on Tuesday to discuss ongoing Iranian attacks in the Gulf region as well as a possible way forward to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
"The Secretary acknowledged Oman’s important role in deescalation in the region and condemned recent Iranian attacks on commercial ships and countries in the region," said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, relaying what Rubio conveyed to his Omani counterpart.
"[Rubio] reiterated the United States’ commitment to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and to freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," Pigott said, adding that Rubio favors "deepening ties between Oman and the United States."
Earlier Tuesday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Center confirmed that a ship was hit just off the coast of Oman.
US hosts Jordanian troops for joint military exercises in Colorado
More than 200 American and Jordanian soldiers are participating in exercises at Fort Carson in Colorado, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday.
U.S. military personnel, including National Guard members from Colorado and Illinois, will spend the next two weeks training with their counterparts from Jordan.
CENTCOM said the event "is designed to deepen U.S.-Jordanian military cooperation, which remains a cornerstone of Middle East security and stability."
"Our longstanding military-to-military ties with the Jordanian Armed Forces are stronger than ever," said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. "Working and training together will further strengthen our collective operational effectiveness and readiness."
The joint military exercise, known as Eager Lion, is being held for the 12th time. While traditionally hosted in Jordan, this year's exercise marks the first time the event has been held in the United States.
This year, troops will focus on "planning and coordination in counterterrorism, air defense, maritime security, cyber, and disaster response," according to CENTCOM.
CENTCOM also noted that the Colorado National Guard has "established a longstanding partnership with Jordan's military" through the State Partnership Program, which pairs National Guards with militaries of other nations to build mutually beneficial relationships.