Trump rejects Iran’s offer, says blockade stays until nuclear deal
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran in hopes of breaking the negotiating deadlock, three sources with knowledge said.
After the strikes, which would likely include infrastructure targets, the U.S. would press the regime to come back to the negotiating table and show more flexibility…
Trump sees blockade extension as best option for forcing Iran back to the negotiating table
The president, for now, is digging into a strategy designed to inflict as much economic pain on Iran as possible in the hopes of forcing Tehran back to the negotiating table without having to resume military strikes, the sources said…
As Hormuz Traffic Stalls, U.S. Pitches New Coalition to Get Ships Moving Again
The effort, called the “Maritime Freedom Construct,” was spelled out in an internal State Department cable sent to U.S. embassies on Tuesday that called on U.S. diplomats to press foreign governments into signing up. The U.S.-led coalition would share information, coordinate diplomatically and enforce sanctions, according to the cable…
Pentagon Puts Iran War Cost at $25 Billion as Hegseth Berates Skeptics
During his first public appearance on Capitol Hill since the war began, the defense secretary lashed out at lawmakers in both parties who have questioned the conflict…
One of the sources said the real cost estimate is closer to $40-50 billion when accounting for the costs of rebuilding US military installations and replacing destroyed assets…
Oil tops $120 as Donald Trump signals extended Hormuz stand-off
Europe’s crude oil benchmark gained as much as 5.4 per cent to $117.36 a barrel as the price rose for an eighth consecutive day, its longest streak of gains in almost four years…
White House meets with Chevron, oil traders amid Iran standoff
White House officials huddled with oil industry executives Tuesday to discuss steps to tamp down the surge in energy prices in the event the U.S. keeps its blockade of Iranian ships in place for months, according to three people with knowledge of the meeting…
Rising Fuel Prices Could Force Excruciating Choices on Economic Policies
The European Central Bank and Bank of England were expected to hold interest rates steady on Thursday while searching for signs of possible longer-term damage…
US Seeks to Deploy Hypersonic Missile for the First Time Against Iran
US Central Command has asked to send the Army’s long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for possible use against Iran, seeking a longer-range system to hit ballistic-missile launchers deep inside the country…
The U.A.E.’s OPEC Bombshell Signals a New Middle East Order
After bearing the brunt of Iran’s counterattack, the financial powerhouse is strengthening security cooperation with Israel and widening a rift with Saudi Arabia…
Iranians Feel the Pain as Their Economy Descends Into a Death Spiral
Businesses are closing, unemployment is soaring and food is increasingly unaffordable…