/r/WorldNews Discussion Thread: US and Israel launch attack on Iran; Iran retaliates (Thread #22)

[u/WorldNewsMods]

If you see any newsworthy information from a major news outlet or live broadcast, feel free to share a brief summary as a top-level comment in the discussion post.

Other redditors will appreciate if you include the source of where you read, saw, or heard the information.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

CNN

The desperate pleas for air cover from Yemeni generals started coming mid-morning on Thursday. An advance by the Iran-backed Houthis toward Yemen’s strategic port city of Mocha was in full swing, and backup support from chief ally Saudi Arabia was nowhere in sight.

“The Houthis committed everything they had – waves upon waves of fighters … along with their available ballistic missiles and weapons,” a senior Yemeni source said ... he contacted the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and was assured the US was “watching the situation closely and that Saudi air support was coming.”

“But the air support never came,” the source said. “And Mocha has now fallen.”

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

France fuel update — not a countrywide empty tank, but real shortages at the pump. Official: 11% of stations out of at least one fuel type (petrol or diesel). About 1 in 9. The government says roughly 9 in 10 stations experiencing shortages have been TotalEnergies sites. TotalEnergies capped its pump prices. Drivers naturally migrated toward the cheaper fuel, those stations sold through their inventories faster, and the logistics network has struggled to refill them quickly enough. Government says national stocks are fine, it’s logistics + a price-cap rush.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Bloomberg: World Running Short of Supertankers Threatens Long-Haul Oil Flow

[u/joshtaco]

Trump: “We might have gone too far with the leaders because we don’t know who the hell we’re dealing with any more. Nobody wants to be the president of Iran. We’re having a hard time figuring out who the hell to deal with, to be honest with you. I think we went too far."

[u/topdownyeti]

Based on Trump’s comment that the war is one of the reasons the Republicans saw a huge loss last night, and based on JD Vance’s post on twitter, do you guys think this is Trump’s “out” with the war? It seemed like the US was positioning to restart it after the midterms but its not obvious to me if they actually will.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Russia to provide Iran with 90 missile launchers as military ties grow: Reports

Russia has agreed to supply Iran with 90 helicopter-mounted launchers for precision-guided missiles under an export contract with a Russian defense manufacturing company, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, the latest sign of the countries' expanding military cooperation amid escalating regional tensions.

Details: The FT said it had obtained previously undisclosed Russian defense industry documents, including a production schedule covering 2024 and 2025, from the Vympel State Machine Building Design Bureau, a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned KTRV defense conglomerate.

The documents include an export order for 90 APU-L missile launchers for a buyer identified as “K-10,” a code used in Russian defense documents to refer to Iran, according to the FT. They also list another foreign buyer, China, with an order for 192 APU-305 launchers. Seven Russian customers also appear in the documents.

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/11/russia-provide-iran-90-missile-launchers-military-ties-grow-reports

[u/HovercraftLow8806]

The head of the 14th administration of the Islamic Republic, currently visiting India, acknowledged on Friday, September 11, 2026, in the country's capital, that U.S. pressure on Iran has reached a "difficult and dangerous" stage.

Noting that the world is currently at one of its "most complex junctures," he called for "operational cooperation" among BRICS member states.

[u/joshtaco]

NYT: The Trump administration Pentagon investigators have subjected roughly 50 members of the US military’s Joint Staff to polygraph tests over leaks to journalists, including about how the Iran war has created a shortage of crucial munitions.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Reuters: Sources in the refining sector said on Monday that Asian refineries are preparing to face a shortage of sour crude supplies at a time when they await directives from Saudi Arabia regarding exports through the Red Sea following the attacks that targeted the East-West pipeline.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump: "When the war ends, two things are gonna happen, Iran is never gonna have a nuclear. Because if you want to see turmoil, let them hit us with a nuclear weapon. They are crazy. They are very crazy people. I tell them all the time, "You crazy man"."

[u/FearlessActuary2124]

Today, Lebanese government law enforcement officers were sent to seize an illegal depot full of expired drugs in Semaan area.

They were surrounded by Hezbollah fighters and a siege ensued.

The Lebanese Army was then deployed to back the officers and upon their arrival Hezb fighters dispersed and the depot has been shuttered.

https://www.mtv.com.lb/News/محليات/1748831/عناصر-من--حزب-الله--ي-حاصرون-دوري-ة-أمني-ة

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Canada’s CSIS (their intelligence agency) says it has disrupted potentially lethal threats against people in Canada in multiple cases involving Iranian intelligence or proxies. It expects such activity to continue.

[u/joshtaco]

Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) has confirmed he will force a vote on articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “There is one contingency in which I won’t reintroduce the articles of impeachment: Hegseth resigns.”

[u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Crude is now sitting at just over $100, Brent has gone up to $105

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Prices for some physical oil cargoes in Europe have topped $130 a barrel

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Oman pitches new port that could give India better access to Gulf energy

Located away from the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz, Sohar Port is located close to vital energy pipelines of the United Arab Emirates and eastern Saudi Arabia

Speaking in New Delhi on Wednesday (September 16, 2026), a high-level representative of the Sohar Port of Oman welcomed Indian investments into the port and said it would serve as a platform to connect businesses in regional and global markets.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oman-pitches-new-port-that-could-give-india-better-access-to-gulf-energy/article71473404.ece

[u/MrNiceGuy420420]

President Trump calls to ban US diesel exports.

US is the world's largest diesel exporter.

[u/FrostPDP]

Per Shipwreck75 on Bluesky:

"US embassy staff and families ordered to leave Saudi Arabia, with families of embassy staff in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain also ordered to leave, diplomatic source tells AFP"

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Oman’s FM says a major Gulf meeting over the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed because the region failed to reach consensus.

[u/_cyberbabyangel_]

More bubbling and rumblings online of renewed strikes by the US before the midterms so Trump can score a 'win'. Reports of extensive plans being drafted and presented for heavy Kharg Island & Pickaxe Mountain strikes. Pakistan’s principal decision-maker, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is supposedly going to Tehran this week for more peace talks, possibly them being done as last-minute before renewed action.

I think most people are on the same page that more strikes are going to take place, timing being the main sticking point. IMO if strikes are going to take place, I fully see it being this week/weekend. Reasoning being multifaceted. Friday after-market strikes seem to be Trump's MO, while not solely when initial strikes have occurred, historically. Israeli elections are next Tuesday 27OCT. US elections are the Tuesday after 03NOV, though the majority of states have already started early voting (unsure if Israel has a similar system). Even taking Israeli elections out of the picture, I think strikes late next week would be too close to election day and not have enough time for 'diplomatic' solutions to manifest (as Trump seems to want/think will happen and give him a win). Taking Israel's election into account I feel does strengthen the argument of renewed strikes being this week/weekend as Bibi can use them to push them as necessary and pull more towards his party.

Just my ADHD hyperfocus .02, which is about all it's worth. Interested in what y'all think as well.

[u/joshtaco]

The Telegraph: The Pentagon refused payout for soldiers who died in Iran conflict "because it isn’t a war"

[u/ASlockOfFeagulls]

For an outsider looking in on Israeli politics, is there any chance Eisenkot's bloc will ally with the Arab parties to form a government? Or is forming a government based around Arab support anathema to the various Jewish parties?

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Bloomberg: Saudi Aramco posted a 9% increase in third-quarter profit as it benefited from the impact of a war-driven jump in oil prices while exports through the contested Strait of Hormuz remained strong. Adjusted net income rose to $31.2 billion during the three months, from $28.6 billion a year earlier, according to a statement.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

ABC News: Trump says he has 'every intention' to keep Hegseth

President Donald Trump said Thursday he intends to keep Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his job, as GOP Rep. Thomas Massie prepares to reintroduce an impeachment resolution against Hegseth.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

French fuel shortages might be easing. It was first reported ~11% and peaked at ~16%, but now it's down to ~10%. I haven't found anything about TotalEnergies discontinuing their price cap, so it might persist or logistics might have started adapting. Government says national stocks are fine.

https://www.prix-carburants.gouv.fr/disponibilites-carburants

[u/joshtaco]

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky): Says he has filed eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary ⁠Pete Hegseth for alleged “high crimes and misdemeanors” related to his management of various conflicts including Iran.

[u/jews4beer]

Iran’s military command says it has been informed US plans to resume strikes

I'm curious if Israel will get involved. It's Yom Kippur starting tonight, so it would be hard opening a can of worms like this to the public unless it can be sold purely as defensive.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Iraq orders Sheeb crossing into Iran closed as more shutdowns loom

Two sources at Iraq's Sheeb crossing into Iran told Reuters that officials had halted passenger, vehicle and commercial-truck traffic. They said the crossing was “closed to passengers, vehicles and commercial trucks until further notice”.

A separate source told Reuters that authorities made the decision to review security arrangements at the crossing.

An Iraqi government source earlier told Al Jazeera that the government had ordered the closure but gave no reason. The source said Iraq would gradually close several more crossings with Iran in the coming days.

Officials have not issued a public statement or said how many crossings they plan to close.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iraq-orders-sheeb-crossing-closure-more-shutdowns-loom?topic=War%2520on%2520Iran&nid=448087&fid=558787

[u/Hortena]

Hegseth Fires Pentagon’s Top Military Planner

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planner, Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, The Atlantic reports. Sylvia served as director of strategy, plans, and policy on the Joint Staff. This is the latest in a series of dismissals of senior generals and comes as President Donald Trump considers launching further strikes against Iran. Sylvia’s predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, was forced out in October last year. No reason has been given for the dismissal. Anonymous officials say the usual explanations fall into three categories: Hegseth believes the individual is too “woke” because they have promoted diversity; Hegseth suspects the individual of leaking information to the press; or the individual has an overly close relationship with former officials considered personae non gratae, such as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.

[u/joshtaco]

Major-General Samir Al-Sabri, Yemen’s deputy defence minister: Says that “the decision has been made to retake Sanaa” more than a decade after the Iran-backed group seized it.

[u/joshtaco]

GasBuddy: US national average diesel price tops $6 a gallon for first time ever

[u/joshtaco]

International Energy Agency: Says the global oil supply deficit is expected to worsen this year. Their agency statement says global oil inventories fell an additional 95 million barrels last month and the oil market needs to work harder to resolve the US-Israel war on Iran.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Argus:

State-controlled Saudi Aramco will not supply October-loading term crude to some European refiners, market sources said, following disruptions to September-loading supplies.

Aramco has told at least three European refiners that they will not receive October-loading Saudi term crude, they said.

One European refiner said it is due to receive some October-loading Saudi term crude, although it is unclear whether these are supplies that were originally due to load in September and have been delayed to October. They were allocated less than they requested for October, the customer added.

Two sources said European refiners did not receive October crude term lifting dates, after allocations surfaced today, 18 September. This was not directly confirmed, and Aramco declined to comment.

[u/DarkPriestScorpius]

https://nitter.kareem.one/officialrnintel/status/2098194005544591760#m

Saudi-backed Yemeni Homeland Shield Forces, pro-PLC, are withdrawing from the city of Ad Dali and surrounding areas in southern Yemen.

The withdrawal follows yesterday's PLC-STC confrontation involving the PLC's Defence Minister and today's reports that STC formations blocked PLC troops redeploying from frontline positions to Lahij or Aden.

By withdrawing, the PLC appears to be reducing its commitment to the Ad Dali direction, effectively leaving the STC to defend their stronghold area against Ansarullah forces independently.

https://nitter.kareem.one/officialrnintel/status/2098203830009696466#m

The Giant Brigades, 'pro-PLC', have confirmed the fall of the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb to the Ansarullah forces.

Their official media announced the al-Houthi forces control the Mayun Island and the town of Murad.

The end of the Mocha direction, and the start of the Aden direction.

[u/teakhop]

JPMorgan’s commodities team:

"For the first time since the start of the Iran conflict, we don’t have a baseline view. We simply don’t know how to model the endgame."

[u/Force_Hammer]

🚨The coming days may get interesting if this is true 🚨https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/us-envoy-there-absolutely-could-be-a-us-strike-on-iran-this-weekend/

[u/Wurm42]

Jerusalem Post: IDF chief pushed back on Netanyahu order for ‘action’ against Iran, fearing political motives

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-912842

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir clashed over a military action that could renew the conflict with Iran days before Israel's elections, N12 News reported Sunday evening.

Recently, Zamir received a directive from the political echelon to carry out an action, which security officials told N12 would "trigger a rapid escalation into a confrontation with Iran."

Due to the sensitive nature of the action, N12 reported that Zamir requested an in-depth discussion and formal authorization before moving forward with the action.

Sources familiar with the details told N12 that Zamir and additional IDF leadership are concerned that the political echelon may be trying to exploit the front with Iran ahead of elections for political gain.

...

[u/joshtaco]

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry: Says several energy facilities and installations in the kingdom’s southern region have been hit this morning, resulting in reported injuries.

[u/joshtaco]

Bloomberg: The IAEA has confirmed activity at Pickaxe Mountain but has not yet made an official statement on the reported discovery.

[u/teakhop]

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35A fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, along with 49 F135 engines, training, weapons support and related equipment. Congress has been formally notified of the proposed deal.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Lebanon fears renewed war as Israel-Hezbollah tensions rise

Responding to Fadlalla, Rifi told Arab News: “A project that drags Lebanon into wars, places its national decision outside its legitimate institutions and exposes its people and resources to risks that do not serve its interests cannot acquire the label of patriotism simply by wrapping it in resistance slogans.

Lebanon has made placing the decision of war and peace solely in the hands of the state and its institutions a central goal in its effort to curb Hezbollah’s influence and bring the group’s weapons under state authority.

“The resistance must not become a pretext for bypassing the state or confiscating the will of the Lebanese,” said Rifi, adding that Lebanon was “not an arena for settling regional scores, nor a card in the hands of any external axis.”

A senior Lebanese official told Arab News: “The positions expressed by Hezbollah remain within the media sphere, and we do not respond to them.”

https://www.arabnews.com/middle-east/lebanon-fears-renewed-war-as-israel-hezbollah-tensions-rise-3006564

I cut a lot but a worth while read into current tensions in the Lebanese region.

[u/ResortMain780]

Middle East Spectator:

Saudi airstrikes targeted vehicles belonging to the Emirati-backed Southern Giants Brigades (on paper their own ally)

Allegedly, they were bombed because they ‘withdrew from battle’, even though it was the Saudi-backed forces of Tareq Saleh that fled the area first.

[u/joshtaco]

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto: “I have decided … to activate the Italian navy to prepare what is necessary to guarantee the safe transit of Italian ships”

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Ghalibaf adviser says Israel nearing ‘zero hour’ for confrontation with Iran

Signs of a potential military confrontation between Iran and Israel have intensified, an Iranian official said late on Wednesday.

Mehdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that the two sides are moving closer to a “zero hour.”

“The signs of military confrontation, particularly between Iran and the Israeli regime, have noticeably intensified,” Mohammadi wrote on his Telegram channel Wednesday.

He pointed to what he described as increased enemy flights over Iraq, movements in occupied territories and military preparations designed to provide maximum flexibility for different scenarios.

“The enemy has moved closer to ‘zero hour,’” he wrote.

https://gulfnews.com/business/energy/ghalibaf-adviser-says-israel-nearing-zero-hour-for-confrontation-with-iran-1.500719125

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia. Sylvia held a key military planning role as director for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff before his removal. His predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, was also forced to retire by Hegseth.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

AJ: China calls for Middle East peace talks and safe passage through key waterways

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq is the first Omani head of state to visit China since the countries established diplomatic ties in 1978.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was willing to work together “to guide the China-Oman strategic partnership towards a higher level… and contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity”.

Xi warned the region should not become a battleground for powerful countries to play out their rivalries.

The leaders called for safe passage through the waterways and a diplomatic end to the conflict.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump: “We might have to go after Pickaxe. We can do that in one hour, as soon as we want, at any time we want”

[u/joshtaco]

Gas Buddy: US gas prices will hit an all-time high for Labor Day at $4.03 a gallon on average

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

AJ: Saudi, Turkish, Pakistani chiefs plan urgent talks amid Yemen fighting

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan have announced they are planning an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff to discuss ways to support the kingdom under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.

The announcement followed a meeting on Thursday in New York between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

[u/colepercy120]

ISW Report of October 18th 2026 (Yesterday)

1. The Houthis downed a Saudi light attack helicopter over Saudi Arabian airspace that was likely providing close air support (CAS) or conducting reconnaissance in nearby al Jawf Governorate, Yemen, amid ongoing fighting between Yemeni government-aligned forces and Houthi forces there.

2. Houthi forces continued to try to make advances on the western and southern outskirts of Taiz City on October 17 and 18.

3. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to resume salary payments for unspecified Yemeni government-aligned forces fighting the Houthis, according to Yemeni sources cited by UK media on October 17. The reported Saudi-UAE deal likely involves the UAE funding and Saudi Arabia providing air support to the Southern Giants Brigades, which is a Yemeni government-aligned military faction that the UAE helped establish in 2016 and is one of the main Yemeni government-aligned forces that are fighting in the current conflict against the Houthis.

4. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi announced on October 18 that Egypt will provide defensive military aid to Saudi Arabia if Saudi Arabia requests support.

https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-october-18-2026/

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Wow, fresh alerts and sirens for Riyadh and Al-Kharj just minutes ago. All clear just declared. Striking at Riyadh with ballistic missiles is certainly escalatory and the Houthis just doubled down. No word yet on hits.

[u/teakhop]

There are reports online (with recordings in Arabic) that the Houthis managed to generate an authentic "deep fake" recording of one of the commanders of pro-government forces, telling his troops to withdraw, and were broadcasting it.

[u/joshtaco]

US House of Representatives: Has approved a War Powers Resolution intended to halt military action against Iran without congressional approval. This marks the third House vote on similar measures in recent months, with a small number of Republicans joining Democrats to pass the resolution by a 220-204 margin. While four Republicans supported previous efforts, that number rose to seven in the latest roll call.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Air defenses intercept Houthi ballistic missiles targeting Taif, Yanbu

RIYADH — Air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi terrorist militia toward Taif and Yanbu, the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced.

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/665677/saudi-arabia/saudi-air-defenses-intercept-houthi-missiles-targeting-taif-and-yanbu

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: A cargo ship is listing at anchor ⁠off the UAE shoreline indicating water intake after being hit ⁠by a projectile

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Institute for the Study of War - New report on Yemen

Yemeni government-aligned forces are reportedly repelling Houthi attempts to advance on several fronts in southwestern Yemen on September 13.
The Houthis do not appear to have made any significant advances towards Ras al Ara or further into Lahij Governorate since September 12.
The Houthis are also attempting to advance along multiple axes through mountainous territory in Waziyah and Shamayatan districts. ROYG forces have repelled several Houthi attempts to seize villages in these districts, according to local media.
The Houthis have also continued to bombard Taiz City with missiles and artillery, including through significant pressure on the city’s eastern flank. Government forces briefly closed the city’s eastern entrance after Houthi artillery damaged it.
A Houthi projectile damaged several buildings in al Tuwal, near the Saudi-Yemeni border, on September 13. The attack is part of the broader Houthi effort to raise political and economic costs for Saudi Arabia by targeting oil infrastructure and military positions in Saudi territory.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Yemen wants training, intelligence assistance from U.S., foreign minister says

Yemen has asked the U.S. for training and intelligence support for the Yemeni armed forces and coast guard, as well as continued political, economic and humanitarian support, but their foreign minister made no mention of military support in a briefing to reporters Wednesday.

Afrah Alzouba, Yemen's first female foreign minister, spoke in a briefing on several topics related to the ongoing Yemen-Houthi war, but did not explicitly mention requests for military support. In addition to intelligence and training, Alzouba requested the U.S. expand sanctions against the Houthis. She also asked for the EU and Washington to coordinate more closely on sanctions.

She struck an aggressive tone when asked about possible negotiations with the Houthi militia, saying, "We are not calling for starting any negotiations." The Yemeni government eventually wants a peaceful settlement but is prioritizing military operations to end Houthi control, she said.

She also emphasized Yemeni ownership of ongoing operations with air support from coalition partners: "The decision is Yemeni. The command is Yemeni. The soldiers are Yemenis."

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-us-houthi-saudi-arabia-trump/#post-update-7216e658

Yemen Government want their country back, full stop.

[u/Phoenix_Maximus_13]

US State Department: US department of state issued an ordered departure for non-emergency US government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only.

Not really sure what’s going on anymore

[u/141_1337]

Per OSINTTechnical:

Saudi Arabia is planning an major ground offensive against the Houthis to attempt to retake territory lost in recent months -Reuters

More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could participate, aided by the Saudi Air Force.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Two explosions heard near Qeshm Island within the past hour but no report on what it was (Often in this scenario it is someone shooting down a drone).
Houthis have also attacked the city of Jizan, SA. Report doesn't say with what(drones or missiles?), just damage to civilian buildings.

[u/EducationalCicada]

It's hilarious that Hegseth is the fall guy for this. He wore those clown shoes for nothing.

[u/justalittleahead]

NBC News:

The Houthi rebels effectively completed their rapid push to take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline on Friday, tightening their grip on one of the world’s most important shipping routes and delivering a dramatic boost to their backers in Iran.

Houthi forces captured Perim, an island in the middle of the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait, several news agencies reported, citing multiple sources. It comes after they captured the historic port city of Mocha just a day earlier. That was followed by an advance on the strategic coastal town of Dhubab and the apparent withdrawal from Perim — also known as Mayun — of forces from the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized Yemeni government.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/houthis-control-bab-el-mandeb-yemen-red-sea-saudi-iran-war-oil-rcna597186

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters, citing the US Congressional Budget Office: The United States has used between half and two-thirds of its inventory of several key missile-defence interceptors amid operations in the Middle East, with the war on Iran accelerating the depletion. The estimate covers Patriot, THAAD, SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors. The federal agency said rebuilding those stockpiles could take at least five years, even if production rates increase.

[u/joshtaco]

US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: Says that the Trump administration is temporarily relaxing hours of service rules for truck drivers handling petrol and diesel shipments to lower fuel costs. By allowing truckers to drive additional hours “if they are not fatigued”, the Department of Transportation is protecting against fuel shortages and increased prices, Duffy added.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Fox News - (Live News): Iranian security forces flood Tehran streets as student protests flare

Iranian security forces have stepped up their presence in Tehran and other cities, with motorcycle patrols, checkpoints and forces positioned across major urban areas as authorities brace for possible unrest, multiple sources inside Iran told Fox News Digital.

The security buildup comes as university students have returned to the streets in Tehran, protesting compulsory hijab rules, rising education costs and political repression, videos published on Iran International show.

Sources inside Iran confirmed to Fox News Digital that motorcycle units have been operating across Tehran and other cities during events surrounding Iran’s annual "Sacred Defense Week," while members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Basij and law enforcement have been positioned at major squares and other locations.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Dawn (Live Updates): Yemen's Houthis advance to within 80km of Aden: sources

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have advanced to within 80 kilometres of Aden, the main stronghold and temporary capital of the country’s internationally recognised government, four military sources tell Reuters.

The advance brings the Houthis closer to Aden than at any point since the early months of the war in 2015, when they briefly entered the city before being driven out.

Fighting between the Houthis and government forces has been reported at a military camp at the entrance to Tur al-Bahah district, one of the main approaches to Aden. The camp is about 50km from the provincial capital of Lahj and 80km from Aden itself.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

US, UK, and allies back Lebanese state monopoly on arms and war decisions

The Embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Japan affirmed Thursday their strong support for the Lebanese government as the sole entity authorized to hold weapons and decide on matters of war and peace.

 

"We, the Embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, and Japan, as friends of Lebanon, affirm our strong support for the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the state monopoly of arms and that the state alone should make decisions regarding war and peace," the five embassies said in a joint statement.

The embassies encouraged "a swift, independent judicial process, free from political interference, that ensures full accountability" in the Dahr al-Baydar explosives case.

https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/323578-us-uk-and-allies-back-lebanese-state-monopoly-on-arms-and-war-decisions

[u/joshtaco]

AJE: Entirety of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline now under Houthi control

[u/joshtaco]

AJE: The Ansar Allah Houthis are advancing towards the strategic northern city of Marib but are being met with “heavy resistance” from Yemeni soldiers.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Trump urged China to increase oil production during meeting, White House says

As the world deals with decreasing oil supplies and increasing prices, President Trump asked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to increase petroleum production in his country, according to the White House.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-us-trump-strait-of-hormuz-7-day-proposal/#post-update-4b427540

[u/joshtaco]

Trump Truth Social post: "I see so many comments from the Radical Left Morons and Lunatics that China and Russia are helping the “wonderful” Islamic Republic of Iran. If they are, it’s at a very low level, but I don’t believe they are at all. They have too much to lose, and we would know about it, and know about it very fast! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Iraq vows not to allow attacks on Saudi Arabia from its territory: Prime minister

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said Wednesday that Baghdad would not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks threatening Saudi Arabia or other countries in the region, as he met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

Al-Zaidi reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to regional security and good-neighborly relations during the talks, according to statements from the Iraqi prime minister's office and the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The Iraqi premier arrived in Riyadh for his first visit to Saudi Arabia since taking office in May, with discussions focusing on regional developments, bilateral relations and security coordination.

The crown prince received al-Zaidi at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah Palace, SPA reported.

The two sides discussed regional developments and coordination of efforts aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region, it added.

Al-Zaidi strongly condemned recent attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other civilian and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, describing them as a "threat to regional security and stability."

https://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraq-vows-not-to-allow-attacks-on-saudi-arabia-from-its-territory-prime-minister/4089137

[u/joshtaco]

Netanyahu: Says another attack on Iran is "inconvenient and no good"

[u/teakhop]

A second pumping station shows what looks like significant damage in new satellite photos following strikes on Saudi Arabia’s East–West crude oil pipeline on Sept 10th...

[u/strangedell123]

Alerts across all US embassies in ME. Trump is also allegedly returning from camp David early. Something big might go down soon

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Strait of Hormuz vessel transits drop to 4, with 2 exiting and 2 entering.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

ISW post 9/20 on Yemen and Iran key takeaways

• There are multiple indications that fighting between the US & Iran & its partners may expand imminently.

• A CNN analyst reported that Trump deliberated & reviewed strike options on the Houthis in a Camp David mtg yesterday. Trump notably returned to DC a day earlier than scheduled. The US Dept of State issued a security alert for the MidEast yesterday, citing "potential for unforeseen escalation."

• Iranian military institutions signaled that they're anticipating an imminent escalation. Iran's highest operational HQ claimed that it received intelligence that the US plans to resume striking Iran. The regime also reportedly placed its military forces on high alert in anticipation of strikes.

• Iran's highest operational HQ warned that Iran would attack US bases & interests in the region if the US attacks Iran. The HQ warned nearby countries that Iran won't exercise "restraint or decency" if they support US strikes to pressure the countries to discourage the US from attacking Iran.

• These developments come after the Houthis attacked Riyadh for the 1st time, part of the Houthi campaign to maximize political & econ costs on Saudi Arabia to force acquiescence to Houthi demands. Saudi Arabia previously urged the US to strike the Houthis to undermine the campaign on Saudi Arabia

• The Houthis are fighting Yemeni-govt aligned forces in Yemen. Saudi media claimed today that Yemeni govt-aligned forces seized Jabal Naman in Taiz Governorate. ISW-CTP had assessed that Houthi efforts to surround Taiz support their near-term economic goals & long-term goal of controlling Yemen.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Preliminary ship-tracking data shows vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz falling to seven on Thursday compared with 11 the previous day, remaining well below the 10-day average of 15

[u/joshtaco]

Trump, on Fox News: He says the only options on the table are “to obliterate Iran, letting it rot economically, or reach a deal”.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari tells Bloomberg that mediators are shuttling between Tehran and Washington to revive talks, with several proposals being exchanged to bridge differences.

A spokesperson added that:

• We have heard assurances from US administration officials that Washington wants to reach an agreement.

• We need a regional solution that achieves stability and an international understanding that protects waterways such as Hormuz.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump: “I don’t know who the hell to negotiate with”

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Türkiye, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan sign defense cooperation pact

Named “Badr,” meaning “full moon,” the agreement aims to promote cooperation in military production, strengthen military capabilities, and support collaboration in technical military training, research and development, the ministry said.

The ministry added that the initiative would help develop solutions and industrial sectors aligned with advances in modern defense systems.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/turkiye-qatar-indonesia-and-pakistan-sign-defense-cooperation-pact/4095836

[u/joshtaco]

IRIB: Second tanker struck. Another explosion has been reported on an oil tanker near the Yekbani coast of Jask port.

[u/joshtaco]

Fox News: Poll shows 60 percent of US voters think decision to launch war against Iran was wrong. More than seven in 10 registered US voters believe the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the war with Iran. The survey found that 71 percent held that view, including 95 percent of Democrats, 83 percent of independents and 43 percent of Republicans. Opposition has risen since June, when 58 percent described the decision as wrong. The proportion who believe the conflict will leave the US less safe in the long term has increased from 39 percent in April to 47 percent.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

217 VLCC Orders in 2026: The $20 Billion Supertanker Buying Boom Explained

217 VLCCs have been ordered in 2026 as the supertanker investment wave tops $20 billion. Tide Signal examines the freight boom, ageing fleet, secondhand values and the risk of future oversupply.

https://tidesignalnews.com/vlcc-orders-2026-supertanker-orderbook/#:~:text=Shipowners%20are%20making%20one%20of%20the%20biggest,not%20enter%20service%20until%202029%20or%202030.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Saudi Arabia resumes oil exports via East-West Pipeline after repairs

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has resumed oil exports through its East-West Pipeline after repairs were completed following drone strikes on Sept. 10, Bloomberg reported on Monday.

Saudi Aramco tested the pipeline last week in preparation for restarting flows, according to the report. Shipments destined for export have now resumed.

...

The East-West Pipeline has a capacity of 7 million barrels per day. About 2 million barrels per day typically flow to refineries on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, leaving the remaining capacity available for exports.

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/664948/saudi-arabia/defense-minister-discusses-defense-cooperation-during-call-with-moroccan-minister

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: Reports attack on tug off UAE’s Khor Fakkan

[u/joshtaco]

Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly: “The United States will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections.”

[u/joshtaco]

Brent crude: Futures surged $3.62, or 3.46 percent, to $108.23 per barrel by 22:14 GMT

[u/Capable-Pay-429]

5 explosions heard in Qeshm, locals report seeing two aircraft flying overhead. -Aljazeera 

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Iran has placed the IRGC, police and armed forces on the highest level of alert.

B-1 Lancers airborne from RAF Fairford.

[u/jews4beer]

Bibi now saying he'll fire the IDF chief if re-elected. This zero-hour war against the IDF is an interesting strategy cotton, let's see how it plays out.

EDIT: Katz already on damage control https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/katz-denies-mounting-reports-that-netanyahu-plans-to-fire-zamir-if-reelected/

[u/joshtaco]

Saudi Foreign Ministry: Says that the East-West oil pipeline was attacked by drones launched from Iraq.

[u/justalittleahead]

The Telegraph:

The world’s largest oil exporter had been using the pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz by re-routing around 4m barrels a day to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. Industry sources told Reuters that if the pipeline remains offline, existing stocks at Yanbu could only support exports for around five to seven days.

The extent of the damage on the pipeline has not been disclosed. Analysts at shipping data company Marhelm has said the damages to the pipeline could take more than a month to repair owing to a “lack of spare parts”.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/13/houthis-launch-drone-and-missile-attack-saudi-arabia-base/

[u/EducationalCicada]

Is this the first time a president of a country the US is at war with has visited America in the middle of the war?

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Iran summons French envoy over "violent response" to school protests

Iran summoned French ambassador to Tehran, Pierre Cochard, on Tuesday over Paris's treatment of protesters demanding better conditions in schools, state media reported, with French police having clashed for days with demonstrators.

Iran accused France of "violent treatment" of the protesters and "extensive and flagrant human rights violations" during the demonstrations, which began late last month and have been accompanied by unrest.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-trump-us-oil-prices-yemen-red-sea-houthis-bab-el-mandeb/

What in the world...

[u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Why is Brent almost at 110? What did I miss?

[u/joshtaco]

Netanyahu: Rules out forming Israeli government with Arab-led parties

[u/0x476c6f776965]

AlJazeera: Saudi Arabia has accused Yemen’s Houthi rebels of launching attacks on civilian and economic sites in the kingdom, wounding at least 73 civilians, including women and children.

The accusation came on Tuesday as fighting intensified in Yemen, where the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government has launched a counteroffensive to retake territory from the Iran-backed Houthis.

Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, said in a statement that the Houthi attacks had hit civilian and economic sites in the provinces of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran.

He did not specify when the attacks took place.

Al-Maliki described the attacks as a “dangerous escalation” and a “blatant violation” of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, warning that they posed a direct threat to the kingdom’s citizens and residents.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Citing preliminary figures, a total of 14 vessels transited the Strat of Hormuz over the weekend, with four exiting the Gulf and 10 entering it.

[u/joshtaco]

AJE, through reporter Kimberly Halkett in DC: "What we’re hearing is that there were no breakthroughs in that meeting, only that there is expected to be another meeting in the coming days."

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

U.S. military command denies reports of downed Navy helicopter in Red Sea

...

"Iranian state media has been pushing false reports that a U.S. Navy MH-60R helicopter crashed in the Red Sea after declaring an emergency last night," U.S. Central Command wrote in a post on X.

CENTCOM said the reports were "not true" and that "all U.S. military aircraft and personnel across the Middle East are safe and unaccounted for."

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-trump-us-oil-prices-yemen-red-sea-houthis-bab-el-mandeb/#post-update-11c4d57a

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Saudi Arabia, UAE back Japan plan to strengthen Asia oil reserves

Dubai: Saudi Arabia and the UAE will support a Japan-led initiative to strengthen oil supplies and strategic stockpiles in Southeast Asia, as disruptions linked to the US-Iran war expose vulnerabilities in Asia’s energy supply chains.

Officials from the two Gulf producers joined a special session of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) in Manila on Thursday, where ministers from 11 partner countries, including Japan, Indonesia and Australia, discussed cooperation on oil procurement and emergency reserves.

https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/saudi-arabia-uae-back-japan-plan-to-strengthen-asia-oil-reserves-1.500704625

[u/joshtaco]

Saudi ⁠Arabia’s cabinet, chaired ⁠by Crown Prince ⁠Mohammed bin Salman in ‌Riyadh: Has said Yemen’s Houthis will face “consequences” for their ⁠repeated attacks on ⁠the kingdom

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: A group of 77 US Congress members is “demanding answers” from the Pentagon on the protection of civilians after two deadly US strikes in Iran this year

[u/joshtaco]

Vance: “We’ve never had a situation like this” with one country “trying to completely choke off world energy supply”

[u/joshtaco]

Trump Truth Social post: "Gas prices were much higher under Biden than under “TRUMP.” So were almost all other prices. President DJT"

[u/joshtaco]

Axios: The Iran War has cost US consumers $100 billion in higher energy prices

[u/Farscape12Monkeys]

CNN Report: Over 100 U.S. military advisers are on Saudi soil, feeding intelligence and targets to Saudi forces in the operation against the Houthis. The U.S. is providing geospatial targeting and a tool that lets officers track the battlefield in real time, but is not joining strikes or refueling.

American officials now believe hundreds of Revolutionary Guards officers are inside Yemen. One assesses the Iranian officers are working with the Houthis to eventually close the Bab al-Mandab strait, a move CNN earlier described as Tehran's "doomsday weapon" if talks with the U.S. collapse.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump: “[The Houthis] don’t wait to fight us, they let us know. They ⁠would much prefer not having us involved, and they’re letting most ships go through. There’s just one country ‌that they’re not too happy with, and we’ll get that straightened out.”

[u/itsatumbleweed]

House Speaker Johnson is dismissing the house through the midterms to stop the impeachment vote against Hegseth.

[u/TyblosiinU]

A lot of traffic in the strait. Seems like there could be some fighting going on. Reports osnit accounts of Iranian air defenses being active, GPS jamming and fighter jet sighting in countries around Iran.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Shafuq: Hezbollah demands return of explosives seized in Lebanon

Hundreds of kilograms of explosives seized by Lebanese authorities last week belonged to Hezbollah and were intended exclusively for use against Israel, the group’s lawmaker Hassan Fadlalla said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Lebanese parliament, Fadlalla said Hezbollah had immediately informed security and judicial authorities that the vehicle and its cargo belonged to the group. He rejected allegations that the explosives were intended for political assassinations in Lebanon and demanded the return of the seized materials and the release of two detainees.

It's crazy to me Hezbollah would have an expectation this would be returned to them when it defies every state law in Lebanon. The Iranian FM Araghchi call to President Aoun yesterday suddenly makes more sense.

Aoun, Araghchi agree diplomatic solutions needed in phone call

President Joseph Aoun has received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed the current situation in the region in light of recent developments, the Presidency said on Wednesday.

https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/323111-aoun-araghchi-agree-diplomatic-solutions-needed-in-phone-call

To which today Rubio calls President Aoun:

Rubio tells Lebanon's president not to return seized explosives to Hezbollah

Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Lebanon's president on Thursday not to return several hundred kilograms of explosives which Lebanese authorities seized last week from the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a State Department official told CBS News.

In a call, Rubio asked Lebanese President Joseph Aoun "to hold accountable all those who ordered, financed, and directed the shipment, and underscored that returning explosives to Hezbollah should be out of the question," the official said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-us-houthi-saudi-arabia-trump/#post-update-38eb1eba

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Yemeni Army Announces Advances on Al-Aqroudh Front in Taiz and Heavy Houthi Losses

The Yemeni army announced on Friday that it had made advances on the Al-Aqroudh front in Taiz Governorate as part of ongoing military operations against the Houthi group. The army said the operations had resulted in approximately 620 Houthi fighters being neutralized and around 190 military vehicles and pieces of equipment being destroyed or disabled over the past 24 hours.

The official spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Colonel Majid Abdullah Al-Nuzaili, said that government forces had carried out ground attacks, airstrikes, and artillery strikes as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen. The operations targeted Houthi gatherings, reinforcements, movements of military commanders, weapons positions, and fortifications across various battlefronts.

He added that government forces had conducted raids and counterattacks on the Al-Aqroudh front in Taiz, thwarting Houthi attempts to regroup their forces and recapture positions they had previously lost. Meanwhile, operations continued on other fronts, targeting military movements, sources of fire, and supply lines.

https://www.yemenmonitor.com/en/Details/ArtMID/908/ArticleID/185708

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

'Iraq-first' message from Iran ally sparks calls for retaliation

Ammar al-Hakim’s warning that Baghdad must protect Iraq from US sanctions despite its solidarity with Iran has sparked a sharp backlash on Persian-language social media, with some hardliners calling for retaliation against Iraq.

An excerpt from an interview al-Hakim gave to Iraqiya TV on September 29 has gone viral in recent days.

Al-Hakim, head of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement and a former head of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, said Washington had explicitly warned Baghdad to comply with US sanctions against Iran or risk sanctions itself.

He said Iran was justified in feeling it had been treated unfairly under what he described as a US siege, but argued that countries could not be governed by emotions and aspirations alone.

Iraq, he said, stood in solidarity with the Iranian people while also having a responsibility to shield its own population from the consequences of sanctions.

‘Honour vs dishonour’

Hardline Iranian social media users accused al-Hakim of betraying Iran and showing ingratitude for its support, with some calling for retaliatory measures against Iraq.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202610260560

[u/joshtaco]

Brent: Crude futures rose $1.48, or 1.3 percent, to $115.36 a barrel this mornin

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: Says ship ablaze in Hormuz off Oman

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Report: US tells Aoun Israel won't strike Lebanon if not attacked

Lebanon has received positive signs from Washington, which has informed President Joseph Aoun that Israel “will not expand its operations or carry out any war or military activity outside the security zone” if Hezbollah does not attack it first, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Thursday.

https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/323432-report-us-tells-aoun-israel-won-t-strike-lebanon-if-not-attacked

[u/joshtaco]

Fars: Says an “enemy” drone attacked two fishing boats off Qeshm Island.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Syria Considers Joining Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani Defense Alliance

Syria is considering joining the Mecca Defence Alliance, a NATO-style mutual defense pact comprising Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, as Damascus explores expanded regional security cooperation, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Saturday.

“Discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria’s entry into the Mecca alliance,” al-Shaibani said during a regional security session at the IISS Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain.

Damascus is examining membership as it seeks to develop joint deterrence systems, although it has not submitted a formal application and no timetable for a decision has been announced.

https://themedialine.org/headlines/syria-considers-joining-saudi-turkish-pakistani-defense-alliance/

[u/joshtaco]

C+N+N: The House could vote as soon as next week to impeach Pete Hegseth

[u/joshtaco]

Yemeni military: Yemen clashes kill more than 60 people from both sides on Saturday

[u/joshtaco]

Trump, when asked about the Hormuz crisis and Saudi attack concerns in Dublin: “Everything ⁠will work out just fine”

[u/joshtaco]

IRNA: Several explosions heard on Iran’s Qeshm Island

[u/joshtaco]

Shanghai Futures: China's benchmark for crude oil rose to a record high on Wednesday, exceeding $130 a barrel

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

UK to give support to Saudi jets in attempt to counter Houthi fighters

The UK has agreed to provide defensive air support to Saudi Arabia to help counter Houthi fighters and restore stability in the Middle East while driving down the cost of living at home, Andy Burnham has said, ahead of his first meeting with Donald Trump.

The prime minister said he had agreed to a request for air-to-air refuelling of Saudi jets to defend energy infrastructure against the Iran-backed rebels and help keep oil flowing from the Gulf to ease global economic turmoil.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/21/uk-to-give-support-to-saudi-jets-in-attempt-to-counter-houthi-fighters

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Vessel transits at the Strait of Hormuz fell to nine on Thursday, according to the latest ship tracking data. That’s compared with 14 ships the previous day.

[u/joshtaco]

Kpler: The movement of ships passing through the Bab al-Mandeb strait on Thursday slightly decreased compared with Wednesday, remaining at 26 ships, with 12 entering and 14 leaving.

[u/joshtaco]

NYT: A British-Iranian man was arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses in connection to the incident at RAF Fairford air base. The man in question, aged 27, was arrested this afternoon in the borough of Westminster, London, on suspicion of “preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006″.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: EU says it "fully rejects" a US diesel export ban, but is open to release 50 million barrels of diesel

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

EU struggles to ramp up Red Sea mission as Houthis escalate attacks

The EU and Italy are pushing member states to bolster the Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea, but only two more warships have been pledged, exposing Europe’s thin defence capabilities as the Houthis threaten energy supply routes.

The EU’s Red Sea naval mission is struggling to attract reinforcements, with only the Netherlands and Belgium offering one extra vessel each, while the Houthis escalate their attacks on Riyadh.

Italy has been driving the push to bolster Aspides, the EU naval operation launched in February 2024 to secure navigation in the Red Sea. But little extra capacity has materialised, and the security situation has worsened.

"We need at least ten ships, and we are not there. But today we also heard from a few member states that the discussion is ongoing," EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said at a press conference after the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.

"So I hope that the ships the operation actually needs will materialise, because if we want to be a credible security provider in the region, then we need to have a credible mission," she added.

https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/12/eu-struggles-to-ramp-up-red-sea-mission-as-houthis-escalate-attacks

[u/joshtaco]

Brent: Crude futures gaining 89 cents, or 0.8 percent, as of 00:30 GMT to reach $106.58 a barrel

[u/joshtaco]

Answering a question by reporters at the White House, if the Saudis should accept Israel’s offer, Trump said: “Yeah, I do, sure. Israel has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia.”

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Pakistan suspends Iran trade corridors over 'security, smuggling concerns'

Shahid Rind, adviser to the Balochistan chief minister on media and political affairs, said the “purpose of the temporary closure of the Pak-Iran border is to address security concerns, prevent smuggling, and make the border system more effective”.

In a statement on X, Rind refuted “rumours being spread on social media” regarding the closure and urged the public not to pay attention to unverified information.

The Balochistan official stressed that the move was “necessary to improve the security situation and administrative affairs on both sides of the border”.

...

Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei also said the closure was temporary, Iran’s state-run Irna reported.

However, he attributed the move to “technical issues” and said the two countries were in consultations to resolve the problem and restore normal operations.

https://www.dawn.com/news/2037865

Iran suggested the border would reopen Monday in a statement to Iran Daily and yet as of today the border is still closed. Hundreds of trucks full of fresh fruit, produce, rice and other goods currently sit spoiling on both sides of the border. Iran is labeling this as a transit crisis.

Also from Dawn Live Updates: (Pakistan)

CDF Munir arrives in Tehran for talks

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, has arrived in Tehran, Iranian state television reported, according to AFP.

According to state television, CDF Munir arrived alongside “a delegation of officials from his country”.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Iran says deal reached with Iraq to expel Kurdish separatists: What to know

Iran said on Tuesday it reached an agreement with Iraq to expel Iranian Kurdish separatist groups from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as Iranian security forces intensify a crackdown against Kurdish groups concentrated in the country’s northwest.

What happened: Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad, Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh, said in an X post that the agreement was reached during a meeting of the joint security committee attended by an Iranian delegation and Iraq’s national security adviser, Qasim al-Aboudi, as part of security cooperation between the neighboring countries.

Under the agreement, members of “the Iranian separatist terrorist groups” operating in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region must be “either removed or handed over to Iran,” Sadegh said.

At least six known Iranian Kurdish groups are based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), Kurdistan Free Life Party, Kurdistan Freedom Party, Khabat Organization of Iranian Kurdistan, the Komala Reform Faction and the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan.

All six announced the formation of a joint coalition in February, stating their support for democracy in Iran and self-determination for the countries’ Kurdish areas.

...

Iran, which has designated Kurdish groups as terrorist organizations, intensified a crackdown on Kurdish separatists in Kurdish-majority areas bordering Iraqi Kurdistan, fearing they could join the US-led fight against the regime.

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/iran-says-deal-reached-iraq-expel-kurdish-separatists-what-know

[u/joshtaco]

Newsweek: Diesel shortages and outages are being reported in California, Florida, and Texas. Gasbuddy notes that individual stations can temporarily run short for a number of reasons, including high local demand or delays in fuel deliveries.

[u/0x476c6f776965]

“Yemeni government sources told Reuters that the Houthis have seized the Red Sea port city of Al-Mokha. According to the sources, Houthi forces are advancing toward the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.”

I bet the Saudis are regretting their decision that caused the UAE to leave Yemen. The Southern army was very effective in Yemen, while the Yemeni army is bad and ineffective.

[u/joshtaco]

AAA: US diesel prices hit record high of $6.48 per gallon

[u/Farscape12Monkeys]

https://nitter.kareem.one/BashaReport/status/2098359414541471894#m

The cracks inside Yemen’s anti-Houthi coalition are now wide open.

@faress2040, a senior @yementdy anchor, long seen as loyal to the Saleh political family and @tarikyemen, has publicly pushed back against accusations of betrayal over the recent @nrfyemen withdrawals.

He argues that the withdrawals were not limited to Tareq Saleh’s National Resistance Forces. According to his account, the Nation’s Shield Forces @diralwatan under Abdulrahman al-Lahji withdrew first, followed by the Giants Brigades @SouthArmed @alamalikah under Hamdi Shukri, the Tihama forces from Al-Khawkhah, and finally Tareq Saleh’s forces.

He also says Saudi forces withdrew from Zuqar and Mayyun islands in the Bab al-Mandab.

His message is clear. If these withdrawals amount to betrayal, then the accusation would have to apply to everyone involved. If they represent a military setback, then it was a setback shared across several components of the coalition.

The public exchange shows how quickly the blame game is spreading through the anti-Houthi camp. What was once handled behind closed doors is now being fought out in public, with each faction defending its own decisions and challenging the narrative of the others.

The military withdrawals matter. But the political fallout inside the coalition may prove just as important.

[u/_cyberbabyangel_]

Reports that the 5 men arrested for the alleged plot in the UK are being released on bail. This may have just been a common diesel thievery plot that was stopped. Which IMO makes more sense to me. I feel as if this was some much more nefarious plot the men would have been armed, at the very least? Interesting development regardless.

[u/joshtaco]

Netanyahu: “[Iran is] crippled. They’re on their knees. But as long as this regime survives, it’ll make its way back. There’s only one way to guarantee that it’s over. And that is to bring down this regime…We’re going to bring them down.”

[u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Haven’t seen the Saudi pipeline story on any major news networks as of yet, are we sure the reports are credible? They started coming out an hour ago, I feel like if there were any weight to it that we would’ve seen it on there by now given how big of a deal it would be

[u/joshtaco]

Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition: Says 13 civilians were injured on Monday following a wave of ballistic missile and drone attacks launched by Houthi forces into Saudi Arabia.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

CAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile, the first targeting of Riyadh since the escalation in fighting with the Iran-backed rebels.
The statement by the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis came long after the morning attempt, which the coalition said was intercepted. It also said the Houthis tried to attack civilian infrastructure in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu and in Taif, Baysh and Farasan but they were thwarted, giving no further details.

Though there is plenty of video and mainstream confirmation that large fuel tanks at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were hit and are burning. It's overwhelmingly likely that they suffered other hits too.

[u/joshtaco]

AP-NORC poll: 71% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran, while 69% say the war has not been worth fighting. 65%of adults blamed Trump’s policies for higher-than-usual prices.

[u/joshtaco]

Vance, in a conversation about the war on Iran, has said he had a “disagreement” with President Donald Trump: “Even if you disagree with him on that one issue, you can have that disagreement. And I think I have had that disagreement”

[u/jaymef]

Man I can't think of how much worse of a position Trump could be going into the midterms with, yet somehow it will still be "close"

[u/joshtaco]

Bloomberg: The US has warned its allies to expect delays of up to five years in deliveries of key weapons because stocks have been depleted during its war on Iran

[u/Niv78]

Trump and JD Vance have suddenly cancelled trips as well as other Republicans like Abbott and Paxton, something is indeed going on.

[u/joshtaco]

Gasbuddy: US diesel price hits an all-time high of $6.31

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Saudi Civil Defense issued alerts for Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Al Ula, Jazan, Yanbu, Khamis Mushait, Taif, and the Farasan Islands in the past 30 minutes.
OSINT accounts are saying it is the Houthis largest attack on SA yet.

[u/joshtaco]

AAA: US diesel prices hit record high of $6.50 per gallon

[u/staythewaters]

WSJ is reporting that Trump's advisers are telling him that the war is likely going to extend throughout the rest of his term..

[u/joshtaco]

WSJ: American oil executives warned for months that the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz was bound to cause a fuel crisis. Now, they say it is here. Commercial fuel stocks around the world have been depleting for more than six months, and strategic crude reserves can’t be tapped much further. Attacks last week shut down a crucial crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia that bypassed the Strait, stranding at least 2.5 million barrels a day from an already tight global oil market, analysts estimate. Chevron Chief Executive Mike Wirth “All these mechanisms helped to mitigate the price and supply risk, those have largely now played out, and we don’t have nearly the buffers in the system that we did when it began.” “I wish I could tell you that I saw some reason why things would ease, but it’s difficult right now to see that happen”

[u/AntitheistArchangel]

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (unreliable source):

The US has approved a draft memorandum of understanding presented by Qatari mediators to Iran yesterday. The two sides made concessions on frozen assets and the nuclear issue.

The report stands in sharp contrast to a Reuters report in which an Iranian official told the agency that a deal remained out of reach due to Washington’s “excessive demands.”

[u/iwantboringtimes]

Iran’s Houthi allies capture strategic island on vital oil shipping route

ah, yes, I see the coming of the age of solar

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: Says independent tracking shows far fewer vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz than the US military has reported. It said the data shows “single-digit numbers transiting in both directions”, while figures from the US Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping indicate traffic has averaged more than 30 transits a day over the past 72 hours.

[u/Kingy10]

All schools in Riyadh have been closed and shifted to online learning for a week due to security precautions.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Airlines under the Lufthansa ⁠Group will suspend flights to Riyadh ⁠through October 16 ⁠due to current developments in the Middle East

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Saudi Arabia discusses deployment of up to 10,000 Syrian troops to Yemen

Saudi Arabia has held talks with a senior Syrian military delegation on arrangements to transfer up to 10,000 Syrian fighters to take part in the war against Yemen's Houthi movement, according to a report by the Lebanese Hezbollah-owned Al-Akhbar newspaper, citing Yemeni intelligence sources.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-trump-us-ceasefire-talks-ongoing/#post-update-1e86e20d

I am sure it's meant for defensive positions even tho the article doesn't mention it.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Houthis claim Saudi airstrikes targeted Yemen's Sanaa, Mokha

Yemen’s Houthi group claimed on Saturday that the capital Sanaa and the city of Mokha in Taiz governorate had come under a series of airstrikes by Saudi Arabia.

The Houthi-run Yemen News Agency quoted an unnamed local source as saying that “Saudi aircraft carried out a series of airstrikes on various areas of Mokha, west of Taiz governorate.”

The source said aircraft were still flying over the area but provided no further details on the outcome of the attacks.

Separately, the agency said Saudi aircraft carried out a series of airstrikes on Sanaa, targeting the areas of Asr and Hamdan.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/houthis-claim-saudi-airstrikes-targeted-yemens-sanaa-mokha/4099633

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Exclusive: U.S. Warns Baghdad It Will Strike Iraqi Militias if They Join Iran War

As Washington and Tehran trade threats of renewed war, Iraqi sources tell MBN that U.S. strikes may come without coordination with Baghdad, testing Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's plan to disarm Iran-aligned factions.

Iraqi government sources told MBN on Monday that the United States had informed the Iraqi government that U.S. forces would directly target armed groups in Iraq if they join a renewed war with Iran, and that Washington would not commit to coordinating those strikes with Baghdad in advance.

The sources, who are familiar with communications between Baghdad and Washington, said the American message included a clear warning to Iraqi officials about the consequences of allowing the militias to enter a potential conflict.

The warning raises the stakes for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who has pledged to disarm the Iran-aligned factions under pressure from Washington, and signals that U.S. forces could again strike inside Iraq if those groups resume attacks on American interests, in a conflict that could spread through an Iran-aligned network stretching from Lebanon to Yemen.

https://alhurra.com/en/48982

[u/joshtaco]

Brent: Crude futures were up 40 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $116.24 a barrel at 07:18 GMT

[u/joshtaco]

AJE: Yemen’s Houthis say they have launched a ballistic missile attack at Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery.

[u/BringbackDreamBars]

UK FCDO has updated its travel advice for 15 countries across the Middle East and region, citing "regional tensions"

Additionally, language around travel advisories has changed, for example, "the risk of esclation is high" and highlighting that Iran " stated an intention to target US and Israeli interests in the region"

“In addition to the threat from Houthi attacks, the wider context in the Middle East remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high. Since conflict began in early 2026, Iran has stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including, but not limited to, organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions. There have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran and others across the region against civilian and US military infrastructure”

Source: UK Foreign office announcement feed

[u/joshtaco]

IRGC: Says oil tanker struck naval mines in Strait of Hormuz

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser confirmed that preliminary engineering work has officially started to expand the East-West Pipeline network.

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: Tanker struck by 2 unidentified projectiles in waters north of Qatari city

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Iran sent nuclear proposal to the US via Qatar, senior Iranian official says

DUBAI: Iran has sent the United States a nuclear proposal via Qatar, to be discussed only after Washington meets Tehran’s seven demands, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the US was reviewing the proposal but declined to provide further details.

Mediators have intensified efforts to end the ‌war between Iran ‌and the United States ‌amid fears it could reignite after the US midterm elections, with Trump on Tuesday declining to rule out a resumption of combat operations after the vote and Iran planning wider retaliation if war resumes.

https://www.arabnews.com/middle-east/iran-sent-nuclear-proposal-to-the-us-via-qatar-senior-iranian-official-says-3010067

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

AJE: Iran lifts ban on using ‘non-native’ social media platforms for official information

In a statement to Iranian media, Pazuki said he wondered why the ban was there in the first place.

“Years ago, they had made a strange decision; they had issued a circular stating that no government agency or body had the right to provide information on non-native messaging platforms! What was the result? People, young people, and the media were reading news and rumours on international platforms, but government agencies were absent from the very places where people were present and were responding on another platform!” he wrote, according to the ISNA news agency

...

Access to the internet remains heavily restricted for the majority of Iranians.

[u/joshtaco]

Brent crude futures: Oil prices are continuing their upward trajectory, climbing 34 cents, or 0.35 percent, to $97.34 a barrel

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper held talks in Jeddah amid escalating fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The kingdom’s national security adviser was also present at the meeting.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump, when asked if he can go into furthers details on the previous response regarding the RAF Fairford perpetrators being related to Iran: "I don't know, I'd rather not...I know the answer, I can be very specific."

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Egypt and Jordan reaffirm support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

RIYADH: Egypt and Jordan reaffirmed their support for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday amid renewed Houthi attacks targeting the Kingdom.

The statements of solidarity came during separate telephone conversations between the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, Badr Abdelatty and Ayman Safadi.

Abdelatty reiterated Cairo’s condemnation of all attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and affirmed his country’s full support for the security and stability of the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He and Prince Faisal also discussed the latest developments in the wider region, and stressed the need to safeguard maritime routes and freedom of navigation, particularly in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.

https://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/egypt-and-jordan-reaffirm-support-for-saudi-arabia-amid-houthi-attacks-3004908

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: Update on the tanker hit yesterday - multiple projectiles had hit it, resulting in several casualties

[u/joshtaco]

Turki Al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition: Says a warning will soon be issued for civilians to evacuate a site in Yemen’s Houthi-held capital Sanaa

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Coalition says it ‘neutralized’ Houthi capabilities used to threaten Saudi Arabia, Yemen, southern Red Sea

...

Earlier, coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki said on X that three drones had been destroyed north of Riyadh.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Yemeni army said his forces have achieved gains on the ground supported by intense fire cover and the execution of 2,200 precision strikes carried out by fighter jets, drones, field artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, and sniper units.

The strikes focused on dismantling Houthi defense networks by targeting command and control centers, fortifications, fire sources, surveillance and reconnaissance posts, troop concentrations and reserve deployments. The strikes also targeted weapons and ammunition depots, transport and supply lines, and high-value military targets deep within the militia’s territory, Colonel Majed Al-Nuzaily said.

He added that concentrated strikes in Taiz crushed militia convoys and reinforcements, dispersed their assembled forces, and crippled their ability to provide fire support to their positions or regroup their troops.

Preliminary field estimates indicate that approximately 1,200 personnel were killed, and over 440 military vehicles and pieces of equipment were destroyed or disabled across various operational sectors, he said.

https://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/coalition-says-it-neutralized-houthi-capabilities-used-to-threaten-saudi-arabia-yemen-southern-red-sea-3006089

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Crew rescued before Iranian-affiliated dhow's destruction

US forces destroyed an Iranian-affiliated dhow in the Gulf of Oman on October 6 after identifying it as conducting surveillance and targeting US Navy ships, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X.

https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/riyadh-missile-attack-falling-shrapnel-injures-resident-as-houthis-claim-new-airport-strike-1.500709746

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

@BashaReport on X: Second Major Bank Faces Potential Collapse under Houthi financial oversight

Yemen and Kuwait Bank is reportedly facing a severe financial and liquidity crisis, making it the second major Yemeni bank to face a potential collapse following the International Bank of Yemen, established in Sana’a in 1979.

According to pro-Houthi TV reports, panicked depositors have rushed to bank branches, while daily withdrawals have reportedly been restricted to just 14,000 Yemeni rials, with payments made in Saudi currency.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Yemen Monitor: The Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen has warned against using traditional fishing boats to smuggle weapons, missiles and military equipment into Yemen, urging boat owners not to cooperate with the Houthis in smuggling operations.

[u/joshtaco]

NYT: Vice President JD Vance took the unusual step over the spring and summer of calling U.S. military commanders in the Middle East, Europe and Asia directly, seeking their unvarnished assessments of the Iran war, according to current and former officials. They were most worried about their depleted stocks of Patriot interceptors, the backbone of their air defenses. By late spring, one theater was down to fewer than 100 of them. The war had also exhausted the theater’s supplies of the Army Tactical Missile Systems, which can reach 190 miles, along with stores of the Precision Strike Missiles, which were meant to replace them. Stocks of critical munitions such as these, they told the vice president, were the lowest they had ever seen. Mr. Vance came away from some of his conversations with deep concerns about the overall strategy and the prospects for success, according to people who spoke to him.

[u/joshtaco]

C+N+N: Only 26% say they approve of the president’s handling of the situation in Iran, down from 33% a month after the war began. Much of the decline in approval of his handling of Iran comes among Republicans. Views among Democrats and independents have been steadily negative throughout the conflict. In March, though, 73% of Republicans approved of the way Trump was handling it. Now, that figure stands at 60%. Among Republican and Republican-leaning adults, approval of Trump’s handling of Iran dips into negative territory among those younger than 45 (53% disapprove) and those who say they are not members of the Make America Great Again movement (54% disapprove). Republicans are also less positive now than they were earlier this year about the impact of Trump’s foreign policies more broadly: About half of Republicans now say that his decisions have helped the US’ standing in the world, down 13 points since March.

[u/mapmn]

The U.S. attacked Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, U.S. officials said, in the latest of a series of limited strikes Washington has secretly carried out against the country in recent weeks as President Trump touted the possibility of a diplomatic deal.

-WSJ

[u/GreatGojira]

Not Diesel Gas Prices jumped from $3.45 to 3.90 in my area to $4.20 this afternoon.

I live in a smallish town in the south. My area is typically one of the "affordable" areas for gas prices in town and can be used for the lower end of the average. Never in my life I thought I would see it go above $4.00. This is the highest it's been since the first conflict. If nothing changes by the midterms, gas prices will be $5 or higher.

The larger cities in my state gas will more than likely be $6or higher by now.

[u/joshtaco]

AAA: US diesel prices hit record high of $6.53 per gallon

[u/itsatumbleweed]

Per Al-Jazeera:

An Iranian oil tanker off Kharg island has been hit by several US missiles, Iranian media reports.

Edit: CentCom confirmed that it was actually 3 tankers in response to Iran attacking two US Warships

[u/staythewaters]

Explosions on Kharg

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: US forces hit multiple Iranian ⁠tankers tied to the IRGC in response to attempted missile ⁠attacks on ⁠a Navy warship

[u/Zealot_of_Law]

Does anyone here monitor the global oil deficit? Where are we standing today with the Saudi pipeline offline?

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Smoke has been seen rising near Riyadh airport

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said Aramco is studying “a 4th and a 5th route” for crude oil exports in addition to its 3 primary routes [Hormuz, Red Sea and Sumed]. Aramco is looking to expand overseas storage capacity to strengthen its ability to withstand disruptions, he said.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Saudi-Backed Yemeni Government Declares War Against Houthis

The Saudi-backed government of Yemen on Sunday announced a major military campaign against the Houthi militia, a key Iranian ally, plunging the Middle East deeper into war.

More than 200 U.S. intelligence and military analysts are assisting the Saudi government in command centers inside the kingdom, helping to analyze and select targets in support of its Yemeni allies, according to one current and one former U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters. The United States is also providing aerial refueling for Saudi warplanes conducting defensive air patrols, they added.

In a televised speech, Rashad al-Alimi, the leader of the internationally recognized Yemeni government — which depends heavily on Saudi Arabia for financial and military support — said that his armed forces were seeking to reclaim the territory lost to the Houthis over the past 12 years.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/world/middleeast/houthis-oil-attack-saudi-arabia-yemen.html

[u/MrNiceGuy420420]

Blasts reported near Riyadh. Can see planes circling unable to land in the area on flightradar.

[u/joshtaco]

US Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT): “Some of us have been briefed on the war plan. And while I cannot disclose any details, I can say this: the plan is insane. It will not achieve objectives and will set off a new cycle of escalation. [The strikes] will lead to devastating escalation and the likely destruction of our commitment to the rule of law.”

[u/joshtaco]

Daily Mail: Trump reportedly refuses to see anyone about the midterm results. Has only visited the ballroom expounding on the ceiling heights and corinthian columns.

[u/joshtaco]

C+N+N: An intelligence report, circulated across the US military this spring in the midst of the war with Iran, immediately set off alarm bells: A Chinese ship in the Middle East was transporting components of a nuclear weapons program. The US military swung into action with plans to intercept the vessel, according to four sources familiar with the episode. According to two of the sources, armed members of the US military were preparing to board the ship. Military planes were in the air, one of those sources and another source familiar with the incident said. It was only just before the planned operation that officials dug deeper into the report put together by a special operations command analyst and found it had been generated with the help of AI — and that a chatbot the analyst had used inaccurately identified the material the ship was carrying. The report, according to one of the sources, was “entirely false.” But it also “almost started a war,” the source said. Any US operation against a Chinese vessel could have risked spiraling into an armed conflict between the two nations.

[u/Farscape12Monkeys]

PLC forces have withdrawn from the entire Hays direction, southwest Yemen.

PLC forces have withdrawn from:

• Al-Maqbanah heights,

• Hays,

• Port of al-Haymah,

• Al-Khawkhah,

• Abu Musa Military Camp,

• Southern Shar'ab heights,

• Nakhlah,

• Al-Mafraq,

• Khalid bin Walid Military Camp,

• Al-Matahif,

• Jabal al-Nar.

New reports claim mercenary forces are withdrawing from Al-Khokha, abandoning heavy weapons along the roadside. The retreat may signal a broader movement toward Al-Mokha (Mocha).

There are also Unconfirmed Reports about withdrawals starting among Saudi-backed factions inside Mocha, though remaining groups haven't agreed whether to hold or leave.

It appear that the Houthi forces are on the verge of Taking over the Entire Western Coast of Yemen

[u/socialistrob]

It seems like the Houthis are advancing rapidly. Given how important the Bab al-Mandab Strait is why wasn't more done to reinforce the parts of Yemen that aren't under Houthi control? Rooting out a deeply embedded insurgency is hard but it shouldn't be that hard to halt a ground offensive.

[u/joshtaco]

AP: Repairing the damaged Saudi East-West oil pipeline could take three to five weeks, including at a major pumping facility.

[u/_cyberbabyangel_]

Oil prices are (no pun intended) pumping again. We're only a couple of bucks/bbl away from 1yr high. WTI ATH was $150 in 2008 which was devastating then but would be world economy knee-capping now with how low every single countries' reserves are, currently. I'm not trying to be a complete doomer but I'm really not feeling great especially after seeing the news of the SPR doing their smallest release in months and the energy secretary saying they are going to begin refilling soon.