Day 93 | US military ready to resume combat in Persian Gulf if needed, US defense secretary warns
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the American military is ready to resume combat operations in the Persian Gulf if necessary, adding that US forces are now in a stronger position than they were at the start of the conflict.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is continuing to weigh a tentative agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and launch nuclear talks with Iran. However, no final decision has been announced following his meeting with advisers in the White House Situation Room on Friday.
In Lebanon, the 'Israeli' military warned of a possible escalation in Hezbollah attacks on northern 'Israel' as its forces push deeper into southern Lebanon as part of operations targeting the Iran-backed group.
Hegseth says US ready to strike Iran if talks fail
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is fully prepared to resume military strikes against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth stressed that the military option remains available despite continued negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
He said President Donald Trump is showing "patience" at this stage but remains committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Hegseth added that the US defense industry is operating at full capacity, underscoring Washington's readiness to act should diplomatic efforts collapse.
'Israel' carrying out ‘scorched-earth policy’ in Lebanon: PM
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused 'Israel' on Sunday of pursuing a "scorched-earth policy" in southern Lebanon amid continued air and artillery attacks.
In a televised address, Salam warned of a "dangerous" escalation and called for a "swift and real ceasefire," a day after 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 'Israeli' forces had advanced deeper into Lebanese territory.
Salam accused 'Israel' of carrying out "collective punishment" by destroying towns and villages and forcing residents to flee their homes. He said the campaign would bring "neither security nor stability" to 'Israel'.
US military disables Gambian-flagged ship it says was headed to Iranian port
The US military on Friday disabled a Gambian-flagged vessel that was heading to Iran by firing a missile into its engine room, US Central Command announced today.
CENTCOM said the M/V Lian Star was en route to an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman when the US military issued “more than 20 warnings” that it was violating the US blockade of Iranian ports.
“A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after Lian Star’s crew failed to comply,” CENTCOM said on X. “The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.”
This marks the fifth commercial ship that CENTCOM has disabled since the blockade began, according to the post. More than 100 vessels have also been redirected.
Day 92 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
For coverage of the previous day - visit the link below.
Read more: Day 92 | Trump concludes Situation Room meeting on Iran without announcing a decision
