Iran balks at Trump’s openness to restarting peace talks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Oman’s efforts to ease regional tensions and condemned Iran’s recent attacks on shipping during a call Tuesday with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi.

Rubio reiterated the United States’ commitment to “ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and to freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

“He expressed support for deepening ties between Oman and the United States,” Pigott added.

Israel struck the commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade in Gaza, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement Tuesday.

“The IDF and Shin Bet eliminated tonight the Rafah Brigade, which advanced terrorist plots against our forces,” Katz said on X.

“The policy that the Prime Minister and I are leading, and which the IDF is executing in the most professional and appropriate manner, is clear: we eliminate terrorists and remove threats and do not attack civilians and uninvolved parties — and this in contrast to the blood libel fabricated by the creators of the NazA film against our heroic soldiers,” he added.

“Our message is clear: No terrorist is immune, and Hamas will not be in Gaza,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said on X.

The IDF also named Nael Abu Obeid as the Commander of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade and Head of Hamas’ Military Wing Operations Array.

“He was responsible for managing the activities of the brigade’s terrorists and directing them to advance and carry out terror attacks against Israeli civilians & IDF troops and to restore the brigade’s force buildup,” the IDF said on X.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) tightened its blockade against Iranian ports on Tuesday, launching helicopters from the USS Rafael Peralta in the Arabian Sea.

“An MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter lifts off from the flight deck of USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) as the ship enforces the U.S. blockade against Iran in the Arabian Sea,” the command said on X.

“As of Sept. 15, U.S. forces have redirected 103 commercial vessels to ensure compliance,” CENTCOM added.

The six-month U.S. war with Iran has cost the United States $38 billion so far and is projected to cost about $3 billion more each month, the Congressional Budget Office announced Tuesday.

That amount reflects the costs of replacing expended munitions and equipment lost in battle, increased flying hours, other operations and increased fuel costs.

It also reflects the fact that the initial, intense phase of the conflict lasted just over a month — less intense combat operations are still ongoing — and that relatively few U.S. forces have been involved compared with the much larger and longer U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The war is also expected to increase inflation by 0.5% in the first three months of 2027, according to the CBO, which calculated costs through Aug. 1.

The office said the majority of the costs stem from the rapid drawdown of munitions, and it estimates that it could take five years to replenish U.S. stockpiles.

U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa visited southern Lebanon on Tuesday to evaluate progress in pilot zones while reaffirming Washington’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces.

“My visit to southern Lebanon allowed me to witness firsthand the challenges facing its communities,” Issa said in a statement before adding that he deeply sympathized with residents who have “endured displacement and uncertainty.”

Issa also said that he understood their urgent desire to return home and “rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.”

The pilot zones are trial areas established under a U.S.-backed framework, where the Lebanese army deploys to restore state authority and allow displaced civilians to return as Israeli forces withdraw.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a resolution to impeach Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and read eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth on the House floor Tuesday.

Massie formally entered a resolution to impeach Hegseth for “high crimes and misdemeanors” on the House floor for, among other things, allegedly violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 in Iran and for his role in the operation that led to former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s capture and extradition.

The first three of the eight articles of impeachment Massie introduced accused Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973, arguing that Hegseth’s Department of War is “waging the Iran war despite no declaration of war, statutory authorization, attack on the United States, or imminent threat.”

His first article seeks to establish “that the war was unlawful from its inception.”

The second article claims that Hegseth disobeyed Congress after both the House and the Senate directed the removal of troops from Iran.

The third article claims that Hegseth is “continuing hostilities in Iran after expiration of the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day termination period and any potential 30-day withdrawal period.”

This is an excerpt from a report by Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy.

Top military commanders from the U.S., Israel and several Arab nations met last week in Germany to discuss the war with Iran and other regional tensions, Axios reported Tuesday.

Citing Israeli officials, the outlet said the private meeting was organized by U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper and was not officially announced.

In addition to Cooper, the meeting was attended by the military chiefs of staff of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, Axios said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that he has had “very good” private conversations with Chinese officials about severing economic ties with Iran.

Bessent said this during a House Financial Services committee hearing while answering a question from Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., about Operation Economic Outcast, the initiative launched last month by the Treasury Department to degrade Iran’s economy.

“With China, we have had some very good private discussions, and I look forward to those continuing this weekend when I meet my Chinese counterpart,” Bessent said.

He added that he expected more momentum to come out of President Xi Xinping’s visit to the United States scheduled for Sept. 26. Xi will be meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

During the hearing, Bessent also shared that the United Arab Emirates has “cut off financial transactions and trade with Iran.”

Additionally, he reminded lawmakers that the Treasury Department sanctioned the Dubai-based branches of an Egyptian bank that has sent more than $1.8 billion to Iran since last year.

“That bank will be closing,” he said.

“The strength of our economy has allowed the United States to wage the greatest economic isolation campaign in the history of the world against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its enablers,” Bessent said in his opening statement. “President Trump has taken action that his predecessors have long deferred against a regime that devotes itself to ‘Death to America”’ and seeks nuclear weapons to do just that. Under his leadership, America is no longer managing the Iranian threat. We are ending it.”

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., clashed with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over rising gas prices amid the Iran war.

Pressley began by asking Bessent how long President Donald Trump initially said the war would last.

“I don’t recall,” Bessent responded.

“Jog your memory. Four to five weeks. It’s been six months. So he lied. And we’re all paying the cost since the war started. Gas prices are up 52%. Yes or no? Are you aware of that?”

Bessent questioned that statistic and its timeframe, saying “I think that’s not a good number.”

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.98 on Feb. 27, the day before the war started. As of Tuesday, it had climbed to $4.32.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi on Tuesday to discuss ongoing Iranian attacks in the Gulf region as well as a possible way forward to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“The Secretary acknowledged Oman’s important role in deescalation in the region and condemned recent Iranian attacks on commercial ships and countries in the region,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, relaying what Rubio conveyed to his Omani counterpart.

“[Rubio] reiterated the United States’ commitment to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and to freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” Pigott said, adding that Rubio favors “deepening ties between Oman and the United States.”

Earlier Tuesday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Center confirmed that a ship was hit just off the coast of Oman.

More than 200 American and Jordanian soldiers are participating in exercises at Fort Carson in Colorado, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday.

U.S. military personnel, including National Guard members from Colorado and Illinois, will spend the next two weeks training with their counterparts from Jordan.

CENTCOM said the event “is designed to deepen U.S.-Jordanian military cooperation, which remains a cornerstone of Middle East security and stability.”

“Our longstanding military-to-military ties with the Jordanian Armed Forces are stronger than ever,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “Working and training together will further strengthen our collective operational effectiveness and readiness.”

The joint military exercise, known as Eager Lion, is being held for the 12th time. While traditionally hosted in Jordan, this year’s exercise marks the first time the event has been held in the United States.

This year, troops will focus on “planning and coordination in counterterrorism, air defense, maritime security, cyber, and disaster response,” according to CENTCOM.

CENTCOM also noted that the Colorado National Guard has “established a longstanding partnership with Jordan’s military” through the State Partnership Program, which pairs National Guards with militaries of other nations to build mutually beneficial relationships.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out a strike Tuesday in northern Gaza that killed Ahmad Batash, commander of the Jabaliya Brigade of Hamas’s armed wing.

The Israeli military said Batash was a terrorist responsible for “managing & organizing the Northern Gaza Brigade’s weapons.”

The IDF also accused him of coordinating and facilitating”the supply of weapons and military equipment to Hamas operatives.”

Batash advanced attacks that targeted Israeli civilians and IDF troops, the Israeli military said.

The U.S. military “forcefully responded” to a recent attempt by Iranian small boats to take control of a American unmanned drone, U.S. Central Command told Fox News Digital.

“I can confirm that Iranian small boats recently attempted to take possession of a U.S. unmanned surface vessel, but they were unsuccessful after CENTCOM forcefully responded. The surface drone remains under U.S. operational control,” said U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson.

Axios first reported that the U.S. military destroyed two Iranian small boats Monday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to seize a U.S. Navy drone patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.

Citing a U.S. official, Axios reported that the U.S. identified the IRGC attempting to use the boats to seize the surface drone and responded by firing two missiles at the boats. The boats were destroyed and most on board were killed, per Axios. Iranian state media described the boats as fishing vessels.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed during a bilateral meeting Tuesday that both countries are committed to ensuring that vessels can move freely through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

While meeting in Cairo, both leaders also reaffirmed the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Egyptian presidency said.

The presidency added that Sisi expressed support for Saudi Arabia taking steps to ensure its safety and stability amid the “Yemen crisis.”

The Houthis have been launching strikes within Saudi Arabia and on Saudi-flagged commercial vessels in the Red Sea since July.

The U.S. is choking off Iran’s oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. But the routes meant to shield other Gulf producers from that disruption are now coming under pressure themselves.

A drone attack last week badly damaged Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, a critical bypass that carries crude oil across the kingdom to the Red Sea. Repairs could leave it largely out of service for three to five weeks after it had been moving roughly 2.6 million to 4 million barrels per day in recent weeks.

At the same time, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have seized additional territory and strategic islands around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean — adding pressure to another major shipping route already battered by years of attacks.

And those repeated disruptions are already reaching American consumers.

U.S. diesel prices hit a record national average of $6.23 a gallon Monday, according to AAA, while regular gasoline averaged $4.32. Brent crude climbed as high as roughly $110 a barrel during the day.

Oman’s Maritime Security Center said Tuesday that a Panama-flagged oil tanker, El Gaia, had to be evacuated after an attack caused the vessel’s engine room to catch fire.

The ship was 1.3 miles northeast of the Musandam Governorate when it was hit, according to the security center.

An Omani naval vessel was able to safely get 23 crew members off the El Gaia. Two members of the crew remain missing. The ship is now being towed back to back to an Omani port.

U.S. Central Command said Iran falsely claimed the tanker struck a mine in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM said Iran struck the ship with a drone last month, rendering it inoperable and stranded in the waters near the Omani coast.

“This weekend, Iran struck the tanker again with a drone,” CENTCOM added. “The IRGC’s false claim is yet another example of their lies and intimidation attempts while they try to impede commercial vessels in the strait.”

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday issued a condemnation of the recent Houthi air attacks on three Saudi Arabian cities, which injured 13 people and damaged several homes and vehicles.

The ministry affirmed Kuwait’s “absolute solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” calling the Houthi strikes “a breach of international law.”

Two Saudi cities that were hit — Khamis Mushait and Abha — are within 75 miles of the Yemeni border. The third city hit, Taif, is much further north.

The Houthis have taken responsibility for the Khamis Mushait attack, claiming the strikes were targeting a Saudi military base, , Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Tuesday that the ongoing attacks in the Gulf region were hampering efforts to end the war between Iran and the United States, Reuters reported.

During a press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart in Baku, Fidan called for the attacks to stop immediately, while stressing his country valued the stability of Iran.

He also said the Strait of Hormuz must return to the pre-war status quo, which allowed all ships freedom of passage. He said Turkey is actively working on a way to resolve the standoff over the vital shipping lane.

Reuters contributed to this post.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Tuesday that it would firmly deal with recent Houthi attacks that wounded 13 people across three Saudi Arabian cities.

Coalition spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Maliki said the Houthi strikes also damaged seven homes and two vehicles.

A Houthi official claimed Saudi warplanes have already begun flying over Yemen, according to The Associated Press. The official told the outlet that three people have been killed in airstrikes, including two children, claims that have not yet been verified.

The Houthis have been fighting Yemen’s Saudi-backed government and launching attacks against the kingdom since July, when the Iran-backed terrorist group declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports.

The Houthis took control of nearly all of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline last week and expanded their presence around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route for Saudi energy exports.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Center said Tuesday it received a report of an attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ship was hit Monday just before midnight local time, making it the third vessel to be struck in the strait since last Thursday.

UKMTO said there were no reports of damage or environmental impact from the latest strike.

Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this post.

Iran’s top security official warned Washington on Monday that Tehran will not enter negotiations with the United States until its demands are met, stating that any damage control would not avert escalating regional tensions.

“Don’t get distracted by the US president’s mixed signals—from ‘no negotiations’ to ‘we’re ready to talk,’” Mohsen Rezaei wrote in a post on X.

“The stakes around oil and the straits have changed. Damage control won’t stop what’s coming,” he added.

“No talks until Iran’s conditions are met. Period!”

Rezaei’s remarks came after President Donald Trump said Monday on Truth Social that Iran wants to make a deal, but that he would determine whether the U.S. will choose to engage or not.