Iran Archives - FutureSoch

Iran resumes ballistic missile production at underground facilities: report

September 10, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: Iran has resumed assembling ballistic missiles at underground facilities using components it had stockpiled before the conflict, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing U.S. officials.

Despite attacks on missile sites and industrial facilities during the early stages of the conflict, Iran has continued assembling both liquid-fuel and solid-fuel ballistic missiles, the officials said.

US intelligence reports have identified activity at several underground locations, including the Khojir missile base in southeastern Iran, according to the report. Iranian authorities are also seeking to build new underground facilities to protect the missile programme from further attacks, officials said.

US and regional officials said Iran was currently relying on components already in its possession to assemble missiles.

The United States and Israel have inflicted significant damage on several key industrial facilities involved in producing missiles and their components. A naval blockade has also made it increasingly difficult for Iran to import components and materials needed for solid-fuel production.

Arab officials said the destruction of chemical facilities used to produce liquid fuel and industrial mixers needed for solid-fuel production had created major obstacles to large-scale missile manufacturing.

The developments underscore the difficulty of completely dismantling Iran’s missile programme, according to the report.

Satellite imagery has also shown Iran rapidly rebuilding infrastructure ranging from roads and bridges to production facilities, raising concerns among Israeli officials.

The report said Iran had restored tunnel routes at missile bases damaged by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Israeli military assessments indicate that weapons stored inside some of the underground facilities may have remained intact despite the attacks.

Iranian Army Chief warns countries hosting US attacks

August 19, 2026 by World Desk

TEHRAN: Iran’s military has warned that countries allowing the United States to use their territory to launch attacks against Iran will have to pay a heavy price.

Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ali Abdollahi said countries permitting the U.S. to conduct attacks against Iran from their territory should know that “nothing remains hidden from Iran.”

He said providing any form of assistance or facilities to the U.S. military would be considered participation in the war against Iran.

Abdollahi warned that countries allowing their territory to be used for U.S. attacks against Iran would face serious consequences and “pay a heavy price.”

Oil prices hit three-week high for fourth straight day

August 19, 2026 by Business Desk

WASHINGTON: Global crude oil prices rose to three-week highs for a fourth consecutive day Wednesday as uncertainty over a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz continued to weigh on markets.

According to Reuters, Brent crude futures for October delivery rose 45 cents, or 0.49%, to $91.47 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also gained 45 cents, or 0.53%, to $85.39 a barrel.

Later in the session, Brent climbed further to $91.56 a barrel, while WTI rose to about $85.53.

Investors remained focused on when commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would return to normal. Reuters reported that shipping activity through the strategic waterway remained well below normal levels, with several shipowners avoiding the route because of security risks.

The disruption has also created difficulties for Russia, while rising gasoline prices are adding to political pressure on President Donald Trump ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

Trump has repeatedly accused oil companies of making excessive profits amid rising gasoline prices and has threatened to impose additional taxes on them. Oil companies have rejected the allegations.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, carrying more than 20% of global oil and gas supplies. Iran has closed the waterway in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks, further increasing uncertainty in global energy markets.

Pentagon considers reducing US military presence in Gulf

August 18, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has begun reviewing the future of the US military presence in the Middle East following the war with Iran, raising the possibility that Washington could reduce its forces and reassess its military bases in the Persian Gulf, according to The Washington Post.

Citing US officials and people familiar with the matter, the newspaper reported that the Pentagon is examining whether American troops should be withdrawn from the Persian Gulf.

The review is seen as an early indication that the conflict with Iran could lead to changes in the U.S. military footprint across the region.

US military bases in the Gulf sustained significant damage during Iranian attacks during the conflict. The damage has prompted the Pentagon to reconsider whether the facilities should be rebuilt to their prewar scale.

According to people familiar with the review, the Pentagon’s policy office is leading the assessment, while the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Central Command are also examining the issue.

A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had not formally ordered a review of the U.S. military presence in the region. Instead, the assessment was described as “prudent planning” that could eventually help the administration decide whether to rebuild bases damaged during the war.

US Central Command oversees American military operations in the Middle East. The United States typically maintains about 40,000 troops at roughly 20 locations across a region stretching about 1,500 miles from Jordan to Oman.

The Gulf is home to some of the largest and most permanent U.S. military facilities in the Middle East. Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, while American military and air assets are also based in countries including Kuwait.

The review could intensify an existing debate within the Trump administration between officials who support continued military engagement in the region and those who argue that the Pentagon should scale back some operations to focus more heavily on defending the U.S. homeland and preparing for potential conflicts with major powers such as China.

According to a US official cited by The Washington Post, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, may support moving some American forces westward from the Persian Gulf.

However, people familiar with the Pentagon’s assessment cautioned that any permanent change to the US military presence remains a long way off. Any major restructuring or withdrawal would require formal approval from senior administration officials.

Iran, Oman reach understanding on shipping route through Strait of Hormuz

August 13, 2026August 5, 2026 by World Desk

DUBAI: Iran and Oman have reached a preliminary understanding on the geographic coordinates of a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant step toward restoring commercial navigation through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the two countries are preparing a joint statement outlining the agreement, although officials cautioned that the process could still be affected by third-party interference. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the understanding on the shipping route does not, by itself, guarantee full security in the strait, noting that broader political and military factors remain at play.

According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the proposed arrangement would establish separate navigation channels for vessels entering and leaving the Persian Gulf, with Iran and Oman coordinating traffic management.

However, several issues, including operational details and other outstanding provisions, are still under discussion before any final agreement is reached.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, carrying a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any agreement to improve maritime navigation could have major implications for regional security and global energy markets.

Iran claims strike destroyed US F-35 Jets in Jordan

August 13, 2026July 30, 2026 by World Desk

TEHRAN: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that its latest missile strikes destroyed three U.S. F-35 fighter jets at Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan and damaged additional military assets at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force targeted maintenance hangars and aircraft facilities at Al Azraq Air Base with ballistic missiles, claiming three F-35 stealth fighters were destroyed and three more sustained significant damage.

The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation from US or Jordanian officials.

In a separate statement, the IRGC said it also struck Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait as part of its ongoing Operation Nasr 2, claiming the attack set fire to two drone hangars, an aircraft fuel tank, and destroyed U.S. military helicopters. The reported damage has not been independently confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned the reported Iranian attacks on Jordan and Kuwait, describing them as violations of the two countries’ sovereignty and international law.

GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi said the attacks represented a dangerous escalation that threatened regional security and stability. He reaffirmed the bloc’s solidarity with Jordan and Kuwait and pledged support for measures to safeguard their security and sovereignty.

US military leaders divided over strategy for potential conflict with Iran

August 13, 2026July 30, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: Senior US military leaders are reportedly divided over the strategy the United States should adopt in a potential military conflict with Iran, according to a US media report.

The report said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, supports launching a large-scale air campaign against Iran that could last for up to two weeks.

However, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are reportedly urging a more restrained approach, arguing that U.S. air defense stockpiles should be preserved rather than committed to an expanded military campaign.

The differing views leave President Donald Trump facing a key decision over whether to escalate military action against Iran or adopt a more limited response.

The reported debate follows Trump’s warning that the United States would respond forcefully to what he described as an Iranian missile attack on a US military base in Jordan.

In media interviews, Trump said U.S. forces intercepted the incoming missiles within minutes and vowed that Iran would face a “very strong” response.

Oil prices fall more than 5% after Trump pauses strikes on Iran

August 13, 2026July 27, 2026 by World Desk

LONDON: Global oil prices fell by more than 5% after US President Donald Trump announced a pause in military strikes against Iran, easing concerns over potential disruptions to global crude supplies.

According to Reuters, the announcement followed nearly two weeks of US military operations targeting Iran and prompted investors to scale back fears of a broader regional conflict affecting energy markets.

Brent crude dropped $5.58, or 5.77%, to $91.20 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $4.91, or 5.50%, to $84.40 per barrel.

Market analysts said expectations of reduced tensions between the United States and Iran, along with hopes for a diplomatic resolution, helped ease concerns over oil supply disruptions, leading to the sharp decline in prices.

US media reported that Trump ordered a halt to military operations after 13 days of strikes. It remains unclear whether the pause is temporary or marks the beginning of a broader ceasefire.

Trump says China, Russia pledged not to arm Iran

August 13, 2026July 24, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the leaders of China and Russia had separately assured him their countries would not sell weapons to Iran amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he had discussed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during recent meetings. According to Trump, both leaders pledged that their governments would not provide arms to Iran.

Trump said he believes neither China nor Russia has an interest in becoming involved in the conflict, adding that such a move would be detrimental to both countries. He said he trusted Xi’s assurance, citing the relationship between Washington and Beijing.

Referring to Russia, Trump said Putin had offered a similar commitment despite Moscow’s ongoing involvement in the war in Ukraine. He also reiterated that the United States does not directly supply weapons to Ukraine, but sells arms to NATO member states, which then determine how the equipment is distributed.

There was no immediate official response from China, Russia, or Iran to Trump’s remarks. The comments come as tensions between the United States and Iran remain elevated, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting global energy markets and international mediation efforts continuing to seek a ceasefire.

Rubio warns Iran will pay ‘heavier price’ if tensions persist

August 13, 2026July 23, 2026 by World Desk

MANILA: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran would face increasingly severe consequences if it continues on its current course, saying President Donald Trump’s policy is based on strong retaliation against hostile actions.

Speaking to reporters in Manila, Rubio said the United States had honored its commitments in past negotiations with Iran but claimed Tehran is currently unwilling to reach a new agreement. He added that Iran could still change its position in the coming days but warned that “every passing night” would carry a heavier cost if the situation remains unchanged.

Rubio also alleged that Iran continues to seek both direct and indirect channels for negotiations with Washington. He accused Iran’s leadership of prioritizing support for groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis instead of focusing on economic development, arguing that the country has the potential to become one of the wealthiest in the Middle East.

Commenting on regional security, Rubio said Iran had drawn the Houthis into the broader conflict and expressed hope that attacks on shipping in the Red Sea would cease.

He also described Saudi Arabia as a key U.S. strategic partner, saying a civilian nuclear agreement with the kingdom would include strict safeguards and require congressional approval.

On international issues, Rubio reiterated that the United States would not join the International Criminal Court, criticizing the institution and saying it would have no jurisdiction over U.S. citizens.

Addressing the war in Ukraine, Rubio said the conflict has caused extensive bloodshed and that Ukraine has paid a heavy price. He said the United States remains prepared to play a constructive role in efforts to end the war. Rubio also said Washington seeks stable and positive relations with China.