“With Close Calls on U.S. Warships, Iran Shows New Appetite for Escalation,” WSJ, 9-9-26.
There is not much news to this story, nor much news to today that is unusual—Persian Gulf countries continue to try to coax Iran to the bargaining table. “Iran war live: China backs dialogue; Iran vows to resist against US,” Al Jazeera, 9-8-26.
“Iran Warns South Korea Against Military Deployment in Strait of Hormuz,” Iran Wire, 9-7-26.
“Iran to announce ‘restricted zone’ near Strait of Hormuz as tensions simmer,” The Hill, 9-7-26.
“US forces hit three Iranian tankers after carrier attacked,” Task & Purpose, 9-5-26.
“Questions emerge as Turkish bank targeted by US sanctions on Iran,” Arab Weekly, 9-5-26.
“A More Confident Iran Emerges After Six Months of War With the U.S.,” NYT, 9-4-26. Quote of the Day. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, “said he initially supported the war. But he said that the Trump administration has not had a clear strategy, and that Iran has been able to shake off the attacks. “Because the Iranian government does not care much about the suffering of its people, it has been able to withstand both punishing economic sanctions and military bombardments.”
“Has Iran modified its rocket systems to fire mines into the Strait of Hormuz?,” AFP, 9-3-26.
“Iran strikes Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. bombardments, and other Mideast news,” AP, 9-3-26.
“Has Iran modified its rocket systems to fire mines into the Strait of Hormuz?,” AFP, 9-3-26.
“Iran strikes Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. bombardments, and other Mideast news,” AP, 9-3-26.
“Russia Helps Iran Develop Missiles,” i24, 9-2-26. Russian engineers help fly faster. The Ukraine and Iran wars continue to draw closer to each other. Also consider this (the contract signed in 2023 as you’ll read in the story), that “Russia secretly assists Iran with supersonic cruise missiles – FT,” Iran International, 9-2-26.
We wish more countries would do this. “Peru cuts diplomatic ties, accuses Iran of escalating Middle East war,” Iran International, 9-2-26. “Peru severed diplomatic relations with Iran on Tuesday, accusing Tehran of escalating conflicts in the Middle East, restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and obstructing nuclear inspections. … Lima cited what it described as Iran’s repression of peaceful protests, restrictions on press freedom, discrimination against women and girls, and persecution of political opponents.”
“Russia pledges support to Iran amid war with US,” Kviv Independent, 9-2-26.
This is getting dangerous. See “Putin Pledges Increased Strikes in Ukraine and Support for Iran,” NYT, 9-1-26. Russia has backed the Iranians with intelligence, including on U.S. assets in the Persian Gulf, and shipped drone components to Tehran via the Caspian Sea.
“US launches new barrage of strikes on Iran around Strait of Hormuz,” Military Times, 9-1-26.