US-Iran war news LIVE: Trump vows to hit Iran ‘hard’ after first firefight in weeks; conflict escalates | Today’s news
US-Iran War News LIVE: US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran “hard” on Monday (local time) after the two sides exchanged fire for the first time after weeks of calm, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowing to continue a pressure campaign aimed at crippling Tehran’s economy. The conflict, now in its sixth month, escalated again on August 30 after the United States carried out strikes on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz, with the Islamic Republic quickly responding by targeting American military targets in the Middle East. Speaking to a Fox News reporter, Trump said, “We’re going to hit them hard,” adding, “The answer will be.”
Oil prices rise as renewed fighting between the US and Iran revives Strait of Hormuz risks
Oil prices rose on Monday after posting their biggest gain in three weeks in the previous session, as fresh hostilities between the US and Iran raised concerns about prolonged disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. West Texas Intermediate traded above $86 after rising 2.8 percent in the previous session, while Brent settled near $90 on Monday. Oil rose marginally in August after a volatile month, with prices hit by efforts to stop and start ending the war, including US pledges to cripple Iran’s economy. The US president has dismissed concerns that the conflict is draining US firepower, characterizing it as a “small war”.
Gold Holds Down As Middle East Fighting Fizzles
Gold prices steadied after a two-day slide as the U.S. and Iran traded strikes for the first time in a month, raising chances of rising energy costs pushing up inflation and pressuring the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. Bullion was trading around $4,445 an ounce after falling more than 3.5 percent in the previous two sessions. US forces struck an island in the Strait of Hormuz, and the Islamic Republic responded with attacks on the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Tanker hit by three ‘unknown projectiles’ in Hormuz: UKMTO
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Monday (local time) that the tanker had been hit by ‘3 unknown projectiles’ in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred after a new flare-up of the US-Iranian war. In a post on X, the maritime agency said: “A tanker reported being hit by 3 unknown projectiles while completing an outbound transit through the Strait of Hormuz.” He added that the incident occurred 17 nautical miles (31 kilometers) east of Khasab, Oman. No casualties or environmental impact were reported.
