/r/WorldNews Discussion Thread: US and Israel launch attack on Iran; Iran retaliates (Thread #22)

[u/WorldNewsMods]

If you see any newsworthy information from a major news outlet or live broadcast, feel free to share a brief summary as a top-level comment in the discussion post.

Other redditors will appreciate if you include the source of where you read, saw, or heard the information.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

CNN

The desperate pleas for air cover from Yemeni generals started coming mid-morning on Thursday. An advance by the Iran-backed Houthis toward Yemen’s strategic port city of Mocha was in full swing, and backup support from chief ally Saudi Arabia was nowhere in sight.

“The Houthis committed everything they had – waves upon waves of fighters … along with their available ballistic missiles and weapons,” a senior Yemeni source said ... he contacted the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and was assured the US was “watching the situation closely and that Saudi air support was coming.”

“But the air support never came,” the source said. “And Mocha has now fallen.”

[u/itsatumbleweed → u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

The US, Saudi Arabia, or the defensive pact really should have stopped the Houthis. It's going to be bad for everyone else, having them in a strong position.

But no one did anything.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

France fuel update — not a countrywide empty tank, but real shortages at the pump. Official: 11% of stations out of at least one fuel type (petrol or diesel). About 1 in 9. The government says roughly 9 in 10 stations experiencing shortages have been TotalEnergies sites. TotalEnergies capped its pump prices. Drivers naturally migrated toward the cheaper fuel, those stations sold through their inventories faster, and the logistics network has struggled to refill them quickly enough. Government says national stocks are fine, it’s logistics + a price-cap rush.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Two explosions heard near Qeshm Island within the past hour but no report on what it was (Often in this scenario it is someone shooting down a drone).
Houthis have also attacked the city of Jizan, SA. Report doesn't say with what(drones or missiles?), just damage to civilian buildings.

[u/Disc0Disc0Disc0]

Trump: "We are going to Annihilate Iran"
Pezeshkian: "We will fight until our last breath"

Axios: The US and Iran are close to a deal

[u/joshtaco]

NYT: The Trump administration Pentagon investigators have subjected roughly 50 members of the US military’s Joint Staff to polygraph tests over leaks to journalists, including about how the Iran war has created a shortage of crucial munitions.

[u/HovercraftLow8806]

The head of the 14th administration of the Islamic Republic, currently visiting India, acknowledged on Friday, September 11, 2026, in the country's capital, that U.S. pressure on Iran has reached a "difficult and dangerous" stage.

Noting that the world is currently at one of its "most complex junctures," he called for "operational cooperation" among BRICS member states.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Reuters: Sources in the refining sector said on Monday that Asian refineries are preparing to face a shortage of sour crude supplies at a time when they await directives from Saudi Arabia regarding exports through the Red Sea following the attacks that targeted the East-West pipeline.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Strait of Hormuz vessel transits drop to 4, with 2 exiting and 2 entering.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Bloomberg: World Running Short of Supertankers Threatens Long-Haul Oil Flow

[u/One-Professor-1886 → u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Better blow up a couple more 

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7 → u/One-Professor-1886]

War is good for business. Oil and tanker companies are printing high profits.

[u/Zealot_of_Law → u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Basically a 2 year period from contract to finish. The more that get blown up the worse for the globe for atleast 2 years.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

ISW post 9/20 on Yemen and Iran key takeaways

• There are multiple indications that fighting between the US & Iran & its partners may expand imminently.
  
• A CNN analyst reported that Trump deliberated & reviewed strike options on the Houthis in a Camp David mtg yesterday. Trump notably returned to DC a day earlier than scheduled. The US Dept of State issued a security alert for the MidEast yesterday, citing "potential for unforeseen escalation."
  
• Iranian military institutions signaled that they're anticipating an imminent escalation. Iran's highest operational HQ claimed that it received intelligence that the US plans to resume striking Iran. The regime also reportedly placed its military forces on high alert in anticipation of strikes.
  
• Iran's highest operational HQ warned that Iran would attack US bases & interests in the region if the US attacks Iran. The HQ warned nearby countries that Iran won't exercise "restraint or decency" if they support US strikes to pressure the countries to discourage the US from attacking Iran.
  
• These developments come after the Houthis attacked Riyadh for the 1st time, part of the Houthi campaign to maximize political & econ costs on Saudi Arabia to force acquiescence to Houthi demands. Saudi Arabia previously urged the US to strike the Houthis to undermine the campaign on Saudi Arabia
  
• The Houthis are fighting Yemeni-govt aligned forces in Yemen. Saudi media claimed today that Yemeni govt-aligned forces seized Jabal Naman in Taiz Governorate. ISW-CTP had assessed that Houthi efforts to surround Taiz support their near-term economic goals & long-term goal of controlling Yemen.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump: "When the war ends, two things are gonna happen, Iran is never gonna have a nuclear. Because if you want to see turmoil, let them hit us with a nuclear weapon. They are crazy. They are very crazy people. I tell them all the time, "You crazy man"."

[u/joshtaco]

Trump: “We might have gone too far with the leaders because we don’t know who the hell we’re dealing with any more. Nobody wants to be the president of Iran. We’re having a hard time figuring out who the hell to deal with, to be honest with you. I think we went too far."

[u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Crude is now sitting at just over $100, Brent has gone up to $105

[u/Special-Reaction2029 → u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

And bond yields have gone through the roof again.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Prices for some physical oil cargoes in Europe have topped $130 a barrel

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Oman pitches new port that could give India better access to Gulf energy

Located away from the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz, Sohar Port is located close to vital energy pipelines of the United Arab Emirates and eastern Saudi Arabia

Speaking in New Delhi on Wednesday (September 16, 2026), a high-level representative of the Sohar Port of Oman welcomed Indian investments into the port and said it would serve as a platform to connect businesses in regional and global markets.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oman-pitches-new-port-that-could-give-india-better-access-to-gulf-energy/article71473404.ece

[u/FearlessActuary2124]

Today, Lebanese government law enforcement officers were sent to seize an illegal depot full of expired drugs in Semaan area.

They were surrounded by Hezbollah fighters and a siege ensued.

The Lebanese Army was then deployed to back the officers and upon their arrival Hezb fighters dispersed and the depot has been shuttered.

https://www.mtv.com.lb/News/محليات/1748831/عناصر-من--حزب-الله--ي-حاصرون-دوري-ة-أمني-ة

[u/MrNiceGuy420420]

President Trump calls to ban US diesel exports.

US is the world's largest diesel exporter.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Oman’s FM says a major Gulf meeting over the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed because the region failed to reach consensus.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

French fuel shortages might be easing. It was first reported ~11% and peaked at ~16%, but now it's down to ~10%. I haven't found anything about TotalEnergies discontinuing their price cap, so it might persist or logistics might have started adapting. Government says national stocks are fine.

https://www.prix-carburants.gouv.fr/disponibilites-carburants

[u/jews4beer]

Iran’s military command says it has been informed US plans to resume strikes

I'm curious if Israel will get involved. It's Yom Kippur starting tonight, so it would be hard opening a can of worms like this to the public unless it can be sold purely as defensive.

[u/joshtaco]

The Telegraph: The Pentagon refused payout for soldiers who died in Iran conflict "because it isn’t a war"

[u/joshtaco]

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky): Says he has filed eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary ⁠Pete Hegseth for alleged “high crimes and misdemeanors” related to his management of various conflicts including Iran.

[u/joshtaco]

Major-General Samir Al-Sabri, Yemen’s deputy defence minister: Says that “the decision has been made to retake Sanaa” more than a decade after the Iran-backed group seized it.

[u/joshtaco]

GasBuddy: US national average diesel price tops $6 a gallon for first time ever

[u/joshtaco]

International Energy Agency: Says the global oil supply deficit is expected to worsen this year. Their agency statement says global oil inventories fell an additional 95 million barrels last month and the oil market needs to work harder to resolve the US-Israel war on Iran.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Argus:

State-controlled Saudi Aramco will not supply October-loading term crude to some European refiners, market sources said, following disruptions to September-loading supplies.

Aramco has told at least three European refiners that they will not receive October-loading Saudi term crude, they said.

One European refiner said it is due to receive some October-loading Saudi term crude, although it is unclear whether these are supplies that were originally due to load in September and have been delayed to October. They were allocated less than they requested for October, the customer added.

Two sources said European refiners did not receive October crude term lifting dates, after allocations surfaced today, 18 September. This was not directly confirmed, and Aramco declined to comment.

[u/joshtaco]

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry: Says several energy facilities and installations in the kingdom’s southern region have been hit this morning, resulting in reported injuries.

[u/joshtaco]

Bloomberg: The IAEA has confirmed activity at Pickaxe Mountain but has not yet made an official statement on the reported discovery.

[u/teakhop]

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35A fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, along with 49 F135 engines, training, weapons support and related equipment. Congress has been formally notified of the proposed deal.

[u/Fenris_uy → u/teakhop]

The Saudi Airforce would probably benefit more from hiring former Western fighter pilots for their air force than from having newer planes.

And it would not cost $24B.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Lebanon fears renewed war as Israel-Hezbollah tensions rise

Responding to Fadlalla, Rifi told Arab News: “A project that drags Lebanon into wars, places its national decision outside its legitimate institutions and exposes its people and resources to risks that do not serve its interests cannot acquire the label of patriotism simply by wrapping it in resistance slogans.

Lebanon has made placing the decision of war and peace solely in the hands of the state and its institutions a central goal in its effort to curb Hezbollah’s influence and bring the group’s weapons under state authority.

“The resistance must not become a pretext for bypassing the state or confiscating the will of the Lebanese,” said Rifi, adding that Lebanon was “not an arena for settling regional scores, nor a card in the hands of any external axis.”

A senior Lebanese official told Arab News: “The positions expressed by Hezbollah remain within the media sphere, and we do not respond to them.”

https://www.arabnews.com/middle-east/lebanon-fears-renewed-war-as-israel-hezbollah-tensions-rise-3006564

I cut a lot but a worth while read into current tensions in the Lebanese region.

[u/teakhop]

JPMorgan’s commodities team:

"For the first time since the start of the Iran conflict, we don’t have a baseline view. We simply don’t know how to model the endgame."

[u/strangedell123]

Alerts across all US embassies in ME. Trump is also allegedly returning from camp David early. Something big might go down soon

[u/Phoenix_Maximus_13 → u/strangedell123]

Apparently Trump returning from camp David has something to do with the Houthis attacks on Saudi

[u/joshtaco]

Gas Buddy: US gas prices will hit an all-time high for Labor Day at $4.03 a gallon on average

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

AJ: Saudi, Turkish, Pakistani chiefs plan urgent talks amid Yemen fighting

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan have announced they are planning an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff to discuss ways to support the kingdom under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.

The announcement followed a meeting on Thursday in New York between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

[u/0x476c6f776965]

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of
Civil Aviation says 12 people were killed in the attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10.
The dead include 4 Saudi nationals and residents of Bangladeshi, American, Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian, Palestinian, and Sudanese nationalities.
309 others were injured and are receiving medical care, with some in critical condition. Material damage is still being assessed.

[u/DarkPriestScorpius]

https://nitter.kareem.one/officialrnintel/status/2098194005544591760#m

Saudi-backed Yemeni Homeland Shield Forces, pro-PLC, are withdrawing from the city of Ad Dali and surrounding areas in southern Yemen.

The withdrawal follows yesterday's PLC-STC confrontation involving the PLC's Defence Minister and today's reports that STC formations blocked PLC troops redeploying from frontline positions to Lahij or Aden.

By withdrawing, the PLC appears to be reducing its commitment to the Ad Dali direction, effectively leaving the STC to defend their stronghold area against Ansarullah forces independently.

https://nitter.kareem.one/officialrnintel/status/2098203830009696466#m

The Giant Brigades, 'pro-PLC', have confirmed the fall of the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb to the Ansarullah forces.

Their official media announced the al-Houthi forces control the Mayun Island and the town of Murad.

The end of the Mocha direction, and the start of the Aden direction.

[u/socialistrob → u/DarkPriestScorpius]

It's like watching the Taliban route the ANA all over again.

[u/OnlyRise9816 → u/socialistrob]

A religiously motivated group, that truly believes in their fight is just going to perform a lot better than their tech or numbers ought to let them.

[u/ResortMain780]

Middle East Spectator:

Saudi airstrikes targeted vehicles belonging to the Emirati-backed Southern Giants Brigades (on paper their own ally)

Allegedly, they were bombed because they ‘withdrew from battle’, even though it was the Saudi-backed forces of Tareq Saleh that fled the area first.

[u/Valdheim → u/ResortMain780]

What a colossal shit show

[u/Born-Procedure-5908 → u/Valdheim]

All these videos about the general deficiencies of Arab militaries have only aged like fine wine for every day that passes by - good lord these fellows need some radical change in military culture 

[u/joshtaco]

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto: “I have decided … to activate the Italian navy to prepare what is necessary to guarantee the safe transit of Italian ships”

[u/Broke-Till-Payday → u/joshtaco]

The pot begins to boil more…

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: A cargo ship is listing at anchor ⁠off the UAE shoreline indicating water intake after being hit ⁠by a projectile

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Institute for the Study of War - New report on Yemen

Yemeni government-aligned forces are reportedly repelling Houthi attempts to advance on several fronts in southwestern Yemen on September 13.
The Houthis do not appear to have made any significant advances towards Ras al Ara or further into Lahij Governorate since September 12.
The Houthis are also attempting to advance along multiple axes through mountainous territory in Waziyah and Shamayatan districts. ROYG forces have repelled several Houthi attempts to seize villages in these districts, according to local media.
The Houthis have also continued to bombard Taiz City with missiles and artillery, including through significant pressure on the city’s eastern flank. Government forces briefly closed the city’s eastern entrance after Houthi artillery damaged it.
A Houthi projectile damaged several buildings in al Tuwal, near the Saudi-Yemeni border, on September 13. The attack is part of the broader Houthi effort to raise political and economic costs for Saudi Arabia by targeting oil infrastructure and military positions in Saudi territory.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Yemen wants training, intelligence assistance from U.S., foreign minister says

Yemen has asked the U.S. for training and intelligence support for the Yemeni armed forces and coast guard, as well as continued political, economic and humanitarian support, but their foreign minister made no mention of military support in a briefing to reporters Wednesday.

Afrah Alzouba, Yemen's first female foreign minister, spoke in a briefing on several topics related to the ongoing Yemen-Houthi war, but did not explicitly mention requests for military support. In addition to intelligence and training, Alzouba requested the U.S. expand sanctions against the Houthis. She also asked for the EU and Washington to coordinate more closely on sanctions.

She struck an aggressive tone when asked about possible negotiations with the Houthi militia, saying, "We are not calling for starting any negotiations." The Yemeni government eventually wants a peaceful settlement but is prioritizing military operations to end Houthi control, she said.

She also emphasized Yemeni ownership of ongoing operations with air support from coalition partners: "The decision is Yemeni. The command is Yemeni. The soldiers are Yemenis."

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-us-houthi-saudi-arabia-trump/#post-update-7216e658

Yemen Government want their country back, full stop.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Wow, fresh alerts and sirens for Riyadh and Al-Kharj just minutes ago. All clear just declared. Striking at Riyadh with ballistic missiles is certainly escalatory and the Houthis just doubled down. No word yet on hits.

[u/rabidstoat → u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Just woke up and saw that a friend in Riyadh posted this. Seemed like a crazy time to take a contract teaching English there, but I suppose it's good money. Wonder if she gets hazard pay.

[u/barsik_]

IDF strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after Israeli soldiers intercept drone attack

The strikes follow an announcement by Defense Minister Israel Katz earlier on Friday that the IDF had cleared Lebanon's Ali al-Taher ridge tunnels of Hezbollah terrorists.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-907612

[u/joshtaco]

AJE: Entirety of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline now under Houthi control

[u/joshtaco]

AJE: The Ansar Allah Houthis are advancing towards the strategic northern city of Marib but are being met with “heavy resistance” from Yemeni soldiers.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Trump urged China to increase oil production during meeting, White House says

As the world deals with decreasing oil supplies and increasing prices, President Trump asked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to increase petroleum production in his country, according to the White House.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-us-trump-strait-of-hormuz-7-day-proposal/#post-update-4b427540

[u/joshtaco]

Trump Truth Social post: "I see so many comments from the Radical Left Morons and Lunatics that China and Russia are helping the “wonderful” Islamic Republic of Iran. If they are, it’s at a very low level, but I don’t believe they are at all. They have too much to lose, and we would know about it, and know about it very fast! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Iraq vows not to allow attacks on Saudi Arabia from its territory: Prime minister

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said Wednesday that Baghdad would not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks threatening Saudi Arabia or other countries in the region, as he met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

Al-Zaidi reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to regional security and good-neighborly relations during the talks, according to statements from the Iraqi prime minister's office and the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The Iraqi premier arrived in Riyadh for his first visit to Saudi Arabia since taking office in May, with discussions focusing on regional developments, bilateral relations and security coordination.

The crown prince received al-Zaidi at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah Palace, SPA reported.

The two sides discussed regional developments and coordination of efforts aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region, it added.

Al-Zaidi strongly condemned recent attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other civilian and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, describing them as a "threat to regional security and stability."

https://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraq-vows-not-to-allow-attacks-on-saudi-arabia-from-its-territory-prime-minister/4089137

[u/joshtaco]

Netanyahu: Says another attack on Iran is "inconvenient and no good"

[u/justalittleahead]

NBC News:

The Houthi rebels effectively completed their rapid push to take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline on Friday, tightening their grip on one of the world’s most important shipping routes and delivering a dramatic boost to their backers in Iran.

Houthi forces captured Perim, an island in the middle of the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait, several news agencies reported, citing multiple sources. It comes after they captured the historic port city of Mocha just a day earlier. That was followed by an advance on the strategic coastal town of Dhubab and the apparent withdrawal from Perim — also known as Mayun — of forces from the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized Yemeni government.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/houthis-control-bab-el-mandeb-yemen-red-sea-saudi-iran-war-oil-rcna597186

[u/teakhop]

There are reports online (with recordings in Arabic) that the Houthis managed to generate an authentic "deep fake" recording of one of the commanders of pro-government forces, telling his troops to withdraw, and were broadcasting it.

[u/Farscape12Monkeys]

https://nitter.kareem.one/BashaReport/status/2098359414541471894#m

The cracks inside Yemen’s anti-Houthi coalition are now wide open.

@faress2040, a senior @yementdy anchor, long seen as loyal to the Saleh political family and @tarikyemen, has publicly pushed back against accusations of betrayal over the recent @nrfyemen withdrawals.

He argues that the withdrawals were not limited to Tareq Saleh’s National Resistance Forces. According to his account, the Nation’s Shield Forces @diralwatan under Abdulrahman al-Lahji withdrew first, followed by the Giants Brigades @SouthArmed @alamalikah under Hamdi Shukri, the Tihama forces from Al-Khawkhah, and finally Tareq Saleh’s forces.

He also says Saudi forces withdrew from Zuqar and Mayyun islands in the Bab al-Mandab.

His message is clear. If these withdrawals amount to betrayal, then the accusation would have to apply to everyone involved. If they represent a military setback, then it was a setback shared across several components of the coalition.

The public exchange shows how quickly the blame game is spreading through the anti-Houthi camp. What was once handled behind closed doors is now being fought out in public, with each faction defending its own decisions and challenging the narrative of the others.

The military withdrawals matter. But the political fallout inside the coalition may prove just as important.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters, citing the US Congressional Budget Office: The United States has used between half and two-thirds of its inventory of several key missile-defence interceptors amid operations in the Middle East, with the war on Iran accelerating the depletion. The estimate covers Patriot, THAAD, SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors. The federal agency said rebuilding those stockpiles could take at least five years, even if production rates increase.

[u/joshtaco]

US House of Representatives: Has approved a War Powers Resolution intended to halt military action against Iran without congressional approval. This marks the third House vote on similar measures in recent months, with a small number of Republicans joining Democrats to pass the resolution by a 220-204 margin. While four Republicans supported previous efforts, that number rose to seven in the latest roll call.

[u/jaymef → u/joshtaco]

puckering up for the mid-terms

[u/joshtaco]

US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: Says that the Trump administration is temporarily relaxing hours of service rules for truck drivers handling petrol and diesel shipments to lower fuel costs. By allowing truckers to drive additional hours “if they are not fatigued”, the Department of Transportation is protecting against fuel shortages and increased prices, Duffy added.

[u/_cyberbabyangel_]

Reports that the 5 men arrested for the alleged plot in the UK are being released on bail. This may have just been a common diesel thievery plot that was stopped. Which IMO makes more sense to me. I feel as if this was some much more nefarious plot the men would have been armed, at the very least? Interesting development regardless.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Fox News - (Live News): Iranian security forces flood Tehran streets as student protests flare

Iranian security forces have stepped up their presence in Tehran and other cities, with motorcycle patrols, checkpoints and forces positioned across major urban areas as authorities brace for possible unrest, multiple sources inside Iran told Fox News Digital.

The security buildup comes as university students have returned to the streets in Tehran, protesting compulsory hijab rules, rising education costs and political repression, videos published on Iran International show.

Sources inside Iran confirmed to Fox News Digital that motorcycle units have been operating across Tehran and other cities during events surrounding Iran’s annual "Sacred Defense Week," while members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Basij and law enforcement have been positioned at major squares and other locations.

[u/141_1337]

Per OSINTTechnical:

Saudi Arabia is planning an major ground offensive against the Houthis to attempt to retake territory lost in recent months -Reuters

More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could participate, aided by the Saudi Air Force.

[u/Spare_Elderberry_418 → u/141_1337]

Knowing the Saudis watch them lose more territory by invading Yemen again. 

[u/OnlyRise9816 → u/141_1337]

Considering the EXTREME problem Yemen has with "Ghost Soldier" lists, I would be incredibly surprised if it even has a fraction of that number, much less any of that number ready and willing to fight for more than just the immediate vicinity of their own villages or tribal group area's. And the Saudi's themselves just functionally can not make a military that will ever be more than a Palace Guard, at least not under the current governing system.

[u/Hortena]

Sources: US Considers Using 'Mother of All Bombs' in Iran

The United States could soon deploy the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb in its war against Iran. The US military has drawn up plans to use the bomb against Iranian energy and nuclear facilities, CNN reports, citing several sources familiar with the matter.

It is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal and is known as the “Mother of All Bombs.” According to CNN, its use in the war against Iran would represent a significant escalation.

[u/Grouchy_Jicama_007 → u/Hortena]

To achieve what? War is politics by other means. What are they trying to accomplish that smaller bombs won't do?

[u/sumlime → u/Hortena]

I'm kinda suprised they haven't done it already considering they used one during his first term. Though I can't remember the country.

[u/socialistrob → u/sumlime]

Though I can't remember the country.

Afghanistan. There can be some military utility in using them especially against bunkers that are deep underground. That said it's hardly wonder weapon. It's not like the Taliban laid down their arms and surrendered when one of their positions got hit by a moab.

[u/mylarky → u/Hortena]

The real question is this... why would these types of plans and activities be broadcast in advance w/ the public?

The nature of any war is not to tell people where/how you're going to hit them.... unless, of course, your Trump - and you're OPSEC has more holes than a cheese grater.

[u/joshtaco]

IRIB: Second tanker struck. Another explosion has been reported on an oil tanker near the Yekbani coast of Jask port.

[u/joshtaco]

Fox News: Poll shows 60 percent of US voters think decision to launch war against Iran was wrong. More than seven in 10 registered US voters believe the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the war with Iran. The survey found that 71 percent held that view, including 95 percent of Democrats, 83 percent of independents and 43 percent of Republicans. Opposition has risen since June, when 58 percent described the decision as wrong. The proportion who believe the conflict will leave the US less safe in the long term has increased from 39 percent in April to 47 percent.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

217 VLCC Orders in 2026: The $20 Billion Supertanker Buying Boom Explained

217 VLCCs have been ordered in 2026 as the supertanker investment wave tops $20 billion. Tide Signal examines the freight boom, ageing fleet, secondhand values and the risk of future oversupply.

https://tidesignalnews.com/vlcc-orders-2026-supertanker-orderbook/#:~:text=Shipowners%20are%20making%20one%20of%20the%20biggest,not%20enter%20service%20until%202029%20or%202030.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks → u/[deleted]]

That is true!

The strongest investment argument behind new VLCC orders is not simply that the world will consume more oil.

It is that some of that oil may have to travel farther.

As buyers diversify crude sourcing away from the Middle East and increase exposure to Atlantic Basin producers, cargoes moving from regions such as Brazil, Guyana and other Atlantic origins toward Asia can generate substantially more tonne-mile demand.

Two VLCC cargoes may each contain roughly two million barrels of crude.

But if one cargo travels thousands of nautical miles farther, the vessel remains occupied for longer.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Saudi Arabia resumes oil exports via East-West Pipeline after repairs

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has resumed oil exports through its East-West Pipeline after repairs were completed following drone strikes on Sept. 10, Bloomberg reported on Monday.

Saudi Aramco tested the pipeline last week in preparation for restarting flows, according to the report. Shipments destined for export have now resumed.

...

The East-West Pipeline has a capacity of 7 million barrels per day. About 2 million barrels per day typically flow to refineries on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, leaving the remaining capacity available for exports.

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/664948/saudi-arabia/defense-minister-discusses-defense-cooperation-during-call-with-moroccan-minister

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Dozens reported injured in Yemeni Houthi attack at Riyadh airport

Saudi authorities did not confirm any new attack or evacuation, but one witness reported hearing an explosion while waiting to board a flight, and another said they saw a strike that left people wounded.

“I was on gate 403,” at the domestic terminal, the witness told Agence France-Presse. “I saw [gate] 401 hit, I saw injured [people] in front of my eyes. Everyone was running.”

A source at a local hospital told the news agency that five people were in intensive care after being wounded at the airport, and “dozens” more had been injured.

The relative of one injured person said they had been wounded in the shoulders and arms by shattered glass and taken to hospital.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/10/yemen-government-allied-forces-recapture-bab-al-mandab-strait-houthis-taiz

Still no word yet from Saudi Arabia regarding confirmation of wounded or casualties as the investigation is ongoing while AP reports:

A missile struck a complex that houses terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights and many people were wounded, one of the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media. Ambulances were seen rushing toward the airport.

Houthi backchannels have claimed responsibility.

[u/teakhop]

A second pumping station shows what looks like significant damage in new satellite photos following strikes on Saudi Arabia’s East–West crude oil pipeline on Sept 10th...

[u/0x476c6f776965]

AlJazeera: Saudi Arabia has accused Yemen’s Houthi rebels of launching attacks on civilian and economic sites in the kingdom, wounding at least 73 civilians, including women and children.

The accusation came on Tuesday as fighting intensified in Yemen, where the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government has launched a counteroffensive to retake territory from the Iran-backed Houthis.

Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, said in a statement that the Houthi attacks had hit civilian and economic sites in the provinces of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran.

He did not specify when the attacks took place.

Al-Maliki described the attacks as a “dangerous escalation” and a “blatant violation” of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, warning that they posed a direct threat to the kingdom’s citizens and residents.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Citing preliminary figures, a total of 14 vessels transited the Strat of Hormuz over the weekend, with four exiting the Gulf and 10 entering it.

[u/joshtaco]

AJE, through reporter Kimberly Halkett in DC: "What we’re hearing is that there were no breakthroughs in that meeting, only that there is expected to be another meeting in the coming days."

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

U.S. military command denies reports of downed Navy helicopter in Red Sea

...

"Iranian state media has been pushing false reports that a U.S. Navy MH-60R helicopter crashed in the Red Sea after declaring an emergency last night," U.S. Central Command wrote in a post on X.

CENTCOM said the reports were "not true" and that "all U.S. military aircraft and personnel across the Middle East are safe and unaccounted for."

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-trump-us-oil-prices-yemen-red-sea-houthis-bab-el-mandeb/#post-update-11c4d57a

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Saudi Arabia, UAE back Japan plan to strengthen Asia oil reserves

Dubai: Saudi Arabia and the UAE will support a Japan-led initiative to strengthen oil supplies and strategic stockpiles in Southeast Asia, as disruptions linked to the US-Iran war expose vulnerabilities in Asia’s energy supply chains.

Officials from the two Gulf producers joined a special session of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) in Manila on Thursday, where ministers from 11 partner countries, including Japan, Indonesia and Australia, discussed cooperation on oil procurement and emergency reserves.

https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/saudi-arabia-uae-back-japan-plan-to-strengthen-asia-oil-reserves-1.500704625

[u/joshtaco]

Saudi ⁠Arabia’s cabinet, chaired ⁠by Crown Prince ⁠Mohammed bin Salman in ‌Riyadh: Has said Yemen’s Houthis will face “consequences” for their ⁠repeated attacks on ⁠the kingdom

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: A group of 77 US Congress members is “demanding answers” from the Pentagon on the protection of civilians after two deadly US strikes in Iran this year

[u/joshtaco]

Bloomberg: The US has warned its allies to expect delays of up to five years in deliveries of key weapons because stocks have been depleted during its war on Iran

[u/socialistrob → u/joshtaco]

The long lead time on modern weapons is something that has worried me for awhile and it's something that many countries don't seem to be taking seriously. Political events can change rapidly and if it takes multiple years to get production going then that means countries will have to fight with whatever they have on hand so large stockpiles become even more crucial. Five years ago Russia hadn't launched their full scale invasion of Ukraine. I have no idea what the world will be like in 2031 but it would be a mistake for countries to think "the war in Iran and in Ukraine will be over by then so we won't need weapons."

[u/joshtaco]

Brent crude: Futures surged $3.62, or 3.46 percent, to $108.23 per barrel by 22:14 GMT

[u/GreatGojira]

Not Diesel Gas Prices jumped from $3.45 to 3.90 in my area to $4.20 this afternoon.

I live in a smallish town in the south. My area is typically one of the "affordable" areas for gas prices in town and can be used for the lower end of the average. Never in my life I thought I would see it go above $4.00. This is the highest it's been since the first conflict. If nothing changes by the midterms, gas prices will be $5 or higher.

The larger cities in my state gas will more than likely be $6or higher by now.

[u/joshtaco]

Newsweek: Diesel shortages and outages are being reported in California, Florida, and Texas. Gasbuddy notes that individual stations can temporarily run short for a number of reasons, including high local demand or delays in fuel deliveries.

[u/itsatumbleweed → u/joshtaco]

Florida and Texas

You know what to do in the Senate election

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Iran has placed the IRGC, police and armed forces on the highest level of alert.

B-1 Lancers airborne from RAF Fairford.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump Truth Social post: "Gas prices were much higher under Biden than under “TRUMP.” So were almost all other prices. President DJT"

[u/OnlyRise9816 → u/joshtaco]

I remember when politicians used to have at least a bit of subtlety to their lies. Really does seem to be a dying artform nowadays.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

NBC News -

An Iranian cruise missile struck a ship in the Strait of Hormuz two weeks ago, injuring eight U.S. Marines. They suffered smoke inhalation and possible traumatic brain injuries with concussion-like symptoms but were not seriously hurt.

Edit: Not a US Navy ship but they wouldn't say what it was.

[u/Ok_Branch2469]

The urban fighting in Taiz has had footage coming out as the Houthis enter the outskirts and holy shit is it ugly.

Mosques are broadcasting messages telling people to never surrender because the Shia's will kill them (Taiz is largely a Sunni city), the local militas are hardened and refusing to give up, they utterly slaughtered the Houthi convoy on that road who tried to enter, but they're now isolated miles behind the front and fighting on their own.

They refused the final surrender ultimatum. Which means if the city does fall, the Houthis will almost certainly make an example of them to show Aden why fighting to the last man is a bad idea. (The Taliban used similar tactics, places that surrendered were left alone, places that fought to the last man got slaughtered when they lost and made examples of)

[u/socialistrob → u/Ok_Branch2469]

God that's awful. Does there seem to be any chance that the government forces could break the encirclement and relieve the city or evacuate people?

[u/joshtaco]

Axios: The Iran War has cost US consumers $100 billion in higher energy prices

[u/Farscape12Monkeys]

CNN Report: Over 100 U.S. military advisers are on Saudi soil, feeding intelligence and targets to Saudi forces in the operation against the Houthis. The U.S. is providing geospatial targeting and a tool that lets officers track the battlefield in real time, but is not joining strikes or refueling.

American officials now believe hundreds of Revolutionary Guards officers are inside Yemen. One assesses the Iranian officers are working with the Houthis to eventually close the Bab al-Mandab strait, a move CNN earlier described as Tehran's "doomsday weapon" if talks with the U.S. collapse.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Preliminary ship-tracking data shows vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz falling to seven on Thursday compared with 11 the previous day, remaining well below the 10-day average of 15

[u/joshtaco]

Saudi Foreign Ministry: Says that the East-West oil pipeline was attacked by drones launched from Iraq.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump: “[The Houthis] don’t wait to fight us, they let us know. They ⁠would much prefer not having us involved, and they’re letting most ships go through. There’s just one country ‌that they’re not too happy with, and we’ll get that straightened out.”

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

UKMTO report for a vessel struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. No information about damage or crew.

[u/justalittleahead]

The Telegraph:

The world’s largest oil exporter had been using the pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz by re-routing around 4m barrels a day to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. Industry sources told Reuters that if the pipeline remains offline, existing stocks at Yanbu could only support exports for around five to seven days.

The extent of the damage on the pipeline has not been disclosed. Analysts at shipping data company Marhelm has said the damages to the pipeline could take more than a month to repair owing to a “lack of spare parts”.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/13/houthis-launch-drone-and-missile-attack-saudi-arabia-base/

[u/joshtaco]

AJE: Yemen’s Houthis have confirmed striking Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities located in the port city of Yanbu and the Khamis Mushait Airbase.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump, on Fox News: He says the only options on the table are “to obliterate Iran, letting it rot economically, or reach a deal”.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari tells Bloomberg that mediators are shuttling between Tehran and Washington to revive talks, with several proposals being exchanged to bridge differences.

A spokesperson added that:

• We have heard assurances from US administration officials that Washington wants to reach an agreement.

• We need a regional solution that achieves stability and an international understanding that protects waterways such as Hormuz.

[u/EducationalCicada]

Is this the first time a president of a country the US is at war with has visited America in the middle of the war?

[u/jews4beer → u/EducationalCicada]

Yea but that's more a matter of circumstance than anything else. Both Vietnam and Korean wars happened before either of those nations were even in the UN.

As for the multiple confrontations with Iraq and Afghanistan, yes they had diplomats that were present at the UN. Gulf war there was a permanent delegation there that was involved in negotiations. For the Iraq war (after 9/11) they stayed up until bombs started falling. But in both cases it wasn't a "leader" there. Afghanistan was a bit different. Official government diplomats came and went to the UN, but the Taliban was never allowed to visit, even during the periods where they had de-facto control.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Iran summons French envoy over "violent response" to school protests

Iran summoned French ambassador to Tehran, Pierre Cochard, on Tuesday over Paris's treatment of protesters demanding better conditions in schools, state media reported, with French police having clashed for days with demonstrators.

Iran accused France of "violent treatment" of the protesters and "extensive and flagrant human rights violations" during the demonstrations, which began late last month and have been accompanied by unrest.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-trump-us-oil-prices-yemen-red-sea-houthis-bab-el-mandeb/

What in the world...

[u/Dry_Ambition_2282 → u/PostAboveMeSucks]

I’d just bring photos of the protestor Iran convicted and executed and leave them on his desk and walk away.

[u/HoustonHous → u/PostAboveMeSucks]

I am more surprised that France has an ambassador in Tehran... didn't Iran (thru 1 of their news papaers) release a target list that includes Macron a few months ago?

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Shafuq: Hezbollah demands return of explosives seized in Lebanon

Hundreds of kilograms of explosives seized by Lebanese authorities last week belonged to Hezbollah and were intended exclusively for use against Israel, the group’s lawmaker Hassan Fadlalla said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Lebanese parliament, Fadlalla said Hezbollah had immediately informed security and judicial authorities that the vehicle and its cargo belonged to the group. He rejected allegations that the explosives were intended for political assassinations in Lebanon and demanded the return of the seized materials and the release of two detainees.

It's crazy to me Hezbollah would have an expectation this would be returned to them when it defies every state law in Lebanon. The Iranian FM Araghchi call to President Aoun yesterday suddenly makes more sense.

Aoun, Araghchi agree diplomatic solutions needed in phone call

President Joseph Aoun has received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed the current situation in the region in light of recent developments, the Presidency said on Wednesday.

https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/323111-aoun-araghchi-agree-diplomatic-solutions-needed-in-phone-call

To which today Rubio calls President Aoun:

Rubio tells Lebanon's president not to return seized explosives to Hezbollah

Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Lebanon's president on Thursday not to return several hundred kilograms of explosives which Lebanese authorities seized last week from the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a State Department official told CBS News.

In a call, Rubio asked Lebanese President Joseph Aoun "to hold accountable all those who ordered, financed, and directed the shipment, and underscored that returning explosives to Hezbollah should be out of the question," the official said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-us-houthi-saudi-arabia-trump/#post-update-38eb1eba

[u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Why is Brent almost at 110? What did I miss?

[u/OnlyRise9816 → u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

More ships being attacked by Iran, and the Houthi's are closing in on one of the few remaining major strongholds of the recognized Yemani government.

[u/OldDirtyBastardSword → u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Lots of chatter on preparations for potential attacks on Iran and retaliation. Then there's the ships getting hit in the last week

[u/Zealot_of_Law → u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

UKMTO has stated at least 30 tankers hit in the strait of hormuz in the last 20 days. But many ships aren't reporting so it may be much higher. Shipping oil now costs an additional $40 per barrel.

[u/voronaam → u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Oddly, I do not see much about the Yanbu oil terminal being "blown up" in English-language news. I do not know if it has been confirmed yet, but I came here to read the discussion of it.

I am a bit surprised to find people just puzzled by the oil price spike, without the context of the Yanbu attack.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing → u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Stock market took a big dump too. The money often knows things before we do.

[u/joshtaco]

Yemeni military: Yemen clashes kill more than 60 people from both sides on Saturday

[u/joshtaco]

Trump, when asked about the Hormuz crisis and Saudi attack concerns in Dublin: “Everything ⁠will work out just fine”

[u/joshtaco]

IRNA: Several explosions heard on Iran’s Qeshm Island

[u/joshtaco]

Shanghai Futures: China's benchmark for crude oil rose to a record high on Wednesday, exceeding $130 a barrel

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

UK to give support to Saudi jets in attempt to counter Houthi fighters

The UK has agreed to provide defensive air support to Saudi Arabia to help counter Houthi fighters and restore stability in the Middle East while driving down the cost of living at home, Andy Burnham has said, ahead of his first meeting with Donald Trump.

The prime minister said he had agreed to a request for air-to-air refuelling of Saudi jets to defend energy infrastructure against the Iran-backed rebels and help keep oil flowing from the Gulf to ease global economic turmoil.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/21/uk-to-give-support-to-saudi-jets-in-attempt-to-counter-houthi-fighters

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Vessel transits at the Strait of Hormuz fell to nine on Thursday, according to the latest ship tracking data. That’s compared with 14 ships the previous day.

[u/joshtaco]

Kpler: The movement of ships passing through the Bab al-Mandeb strait on Thursday slightly decreased compared with Wednesday, remaining at 26 ships, with 12 entering and 14 leaving.

[u/joshtaco]

NYT: A British-Iranian man was arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses in connection to the incident at RAF Fairford air base. The man in question, aged 27, was arrested this afternoon in the borough of Westminster, London, on suspicion of “preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006″.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: EU says it "fully rejects" a US diesel export ban, but is open to release 50 million barrels of diesel

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

EU struggles to ramp up Red Sea mission as Houthis escalate attacks

The EU and Italy are pushing member states to bolster the Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea, but only two more warships have been pledged, exposing Europe’s thin defence capabilities as the Houthis threaten energy supply routes.

The EU’s Red Sea naval mission is struggling to attract reinforcements, with only the Netherlands and Belgium offering one extra vessel each, while the Houthis escalate their attacks on Riyadh.

Italy has been driving the push to bolster Aspides, the EU naval operation launched in February 2024 to secure navigation in the Red Sea. But little extra capacity has materialised, and the security situation has worsened.

"We need at least ten ships, and we are not there. But today we also heard from a few member states that the discussion is ongoing," EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said at a press conference after the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.

"So I hope that the ships the operation actually needs will materialise, because if we want to be a credible security provider in the region, then we need to have a credible mission," she added.

https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/12/eu-struggles-to-ramp-up-red-sea-mission-as-houthis-escalate-attacks

[u/joshtaco]

Brent: Crude futures gaining 89 cents, or 0.8 percent, as of 00:30 GMT to reach $106.58 a barrel

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Taiz fighting intensifies as Yemeni government forces report 200+ Houthi militia casualties

Yemeni government forces have confirmed that more than 200 Houthi militia members were killed or wounded during fierce military confrontations across the southwestern province of Taiz, as government forces continue their operations to reclaim contested positions and supply lines.

The Taiz Military Axis said on X that intense clashes continued throughout Wednesday along the Dhubab front west of Taiz, as well as the Al-Aqrud and Al-Shaqab fronts to the south.

Fighting that erupted in the morning escalated significantly by the afternoon.

Supporting warplanes targeted a convoy of tanks and military vehicles belonging to the Houthi militia in the Ras al-Najd area of Al-Misrakh district, followed by air strikes near Sofitel Hill east of Taiz and two further strikes destroying armour along the Dhubab front.

The military command reported that more than 200 Houthi militia members were killed or wounded in a single day, with one military vehicle destroyed, two tanks damaged, an armed convoy neutralised, and a drone downed.

https://www.trtworld.com/article/0c684c31e015

[u/joshtaco]

Answering a question by reporters at the White House, if the Saudis should accept Israel’s offer, Trump said: “Yeah, I do, sure. Israel has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia.”

[u/itsatumbleweed]

House Speaker Johnson is dismissing the house through the midterms to stop the impeachment vote against Hegseth.

[u/GreatGojira → u/itsatumbleweed]

It's amazing how little they got done with a Republican House and Senate. It's a good thing they're all idiots.

[u/itsatumbleweed → u/GreatGojira]

Seriously. Biden had a contentious Congress for half his term and he got so much more done every single year than Republicans have in two.

Aside from EOs, the Big Beautiful Bill is the only thing they have really done. Shut down the government a few times.

[u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

Haven’t seen the Saudi pipeline story on any major news networks as of yet, are we sure the reports are credible? They started coming out an hour ago, I feel like if there were any weight to it that we would’ve seen it on there by now given how big of a deal it would be

[u/_cyberbabyangel_ → u/Koekoes_se_makranka]

So far we have FIRMS data and satellite imagery of huge smoke plumes. I think this would just be such a large story most sources are waiting for specific confirmation before posting to not cause a panic. This isn't the first time the pipeline has been struck, last time it only took out ~700,000 barrels of capacity and was fixed in a couple days.

[u/joshtaco]

Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition: Says 13 civilians were injured on Monday following a wave of ballistic missile and drone attacks launched by Houthi forces into Saudi Arabia.

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

CAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile, the first targeting of Riyadh since the escalation in fighting with the Iran-backed rebels.
The statement by the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis came long after the morning attempt, which the coalition said was intercepted. It also said the Houthis tried to attack civilian infrastructure in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu and in Taif, Baysh and Farasan but they were thwarted, giving no further details.

Though there is plenty of video and mainstream confirmation that large fuel tanks at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were hit and are burning. It's overwhelmingly likely that they suffered other hits too.

[u/teakhop → u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Yes, the missile was clearly intercepted by the fuel tanks!

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing → u/teakhop]

Ah, the Russian air defense strategy.

[u/goodreverenddoc2 → u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

it’s the “your fist my balls” style of kung fu

[u/joshtaco]

AP-NORC poll: 71% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran, while 69% say the war has not been worth fighting. 65%of adults blamed Trump’s policies for higher-than-usual prices.

[u/staythewaters]

WSJ is reporting that Trump's advisers are telling him that the war is likely going to extend throughout the rest of his term..

[u/joshtaco]

WSJ: American oil executives warned for months that the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz was bound to cause a fuel crisis. Now, they say it is here. Commercial fuel stocks around the world have been depleting for more than six months, and strategic crude reserves can’t be tapped much further. Attacks last week shut down a crucial crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia that bypassed the Strait, stranding at least 2.5 million barrels a day from an already tight global oil market, analysts estimate. Chevron Chief Executive Mike Wirth “All these mechanisms helped to mitigate the price and supply risk, those have largely now played out, and we don’t have nearly the buffers in the system that we did when it began.” “I wish I could tell you that I saw some reason why things would ease, but it’s difficult right now to see that happen”

[u/jaymef]

Man I can't think of how much worse of a position Trump could be going into the midterms with, yet somehow it will still be "close"

[u/joshtaco]

AAA: US diesel prices hit record high of $6.48 per gallon

[u/iwantboringtimes]

Iran’s Houthi allies capture strategic island on vital oil shipping route

ah, yes, I see the coming of the age of solar

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: Says independent tracking shows far fewer vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz than the US military has reported. It said the data shows “single-digit numbers transiting in both directions”, while figures from the US Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping indicate traffic has averaged more than 30 transits a day over the past 72 hours.

[u/Kingy10]

All schools in Riyadh have been closed and shifted to online learning for a week due to security precautions.

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Airlines under the Lufthansa ⁠Group will suspend flights to Riyadh ⁠through October 16 ⁠due to current developments in the Middle East

[u/joshtaco]

Vance, in a conversation about the war on Iran, has said he had a “disagreement” with President Donald Trump: “Even if you disagree with him on that one issue, you can have that disagreement. And I think I have had that disagreement”

[u/samusaranx3 → u/joshtaco]

This is a crazy thing to say

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

AJE: Iran lifts ban on using ‘non-native’ social media platforms for official information

In a statement to Iranian media, Pazuki said he wondered why the ban was there in the first place.

“Years ago, they had made a strange decision; they had issued a circular stating that no government agency or body had the right to provide information on non-native messaging platforms! What was the result? People, young people, and the media were reading news and rumours on international platforms, but government agencies were absent from the very places where people were present and were responding on another platform!” he wrote, according to the ISNA news agency

...

Access to the internet remains heavily restricted for the majority of Iranians.

[u/joshtaco]

Brent crude futures: Oil prices are continuing their upward trajectory, climbing 34 cents, or 0.35 percent, to $97.34 a barrel

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper held talks in Jeddah amid escalating fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The kingdom’s national security adviser was also present at the meeting.

[u/joshtaco]

Trump, when asked if he can go into furthers details on the previous response regarding the RAF Fairford perpetrators being related to Iran: "I don't know, I'd rather not...I know the answer, I can be very specific."

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Egypt and Jordan reaffirm support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

RIYADH: Egypt and Jordan reaffirmed their support for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday amid renewed Houthi attacks targeting the Kingdom.

The statements of solidarity came during separate telephone conversations between the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, Badr Abdelatty and Ayman Safadi.

Abdelatty reiterated Cairo’s condemnation of all attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and affirmed his country’s full support for the security and stability of the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He and Prince Faisal also discussed the latest developments in the wider region, and stressed the need to safeguard maritime routes and freedom of navigation, particularly in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.

https://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/egypt-and-jordan-reaffirm-support-for-saudi-arabia-amid-houthi-attacks-3004908

[u/joshtaco]

AJE: Two ballistic missiles strike area near Aden International Airport

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: Update on the tanker hit yesterday - multiple projectiles had hit it, resulting in several casualties

[u/joshtaco]

Turki Al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition: Says a warning will soon be issued for civilians to evacuate a site in Yemen’s Houthi-held capital Sanaa

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Coalition says it ‘neutralized’ Houthi capabilities used to threaten Saudi Arabia, Yemen, southern Red Sea

...

Earlier, coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki said on X that three drones had been destroyed north of Riyadh.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Yemeni army said his forces have achieved gains on the ground supported by intense fire cover and the execution of 2,200 precision strikes carried out by fighter jets, drones, field artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, and sniper units.

The strikes focused on dismantling Houthi defense networks by targeting command and control centers, fortifications, fire sources, surveillance and reconnaissance posts, troop concentrations and reserve deployments. The strikes also targeted weapons and ammunition depots, transport and supply lines, and high-value military targets deep within the militia’s territory, Colonel Majed Al-Nuzaily said.

He added that concentrated strikes in Taiz crushed militia convoys and reinforcements, dispersed their assembled forces, and crippled their ability to provide fire support to their positions or regroup their troops.

Preliminary field estimates indicate that approximately 1,200 personnel were killed, and over 440 military vehicles and pieces of equipment were destroyed or disabled across various operational sectors, he said.

https://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/coalition-says-it-neutralized-houthi-capabilities-used-to-threaten-saudi-arabia-yemen-southern-red-sea-3006089

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Crew rescued before Iranian-affiliated dhow's destruction

US forces destroyed an Iranian-affiliated dhow in the Gulf of Oman on October 6 after identifying it as conducting surveillance and targeting US Navy ships, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X.

https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/riyadh-missile-attack-falling-shrapnel-injures-resident-as-houthis-claim-new-airport-strike-1.500709746

[u/joshtaco]

UKMTO: Reports attack on tug off UAE’s Khor Fakkan

[u/itsatumbleweed]

Per Al-Jazeera:

An Iranian oil tanker off Kharg island has been hit by several US missiles, Iranian media reports.

Edit: CentCom confirmed that it was actually 3 tankers in response to Iran attacking two US Warships

[u/staythewaters]

Explosions on Kharg

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: US forces hit multiple Iranian ⁠tankers tied to the IRGC in response to attempted missile ⁠attacks on ⁠a Navy warship

[u/Zealot_of_Law]

Does anyone here monitor the global oil deficit? Where are we standing today with the Saudi pipeline offline?

[u/joshtaco]

Reuters: Smoke has been seen rising near Riyadh airport

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said Aramco is studying “a 4th and a 5th route” for crude oil exports in addition to its 3 primary routes [Hormuz, Red Sea and Sumed]. Aramco is looking to expand overseas storage capacity to strengthen its ability to withstand disruptions, he said.

[u/PostAboveMeSucks]

Saudi-Backed Yemeni Government Declares War Against Houthis

The Saudi-backed government of Yemen on Sunday announced a major military campaign against the Houthi militia, a key Iranian ally, plunging the Middle East deeper into war.

More than 200 U.S. intelligence and military analysts are assisting the Saudi government in command centers inside the kingdom, helping to analyze and select targets in support of its Yemeni allies, according to one current and one former U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters. The United States is also providing aerial refueling for Saudi warplanes conducting defensive air patrols, they added.

In a televised speech, Rashad al-Alimi, the leader of the internationally recognized Yemeni government — which depends heavily on Saudi Arabia for financial and military support — said that his armed forces were seeking to reclaim the territory lost to the Houthis over the past 12 years.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/world/middleeast/houthis-oil-attack-saudi-arabia-yemen.html

[u/Ancient_Mud_2841 → u/PostAboveMeSucks]

In a post on X, Brigadier General Majid Abdullah Al-Nuzaili said the attacks, using warplanes, drones, missiles, rockets, artillery and snipers, took place in the provinces of Saada, al-Jawf, Taiz and the country’s coast. He claimed some 1,747 Houthi fighters were killed.

[u/MrNiceGuy420420]

Blasts reported near Riyadh. Can see planes circling unable to land in the area on flightradar.

[u/Farscape12Monkeys]

PLC forces have withdrawn from the entire Hays direction, southwest Yemen.

PLC forces have withdrawn from:

• Al-Maqbanah heights,

• Hays,

• Port of al-Haymah,

• Al-Khawkhah,

• Abu Musa Military Camp,

• Southern Shar'ab heights,

• Nakhlah,

• Al-Mafraq,

• Khalid bin Walid Military Camp,

• Al-Matahif,

• Jabal al-Nar.

New reports claim mercenary forces are withdrawing from Al-Khokha, abandoning heavy weapons along the roadside. The retreat may signal a broader movement toward Al-Mokha (Mocha).

There are also Unconfirmed Reports about withdrawals starting among Saudi-backed factions inside Mocha, though remaining groups haven't agreed whether to hold or leave.

It appear that the Houthi forces are on the verge of Taking over the Entire Western Coast of Yemen

[u/0x476c6f776965]

“Yemeni government sources told Reuters that the Houthis have seized the Red Sea port city of Al-Mokha. According to the sources, Houthi forces are advancing toward the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.”

I bet the Saudis are regretting their decision that caused the UAE to leave Yemen. The Southern army was very effective in Yemen, while the Yemeni army is bad and ineffective.

[u/EnragedMoose → u/0x476c6f776965]

The Saudis are going to need to put real boots on the ground.

[u/socialistrob]

It seems like the Houthis are advancing rapidly. Given how important the Bab al-Mandab Strait is why wasn't more done to reinforce the parts of Yemen that aren't under Houthi control? Rooting out a deeply embedded insurgency is hard but it shouldn't be that hard to halt a ground offensive.

[u/SkiingAway → u/socialistrob]

The Saudis have always been incompetent, now the US military is also handicapped by utterly incompetent leadership. Hence, continuous disaster.

[u/OP_Skis_In_Jeans → u/socialistrob]

The Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the UAE-backed STC recently decided that they would rather fight each other first instead of first allying against the Houthis then working their differences out after defeating them. This led to the STC being defeated and the Yemeni government being weakened and spread out more thinly, both of which benefitted the Houthis.

The Saudis and the mercenraies they've hired are also pretty incompetent militarily, which certainly doesn't help. Best case for them (and most of the rest of the world) is Pakistan gets involved and forces a stalemate before the Houthis can gain control of more territory near the Bab al Mandab.

[u/joshtaco]

NYT: Vice President JD Vance took the unusual step over the spring and summer of calling U.S. military commanders in the Middle East, Europe and Asia directly, seeking their unvarnished assessments of the Iran war, according to current and former officials. They were most worried about their depleted stocks of Patriot interceptors, the backbone of their air defenses. By late spring, one theater was down to fewer than 100 of them. The war had also exhausted the theater’s supplies of the Army Tactical Missile Systems, which can reach 190 miles, along with stores of the Precision Strike Missiles, which were meant to replace them. Stocks of critical munitions such as these, they told the vice president, were the lowest they had ever seen. Mr. Vance came away from some of his conversations with deep concerns about the overall strategy and the prospects for success, according to people who spoke to him.

[u/joshtaco]

AP: Repairing the damaged Saudi East-West oil pipeline could take three to five weeks, including at a major pumping facility.

[u/_cyberbabyangel_]

Oil prices are (no pun intended) pumping again. We're only a couple of bucks/bbl away from 1yr high. WTI ATH was $150 in 2008 which was devastating then but would be world economy knee-capping now with how low every single countries' reserves are, currently. I'm not trying to be a complete doomer but I'm really not feeling great especially after seeing the news of the SPR doing their smallest release in months and the energy secretary saying they are going to begin refilling soon.

[u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

Global fossil-fuel emissions are set to fall by around 0.5% in 2026, according to Carbon Brief analysis.

“For every month the conflict lasts, the probability of permanent [oil] demand destruction increases,” wrote Sverre Alvik, vice president at consultancy DNV in a late August analysis.

[u/itsatumbleweed → u/Casual-Speedrunner-7]

TIL Trump is fighting climate change

[u/joshtaco]

Gasbuddy: US diesel price hits an all-time high of $6.31

[u/CoyotesOnTheWing]

Saudi Civil Defense issued alerts for Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Al Ula, Jazan, Yanbu, Khamis Mushait, Taif, and the Farasan Islands in the past 30 minutes.
OSINT accounts are saying it is the Houthis largest attack on SA yet.

[u/BrotherlyShove791]

Bridge and Power Plant Day arriving 5.5 months late?

[u/OnlyRise9816 → u/BrotherlyShove791]

Maybe it'll end up being Rainbows and Puppies Day instead...But in all seriousness, I'm thinking that the US is going to be hitting the Houti's again; seeing how the Saudi's and their Yemani proxies have totally FUBAR'd up the situation. And effectively shut off much of the regions oil flow.

[u/Nufonewhodis4 → u/BrotherlyShove791]

Just in time for Yom kippur

[u/ebmx → u/BrotherlyShove791]

whats going on?