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Multiple reports, cited by TASS, indicate that US stocks of key munitions such as THAAD interceptors and Patriot missiles have fallen to critically low levels following the conflict with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied the depletion, while military officials have reportedly warned President Trump about the limitations on further strikes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says progress has been made in talks between Oman and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting an agreement could be reached as early as “today or tomorrow.” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson described the Omani-mediated discussions as “positive” and continuing, though differences remain over operational details.
Multiple sources report that the US Army has consumed nearly all of its highly accurate long-range missiles, including ATACMS and PrSM, during the five-month war with Iran. This depletion could affect US readiness in other regions, with concerns about deterrence against Russia and China.
TASS's reviews of Russian newspaper coverage report that Washington and Tehran are seeking to restart direct negotiations after President Donald Trump called off a planned attack, even as experts quoted in the Russian press warn the underlying conflict could persist for years. The digests also cover Ukraine's intensified strikes on civilian infrastructure after an army reshuffle, a suggestion that Syria could serve as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, an OPEC+ decision to raise production quotas, and Russian charges against Telegram founder Pavel Durov.
The Pentagon has introduced a new webpage to count US casualties in the Iran war separately since July 7, raising the official tally to 704—an 83% increase. Critics, including former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, accuse the department of obscuring the true cost of the conflict, while the Pentagon defends its approach as a reclassification.
The US Department of Defense has signed multiyear agreements with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to sharply increase production of Patriot and THAAD interceptor missiles, responding to depleted stockpiles amid conflicts with Iran and support to Ukraine. The deals, valued at over $58 billion for Lockheed and $3 billion for Northrop, aim to triple Patriot and quadruple THAAD output, though production increases are expected by 2027-2028.
The US Defense Department has signed framework agreements worth over $3 billion with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to expand production capacity for Patriot and THAAD missile interceptor components, aiming to triple and quadruple output respectively. The deals come amid concerns about strained stockpiles due to conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.
President Trump has retreated from a promise to let Ukraine manufacture Patriot air defense interceptors, citing concerns about sharing sensitive technology. Ukrainian President Zelensky had said Trump accepted the licenses, but Trump now says Washington has not agreed to the deal.
Defence Industries Minister Pat Conroy has stated the US submarine rotation at HMAS Stirling will end in 2032, but other statements and analyses suggest the US presence may be enduring. The ambiguity has sparked debate over the nature of the AUKUS arrangement.
Congressional Democrats have asked the Pentagon to explain why wounded US soldiers allegedly went without adequate care after a March drone strike in Kuwait, while reporting indicates Iranian attacks have wounded dozens in Jordan. The Pentagon has declined to comment on the letter, and officials cite operational security for not disclosing casualty details.
The United States has launched a wave of strikes against Iran, hitting dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets, including sites on Qeshm Island. Iranians in the south describe worsening conditions and anger at Washington, even as some say they would resist again. Officials report casualties and power outages, while the IRGC vows continued resistance.
The US military, alongside Saudi Arabia, conducted airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq in response to drone attacks on American forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. The strikes followed an attempted Iranian ballistic missile attack on US forces, which the US military said was intercepted. Crude oil prices rose more than four percent amid the renewed conflict.
The Trump administration has banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid and four-legged robots, as well as power inverters, citing national security and cybersecurity risks. The move targets Chinese manufacturers, which dominate the global market for these devices, and has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing.
The US military said it intercepted an Iranian missile barrage aimed at American forces in the Middle East, ending a brief pause in fighting. The attack coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's White House visit, which both sides described as positive. Amid the escalation, a senior US commander has privately warned that American naval assets are stretched too thin, raising questions about the Pentagon's ability to sustain multiple commitments.
US President Donald Trump held separate Oval Office meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, as the two leaders navigated shifting US policies on the wars in Ukraine and Iran. The meetings came amid reported tensions between Trump and Netanyahu and signs of a changing posture on Ukraine.
The Pentagon has introduced a new casualty category, 'Overseas Operations,' for personnel killed and wounded in the Iran war starting July 7, effectively splitting the conflict's casualty count. Veterans, including a retired rear admiral and a Marine Corps veteran, criticize the move as disrespectful, while the Trump administration argues the April ceasefire pauses the clock on the conflict's initial period. The change draws criticism from lawmakers Thomas Massie and Kirsten Gillibrand.
Argentine President Javier Milei has alleged that the Brazilian government, Mexico and the US Democratic Party financed an ‘anti-Argentina campaign’ during the 2026 World Cup, without providing evidence. Analysts in Argentina say the narrative serves as a distraction from his falling popularity, while supporters argue the criticism of the country is unjust.
The United States and Iran have paused hostilities for a third day, with Qatari and Pakistani mediators working to restart ceasefire talks. Reports indicate diplomatic efforts are underway, though Tehran denies direct negotiations, and the conflict's economic costs are mounting.
US President Donald Trump said he does not believe Russia is providing intelligence to Iran but will ask President Vladimir Putin about the allegations. He also expressed trust in assurances from Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping that neither country is supplying weapons to Tehran.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has launched the party's 'Fighting for an Affordable America' agenda, framing the midterm elections around the rising cost of living. In a campaign speech and a CNN appearance, he argued that Republicans have broken promises on costs and war, while touting polls that show widespread public concern over affordability.