Iran War

We are learning more as Iran has attacked several commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz that connects the Persian Gulf to the ocean. Traffic has dropped 94% over the past month, according to the Lloyds List intelligence shipping data firm. Reports indicate that no country is planning on attempting to reopen the strait by force while the conflict there is ongoing. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall is speaking with National Security Analyst, Hal Kempfer, as there is a concern that Iran may continue to limit traffic through the strait. 

We are now hearing that President Donald Trump believes the U.S. military is close to accomplishing its goals in Iran. This comes as oil prices rise again, reportedly topping $109 per barrel. According to Fox Business, drivers on the West Coast are seeing the highest costs, with prices reaching $5.89 per gallon in California and $5.35 in Washington. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is speaking to Matt McClain from GasBuddy who has more on how the Iran conflict is impacting gas prices. 

We are getting the latest updates after President Donald Trump used his address to the nation this week to speak about potential negotiations with Iran. This comes after he previously threatened to target Iran's energy infrastructure if access to the Strait of Hormuz isn't restored. Oil prices have recently surged more than 6%, with Brent crude topping $106 per barrel. LiveNOW’s Mike Pache is speaking with economic strategist, Dan Varroney, as concerns continue to grow surrounding the broader impacts on consumer goods. 

On Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump delivered a national address on the war in Iran. In his speech, Trump spoke about what he described as his administration's accomplishments in the Middle East and said that U.S. military operations are "nearing completion." This comes as the conflict has killed Iran’s supreme leader, as well as a dozen other senior officials. LiveNOW’s Shawna Khalafi is speaking with political scientist, Dr. Benjamin Radd, who is here to help explain what could come after after Trump’s address this week. 

President Donald Trump has now signed an executive order that works to establish a nationwide list of verified eligible voters. Today, Trump also took time to answer questions about ongoing military operations in the Middle East that have been targeting Iran. Trump estimated that the US would conclude its attacks on Iran within two to three weeks. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall is speaking with David Daoud, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, as the war in Iran continues for yet another week. 

The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is now past its 30th day. This comes amidst increasing indications that the war is broadening in its military scope. Reports from this weekend show that an Iranian missile strike on a Saudi air base recently wounded at least 15 American troops and damaged several aircraft, signaling Tehran’s willingness to directly target U.S. forces. LiveNOW’s J Russell is speaking with Kori Schake, a senior fellow and the director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). 

We are learning more this weekend as a number of recent polls show President Donald Trump’s approval rating slipping in the weeks after the Iran war began. The approval rating dip comes as ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to cause fuel prices to surge in the United States. Reports indicate that Americans are feeling pain at the pump as gas prices rise. Iran continues to halt most shipments of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.