Overview
- President Trump, in a Monday social media post, warned the U.S. would "completely obliterate" Iran’s power plants, oil wells and Kharg Island unless a deal is reached "shortly" and the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
- Iran struck a power and desalination station in Kuwait, killing a worker and damaging the facility, according to Kuwait’s state media, a grave risk in a country that relies on desalination for most drinking water.
- A Kuwait‑flagged supertanker, Al‑Salmi, was hit off Dubai by a drone, and Dubai authorities said the fire was later contained with all 24 crew safe, though Kuwait Petroleum Corp warned of possible spill risks.
- The White House said talks with Tehran are progressing and Trump said he is engaging parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, but Iranian officials denied direct negotiations and called U.S. proposals unrealistic.
- Thousands of additional U.S. troops, including 82nd Airborne units and special forces, have deployed to the region, expanding options that include operations around Kharg Island as oil prices hold above $110 a barrel.