Move from Washington quashes hopes that exchange of fire last weekend might not presage ⁠wider renewal of hostilities

• Middle East crisis live – latest updates

The US launched new airstrikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday, quashing hopes that an exchange of fire last ⁠weekend might not presage a ⁠wider renewal of hostilities.

Oil prices had ​already risen after that first exchange of direct attacks since July and after reports of two tankers being hit leaving the strait of Hormuz, the global oil supply waterway that Iran has effectively closed to shipping.

Move from Washington quashes hopes that exchange of fire last weekend might not presage ⁠wider renewal of hostilities

• Middle East crisis live – latest updates

The US launched new airstrikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday, quashing hopes that an exchange of fire last ⁠weekend might not presage a ⁠wider renewal of hostilities.

Oil prices had ​already risen after that first exchange of direct attacks since July and after reports of two tankers being hit leaving the strait of Hormuz, the global oil supply waterway that Iran has effectively closed to shipping.

Security stepped up in Pattaya before arrival of thousands of sailors and marines whose deployment was extended due to US war in Iran

Authorities in the Thai resort city of Pattaya have stepped up security as they prepare to welcome thousands of sailors and marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln who have spent more than 270 consecutive days at sea.

“About 600 officials will provide security and other necessary assistance,” the provincial governor, Narit Niramaiwong, told AFP.

Security stepped up in Pattaya before arrival of thousands of sailors and marines whose deployment was extended due to US war in Iran

Authorities in the Thai resort city of Pattaya have stepped up security as they prepare to welcome thousands of sailors and marines from the USS Abraham Lincoln who have spent more than 270 consecutive days at sea.

“About 600 officials will provide security and other necessary assistance,” the provincial governor, Narit Niramaiwong, told AFP.

Resignation comes after months of turmoil at Pentagon, from leaked investigation to ousting of senior officials

The army secretary, Dan Driscoll, has handed his resignation to Donald Trump, the White House said on Monday, becoming the latest high-profile figure to depart the defense department.

The army official, who is second in line to the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, had reportedly been eyeing an exit from the Pentagon amid apparent friction with the secretary.

Resignation comes after months of turmoil at Pentagon, from leaked investigation to ousting of senior officials

Army secretary Dan Driscoll has handed his resignation to Donald Trump, the White House said on Monday, becoming the latest high-profile figure to depart the defense department.

The army official, who is second in line to defense secretary Pete Hegseth, had reportedly been eyeing an exit from the Pentagon amid apparent friction with the secretary.

Letter from chair of joint chiefs of staff addresses concerns over Trump officials using military to interfere with vote

The highest‑ranking US military officer says there are no plans to deploy troops to polling places during the November midterm elections – responding to Senator Elissa Slotkin’s request for information amid concerns about whether the Trump administration might send service members to election sites.

In a letter obtained by the Guardian, first reported by the Associated Press, Gen Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staff, told Slotkin “the Joint Force has no plans to send Federal military personnel or Federalized members of the National Guard to polling places during the 2026 elections”. He added that there are also “no plans to use such personnel to seize ballots, voting machines, or other election‑related material”.