Shafaq News- Tehran

Three oil tankers exploded and caught fire in theStrait of Hormuz on Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said,warning that vessels using “unauthorized routes” risk striking naval mines.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC Navysaid the tankers had entered restricted routes with their navigation andidentification systems switched off, accusing the US military of facilitatingtheir passage. The explosions sparked intense fires, sending thick smoke acrossthe waterway.

Speaking to reporters, IRGC spokesperson BrigadierGeneral Hossein Mohebbi said the strait remained under the Navy’s full controland that shipping operators had repeatedly been notified of Iranian navigationrules, cautioning that violations could expose vessels to floating mines.

Iranian authorities have not identified the tankers,disclosed their nationalities, or reported casualties.

On Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) noted thatit had disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after its crewrepeatedly attempted to breach the US naval blockade on Iran. Since July, USforces have redirected 147 commercial vessels that complied with blockadeinstructions, disabled five merchant ships that refused, and destroyed 10Iranian oil tankers allegedly linked to the IRGC’s oil trading network, accordingto CENTCOM.

Shafaq News- Riyadh/ Sanaa

Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed five missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi (Ansarallah) group toward Riyadh and the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition fighting in Yemen, said Sunday.

التحالف: الدفاع الجوي اعترض ودمر صاروخ باليستي أطلقته الميليشيا الحوثية الإرهابية باتجاه المنطقة الشرقية. https://t.co/PCRfjFmF2F

— المتحدث الرسمي باسم قوات التحالف (@CJFCSpox) November 8, 2026

التحالف: الدفاع الجوي اعترض ودمر صاروخين باليستيين أطلقتهما الميليشيا الحوثية الإرهابية باتجاه الرياض. https://t.co/ssHlmSisv2

— المتحدث الرسمي باسم قوات التحالف (@CJFCSpox) November 8, 2026

Earlier in the day, Saudi Civil Defense issued warnings for Al-Ahsa and Abqaiq over a potential threat, although no incident was subsequently reported.

The Houthis have yet to comment on the Saudi claims.

On Saturday, the group carried out six operations inside Saudi Arabia involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. Its spokesperson, Yahya Saree, described the attacks as retaliation for strikes on Bani Hashish and a November 6 attack on Al-Hadara market in Taiz’s Al-Waziiyah district, while vowing further operations against the Kingdom.

Fighting between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi Arabia, has intensified in 2026 after years of relatively stable front lines following a 2022 truce. The escalation displaced more than 308,000 people across 10 Yemeni provinces between August 1 and November 4, 2026, according to the United Nations.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that the conflict has also cut off life-saving assistance to 800,000 people. The agency requires $268 million to sustain emergency food assistance, nutrition programs, school meals, resilience projects, and humanitarian logistics through 2027.

Shafaq News- Washington

US forces disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday afterits crew repeatedly attempted to breach the naval blockade imposed on Iran, USCentral Command (CENTCOM) said.

The strike disabled the cargo ship after US forces instructed its crew tomove away from the targeted areas. According to CENTCOM, the vessel hadattempted to leave territorial waters after visiting an Iranian port.

CENTCOM forces disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman, Nov. 7, after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to violate the naval blockade against Iran multiple times. A U.S. military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of St. Kitts-flagged M/V Huda, disabling the ship after CENTCOM forces directed the crew to abandon targeted spaces. The cargo vessel tried to depart regional waters after visiting an Iranian port.Read the full release online: https://t.co/5wW1LqN1oW

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 7, 2026

Separately, IRNA reported explosions in Jask, while a correspondent forIran's state broadcaster, IRIB, reported similar sounds there and in Qeshm,Sirik, and Bandar Abbas. The broadcaster said it was not yet known whether thesounds resulted from an attack or shots fired at vessels that had failed tocomply with orders in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IslamicRevolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said two oil tankers had struck mines andcaught fire after allegedly attempting to use unauthorized routes with theirnavigation and tracking systems switched off.

Shafaq News- Tampa

US Central Command (CENTCOM) set up a task force on Saturday to disrupt the movement of advanced weapons, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea.

Task Force Iron Gate, a team of about 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida, will coordinate with other US government agencies. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said it builds on the naval blockade and will further limit Tehran’s ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and replenish its military.

According to CENTCOM, the blockade, which Washington resumed on July 14, has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil in recent months.

https://t.co/xUcO520Enu

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 7, 2026

Earlier on Saturday, CENTCOM said the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $20 million and possible relocation for information on Iran’s nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as members of the scientific community, or the movement of any of them.

Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community, or the movement of any of the above. Submit a tip: https://t.co/A8uRQJSosj

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 7, 2026

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran shot down more than 260 "enemy" aircraft during its 40-day war with the United States and Israel, including advanced fighter jets and drones, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Hossein Moheb said on Saturday, describing the figure as a major achievement for the country's air defense forces.

At a press conference, Moheb listed F-35, F-16, F-8, and F-5 fighter jets among the aircraft, along with drones and other advanced models. He added that the IRGC's tally exceeded that of Iran's regular army.

Moheb also claimed that Iranian forces had downed seven MQM-170 reconnaissance drones and recovered them intact over the past one to two weeks.

On Iran's defense industry, Moheb credited the expansion of domestic weapons production and aerospace development with transforming the country's military capabilities, turning Iran from an arms importer into a producer and exporter of advanced weapons.

IRGC spokesman says Iran has built numerous underground missile cities and facilities by leveraging indigenous expertise and the country's vast geography.Brigadier General Mohebbi: 🔹 The IRGC Aerospace Force managed to shoot down 260 enemy aircraft during the conflict. https://t.co/noeHHyeOke

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) November 7, 2026

Citing the replication of Iran's Shahed-136 drone by other countries as evidence of progress in the domestic defense industry, he said Iran's increasingly sophisticated weapons depended on local expertise and production rather than foreign purchases or overseas advisers.

"We will not allow the enemy to stop us from producing weapons, even for a moment," Moheb added, pointing to Iran's development of underground facilities for weapons production and storage.

He also outlined efforts to reduce the radar signatures of missiles and drones and equip them with advanced stealth technology, saying these features enabled the weapons to penetrate multiple layers of modern air defense systems and strike their targets accurately.

"Continued precision strikes against enemy military positions, bases and critical infrastructure have demonstrated the failure of the adversaries' calculations," he concluded.

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the US military had carried out another round of "minor" strikes on Iran, targeting an air defense system in the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that Washington controls the waterway.

Iranian state media reported hearing two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments that has been disrupted since the US war on Iran began in February.

Speaking to reporters after delivering a speech at a NASA facility in Florida, Trump described the target as a newly built Iranian anti-aircraft system, claiming US forces had destroyed it "in about 15 minutes, maybe five."

On Monday, the US military announced carrying out "defensive" strikes after explosions were heard on Qeshm and Hengam islands, as well as in the nearby mainland area of Bandar Abbas.

Today’s strikes came days after Trump's Republican Party suffered significant losses in the US midterm elections. Trump attributed some of the setbacks to Iran war, suggesting that voters "were probably not willing for the short-term consequence of the price of gasoline."

Meanwhile, US Central Command said the Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $20 million for information about Iran's nuclear program.

Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community, or the movement of any of the above.Submit a tip: https://t.co/A8uRQJSosj

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 7, 2026

The information could include details about facilities, equipment and associated personnel, including members of the scientific community, as well as their movements, according to a post on X.

Shafaq News- Washington

The US Treasury Department on Friday announced sanctionsagainst eight Canadian money services businesses accused of helping Iran evadeUS restrictions through cryptocurrency transactions and international moneytransfers.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) saidthe companies facilitated exchanges of Iranian rials and other currencies intodigital assets, with several conducting transactions involving sanctionedIranian cryptocurrency exchanges and digital asset addresses linked to theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The sanctions targeted Million Exchange, two companiesoperating as Amin Exchange, NIA Nations Currency, Farah Exchange, CCC Inc, BGalaxy Inc —which operates as Cryptoyal— and Darvish Exchange.

The Treasury also accused several of the businesses oflaundering drug proceeds linked to Canadian former Olympic snowboarder RyanWedding, who was taken into US custody in January 2026. The measures werecoordinated with US and Canadian financial intelligence authorities and theDrug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Under the sanctions, the companies’ assets subject to USjurisdiction are frozen, and US persons are generally prohibited fromconducting transactions with them.

On October 21, the Treasury Department sanctioned fiveindividuals and four companies and identified nine vessels as blocked property.

Shafaq News- Dublin

A wave of bomb threats across Europe disrupted passenger flights, forced newsroom evacuations, and interrupted broadcasts on Friday.

Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ evacuated its Donnybrook campus in Dublin after receiving an email warning that a bomb would go off within 45 minutes. The broadcaster resumed radio news from a mobile studio while police searched the campus. Staff at the Irish Independent and at the offices housing Newstalk and Today FM also evacuated, The Journal reported.

The station’s staff returned after being told the threat was a hoax, according to Newstalk presenter Claire Byrne.

In Bulgaria, Nova TV said it received an emailed bomb threat, while British broadcaster Sky confirmed it had also received a security threat.

Nine flights to or from Prague Airport received bomb threats, airport spokesperson Denisa Hejtmankova said. A Rome-bound Wizz Air flight from Prague diverted to Venice after a bomb threat, and police found no explosives.

All the aircraft targeted by four bomb threats over France landed safely, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s office reported.

Meanwhile, Hungarian fighters escorted a Brussels-to-Sofia flight after a bomb threat, Hungary’s Defense Ministry said. NATO issued alerts for that flight and two others from Prague to Bucharest and Cyprus, the ministry said, adding that the alliance ordered air patrols near Hungary’s borders with Serbia and Romania.

Another threat targeted a Ryanair flight from Lisbon to Rome while the aircraft assigned to the service was still approaching Lisbon from Rome, according to Portuguese police. Officers searched the plane after it landed and found no explosives.

The threats against newsrooms and flights appeared to be part of a coordinated campaign, Ireland’s government stated.

Government Statement on bomb threats to Irish media this morning https://t.co/NVeGVgaYKK

— Government of Ireland (@GovIE) November 6, 2026

Shafaq News- Tehran

Two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval minesin the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC) reported, a day after similar incidents involving other vessels in thewaterway.

One tanker struck a mine in the eastern strait, whilethe other was hit along an “unauthorized route,” leaving both vesselsimmobilized, according to the IRGC’s statement, which said the tankers haddisabled their navigation and identification systems and were attempting toleave the strait with US military support.

The IRGC reported on Thursday that two oil tankers anda tugboat had caught fire after one tanker struck a mine in the southern straitand another caught fire farther east, with flames spreading to a tugboat thatapproached to assist. Iran’s Navy separately said a tanker had struck a mineand caught fire in the eastern strait after entering an “unsafe area,” althoughit remains unclear whether the announcement referred to one of the vesselspreviously reported by the IRGC.

Iranian authorities have not identified the vessels,disclosed their nationalities, or reported any casualties.

Shafaq News- Tehran

An oil tanker caught fire after striking a naval minein the eastern Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, Iran’s Navy said, hours after theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported similar incidents involvingtwo tankers and a tugboat.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the Navy saidthe tanker had entered an “unsafe area” before hitting the mine and becomingimmobilized. It also claimed the vessel had disabled its identification andnavigation systems, as had other tankers reportedly struck by mines in recentdays.

Two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire overnight, accordingto the IRGC, which said one tanker struck a mine along an “unauthorized route”in the southern strait, while another caught fire farther east, with flamesspreading to a tugboat that approached the second tanker to assist withfirefighting.

Neither the Navy nor the IRGC identified the vessels,disclosed their nationalities, or reported casualties. It remains unclearwhether the Navy’s announcement refers to a separate incident or one of thetankers previously reported by the IRGC.

Shafaq News- Washington

The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that it had delivered more than 25,000 unmanned and counter-drone systems to US forces in the Middle East during 2026, part of an effort to strengthen military capabilities while reducing costs.

In a statement, the Pentagon said the deliveries included more than 1,300 one-way attack drones, over 100 unmanned maritime systems and more than 24,000 counter-drone systems for US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The department said it would continue delivering combat and defensive unmanned systems to the region, aiming to accelerate the deployment of modern military technology and provide more affordable capabilities.

The announcement follows heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Israeli media reporting unusual movements involving a specialized US reconnaissance aircraft.

Israel's Channel 12 reported on Wednesday that an RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft had crossed the Atlantic toward Europe, raising questions about a possible US military buildup ahead of renewed confrontation with Iran.

According to the report, the aircraft departed from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on Tuesday and stopped at Pease Air Base in New Hampshire before continuing eastward on Wednesday.

The RC-135U is used to collect advanced electronic intelligence, particularly to identify and analyze military radar systems. The US Air Force operates only two aircraft of this type.

The aircraft's final destination remained unclear, although one possibility was a US military base in Europe, according to Channel 12.

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he expectedto reach an agreement with Democrats, while defending his handling of the warwith Iran and insisting that Tehran must not be allowed to acquire nuclearweapons.

Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated that Democrats hadapproached him and expressed confidence that a deal could be reached.

"We have done a great job on Iran, and the Strait ofHormuz is open," Trump said, adding that he would not have acteddifferently in his approach to Iran because US forces had destroyed itsmilitary capabilities.

He acknowledged that the war could affect the outcome of themidterm elections but maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclearweapons remained a priority.

Trump also noted that he had anticipated a much biggerincrease in oil prices as a result of the conflict, adding that he would makethe same decision again if given the opportunity.

The conflict, he acknowledged, had caused a slight short-termincrease in gasoline prices. However, he insisted that Washington had no choicebut to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Trump further asserted that he had veto power over measureshe opposed, adding that an agreement with Democrats was possible unless theychose to be "destructive."

Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called foran end to the war with Iran as soon as possible, criticizing what he describedas Trump's inconsistent approach to the conflict.

At a news conference, Schumer accused Trump of failing toexplain the war's objectives to the American public and repeatedly changing hisposition.

"His positions change from one day to the next, andfrom one minute to the next," Schumer said. "This war must end. Itmust end."

Separately, a White House post on Wednesday remindingAmericans that Trump was still their president sparked widespread mockery onsocial media.

Published on X, the post read: "Trump is still yourpresident."

It featured a photograph of Trump in the Oval Office,showing him with a stern expression, furrowed eyebrows, and clenched fists. Thousands of sarcastic comments appeared in response withinless than two hours of publication. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. https://t.co/Q1ZGYM7idV

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 4, 2026

Shafaq News-Washington

The US Treasury onWednesday added secondary sanctions warnings to the existing sanctions listingsof two Baghdad-based banks and several Iraqi individuals, according to theOffice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

The banks are theInternational Development Bank for Investment and Finance (IDB) and the IslamicRegional Cooperation Bank, both in Baghdad. The IDB was designated on Oct. 15for allegedly giving Iran access to US dollars, and Iraq's central bank laterbarred it from all dollar transactions.

Updated individuallistings include Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, born in Maysan province in 1966 andresiding in Baghdad and Amarah, who is linked to Salim Ahmed Said. They alsoinclude brothers Abdulhasan and Majid Ali Akbar Namdar Al-Mandalawi, both basedin Dubai and linked to Shams and Bahr Trading Company, along with Waleed KhaledHameed Al-Samarra'i and Thamoud Mohammed Muhsin Al-Azzawi.

The warning was alsoadded to two companies in Said's network: VS Oil Terminal, which lists anaddress at Khor Al-Zubair port in Basra, and VS Tankers, also known as AlIraqia Shipping Services.

Shafaq News

Israel's Central Elections Committee has certified the results of theOctober 27 general election and submitted them to President Isaac Herzog, whoon Wednesday began two days of consultations with party leaders before choosinga candidate to try to form a government.

Neither camp won the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seatKnesset. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats and former armychief Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc 48, while the Arab-led Joint List andRa'am secured a record 19 between them.

Likud remained the largest party with 27 seats, followed by Eisenkot'sYashar with 21 and the Together alliance of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid with12. The Joint List won 11 seats, the Democrats and Ra'am eight each, andYisrael Beytenu, Jewish Power and United Torah Judaism seven each. Shas andReligious Zionism took six each.

No other list passed the 3.25% threshold. Turnout was 77.9%, with about5.7 million valid votes cast.

Herzog urged both camps to accept that "not every commitment andpromise can be fulfilled" and to avoid a new election. Once consultationsend, he will give his chosen candidate 28 days to form a government, with apossible 14-day extension. After the last election, in November 2022, Netanyahutook 58 days to build a coalition.

Israel held five elections between 2019 and 2022 because of repeateddeadlocks.

Netanyahu and his allies have repeatedly alleged that the Arab-ledparties "stole" the election, possibly with foreign help. Support forArab lists surged among Israel's Arab minority, descendants of Palestinians whostayed in Israel after its creation in 1948, many of whom have been angered bythe rhetoric and actions of Netanyahu's far-right government.

The committee found no evidence of fraud in certifying the results. Butit said the Shin Bet internal security agency opened an investigation at thedirection of the committee's chair, Judge Noam Sohlberg, after its headpresented him with classified information. Netanyahu and opposition leaderswere briefed on the main points.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Fighters of theIran-aligned Axis of Resistance have declared their "absoluteloyalty" to the "unity of arenas,"* Quds Force commander Brig.Gen. Esmail Qaani said on Wednesday, following Supreme Leader MojtabaKhamenei's call to confront Iran's enemies without geographic limits.

In a message earlieron Wednesday marking Iran's National Day of Struggle Against Global Arrogance,Khamenei said Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz and its destruction of USmilitary bases in the region amounted to "an initial jihad againstarrogance on a regional scale," which "will take on much broaderdimensions" in the event of renewed attacks.

This show ofstrength, "alongside the unity of the front of truth" and what hecalled the achievements of the resistance front from Palestine and Lebanon toIraq and Yemen, marked "a bright and hope-inspiring beginning" toward"a new world order," Khamenei said.

* The "unity ofarenas" (unity of fronts) refers to the strategy of coordinating pressureby Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and the Palestinian territoriesagainst Israel and the United States.

Read more: Khamenei warns of broader response if US strikes again

Shafaq News- Washington

Two doctors of Arab descent, Abdul El-Sayed and Adam Hamawy, won seats in the 2026 US midterm elections on Wednesday, representing Michigan and New Jersey, respectively.

Preliminary results showed Democrats winning 228 seats in the House of Representatives, compared with 139 for Republicans. In the Senate, Democrats secured 54 seats, while Republicans won 44, with vote counting still underway in several House districts.

Abdul El-Sayed

El-Sayed, 42, is a physician and epidemiologist who previously headed the Wayne County Department of Health in Michigan. He first ran for statewide office in 2018, finishing second in the Democratic primary for governor with more than 340,000 votes. He launched his Senate campaign in April 2025 and secured the party's nomination in August 2026, defeating US Representative Haley Stevens.

His campaign prioritized lowering living costs, expanding access to healthcare, and curbing corporate influence in politics. He faced repeated criticism from US President Donald Trump and other Republicans over his Muslim background, alongside allegations of ties to extremism and the Muslim Brotherhood, which he denied.

El-Sayed accused his opponents of using his faith to divide voters rather than address issues such as the cost of living and access to healthcare.

Adam Hamawy

Born in Cairo, Hamawy, 57, moved to the United States with his family when he was seven months old and grew up in New Jersey. He earned his medical degree and an MBA from Rutgers University before joining the US Army as a physician and surgeon. During eight years of military service, including a deployment in Baghdad during the Iraq War, he helped save the life of then-US Senator Tammy Duckworth after her helicopter was shot down in 2004. He retired in 2011 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

After leaving the military, Hamawy opened a private plastic surgery practice in Princeton in 2013 while continuing his humanitarian work through volunteer missions in conflict and disaster zones across several countries. His medical missions included trips to Gaza in 2024 and 2025, where he treated people wounded in the war.

A Democrat, he campaigned on improving healthcare and education, opposing US military involvement abroad and redirecting public spending toward domestic needs.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Four oil tankers struck naval mines and exploded while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorized route, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Wednesday.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC reported that fires continued to burn aboard all four tankers, while two other vessels had been seized during the incident. It did not disclose the tankers’ nationalities or the extent of the damage.

IRGC: Four oil tankers destroyed after hitting mines while attempting to cross unauthorized Hormuz route https://t.co/cWvfXtRNsc

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) November 4, 2026

Separately, the IRGC claimed to have intercepted and shot down a US MQ-9 drone east of Hormuz, marking the 56th such aircraft it has reported destroying.

The Force attributed the interception to an “advanced air defense system” operated by its Aerospace Force as part of Iran’s integrated national air defense network.

The US military has not commented on the claim.

Shafaq News- Washington

Democrats secured majorities in both chambers of the US Congress, preliminary election results showed on Wednesday, dealing a setback to US President Donald Trump.

According to the initial results, Democrats won 228 seats in the House of Representatives, compared with 139 for Republicans. The outcome marks a major shift from the previous balance of power, when Republicans held 218 seats to the Democrats' 214.

In the Senate, Democrats secured 51 seats, compared with 39 for Republicans. Before the election, Republicans held 53 seats, while Democrats had 45, with two independents caucusing with the Democratic Party.

In response to the Republican losses, Trump indicated that he would take on the role of a political analyst to examine the reasons behind the defeat. In an interview with The New York Times, he expressed his willingness to accept the midterm election results.

“We'll work with the Democrats, and we'll, you know, look forward to working with them. We'll probably work something out,” Trump was quoted as saying.

However, he warned that “Democrats will send things that are insane and I will veto them,” attributing some of the Republican losses to Iran. Voters “were probably not willing for the short-term consequence of the price of gasoline,” he added.

Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, said his party would now control both chambers of Congress, giving it the power to hold Trump accountable.

Democrats will now control the House and Senate and be able to hold Trump accountable. That's great.At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, we must do more. We must aggressively fight for working families.No more excuses.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 4, 2026

“That's great,” Sanders wrote on X, adding that “at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, we must do more. We must aggressively fight for working families.”

Americans voted on Tuesday in midterm elections widely viewed as a referendum on Trump's second term, with voters weighing high prices and the prolonged war with Iran as they determined control of Congress.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 of the Senate's 100 seats, and 36 governorships were up for election.

Read more: Americans vote in midterms seen as verdict on Trump

Shafaq News- Middle East

US Air Force refueling aircraft were among the most closely tracked flights over the Middle East on Tuesday, according to flight-tracking platform Flightradar24, while an Israeli municipality confirmed that it had opened public shelters amid fears of renewed conflict with Iran and Hezbollah.

The platform said users were also closely monitoring other aircraft operating in the region, particularly flights arriving in and departing from Riyadh.

Meanwhile, the northern Israeli city of Karmiel said on Tuesday that its public shelters had been open for about two weeks on Mayor Moshe Koninsky's orders, as a precaution against possible renewed fighting with Iran and escalating tensions along the Lebanese border.

According to Israeli media, the municipality confirmed that the shelters were ready for use if needed, despite no new instructions from Israel's Home Front Command.

Sky News Arabia also reported preparations at major Israeli hospitals, including the clearing of parking areas for conversion into emergency departments.

The developments come after US forces carried out a limited strike against an Iranian air-defense facility, which President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday.

Trump had suggested in recent weeks that broader military operations against Iran could resume after the November 3 US congressional midterm elections, although he indicated on Monday that he might reconsider that course.

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end around $4 billion in annual US financial assistance to Israel by the end of 2026.

Speaking on Fox News' Fox & Friends, Trump said the agreement had been reached months earlier as Israel no longer needed the funding. Washington will continue helping Israel if necessary and Israel could still purchase American weapons, he added.

Trump said the payments had become a target of criticism from Democrats and left-wing politicians. However, he did not specify which funding programs would be affected or how the agreement would be implemented.

Netanyahu's office did not immediately comment on the announcement.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2016, the United States pledged $38 billion in military assistance to Israel through fiscal year 2028, including $3.3 billion annually in military financing and $500 million for missile defense. According to the Congressional Research Service, the agreement is not legally binding, and funding remains subject to congressional approval.

In a May interview with CBS' 60 Minutes, Netanyahu said he wanted to phase out US financial support for Israel's military over ten years, beginning immediately, claiming that he had already raised the proposal with Trump.

Separately, Trump said US forces had heavily struck an Iranian air-defense facility the previous night, describing the operation as a limited strike rather than a return to war. The facility had taken nearly two months to build and American forces waited until construction was completed before attacking it.

Shafaq News- Washington

Americans began voting on Tuesday in midtermelections widely seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term,with voters weighing high prices and a prolonged war with Iran as they decidecontrol of Congress.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives,35 of the Senate's 100 seats and 36 governorships are on the ballot. About 50million Americans had already cast ballots in early voting before polls opened.

The first polling stations opened at 5:00 a.m.Eastern Time (1000 GMT) in Vermont. Most states close between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00p.m. Eastern Time, while Alaska, the last to close, will keep its polls openuntil 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday (06:00 GMT).

Democrats Eye The House

Democrats need a net gain of three seats to winthe House and four to take the Senate. Most polls show them on course tocapture the House, but the Senate is a tougher climb, as many of the mostcompetitive races are in traditionally Republican states, according to theAssociated Press. Democrats led Republicans by about nine percentage points inthe RealClearPolitics average of national generic-ballot surveys heading intoElection Day.

Key Senate contests include Michigan, Texas,Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas and Alaska, where Democrat MaryPeltola is challenging Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Closely watched Senatecontests include Michigan, Texas, Iowa, North Carolina, Kansas, South Carolinaand Alaska, among others.

Republicans have sought to defy the historicalpattern in which the president's party loses seats in midterms. Over the pastyear and a half, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee redrewtheir congressional maps to favor Republicans. California redrew its map infavor of Democrats, but not enough to offset the Republican gains.

Iran and Prices

The campaign has been dominated by the risingcost of living, including gas and grocery prices, alongside Trump's tariffs andthe war with Iran, now in its ninth month. On the eve of the vote, Trumpdescribed the conflict as a "soft war" and insisted the United States"holds the cards," Fox News reported.

Trump has also continued to make false claims ofwidespread voter fraud, including that noncitizens are voting in large numbers,according to AP. A Democratic win in either chamber would give the party thepower to block Trump's legislative agenda and launch investigations into hisadministration during his final two years in office.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran has delivered a "strong and rational response" to Washington, and the ball is now in the United States' court to prevent war, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday.

Addressing parliament, Ghalibaf warned that Iran's military response to "any enemy miscalculation would be unpredictable" and extend beyond geographical boundaries, citing a strategy set by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. He added that Iranian forces were at their highest level of defensive readiness and that any further US strategic mistake would expose Washington to a new battlefield.

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran and Washington remained far from an agreement to end the war, despite intensified mediation. The official said Qatari mediators had traveled to Tehran on Nov. 2 to discuss a draft agreement, but Iran would not accept Washington's "excessive demands." Tehran's conditions must be met before the Strait of Hormuz could reopen, with nuclear negotiations to follow, the official added.

US officials said American forces carried out limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz overnight, describing them as defensive measures against Iranian surface-to-air missile systems that threatened US assets. Iranian media confirmed several explosions on the island, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have shot down a US MQ-9 drone and captured two MQM-170 drones in separate operations near the strait.

US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of attacking Iran's suspected nuclear site at Pickaxe Mountain in an interview with Fox News, arguing that Tehran was in a weak negotiating position. He said an agreement remained possible but did not rule out renewed military action if negotiations failed.

Iranian state television on Tuesday broadcast guidance on how to respond to a nuclear explosion, advising citizens to take precautions against blast waves and radioactive contamination and remain in safe locations for at least 24 hours.

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington couldlaunch further strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, suggesting American forcescould carry out another operation within an hour.

Speaking on Fox News’ Hannity on Monday, Trumpreferred to Operation Midnight Hammer, the 2025 US strikes on Iranian nuclearfacilities, before raising the possibility of renewed action. “Now we mighthave to go after Pickaxe, but that’s not a big deal,” he said, referring toIran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. “We can do it. And literally we can dothat in one hour.”

Trump defended the earlier operation, accusing Tehranof pursuing nuclear weapons and supporting “terrorism.” Citing the late Iraniancommander Qassem Soleimani and alleged Iranian involvement in attacks onAmerican personnel, he said, “We cannot let them have a nuclear weapon.”

He also downplayed the conflict, arguing that Iran was“not [in] a good negotiating position.” “This isn’t a war. This is a very softwar. We did have a big hit on them, and we hit them very hard.”

Read more: Qatar intensifies mediation over US-Iran agreement

Earlier on Monday, the US carried out limited strikeson Iran’s Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, according to The New YorkTimes and The Wall Street Journal. US officials described the strikes asdefensive measures against Iranian threats to American aircraft, while theJournal reported that other recent operations aimed to prevent attacks oncommercial shipping without signaling a broader military campaign.

Iranian media reported several explosions on QeshmIsland, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have shotdown an advanced US drone and seized two others in separate operations near theStrait of Hormuz.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has granted the government certain powers to pursue solutions through dialogue, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday.

Pezeshkian told reporters war would benefit no one and that Iran's adversaries could not force the country to surrender through military action. Tehran will also firmly resist the "enemy's lies and excessive demands" while seeking to resolve disputes through dialogue.

Separately, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz were "clear" and that accepting them would allow maritime traffic to resume and negotiations to restart. Consultations through Qatari and Pakistani mediators remained intensive, he added, and Tehran was more prepared than ever for both a military response and diplomacy.

In an interview with Al Jazeera over the weekend, Araghchi outlined a revised two-day proposal under which Washington would take the required measures on the first day, allowing Iran to reopen Hormuz on the second. Tehran's demands include ending the US blockade of Iranian ports, lifting sanctions imposed after the June 17 Islamabad memorandum, restoring oil waivers, and reducing US military forces in the region. However, the latest mediated discussions had produced no agreement by Monday, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry.

On October 31, Khamenei directed Iran's armed forces to respond to threats at any level without geographical restrictions, describing combat readiness as essential to deterrence. The diplomatic efforts precede Tuesday's US midterm elections. Axios reported, citing Israeli and US sources, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was pressing President Donald Trump to resume strikes on Iran immediately after the vote, while Trump preferred to give negotiations more time.

Shafaq News- London/ Riyadh

A vessel sailing through the Arabian Gulf was struck by two unidentified projectiles off the coast of Saudi Arabia, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Monday.

The incident occurred 72 nautical miles east of Ras Al Khafji as the vessel was heading southeast. All crew members were confirmed safe, and no environmental impact was reported.

UKMTO WARNING 192-26Click here to view the full warning⤵️https://t.co/ajUF17Fa2w#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec https://t.co/lv9hNEFBn6

— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) November 2, 2026

UKMTO did not identify the vessel or provide details about its flag or ownership.

No party has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted following the US-Israeli war on Iran. UKMTO data showed that 101 vessels transited the waterway between October 22 and 24, compared with an average of about 138 vessels per day in 2025.