The United States and Iran exchanged blows for the first time in a month. What the media is writing

The United States and Iran exchanged blows for the first time in a month. The US military announced the defeat of installations that mined the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces sent missiles at Jordan and a drone towards the UAE. Against the background of tension, oil began to rise in price again. What the media write about the new round of conflict is in the Izvestia digest.

CNN: The US and Iran strikes marked the first major military escalation in a month.

On the night of August 31, Iran and the United States exchanged blows for the first time in more than a month, which threatens to resume a devastating conflict after several weeks of relative military lull. Iran fired missiles at US military targets in Jordan in response to a strike on Iranian missile launchers that the US claimed were trying to plant naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route that has become a focus of regional tensions and diplomatic efforts.

During the U.S. strike, two Iranian missile launchers were hit on Larak Island, where, according to U.S. Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins, Iranian forces were preparing to launch missiles with mines into the Strait of Hormuz. The military took "limited but precise actions" against "forces to plant mines that pose an immediate threat" in this critically important waterway, the central command later said.

Bloomberg: Oil continues to rise amid new strikes in the Middle East

Oil prices rose amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, when the United States and Iran exchanged blows, and one tanker was blown up by mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The price of Brent crude oil in November approached the level of $ 91 per barrel, and for WTI crude oil — to $ 86.

Nevertheless, even without a peace agreement between the two sides, according to traders tracking cargo shipments, between 6 million and 8 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day. Separately, the Iranian media reported that traffic on the route approved by Tehran is "carried out in a limited volume," and ships pay duties on it.

The Washington Post: Military leaders warn Hegset against prolonging military operations

According to sources familiar with a recent assessment prepared for Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, several American military leaders have noted that extending large-scale operations against Iran is irrational and risks weakening their ability to counter threats elsewhere, including the United States. Warnings detailed to Hegset by the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as four-star commanders (the rank corresponding to general or admiral. — Ed.), overseeing US operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America, are contained in the August 14 issue of the Book of Orders of the Minister of Defense.

According to sources, in the order dated August 14, part of the troops stationed in the Middle East should remain there until September, and part — until 2027. The prospect of a further increase in the number of these forces caused the military leaders to express their concern. According to sources familiar with the assessment of the situation, the heads of the US European Command, the US Pacific Command and the US Southern Command, as well as the chief admiral of the Navy, do not agree with the minister's order to expand their forces, but will nevertheless comply with it.

Associated Press: UAE says it intercepted an Iranian drone over its waters

The Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates reported that its air force intercepted an Iranian drone over its territorial waters. This attack occurred after a shootout between the United States and Iran and was the first significant military operation in a month. In a brief statement, the ministry said it had "taken action" against the Iranian drone. Tehran has not claimed responsibility for the shelling, and there have been no reports of damage.

The last time the US military confirmed strikes against Iran was on July 29, when it announced a "massive wave of strikes" against dozens of facilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including coastal observation and defensive structures. Trump announced on August 1 that he had ordered the military to refrain from new strikes at the insistence of its Gulf allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

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The New York Times: Why the US can't stop its wars

For most of the war in Afghanistan, the only thing more difficult for the United States than victory was to refuse to participate in it. August 30 marked five years since the longest war in the country's history ended in chaos and defeat. Hundreds of thousands of Afghans, desperately trying to escape from the Taliban militants, flooded the Kabul airport. Since then, the fears that prevented the three presidents from withdrawing from the war have proved unfounded. Afghanistan has not become a haven for terrorists or a springboard for attacks on the United States.

The long war in Afghanistan raises difficult questions for generals and politicians considering further action in Iran: why was leaving Afghanistan such a difficult decision? What does the long struggle to admit defeat say about the Trump administration's predicament in Iran? The presidents and the Pentagon were motivated to keep fighting because of concerns about the country's reputation, a sense of duty to trusted allies, and a sense that defeat would disgrace the sacrifices made by dead and wounded soldiers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed in early 2026 that the war in Iran would not be like the protracted wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.