World

The United States and Israel are stepping up attacks on Iranian targets but the regime is still fighting back. This comes as the State Department works with Americans stuck in the region to get out of harm's way. 

Escalating conflict in the Middle East is creating a travel nightmare for thousands of people stuck abroad. The State Department said on Wednesday that a charter flight of American Citizens left the Middle East for the U.S., and additional flights are expected.  

Iran has launched new waves of counterattacks against Israel and U.S. military bases as strikes against Iranian targets are expanding. Meanwhile, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are debating the president’s authority to wage war in Iran. FOX’s Doug Luzader reports from Washington.

The United States and Israel are stepping up attacks on regime targets in the Middle East; meanwhile, Iran vows to cause "the complete destruction of the region's military and economic infrastructure." Their airstrikes are targeting American bases and oil facilities in neighboring countries, but the Pentagon says things are about to get a lot worse for Iran.

In a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, Sec. Pete Hegseth criticized the news media, saying it misses that "We've taken control of Iran's airspace and waterways without boots on the ground ... But when a few drones get through, or tragic things happen, it's front page news. I get it. The press only wants to make the president look bad, but try for once to report the reality."

Sec. Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine shared an update on the United States' progress in the war in Iran and the Middle East. This comes four days after strikes on Iran. 

Four days into the war in the Middle East, the United States says it has hit 2,000 targets and has effectively neutralized Iran's naval presence. "For the first time since 1945, a United States Navy fast attack submarine has sunk an enemy combatant ship," Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said on Wednesday.

Sec. Pete Hegseth on Wednesday provided an update on operations in Iran four days in. "We have only just begun to fight," Hegseth said.

Sec. Pete Hegseth provided an update on the war in the Middle East, noting "Only the United States of America could lead this. Only us. But when you add the Israeli Defense Forces, a devastatingly capable force, the combination is sheer destruction for our radical Islamist Iranian adversaries. They are toast and they know it."

While speaking with reporters, Trump claimed that had they not carried out Operation Midnight Hammer in June, Iran would have had a “very powerful nuclear weapon” within one month. 

Oil prices remain high as the conflict in the Middle East continues. Crude prices jumped more than 6%, which likely means prices will be going up at the pumps.

The war in the Middle East continued to intensify overnight. Tuesday began with an Iranian strike on the United States embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two drone attacks reportedly caused limited fire and minor damage.