Iran-US war latest: Trump labels strikes a ‘love tap’ in bizarre rant after new wave of bombings

The USS Abraham Lincoln has docked after nearly nine months at sea, allowing sailors to finally hit the town in Pattaya, known as Thailand’s “Sin City.”

These roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines have been on the aircraft carrier since it left its home port of San Diego on November 21. While the ship briefly docked in Guam and Oman, American service members have spent virtually all of their time on the ship, reportedly facing food shortages and mental health challenges as their deployment dragged out amid the ongoing Iran war.

A trip to Pattaya will be a much-needed reprieve for sailors, where they can enjoy the seaside resort’s beaches and nightlife.

“He’s so excited to get on land, he’s never been outside of the United States before. He wants to eat pizza or McDonald’s. I’m so happy for him,” the mother of one of the sailors on the USS Lincoln told MS NOW.

Pattaya has been rebranded as a more family-friendly destination in recent years following a history of sex tourism. The USS Lincoln’s commanding officer warned service members against engaging in prostitution, a person familiar with the matter told MS NOW.

Prostitution is technically illegal in Thailand, but the law is rarely enforced. Paying for sex is also a punishable offense in the U.S. armed forces.

During the Vietnam War, American service members flocked to Pattaya, once a quiet fishing village, “and it turned into a raunchy seaside playground,” Elizabeth Becker wrote in “Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism,” according to the Associated Press.

Iran’s currency has dropped to a record low of more than 2.2 million rials per U.S. dollar, two websites tracking the free market rate showed on Wednesday, amid renewed military strikes.

The rial has dropped about 10 per cent in the past week. The troubled currency has lost about half of its value in a year of tightening U.S. sanctions and U.S. and Israeli attacks that began in February.

Donald Trump has hit out at reports of weakening US military power with a lengthy social media post.

He wrote in a post on Truth Social: “For the treasonous SCUM that refuses to accurately report on our Military Operation in Iran, we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any other War (which is highly unlikely!), that could improbably take place.

“In addition, we are producing Munitions at levels never seen before. We are stockpiling and preparing for any contingency that could happen. We are taking them for ourselves, the U.S.A., rather than selling them to others, but the sales to Allies will soon again, begin. Also, please let it be known, that the Biden Administration gave far more Munitions away to Ukraine, at no cost to them, whatsoever, than we have used in Iran.

“Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — If they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

Russia has been helping Iran to develop supersonic cruise missiles in secret for years, including through the US-Iran war, according to a report.

Moscow has enlisted some of its most experienced specialists to help Iran to develop a new class of missile capable of threatening US aircraft carriers and warships stationed in the Middle East, according to an investigation by the Financial Times.

The programme’s central objective was to help Iran to develop a special ‘ramjet’ propulsion system that would allow its cruise missiles to fly at several times the speed of sound, the report said.

Fabian Hinz, an expert on Iranian missiles, framed the programme as a major transfer of sensitive technology from Moscow that Tehran had been after for decades and would require authorisation “from the very top”.

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks reelection, his main concern these days isn’t his political rivals. It’s some of his biggest supporters.

A series of small, pro-Netanyahu parties are competing in the run-up to the Oct. 27 vote. But instead of strengthening the Israeli leader, these parties — including hard-line blocs led by polarizing Cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich — risk weakening his chances for reelection by splitting the vote among Netanyahu’s base.

The election is largely a referendum on Netanyahu’s nearly uninterrupted 17-year rule and his handling of a turbulent period marked by mass protests, Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and nearly three years of war. A victory would mark a stirring comeback for the embattled leader, while a loss would likely end the reign of a man who has shaped Israeli politics for three decades.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed” by reports of civilian casualties, including the reported strike on a wedding ceremony in Iran.

His spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said he called for an immediate cessation of military action.

“The Secretary-General condemns all attacks against civilians. He recalls that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution,” Dujarric said.

Tehran accused Washington of hitting a wedding in Sirik, killing five people and wounding dozens.

Iran has warned the US that it would respond forcefully to an Israeli offensive on a mountainous ridge in southern Lebanon where Iranian military personnel are holed up alongside Hezbollah fighters, three officials briefed on the message told Reuters.

The message, delivered last month, highlights Iran’s continued direct involvement in the ground fighting in southern Lebanon and its readiness to retaliate against Israeli attacks there as the regional war enters its seventh month.

Hezbollah is believed to have built an underground command center and weapons stores within the Ali al-Taher ridge, which has a commanding view of southeastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese security sources, and has become one of the most contested pieces of ground in the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Hezbollah has said in public statements that it controls the hill and will confront any Israeli advances. Its officials have referred to a “facility” there, but have declined to provide details.

The Israeli military has occupied swathes of territory to Ali al-Taher’s south and has identified the ridge as one of its “primary operational focuses” in public statements.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz has warned Israel will strike Iran’s energy and civilian infrastructure if the country came under attack by Tehran.

Fears of renewed escalation gripped the Middle East this week after the US and Iran exchanged their biggest barrage ​since July, with Washington striking Iran’s southern coast and Tehran firing at US bases across the region.

Israel, which with the US launched a joint air war against Iran in February, has not been involved in the latest rounds of fighting. Speaking to defence ministry employees on Thursday, Katz said that an “Iranian attack on Israel would free Israel from any existing limitations on attacking Iran.”

Katz added: “We will cripple all of Iran’s national military and civilian infrastructure – including energy infrastructure – and return Iran deep into the Stone Age and darkness.”

As we reported earlier, oil prices slipped Thursday after recent gains, with Brent crude trading near $95 a barrel, while Asian shares advanced.

U.S. futures edged higher.

Renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran pushed oil prices sharply higher earlier in the week. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he doesn’t expect the U.S. bombing campaign to last “much longer.”

Brent crude, the international standard, fell 0.4% to $95.26 per barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude shed 0.1% to $90.84 a barrel.

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