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Philippines sees no impact on defence ties from US Middle East redeployment

Philippines sees no impact on defence ties from US Middle East redeployment

MANILA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The Philippines does not expect a reduction in military activities with its treaty ally the United States amid redeployment of some U.S. defence assets to the Middle East, an official said on Monday. 
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President Trump's Strait of Hormuz Comments Spark International Concern Amidst Iran Operations and Sanctions

President Trump's Strait of Hormuz Comments Spark International Concern Amidst Iran Operations and Sanctions

President Trump recently made statements suggesting his intention to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory following the conclusion of ongoing U.S. and Israeli combat operations against Iran, which began in February. President Trump was quoted saying, "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States." Although the White House later indicated these comments were made in jest, the statement has drawn significant attention due to its potential implications for international law and U.S. foreign policy. These remarks come as the U.S. government continues to exert pressure on adversaries, with the recently renamed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 providing additional tools to increase pressure on Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. The act aims to impact Russia's wartime economy and its sources of foreign income, restoring Congress's role in this policy area.
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Ship attacked during Strait of Hormuz transit and other news from the Middle East

Ship attacked during Strait of Hormuz transit and other news from the Middle East

A ship was hit by a projectile while sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz
USA Today USA Today
‘Despicable' or unfortunate? Lawmakers' fury amid USS Lincoln crisis

‘Despicable' or unfortunate? Lawmakers' fury amid USS Lincoln crisis

Republican lawmakers have largely remained silent about reported conditions on the aircraft carrier, not criticizing Donald Trump or defending him.
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USS John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier Completes Acceptance Sea Trials, Paving Way for Navy Delivery

USS John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier Completes Acceptance Sea Trials, Paving Way for Navy Delivery

The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the U.S. Navy’s second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has successfully completed its acceptance sea trials. This significant milestone, announced by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) on August 15, involved three days of rigorous testing at sea to evaluate the carrier's key systems and overall operations. The vessel, which departed Newport News on August 12 and returned on August 15, underwent assessments of its propulsion, navigation, combat systems, and aviation infrastructure. Shipbuilders from Newport News Shipbuilding collaborated with sailors assigned to the John F. Kennedy and other Navy personnel during these trials. The successful completion of these tests allows the carrier to proceed towards preliminary acceptance, enabling the U.S. Navy to commence further specialized system testing. The John F. Kennedy, christened in December 2019, is one of the largest warships ever constructed, measuring 1,106 feet in length and powered by two nuclea...
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Japan's Mogami-Class Frigates Utilize Drones for Mine Countermeasures, Partnering with U.S. Navy

Japan's Mogami-Class Frigates Utilize Drones for Mine Countermeasures, Partnering with U.S. Navy

Japan's Mogami-class frigates are employing a new strategy for mine countermeasures by deploying 13-foot OZZ-5 drones to detect sea mines, keeping the steel frigates safely out of minefields. This approach was recently demonstrated in a two-week exercise, Mine Warfare Exercise 2JA, in Mutsu Bay, where a Mogami-class frigate, the Niyodo, operated alongside a U.S. Navy Avenger-class ship, the USS Chief, which has a wooden hull designed to be less detectable by mines. The OZZ-5 drone, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is equipped with two synthetic aperture sonars—a Japanese low-frequency set and a French high-frequency set—allowing it to identify mines buried in the seabed and distinguish them from other objects. The drone only hunts for mines, with an unmanned surface boat, the Umikaze, then deployed to dispose of them. This layered drone system represents a significant shift from traditional mine warfare, which has historically relied on specially built wooden or fiberglass-hulled ships to avoid magnet...
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Vessel is attacked in Hormuz, Israeli strike kills 7 in Lebanon, and other news from the Middle East

Vessel is attacked in Hormuz, Israeli strike kills 7 in Lebanon, and other news from the Middle East

A vessel owned by Abu Dhabi's ADNOC was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Emirati state media
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Vessel is attacked in Hormuz, Israeli strike kills 9 in Lebanon, and other news from the Middle East

Vessel is attacked in Hormuz, Israeli strike kills 9 in Lebanon, and other news from the Middle East

A vessel owned by Abu Dhabi's ADNOC was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Emirati state media
Reuters Reuters
Shipping slows through Strait of Hormuz after tanker attacks, data shows

Shipping slows through Strait of Hormuz after tanker attacks, data shows

By Florence Tan SINGAPORE, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed over the weekend, data showed on Monday, following attacks on tankers, while U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the Middle East conflict stalled.
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Israeli Airstrike in Southern Lebanon Kills Seven Amid U.S.-Brokered Truce Efforts

Israeli Airstrike in Southern Lebanon Kills Seven Amid U.S.-Brokered Truce Efforts

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has resulted in at least seven fatalities, marking the deadliest military aggression since a U.S.-articulated understanding was reached in June to de-escalate regional conflict. The attack, which targeted a residential infrastructure in the southern Lebanese strip, has reignited alarms in the region and exposed the fragility of the ceasefire framework established after months of intense clashes. The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) officially confirmed the incident, stating it was due to 'an attack launched by enemy warplanes against a dwelling.' Rescue teams are actively working to remove debris and aid those trapped or injured. The resurgence of conflict in Lebanese territory dates back to March, when the Islamist militia Hezbollah launched massive rocket attacks against Israeli positions in support of Iran. In retaliation, Israel deployed a severe campaign of aerial incursions, followed by a ground offensive, which has led to over 4,300 deaths, according to Le...
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Iran claims Qatar is holding pilots, Israeli strikes kill 11 in Lebanon, and other Middle East news

Iran claims Qatar is holding pilots, Israeli strikes kill 11 in Lebanon, and other Middle East news

Iran says Qatar is holding three of its pilots who were reportedly captured when their jets were downed early in the war, but Qatar denies the allegations
Reuters Reuters
Iran says it will escalate if US does not honour deal within weeks

Iran says it will escalate if US does not honour deal within weeks

By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Iran will escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and beyond, and launch an attack if the U.S. fails to implement an interim peace deal fully in a matter of weeks, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday.