President Trump accuses Iran of “doing everything they can to drive up the price of oil prior to the U.S. midterm election.”

JD Vance:

“I find it a little ironic that European countries — which have nothing like the technology Elon Musk has developed with Starlink and have universally waged regulatory war against SpaceX — are all now running to SpaceX saying, ‘Please do what we need you to do.’”

Early reports indicate that several Iranian sites near the Strait of Hormuz, including locations in Sirik, Iran, have been struck preemptively as missile crews were reportedly preparing to launch attacks against commercial vessels transiting the strait.

These reports remain preliminary.

More to come.

The U.S. State Department spokesperson has called a Reuters report that Washington is preparing to order the departure of some personnel from Gulf embassies “inaccurate.”

However, the spokesperson confirmed that the U.S. has issued an ordered departure for non-emergency government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only.

Several explosions were heard minutes ago in Sirik, Iran, according to the Iranian Fars News Agency. The cause of the blasts remains unknown.

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II, MC-130J Commando II, and CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 150th Special Operations Wing of the New Mexico Air National Guard flew over the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on October 9.

The wing is based at Kirtland Air Force Base, which borders Albuquerque, and works alongside the active-duty 58th Special Operations Wing to train special operations and rescue aircrews on these aircraft.

This year’s Balloon Fiesta ran from October 3 through October 11.

Russian milbloggers report a second Russian Air Force Su-30 fighter loss today.

The crew reportedly did not survive.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

“The reality is that Iran, simply by virtue of geography, will always have unparalleled leverage over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the hype about alternative routes, the waterway is irreplaceable for both the region and the world economy.

The good news is that Iran intends to honor its historic role as a guardian of the Strait and those who lawfully traverse it.

There is a way forward, but it can only materialize once the U.S. administration genuinely accepts that it has no military options.”