U.S. and Iran trade strikes for first time in weeks
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - The U.S. and Iran traded strikes overnight for the first time in weeks, threatening to push what had become an economic war back into full combat.
With the war forcing oil and gas prices up, President Donald Trump announced a deal with Venezuela to take control of billions of barrels of oil, though details are scarce, all as the trade war with Canada risks pushing some prices even higher.
The Middle East is bracing for what's next Monday morning after the U.S. military launched its first strikes against Iran in a month to prevent Iranian forces from laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command, which called it a limited action against an imminent threat.
A spokesperson for Iran's revolutionary guard slamming the attack as a "fatal mistake" during what had shifted to an economic war.
Iranian State Media is reporting Iran struck back at bases in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan while source familiar with the operations said American forces shot down the attacks in Jordan.
In an interview with Fox News, which was taped Tuesday and aired Sunday night, President Trump again insisted the U.S. controls the Strait of Hormuz.
"We've swept it of all the mines. You know, we don't have mines there now," Trump expressed.
But with the flow of oil through the strait still under strain, and the national average for gas surging since the war began to now above $4 a gallon, Trump announced plans to turn to Venezuelan oil to restock America's strategic reserve, though details of the deal are unclear.
This comes as the escalating trade war with Canada threatens to force prices higher on imported goods.
Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario, reacted to Trump's threat to double the tariff on Canadian auto imports to 50% in January.
"It'd be devastating on both countries, but it'd be definitely devastating on the U.S.," Ford remarked. "We're the largest purchaser of vehicles in the entire world off the U.S."
Meanwhile, the president asserted he doesn't want American businesses to import Canadian goods -- saying Canada's been ripping the U.S. off for decades.
As the Trump Administration looks to resolve the war in Iran, especially with the midterms closing in, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) suggested on NBC's Meet the Press the administration should arm Iranian protesters to force regime change, though Trump has backed off of that initial goal of full regime change.
