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strikeMay 10, 2026

Keeping Epic Fury alive

Summary

Keeping Epic Fury alive The Iran war has highlighted both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the US war machine Share A sailor conducts checks on an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter in the hangar bay aboard USS Abraham Lincoln during Operation Epic Fury on March 26, 2026 Speaking to Blueprint in a written interview, a serving US Navy (USN) official said a mission-aligned support plan is developed by integrating the intent of the military operation, the composition of the forces involved and the requirements for sustaining both. This helps to ensure that every package, deployment cycle and supply movement is tied to a broader framework that anticipates both demand and disruption. Admiral Brad Cooper, chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), has indicated that hundreds of cruise missiles and new weapons have been used during the campaign. Also Read While the strikes have delivered significant operational advantage, the volume of high-end munitions expended has also brought the logistics backbone into focus. The cost of these weapons and the need to maintain a steady flow to the theatre are raising critical questions — not just for the US government, but also for the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. Weapons stockpile The ongoing conflict — where the US is yet to establish full control over the Strait of Hormuz — has seen continued campaigns by the USN and Air Force (USAF) using precision strikes, naval firepower and air operations. Yet behind every strike, availability and replenishment of missiles and munitions remain a concern. Captain Bradley Martin (retired), USN, who is now a senior policy researcher at the US-based think tank RAND Corporation, framed the issue around sustainability and replenishment. “We’ve used a significant number of Tomahawk missiles… replenishing that will take some time,” Martin said. Similar concerns were raised by Captain Bill Hamblet (retired), USN, currently working at an independent non-profit forum, the US Naval Institute. He spoke of how the current conflict has placed pressure on both reserves and the systems required to replenish them. The tempo of operations determines how quickly such stockpiles are drawn down and how planners sequence weapons to maximise effect while managing inventory. A US sailor transports cargo on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford as part of a vertical replenishment mission during Operation Epic Fury on March 9, 2026. Photo: US Navy “The highest priority is given to items that directly support the flight schedule and combat operations. This will be determined by the strike group commander in conjunction with the combatant commander,” said the serving navy official. “The ship’s company uses historical data and operational plans to forecast the demand for fuel, ordnance and spare parts to ensure enough of the right material is on hand to support the mission.” The overall plan is coordinated at the carrier strike group level, while individual divisions and work centres carry out their specific tasks — such as refuelling aircraft, handling ordnance and managing their own storerooms. Beyond immediate operational planning, the navy is also leveraging data-driven frameworks to strengthen the efficiency and reliability of its sustainment systems. The official noted that by using data analytics, the navy has been able to identify issues and key factors to improve maintenance capacity, reduce delays and remove barriers to boost mission capacity. However, at sea, the challenge lies not just in transferring munitions but in the technical and operational complexity involved in doing so under combat conditions. “Reloading vertical launch systems at sea is possible but it’s difficult, slow and not the preferred method,” Hamblet said. “Replenishments at sea, also known as an underway replenishment (UNREP), are a complex and demanding task, requiring teamwork and dedicated effort from all on board,” the navy officer said, highlighting that it consists of transferring fuel, munitions and supplies from one ship to another while both vessels are moving through the water. Heavily armed surface combatants must be withdrawn from high-threat zones to safely rearm. By contrast, aircraft carriers retain a key advantage. “An aircraft carrier can sustain offensive operations longer because bombs can be replenished at sea, unlike missiles on destroyers,” Hamblet noted. That distinction has shaped how naval forces plan for deploying carriers, which act as persistent strike platforms that are escorted by ships providing layered defence. Sustainment aboard a carrier is a continuous process designed to maintain peak operational readiness, as these routines are meticulously planned and executed to ensure the vessel, its aircraft and all personnel remain fully functional. Maintenance of the on-board systems, aircraft and the carrier is also ensured in a 24/7 preventive and corrective cycle to ensure operational readiness. At the same time, the mission also extends to crew welfare — covering food, laundry, postal services and morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) programmes —highlighting that readiness is ensured by the well-being of personnel on board ships. “In peacetime, an aircraft carrier takes on about a million gallons of jet fuel every three days. In higher operational tempo, that could be every day or every day-and-a-half,” Hamblet said. The implication is clear: as sortie rates rise, so does the logistical burden. Managing this demand requires constant prioritisation, which is allocated based on requirements and mission tempo. This helps to ensure that missions can continue without interruption, even as demand rises. Air power faces similar constraints. “Tanker aircraft are absolutely critical—they determine how far and how effectively air power can be projected,” Hamblet said. The loss or damage of such assets has immediate consequences. Lieutenant General Thomas Trask (retired), USAF, highlighted an Iranian attack at the Prince Sultan Airbase in Saudi Arabia that damaged several KC-135 aircraft, which are primarily used for aerial refuelling. “Replacing the tankers that were lost is at the top of the air force’s list,” Trask said, pointing to the immediate operational pressure created by even limited losses. “The tanker force is just not big enough to support all the needs,” he added, citing over five decades of service by the aircraft. This shortfall is becoming evident as air operations increase in number. “The demand signal right now is growing,” Trask noted. At the same time, he pointed to evolving solutions within the broader military ecosystem. “Commercial air refuelling is going to grow significantly,” he said. “They won’t refuel over the combat zone, but for transit missions, commercial refuelling can be used.” This will help extend operational reach and support without overburdening core military assets. Hamblet highlighted the changing nature of drone warfare and the expensive upkeep associated with countering such attacks: “We can’t afford to use million-dollar assets to knock down every drone attack.” The overall execution has remained effective despite these pressures. “Operations today are deeply integrated as you have air force bombers, navy missiles and electronic warfare aircraft all working together in a single mission,” noted Hamblet. This level of coordination, however, comes with its own demands. “The amount of data flowing between commands is mind-boggling,” he added, pointing to the scale of communication required to keep such operations aligned. The complexity also introduces vulnerabilities, such as a recent fratricide incident in which a Kuwaiti air defence system shot down three USAF F-15 jets, highlighting the risks involved. Trask acknowledged that the “incident shows how difficult this coordination can be,” noting that even a single gap in the system can have serious consequences. This level of integration requires a structured command framework that enables such operations. Trask said that the primary purpose of combatant commands is to prepare for contingency operations. These include over seven geographic commands, which are responsible for specific regions and four functional commands that support missions across domains. Within this framework, the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) emerges as one of the most critical commands, which plays a central role in sustaining operations globally. “TRANSCOM has a global responsibility and supports all operations,” Trask said, highlighting the preparations during peacetime and how logistics, movement and coordination are tied together within the command structure. Bases across the globe According to various media estimates, the US operates more than 750 military bases across nearly 80 foreign countries and territories, though the exact number remains unclear due to the classified nature of many facilities. This includes an extensive logistical architecture built up across West Asia. Maintaining this vast global footprint requires billions of dollars annually, covering everything from infrastructure and personnel to logistics and security. Despite the cost, these bases form the backbone of US power projection, enabling rapid deployment, sustained operations and strategic reach in times of crisis. “For 35–40 years, we have been set up in that region (West Asia), so that logistical panel was already established,” Trask said. “It’s more a matter of maintaining these bases than creating them, as it includes airbases, ports and pre-positioned stockpiles, all supported by diplomatic agreements. The agreements with partner countries are critical to making those plans work.” But the damage and disruption caused by Iranian strikes have forced a reassessment of the scale of bases used during the current conflict. “A lot of logistics is now being run through Diego Garcia, which adds roughly 2,300 nautical miles to the supply chain,” Hamblet noted, adding that extended distance increases transit time, fuel consumption and vulnerability. Other bases have also come under threat. “Ports in Oman were being used, but operations had to stop for some time due to Iranian drone and missile strikes,” Hamblet said. The result is a constantly shifting network. “Routing a carrier around Africa instead of through the Suez adds weeks and significantly increases fuel demand for escort ships,” Hamblet added. Martin said, “Most movement is by sea actually… a good proportion of sustainment goes by ocean transport, while personnel and time-sensitive items like munitions tend to move by air.” However, sustaining this flow over time increases pressure on forces, particularly at sea. Hamblet pointed to the strain of prolonged deployments on sailors on board the USS Gerald R. Ford. “A normal carrier deployment should be six to seven months. Beyond that, you start building a backlog of maintenance.” As missions extend and routine upkeep is pushed, the systems begin to wear down faster under operational stress. “When deployments extend to nine, 10, 11 months, the problems compound — not just for one ship, but across the fleet,” he added, highlighting how delays can affect other ships needing hangars for their scheduled maintenance. “The navy uses validated and accredited models to estimate the need for maintenance,” the serving navy officer quoted before said. “The current approach relies on a combination of historical maintenance data, readiness metrics, reliability predictions and other predictive analytics.” The officer noted that these models are designed to keep forces combat-ready for national objectives across joint and combined operations. He added that ships, aircraft and submarines are ensured that maintenance is carried out on schedule and within budget, with focus on achieving an 80 per cent combat surge readiness rate — an indicator that these platforms are fully certified and maintained for deployment at any given time. This strain is further increased by the intensity of operations, where higher sortie rates leave little room for recovery and upkeep. “Instead of five or six days of flight operations, they were going 10 to 15 days before taking a maintenance day,” Hamblet said. “When you fly more often, you have to do more maintenance — the entire system works harder,” he added, outlining its impact on crew morale. However, training is kept as realistic as the operations on a carrier. This ensures that sailors can operate effectively even when systems are stretched. Amid increasing strain on the supply chain, food supplies are also affected. According to recent media reports, the USS Abraham Lincoln, along with several other ships, lacks full meals for sailors. However, such claims have been rejected by USN officials as false and untrue. “The most important thing for morale at sea is food,” Hamblet said. Sailors rely on four meals a day, which include breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight rations. “Taking care of our people is taking care of the mission. To ensure consistent performance and morale, the navy relies on foundational MWR programmes alongside comprehensive quality-of-service initiatives,” the navy officer said, adding that these systems are directly tied to sustaining both the well-being and operational readiness of sailors and their families. The support addresses living conditions, family welfare, childcare, spouse employment, housing and mental health — factors that collectively ensure sailors remain ready to maintain an operational edge. Defence production vs reality Beyond the battlefield and the military bases is the industrial and economic system that keeps the entire architecture running. “Logistics are completely essential. You cannot fight a war without that being taken care of,” Martin said. “If the sustainment piece is not there, the war will be very short and over very quickly.” Sustaining this effort comes down to industrial capacity. Martin pointed out that the US system was never designed for prolonged surges. “We are built to a minimum sustaining rate, not to surge capacity,” he noted, adding that scaling up production is neither quick nor straightforward, requiring time and investment. The implication is clear: replenishing high-end munitions at the pace they are being expended will require rapid industrial mobilisation. A sailor conducts checks on an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter in the hangar bay aboard USS Abraham Lincoln during Operation Epic Fury on March 26, 2026 The strain is already visible in stockpiles. General Trask acknowledged that while the situation is not critical yet, buffers are shrinking. “We are not at risk of running out, but we now have lower stocks than we have had for decades,” he said, warning that a prolonged conflict would turn this into a more serious challenge. Addressing this gap will require not just funding, but a deliberate effort to restart and expand production lines to replace what is being used in conflict. At the same time, the supply chain itself remains exposed to external dependencies. Martin highlighted that a significant portion of critical inputs comes from outside the US, making the system vulnerable to disruptions. Even basic inputs can become constraints. “Shortages in things like helium or semiconductors can directly impact weapon production,” Martin said. Hamblet described the situation as parallel with global commerce to explain the scale of the challenge, except for the difference in urgency and consequence. Every part moved forward must be replaced, creating a continuous loop of demand and replenishment that defines modern sustainment. This entire system also rests heavily on international partnerships — access to bases, transit routes and hubs depending on cooperation from allied or host nations. Without that support, even the most capable military might be limited in its ability to project and sustain power. The war has made it clear that firepower alone is not decisive — it is the systems that sustain and support that firepower that truly determine outcomes. From the rapid use of precision munitions to the movement of fuel, spare parts and personnel, each strike is planned by a chain that stretches across continents. The pressure on stockpiles, strain on deployed forces and the limits of industrial production have all come into sharp focus in this war. The execution of power and precision on the battlefield is, in reality, the result of years of planning and coordination with global partnerships. The same system also reveals its vulnerabilities, whether in supply lines, dependence on allies or the time required to rebuild capacity. Written By Martand Mishra Martand Mishra has started his reporting career with defence coverage. He is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. He enjoys reading books on defence, history and biographies. First Published: May 10 2026 | 8:28 AM IST In this article :

Perspectives

Iranian Official

The US aggression under Operation Epic Fury constitutes a direct assault on Iran's sovereignty, with American naval and air forces launching waves of cruise missiles and precision strikes to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite massive expenditure of munitions, Washington has failed to achieve dominance, revealing the limits of foreign intervention against determined Iranian resistance. This campaign underscores Iran's steadfast defense of its territorial integrity in the face of external threats.

Israeli

In the shadow of Iran's proxy network and direct threats to Israel's survival, Operation Epic Fury reveals the urgent defensive need to disrupt Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and its expanding missile arsenal. Heavy US expenditure of cruise missiles and precision munitions underscores both the operational demands of sustained strikes and the logistical vulnerabilities that could embolden further Iranian aggression. Maintaining this campaign remains essential to counter the existential risks posed by Tehran and its proxies.

Neutral

A US Navy official described in an interview the development of mission-aligned support plans that integrate operational intent, force composition, and sustainment needs to address potential demand and disruption. CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper stated that hundreds of cruise missiles and additional weapons have been expended during operations associated with the campaign. The reports also note ongoing US Navy and Air Force strikes alongside questions about munitions logistics and the status of control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Western

Operation Epic Fury demonstrates the US military's strategic focus on neutralizing Iranian threats and securing the Strait of Hormuz through precision strikes, naval firepower, and integrated air operations. CENTCOM has deployed hundreds of cruise missiles and advanced munitions to deliver targeted operational advantages while sustaining forces via mission-aligned logistics that anticipate demand and disruption. These efforts underscore ongoing progress in threat neutralization despite high-end munitions expenditure.

Pro-Peace

The US military's Operation Epic Fury in Iran, marked by hundreds of cruise missiles and sustained naval strikes that have yet to secure the Strait of Hormuz, has exacted a devastating humanitarian toll through civilian casualties, widespread displacement, and destruction of critical infrastructure. These operations highlight the immense costs of prolonged warfare, diverting resources from human needs amid escalating regional suffering. Diplomatic negotiations remain a viable alternative to military escalation, offering a path to de-escalate conflict and protect innocent lives.

Global South

The US campaign dubbed Operation Epic Fury exposes the neo-colonial drive to dominate the Strait of Hormuz and regional energy routes, as Washington expends hundreds of cruise missiles and precision munitions while failing to secure full control. Logistics strains on the American defence industry underscore institutional overreach, where sustaining distant power projection burdens both US taxpayers and global supply chains. Sovereign states in the Global South face the fallout of such interventions, which prioritise resource control over genuine stability.

Actors involved

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  • Business Standard; Martand MishraBy Business Standard; Martand Mishra

    Keeping Epic Fury alive The Iran war has highlighted both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the US war machine Share A sailor conducts checks on an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter in the hangar bay aboard USS Abraham Lincoln during Operation Epic Fury on March 26, 2026 Speaking to …

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Something Changed in a Single Day: Trump Claimed Backchannel Talks With the IRGC, Then Said No Talks Were Happening at All

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President Donald Trump has made another bombastic pronouncement amid the war with Iran. On Tuesday, he shared a map labeling the Strait of Hormuz “NEW U.S. Territory,” via his Truth Social platform. Iran has continued to stress that the strait will not be fully reopened until Washington meets its slew of demands, including ending its blockade on Iranian shipping and scrapping oil sanctions.

Ship Hit in Strait Just hours before Trump’s latest post, a vessel exiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the ship’s engine room was hit, resulting in a “crew casualty.

” Officials did not immediately identify the vessel or its cargo. The Omani Coast Guard said it was assisting the remaining crew as authorities investigated the incident. Iran’s Stranglehold on the Strait Since the United States and Israel launched attacks on the Islamic Republic on February 28, Iran has tightly restricted shipping through the waterway.

Prior to the war, around one-fifth of globally traded oil passed through Hormuz. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tuesday that Tehran would maintain its restrictions until Washington fulfilled what Iran considers its commitments under the interim U.

S.-Iran agreement struck in June. Those demands include lifting the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, releasing frozen Iranian assets, removing sanctions on Iranian oil and gas exports, and ending U.S. military threats and operations. “Until the United States fulfills its commitments under the agreement … the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen,” Qalibaf said.

Blockade Vs. Territory Asked in the Oval Office on Monday about his earlier suggestion that Hormuz could become American territory, the president said he liked the idea. “We control it with the blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it a territory,” Trump told reporters, adding: “We have total control over the strait now.

” Washington’s blockade is hitting Iranian shipping hard. U.S. Central Command said Monday that American forces had redirected 64 commercial vessels, disabled three ships, and boarded another two as part of the renewed blockade. That does not mean Washington has eliminated Iran’s ability to disrupt other shipping.

Tuesday’s unexplained attack came after a string of strikes on vessels attempting to navigate the area. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also rejected Trump’s territorial claim on Tuesday, describing it as a “delusion.” Tehran has repeatedly maintained that it, rather than Washington, will determine when normal passage through the strait resumes.

Iran and Oman Near Deal Complicating matters further are separate negotiations between Iran and Oman, the two countries sitting on opposite sides of the strait. Iran said Monday that the two governments were finalizing details of an agreement concerning shipping routes through Hormuz.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said an “understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route.” Trump responded by threatening Oman, a longstanding U.S. partner, telling Fox News that Washington would “bomb the shit out of them” if Muscat “gets in the way.

” The diplomatic clock has already run down. The 60-day negotiating period established by the June memorandum between Washington and Tehran expired on Monday without a broader agreement being reached. Trump has said the United States is not seeking an extension.

Tehran Likely to Double Down Columnist Melanie Phillips slammed President Trump’s plans for a ceasefire last month, complaining that it had given Tehran the upper hand and showed that “everyone can now see America is not prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to defend itself.

” Trump has claimed Iran has essentially lost this war and that the blockade is massively damaging its economy. However, he has also instructed his team to pursue a “low-key” approach to talks. On July 7, Trump said the agreement was “over”, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it was “suspended” the following week.

“They should put up the white flag of surrender,” Trump told Fox News on Monday, claiming that backchannel talks with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were ongoing. The IRGC has denied these claims. On Tuesday, Trump dramatically changed his tune, stating that no talks with Iran were ongoing, and that no discussions were scheduled.

About the Author: Georgia Gilholy Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.

Location: Tehran
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Iran War Day 172: ‘No Talks’ Scheduled with Tehran, Trump Says

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Iran War Day 172: ‘No Talks’ Scheduled with Tehran, Trump Says In a post on Truth Social Tuesday President Donald Trump said that “there are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Trump added that the U.

S. naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz “remains in full force and effect” and that the waterway “is open and operating.” In a separate post, Trump published an image labelling the strait as “NEW U.S. Territory.” Only six commodity ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to Kpler data cited by Reuters.

Iran’s Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tuesday, Until the commitments made by the United States in the memorandum of understanding, including the lifting of the blockade, the release of frozen assets, the lifting of oil sanctions, the end of threats and military operations on all fronts, and other conditions to which America agreed in the memorandum, are implemented, the strait will not be opened.

The deadline for that memorandum of understanding—signed by Trump and Iran’s president in June—expired on Monday. The two nations had agreed to negotiate a final peace deal over a 60-day period, but the framework agreement quickly fell apart, and the deadline seemingly wasn’t extended, despite mixed reporting.

Subscribe Today Get daily emails in your inbox Ghalibaf will lead a “high-level parliamentary delegation” to Iraq on Wednesday, Iran’s Fars news agency reported. The visit comes as pro-Iran militia groups face a September 30 deadline set by the Iraqi government to disarm.

Syria condemned reported Israeli strikes against Abu Duhur airbase on Tuesday, while the U.S. expressed concern over the incident. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack wrote on X that “we are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.

” The price of Brent Crude oil was over $91 per barrel on Tuesday morning. AAA recorded the national average price of regular gas at $4.07.

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Trump says no talks planned with Iran, Tehran says Strait of Hormuz still shut

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U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday no talks were taking place with Iran and none were scheduled, and he insisted that the Strait of Hormuz was open, contradicting an earlier Iranian assertion that the critical waterway remained shut to shipping.

The receding prospects of a deal to end the nearly six-month conflict drove up oil prices again on Tuesday, while stock markets sagged and borrowing costs for major economies including the U.S. hit multi-decade highs, amid concerns about the long-term inflationary and fiscal impact of the crisis.

A temporary ceasefire agreement expired on Monday and a senior Iranian official told Reuters that his country was moving to a “fully offensive” military posture due to the diplomatic stalemate, though there were no reports of fresh strikes by either side on Tuesday.

“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday. “The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated,” he added.

On Monday, Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and special envoy, had sounded an optimistic note, saying talks with Iran were still under way and were “probably more robust” than they had ever been. Despite Trump's typically ebullient remarks about the situation in the Gulf, preliminary shipping data on Tuesday showed ship crossings via the Strait of Hormuz were still in single digits on Monday.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said it received a report on Tuesday that a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting outbound in the Strait of Hormuz, causing engine room damage and a crew casualty. The remaining crew were being assisted by the Omani Coast Guard, according to the report.

Top Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in comments published by state media that the strait would remain shut until the U.S. met the conditions of an interim deal signed with Iran in June. These conditions include the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports, lifting oil sanctions, releasing Tehran's frozen assets, and ending threats and military operations on all fronts, Qalibaf told parliament.

A memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 had set a 60-day time frame for a broader deal on Iran's nuclear programme and U.S. sanctions. That period elapsed on Monday and Trump said he had no plans to extend it. The agreement, which declared the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts,” had quickly unravelled over a dispute about control of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the war.

Both Trump and Tehran have frequently switched between threats and more emollient rhetoric as they seek a way out of the crisis, which erupted when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28. Iran remains open to dialogue with the U.

S. but does not confuse negotiations with surrender, Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, said on Tuesday, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. Mokhber said military pressure and sanctions would not break Iran's resolve and that the country would defend its security, dignity and allies while not seeking war.

Even as Iran projects resilience in the war, its leaders are worried that a threat of more economic punishment could increase hardships, reignite unrest and further erode the Islamic Republic’s legitimacy, according to three Iranian officials. Thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, mainly in Iran and Lebanon.

Iran has bombed U.S. military bases and infrastructure in countries including Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Benchmark Brent crude oil futures have surged during the conflict, hitting a peak of $126 a barrel, roughly 75% above pre-war levels.

Brent crude futures settled up 20 cents on Tuesday at just over $91 a barrel. For Americans who will vote in November congressional elections, gasoline prices have risen above $4 per gallon, up from less than $3 before the war, according to the automotive group AAA.

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Iran’s gutted ranks leave loyalists filling critical posts — with one glaring problem

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Iran is rebuilding the upper ranks of its military and security establishment after months of wartime losses by turning largely to familiar veterans — figures whose careers in some cases stretch back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War and previous domestic crackdowns.

The appointments follow the deaths of several senior Iranian commanders in U.S.-Israeli strikes since the war began Feb. 28, The National reported Aug. 11. For Washington, the stakes go beyond who fills the vacancies. The reshuffle puts veteran hardliners atop institutions that shape Iran’s military operations, national-security policy and internal security at a time of renewed confrontation with the United States.

The appointments do not prove that Tehran has run out of younger commanders or that loyalty was the sole criterion, but the reliance on figures whose careers stretch back decades is raising a broader question for U.S. policymakers: whether wartime losses have left Iran increasingly dependent on a smaller circle of trusted ideologues — potentially narrowing the room for compromise even as Washington tries to pressure Tehran back toward a deal.

IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD SIDELINES PRESIDENT AS MILITARY GRIP EXPANDS Former American prisoner Morad Tahbaz, who was detained in Iran in 2018 and freed in a U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange in September 2023, told Fox News Digital that he views the latest appointments as evidence of Tehran's continued dependence on longtime loyalists.

"They keep rotating the same old people, most of whom are fairly inept but are loyal to the Khamenei father and son," Tahbaz told Fox News Digital. The reshuffle spans Iran's conventional military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, its naval arm, the Basij paramilitary force and the country's highest national-security council.

Iran's state-run IRNA reported Aug. 10 that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Ali Abdollahi chief of staff of the Armed Forces, Kioumars Heydari his deputy, Ahmad Vahidi commander of the IRGC, Mostafa Izadi deputy IRGC commander, Ali Ozmaei commander of the IRGC Navy and Hossein Taeb head of the Basij.

The previous day, former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei, 71, was named secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and Khamenei's representative on the powerful body. Reuters reported Aug. 10 that the SNSC coordinates Iran's security and foreign policy and that Rezaei replaced Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, who had been appointed secretary in late March following the death of his predecessor, Ali Larijani.

The appointments do not establish that Iran has run out of younger or less familiar commanders. But the reliance on longtime military and security figures has fueled assessments that wartime losses have narrowed the regime's pool of officials it regards as sufficiently experienced and politically trustworthy.

Erfan Fard wrote for the Middle East Forum on Aug. 15 that Khamenei was not promoting a new generation but turning to veterans of the revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, intelligence operations and domestic repression, arguing that an architecture based on "institutional memory, loyalty, and coercive power" was taking shape.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies argued in an Aug. 12 policy brief that the reshuffle looked "less like renewal than a game of musical chairs among regime veterans." The appointments also formalized the position of Ahmad Vahidi, a veteran hardliner who had already emerged near the center of wartime decision-making.

Vahidi was a major player in shaping Tehran's wartime policy and had risen through the IRGC's early intelligence and external-operations apparatus before later serving as defense and interior minister. As interior minister, Vahidi oversaw police units involved in the crackdown on the 2022 protests.

IRNA confirmed Aug. 10 that Khamenei promoted Vahidi to major general and formally appointed him commander-in-chief of the IRGC. WHO IS AHMAD VAHIDI? IRAN’S NEW IRGC CHIEF TIED TO GLOBAL ATTACKS AND ‘DEATH TO AMERICA’ IDEOLOGY Hossein Taeb: The intelligence veteran returns to the Basij to build a ‘20-million-strong Basij force.

’ One of the most closely watched appointments is Hossein Taeb, the cleric and veteran security official tapped to lead the Basij, the IRGC's volunteer paramilitary force that has repeatedly been used against domestic dissent. The National reported that the Basij has been used to suppress internal dissent, while The Times reported Aug.

12 that the force is embedded in neighborhoods, universities, workplaces, factories, ministries and mosques and has played a central role in suppressing successive uprisings. For Tahbaz, Taeb's return is personal. Tahbaz was detained in 2018, while Taeb was leading the IRGC Intelligence Organization.

"Ta’eb is extremely close to Mojtaba Khamenei but was very unceremoniously fired from his former position as head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization," Tahbaz told Fox News Digital. "He was personally responsible for my and my colleagues' arrests and detentions.

He lives and breathes conspiracy theories." The Times reported Aug. 12 that Taeb and Mojtaba Khamenei's relationship dates back more than four decades and that both served in the Habib Battalion during the Iran-Iraq War. The newspaper also reported that IRGC intelligence arrested environmentalists and dual nationals during Taeb's tenure.

Taeb previously commanded the Basij before moving into IRGC intelligence. The Times reported that months after the disputed 2009 election, the Guards' intelligence division was elevated into an independent organization with Taeb as its first chief. Taeb's earlier leadership of the Basij also drew U.

S. sanctions. In a Sept. 29, 2010 Treasury Department fact sheet, the U.S. government said that while Taeb commanded the Basij during the June 2009 election, forces under his command participated in "beatings, murder, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of peaceful protestors.

" According to IRNA, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf congratulated Taeb on his appointment as head of the Basij Organization, saying his tenure could mark a new chapter for the volunteer force. Ghalibaf said the Basij now needs a more comprehensive and forward-looking approach and argued that Taeb’s appointment by the supreme leader could help advance what he described as one of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s longstanding goals: building a 20-million-strong Basij force.

UN WATCHDOG SLAMS POTENTIAL ELECTION OF IRAN TO PANEL WITH HUMAN RIGHTS SWAY: 'LUNATICS RUNNING THE ASYLUM' Mohsen Rezaei: Back at the center after four decades Few appointments better illustrate the return of Iran's old guard than Mohsen Rezaei, who was named secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Reuters reported Aug. 10 that Rezaei joined the IRGC shortly after the 1979 revolution, became its commander in 1981 at age 27 and led the force for 16 years, including through most of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. He later served as secretary of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council for more than two decades and as vice president for economic affairs from 2021 to 2023 under President Ebrahim Raisi.

Now, at 71, he is secretary of the SNSC and Khamenei's representative on the body. Beni Sabti, an Iran expert at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, argued that bringing back longtime figures such as Rezaei reflects weakness rather than renewal.

"This is, again, another evidence that they don't have anyone else," Sabti told Fox News Digital. "So they have to bring him out again from the desk and put him somewhere. These are the guys that they have." Rezaei and Vahidi were also among six people for whom INTERPOL authorized Red Notices requested by Argentina in 2007 in connection with the investigation into the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.

INTERPOL said in November 2007 that its General Assembly upheld the publication of notices for six individuals, including Ahmad Vahidi and Mohsen Rezaei, after Iran challenged Argentina's requests. Sabti argued that Rezaei's re-emergence is particularly telling because Tehran's decision-making circle has become less ideologically diverse.

"Today, there is only one opinion, and this is the main problem," Sabti said. "This is why you think that there is unity and the system is stronger. No, it's not stronger. Actually, it's weaker also because of that." TRADE VESSEL STRUCK BY PROJECTILE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AMID US-IRAN TALKS Ali Abdollahi: A wartime commander takes the top military job Ali Abdollahi was elevated to chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, putting him at the top of the country's military command structure.

IRNA confirmed the appointment Aug. 10. Abdollahi had previously commanded the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's joint operational command responsible for coordinating its armed forces in wartime, according to Iran International on Aug. 10.

His appointment also comes amid an effort to integrate the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters more closely with the Armed Forces General Staff. Le Monde reported Aug. 11 that Abdollahi's task includes completing that integration in an effort to further centralize command and coordination.

Fard argued in his Aug. 15 Middle East Forum analysis that Abdollahi's elevation exemplifies Tehran's reliance on longstanding revolutionary-security figures rather than a generational break. FREED AMERICAN REVEALS BRUTAL IRAN PRISON ORDEAL, WARNS HOSTAGES FACE GREATER DANGER Kioumars Heydari: The regular army moves closer to the center Former Army Ground Forces commander Kioumars Heydari was appointed deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces, bringing a senior officer from Iran's conventional military into the new command structure.

The National reported that Heydari formerly commanded the Army Ground Forces and has held senior positions in Iran's regular army, known as the Artesh. IRNA independently confirmed his appointment. His inclusion also demonstrates that the reshuffle is not limited to the IRGC.

Fard argued in the Middle East Forum that Heydari's previous public rhetoric surrounding protest suppression indicates that Tehran has increasingly integrated the regular army into its domestic-security posture. Mostafa Izadi: Another veteran rises inside the IRGC Mostafa Izadi was appointed Vahidi's deputy, putting another longtime commander near the top of the IRGC hierarchy.

IRNA confirmed Izadi's appointment Aug. 10, while The National described him Aug. 11 as a veteran commander who has held a number of senior positions in Iran's military and security establishment. Iran International reported that Izadi previously commanded the Cyber and New Threats Headquarters within the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.

IRAN HARDLINER BEHIND US DEAL WARNS TEHRAN WON’T HONOR AGREEMENT IF TRUMP FAILS TO DELIVER Ali Ozmaei: A new commander at one of Iran's most sensitive fronts Rear Adm. Ali Ozmaei was appointed commander of the IRGC Navy, putting him in charge of a force central to Iran's military posture in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

The National reported Aug. 11 that Ozmaei replaced Alireza Tangsiri, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in March, and that the IRGC Navy is responsible for Iran's military operations in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media also highlighted Ozmaei's longstanding maritime experience.

IRNA reported Aug. 11 that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised Ozmaei's years in maritime defense and his familiarity with the current conflict and the Strait of Hormuz. The appointment came one day before Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless the United States changed its behavior and accepted Iran's conditions.

Reuters reported that Rezaei said Washington would have to end the war and unfreeze Iranian funds overseas, with other conditions relayed through mediators. Taken together, the seven personnel changes show Tehran moving to fill and reshuffle critical military and security posts after significant wartime losses.

What remains an assessment rather than an established fact is whether the identities of those chosen reveal a deeper shortage of trusted successors. Sabti said the return of veteran figures reflected what he sees as a shrinking bench of trusted officials and a less diverse decision-making circle.

Tahbaz offered a less academic version of that assessment. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP "They keep rotating the same old people," he said.

Location: Tehran
Efrat Lachter