WASHINGTON – Families of sailors on board the USS Abraham Lincoln have condemned President Trump’s remarks about the record deployment.
According to a U.S. Defense official who was not authorized to publicly speak, NPR reported that the USS George Washington will be en route for the USS Lincoln to replace it. The USS Lincoln has been on the seas since nearly nine months.
Reporters asked Trump Friday if the deployment of USS Lincoln had lasted too long.
Trump replied, “No. Not nearly enough time.”
Sein comments coincide with reports about food shortages and plumbing issues, as well as a decline in mental health of crew members. NPR was unable to confirm some of the reports that said sailors had attempted to jump off of ships.
The grandson of Karen Bramlett is aboard the ship. She requested that NPR refrain from using his name, for fear of repercussions and harassment by the military.
Bramlett says she can communicate with her grandson about once per week via Instagram.
Bramlett replied, “He says he is good physically and mentally. Thank God.” He’s depressed, but that is all. “You can’t really blame him, given the circumstances.”
Bramlett stated that her grandson joined the Navy around two years ago. It was his dream, she said.
Bramlett said, “But now it’s almost like he can’t stand to wait for the end.” “Those hopes have now been crushed.”
She continued, “Donald Trump should be ashamed to allow them to suffer in the manner that they do.” They’re fighting over there for our country. What do they receive in return? “They can’t get any help at all from his office or administration.”
Hung Chao, the acting secretary of the Navy, said that in a Friday statement the mission of the USS Lincoln was extended due to the war with Iran.
Cao added, “It’s also true–a few mental cases have been treated without any loss of life.” When fresh supplies were unavailable, meal plans had to be adjusted. Not a single dish was missed. When the operational risk was high, calls home were restricted.
Cao stated that those on board the USS Lincoln were “the epitome of American resilience and strength.”
Cao stated, “There’s no doubt our young men have reached their limit–but haven’t broken.” They are tired, but they have not given up.
Democrats Demand Investigation
Democrats have called on the Pentagon to conduct an investigation and hold accountable the situation.
In an interview with NPR Morning Edition on Friday, Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona accused President Trump’s administration for not having any plan.
He said that “they’re winging things right now” and felt the Pentagon had not shown “proper leadership” in the way it handled the deployment.
Gallego said that he also spoke to some crew members aboard the ship.
Gallego stated that “we are able talk to many of these sailors.” We are also able to speak to the spouses of these sailors. This is why it is important that they let us, a group of bipartisan members from the House of Representatives and Senate go visit the sailors. It has been done before. We want to be sure we are getting the right information and to ensure that the Secretary of Defense isn’t lying.
Hegseth claimed that media reports on conditions aboard the vessel were “misrepresented.” He also said that the U.S. could maintain an indefinite naval blockade against Iran.
Julie Roland, former Navy helicopter captain, told NPR’s All Things Considered that the approximately 5,000 sailors who are returning from the USS Lincoln need to be treated with care.
Roland stated, “I do not think anyone wants to spend 200 days in an office without seeing their family or friends no matter how great their job may be.” Some people struggle to adjust from the life aboard ship back to their home. We must welcome them back and address any residual issues.

12:10 PM ET Just Now
Sunrise reveals deteriorating conditions as Lala hits Big Island
As first daylight breaks over Hawaii, live cameras on the ground are providing the first clear look at deteriorating conditions across the Big Island.
Overlapping outer rainbands from Tropical Storm Lala have completely enveloped the eastern and southern shorelines, bringing blinding downpours, whipping palm trees, and surging coastal ocean swells.
12:07 PM ET 4 Min Ago
Ground truth: Katie Byrne brings real-time storm preps from Honolulu
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne is reporting live from Honolulu on Oahu, delivering continuous on-the-ground updates as residents and officials complete final preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Lala.
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12:04 PM ET 6 Min AgoBreaking News
12 p.m. ET update: Lala spreading heavy rain, strong winds across Big Island
The National Hurricane Center’s 12 p.m. ET (6 a.m. HST) position update places Tropical Storm Lala roughly 100 miles southeast of South Point, Hawaii, and 315 miles southeast of Honolulu.
Holding maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and a central pressure of 991 mb, the storm continues moving west-northwest at 13 mph as heavy rainbands sweep over the islands.
Tropical-storm-force wind gusts are already lashing higher elevations across the Big Island and Maui, with recent reports including a 45 mph gust at Puuloa and a 44 mph gust in Kamuela.
Officials warn that winds will continue to accelerate as Lala’s core makes its closest approach to the Big Island later today.
11:33 AM ET 37 Min Ago
Analysis: Bryan Norcross breaks down Lala’s latest movement
Analyzing the 11 a.m. advisory, FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross points out that regardless of Lala’s exact position, catastrophic impacts are to be felt across Hawaii.
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11:29 AM ET 42 Min Ago
Lala drives dangerous storm surge and high surf across Hawaiian Islands
The National Hurricane Center warns that Tropical Storm Lala’s powerful onshore winds will push a dangerous storm surge onto coastal areas across the Hawaiian Islands.
Water levels could reach 1 to 3 feet above ground along vulnerable low-lying shorelines of the Big Island if peak surge coincides with high tide.
Across the remaining islands—including Maui County, Oahu, and Kauai—surge levels of up to 2 feet are expected to inundate normally dry beach areas and low-lying coastal roads.
Combined with massive storm-generated swells that are driving life-threatening surf and destructive rip currents statewide, coastal residents should prepare for significant beach erosion and localized ocean overwash through the weekend.
11:12 AM ET 59 Min Ago
Hurricane-force winds forecast to spread over Big Island today
The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center warns that hurricane-force conditions are expected to spread across portions of the Big Island later today as Tropical Storm Lala makes its closest approach to South Point.
Sustained winds near the core continue to hold near 65 mph, with steady strengthening still projected to bring maximum winds up to hurricane threshold (75+ mph).
FOX Weather meteorologists emphasize that because of Hawaii’s unique topography, wind speeds along leeward slopes, windward ridges, and mountain gaps could be up to 30 percent stronger than baseline surface estimates—producing localized hurricane-force gusts near 100 mph regardless of whether the exact center makes official landfall.
11:06 AM ET 1 HR Ago
Big Island braces for potentially historic landfall as Lala nears
If Tropical Storm Lala’s center crosses directly over the Big Island later today, it will mark an extraordinarily rare historical event.
A direct hurricane landfall on the Big Island hasn’t been documented in 155 years—dating back to 1871—making it an event that predates modern weather satellite tracking entirely.
Tropical systems approaching Hawaii typically shred apart against the massive volcanic peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea or get deflected away by trade-wind ridges.
While atmospheric interactions may cause Lala’s center to wobble slightly offshore near South Point, meteorologists emphasize that whether the storm makes official landfall or not, the life-threatening wind, rain, and surge hazards hitting the island remain exactly the same.
11:03 AM ET 1 HR Ago
Hourly updates begin as NHC tracks Lala on Hawaii radar
With Tropical Storm Lala now firmly in range of the South Point Doppler radar (PHWA), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has switched to issuing hourly tropical cyclone position updates.
These frequent bulletins allow forecasters to track the storm’s exact location, short-term wobbles, and speed in near-real time as its core scrapes past the Big Island.
Real-time radar monitoring provides crucial, up-to-the-minute data on Lala’s inner rainbands, ensuring local emergency management and residents across the island chain have the latest track information as hazardous weather hits.
Stay tuned to FOX Weather as we deliver these hourly updates the moment they drop.
11:01 AM ET 1 HR Ago
Radar shows eye forming as Lala targets hurricane strength
Radar imagery out of South Point has captured a ragged, eye-like feature forming near Tropical Storm Lala’s center, signaling that the system is trying to consolidate as it nears the Big Island.
High-altitude radar data northeast of the core shows winds peaking near 70 mph, so the National Hurricane Center’s official forecast has the storm reaching hurricane strength (75 mph) later today.
10:58 AM ET 1 HR AgoBreaking News
NHC still expects Lala to reach hurricane status near the Big Island
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) maintains that Lala has about a 12-hour window to reach Category 1 hurricane strength as it approaches the southern coast.
Meteorologists stress, however, that the practical difference between a 65-mph tropical storm and a 75-mph hurricane is minimal—dangerous, hurricane-force wind gusts and torrential rains will hit the Big Island regardless of the storm’s technical classification.
Complex terrain interaction will dominate Lala’s track later today as the high volcanic peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea disrupt the storm’s circulation.
Dynamic models suggest the center could get pulled briefly northwestward into or near the Big Island while a secondary low forms on the leeward side, causing a jumpy, discontinuous track in forecast maps.
Once the system reorganizes west of Hawaii, it is projected to track west through Sunday before potentially turning northwest toward the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands by mid-next week.
10:55 AM ET 1 HR Ago
11 a.m. advisory: Lala packing 65 mph winds 110 miles from South Point
The 11 a.m. ET (5 a.m. HST) advisory from the National Hurricane Center shows Tropical Storm Lala holding steady with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and a central pressure of 991 mb.
Located about 110 miles southeast of South Point, Hawaii, and 325 miles southeast of Honolulu, Lala continues to track west-northwest at 13 mph.
Heavy outer rainbands are already sweeping over the Big Island, bringing gusty squalls and driving downpours.
NHC experts emphasize that dangerous flooding, destructive surf, and strong wind impacts will continue to expand across the entire Hawaiian island chain throughout the weekend.
10:53 AM ET 1 HR Ago
11 a.m. ET update: NHC issues latest advisory on Tropical Storm Lala
The National Hurricane Center has just issued its full 11 a.m. ET (5 a.m. HST) advisory on Tropical Storm Lala, and our team is breaking down the new data right now.
We are evaluating the updated track cone, central pressure trends, and sustained wind measurements to see how Lala is interacting with the waters just south of the Big Island.
Stand by as we analyze the fresh coordinates and updated hazard maps to bring you the top takeaways and local impacts shortly.
10:13 AM ET 1 HR Ago
Next NHC advisory on Lala incoming: What to look for at 11 a.m. ET
All eyes are on the National Hurricane Center as forecasters prepare to drop the full 11 a.m. ET (5 a.m. HST) advisory on Tropical Storm Lala.
This major update will deliver a fresh, complete forecast track, updated intensity estimates, and fresh data on central pressure as Lala’s inner core closes in on the Big Island.
Crucially, FOX Weather meteorologists will be watching to see if the advisory reflects the storm’s recent southward drift—a shift that could keep the exact center just offshore near South Point while maintaining extreme, islandwide hazard warnings.
Stand by with FOX Weather—we will analyze the fresh track forecast and statistics as soon as the bulletin releases.
10:05 AM ET 2 HRS Ago
Analysis: Lala tracking south of Big Island, but big impacts remain
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross notes that recent satellite and radar trends show Tropical Storm Lala’s center tracking slightly farther south than initially projected, making an official direct landfall on the Big Island increasingly unlikely.
However, Norcross stresses that residents should not let their guard down. Because Lala’s wind field and moisture canopy extend hundreds of miles from its center, catastrophic rain totals, terrain-amplified wind gusts, and dangerous 25-foot surf will still slam the entire Hawaiian island chain throughout the weekend regardless of where the exact center passes.
10:03 AM ET 2 HRS Ago
Radar shows core of Lala, heaviest rain closing in on Big Island
NWS coastal radar out of South Point (PHWA) shows Tropical Storm Lala’s core and dense inner rainbands pressing steadily toward the Big Island from the southeast.
The heaviest rain is now stacking up offshore, threatening to push torrential rain rates into windward slopes and Southern Hawaii County over the coming hours.
As the main core closes the gap, squalls will grow increasingly frequent and intense, bringing localized downpours capable of producing immediate flash flooding alongside rising tropical-storm-force gusts.
9:59 AM ET 2 HRS Ago
Wind speeds ramping up islandwide as Lala presses closer to Hawaii
Surface observations show wind speeds steadily building across the entire Hawaiian island chain as Tropical Storm Lala’s expanding circulation presses closer.
While the Big Island continues to take the strongest beating—where elevated mountain slopes and ridges are squeezing out gusts over 60 mph—wind speeds are also beginning to ramp up across Maui County and Oahu.
The FOX Forecast Center warns that terrain interactions will amplify these gusts by up to 30 percent along downwind slopes and high-elevation gaps throughout the morning.
9:48 AM ET 2 HRS Ago
Big Island rain surpasses 8 inches as Lala’s outer bands hit
Tropical Storm Lala’s relentless rain machinery is already piling up staggering totals on the Big Island. An observation site at Kawainui Stream has officially logged more than 8 inches of rain over the past 24 hours, giving an early taste of the severe moisture surging into the state.
9:36 AM ET 2 HRS Ago
HDOT responds to fallen trees as winds pick up on Big Island
Hawaii Department of Transportation crews are already responding to reports of fallen trees and scattered roadway debris on the Big Island as Tropical Storm Lala’s wind field strengthens over the island.
Anyone forced to drive during the early morning hours should exercise extreme caution, as pitch-black conditions make it exceptionally difficult to spot downed branches, utility hazards, or sudden runoff across the pavement.
9:16 AM ET 2 HRS Ago
Analysis: Bryan Norcross breaks down Lala’s impacts on Hawaii
Tropical Storm or Hurricane Lala will make its final approach to the southern tip of the Big Island of Hawaii today.
Maximum impacts are likely this afternoon Hawaii time, which is this evening Eastern time.
The biggest threat is from rainfall. Tall mountains enhance tropical rainfall and the track of Lala is going to put the dense moisture feed rotating around the storm square into the huge mountains on Hawaii Island that reach almost 14,000 feet.
2 feet or more of rain is predicted on the mountain slopes, which all has to run downhill, of course. Flash flooding and mudslides are the threat.
It’s going to be a close call how much of the Big Island gets the worst of the storm. Lala’s center seems to be leaning south so the south slopes seem especially threatened.
If Lala makes it to hurricane strength as forecast, and it crosses the southern tip of Hawaii Island, it will be the first hurricane in the modern record to make landfall on the biggest island in the State of Hawaii.
– FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross
This east side or windward side of the Big Island is accustomed to rainfall and occasionally extreme rainfall. In 2018, Hurricane Lane, which was about 150 miles away, caused an incredible 58 inches of rain to fall against those same slopes.
That was the second heaviest rain ever measured in the United States from one storm, just behind Hurricane Harvey that flooded metro Houston in 2017.
Wind is going to be an issue at the coast and lower elevations, but mostly in terms of power outages and downed trees. High on the mountains in and through the passes, however, 100+ mph wind gusts are possible.
So the higher the elevation, the bigger the wind threat.
The Hawaiian Islands are not prone to surge flooding from storms arriving from the east. But the waves will be massive and will push water over low-lying coastal sections. High tide at Hilo on the northeast side of the Big Island occurs at about 5 PM this afternoon. Some coastal flooding is likely around that time.
If Lala makes it to hurricane strength as forecast, and it crosses the southern tip of Hawaii Island, it will be the first hurricane in the modern record to make landfall on the biggest island in the State of Hawaii.
That record goes back to 1949. Although it turns out that there was a hurricane that tracked over the northern part of Hawaii Island and into Maui in 1871.
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We learned about that relatively recently when Hawaiian-language newspapers of the era were translated. Tropical storm conditions are likely to spread over Maui and Molokai tonight and into tomorrow, reaching Oahu and Kauai including the Honolulu metropolitan area later on Sunday.
The eastern slopes of the mountains on all of the Hawaiian Islands will be subject to very heavy rainfall. Amounts in the 8- to 12-inch range on Maui and 4 to 6 inches on Oahu and Kauai are forecast.
Everybody in Hawaii should pay close attention to local officials and be sure they’re in a safe place to ride out the storm.
8:51 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
Schools, libraries, campuses shutter across Hawaii
Statewide operations are grinding to a halt across Hawaii as agencies shutter public facilities to prepare for Tropical Storm Lala’s impacts.
The Department of Education has canceled all weekend extracurricular activities and athletics, closing public school campuses across Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi through Sunday.
Executive Office on Early Learning Pre-K classrooms and public charter schools are mirroring those closures, while decisions regarding Monday classes will be made after post-storm assessments.
Additionally, the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System has closed major branches across Hawaiʻi Island—including Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and Thelma Parker Memorial—along with canceling all weekend public programs.Higher education and cultural sites are also locking down across the region.
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University of Hawaiʻi campuses at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College have temporarily closed all offices, off-campus locations, and facilities like the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, with Maunakea Visitors Center restricting access strictly to essential personnel.
UH Hilo residence halls remain open with staff on site for students moving in early, while athletic events like UH Mānoa soccer games have been rescheduled.
Public officials continue to urge everyone to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until all facilities can be safely reopened.
8:48 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
Hawaii DLNR rushes stream clearings, monitors dams ahead of Lala
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is taking active steps to reduce severe flood risks across the islands ahead of Tropical Storm Lala.
Maintenance teams have partnered with state and local crews to clear trees, overgrown brush, and debris from critical drainage corridors like Mānoa Valley and Waiawa to prevent hazardous water backup.
Additionally, while the state currently reports no immediate dam safety concerns, DLNR has alerted regulated dam owners statewide to review their emergency action plans, test spillway operations, and prepare emergency response contractors.
To help residents track rising hazards in real time, state officials are encouraging the public to utilize the DLNR Dam Evacuation Zone Map Viewer and monitor live stream conditions through the USGS Water Data network.
Officials strongly urge property owners to avoid unauthorized stream alterations, as illegal heavy machinery work can dangerously divert floodwaters onto neighboring lands during intense downpours.
8:44 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
Exclusive analysis: Bryan Norcross on Lala’s 8 a.m. update
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross is breaking down the latest numbers from the 8 a.m. advisory with exclusive, expert analysis.
Looking closely at the updated track and satellite trends, Norcross points out that while Lala’s center is projected to track just south of the Big Island, the storm’s heavy rain canopy and broad wind field extend well beyond the core.
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8:41 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
Live team coverage: FOX Weather on the ground as Lala hits Hawaii
FOX Weather is providing around-the-clock team coverage to bring you the latest developments on Tropical Storm Lala from every angle.
On the frontline of the storm, Storm Specialist Mike Seidel is live in Wainaku on the Big Island tracking rising wind gusts and torrential rain as the system’s core approaches under a Hurricane Warning.
Meanwhile, Correspondent Katie Byrne is live on the ground in Honolulu, reporting on shelter operations, local preparations, and how residents across Oahu are bracing for weekend impacts.
And Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross is providing exclusive analysis and track projections, breaking down what these hazardous conditions mean for each island in real time.
Count on FOX Weather all night long for uninterrupted ground truth, expert analysis, and live updates as Lala pushes through the island chain.
8:33 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
HDOT clears storm drains, prepositioning crews as Lala approaches
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is racing the clock to reinforce state infrastructure before Tropical Storm Lala’s torrential rain arrives.
HDOT maintenance crews are aggressively clearing critical drainage channels, culverts, and stream beds—including joint efforts in vulnerable valleys like Mānoa—to prevent runoff blockages that trigger destructive flash flooding.
Heavy highway response equipment and staging vehicles are being prepositioned near flood-prone corridors and steep slopes across the islands.
State highway officials are also urging drivers to stay off the roads as heavy rain and mountain debris threaten to force immediate highway closures.
8:26 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
Emergency shelters open across Hawaii as Lala targets islands
Emergency evacuation shelters are opening across the Hawaiian Islands as county officials and the American Red Cross mobilize to protect residents from Tropical Storm Lala.
Dozens of refuge sites—including high schools, community centers, and local gyms—have opened across the Big Island, Maui County, and Oahu.
Officials stress that these locations are designated for safety, meaning residents taking refuge should bring their own essential emergency supplies, including food, water, bedding, flashlight batteries, and critical medications.
Most shelters are pet-friendly provided pets are kept in secure crates, and county authorities urge anyone living in low-lying, flood-prone, or coastal areas to move inland and seek safe shelter before nightfall.
8:24 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
Take Lala seriously: Hawaii Governor Green urges urgent safety prep
Hawaii Governor Josh Green is issuing a strong warning to residents and visitors across the state, emphasizing that Tropical Storm Lala poses a genuine, life-threatening danger.
Calling it “a serious storm” in a briefing, Green pointed out that Hawaii hasn’t experienced a landfall from a tropical system of this scale in decades, meaning many island residents haven’t lived through impacts like these.
The governor signed an emergency proclamation to deploy state resources and activate the National Guard, while urging everyone across the island chain to complete home preparations, stock up on essential supplies, and stay completely off the roads once severe weather sets in.
8:19 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
NHC issues historic first peak storm surge forecast for Hawaii
As Tropical Storm Lala approaches, the National Hurricane Center is marking a major technological milestone by issuing its first-ever peak storm surge forecast for the Hawaiian Islands.
Developed over years of research with UCAR/NHC scientist Dr. Benjamin Trabing and a dedicated team of meteorologists, the new probabilistic tool gives forecasters and the public localized visual guidance on rising coastal waters.
The historic debut provides critical context as Lala threatens to drive 1 to 3 feet of storm surge alongside dangerous waves onto exposed shorelines.
8:18 AM ET 3 HRS Ago
Lala’s outer bands lash Big Island with squalls, gusty winds
Tropical Storm Lala’s outer bands are lashing the Big Island, unleashing driving downpours and powerful wind gusts across windward slopes.
Squalls are sweeping inland from Hilo to South Point, bringing brief visibility drops and wind gusts over 50 mph.
Winds and rain will steadily intensify through the afternoon as Lala’s core tracks closer, pushing tropical-storm-force winds higher up the mountain ridgelines and driving localized flash flooding.
Residents should remain indoors and off the roads as outer rainbands continue to stack up across the island.
7:59 AM ET 4 HRS Ago
Lala set to unleash 30″ of rain, 100 mph gusts in Hawaii
The FOX Forecast Center is warning of catastrophic, multi-hazard impacts as Tropical Storm Lala barrels toward Hawaii.
Up to 30 inches of torrential rain could deluge higher terrain and favored windward slopes, triggering widespread, life-threatening flash flooding and severe mudslides.
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Gusty winds will intensify dramatically across the island chain, reaching 75 mph along exposed coastal areas and howling near 100 mph over elevated peaks.
Offshore, the ocean is turning extremely violent, with peak wave heights surging up to 25 feet that will batter shorelines with dangerous surf and coastal destruction.
7:55 AM ET 4 HRS Ago
61 mph wind gust clocked on Mauna Kea as Lala nears
The elevated terrain on the Big Island is officially taking a beating from Tropical Storm Lala’s outer bands.
A weather station at Pu’u Mali, situated on the high northern slope of Mauna Kea, recently clocked a 61 mph wind gust as the storm continues to push closer.
These early mountain-level gusts offer a stark warning of what is driving toward the rest of the island chain today.
Higher elevations and exposed ridges will continue to see the fiercest conditions, driving downpours and whipping winds inland as Lala’s core advances.
7:52 AM ET 4 HRS Ago
8 a.m. advisory: Lala packing 65 mph winds as it nears Hawaii
The 8 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center places Tropical Storm Lala roughly 140 miles southeast of South Point, Hawaii, packing 65 mph sustained winds and moving west-northwest at 13 mph.
Tropical-storm-force gusts are already lashing the Big Island as the system’s outer bands press onshore, bringing a central pressure down to 991 mb.
Torrential rain and a severe flood threat will continue to expand westward across the entire Hawaiian island chain throughout the weekend. With the storm sitting just 350 miles southeast of Honolulu, conditions are set to rapidly deteriorate across the central islands next.
7:50 AM ET 4 HRS Ago
8 a.m. update: NHC drops latest advisory on Tropical Storm Lala
The National Hurricane Center has officially released its 8 a.m. ET advisory on Tropical Storm Lala, and the FOX Weather team is digging into the data right now.
We are analyzing the fresh coordinates, updated wind speeds, and pressure readings to see if Lala’s inner core has organized further as it presses toward the Hawaiian Islands.
Stand by—we will break down all the critical numbers, hazard maps, and top takeaways right here in just a few moments.
7:21 AM ET 4 HRS Ago
No more recon flights as Hurricane Hunters evacuate Hawaii
The Hurricane Hunters have been forced to evacuate their staging base in Hawaii to safeguard their aircraft as Tropical Storm Lala closes in on the islands.
Crews completed their final direct recon mission into Lala’s core early this morning before pulling out of the storm’s path, meaning forecasters will no longer have access to real-time, in-flight data drops directly from inside the system.
NO WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS ARE TASKED IN THIS TCPOD DUE TO THE NEED TO RELOCATE NOAA AND USAF WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT FROM THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS DUE TO THE THREAT FROM TROPICAL STORM LALA.
– National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day Report
Moving forward, the National Hurricane Center will rely entirely on satellite imagery and coastal radar tracking to monitor Lala’s strength and trajectory.
While the loss of recon flights leaves forecasters with one less tool in the chest, tracking efforts remain fully active as the storm’s dangerous outer bands begin to hammer the state.
7:13 AM ET 4 HRS Ago
Awaiting 8 a.m. ET NHC advisory on Tropical Storm Lala
All eyes are turned to the National Hurricane Center as forecasters prepare to drop the 8 a.m. ET intermediate advisory on Tropical Storm Lala.
This update will give us the latest snapshot of Lala’s exact position, current maximum sustained winds, and central pressure as it churns closer to the Hawaiian Islands.
Crucially, the 8 a.m. bulletin will reveal if Lala’s inner core is better organizing, signaling whether the storm is nearing hurricane strength.
Stay right here with FOX Weather—we will break down the numbers and updated hazard warnings the second the advisory hits the wire.
7:01 AM ET 5 HRS Ago
Lala churning toward Hawaii: What you need to know now
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Tropical Storm Lala is steadily closing in on the Hawaiian Islands, pushing tropical-storm-force winds and torrential outer bands toward the Big Island.
FOX Weather meteorologists warn that the core of the storm will scrape near South Point before sweeping just south of the remaining island chain through Sunday.
Dangerous ocean swells are already crashing onto windward beaches, and inland areas are preparing for localized rainfall totals that could top 20 inches in higher terrain.
Residents across all islands should finalize emergency supplies and monitor local alerts as conditions worsen throughout the day.
6:47 AM ET 5 HRS Ago
Hawaii under Hurricane, Tropical Storm Warnings as Lala nears
The National Hurricane Center has posted a Hurricane Warning for Hawaii County (the Big Island) as Tropical Storm Lala barrels closer, signaling that destructive hurricane conditions are expected within the area.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Warnings stretch across the rest of the state, covering Oahu, Kauai County, and Maui County—including Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.
These warnings mean damaging winds and hazard-level conditions are imminent, making outside preparations dangerous or impossible once the storm hits.
Residents across every island should complete life and property preparations immediately before conditions rapidly decline over the next 24 hours.
6:45 AM ET 5 HRS Ago
Winds ramp up on Hawaii’s Big Island as Lala spins closer
Winds are officially ramping up across the Big Island as the outer circulation of Tropical Storm Lala begins to squeeze against Hawaii’s steep terrain.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 220 miles, with higher elevations and exposed ridgelines taking the brunt of the initial surge.
Conditions will rapidly deteriorate through the morning hours as Lala’s core nears, driving damaging gusts and horizontal rain inland.
6:39 AM ET 5 HRS Ago
Hawaii braces for life-threatening flooding and dangerous winds
Tropical Storm Lala is set to unleash severe weather across the Hawaiian Islands this weekend, with damaging hurricane-force winds targeting the Big Island on Saturday.
Terrain will play a massive role, as wind gusts are expected to peak across higher elevations while tropical-storm-force winds spread over smaller islands through Sunday.
Emergency officials urge all residents to rush preparations to completion before conditions rapidly deteriorate.
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross breaks down the latest as Lala closes in on the islands.
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Beyond the winds, torrential rain will spread westward across the island chain, creating life-threatening flash flood hazards and mudslides in steep areas.
Heavy ocean swells are already surging along eastern shores and will expand to southern coasts, bringing severe beach erosion and localized coastal flooding as Lala pushes through.
6:31 AM ET 5 HRS Ago
Ground truth: Mike Seidel tracks final preparations in Hawaii
FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel is on the ground in Hawaii bringing you live, frontline coverage as communities rush to complete final emergency preparations.
With Tropical Storm Lala bearing down, residents are boarding up storefronts, clearing drainage paths, and securing boats before conditions rapidly deteriorate.
Mike will be tracking the rising surf and pounding wind gusts firsthand as the storm’s outer bands begin to make landfall.
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3 hours ago
Pinned
Trump says USS Abraham Lincoln being replaced with similar ship, rejects deployment too long
President Donald Trump said Friday that the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier that has been deployed for more than 260 days, has gone on “not nearly long enough.”
Trump made the comment after a reporter started asking him Friday, “family members of U.S. service members are concerned about the conditions onboard the USS Lincoln.”
“Well no that ship is moving — no they’re not,” Trump interjected. “That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it’s being replaced with another very similar ship.”
When asked if the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln has gone on too long, Trump said, “no, no, no, not nearly long enough.”
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell also blasted media coverage of the USS Abraham Lincoln on Friday, accusing outlets of twisting the hardships of an extended combat deployment into a “false narrative.”
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this post.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
40 mins ago
Israel says Hezbollah violated Lebanon ceasefire, seriously injured 3 IDF soldiers
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Hezbollah violated a ceasefire in Lebanon by attacking Israeli soldiers in a security zone along the border, leaving three “seriously injured.”
“The IDF responded by striking the Hezbollah terror headquarters which ordered the attack,” the office added in a statement. “Only later did the IDF learn that Hezbollah deliberately put civilians in that military compound.”
“Hezbollah is willing to do anything, including using its own civilians as human shields, to falsely accuse Israel of deliberately targeting civilians, which the IDF clearly did not,” it also said.
The Israel Defense Forces said earlier Saturday that it struck infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
“The strikes were carried out following an action by the Hezbollah terror organization against our forces in the Ali Taher ridge area, which is located within the security zone where IDF forces operate,” the IDF wrote on X.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
1 hour ago
Another Iranian official insists Tehran controls Strait of Hormuz despite US claims
Iran’s Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i said Saturday that the “owner and ruler of the Strait of Hormuz is Islamic Iran,” following comments from President Donald Trump that the U.S. could make the waterway its territory after the war.
“The nonsense and fabrications of the criminal President of America regarding the Strait of Hormuz stem from the delusions of this featherbrained individual,” the Iranian official wrote on X. “In the real world, the owner and ruler of this vital global waterway is Islamic Iran.”
“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,” Trump said on Friday during a speech in New York.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this post.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
2 hours ago
UAE blames Iran for latest attack on ship affiliated with state-owned oil company
The United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry is blaming Iran Saturday for an attack on a ship affiliated with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), as the vessel was traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
ADNOC said early Saturday that one of its vessels was attacked while crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening.
“The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned and denounced the hostile Iranian attack that targeted a vessel affiliated with ADNOC as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz, with no injuries reported,” the foreign ministry said Saturday.
“The UAE further stressed the need for Iran to halt these unprovoked attacks, ensure its full commitment to an immediate cessation of all hostilities, and the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in order to safeguard regional security, and maintain the stability of the global economy and trade,” it added.
Two other ships affiliated with ADNOC were attacked by Iran on Thursday, the foreign ministry previously said.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this post.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
2 hours ago
Ship traveling in Strait of Hormuz is hit with ‘unknown projectile,’ UK maritime agency says
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said Saturday that it received a report of a bulk carrier being hit by an “unknown projectile” while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The UKMTO added that the projectile hit the hull of the ship as it was near Kumzar, Oman, on Friday evening.
“The crew are reported safe, no damage assessment has been reported and environmental impact is unknown at present,” it added.
The development comes as the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said Saturday that one of its vessels was attacked while crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening.
The United Arab Emirates said Thursday that Iran attacked two vessels affiliated with ADNOC as they transited the Strait of Hormuz.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this post.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
3 hours ago
Israel’s military strikes Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces said Saturday that it has struck infrastructure belonging to the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
“The strikes were carried out following an action by the Hezbollah terror organization against our forces in the Ali Taher ridge area, which is located within the security zone where IDF forces operate,” the IDF wrote on X.
“The IDF will not allow the Hezbollah terror organization to harm the citizens of the State of Israel and its forces, and will continue to act to remove threats,” it added.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
3 hours ago
Russian tanker’s oil spill is spreading off Oman’s coast following explosion
Oil from the grounded Russian shadow fleet tanker Caroline Bezengi is spreading off the coast of Oman after the ship suffered an explosion of unclear cause in early June, a report said.
Ambrey, a United Kingdom-based maritime risk and response company, said Thursday that it has been hired to salvage the ship, and that its personnel boarded the vessel with help from the Omani air force to assess its condition before stabilizing it.
The vessel has been grounded off Qabiliyah Island in southwestern Oman since June. Its cargo previously has been estimated at more than 800,000 barrels, according to The Associated Press, which cited satellite images showing a growing oil spill.
Satellite images also have shown that the tanker is increasingly submerged, and experts have warned of an unprecedented environmental disaster if the vessel sinks or breaks open and leaks its entire cargo, the AP also reported.
“This is an extremely challenging situation, compounded by adverse weather conditions associated with the Khareef monsoon,” Ambrey’s global response director Ed Wollaston said in a statement.
The 899-foot Caroline Bezengi is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” and has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for carrying cargoes of Russian oil.
The Associated Press contributed to this post.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
4 hours ago
USS Abraham Lincoln ‘not experiencing an uptick in mental health issues’: US official
A U.S. official told Fox News on Saturday that “We are not experiencing an uptick in mental health issues” aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and there are “religious, medical and mental health professionals available to assess and address concerns as they arise” among Sailors and Marines.
The remark comes following reports this week claiming a decline in morale and conditions onboard the aircraft carrier, which has spent more than 260 days at sea during its deployment, in support of the U.S. war against Iran.
“We have not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship,” the U.S. official told Fox News.
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) has five Navy Chaplains, one clinical psychologist, one clinical social worker, three behavioral health technicians and an embedded integrated prevention coordination (EIPC) counselor. The ship also has an expeditionary facility dog, CAPT Fathom, to support crew morale and emotional welfare,” the official continued. “These resources are available to Sailors and Marines throughout the Strike Group 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
“Sailors go through normal transitions throughout a deployment cycle. Adapting to life at sea can be difficult, so we’ve learned how to provide resources and help Sailors with these transitions. We are not experiencing an uptick in mental health issues aboard Abraham Lincoln,” the official added.
The official also said the USS Abraham Lincoln is “operating in a highly contested environment where traditional supply hubs in the Middle East were disrupted by combat actions.”
“In response, leadership prioritized mission-critical supplies: first food, then hygiene items, then mail. Current reports from the ship confirm continuous access to clean water, functional AC, and healthy meal options,” the official said.
Fox News’ Liz Friden contributed to this post.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
5 hours ago
Trump says he may declare Strait of Hormuz ‘territory of the United States’
President Donald Trump said Friday that he could soon declare the Strait of Hormuz “a territory of the United States,” an extraordinary remark as he touted U.S. military control of the critical waterway during the war with Iran.
“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,” Trump said during remarks at the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Nassau County, New York.
The president also said he has used the military “a little bit more than I wanted to” but argued pressure on Tehran is necessary to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Posted by Jasmine Baehr

Lebanese Health Ministry: The Israeli airstrikes on the southern part of Lebanon today morning have killed 11 people and injured another 19.
In a press release, the Ministry said that children and women were among the victims.
Israel Defense Forces today announced that they had struck Hezbollah’s infrastructure following what the Iran-backed militants group described as an “action” against Israeli soldiers on the Ali al-Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon. The IDF did not give any specifics on the Hezbollah attack.
Hezbollah condemned the “escalating aggressiveness” of Israel and its “brutal massacre” against “innocent civilians.”
It added that the escalation was “part of the will and desire of” Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu to “intensify the war in order to boost his domestic political status, serve his election goals, and appease his extreme right-wing”, accusing also the US of being responsible for the attacks because it provided Israel with “support, cover, and assistance.”
The Israeli attacks on Lebanon today are the most deadly since the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was renewed late in June. At least nine victims have been reported.
In a recent post to X, the Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam described today’s strikes as an “escalation”, and a matter of “utmost importance”.
Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement nearly two months back, after Israel’s military had killed 47 civilians in Lebanon following an attack by Hezbollah that claimed the lives of four Israeli soldiers.
Israel’s and Hezbollah’s continued fighting has long threatened the efforts of US President Donald Trump to reduce tensions between Iran and Israel.
Israel struck several southern Lebanon towns hours after the ceasefire was declared, killing at least 16.
After four days in Washington, Israel finally agreed, the following week, to pull out of two southern Lebanon areas. It carried out an attack on the area by drones.
Israel approved the continuation of military operations against buildings in Nabatieh, Mayfadoun and southern Lebanon a day later. IDF described these buildings as “Hezbollah Command Centers,” but the militant group claimed they were residences.
Strikes have been continuing in the following weeks.
Israel has issued the first evacuation order for southern Lebanon in June. It launched new strikes in the region as Lebanese officials and Israelis met in Rome in an effort to cement terms of the ceasefire.
After the attack, the US-mediated negotiations ended sooner than anticipated. However, they resumed the following day.
Israel demolished a school in the southern part of Lebanon on Wednesday. The army in Lebanon said that this was the latest demolition targeting civil infrastructure, which continues to be carried out despite a ceasefire.
Reporting by CNN’s Elise Hammond and Alejandra Jaramillo. Contributions also came from Hanna Ziady (Karen Fox), Dani Karni Ibrahim Dahman, Jennifer Hansler, Oren Liebrmann, Eugenia Yusef Hanna Ziady.
The UAE Foreign Ministry reported that a vessel associated with ADNOC, the state oil company of the United Arab Emirates, was attacked on Friday evening local time as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz.
Abu Dhabi, in a press release, blamed Iran and described the strike as “a flagrant violation” international law. They added that the crew on board the ship was not injured in the attack.
UAE Foreign Ministry accuses Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of “piracy”, using the strait to “coerce and blackmail economic interests”; and that targeting commercial shipping poses a direct threat for the entire region.
This was the third time in 48 hours that an ADNOC vessel had been attacked. Two of ADNOC’s vessels were attacked Thursday while they transited Hormuz, the state oil giant announced earlier.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a Royal Navy body which monitors maritime safety and shipping in this region, reported that an unknown projectile hit the hull a bulk-carrier in the waterway. Iran claims responsibility, and has issued a warning to ships not to attempt the crossing of the chokepoint.
Anwar Gargash said that “repeated targeting” of state-owned oil tankers by the UAE “will not discourage” them.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said that Iran had not yet decided whether it would resume talks with the US. This comes days after Donald Trump claimed Washington is “low-keying”.
Araghchi is a seasoned diplomat with over 30 years of experience in various diplomatic positions.
Born in Esfahan, the 63-year old fought in the Iraqi-Iran War as a young man along with thousands of other Iranians. Araghchi, who earned a PhD at the University of Kent, England, joined the Iranian Foreign Ministry and has served in Iranian delegations dealing with nuclear issues for the last 20 years.
He was described by other negotiators as a highly skilled and competent man with an excellent command of details. He played a key role in the negotiations of the 2015 nuclear agreement between the West, Russia, and China which set limitations on Iran’s program. However US President Donald Trump reneged the deal in his first year.
Araghchi, appointed by Masoud Peshkian as Foreign Minister 2024 with the mandate of easing sanctions. Araghchi began negotiations with US representative Steve Witkoff over Iran’s ballistic and nuclear missile programs. These talks ultimately ended in failure.
Airstrikes killed dozens of Iranian senior officials when the conflict broke out at the beginning of February. Araghchi, however, does not seem to be a target. This is because Araghchi may have been seen as an interlocutor for any possible settlement.
According to Yemeni Armed Forces, the Iran-backed Houthi group fired six missiles, which killed one individual, at Mocha, a city in Yemen.
The Houthis claimed to have targeted Saudi forces in the country. This is the latest attack since conflict escalated in Yemen last week.
What you need to know about this group
What they are
Ansar Allah, or the Houthi Movement (Supporters Of God), are one of two sides in Yemen’s civil war. In the 90s, its leader Hussein al-Houthi launched a revivalist religious movement called “Believing Youth” for an ancient subsect in Shia Islam known as Zaidism.
Zaidis were the ruling tribe in Yemen for many centuries, but they became marginalized by the Sunni government that took power following the civil war of 1962. Al-Houthi founded his movement to defend Zaidis, and fight radical Sunnism – particularly Wahhabi ideologies from Saudi Arabia. Houthis became the name of his closest supporters.
Yemen’s Civil War began in 2014. Houthi forces stormed Sanaa, the capital city of Yemen and overthrew the internationally recognised and Saudi-backed Government. In 2015, a Saudi coalition launched an offensive to defeat the Houthis. The war spiraled out of control.
Sanaa, along with much of western Yemen, is currently under Houthi rule.
Allies of the Houthis
Iran has been supporting the Houthis since 2014, when the civil war intensified and its rivalry against Saudi Arabia increased. According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Iran provided weapons and technologies for the group, including sea mines and ballistic and cruise rockets.
The Houthis are part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”, an anti-Western and anti-Israel alliance of regional militias supported by the Islamic Republic.
What is the strength of your group?
American officials are tracking the iterative improvement in range, accuracy and deadlyness of Houthi missiles produced domestically. An official with US intelligence previously told CNN that initially, the home-made Houthi weaponry was mainly assembled from Iranian components and smuggled in Yemen as pieces.
The USS Carney warship, which is based in the Red Sea responded to distress signals after Israel used anti-ship and drone missiles against commercial vessels, some of whom are not believed to have any connection to Israel.
According to Yemeni Armed Forces, six ballistic rockets were fired by the Iran-backed Houthi group at Yemen’s Red Sea port of Mocha last night. Eight people were injured.
According to initial information, one member of port security was killed in the attack.
According to Staff Colonel Majed Al-Zuraiqi of the Yemeni Armed forces, two sailors have been reported missing and eight civilians injured.
In an X-post posted Saturday morning, Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba had condemned the attack, calling it “an attempt at striking one of Yemeni people’s vital lifelines.” She added that the water “would not be used as a pressure tool in the hands an armed terror group.”
Saudi Arabia is yet to comment on the Yemeni strikes. Saudi Arabia has been under increasing attack from the Houthis who, on July 20, declared a blocking of the al-Mandeb Strait at the Red Sea.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Israel conducted a number of airstrikes on southern Lebanon Saturday. It was the most deadly day since June’s ceasefire.
NNA reported that an airstrike on Saturday morning destroyed a home in Ansar, resulting in the deaths of seven people. Three others were also injured. The NNA reported that rescuers were clearing the rubble of a house in Ansar town and transporting those who died and injured to hospitals.
NNA reports that a nearby valley has also been attacked, the first attack in this area since Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire two months earlier.
Israeli warplanes have also struck a teacher training college in Nabatieh al-Fawqa (around 10 miles east from Ansar) and a building of worship. Further strikes were reported around the area.
Israel Defense Forces said they struck Hezbollah’s infrastructure following “an attack” by the Iran-backed militants along the Ali al-Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon. IDF didn’t provide details about the Hezbollah attack.
In a press release, the IDF stated that they would continue their operations to eliminate threats.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO), said that an “unknown object” hit the hull of a Bulk Carrier in the Strait of Hormuz, on Friday.
The update added that “the crew is reported to be safe. No damage assessments have been reported, and the environmental impact at this time is unknown.”
In their most recent intelligence update, Marisks said that commercial ships trying to navigate around and in the Persian Gulf are facing the double threat of violence along the Strait of Hormuz as well as Houthi attacks on the Bab al-Mandeb. This means there is currently “no genuinely safe’ side of Arabian Peninsula.”
UKMTO reported on Friday that 56 incidents of vessel damage in the Strait of Hormuz or nearby waters have occurred since February 28, when the US-Iran conflict began. The UKMTO said that shipping traffic has been reduced to a small fraction of its pre-war level in the Strait of Hormuz.
See our interactive to see how the War has changed the traffic patterns on the Strait of Hormuz.
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Pamela Brown, CNN’s Pamela Brown talks to the father of a sailor aboard USS Abraham Lincoln about what his son has told him.
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Pamela Brown, CNN, talks to the father of a USS Abraham Lincoln sailor about what his son has told him.
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USS Abraham Lincoln has been on a record breaking deployment for over six months. The crew of the aircraft carrier is experiencing morale issues and concerns about their mental health. It is possible that the ship will break the record of the longest US carrier trip from home since the Vietnam War.
This record was achieved by the USS Gerald R. Ford just a few months back after it completed its 326-day mission, which included missions against Iran and Venezuela.
According to CNN’s analysis of announcements of deployments, and to the USNI News Fleet Tracker, it’s a trend. The US Navy is increasingly requesting that its aircraft carrier group exceeds the recommended service deployment duration of 7 months.
Former officials and experts have warned of the dangers that this trend may cause more strain on ships, leading to increased burnout and even the departure of some sailors.
The morale of the crew on board the Lincoln was very low, and the essential facilities were often strained. Toilets and water dispensers all around the ship would close frequently and the hot water supply would be unavailable.
CNN spoke to other sailors on the Lincoln, who described different conditions than their previous deployments. This is largely because the carrier has not been able to stop at friendly ports due in part to combat. During port visits, ships can replenish their supplies while allowing sailors to relax and rest.
CNN reported that the ship had intermittent shortages of food, low hygiene supplies, and issues with its water system.
Click here to read the complete story.
According to UKMTO, the shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been 17% of its pre-conflict level in the last seven days.
The control of this critical waterway is the main focus of recent wars. US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz will become a US territory once “we defeat Iran”. This was quickly retorted by Tehran’s deputy foreign minister, who stated the Strait of Hormuz could not be taken with “a tweet” or “an aircraft carrier.”
According to UKMTO’s most recent report, published on Friday, only 151 vessels made it into or out of this narrow waterway over the last seven days.
The report stated that 56 damage reports have been made to vessels within the Strait of Hormuz or nearby waters, since the US/Iran conflict began on 28 February. The tally appears to exclude the two latest attacks that were reported on Thursday. The UKMTO reported in a separate report that “minor damages” were sustained by a ship after an attack from a drone on Thursday. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said that two of their vessels were targeted while they transited the Strait of Hormuz.
The Southern Omani Route, a temporary alternative corridor in the Strait, continues to be the most dangerous, with 16 out of 18 incidents of projectile strikes reported by UKMTO from July 6th.
It is not possible for ships to enter or leave any Iranian ports, whether inside or outside of the Strait. In the last seven days, however, two Iranian flagged ships have been reported to be passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Panama and Liberia each had 12 ships that entered or exited the waterway. There were no US-flagged ships reported.
Product tankers, typically used to transport refined petroleum products, were the most frequent type of vessels that traveled through the Strait.
According to UKMTO, the latest figures show a slight increase from last week when the traffic levels were only 4% higher than pre-war.
See our interactive to see how the Strait of Hormuz has changed since the War.
Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of Iran, said early Saturday morning that Iran had not yet decided whether it would resume talks with the US.
In an interview with Axios earlier this week, Donald Trump stated that the US is “low-keying’ talks with Iran. In an interview with Axios, he stated that the US was only “semi-negotiating” with Iran.
Araghchi stated that Qatar and Pakistan, the mediators in this case, have exchanged messages but these interactions are not considered negotiations.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Garibabadi responded also to Trump’s claim that he will declare the Strait of Hormuz as a US Territory.
He added, “The blockade will continue as long as the United States refuses to admit defeat or abandon its delusions.”
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Trump plans to make the Strait of Hormuz US territory
Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention to make the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory once “we defeat Iran.”
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Trump plans to make the Strait of Hormuz US territory
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KABUL (AP) – Taliban leaders and other Afghan officials gathered in the traditional Loya Jirga hall to mark their fifth anniversary. They praised what they called restored stability, and the end of decades of war.
Unanimously, a top UN official warned that the human rights situation in Afghanistan is grave, with girls older than 12 years of age being barred from going to school.
On August 15, 2021 the Taliban took power as U.S. troops and NATO troops retreated after a two-decade costly war. As a result of the U.S. withdrawing, Kabul’s airport was flooded with desperate people trying to escape.
The Taliban government banned girls from completing the sixth-grade and then higher education. This was despite their promise to allow women access to employment, education and participation in public life.
The women are also prohibited from entering public places such as parks and gyms, participating in sports or traveling far away without male companions.
Taliban praises American troops for their “liberation”
At the Loya Jirga high-ranking officials, foreign representatives and thousands ordinary citizens spoke to mark what they called Afghanistan’s liberation by American forces.
Hamdullah fitrat, the deputy spokesperson for the Taliban’s government, spoke at the ceremony. “We ask Almighty God that He protects our homeland forever from invasion, aggression, wars and insecurity and allow our people to live peacefully, with tranquillity and prosper under the Sharia based government.”
Abdul Salam Hanafi said that the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan ended an “era of external intervention and internal strife” in the country over the last half century, restoring the security.
Hanafi stated that “at least 300 Afghans are martyred every day.” Three hundred mothers and sisters will be left grieving, as well as several orphans. “Thank God for the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan. This tragedy has been removed from the Afghan people.”
The ceremony was not attended by any women.
Taliban’s top official urges for greater international engagement
After five years, only Russia has recognized the Taliban Government formally.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, said that countries who have established contact with his administration will benefit from it and urged those that are not in touch to reconsider.
He said that they should adopt a strategy of mutual engagement and interaction.
Celebrated under strict security
Afghans were seen in Kabul bringing Taliban flags to squares, and shouting slogans supporting the government. Traffic jams were caused by convoys of cars that wound through the city.
The Loya Jirga was held in tight security, as there were several checkpoints and a large Taliban presence on the main road.
In other provinces, Taliban flags with posters and slogans praising the Taliban for their return to power were also displayed on major streets and markets.
UN warning of worsening Human Rights Crisis
Richard Bennett, U.N. Special Reporter on Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan said that the country is experiencing a severe human rights crisis.
Bennett stated that “whilst the war era has ended, there is questionable as to whether or not real peace has been achieved, and human rights have steadily declined, especially for girls and women.” My mandate concluded that the system was a crime against humanity, gender-based persecution.
He continued by saying that “the crisis goes beyond gender-based discrimination and even gender apartheid,” noting the U.N.’s continuing documentation of arbitrary arrests in Afghanistan, torture, extrajudicial murders, and minorities being persecuted.
Bennett warned against the “normalization” of the Taliban policies. He said that it would legitimize discrimination, and “tell victims their suffering is negotiable.”
Molvi Hayatullah Mahjar Farahi said in an interview earlier this week with The Associated Press that despite the “challenges and difficulty” of the Taliban administration, the government has delivered on security and infrastructure and also created jobs in the last five years.
2,4 million girls are excluded from secondary school
Farahi did not mention the question of education for girls or women when asked. Instead, he said that “the amount of money invested in universities is greater than anything ever seen before.”
UNESCO estimates that 2.4 millions girls are not enrolled in secondary school. According to the U.N. World Food Program, child malnutrition is at critical levels in one third of Afghanistan’s provinces. It’s expected that this situation will worsen as a result of funding shortages.
U.N. Women stated this week that Afghanistan is suffering from the most severe restrictions on women and girls in the entire world. The bans threaten the social and economic stability of the country due to the shortages of doctors, teachers, nurses, and midwives.
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Fraser reports from Ankara in Turkey.