“No, I wouldn’t use it,” Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to nuclear weapons. “Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we’ve, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it?” he added, while also stating that such weapons “should never be allowed to be used by anybody.”

The remarks come after Trump earlier this month warned that Iran faced destruction, comments that drew scrutiny before a ceasefire was agreed and subsequently extended.

During the conflict, Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to intensify its military response using capabilities not previously deployed, though the White House denied that nuclear weapons were under consideration.

Trump reiterated that his objective was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, saying he sought an Iran “without a nuclear weapon” that could threaten U.S. cities or regional stability. Tehran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear arms, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has said an atomic weapon was not imminent prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

The United States remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat, during the final stages of World War II, when atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but has not publicly confirmed their existence.

Trump’s statement appears to contrast with longstanding U.S. nuclear doctrine, which has not ruled out the potential use of nuclear weapons under certain conditions.

Previous administrations, including that of Barack Obama, have advocated for reducing nuclear risks while maintaining deterrence capabilities.

In an interview with CNN, Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine has so far experienced no disruption in the delivery of such systems or related intelligence support, but cautioned that an extended Middle East conflict could place existing supply arrangements under pressure.

He noted that Ukraine has secured portions of its U.S. weaponry through a program under which NATO countries finance purchases for Kyiv, enabling access to critical systems including anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot platforms.

“Through this program, we can include and buy anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot systems and some other weapons which is very important for us,” Zelenskiy said, adding that similar mechanisms were not available through European partners.

The Ukrainian leader emphasized that U.S. supply volumes remain limited due to constrained production capacity, acknowledging that Washington has provided only a relatively small number of such systems.“We understand why, because the production in the United States is not so big,” he said, warning that delays in de-escalation or ceasefire efforts in the Middle East could exacerbate supply risks.

Zelenskiy also highlighted Ukraine’s growing role in sharing military expertise abroad, particularly in countering drone threats. He said Kyiv had signed agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to provide training and technical know-how developed during its conflict with Russia, where Iranian-designed drones have been widely deployed.

He added that Ukraine intends to expand such cooperation with other countries, focusing initially on knowledge transfer and training missions.

No reason was provided for the abrupt exit of Phelan, the Navy’s top civilian official, whose departure comes at a time of heightened operational activity, including a blockade of Iranian ports and actions targeting vessels linked to Tehran during a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing regional conflict.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the move in a statement, while the administration named Hung Cao, the current undersecretary and a retired Navy captain, as acting secretary. Cao, a former combat officer and political candidate in Virginia, assumes the role immediately.

Phelan’s departure adds to a series of leadership changes under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has removed several senior military figures since taking office last year. Those include Randy George, the Army’s top uniformed officer, as well as earlier dismissals of Lisa Franchetti and Jim Slife.

Charles Q. Brown Jr. was also removed from his post as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.The timing of Phelan’s exit appeared sudden. He had addressed a major Navy conference in Washington a day earlier and held meetings with lawmakers, including members of the House Armed Services Committee, to discuss shipbuilding plans and budget priorities, according to official communications.

Phelan, a private investment executive and founder of Rugger Management LLC, had limited prior government or military leadership experience before his nomination in late 2024. His background included advisory work with Spirit of America, a nonprofit supporting defense-related initiatives in Ukraine and Taiwan.

His tenure coincided with an expanded U.S. naval presence globally. The Navy currently has multiple aircraft carriers deployed or en route to the Middle East, and U.S. forces remain positioned for potential renewed operations should the ceasefire with Iran collapse.

Separately, naval assets have supported counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and were involved in the January capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.Cao, who succeeds Phelan in an acting capacity, is a Vietnam-born refugee who later graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in special operations units, including deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

He previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Virginia and has publicly criticized diversity and inclusion initiatives in the military, as well as COVID-19 vaccine mandates imposed on service members.

His appointment comes as the Trump administration continues to recalibrate defense leadership and policy priorities, including a broader rollback of diversity programs across the armed forces.

Companies producing items such as plush toys, footwear, apparel and household goods say the effects of tighter oil markets are already filtering through supply chains, with suppliers raising prices for key inputs derived from petroleum.

Executives report early signs of cost inflation that could eventually be passed on to consumers if disruptions persist.Aleni Brands, a Florida-based manufacturer of soft toys made from polyester and acrylic fibers, said its Chinese suppliers increased material costs by 10% to 15% within weeks of the conflict’s escalation.

Chief Executive Ricardo Venegas said the company is absorbing higher costs for now but may raise prices in 2027 if conditions persist.Petrochemicals derived from oil and natural gas are used in more than 6,000 consumer products, according to the US Department of Energy, including items such as lipstick, pajamas, detergents, synthetic fabrics and medical supplies.

While the majority of crude oil is used as fuel, a significant portion is refined into chemical compounds that underpin modern manufacturing.Industry experts say crude oil, composed primarily of hydrocarbons, is processed into core petrochemicals such as ethylene, propylene and benzene, which form the basis of plastics, nylon and polyester.

These materials are widely used across sectors ranging from textiles to electronics and healthcare.Consultants note that material costs represent a substantial share of manufacturing expenses.

Andrew Walberer, a partner at Kearney, said raw materials can account for up to 30% of production costs for products such as garments, amplifying the impact of commodity price swings.

Trade groups warn that sustained oil prices above $90 per barrel could accelerate inflationary pressures across supply chains. The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America estimates that petrochemical-based materials make up roughly 70% of synthetic footwear, with oil price fluctuations directly influencing around 30% of those costs.

The group projects retail shoe prices could rise by 1.5% to 3% in the coming months.Manufacturers are also adjusting procurement strategies. Rinseroo, which produces portable washing attachments using petroleum-based components such as polyvinyl chloride, said it increased its order volumes from China after being warned of a potential 30% cost increase.

Founder Lisa Lane said the company is exploring cost-cutting measures while delaying further price hikes after earlier increases linked to tariffs.In the healthcare sector, Gentell said it plans to raise prices by about 15% as costs for petrochemical-based adhesives and energy rise.

Chief Executive David Navazio estimated overall company expenses have increased by roughly 20%.Analysts say the broader economic impact of the conflict is already visible in higher fuel prices, which are feeding into transportation and logistics costs.

This is pushing up prices for goods moved by diesel-powered freight networks, as well as air travel costs due to rising jet fuel prices.

With supply disruptions now extending into their second month, industry participants say prolonged instability could lead to sustained cost pressures across global manufacturing, particularly for products reliant on synthetic materials and plastic-based components.

Major hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi have faced operational constraints, leaving passengers unable to travel as planned while airlines adjust routes, suspend services and redeploy capacity to other regions.

Carriers across Europe, North America and Asia have suspended flights to destinations such as Tel Aviv, Beirut, Riyadh and Dubai, with some cancellations extending into the summer and autumn travel seasons. Several airlines are also avoiding the airspace of conflict-affected countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel, increasing flight times and operational costs.

Emirates said it is operating a reduced schedule while continuing to serve more than 100 destinations, while Etihad Airways reported maintaining flights from Abu Dhabi to around 80 destinations under adjusted operations.European carriers including Air France and KLM have suspended multiple Middle East routes, while Lufthansa and affiliated airlines extended cancellations to a wide range of destinations until late October.

Low-cost and regional carriers have similarly scaled back operations, citing safety concerns and logistical constraints.In North America, Delta Air Lines has delayed the resumption of key routes to Tel Aviv, and Air Canada has extended cancellations to both Tel Aviv and Dubai through early September.

Asian airlines, including Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, have also suspended services to Gulf destinations while adding capacity on European routes to meet shifting demand.Meanwhile, some carriers are reallocating resources to less-affected markets.

Airlines such as Qantas and others are increasing flights to European cities, responding to a surge in passenger demand away from disrupted Middle Eastern corridors.Industry participants say the disruptions are being compounded by rising jet fuel costs and shortages linked to constrained oil supplies, forcing airlines to balance safety, cost pressures and demand volatility.

With uncertainty persisting over the duration of the conflict, airlines continue to revise schedules, with many warning that disruptions could extend for months as geopolitical tensions reshape global aviation patterns.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors shipping security in the region, said the cargo vessel reported being fired upon and subsequently halted in the water.

No injuries or environmental damage were reported, and the ship sustained no apparent damage.The UKMTO did not identify who carried out the second attack. However, the incident followed an earlier episode in which Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was reported to have opened fire on a container ship, prompting immediate suspicion toward Tehran.

The incidents come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, days after U.S. forces seized an Iranian container vessel following an exchange of fire and boarded an oil tanker linked to Iran’s oil trade in the Indian Ocean.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global transit route for energy supplies, and any disruption to shipping there is closely monitored by governments and markets worldwide.

Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on the reported attacks.

“We will EXTEND the A-10 ‘Warthog’ platform to 2030,” Meink wrote on social media, adding the decision would help preserve combat capability while the defense industrial base ramps up aircraft production.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, first introduced in 1976, had been scheduled for retirement by 2026. The aircraft has been actively deployed in recent operations involving Iran, with U.S. Central Command indicating its use against maritime targets in the Strait of Hormuz.

Long valued for its durability and powerful nose-mounted cannon designed for close air support, the A-10 has remained central to operations supporting ground troops. However, Air Force officials have repeatedly argued the platform is increasingly costly to maintain and less suited to modern warfare compared with newer systems.

Debate over the aircraft’s future has persisted for more than two decades, with proponents in Congress warning that retiring the fleet without a direct replacement could leave a critical gap in battlefield support. In 2021, Mark Kelly successfully pushed to block earlier retirement plans through defense legislation, citing the need to sustain the capability.

The largest share of the A-10 fleet is based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where the aircraft contributes significantly to the local economy and employment.

While extending the platform ensures continued availability in current operations, Air Force officials have cautioned that maintaining the aging fleet places additional strain on maintenance resources needed for next-generation aircraft development.

The latest move underscores a continued balancing act between modernization priorities and immediate operational requirements.

Ministers are set to gather in Santa Marta against the backdrop of fuel shortages and rising prices following what the International Energy Agency has described as the largest oil supply shock on record, driven in part by constraints around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supplies.

The conference, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, was initiated amid frustration with the pace of negotiations under United Nations climate frameworks, where consensus-based processes have struggled to produce a clear pathway for reducing fossil fuel dependence.

Organisers say the current energy crisis has reinforced the strategic need for a managed transition, even as some governments increase coal use in the short term to stabilise domestic supply.Energy security considerations are expected to weigh as heavily as climate commitments during the discussions, reflecting the policy dilemma facing both advanced and developing economies.

Countries including Australia, Canada and Norway are expected to attend alongside emerging producers such as Angola, Mexico and Brazil, as well as coal-reliant economies like Turkiye and Vietnam. European nations including Germany, France and the United Kingdom are also set to participate.

However, several of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers and consumers, including the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia, will not be represented, limiting the scope of any immediate global alignment.Colombia’s environment minister Irene Vélez Torres said the meeting has gained increased relevance in light of recent geopolitical developments, describing it as an opportunity to foster more direct engagement between producers and consumers on an issue often constrained in multilateral forums.

Analysts say the smaller, focused format may allow for more candid discussions but could also dilute outcomes given the diversity of national interests. Climate scientist Bill Hare of Climate Analytics noted that broader participation can make it harder to reach specific commitments, while supporters argue the inclusion of fossil fuel-producing nations marks a necessary step in advancing negotiations.

Participants from climate-vulnerable states, including Tuvalu and Vanuatu, are expected to push for accelerated timelines, citing the disproportionate impact of climate change and their reliance on imported energy. Officials from these countries have framed the current crisis as further evidence of the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Global investment in clean energy now outpaces spending on fossil fuels by roughly a factor of two, yet emissions from coal, oil and gas reached a record high in 2025, underscoring the gap between policy commitments and implementation.

The Santa Marta meeting is not expected to yield binding agreements but will contribute to a voluntary roadmap on fossil fuel transition being developed under Brazil’s leadership, as countries continue to grapple with balancing climate goals and energy security.

Brent crude futures rose about 7% in early Asian trading to $96.85 a barrel, while S&P 500 futures fell roughly 0.9%, reflecting a shift toward risk aversion among investors. Currency markets also reacted, with the euro easing 0.3% to $1.1735 and the Japanese yen weakening about 0.2% to 158.95 per dollar.

The moves followed conflicting signals on diplomacy after Iran rejected new peace talks with the United States, according to state media, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would pursue negotiations while warning of further military action if Tehran refused its terms.

Market sentiment was further pressured by rising tensions at sea after the United States said it had seized an Iranian cargo vessel attempting to breach its blockade, adding to uncertainty around energy supply routes.

The renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz a key transit corridor for global oil and gas shipments — reversed sharp gains in equities and bonds recorded on Friday, when Iran’s brief reopening of the passage had fueled hopes of de-escalation and sent oil prices lower.

Analysts said markets are recalibrating expectations after what some viewed as an overly optimistic rally. Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone, said investors were unwinding positions as geopolitical risks resurfaced, though underlying expectations of continued dialogue between the two sides remain a moderating factor.

“If it is confirmed that talks will not proceed, markets could shift more decisively into risk-off mode,” Brown said, noting that much of Friday’s bond rally could reverse under sustained uncertainty.Global equities had rallied last week, with Wall Street indexes reaching record highs, supported by easing oil prices and expectations of strong corporate earnings.

Bond yields also declined, with the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield falling to its lowest level since mid-March.The U.S. dollar, which had weakened in recent sessions as safe-haven demand eased, edged higher on Monday, with the dollar index up around 0.2% in early trading.

Analysts cautioned that recent market moves suggest heightened volatility ahead. Marc Chandler of Bannockburn Capital Markets noted that the Nasdaq’s extended rally and the dollar’s recent declines indicated markets may have been pricing in a more optimistic scenario than current geopolitical conditions support.

Investors are now closely monitoring developments in the Iran conflict and any signals on diplomatic engagement, as well as upcoming corporate earnings, for direction in global markets.

The measure, ordered by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, will cover salaries of insured Bahraini workers through the Unemployment Insurance Fund, as part of a broader government response to protect employment and support small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Gulf state has faced direct and indirect economic pressure from the conflict, including damage to industrial facilities, disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and a decline in tourism and exports. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and has been exposed to regional security risks during the hostilities.

Central bank measures have complemented fiscal support, with authorities injecting liquidity, easing lending conditions and allowing temporary deferrals on loan and credit card payments for businesses and households.

The Central Bank of Bahrain has also made funding available to banks against collateral to maintain credit flows.Analysts say the wage-support scheme reflects a shift in labor policy from post-crisis compensation to preemptive job protection.

Economists note that preserving employer-employee relationships during short-term disruptions can reduce long-term unemployment risks and support faster recovery.“By temporarily covering wages, it gives companies breathing space during short-term disruptions and reduces the need for immediate layoffs,” said Anthony Hobeika, managing partner at MENA Research Partners.

The approach mirrors measures adopted across the Gulf during the COVID-19 pandemic, when governments used unemployment insurance systems to subsidize private-sector wages. Bahrain itself implemented a similar program in 2020, while Saudi Arabia provided partial wage support under its SANED scheme.

Despite signs of economic resilience, including 3.5% GDP growth in 2025 driven largely by non-oil sectors, Bahrain’s fiscal position remains constrained. Moody’s Investors Service recently revised the country’s outlook to negative, citing deteriorating credit metrics and risks linked to the ongoing conflict.

The war has compounded structural vulnerabilities, including high public debt levels and limited fiscal space. Bahrain’s debt stood at roughly 140% of GDP before the conflict, according to external estimates.Regional support has also emerged, with the United Arab Emirates agreeing to a five-year currency swap arrangement worth about $5.45 billion to bolster liquidity and financial cooperation.

Economists caution that while wage subsidies can be effective in cushioning short-term shocks, their success depends on being temporary and targeted to avoid distorting labor markets.

Policymakers are expected to balance immediate job protection with longer-term goals of productivity and economic diversification.