The Pentagon has urged US military contractors to ramp up weapons production as stockpiles run low during the Iran war, a move that has frustrated President Donald Trump as he seeks to maintain leverage in negotiations with Tehran. Iran has issued a list of demands for the US before reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including honoring the agreements laid out in their interim deal from June. The Iran-backed Houthi militant group has targeted Saudi Arabian forces in Yemen and mounted a separate attack on a major Saudi oil refinery on the Red Sea coast.
The Defense Department has asked US military contractors to increase weapons production, with a memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg urging industry leaders to submit plans for faster delivery schedules or increased production within 21 days. This comes as the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group claimed to have carried out two separate attacks on Saudi Arabian targets, raising tensions in the Middle East.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran is not engaged in talks with the US and will not start discussions if Washington continues to breach the interim deal. There has been speculation about the health of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since his appointment in March. Iranian state media released an undated video of Khamenei, fueling further speculation.
The Houthis have been targeting Saudi Arabia, with a recent attack on a major Saudi oil refinery, and have also struck commercial shipping. This comes as Pakistan and Turkey signed a NATO-style mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about the security of the region. Iranian officials have warned that the pact will not guarantee Saudi Arabia's security.
The war in Yemen has been ongoing for over a decade, primarily a conflict between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis have seized control of northern Yemen and the capital Sanaa, and have become part of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance'. The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, with Saudi Arabia failing to dislodge the Houthis from northern Yemen.
The Pentagon's request for increased weapons production is a response to the ongoing tensions and the need to maintain military capabilities. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with Iran's demands and the Houthis' attacks creating a complex and challenging environment.
