The United States stepped up its military actions against Iran by announcing a new round of strikes on Monday. This development came shortly after President Donald Trump declared that the U.S. is reinstating a blockade on Iran within the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.

‘We’re taking out all of their capability for anything having to do with the Strait, the Hormuz Strait,’ Trump told CBS News Monday evening. 

This aggressive military approach reflects a broader strategy articulated by President Trump, who suggested, “And I think in the end we will end up just controlling the whole thing.”

As tensions escalate, this marks the third consecutive day of American strikes targeting Tehran, totaling five within just a week. The consistent military activity signals a firm stance from the U.S. government in addressing perceived threats.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in a statement, “At 4:45 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction.”

CENTCOM elaborated that these efforts aim to “continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.” The focus remains on safeguarding international maritime routes and ensuring regional stability.

Iran has insisted it controls the critical waterway, as another exchange of fire threatened a return to all-out war.

The US had until now said the strait should remain open to all without tolls, as it was before the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. 

Any attempt by the US or Iran to charge fees would violate global norms on freedom of navigation and raise tensions, likely causing further economic disruption far beyond the region.

The new round of attacks followed Trump telling conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, ‘We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow — and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it.’

‘They have nothing,’ Trump added. ‘They have nothing going, other than they have big mouths.’

The President also claimed the US would be paid a 20 percent tariff for securing safe passage for commercial vessels through the Persian Gulf. The details of Trump’s demand were not immediately clear.  

Trump wrote on Truth Social that the US ‘will be, from this point forward, known as ‘The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait.” 

‘The process and formation will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’ 

The blockade will not take effect immediately: shipowners must be given 24 hours’ notice under maritime law.

Oil prices spiked by 5 percent, with Brent crude, the global benchmark, hitting $79.93 – its highest price since June 19. 

Saudi Arabia launched strikes on Iran’s Houthi proxy terror group in Yemen, opening a new front in the war after Iran launched strikes against five US allies in the region.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels say Saudi warplanes bombarded Sanaa International Airport in Yemen. The group’s spokesman declared an ‘end to the de-escalation phase’ and warned that the ‘aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished.’

The attack reportedly came as an Iranian aircraft attempted to land at the airport. Evacuation orders have been issued for the airport and surrounding areas. 

A Saudi-led military alliance based in Yemen’s south for a decade has been fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels based in the north. 

Tehran says the fallout has already reached the negotiating table, with its foreign ministry claiming Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran has entered a ‘crisis phase.’

Asked about the escalating strikes across the region, Trump told Fox News: ‘We’re taking over the strait.’

The Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf chokepoint carrying about a fifth of the world’s oil, has been a central flashpoint since the war began in February, sending markets spiraling with every escalation.

The truce collapsed last week when Iran struck three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the US retaliated with two rounds of strikes. 

Trump pronounced the deal dead from the NATO summit in Ankara: ‘There’s something wrong with them. They’re cuckoo. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.’

US strikes continued this weekend after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth vowed revenge for the Iranian strike and said: ‘Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.’

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared the strait closed until further notice after the attack, according to a statement cited by CNN. 

Iran targeted various Middle Eastern countries that host US military bases, claiming responsibility for strikes in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. 

Some of the targets attacked by US forces included missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks and coastal surveillance locations, US Central Command said.

A spokesman added that President Trump directed the attacks ‘to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the strait.’

Iran had said the strait was being shut down ‘given the precariousness that was caused by this unlawful interference by outside parties.’

The regime added that the waterway’s closure would be ‘until further notice and until regional interference by the US ceases’ and that ‘no vessel or naval craft will be allowed to pass.’

Iran said on Saturday it struck US facilities at Jordan’s Prince Hassan Air Base, claiming it destroyed a command center and drone hangars. 

Washington denied the regime’s claim, with a US official stating no Americans were hurt and no serious damage was done. 

Jordan said it shot down four missiles, and the three that landed caused only minor damage. 

Meanwhile, on a United Airlines flight from Atlanta to Newark Liberty International Airport, a New Jersey man, Sam Saadeh, found himself at the center of a different controversy. Saadeh was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the message, “Bombing kids is not self defense,” when he was approached by a United supervisor. The airline worker informed him that the flight attendant found the shirt’s message offensive, according to a report by CBS New York.

Saadeh recounted feeling bewildered during the encounter, noting, “He was like, ‘Hey, the flight attendant finds your shirt offensive.'” The situation escalated when Saadeh was faced with an ultimatum from the airline personnel: either change the shirt or be barred from the flight. This led to a moment of perplexity for Saadeh, who wondered why his anti-war sentiment was deemed inappropriate attire for flying.

Saadeh told the outlet he was “very confused” when he was pulled aside.

“He was like, ‘Hey, the flight attendant finds your shirt offensive,'” Saadeh recalled. “I was like, ‘Why?’ He goes, ‘Here are the choices. Either you change your shirt or you can’t get on this flight.'”

According to CBS New York, Saadeh said he ultimately changed shirts because he wanted to make it home but described the interaction as humiliating and said airline personnel were unable to explain why the message violated company policy.

United Airlines confirmed to News Media that Saadeh ultimately traveled on the flight after changing his shirt.

“This customer flew as scheduled after changing his shirt,” a United Media Relations spokesperson told News Media. “That’s all we’ll have to share.”

United’s Contract of Carriage states the airline may refuse transportation to passengers who are “not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive.”

News Media has not independently verified the passenger’s account, and United declined to provide additional details about why the shirt was deemed offensive.

Saadeh, who is of Palestinian descent, told CBS New York the shirt was intended to advocate for children and oppose violence regardless of nationality or ethnicity. He also said he filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation and is consulting with attorneys.

Wear the Peace, the organization behind the shirt, also posted screenshots on Facebook of what it said was an email Saadeh sent describing the incident.

In the email, Saadeh wrote that a United flight attendant first asked what his shirt said before a supervisor later asked him to get off the plane.

According to the email, the supervisor told Saadeh the flight attendant was offended by the shirt because it contained the word “bomb” and said he would have to change it or he would not be allowed to remain on the flight.

Saadeh also wrote that after landing in Newark, a United representative told him other passengers had complained because they found the shirt offensive and felt unsafe.

In a Facebook post, Wear the Peace said the shirt was “a peaceful statement, not a threat” intended to draw attention to the deaths of children in Gaza.

“The message does not encourage violence, threaten anyone, or suggest that the person wearing it intends to harm others,” the organization wrote.

In a follow-up Facebook post, the organization disputed the explanation that the word “bomb” prompted concern, arguing there was an important distinction between the phrase “Bombing kids is not self defense” and language suggesting a passenger posed a threat.

“The shirt did not say, ‘I have a bomb.’ It said, ‘Bombing kids is not self defense,'” the organization wrote, adding that clothing containing words such as “TNT” or “killer” is not typically treated as a security concern.

Wear the Peace also claimed one of its members recently flew on a United flight alongside a passenger wearing an Israel Defense Forces shirt without incident, arguing the airline applied its policy inconsistently.

News Media has reached out to the U.S. Department of Transportation to confirm receipt of Saadeh’s complaint, inquire whether the agency is reviewing the incident, and request comment on the allegations that a passenger was required to change his clothing before being allowed to travel.

The Hamptons basked under a starry canopy over the weekend.

Justin and Hailey Bieber enjoyed a meal at East Hampton’s Camp Rubirosa, while a constellation of celebrities including Robert Downey Jr., Marci Klein, Liev Schreiber, Katie Holmes, and Donna Karan gathered for a screening of Olivia Wilde’s latest film, “The Invite.”

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka threw an elegant cocktail gathering at Funhouse Farm, East, aiming to support the charity, God’s Love We Deliver.

Country music duo Dan and Shay took the stage at Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, thrilling the audience with hits like “Tequila” and introducing a fresh track. Among the notable attendees were Don Lemon, Steve Madden, and comedian Jeff Ross.

Organized by Soho Sessions, the night aided the Flag Art Foundation and the mental health advocacy group, Nami.

The chart toppers gave an emotional tribute to Warner Chappell president and CEO Ben Vaughn, who died from suicide last year, before launching into their song written for him, “Say So.”

Over in Montauk, “Dancing with the Stars” contestant and influencer Alix Earle was seen with her whole family at Mary Lou’s in Montauk, including her dad, Thomas “TJ” Earle and her stepmom, former call girl Ashley Dupre, her mother Alisa and her boyfriend Todd Galski. The group were spotted passing around a bottle of Don Julio 1942.

Earle was in town to promote her drink brand, Sips Margs, at Surf Lodge with people tipping back the canned drinks while watching DJ Cassian at the lakeside hotspot.

Influencer Ruby Saracino got on stage during a suprise performance by Lil Yachty, taking the mic to belt out the lyrics to his song with Social House, “Magic In the Hamptons.”

Meanwhile, over in Bridgehampton, the Daily Front Row celebrated the Hamptons most stylish with a chic poolside fete at Purvia Padia’s mansion that brought out Bronx Banco designer Natalie De’Banco, Candace Bushnell, Isaac Boots, Timo Weiland, Noble Black and the mag’s editor-in-chief Eddie Roche.

Earlier, the brand held a brunch at the new Barlume Beach in Montauk with Lavazza, with influencers like Jill Zarins daughter Ally Shapiro.

In Pickens County, Alabama, a man has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including capital murder, following a tragic double homicide. This chilling case has shaken the local community.

Early on Sunday morning, around 12:15 a.m., Pickens County law enforcement responded to a break-in on County Road 49. Upon arrival, deputies apprehended a suspect — George Birmingham — at the scene, linking him initially to the burglary.

As the investigation unfolded, authorities connected Birmingham to an even more serious crime: a double homicide that had occurred prior to the burglary. Victims of this horrific event, identified as Justin Elrod and Lena Elrod, were found at their home on Langdon Woods Road.

By Monday, formal charges against Birmingham escalated, reflecting the gravity of his alleged actions. These charges now include capital murder, two counts of murder, second-degree burglary, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and resisting arrest.

According to the sheriff’s office, this investigation is still active. As detectives continue to gather evidence, there remains a possibility of additional charges being filed against Birmingham.

At just 22 years old, Lindsey Graham faced the unimaginable when he lost both of his parents within a span of 15 months. Faced with the task of raising his 13-year-old sister, Darline, he stepped up to the challenge with unwavering determination.

Lindsey put his personal aspirations on the back burner to take care of Darline, eventually adopting her so she could benefit from his military entitlements.

In a touching moment from his recent re-election campaign advertisement, Darline emotionally recounted the day they found themselves orphaned.

“Lindsey rushed in, enveloping me in a hug and reassuringly saying, ‘I am so sorry, but it’s going to be OK. I’m going to take care of you.’ And he did just that. He has always been my pillar of support,” she recalled.

When approached for an interview on Monday, Darline respectfully declined, telling the Daily Mail that discussing her brother’s memory so soon after his passing was ‘too difficult.’

Graham, 71, was a lifelong bachelor, and his sister and her two daughters were his only close family. Preliminary findings from the DC medical examiner’s office found he died of an aortic dissection caused by cardiovascular disease after paramedics were called to his Capitol Hill home Saturday night for chest pains.

He told the Daily Mail in 2015 during his presidential run that Darline could serve as first lady if he ever made it to the White House.

‘I’ve got a sister, she could play that role if necessary,’ he said, adding with a chuckle, ‘I’ve got a lot of friends. We’ll have a rotating first lady.’

Now Darline, 63, has entered politics in the most tragic circumstances, named South Carolina’s interim senator with Donald Trump’s blessing.

A Republican primary in August will decide who takes the seat when Graham’s term expires in January.

‘This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly,’ Trump posted on Truth Social.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is set to appoint Darline at a press conference at 4pm, sources told CBS News.

The siblings grew up sharing a single room behind the Sanitary Cafe, the bar, pool hall and liquor store their parents ran on Main Street in the small town of Central, South Carolina.

The family later moved into a trailer and then a house next door to the bar.

Darline leaned on her big brother long before they were orphaned, running to him whenever she was sick or stuck on her homework.

He taught her to ride a bike, sprinting alongside and shouting encouragement, and picked her up when she fell.

‘He’s kind of like a brother, a father and a mother rolled into one,’ she told the New York Times in 2015.

Their mother died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1976, and a heart attack claimed their father a little more than a year later.

Darline moved in with an aunt and uncle while Graham finished his studies at the University of South Carolina.

He gave up his weekends to travel home and care for her while his classmates stayed on campus to enjoy themselves.

He then enlisted in the Air Force, where his guardianship of Darline allowed her to qualify for his benefits, and she has credited him with getting her through high school and on to college.

She went on to become a mother of two and built a career helping people with disabilities find work, a success her brother wore as a badge of honor.

‘Of all the things that have happened in my life, her turning out so well is the highlight of it by far,’ Graham told C-SPAN in 2015.

Darline introduced him on stage when he launched his White House bid in their hometown in 2015.

‘Lindsey was always my parent,’ she said at the time. ‘There was no doubt in my mind or anyone else’s mind that Lindsey was my guardian.’

She has said his devotion to raising her was the reason he never married.

‘He was just dedicating all of that time to raising me and going to school and trying to get an education. There’s just only so much time in a day,’ she told the Times.

Fifty years after he promised to take care of her, Darline is expected to be sworn in as his successor, the sister he raised now serving as caretaker to his constituents of more than two decades.