US, Israel weigh new Iran strikes as attacks on Hormuz shipping mount

Increased attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz persisted as the U.S. and Israel reportedly prepared for renewed strikes on Iran. Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait off the coast of Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Sept. 7, 2026. (Atta Kenare, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) Increased attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz persisted this week as the U.S. and Israel reportedly were preparing for renewed strikes on Iran. Reports that the U.S. and Israel have developed plans to potentially attack Iran following next month’s U.S. midterm elections come after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel this week to discuss new strikes, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing unidentified U.S.

officials. In an X post Tuesday, Hegseth said he had met with service members in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which includes Israel. Hegseth confirmed the trip, saying while visiting U.S. troops that he had an opportunity to meet with Netanyahu, CBS News reported Tuesday. Meanwhile, Israeli jets flew over Syria and Iraq on Monday, going as far as the Iranian border, according to the online news agency Axios, which cited unidentified U.S. and Israeli officials. Israel described the action as a training exercise aimed at deterring Iran from attacking ahead of scheduled elections, Axios