U.S. and Iran close to a “peace arrangement or a deal,” Pakistan says
International Developments: Pakistan, Iran, and U.S. Military Actions
Wertynews.com – Updated August 12, 2026 | CBS News
Red Sea Attack Claims Pakistani Lives
Pakistan's foreign minister announced Wednesday that three of its citizens perished when Houthi rebels attacked a ship in the Red Sea. One additional person suffered injuries during the incident, according to Ishaq Dar's statement on X.
This news follows confirmation from Yemen's coastguard, which reported that Houthi strikes on a nearby vessel resulted in at least six fatalities off the country's coastline.
Oil Prices Rise Amid Regional Tensions
Energy markets responded to the escalating situation with Brent crude oil climbing 0.9 percent to reach $89.67 per barrel early Wednesday. American benchmark crude oil experienced similar gains, rising 0.9 percent to $83.98.
These elevated oil costs are contributing to inflationary pressures. The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has climbed to $4.01, according to AAA data. This represents a significant increase from the previous year's average of under $3.14 per gallon.
Trump's Secret Plane Switch Revealed
President Trump addressed questions Tuesday regarding his decision to change aircraft before departing Turkey last month following the NATO summit. He explained that he adhered to Secret Service guidance during the unexpected transition.
"It's only up to the Secret Service," Mr. Trump told CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes. "I just follow what they'd like to do, so I go by Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to go on a different flight, a different plane, equal safety, but they wanted me to do it, so I do it. I do what they say."
CBS News previously reported that on July 8, while on the tarmac at Ankara's airport, the president was quietly transferred from Air Force One to an alternative jet using an airport catering truck. This precaution followed intelligence indicating a credible Iranian plot involving proxies to launch a missile at the departing aircraft.
When questioned about the specific nature of the danger, Trump remarked, "I guess there was a threat out there. I didn't really ask too much about it. I get a lot of threats."
Mossad's Historical Visits to Iranian Nuclear Site
Yossi Cohen, who served as head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency from 2015 through 2021, revealed Tuesday that Israeli spies had conducted multiple visits to Iran's Fordo nuclear facility in previous years.
"We toured the Fordow nuclear site many times to understand the site," Cohen stated during a conference of local authorities, according to Israeli media reports.
Cohen, who maintains close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, provided no specific details regarding the timing or personnel involved in these reconnaissance missions.
U.S.-Israel Military Operations Against Iran
Israel initiated military action against Iran in June of last year, declaring its objective to weaken Tehran's nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile programs, which Israeli officials characterized as an "existential threat."
The United States military participated briefly in the twelve-day conflict, deploying advanced aircraft to strike three Iranian nuclear installations located at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. White House officials informed CBS News at the time that American forces coordinated with Israel before executing the bombardments.
According to Israeli media, Cohen expressed satisfaction with the American involvement: "The bombing of the site by the Americans was the fulfillment of all my dreams."
Iran's Nuclear Program and Current Blockade
Iran's nuclear activities have remained a central point of dispute between Tehran and Western nations, including ongoing diplomatic efforts to conclude the war that Israel and the United States began against Iran in February.
Tehran had substantially expanded its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in recent years. International Atomic Energy Agency estimates indicate that by mid-June 2025, prior to American strikes on nuclear installations, Iran possessed approximately 972 pounds—equivalent to more than 440 kilograms—of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity.
Iran continues to deny that it intends to develop nuclear weapons.
U.S. Naval Enforcement in the Gulf of Oman
U.S. Central Command reported that an American military helicopter attacked a Panama-flagged vessel after it attempted to circumvent the American blockade of Iranian ports.
A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter launched two Hellfire missiles into the Vela Nova's engine room. Casualties from the engagement remained unconfirmed. The ship's civilian crew reportedly disregarded multiple warnings from U.S. forces while trying to navigate through the Gulf of Oman.
"The ship is no longer transiting to Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which remains in full effect," CENTCOM stated.
By Tuesday, CENTCOM reported disabling three non-compliant vessels, boarding two additional ships, and redirecting 55 commercial vessels that were attempting to breach the American blockade.
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