US envoy warns of possible US strike on Iran this weekend

The US could strike Iran as soon as this weekend, a US envoy said Friday, amid mounting threats from Washington and Israel as the conflict nears its eight-month mark. Iran's military chief vowed Friday that US warships will not be allowed into the Persian Gulf "under any circumstances," while the State Department is reducing staffing at four Middle East embassies over intelligence of advanced Iranian plots to target American personnel. President Trump said the US may conduct another military operation against Iran. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting QatarEnergy to negotiate long-term US LNG purchases, and a Houthi missile fired toward Riyadh was intercepted. Iran maintains it has not suspended its nuclear safeguards obligations, and the IAEA says it is ready to verify Iran's nuclear activities pending a diplomatic agreement.