Latest news with #Defense
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Russia says any use of tactical nuclear weapons by US in Iran would be catastrophic, TASS reports
Russia says any use of tactical nuclear weapons by US in Iran would be catastrophic, TASS reports MOSCOW - Potential use of tactical nuclear weapons by the United States in Iran would be a catastrophic development, Russian state news agency TASS quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Friday. Peskov was commenting on what he called speculative media reports about that possibility. His comments, as reported by TASS, did not mention any media by name. The Guardian newspaper reported that U.S. defence officials were briefed that using conventional bombs against Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow would not be enough to destroy it completely, and that destroying it would require initial attacks with conventional bombs and then dropping a tactical nuclear weapon from a B-2 bomber. However, the British newspaper said President Donald Trump was not considering using a tactical nuclear weapon on Fordow and the possibility was not presented by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, in meetings in the White House Situation Room. Trump said on Thursday that any decision on potential U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict would be made within two weeks. Russia, which has close ties with Iran, has warned strongly against U.S. military intervention on the side of Israel. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hegseth caught in heated exchanges during Senate testimony
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tense questioning during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has more.
Globe and Mail
14 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Is Increased Focus on Hypersonic Tech Opening New Doors for Rocket Lab?
In recent years, the rapid development and adoption of hypersonic technology across industries, from aerospace and defense to space exploration, have opened new growth avenues for Rocket Lab USA RKLB, a key player in hypersonic testing with its HASTE launch system. With commercial firms and government agencies ramping up investments in advanced hypersonic systems to bolster space access and national security, RKLB remains well-positioned to capitalize on this accelerating technological shift. Notably, Rocket Lab's HAEST (Hypersonic accelerator suborbital test electron) is a suborbital testbed launch vehicle that provides reliable, high-cadence flight test opportunities needed to boost hypersonic and suborbital system technology development. In April 2025, Rocket Lab secured a contract from Kratos Defense to conduct a full-scale hypersonic test flight for the U.S. Department of Defense. Additionally, RKLB's HASTE platform has been included in two major defense frameworks — the $46 billion Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract with the U.S. Air Force and the UK Ministry of Defence's £1 billion ($1.3 billion) Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework. These programs allow Rocket Lab to compete for launch and engineering services in advancing hypersonic technologies. The inclusion across both U.S. and UK initiatives underscores the growing demand for HASTE in defense testing and is likely to significantly boost Rocket Lab's future revenue stream. While HASTE has not yet won any purely commercial contract, its demonstrated reliability and cadence in the defense sector may soon open doors to non-defense payload opportunities. Other Stocks Focusing on Hypersonic As increased investment in hypersonic technology has become a global trend lately, with nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China significantly boosting funding for research and development in this tech, other stocks like Lockheed Martin LMT and RTX Corp. RTX are also indulging in advanced hypersonic technology developments. Notably, Lockheed Martin has been developing highly advanced hypersonic technology for the past 60 years. To this end, the company is currently working in partnership with DARPA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy to transition hypersonic concepts to operational reality. LMT's Conventional Prompt Strike is a hypersonic boost-glide missile currently under development, which boasts the capability to provide longer range, shorter flight times, and high survivability against enemy defenses. On the other hand, RTX is working across its business and domains to move advanced hypersonic capabilities from creation to testing and into the hands of warfighters at top speed. RTX is currently involved in the design of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, which leverages Northrop Grumman's scramjet propulsion to travel at more than five times the speed of sound and cover vast distances in minutes. The U.S. Air Force currently expects this missile to be operational by fiscal 2027. The Zacks Rundown for RKLB Shares of RKLB have surged 467.2% in the past year compared with the industry 's 40.9% growth. The company's shares are trading at a premium on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 17.85X compared with its industry's average of 9.65X. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RKLB's 2025 and 2026 earnings has improved over the past 60 days. RKLB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells We're not kidding. Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent. Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone. See Stocks Now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT): Free Stock Analysis Report Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB): Free Stock Analysis Report
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth out: Meet Trump's 'Tier One' group deciding on Iran
Nobody is discussing anything on Iran with Pete Hegseth or Tulsi Gabbard, claimed reports. As President Donald Trump weighs in on the Middle East crisis, dropping all indications that he may strike Iran, reports claimed that he is relying on a high-profile group of Cabinet picks and not those who are supposed to be advising him by the virtue of their posts: Defense secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard . Instead, Trump is leaning more on Vice President JD Vance, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. This group of four is also being called the "Tier One Group". Another crucial member is Army Gen Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, which has operational authority for the Middle East. Why Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard sidelined? 'Experience over star power' Pete Hegseth served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba but he is more of an ex-Fox star. Tulsi Gabbard is a war veteran but she has apparently upset Trump by issuing a video where she spoke against fresh conflicts and said "political elite warmongers" are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers. The Washington Post reported that Trump even confronted Gabbard at a White House meeting while others were present and said: "I saw the video, and I didn't like it." In March, Gabbard testified that US intelligence agencies asserted that Iran has not started a nuclear weapons program. Trump recently shot down the remark and said he doesn't care what Tulsi Gabbard said. Trump said he thinks Iran is very close to having one nuclear program. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo Both Hegseth and Gabbard camps downplayed their diminishing importance. Gabbard said she and the president were on the same page. But Gabbard was not there when Trump held a meeting on June 8 at Camp David presidential retreat. Insiders believe Trump is prioritizing experience over star power. Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said it is not true that Hegseth had been sidelined. 'The Secretary is speaking with the President multiple times a day each day and has been with the President in the Situation Room this week,' Parnell said in a statement. 'Secretary Hegseth is providing the leadership the Department of Defense and our Armed Forces need, and he will continue to work diligently in support of President Trump 's peace through strength agenda.'
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pentagon sends warplanes, aircraft carrier to Middle East as Iran-Israel conflict rages
WASHINGTON – The Pentagon has shifted warplanes and an aircraft carrier to the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to rage, but the moves have been defensive in nature as the U.S. observes rather than participates in Israel's punishing air campaign, according to U.S. officials. The moves by the U.S. military have been made with an eye toward protecting American troops stationed in the Middle East, a senior Defense official said. There are about 40,000 U.S. service members there. "We are postured defensively in the region to be strong, in pursuit of a peace deal," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News in a June 16 interview. The Pentagon has not been involved in Israel's offensive strikes on Israel, according to a second U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. Iran has been warned that any strike on U.S. troops will be met with a strong response. That official characterized the movement of additional forces to the region as a show of force. There have been indications that U.S. troops have been targeted at times by Iran but no attacks have followed, the official said. The aircraft being moved to the Middle East include air refueling tankers from Europe, according to the Defense official who also spoke on condition of anonymity. Refuelers would be necessary to keep fighter aircraft aloft as they provide cover for troops and installations on the ground. The Pentagon has also shifted 21 refuelers based in the United States to Europe, backfilling those sent to the Middle East, the U.S. official said. That move suggests the war between Israel and Iran could continue for some time. The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier has dozens of warplanes aboard. It is about a week away from the Middle East, the U.S. official said. The U.S. had already moved the USS Carl Vinson, another massive aircraft carrier, to the region in April to take part in the Trump administration's strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen. In May, B-52 bombers joined B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia, a Navy base off the tip of India around 2,300 miles from Iran. B-2 aircraft can carry bunker buster bombs, which could be used to target Iran's nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, U.S. ballistic missile interceptors remain on the ground in Israel and at sea on warships nearby in the Mediterranean. Israel has made a significant dent in Iran's ballistic missile capability, and its air defenses, the U.S. official said. The ongoing aerial war between Israel and Iran entered its fifth day on June 17 as Israel pounded Iranian cities with bombs and some Iranian missiles evaded Israel's iron dome defense system. More than 220 Iranians have been killed and at least 1,200 injured since the bombardment began, Iranian state media reported. Two dozen Israelis have been killed in Iranian missile attacks, officials said. A day earlier, President Donald Trump hurriedly left a G7 summit in Canada, citing the escalating crisis in the Middle East. In a Truth Social post, he urged people to "immediately evacuate Tehran." After French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump was on his way to work towards a ceasefire, the U.S. president retorted in another post that "he has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US moves warplanes, ships to Middle East as Iran-Israel conflict spirals
