Renewed Iran-linked fighting has prompted strikes in Iraq, claims of tanker disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and stepped-up military activity—moves that have pushed U.S. gas prices higher and weighed on consumer confidence. Senators advanced a Russia-and-Iran sanctions package named for Sen. Lindsey Graham, while the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence in a 51–47 vote. Other headlines: Johnson & Johnson proposed a $5.5 billion talc settlement, Jalen Carter signed a major contract extension, and entertainment and sports updates round out the day.
Iran Escalation Raises U.S. Costs: Tanker Disruptions, Strikes in Iraq and Higher Gas Prices
Damaged structures at the site of a strike in Bartalla in the northern Iraqi Nineveh province. | Zaid Al-Obeidi/AFP via Getty Images
Renewed fighting linked to Iran has rippled beyond the Middle East, prompting military actions in Iraq, activity on Capitol Hill and higher prices at the pump for U.S. drivers.
In the Middle East
CENTCOM said it intercepted what it described as an Iranian “surprise attack” on U.S. forces, and U.S. and Saudi units carried out strikes against Iran-backed groups inside Iraq. Iranian outlets tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency that Iran struck and halted three oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, right, kisses Madison Beer before an NFL football game in 2025. | Kyusung Gong/AP
On Capitol Hill
Hours after a memorial service for Sen. Lindsey Graham, senators advanced a broad Russia-and-Iran sanctions package bearing his name. Separately, President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Economic Impact
The conflict’s fallout is already showing at the consumer level: renewed fighting pushed up fuel costs and dented consumer confidence. AAA reported the national average price for a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. was $4.10 yesterday, adding to broader frustrations about an economy still coping with years of elevated inflation.
Griffin Nagel/Bravo
National News
The Senate confirmed federal prosecutor Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence in a 51–47 party-line vote; Clayton will move from his role as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York to oversee the nation’s intelligence agencies. Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson has proposed a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc products cause ovarian cancer; the company denies the claims.
Florida carried out two executions in a single day: one involved a former police officer convicted of killing a young girl, and the other was an 80-year-old convicted murderer — the second-oldest known inmate to receive a modern-era lethal injection.
Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Anwar Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images
Sports and Entertainment
Singer Madison Beer and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert announced their engagement in a joint Instagram post. In the NFL, the couple went public with their relationship at a game last year.
In pro sports business, defensive tackle Jalen Carter agreed to a four-year extension with the Philadelphia Eagles worth $152 million (up to $160 million) with $106 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest-paid players at his position.
Stephanie Stern
TV, Streaming and Culture
Bravo’s Season 3 of The Valley concludes tonight following a turbulent stretch for the cast. Netflix will release the docuseries The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare, examining the 2022 murders of four students; producer Joe Berlinger describes the series as a definitive account of the case.
Tonight’s Sports Schedule
Major League Baseball: The New York Yankees play the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of a four-game series at 7:40 p.m. ET on MLB.TV, with New York leading 2–0.
WNBA: As the second half of the season begins, the Atlanta Dream face the Dallas Wings at 8 p.m. ET on the WNBA app.
Human Interest and Historical Notes
A feature profiles Stephanie Stern, who found her “soul dog” Marshmallow after an intensive search across shelters using only a partial ear tattoo as a clue. In a historical aside, about 750 million viewers watched the 1981 royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana; the event cost about $48 million at the time (roughly $170 million today).
Health Tip
With tick activity rising across the U.S., public health advice includes performing regular tick checks after outdoor activity, placing clothes in the dryer on high heat to kill ticks, and considering permethrin-treated clothing for prolonged exposure in tick-prone areas.
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