Iran Fires Warning Shots at U.S. Navy as House Rejects Lebanon Withdrawal Resolution

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated significantly on Friday following a maritime confrontation in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian navy reported firing warning missiles and drones at U.S. warships, characterizing the action as a response to perceived harassment by American naval assets. While President Trump stated that the two nations remain in an "essential" ceasefire, he cautioned that any Iranian action resulting in the deaths of U.S. service members would provide a "good reason" to restart active warfare. On the domestic political front, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 324–92 to reject a war-powers resolution. The failed measure would have required the Trump administration to withdraw U.S. armed forces from Lebanon within seven days. This vote signals broad bipartisan support for maintaining a military presence and pressure options in the region, even as Hezbollah rejected a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal and Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon. Diplomatically, both sides have hardened their positions while keeping channels of communication open. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi emphasized that Tehran will not accept any deal that does not fully safeguard its interests. Meanwhile, Washington remains focused on Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile. President Trump expressed skepticism regarding the use of force to seize nuclear materials if Tehran refuses to hand them over, though the administration continues to link broader diplomatic progress to Iranian restraint in proxy theaters like Lebanon.