Pentagon Signs 7-year Deals to Increase Missile Production
The Pentagon said on Monday it secured seven-year agreements with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) and Lockheed Martin to increase missile production.
The agreements are designed to "increase production quantities and accelerate delivery schedules for critical missile subcomponents supporting the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptor programs," the Pentagon said.
Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief for Nuclear Concessions
US President Donald Trump on Monday denied offering Iran sanctions relief and the release of frozen funds in return for nuclear concessions from Tehran.
"This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING," Trump wrote on Truth Social, responding to an Axios report that cited US officials as saying that he was willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release Iranian frozen funds in return for "concrete" Iranian steps regarding the nuclear program.
CNN also reported, citing an unidentified US official, that Trump was willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release frozen funds as part of a final deal on the condition that Iran offered "concrete progress" on the nuclear issue.
Trump has offered shifting goals and timelines for the Iran war that began on February 28 when the US and Israel attacked Iran and Tehran responded with its own strikes on Israel and other states.
US and Iranian officials spoke separately with mediators on Monday as part of a renewed effort to end seven months of war, according to officials of both countries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he expected a formal answer on Tuesday from the US to Tehran's proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported.
Qatari intermediaries "presented ideas, and we discussed them; they are set to raise the matter with the American side once more, after which the final US response will be conveyed to us," Araghchi said late Monday.
Iran's top diplomat, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly, said "the Qataris hope this will be done by tomorrow.”
"The current focus is solely on the Strait of Hormuz, and the reopening of the strait is contingent upon the fulfilment of certain conditions that we have communicated to the other side," he added.
The Strait of Hormuz lies at the heart of the conflict between the United States and Iran.
CNN, MS NOW, Politico Ask Judge to Extend Block on White House Ban
CNN, MS NOW and Politico asked a federal judge late on Monday to issue a court order preserving their White House access while they fight US President Donald Trump's move to ban them over coverage he dislikes.
The news outlets asked a judge overseeing their case in Washington, DC, federal court to grant a preliminary injunction blocking Trump's bans until there is a final ruling in the case, Reuters reported.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly previously issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking the bans, finding they likely violated the news outlets' rights to fair legal treatment.
The outlets said in their September 21 lawsuit that Trump's bans were unlawful viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees free speech and free press rights.
The Justice Department said Trump lawfully banned the outlets after determining their coverage threatened national security by revealing classified information.
Trump said in a September 18 social media post that he was banning the outlets for “reporting FAKE NEWS” and that they "shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES.”
Trump has frequently clashed with the media in his second term and personally sued outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and BBC for defamation.
UK Police Release on Bail 5 Men Held over Airbase Incident
British police said Monday five men arrested near an airbase used by the United States were released on bail, as Washington asserted a "foreign actor" was involved in the suspected bomb plot.
US President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington, said he was "surprised that they released them", adding that "I wouldn't have done that".
The release of the five -- all London-based Britons in their mid-20s -- came as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an emergency meeting of top officials to ensure they have "the full picture".
Earlier, Iran had denied involvement in any plot to target the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in Gloucestershire, southwest England, following the security scare there early Sunday.
UK counter-terror police are leading the investigation after authorities received reports Sunday of three "suspicious" white vans near the airbase, which has been used by the United States to bomb Iran.
Police said in their latest update Monday that the five men held, who all live in inner London boroughs, were being released on bail.
"This does not mean the investigation is over," Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said, adding the five would be subject to "stringent" bail conditions.
He said officers were "considering this from every possible angle, including that this may be activity committed by proxies, or individuals either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state".
B‑1B Lancer bomber at the RAF Fairford airbase, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Shepheard
The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and "preparation of a terrorist act" under UK anti-terrorism laws, according to police.
They had been travelling in the three suspect vehicles, which have since been subject to "extensive examination, with the support of military assets and forensic experts".
According to AFP, authorities have not confirmed details of the threat but bomb-disposal experts were seen working at the scene.
