Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 4AM ET 07/22/2026

Main Theme:
This episode provides a fast-paced update on the escalating US-Iran conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, domestic US politics including election security in New Jersey, developments in the Arizona governor’s race, and US defense spending, alongside developments regarding US relations with Saudi Arabia and the ongoing situation in Lebanon and Israel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalation in US-Iran Conflict

Timestamps: 00:02–01:14

New Airstrikes: The US has completed another night of airstrikes against Iran, aiming to curb Iranian harassment of shipping in the critical Strait of Hormuz.
- "The goal: to limit or reduce the efforts of Iran to harass, target and disable shipping in the Strait of Hormuz." – Steve Harrigan (00:16)
Iranian Response: Iran has disabled a Kuwaiti tanker and targeted a Kuwaiti desalination plant, showing the conflict’s spillover to US allies.
Diplomatic Stalemate: No sign of diplomatic progress; both sides are preparing for further escalation.
- "No sign of any progress. Just the reverse. Both sides talking about a potential ratcheting up of events." – Steve Harrigan (00:38)
- President Trump is mentioned as speaking “tough,” insisting the US still has many options left.
US Casualties: The Pentagon confirms a third US service member has died from an Iranian attack in Jordan, naming Sergeant Angel Rampersad of Queens, NY.

2. US-Lebanon & Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

Timestamps: 01:14–01:42

Presidential Diplomacy: President Trump pledges support for Lebanon and reveals, in a candid Oval Office moment, that he’s willing to speak directly not only to world leaders but to leaders of terrorist organizations (specifically Hezbollah).
- "I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody. I'll speak to people that a lot of people think I shouldn't be speaking to. And things work out." – President Trump (01:36)
Context: This comes amid efforts to address the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

3. Saudi Arabia Nuclear Cooperation

Timestamps: 01:42–02:00

Pending Announcement: President Trump has reportedly approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia for uranium enrichment capability for civilian nuclear purposes.
Potential Significance: An official announcement could come today, signaling deepening US-Saudi cooperation.

4. Arizona Gubernatorial Republican Primary

Timestamps: 02:23–02:41

Result: Representative Andy Biggs, a staunch Trump ally, wins the GOP nomination for governor.
- "We're so grateful to have the support of all of you... I was overwhelmed when I started seeing those vote totals come in. It's awesome." – Andy Biggs (02:30)
Next Steps: Biggs will face Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November.

5. Election Security and Non-Citizen Voting in New Jersey

Timestamps: 02:41–03:35

Software Glitch: Thousands of non-citizens in New Jersey were erroneously registered to vote due to software errors; some even cast ballots.
Political Fallout: Bipartisan blame and criticism over the delayed response and lack of transparency from the previous administration.
- "It's unacceptable that the vendor released software with such a glaring error..." – NJ Official (02:56)
Governor’s Response: The Democratic governor criticizes attempts by the Trump administration to politicize the incident.
- "As the Trump administration tries to weaponize elections for political gain, I am ensuring we protect our elections." – NJ Governor (03:18)
GOP Response: Vice President J.D. Vance mocks the situation on social media.
- "'If only there was a way to stop this type of software error that allowed non-citizens to vote in our elections.'" – VP J.D. Vance quoting from X (03:26)

6. Pentagon Funding Crisis for Iran Operations

Timestamps: 03:35–04:13

Urgent Funding Needs: War Secretary Pete Hegseth requests Senate intervention as Pentagon funds for Iran operations dwindle.
- "They're basically robbing the operations and maintenance budgets to keep the war going..." – Jennifer Griffin (03:44)
Munition Shortages: Ramp-up in US airstrikes has depleted supplies.
Lack of Press Transparency: Pentagon’s last press briefing on the conflict was over two months ago (May 5th).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Diplomatic Shift: President Trump’s willingness to engage directly with Hezbollah underscores a marked departure from previous diplomatic protocol (01:36).
Election Integrity: The bipartisan tension over New Jersey’s election software glitch highlights the politicized nature of election security in 2026 (02:56–03:26).
Military Funding: The Pentagon’s warning about robbing operational budgets reflects the escalating and costly nature of the current Middle East engagement (03:44).

Timestamps of Important Segments

00:02–01:14: US-Iran escalation and regional implications
01:14–01:42: US position on Israel-Hezbollah conflict; direct diplomacy
01:42–02:00: Upcoming US-Saudi nuclear agreement
02:23–02:41: Arizona GOP gubernatorial primary results
02:41–03:35: New Jersey election registration error and political fallout
03:35–04:13: Pentagon funding warning on Iran conflict

This newscast covers widening conflict, shifting international alliances, intensifying domestic political competition, and serious concerns about both election integrity and military funding—offering a succinct yet comprehensive look at both global and national headlines shaping America today.

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Transcript19 lines

[00:03]
A
Latest Iran strikes complete. I'm Sue Guzman, FOX News. Another night of US Airstrikes against Iran is finalized as hopes are dimming of a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Fox's Steve Harrigan with more from Tel Aviv.
[00:17]
B
The goal to limit or reduce the efforts of Iran to harass, target and disable shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. That's centcom's goal. Iran, on the other hand, has managed to disable yet another tanker, a Kuwaiti tanker off the coast of Amman in that strait. Also, Iran hitting a Kuwaiti desalination plant once again targeting the infrastructure of allies close to the US in the region. As far as diplomatic efforts go, no sign of any progress. Just the reverse. Both sides talking about a potential ratcheting up of events. President Tough talking tough inside the White House saying the US has been nice to Iran so far, but there are much more options on the table.
[00:57]
A
The US Military has confirmed the death of a third service member in last Friday's attack by Iran in Jordan, identifying her as Sergeant Angel Rampersad of Queens, New York. President Trump pledging support for Lebanon following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah.
[01:14]
C
During an Oval Office sit down, the president revealed that he isn't just trying direct diplomacy by talking to other world leaders. He is willing to try direct diplomacy by talking to terror group leaders. And he revealed this in the context of a meeting designed to try to figure out how to stop the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
[01:36]
D
I would speak to Hezbollah. I speak to everybody. I'll speak to people that a lot of people think I shouldn't be speaking to. And things work out.
[01:43]
A
Fox's Peter Doocy and President Trump's approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia reportedly that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. An announcement could come today. America is listening to fo.
[02:00]
E
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[02:21]
F
Fox News
[02:24]
A
representative Andy Biggs, a fierce ally of President Trump, has won the Republican nomination for Arizona governor.
[02:30]
G
We're so grateful to have the support of all of you. And I'm thankful that everybody who voted today got out and voted. I was overwhelmed when I started seeing those vote totals come in. It's awesome.
[02:41]
A
He defeated Congressman David Schweikart in the primary Tuesday and will face Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. In November, thousands of non citizens, turns out, were registered to vote in the state of New Jersey and some even cast ballots in past elections.
[02:56]
H
It's unacceptable that the vendor released software with such a glaring error. It's unacceptable that the NVC took a year to get this issue fixed. And it's unacceptable that no one in the previous administration brought this to light.
[03:11]
I
Despite this issue in her state that occurred under the previous administration. The Democratic governor is criticizing President Trump.
[03:18]
H
As the Trump administration tries to weaponize elections for political gain, I am ensuring that we protect our elections.
[03:26]
I
Vice President J.D. vance says otherwise, riding on X, quote, if only there was a way to stop this type of software error that allowed non citizens to vote in our elections.
[03:36]
A
Fox's Christina Coleman. War Secretary Pete Hegseth is asking the Senate committee for more money for the conflict in Iran. Fox's Jennifer Griffin with more.
[03:44]
J
The Pentagon is slated to run out of money at the end of July, early August. And so they need Congress to intervene if they're going to keep going. What we understand right now is that they're basically robbing the operations and maintenance budgets to keep the war going. They're going through a lot of munitions with the ongoing, ongoing airstrikes that have really ramped up in the. The last time that the Pentagon held a press briefing and took questions from the Pentagon press corps about the war was May 5th. That's over two months ago.
[04:14]
A
That is Fox's Jennifer Griffin reporting. I'm Sue Guzman. This is FOX News.
[04:21]
F
Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FNRADIO 2020. Discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21 or older to order. Please drink responsibly.