Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update: President Trump Still Considering Larger Attack on Iran

Date: July 24, 2026
Host: Lisa Licera (Fox News Podcasts)

Episode Overview

This edition of the Fox News Hourly Update provides a fast-paced news roundup focused on major global and national developments, with the lead story on President Trump's latest warnings regarding Iran and escalating military tensions in the Middle East. The episode also includes significant updates in business, international crises, criminal cases, entertainment, and political developments in the U.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating US-Iran Tensions and Military Action

White House Remarks:
- President Trump, from the Oval Office, affirmed that the U.S. is "locked and loaded," suggesting readiness for a significant escalation against Iran.
- Quote:
  
  "We can take that to a much higher level if we want to. You know, we're prepared to do that." — President Trump [00:12]
- His comments reinforce that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” restating American red lines in the ongoing conflict. [00:16]
Military Developments:
- The Central Command (CENTCOM) reported taking action against a merchant ship attempting to breach the blockade of Iranian ports.
- U.S. forces disabled the ship in the Gulf of Oman after repeated attempts to break the blockade, ultimately firing into its engine room. [00:16]
Regional Impact in Israel:
- Bomb shelters and bunkers in several Israeli cities have been reopened as a precaution due to rising tensions.
- Quote:
  
  "Mayors of Israeli cities have reopened bomb shelters, bunkers around parts of the city. They usually do this in times of heightened alert." — Steve Harrigan reporting from Tel Aviv [00:41]
American Citizens Abroad:
- U.S. Embassies in the Middle East are warning American citizens that departure options may become more limited if the situation deteriorates. [00:54]

2. Business: Paramount/SkyDance and Warner Brothers Discovery Merger

Paramount Skydance has delayed its acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery pending a judge’s decision on a legal challenge from 12 states.
Key Details:
- Paramount agreed not to finalize the merger until 5 days after the judge’s ruling or June 1, 2027, whichever is sooner. [01:11]
- States argue the merger would dampen competition and reduce consumer choice; Paramount disputes these claims and is committed to "vigorously defend its merger."
Implication:
The restraining order underscores increasing regulatory scrutiny of large entertainment industry consolidations.

3. International News: Wildfires in France and Spain

Over 200,000 people have been displaced by massive wildfires across southwestern France and central Spain.
Several firefighters have been injured, but as of reporting, no deaths are confirmed. [01:40]
Quote:

"More than 200,000 people in southwestern France and central Spain forced from their homes as massive wildfires continue to grow." — Hillary Barski, Fox News [01:40]

4. Crime & Investigation: Nancy Guthrie Case

Renewed interest in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie following recent exposure of ransom notes on the "Crime Junkie" podcast.
Key Details:
- The first alleged ransom note was addressed directly to Savann Guthrie and sent to TMZ and TV stations in Arizona.
- Alleged later notes claim the elderly woman, 84-year-old Guthrie, died soon after being taken; authorities have never verified any proof of life nor authenticated the notes.
Quote:

“There was never any proof of life and not one of these alleged ransom notes was ever authenticated.” — Claudia Cowan, Fox News [02:50]
No arrests or persons of interest have been announced since Nancy Guthrie's disappearance in January.

5. Legal & Celebrity News

Chris Brown Plea:
- R&B singer Chris Brown has pled guilty to fighting at a London nightclub in 2023, admitting to hitting a music producer with a bottle. He is free on bail and will be sentenced in October. [02:50]

6. Sports Legal News: Tony Romo Arrested

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and TV analyst Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee for operating while intoxicated (OWI).
Incident Details:
- Romo was stopped around 8pm, failed field sobriety tests, and was booked and released the same night.
- A first OWI offense in Wisconsin is a civil offense, typically resulting in a fine between $150-$300.
Background:
Romo was raised in Burlington, Wisconsin, and currently works as lead NFL analyst for CBS Sports. [03:14]

7. Political Update: Democratic Primary Calendar

The Democratic National Committee announced that South Carolina will host the first presidential nominating contest in 2028, replacing the traditional early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire. [03:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

President Trump:

"We can take that to a much higher level if we want to. You know, we're prepared to do that." [00:12]
Steve Harrigan:

"Mayors of Israeli cities have reopened bomb shelters ... They usually do this in times of heightened alert." [00:41]
Claudia Cowan:

“There was never any proof of life and not one of these alleged ransom notes was ever authenticated.” [02:50]

Timestamps for Key Segments

Iran Tensions, Trump Oval Office Remarks: 00:02 – 00:16
CENTCOM Action & Israeli Preparations: 00:16 – 00:54
U.S. Warnings to Citizens Abroad: 00:54
Paramount/Skydance Merger Legal Battle: 01:11 – 01:40
Wildfires in France & Spain: 01:40 – 01:59
Nancy Guthrie Disappearance/New Ransom Note Details: 02:15 – 02:50
Chris Brown Guilty Plea: 02:50
Tony Romo OWI Arrest: 03:14 – 03:56
Democratic Primary Moves to South Carolina: 03:56

Tone: Urgent, concise, fact-oriented; maintains objective, news-driven language with occasional commentary from field correspondents.

This summary captures all major developments and essential moments from the episode, highlighting the tense international situation, business maneuverings, ongoing criminal cases, and evolving political landscape as presented by FOX News.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:03]
Lisa Licera
He says the US Is locked and loaded. I'm Lisa Licera, Fox News. President Trump with the comments in the Oval Office this afternoon as he considers a large scale attack on Iran.
[00:13]
President Trump
We can take that to a much higher level if we want to. You know, we're prepared to do that.
[00:16]
Lisa Licera
As you know, the president again saying Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. This as Central Command says it's fired on another merchant ship that was trying to breach the blockade of Iranian ports. A CENTCOM spokesman says American forces disabled the ship at the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to rush the blockade at least four times. The military then fired into the ship's engine room. Fox's Steve Harrigan in Tel Aviv reporting the conflict shows signs of widening.
[00:41]
Steve Harrigan
One sign of preparations here for potential trouble ahead. A number of mayors of Israeli cities have reopened bomb shelters, bunkers around parts of the city. They usually do this in times of heightened alert.
[00:54]
Lisa Licera
US Embassies in the Middle east have begun alerting Americans their options to leave could become more limited. Paramount Skydance has agreed to delay the closing of its acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery well into next year as a judge continues to consider a challenge from 12 states looking to block the deal.
[01:11]
Unidentified News Reporter
Paramount said it wouldn't close the merger until five days after the judge rules on the merits of the case or June 1, 2027, whichever comes first. The move comes days after a judge granted a temporary restraining order requested by the states to delay the transaction for several weeks. The state sued to block Paramount's buyout of Warner, claiming that the combo would extinguish competition in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consum. Paramount has called the state's claims meritless and vowed to vigorously defend its merger.
[01:41]
Lisa Licera
Fox's Hillary Barski More than 200,000 people in southwestern France and central Spain forced from their homes as massive wildfires continue to grow. Several firefighters have been injured. No deaths have been reported in either country. America is listening to FOX News.
[01:59]
Commercial Announcer
FOX News. 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. Order to order. Please drink responsibly.
[02:15]
Lisa Licera
New details about the ransom notes publicized after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie have reignited interest in the case.
[02:22]
Claudia Cowan
Renewed attention on that first alleged ransom note comes after it was read on the popular Crime Junkie podcast. The note was sent to TMZ and a couple of TV news stations in Arizona, which is where Brianna Whitney was working at the time. Whitney said the note was addressed directly to Savann Guthrie. Later alleged notes claim the 84 year old Guthrie died shortly after she was taken. There was never any proof of life and not one of these alleged ransom notes was ever authenticated.
[02:50]
Lisa Licera
Fox's Claudia Cowan since her disappearance in January, authorities have not made any arrest or identified any person of interest. Singer Chris Brown has pled guilty to fighting at a London nightclub in 2023, where authorities say he hit a music producer over the head with a bottle. Brown remains free on bail and will be sentenced in October. A former NFL Pro Bowler and TV analyst has been booked on a drunk driving charge.
[03:14]
Unidentified Sports Reporter
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been arrested in Milwaukee on suspicion of operating while under the influence and owi. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office says Romo was stopped Thursday at around 8pm and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. He was later booked and released from jail and is now scheduled to appear in court in September. Wisconsin state law says a first offense, OWI is generally a civil offense, with a citation typically carrying a fine ranging from 150 to $300. Romo is from the Milwaukee area, having grown up in nearby Burlington. He's a four time Pro Bowler and is now the lead NFL analyst for CBS Sports. Tony Genu Aldo Fox News Democratic National
[03:56]
Lisa Licera
Committee has selected South Carolina to hold the first presidential nominating contest in 2028. The decision most likely cements a Democratic primary calendar that moves away from Iowa and New Hampshire. I'm Lisa Lucera. This is FO.