U.S. Forces Conducted "Self Defense Strikes" Monday in Southern Iran

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – May 26, 2026

Episode Summary: U.S. Forces Conduct “Self Defense Strikes” Monday in Southern Iran

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Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update centers on U.S. military action in southern Iran, reporting on “self defense strikes” in response to threats in the region. The episode also explores U.S.-Iran nuclear deal negotiations and diplomatic hopes for broader normalization in the Middle East. Additional segments cover political fallout within the Democratic Party following the 2024 election, unexpected moves by a Kentucky Congressman post-primary defeat, and community-driven action against gun violence in Seattle.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes in Southern Iran

Host: Paul Stevens
Correspondent: Jeff Paul

• [00:03] Breaking News: U.S. forces conducted self defense strikes on missile launch sites and Iranian boats laying mines in southern Iran (CENTCOM statement).
  • Notable Quote:
    “U.S. forces conducting self defense strikes in southern Iran today. This coming from CENTCOM tonight. Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to lay down mines.” – Paul Stevens [00:03]
• [00:28] Diplomatic Negotiations:
  • Status update: U.S. and Iran are reportedly close (90–95%) to a new agreement.
  • Iran’s concessions: Give up enriched uranium, cease uranium enrichment, help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, accept broader ceasefires.
  • U.S. offer: Sanctions relief, gradual easing of the blockade, economic normalization.
  • Iran’s stance: President Massoud Pyschkian stresses “the country’s dignity and pride” will not be compromised.
  • Trump administration aims to use a deal to encourage more countries to join the Abraham Accords.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Iran would reportedly give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, stop enriching it and help reopen the strait and agree to broader regional ceasefire. In exchange, Iran would get sanction relief…” – Jeff Paul [00:28]
    “President Trump also says … he would like to see more countries in the Middle east sign up for the Abraham Accords and normalize their relations with Israel.” – Jeff Paul [00:55]
• [01:06] Congressional Response:
  • Senator Ted Cruz (TX) posts on X, calling allowing Iran to enrich uranium and control Strait of Hormuz a “disastrous mistake.”
  • U.S. officials say Hezbollah has ignored requests to cease attacks on Israel.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Texas Senator Ted Cruz in a post on X saying it would be a disastrous mistake … if Iran is allowed to enrich uranium and control these Strait of Hormuz.” – Paul Stevens [01:06]

2. Memorial Day Coverage

• [01:19] Tributes to Fallen Military:
  • President Trump participates in wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Secretary of War Pete Hegsett and others reflect on the solemnity and significance of Memorial Day.
  • Notable Quote:
    “With every salute, with every ceremony, with every parade, with every prayer, every day and every year we remember.” – Jeff Paul [01:47]

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3. DNC Autopsy Fallout and Internal Critique

Host: Paul Stevens
Contributors: Bill Belugian, Senator Chris Van Hollen

• [02:53] Party Tension:
  • DNC Chair Ken Martin faces calls to resign after issuing 2024 “autopsy” report.
  • Criticisms: The report ignores critical issues like Gaza, Israel, and President Biden’s re-election decision.
  • Some party support for Martin remains.
  • Key findings: Harris lost all swing states; attributed failures accused of neglecting rural America, mishandling Latinos, and broader weakness of the Democratic brand.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Kamala Harris lost every single swing state in that 2024 election … she ignored rural America, mishandled Latinos, and the entire Democratic brand as a whole was weak.” – Bill Belugian [03:13]
• [03:30] Senate Reaction:
  • Senator Chris Van Hollen calls the report “shoddy and incomplete,” wishes it was released sooner.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen ... calling the report, quote, shoddy and incomplete..." – Paul Stevens [03:30]

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4. Kentucky Congressman’s Rapid Return to Politics

Contributor: Lisa Brady

• [03:44] Unexpected Candidacy Filing:
  • Rep. Thomas Massie, after a GOP primary loss to Trump-backed Ed Galrain, files for a 2028 run.
  • Massie looks to keep options open, continue political operations.
  • No decision yet on the specific office for 2028 run; continues to clash with the President and faced criticism over Iran and Epstein file issues.
  • Notable Quote:
    “A move aimed at keeping his options open. Massie posting on X he filed with the Federal Election Commission, allowing him to raise funds to continue political operations...” – Lisa Brady [03:44]

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5. Seattle Residents Erect Barricades Over Gun Violence

Host: Paul Stevens

• [04:24] Community Response:
  • Following a surge in gun violence, residents in a troubled Seattle neighborhood create homemade barricades — blocking roads with dirt, gravel, and concrete, as seen in online videos.
  • Locals cite inaction by city officials; mayor calls violence “deeply unsettling” and promises meetings with residents.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “U.S. forces conducting self defense strikes in southern Iran today. … Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to lay down mines.”
  — Paul Stevens [00:03]
• “Iran’s President Massoud Pyschkian says any negotiation will not compromise the country’s dignity and pride.”
  — Jeff Paul [00:41]
• “Texas Senator Ted Cruz … saying it would be a disastrous mistake … if Iran is allowed to enrich uranium and control these Strait of Hormuz.”
  — Paul Stevens [01:06]
• “Kamala Harris lost every single swing state in that 2024 election ... mishandled Latinos, and … the entire Democratic brand as a whole was weak.”
  — Bill Belugian [03:13]
• “Residents in a troubled Seattle neighborhood reaching their breaking point, erecting homemade barricades across their streets after a weekend surge of gun violence.”
  — Paul Stevens [04:24]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:03] U.S. “Self Defense” Strikes in Iran / Overview of targets
• [00:28] Progress in U.S.–Iran Deal Negotiations
• [01:06] Ted Cruz Criticizes Deal / Hezbollah Updates
• [01:19] Memorial Day: National Tributes
• [02:53] DNC Chair Faces Blowback on Election Review
• [03:44] Rep. Massie’s Unusual 2028 Filing
• [04:24] Seattle Residents Barricade Streets Over Violence

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Overall, this episode highlights escalating U.S.–Iran tensions, the search for a lasting diplomatic outcome in the region, internal strife within the U.S. political landscape, and the grassroots impact of domestic crises.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Military response. I'm Paul Stevens, Fox News. U.S. forces conducting self defense strikes in southern Iran today. This coming from CENTCOM tonight. Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to lay down mines. This as President Trump promises a deal with Iran will address its nuclear program, claiming it will be stronger than the nuclear deal negotiated under the Obama White House. Fox's Jeff Paul in Dubai.

[Jeff Paul]

The framework is said to be 90 to 95% complete. Iran would reportedly give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, stop enriching it and help reopen the strait and agree to broader regional ceasefire. In exchange, Iran would get sanction relief, a gradual easing of the US Blockade and broader economic normalization. Iran's President Massoud Pyschkian says any negotiation will not compromise the country's dignity and pride. Now President Trump also says that if they do get this deal between the US And Iran across the line, that he would like to see more countries in the Middle east sign up for the Abraham Accords and normalize their relations with Israel.

[Paul Stevens]

And Texas Senator Ted Cruz in a post on X saying it would be a disastrous mistake using his words, quote unquote if Iran is allowed to enrich uranium and control these Strait of Hormuz. A senior US Official meantime telling Fox News Hezbollah has ignored repeated requests to stop firing at Israel, including a recent ultimat. Meantime, It is of course Memorial Day. Numerous ceremonies and events around the country honoring the nation's fallen military. President Trump participating in the annual wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Secretary of War Pete Hegsett with every

[Jeff Paul]

salute, with every ceremony, with every parade, with every prayer, every day and every

[Paul Stevens]

year we remember, America is listening to FOX News.

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[Paul Stevens]

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin now facing calls to step down after he released the party's 2024 election autopsy. Fox's Bill Belugian.

[Bill Belugian]

Some Democrats have complained that the report didn't even mention the words Gaza or Israel or make any mention of President Biden's disastrous decision to run for a second term. But Martin still has some support within the party. Kamala Harris lost every single swing state in that 2024 election and some of the conclusions from the autopsy report as to why that is, that she ignored rural America, mishandled Latinos, and that the entire Democratic brand as a whole was weak.

[Paul Stevens]

Meantime, Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen on Fox News Sunday, calling the report, quote, shoddy and incomplete, but did say Martin should have released it earlier in the year. A Kentucky congressman who lost a high profile primary may not be finished Less

[Lisa Brady]

than a week after losing a Republican primary to a Trump backed challenger, outgoing Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie has already filed the paperwork to run for Congress again in in 2028, a move aimed at keeping his options open. Masie posting on X he filed with the Federal Election Commission, allowing him to raise funds to continue political operations supporting his current position and a potential future candidacy, adding he hasn't made a final decision about which office to seek if he runs. Massie has clashed with the president on several issues, including the conflict with Iran and the Epstein files. President Trump has continued to publicly criticize him even after Massie's loss to retired Navy SEAL Ed Galrain last week. Lisa Brady, Fox News Residents in a

[Paul Stevens]

troubled Seattle neighborhood reaching their breaking point, erecting homemade barricades across their streets after a weekend surge of gun violence. Online video showing roads blocked by piles of dirt, concrete and gravel. Locals say the city's not doing enough. The mayor's office there calling the violence deeply unsettling and saying they are meeting with those area residents. I'm Paul Stevens. This is Fox News.

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