Iran Dared CENTCOM Over Hormuz. Now U.S. Forces Are Lining Up to Strike AGAIN | Mike Drop Newsroom

The U.S. has told Middle East allies to prepare for renewed strikes on Iran after the Nov. 3 elections, and for Iran and its proxies to hit back.

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 29 OCTOBER 2026

Two diplomats told the AP that U.S. officials warned allies a new round of strikes could last several days, with Iranian retaliation expected against energy sites and critical infrastructure. The USS Theodore Roosevelt and amphibious ships with Marines are already in the region, and President Trump has not made a final decision. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims three tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz and dared CENTCOM to prove the strait is clear. CENTCOM calls the claim false.

Mike Ritland breaks down whether Iran strikes before the U.S. does, what units actually do in the days before a strike, and why even a false claim in Hormuz can choke off shipping.

Also covered: Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top war planner days before the possible strike window, Netanyahu falls short of a majority but stays in charge, the U.S. ties Russian satellite help to Houthi strikes on Saudi airports, and a breach exposes about 40,000 DHS employees, including ICE and Border Patrol.

Should the U.S. strike first, wait until after the election, or try to negotiate? Tell us in the comments.

Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.

Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join

00:00 U.S. tells allies to prepare for new Iran strikes

04:28 Iran dares CENTCOM over Hormuz mines

07:52 Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top war planner

11:38 Netanyahu falls short of a majority

12:53 Houthis, Saudi airports and Russian satellites

17:45 DHS breach exposes 40,000 employees