The Pentagon has urged US military contractors to boost weapons production as stockpiles dwindle during the Iran war, a move that has frustrated President Donald Trump's efforts to maintain leverage in negotiations with Tehran. Iran, in turn, has issued a list of demands for the US to honor before it will consider direct talks, including honoring the agreements laid out in their interim deal from June. The Iran-backed Houthi militant group has targeted Saudi Arabian forces in Yemen and a major Saudi oil refinery on the Red Sea coast, escalating tensions in the region. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Trump's latest 15-point plan for Gaza, casting further uncertainty on peace efforts for the Palestinian enclave. The Defense Department's memo, written by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, demands that industry leaders submit plans within 21 days to accelerate delivery schedules and/or increase production for critical capabilities. This comes as the US seeks to maintain its military advantage in the region. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Iran is not engaged in talks with the US and will not start discussions if Washington continues to breach the interim deal signed in June. The situation in Yemen has also deteriorated, with Yemeni forces intercepting an explosive-laden drone boat targeting the commercial port of Mocha, hours after the Houthis claimed an attack on Saudi forces. The Houthis have also launched missile attacks on residential areas in Mocha, causing widespread destruction and casualties. The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing for over a decade, primarily between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis have seized control of a northern province and the capital Sanaa, along with much of Yemen's Red Sea coastline, and have become part of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance'. The Pentagon's request for increased production comes as the US seeks to maintain its military advantage in the region, despite concerns about the escalating conflict and its impact on global oil supplies.
