The U.S. launched new strikes against Iran on Tuesday after tankers were hit in the Strait of Hormuz. State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
Page A5From§Eachthe early evening edition — 1 September 2026
Putin backs Iran as US strikes, supertankers hit in Hormuz
The receipts stack up: US strikes Iran, Putin pledges support for Tehran, supertankers get hit in Hormuz, and the State Department weighs in. The column is the chessboard—pieces moving, oil shifting, alliances stacking. The job isn’t defense, it’s managing fallout. The game’s real, and the stakes are barrels and borders. In lieu of flowers, check the shipping manifest for the next move.
“While the US launches strikes, Putin lines up behind Iran, and supertankers get hit in the Strait. The headlines read like a chessboard, but the pieces all move toward the oil, and the public pays for every move. The game’s real, and the board’s leaking.”
“International relations are complicated—sometimes support is diplomatic, sometimes military. The strikes are just enforcement of policy, and tanker incidents are unfortunate coincidences. Did I say chessboard? I meant the global stage.”
The receipts
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to support Iran and stand against US sanctions on Tuesday during a summit aimed at rivaling America's global influence.
A pair of supertankers carrying Saudi oil were struck back-to-back by projectiles while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz overnight, maritime analysts said.
The U.S. conducted more strikes against Iran on Tuesday after two tankers were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump took to social media to threaten the regime that they will be hit much harder if they retaliate.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.