Thursday Afternoon Breaking News Updates with Ben - 5/7/2026

Ben Micellis delivers a high-intensity breaking news update on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, reporting that the U.S. military has conducted strikes on Iranian targets in Bandar Abbas and Keshem, which Iran claims were launched in response to an attack on an Iranian oil tanker. Iran's state media reports ongoing naval clashes, with Iranian forces targeting U.S. destroyers and claiming they forced them to retreat. Despite U.S. CENTCOM's assertion that the strikes were defensive and not a resumption of war, the situation remains volatile, with no ships observed exiting the Strait of Hormuz and no official confirmation from U.S. military or government sources. The episode critiques Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis, highlighting his contradictory statements, the cancellation of a planned meeting with Brazilian President Lula, and his focus on spectacle—like the UFC fight and golden statues—over substantive governance. Ben also exposes the Epstein files controversy, emphasizing Howard Lutnick’s refusal to testify under oath and the lack of transparency from the House Oversight Committee. The episode concludes with a sharp contrast between Trump’s chaotic leadership and Prime Minister Carney’s measured, strategic vision for international cooperation, underscoring a broader global shift toward multipolarity and strategic autonomy.