In an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) senior advisor Kari Lake confirmed that Voice of America’s (VOA) Persian news service is ramping up coverage as tensions between Iran and Israel intensify.

"History is being made, and VOA Persian news service is rising to the occasion to cover it," Lake said Friday.

"Farsi language is a statutorily required for USAGM. We are ramping up — as we’ve always planned to do — to meet this historic moment," she continued. "Everyone who is being called back has been on paid administrative leave, so they are simply being called back into the office to cover this historic moment in Iran."

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"VOA Persian news service is, very appropriately, covering one of the most consequential moments in Iran’s history," she concluded.

Lake’s remarks follow the recall of approximately 75 Farsi-speaking staffers, including dozens of journalists, from administrative leave, according to The Washington Post. Most are returning to cover the escalating conflict, which began with Israel’s precision strike on Iranian nuclear sites and was followed by Iran’s missile barrage on Israeli cities.

The move comes after months of cost-cutting at the government-funded VOA and USAGM. 

In May, the Trump administration laid off more than 500 personal service contractors and placed another 800 employees on leave starting in March. The goal: eliminate waste and refocus on the agency’s statutory mission.

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Now, with Iran on the brink and the world watching, VOA’s Persian division is back on the frontlines. Journalists say they are preparing to resume full satellite TV broadcasts in Iran, not just online updates.

Some at VOA have raised concerns. "Are they going to bring back a language every time there is a crisis the administration has interest in?" one source told The Washington Post. 

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VOA's Persian news site was most recently published on Friday.

Victor Perez's time on the notoriously challenging Oakmont golf course Friday proved to be memorable. The French golfer carded a rare ace during second-round competition at the U.S. Open.

It was just the second hole-in-one on record in a U.S. Open at Pennsylvania's Oakmont Country Club. Perez aced on the par-3 sixth hole Friday, using a 7-iron to hit the shot from 192 yards.

The ball bounced a few times before eventually rolling roughly three feet into the cup.

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An animated Perez raised his arms before giving his caddie a chest bump. Perez also celebrated with his playing partners, Adam Schenk and Jacob Bridgeman, as spectators applauded. 

Perez admitted nailing an ace isn't solely based on skill.

"Obviously, a hole-in-one takes a little bit of luck," Perez said. "Honestly, I was trying to hit something maybe 15-20 feet past the hole. Maybe it spun a little more and bounced in. I was a little fortunate, which I'll definitely take."

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According to Perez, it was the ninth ace of his career. He said he made two in the Bahamas — at his home course — but no one could corroborate it because he was playing alone at the time.

"They didn't believe me at home because I was playing by myself," Perez said. "Now, they'll know."

The last known ace when Oakmont hosted a U.S. Open happened in 1983. Scott Simpson carded an ace that year on the 16th hole in the first round.

The ace helped Perez recover from a rough second-round start. He ended the second round in a tie for sixth place at 1-over. 

Sam Burns ended the day at the top of the leaderboard at 3-under. Burns finished last year's U.S. Open in a tie for ninth place.

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