BreakingMojtaba Khamenei named Iran's new Supreme Leader — Assembly of Experts installs Ali Khamenei's son IDF begins new wide-scale strikes on Tehran, Isfahan, and southern Iran Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, 26, identified as first US soldier killed at Prince Sultan Air Base BAPCO refinery on fire, force majeure declared — Bahrain's largest refinery struck by Iran Oil surges to $117, crashes $17 on G7 reserve reports — decision deferred Macron deploys Charles de Gaulle carrier to Eastern Mediterranean — pledges to escort ships through Hormuz NATO intercepts multiple Iranian missiles heading toward Turkey Lebanon calls for total ceasefire with Israel
Today's briefingMon 9 March 2026
4:16 PM · G7 · EnergyG7 finance ministers agreed not to release emergency oil reserves today — decision deferred to G7 leaders following IEA call for coordinated release. Ministers said more analysis on timing is needed.
4:05 PM · Iran · LeadershipMojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, named Iran's new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts. Thousands gathered in Tehran to pledge allegiance. Putin offered "unwavering support" within hours. Trump said he was "not happy" with the appointment.
4:02 PM · US · IranTrump: US is "nowhere near" sending troops to Iran, rules out any ground mission. Secretary of State Rubio says the operation's goal is to destroy Iran's missiles, launchers, and navy — calling Iran a "terrorist regime."
3:56 PM · Saudi Arabia · DefenseVideo confirmed an Iranian ballistic missile struck near US troops at Prince Sultan Air Base, causing minor injuries. The US began evacuating air tankers from the base as regional air defenses weaken.
3:21 PM · France · NavyMacron pledges France will organize a naval escort mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, deploying the Charles de Gaulle carrier group to the Eastern Mediterranean. Britain confirmed it will not send a carrier.
3:21 PM · Lebanon · DiplomacyLebanese president calls for a "total ceasefire" with Israel. France called for an emergency UN Security Council session and released €6 million in emergency aid for Lebanon's civilian population.
3:19 PM · US · DefenseUS identifies soldier killed in March 1 strike at Prince Sultan Air Base: Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, 26, of Kentucky — the first US Army death confirmed in the conflict.
3:01 PM · Energy · MarketsMacquarie warns oil could hit $150 if Hormuz stays closed for weeks. Iran warned oil could reach $200 if US and Israeli strikes on its energy infrastructure continue. Rystad Energy puts $135 by May if disruptions last four months.
2:47 PM · Russia · IranPutin offers "unwavering support and solidarity" to new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Saudi Aramco confirmed cutting production at two oilfields following Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping disruptions.
2:09 PM · US · IntelUS intercepts encrypted Iranian communication — preliminary signals analysis suggests it could be an operational trigger for sleeper assets abroad. US officials did not disclose target countries.
1:16 PM · NATO · TurkeyNATO intercepts Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkey over the Eastern Mediterranean — a US Navy destroyer confirmed as the intercepting asset. Debris fell in Gaziantep province. Iran denied any launches toward Turkey, Azerbaijan, or Cyprus.
12:44 PM · UAE · DefenseUAE air defenses intercepted 12 of 15 ballistic missiles and 17 of 18 drones fired from Iran — one drone crashed inside the country; two people injured by interceptor debris over Abu Dhabi. Wall Street banks began offering UAE staff relocation options.
12:21 PM · Israel · IranIDF begins new wide-scale strikes on Tehran, Isfahan, and southern Iran. US Air Force conducting simultaneous operations. Reports of explosions across Tehran confirmed.
11:09 AM · Energy · MarketsOil surges 30% to $117 a barrel — then crashes $17 on reports G7 would discuss reserve releases. WTI, which was at $63 a month ago, hit $101. European gas prices jumped 30%.
10:59 AM · Israel · CasualtiesOne Israeli killed, two seriously injured by shrapnel and debris from an Iranian missile strike in central Israel, according to ambulance services. Another person died from injuries sustained at a Yehud construction site.
9:36 AM · Israel · AnalysisIsraeli military assessment: the battle with Iran may last at least five more weeks. The main objective is the complete destruction of Iran's operational missile system and launch platforms.
8:58 AM · US · DefensePentagon officials say the first week of the Iran war cost $6 billion — $4 billion on munitions and missile interceptors alone. Iran has launched over 3,000 missiles and drones at Gulf countries since the conflict began.
7:25 AM · Bahrain · EnergyBahrain's BAPCO refinery — the country's largest — struck by Iran; large fire burning near Manama. Force majeure declared on shipments. Asian and European markets opened sharply lower: South Korea −7.7%, Japan −6.4%, Euro Stoxx 50 −3.1%.
In depth
Israel · Iran · Breaking
Netanyahu: Israel has destroyed Iran's nuclear infrastructure and hundreds of missile launchers
The Israeli Prime Minister made the most sweeping military claim of the conflict as Israeli aircraft simultaneously struck around 30 large Iranian oil storage tanks — the first attacks on state energy infrastructure since the war began. Iran struck back at Haifa.
8 min read · Updated
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Energy · Markets
Oil at $91: The fastest price shock on record
How one night of military operations turned into the most violent week ever seen in crude oil markets — and what happens if the Strait of Hormuz becomes a battlefield.
7 min read ·
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Gulf · Defense
Bahrain under sirens: The Fifth Fleet's impossible position
With Iranian ballistic missiles targeting the Gulf for the first time in this conflict, the island hosting America's most critical naval base has become both symbol and target.
6 min read ·
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Asia · Energy · Analysis
Asia on the brink of an energy panic
The Iran conflict has pushed Asia — which depends on Gulf oil far more than the West — toward the edge of an energy emergency that could rewrite the economics of the world's fastest-growing economies.
6 min read ·
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US Policy · Energy
Trump: oil spike is a small price to pay for ending Iran's nuclear threat
The President says short-term crude price hikes are worth the cost of eliminating Iran's nuclear capability — a statement with major implications for how long this conflict may last.
4 min read ·
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Iran · Leadership
Mojtaba Khamenei is Iran's new Supreme Leader — the war isn't ending
The Assembly of Experts bypassed Iran's constitution to install Ali Khamenei's son within hours of his father's death. The message to Washington and Tel Aviv is deliberate: hardliners intend to fight this to a conclusion.
5 min read ·
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France · Navy · Hormuz
Macron sends the Charles de Gaulle — and bets France's credibility on it
By deploying France's sole carrier group and pledging to escort ships through Hormuz, Macron is making the most significant French military commitment in the region in a generation — without American coordination.
5 min read ·
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Latest news
Israel · Iran · Breaking
IDF begins new wide-scale strikes on Tehran, Isfahan, and southern Iran
The Israeli Air Force announced a new wave of attacks against Iranian regime infrastructure across Tehran, Isfahan, and southern Iran. US Air Force assets are conducting simultaneous strikes. Reports of explosions in Tehran are confirmed.
Iran · Leadership
Mojtaba Khamenei named Iran's new Supreme Leader — hardliners stay in charge
Iran's Assembly of Experts formally appointed Mojtaba Khamenei — son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — as the Islamic Republic's third Supreme Leader. Putin offered unwavering support within hours. Trump said he was "not happy" with the appointment.
US · Saudi Arabia · Defense
First US soldier killed at Prince Sultan identified: Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, 26, Kentucky
US Department of Defense identified the soldier killed in the March 1 Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base as Sergeant Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Kentucky. US is now evacuating air tankers from the base as defenses in the region weaken.
Bahrain · Energy · Breaking
Bahrain's BAPCO refinery struck by Iran — fire burns, force majeure declared
A large fire broke out at Bahrain Petroleum Company's main refinery near Manama after a combined Iranian drone and missile attack. Bapco declared force majeure on shipments, confirming the Gulf's oil infrastructure is now an active target.
NATO · Turkey · Defense
NATO intercepts multiple Iranian ballistic missiles heading toward Turkey
NATO air defenses, including a US Navy destroyer in the Eastern Mediterranean, intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Turkey. Debris fell in Gaziantep province with no casualties. Iran's foreign minister denied the launches — Azerbaijan and others condemned Tehran.
UAE · Defense · Breaking
UAE intercepts 12 ballistic missiles and 17 drones — one drone falls inside the country
UAE air defenses intercepted 12 of 15 ballistic missiles, with three falling into the sea, and 17 of 18 drones. One drone crashed inside the UAE. Two people were injured by falling interceptor debris over Abu Dhabi.
Energy · Markets · G7
Oil surges to $117 a barrel, crashes $17 on G7 reserve reports — G7 defers decision
Brent crude hit $117 — up 30% — before falling sharply on reports G7 finance ministers would discuss releasing emergency reserves. After meeting, ministers agreed only to monitor markets and defer a decision on reserve releases. Macquarie warns $150 is possible if Hormuz stays closed for weeks.
France · Navy · Breaking
Macron deploys Charles de Gaulle carrier group — pledges to escort ships through Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deployment of warships including the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Eastern Mediterranean. He pledged to lead a naval escort mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Britain confirmed it will not send a carrier.
Lebanon · Israel · Diplomacy
Lebanese president calls for "total ceasefire" with Israel
Lebanon's president publicly called for a total ceasefire with Israel, informing the UN and international community. France simultaneously called for an emergency Security Council meeting and released €6 million in emergency aid for Lebanon's civilian population.
US · Iran · Intelligence
US intercepts encrypted Iranian communication — may be a sleeper asset activation trigger
US officials intercepted encrypted communication believed to have originated in Iran. Preliminary signals analysis suggests it could serve as an operational trigger for sleeper assets abroad, officials said, without disclosing targets or geography.
Sudan · Breaking
Sudan RSF drone strike on student dormitory in Kosti injures 7
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces targeted a student dormitory in Kosti city with drones, injuring seven students in one of the latest attacks on civilian infrastructure in the ongoing conflict.
US · Israel · Diplomacy
Witkoff and Kushner visit to Israel postponed — had been planned for Tuesday
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's planned trip to Israel has been postponed, according to an Israeli official. The visit had been scheduled for Tuesday as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Lebanon · Israel
Lebanese Health Ministry: two medics killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon
Lebanon's Health Ministry confirmed two medical workers were killed in Israeli airstrikes on south Lebanon, adding to civilian casualty figures as strikes on the country continue.
Saudi Arabia · Energy · Markets
Aramco cuts production at two oilfields — sources
Saudi Aramco is reducing oil output at two oilfields, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. The move comes as the regional conflict creates uncertainty over Gulf energy infrastructure.
Lebanon · Israel · Diplomacy
Lebanese president tells UN: Lebanon ready to resume negotiations to stop Israeli escalation
Lebanon's president said he has informed the United Nations and the international community of Lebanon's readiness to resume diplomatic negotiations aimed at halting the Israeli military escalation in the country.
EU · Iran
Von der Leyen: people of Iran deserve freedom — even with the risks of instability
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Iranian people deserve freedom and the right to determine their own future, even acknowledging the risks of instability during and after the ongoing war.
Spain · UAE · Diplomacy
Spanish PM Sanchez calls UAE president, offers support after attacks on civilians
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez telephoned UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed to offer support to both Emirati and Spanish citizens following attacks that caused civilian casualties in the country.
Iran · Energy · Markets
Iran's Ghalibaf: infrastructure war would push oil above $100 and paralyze global economies
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that expanding the war to target infrastructure would have vast and long-lasting economic impacts, likely keeping oil prices above $100 per barrel and paralyzing global economies.
Iran · Strait of Hormuz · Energy
Iran has moved 11 million barrels or more through the Strait of Hormuz since the war began
Iran continues to move significant oil volumes through the Strait of Hormuz. TankerTrackers data shows Iran has moved at least 11 million barrels of oil via the strait since the conflict began, despite ongoing military tensions in the waterway.
Switzerland · Crime
Crans-Montana mayor among new defendants in Swiss fatal fire investigation
The prosecutor's office in the Swiss canton of Valais has placed new individuals under investigation over the fatal fire in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana. A legal document confirms that Mayor Nicolas Feraud is among the new defendants.
Israel · Kazakhstan · Diplomacy
Israel's Foreign Minister briefs Kazakhstan on Iran war, pledges to strengthen ties
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar briefed his Kazakhstani counterpart on the ongoing war against Iran and Iran's attacks on neighboring states, with both sides pledging to strengthen bilateral relations.
EU · Markets · Banking
European banks park €2.4 trillion with ECB overnight
Banks deposited 2.4 trillion euros with the European Central Bank overnight, a sign that financial institutions are holding excess liquidity amid market uncertainty tied to the Middle East conflict and global energy disruption.
Markets · Tech
Amazon Pay expands into vehicle insurance with new portfolio
Amazon Pay is expanding its vehicle insurance portfolio as the tech giant pushes further into financial services. The move marks another step in Amazon's strategy to become a major player in the broader consumer finance market.
Greece · Cyprus · France
Greek PM Mitsotakis arrives in Cyprus ahead of meeting with Macron
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Cyprus ahead of a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The talks are expected to cover regional security, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Lebanon · Israel · Breaking
Hezbollah claims it struck an Israeli helicopter over an eastern mountain range
Hezbollah's military wing said it successfully engaged an Israeli helicopter flying over the mountains east of Lebanon. The IDF has not confirmed the claim.
Iran · Israel · Breaking
Iran launches new missile attack on Israel — IDF confirms intercepts
Iran launched a new wave of missiles toward Israel, with the IDF confirming it had identified the launches and that air defense systems were responding. Sirens sounding across Israeli cities.
US · Iraq · Defense
US Air Force strikes Iranian-backed militias in Iraq after attacks on US bases
US Central Command confirmed airstrikes against Iran-linked militia infrastructure in Iraq following a wave of drone and rocket attacks on American military installations in the country.
UK · Breaking
Historic building collapses in massive fire next to Glasgow Central Station
A fire starting at a vape shop on Union Street engulfed a historic building adjacent to Scotland's busiest train station. Over 60 firefighters responded. No injuries reported; 15 appliances remain on scene.
Markets · Asia-Pacific
Australia and New Zealand stock markets each fall over 2% at Monday's open
Both Pacific markets dropped sharply as the Iran conflict's economic consequences weighed on regional sentiment, driven by oil price uncertainty and fears over Gulf supply disruption.
New York police safely removed a suspicious device for forensic testing and allowed residents to return after a precautionary evacuation. The area remains closed to vehicles.
Kuwait · Breaking
Fire near Kuwait International Airport after drone attack — air defenses activated
A fire broke out near Kuwait's only international airport following a drone attack, as Kuwait's armed forces reported actively intercepting hostile targets across the country with air defense systems.
Saudi Arabia · Iran · Defense
Saudi Arabia intercepts Iranian drone east of Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry confirmed it targeted and intercepted an Iranian drone approaching from the east of the capital — the second drone incident near Riyadh in 24 hours.
Lebanon · Israel · Breaking
Drone strike hits Ramada hotel in Beirut — Israel reportedly responsible
A drone attack targeted a specific room in the Ramada hotel in Beirut, with the IDF reportedly behind the strike. The attack signals a precision targeting operation in Lebanon's capital.
Kuwait · Defense
Kuwait armed forces actively intercepting hostile targets with air defense systems
Kuwait's military confirmed its air defense systems are engaged and intercepting hostile drones and missiles, as the Gulf state faces its most direct military threat since the 1990 Iraqi invasion.
Saudi Arabia · Energy
Saudi Aramco redirects oil exports to Yanbu — away from the threatened Persian Gulf
Saudi Aramco began rerouting crude shipments to its Red Sea terminal at Yanbu, signaling that the world's largest oil exporter considers Persian Gulf export routes no longer reliable.
Iran · Israel · Breaking
Iran launches new wave of ballistic missiles toward Israel — sirens sounding
Iran's Revolutionary Guards launched a new salvo of ballistic missiles targeting Israeli territory, activating air raid sirens across multiple cities for the third time in 48 hours.
Iran · Politics
Iran's IRGC turns on the president — fury over his apology to Gulf states
Iran's Revolutionary Guards and hardline factions publicly condemned President Pezeshkian's expression of regret over damages to Gulf states, exposing a dangerous internal fracture at a moment of existential military pressure.
Iran · US · Israel
Larijani: US and Israel targeted schools and hospitals to spark protests — it failed
Iran's senior political figure Ali Larijani accused the US-Israeli campaign of deliberately striking civilian institutions to incite internal unrest, claiming the strategy has backfired.
Turkey · Iran · Defense
Turkey warns Iran: no more ballistic missiles in Turkish territory after March 4 landing
Turkey's Foreign Minister issued a formal warning to Tehran following the March 4 incident in which an Iranian ballistic missile landed on Turkish soil — the first time a NATO member's territory has been struck in the conflict.
Iran · Military
Iran's state TV: military prepared to continue war for another six months
Iranian state television broadcast statements from IRGC commanders asserting full operational readiness for a sustained conflict — a signal calibrated for both domestic and international audiences.
Iraq · US
Iraqi PM orders pursuit of perpetrators behind rocket attack on US embassy in Baghdad
The Iraqi Prime Minister directed security forces to identify and apprehend those responsible for a rocket attack on the US embassy compound in Baghdad's Green Zone.
UAE · Dubai · Breaking
Debris strikes a tower in Dubai as missile fragments reach the UAE's commercial heart
A residential tower in Dubai sustained damage from debris believed to be fragments of an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile — the first physical impact of the conflict in the UAE's urban core.
Iran · Israel · Energy
IRGC strikes the Haifa refinery — Iran opens the energy war
Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed a strike on the Haifa refinery complex — the first direct Iranian attack on Israeli civilian energy infrastructure — after Israeli aircraft hit approximately 30 Iranian oil storage tanks on the same day.
Israel · Iran · Energy
Israel strikes around 30 large oil storage tanks — first attack on Iranian state infrastructure
Israeli aircraft hit approximately 30 crude oil storage facilities in Iran, the first attacks on Iranian state-owned petroleum infrastructure since the war began, marking a significant escalation of the economic dimension.
Bahrain · Iran · Breaking
Bahrain reports fire and material damage to residential buildings following Iranian attacks
Bahrain's Interior Ministry confirmed fires and structural damage to houses and surrounding buildings in Manama following the latest wave of Iranian strikes on Gulf targets.
Saudi Arabia · Defense
Ballistic missile falls near Prince Sultan Air Base — Saudi Defense Ministry says uninhabited area hit
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry confirmed an Iranian ballistic missile landed in an uninhabited area after being launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base, a key US-Saudi military installation.
Kuwait · Energy · Markets
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation declares force majeure as Middle East conflict intensifies
KPC invoked force majeure — a legal clause suspending contractual obligations due to extraordinary events — as the regional conflict threatens oil infrastructure and shipping routes.
Iran · Regional
Iran says desalination plant attack was launched from an air base in a southern neighboring country
The Iranian parliament speaker accused a country to Iran's south of allowing its air bases to be used to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure — a direct accusation pointing toward the Gulf states.
Israel · Lebanon · Defense
Two Israeli soldiers wounded by anti-tank fire in southern Lebanon
Both soldiers sustained moderate injuries in a Hezbollah anti-tank missile strike in southern Lebanon, as Israeli ground operations in the area continue into their second day.
Iran · Tehran
Fires and smoke plumes seen near Tehran's Mehrabad Airport as war enters its second week
New fires and visible smoke were reported near Mehrabad Airport on Saturday morning, suggesting continued strikes or secondary fires from the original attack on the facility.
Israel · Military
Netanyahu's office: special operation to locate missing pilot Ron Arad did not yield hoped-for results
Israel had reportedly used the cover of the broader Iran campaign to attempt a covert operation targeting intelligence on Ron Arad, the IAF navigator missing since 1986. The mission came up empty.
UAE · Defense
UAE Minister of State for Defense holds emergency calls to strengthen defense partnerships
The UAE's defense minister held discussions with counterparts from multiple friendly nations as Gulf states coordinate a collective security posture in response to the expanding regional conflict.
US Policy · White House
Trump considers deploying troops on Iranian soil — what that actually means
A limited ground presence in Iran would mark an entirely new phase of American warfare, with no clear precedent and acute constitutional questions.
Geopolitics · Intelligence
Russia says no to force, but intelligence suggests otherwise
Moscow's public calls for restraint contradict Western intelligence reports that Russian advisors are providing Iran with real-time missile targeting data.
US · Army
Army cancels 82nd Airborne training exercise — and won't say why
The abrupt cancellation of a major Fort Bragg exercise for America's most ready rapid-deployment division has set off intense speculation about where the 82nd may be heading.
Saudi Arabia · Pakistan · Iran
Saudi Arabia enlists Pakistan to pressure Iran as regional diplomacy accelerates
Riyadh's defense minister has spoken directly with Pakistan's army chief about halting Iranian aggression — bringing a nuclear-armed state into the diplomatic effort for the first time.
US · Weather
Multiple fatalities as tornadoes tear through Michigan and Oklahoma
While the world watches the Middle East, two American states are under active tornado emergency. The storms are moving east.
US · Israel · Congress
Rubio bypasses Congress for emergency arms sale to Israel — State Dept backs the move
Invoking rarely used emergency authority, Secretary Rubio approved an immediate ammunition transfer, cutting off a review process that lawmakers from both parties have demanded.
Global · Economy
Fertilizer prices spike as Iran war disrupts supply routes — experts warn of a food crisis worse than Ukraine
The conflict is severing key transit corridors for fertilizer precursors. Global farmers may face the worst input cost crisis in decades.
Global · Shipping
Ships in the Gulf are broadcasting Chinese identities to avoid Iranian targeting
Multiple vessels are transmitting false AIS signals to appear Chinese-flagged. The tactic reveals how profoundly Iran's targeting doctrine has reshaped commercial navigation.
US · Military
Trump to attend Dover transfer for six soldiers killed in Iran's Kuwait drone strike
The Dignified Transfer puts a human face on a conflict that has until now been measured in missile counts and oil prices. Six flag-draped transfer cases will arrive tomorrow morning.
Iran · Strait of Hormuz
Iran draws a line in the Strait: US and Israeli ships only, for now
An IRGC general says Iranian forces are targeting only vessels linked to the US and Israel. The statement is simultaneously a de-escalation signal and a direct threat to global shipping.
US · Iran
Iranian intelligence agent convicted in plot to kill US politicians
A federal jury returned a guilty verdict in a case prosecutors called the most brazen Iranian assassination scheme ever brought to trial on American soil.
US · Defense
Satellite imagery shows THAAD radar damaged by Iranian strike — a strategic first
New imagery suggests a key US missile defense radar was hit. If confirmed, it marks the first time American strategic defense infrastructure has been physically degraded in this conflict.
Lebanon · Military
Israeli forces land in Lebanon as Hezbollah clashes intensify across the Bekaa Valley
Opening a second front while conducting the largest air campaign against Iran in history is a military gamble of historic proportions. Israel is making it anyway.
Iraq · US
KBR headquarters in Iraq hit by drone — Iran-linked militias suspected
A massive fire at America's largest military contractor signals a deliberate expansion of Iran's proxy strategy — targeting economic infrastructure, not just military personnel.
US Policy · Iran
Trump: not seeking democracy in Iran — wants a leader who treats the US and Israel fairly
President Trump clarified American war aims, saying the United States is not pursuing regime change toward democratic governance but rather a leadership that will deal fairly with US and Israeli interests.