Entering War’s Third Week, Trump Faces Stark Choices
As the conflict with Iran expands and intensifies, President Trump’s options — to fight on, or to move toward declaring victory and pulling back — both carry deeply problematic consequences.
As the conflict with Iran expands and intensifies, President Trump’s options — to fight on, or to move toward declaring victory and pulling back — both carry deeply problematic consequences.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz were “something we are dealing with.” And about 2,500 Marines were headed to the Middle East to bolster the war effort.
At a news conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave no indication of how long it would take before the Navy could escort civilian cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
The American and Israeli air forces have a dominant advantage in the skies, but Iran can still muster some resistance.
Iran appears to be targeting what it views as American vulnerabilities, including air defenses meant to guard troops and assets in the region.
Now 11 days into an expanding military campaign, President Trump and his officials have given conflicting indications on how long the United States intends the war to last.
The evidence contradicts President Trump’s claim that Iran was responsible for a strike at the school that killed 175 people, most of them children.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said responsibility for a strike on an Iranian girls’ school was under investigation.
President Trump’s embrace of military action in Iran was spurred by an Israeli leader determined to end diplomatic negotiations. Few of the president’s advisers voiced opposition.
Dozens of attacks were carried out by warplanes launched from bases and aircraft carriers in the region. President Trump said the targets included missile sites, Iran’s navy and nuclear facilities.