Defense Department – War Watch

Civilian Casualties | Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Shajarah Tayyebeh (Minab, Iran) | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

After U.S. Strike on Iranian School, Months Pass Without Answers
ByHelene Cooper June 16, 2026

U.S. officials have not publicly acknowledged responsibility for the deaths or released a report on their findings from an investigation into the Feb. 28 strike.

Read More After U.S. Strike on Iranian School, Months Pass Without Answers
Defense Department | Embargoes and Sanctions | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Middle East | Republican Party | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Why the U.S.-Iran Deal Might Work, and Why It Might Not
ByLara Jakes June 15, 2026

For all of the cautious optimism surrounding the framework agreement, some of the toughest issues lie ahead, and the deal could still fall apart.

Read More Why the U.S.-Iran Deal Might Work, and Why It Might Not
Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump and Hegseth Broadcast U.S. Military Strikes Before They Happen
ByEric Schmitt June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

Commanders do not usually speak publicly about future operations to avoid jeopardizing the mission’s success.

Read More Trump and Hegseth Broadcast U.S. Military Strikes Before They Happen
Civil-Military Coordination Center (Kiryat Gat, Israel) | Defense Department | Defense Intelligence Agency | Espionage and Intelligence Services | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Shin Bet | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump’s Defense Department Sees Growing Espionage Threat From Israel
ByJulian E. Barnes and Eric Schmitt June 6, 2026June 7, 2026

The Defense Department has increased the counterintelligence threat assessment to its highest level, and Israel is believed to have eavesdropped on American negotiations with Iran.

Read More Trump’s Defense Department Sees Growing Espionage Threat From Israel
Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Strait of Hormuz | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Said to Have Observed Series of Iranian Threats Before Latest Strikes
ByEric Schmitt May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

Two U.S. officials said Iran launched drones near American ships, sent speedboats to mine the Strait of Hormuz and stepped up activity at some of its missile sites.

Read More U.S. Said to Have Observed Series of Iranian Threats Before Latest Strikes
Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump Weighs His Options in Carrying Out New Strikes in Iran
ByDavid E. Sanger, Eric Schmitt, Tyler Pager, Jonathan Swan and Julian E. Barnes May 23, 2026May 23, 2026

There is no shortage of targets if he decides to strike: Energy facilities left untouched, the deep underground nuclear storage site at Isfahan and missile sites that appear to have been dug out.

Read More Trump Weighs His Options in Carrying Out New Strikes in Iran
Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

As Trump Weighs Return to Conflict in Iran, Here’s What Could Be Targeted Next
ByDavid E. Sanger, Eric Schmitt, Tyler Pager, Jonathan Swan and Julian E. Barnes May 23, 2026

There is no shortage of targets should President Trump, in coordination with Israel, decide to resume the assault on Iran.

Read More As Trump Weighs Return to Conflict in Iran, Here’s What Could Be Targeted Next
Defense and Military Forces | Defense Contracts | Defense Department | Drones (Pilotless Planes) | Federal Budget (US) | Gates, Robert M | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Iran War Exposes Shortcomings in U.S. Military Industrial Base
ByJulian E. Barnes May 19, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is taking on a problem that the Pentagon and Congress have tried, and mostly failed, to address for years.

Read More Iran War Exposes Shortcomings in U.S. Military Industrial Base
Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Nuclear weapons | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Xi Jinping

Back From China, Trump Faces Decision on Whether to Resume Strikes on Iran
ByHelene Cooper, Eric Schmitt and Tyler Pager May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

Top aides have drafted battle plans as peace negotiations have stalled.

Read More Back From China, Trump Faces Decision on Whether to Resume Strikes on Iran
Defense Department | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | live-detached | Republican Party | Senate Committee on Armed Services | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Emergency Powers (US) | War Powers Act (1973)

Republicans Waited to Challenge Trump on the Iran War. Now It May Be Too Late.
ByMegan Mineiro May 15, 2026

Having deferred to the president for months, G.O.P. lawmakers missed crucial milestones to try to limit his war powers. That has tied their hands in seeking parameters and exit criteria.

Read More Republicans Waited to Challenge Trump on the Iran War. Now It May Be Too Late.