United States Defense and Military Forces – War Watch

Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kharg Island (Iran) | Middle East | Military Aircraft | Ships and Shipping | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

A Look at the Escalating Battle for the Strait of Hormuz
ByLuke Broadwater, Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

There are several ways the United States could attempt to reopen the waterway, all of which carry substantial risks.

Read More A Look at the Escalating Battle for the Strait of Hormuz
Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (Calif) | Persian Gulf | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Marine Corps | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Dispatches Marines and Warships to Middle East
ByHelene Cooper March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Officials said 2,500 Marines from 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in California and the U.S.S. Boxer amphibious ready group will go in April to relieve Marines already deployed in the Persian Gulf.

Read More U.S. Dispatches Marines and Warships to Middle East
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | North Atlantic Treaty Organization | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

NATO Pulls Last Military Trainers From Iraq Amid Strikes From Iran
ByLara Jakes March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

The NATO mission, created in 2018, trained and advised Iraqi forces. Iraq is among the countries facing retaliatory attacks from the U.S.-Israeli war.

Read More NATO Pulls Last Military Trainers From Iraq Amid Strikes From Iran
Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Marine Corps | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump Says He Won’t Send Troops to Iran but Leaves Wiggle Room
ByKaroun Demirjian and David E. Sanger March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

The president was cagey about his plans for Iran. He confirmed the Pentagon was seeking $200 billion to support a protracted war effort while also claiming it would be over soon.

Read More Trump Says He Won’t Send Troops to Iran but Leaves Wiggle Room
Budgets and Budgeting | Defense Department | Embargoes and Sanctions | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) | Takaichi, Sanae | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Trump Administration Faces Public Jitters as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran War
ByTony Romm, David E. Sanger and Michael Levenson March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel suggested that the war with Iran could end soon, but that there were still more attacks ahead.

Read More Trump Administration Faces Public Jitters as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran War
Defense and Military Forces | Europe | Great Britain | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | Ships and Shipping | Starmer, Keir | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States Central Command | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.K. Advisers Sent to U.S. to Help Develop Options to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
ByStephen Castle March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

The move comes after President Trump sharply criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not supporting his initial military strikes on Iran.

Read More U.K. Advisers Sent to U.S. to Help Develop Options to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Defense Department | Democratic Party | Federal Budget (US) | Hegseth, Pete | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Republican Party | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Pentagon Seeks Additional $200 Billion to Fund Iran War
ByHelene Cooper, Tony Romm, Megan Mineiro and Karoun Demirjian March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

The request, which the White House has not yet submitted to Congress, is already encountering some resistance.

Read More Pentagon Seeks Additional $200 Billion to Fund Iran War
Fordo (Iran) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Isfahan (Iran) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kushner, Jared | Natanz (Iran) | Nuclear Energy | Nuclear weapons | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Witkoff, Steven

Trump’s Next Decision in War: Whether to Retrieve Iran’s Nuclear Fuel
ByDavid E. Sanger March 17, 2026March 18, 2026

A mission to seize or destroy Iran’s nuclear material would be one of the riskiest military operations in modern American history.

Read More Trump’s Next Decision in War: Whether to Retrieve Iran’s Nuclear Fuel
Europe | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Ireland | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Martin, Micheal (1960- ) | North Atlantic Treaty Organization | Trump, Donald J | Ukraine | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump Says U.S. Doesn’t Need Allies to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
ByKaroun Demirjian and David E. Sanger March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

President Trump has faced mounting criticism over the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran from allies and even members of his own administration.

Read More Trump Says U.S. Doesn’t Need Allies to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Bahrain | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Italy | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | Saudi Arabia | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United Arab Emirates | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Sucked Into War, Gulf Countries Face the Limits of U.S. Security Guarantees
ByVivian Nereim March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Barraged by Iranian attacks and questioning the value of security ties with the United States, nations in the Gulf have turned to Ukraine, Australia and Italy for help.

Read More Sucked Into War, Gulf Countries Face the Limits of U.S. Security Guarantees