United States Defense and Military Forces – Page 3 – War Watch

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U.S. Turns Up Pressure on Iraq to Distance Itself From Iran
ByRaja Abdulrahim, Falih Hassan, Edward Wong and Erika Solomon April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

Washington is demanding that the Baghdad government dismantle Iran-backed Iraqi militias that have been attacking Americans and U.S. sites there recently.

Read More U.S. Turns Up Pressure on Iraq to Distance Itself From Iran
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | 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) | Vance, J D

Vance’s Trip to Islamabad on Hold as U.S. Says Iran Failed to Respond to Its Terms
ByJonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman April 21, 2026

The delay is another hurdle in the Trump administration’s push to secure an agreement that would curb Iran’s nuclear program.

Read More Vance’s Trip to Islamabad on Hold as U.S. Says Iran Failed to Respond to Its Terms
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | 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) | Vance, J D

Trump Extends Iran Cease-Fire Before Deadline Expires; Vance’s Trip Is on Hold
ByJonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

President Trump attributed his decision to divisions among the Iranians about how to proceed and said he wanted to give them more time.

Read More Trump Extends Iran Cease-Fire Before Deadline Expires; Vance’s Trip Is on Hold
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U.S. Military Stops and Boards M/T Tifani, Tanker Carrying Iranian Oil, Pentagon Says
ByEric Schmitt April 21, 2026April 22, 2026

The seizure was the latest U.S. effort to squeeze Iran’s oil-reliant economy, and came days after the Navy boarded an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz.

Read More U.S. Military Stops and Boards M/T Tifani, Tanker Carrying Iranian Oil, Pentagon Says
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How the Cole Disaster Drove the U.S. to Develop New Warship Defenses
ByNicholas Kulish, John Ismay and Constant Méheut April 21, 2026

The Navy destroyers enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports carry weapons fielded after an American warship was attacked and nearly sunk more than 25 years ago.

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The Touska, the Iranian-Flagged Ship Seized by U.S. Forces, Was Under Sanctions
ByEric Schmitt April 20, 2026April 20, 2026

Marines are searching thousands of containers aboard the Touska, an Iranian cargo ship that the Navy disabled and seized on Sunday.

Read More The Touska, the Iranian-Flagged Ship Seized by U.S. Forces, Was Under Sanctions
Civilian Casualties | Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Van Hollen, Christopher Jr | Warren, Elizabeth

Democratic Senators Fault Hegseth’s Leadership on Iran
ByJohn Ismay April 20, 2026

In a letter, the 11 senators questioned the defense secretary’s decision to gut programs intended to protect civilians and said his orders endangered U.S. troops.

Read More Democratic Senators Fault Hegseth’s Leadership on Iran
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Ships and Shipping | Strait of Hormuz | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Strait of Hormuz Is Open During Cease-Fire in Lebanon, U.S. and Iran Say
ByPeter Eavis, Jenny Gross and Joe Rennison April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Statements from President Trump and Iran aimed to raise confidence in the safety of the waterway, but shipping experts said risks remained.

Read More Strait of Hormuz Is Open During Cease-Fire in Lebanon, U.S. and Iran Say
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U.S. Completes Handover of Military Bases in Syria
ByRaja Abdulrahim April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

The transition signals the end of a formal U.S. military presence in Syria for the first time in more than a decade.

Read More U.S. Completes Handover of Military Bases in Syria
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Hegseth Again Threatens Attacks on Iran’s Civilian Infrastructure
ByJohn Ismay April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

The U.S. blockade of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz would last “for as long as it takes,” the defense secretary said.

Read More Hegseth Again Threatens Attacks on Iran’s Civilian Infrastructure