United States Defense and Military Forces – Page 4 – War Watch

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 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
Araghchi, Abbas | Defense and Military Forces | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Munir, Syed Asim | Pakistan | Peace Process | Politics and Government | 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)

Trump Says He Postponed a ‘Very Major Attack’ on Iran, Leaving Mideast on Edge
ByEuan Ward May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

President Trump threatened “another big hit” on Iran, saying the country had days to return to the negotiating table, as Pakistan continued its mediation efforts to end the war.

Read More Trump Says He Postponed a ‘Very Major Attack’ on Iran, Leaving Mideast on Edge
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.
Civilian Casualties | Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | Human Rights and Human Rights Violations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Shajarah Tayyebeh (Minab, Iran) | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

A Top U.S. Commander Dismisses Reports of Civilian Deaths in Iran
ByGreg Jaffe May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

Adm. Brad Cooper said a strike on an Iranian school may have been the only civilian casualty incident of the war.

Read More A Top U.S. Commander Dismisses Reports of Civilian Deaths in Iran
Caine, John Daniel (1968- ) | Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Joint Chiefs of Staff | Peters, Gary | Powell, Colin L | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Gen. Caine’s Silence on Iran War Leaves Questions About Military Strategy
ByGreg Jaffe May 13, 2026

The president’s top military adviser is walking a tightrope as he leads the military through a divisive and unpopular war.

Read More Gen. Caine’s Silence on Iran War Leaves Questions About Military Strategy
China | Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Rare Earths | 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)

Why the Bombing of Iran Tied the U.S. More Closely to China
ByAna Swanson and John Ismay May 13, 2026

As the U.S. tries to rebuild its weapons stockpiles drained in the Iran war, it will need access to rare-earth minerals, an industry China dominates.

Read More Why the Bombing of Iran Tied the U.S. More Closely to China
Embargoes and Sanctions | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | 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)

Battle Over the Strait of Hormuz Leaves Safe Passage a Gamble
ByEphrat Livni and Euan Ward May 13, 2026May 14, 2026

Vessels are traveling without transmitting critical information meant to keep the waters safe, maritime intelligence experts say.

Read More Battle Over the Strait of Hormuz Leaves Safe Passage a Gamble
Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Intelligence Shows Iran Retains Substantial Missile Capabilities
ByAdam Entous, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

Secret new assessments say Iran has operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that its military remains far stronger than President Trump has asserted.

Read More U.S. Intelligence Shows Iran Retains Substantial Missile Capabilities