United States Defense and Military Forces – Page 5 – War Watch

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U.S. Might Restart Strikes on Iran, Trump and Hegseth Warn
ByKaroun Demirjian, Megan Mineiro, Euan Ward and Michael Levenson May 12, 2026

With talks at an impasse, both sides are holding to positions their opponents call unacceptable, while the economic pain caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues to grow.

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Caine, John Daniel (1968- ) | Calvert, Ken | Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Pentagon Puts Iran War Cost at $29 Billion as Hegseth Deflects on Funding
ByMegan Mineiro May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

The estimate from the Defense Department’s top budget official was $4 billion higher than two weeks ago. Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to say when the administration would request extra money for the Iran conflict.

Read More Pentagon Puts Iran War Cost at $29 Billion as Hegseth Deflects on Funding
Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Persian Gulf | Ships and Shipping | Strait of Hormuz | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Strait of Hormuz Remains Effectively Blocked After Naval Skirmishes
ByPranav Baskar and Devon Lum May 9, 2026May 10, 2026

The U.S. Navy’s blockade continued to intercept ships trying to leave or enter Iranian ports, while fear of Iranian attacks kept other ships from attempting passage through the narrows.

Read More Strait of Hormuz Remains Effectively Blocked After Naval Skirmishes
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Long Overlooked, Caspian Sea Provides Strategic Trade Route for Iran
ByNicholas Kulish, Neil MacFarquhar and Julian E. Barnes May 9, 2026

The landlocked body of water has taken on new significance, with Russia shipping military and commercial goods to bolster Tehran’s ability to withstand the U.S. assault.

Read More Long Overlooked, Caspian Sea Provides Strategic Trade Route for Iran
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Strait of Hormuz | Tehran (Iran) | Trump, Donald J | United States Central Command | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. and Iran Trade Strikes as Tensions in Strait of Hormuz Rise
ByHelene Cooper May 7, 2026May 8, 2026

The escalating attacks raise the threat that the cease-fire could break down.

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As Stockpiles Fall, U.S. Sells More Missiles Worth $17 Billion to Gulf Nations
ByEdward Wong May 7, 2026May 8, 2026

The United States and its partners have burned through an enormous amount of air defense missiles in the Iran war, and production is slow.

Read More As Stockpiles Fall, U.S. Sells More Missiles Worth $17 Billion to Gulf Nations
Caine, John Daniel (1968- ) | Defense Department | Hegseth, Pete | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Rubio, Marco | Ships and Shipping | State Department | Strait of Hormuz | 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)

Trump and Rubio Insist Iran War Is Over, Even as Missiles Fly During Cease-Fire
ByDavid E. Sanger May 6, 2026May 6, 2026

The White House is turning to rhetorical leaps as President Trump tries to put the biggest political crisis of his presidency behind him.

Read More Trump and Rubio Insist Iran War Is Over, Even as Missiles Fly During Cease-Fire
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Trump Says U.S. Pausing Efforts to Guide Ships Through Strait Blocked by Iran
ByEric Schmitt, Greg Jaffe, Leo Sands and Erica L. Green May 5, 2026May 6, 2026

President Trump said a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would “remain in full force.” The shift came after the defense secretary said U.S. efforts to free trapped vessels would continue.

Read More Trump Says U.S. Pausing Efforts to Guide Ships Through Strait Blocked by Iran
Defense Department | Drones (Pilotless Planes) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

The Cheap Guided Rockets U.S. Forces Use Against Iranian Drones
ByJohn Ismay May 5, 2026

Called the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, it adds laser guidance to a weapon first used in the Korean War.

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Defense and Military Forces | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Peace Process | Ships and Shipping | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

What We Know About ‘Project Freedom’ in the Strait of Hormuz
ByAmelia Nierenberg May 5, 2026May 7, 2026

President Trump on Tuesday abruptly paused an American initiative to help guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

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