United States Politics and Government – War Watch

Defense Department | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Nuclear weapons | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Republican Party | Trump, Donald J | United States Marine Corps | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Trump Signals Retreat From Goal of Regime Change in Iran
ByDavid E. Sanger March 21, 2026

In the first days of the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, Mr. Trump pressed for a popular uprising against Tehran’s government.

Read More Trump Signals Retreat From Goal of Regime Change in 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
Bessent, Scott | Economic Conditions and Trends | Embargoes and Sanctions | International Trade and World Market | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) | Strait of Hormuz | Treasury Department | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.S. Encourages Flow of Iranian Oil While It Battles Iran
ByAlan Rappeport March 19, 2026

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said removing sanctions on Iranian oil would lower global prices.

Read More U.S. Encourages Flow of Iranian Oil While It Battles Iran
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
Energy and Power | Infrastructure (Public Works) | International Energy Agency | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Natural Gas | Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline | Persian Gulf | Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) | Qatar | Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022) | Saudi Arabia | Ships and Shipping | Shortages | Strait of Hormuz | Strategic Petroleum Reserve (US) | Trump, Donald J | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Attacks on Oil and Natural Gas Facilities Could Lead to Much Higher Prices
ByIvan Penn March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

Attacks on oil and natural gas facilities this week could make it much harder for Persian Gulf countries to rebuild and restart production when the war eventually ends.

Read More Attacks on Oil and Natural Gas Facilities Could Lead to Much Higher Prices
Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Trump, Donald J | United States Politics and Government

Why Trump Keeps Saying ‘Nuclear’
By March 18, 2026

Our national security reporter David E. Sanger describes how President Trump is considering a risky commando operation at an Iranian nuclear site.

Read More Why Trump Keeps Saying ‘Nuclear’
Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Trump, Donald J | United States Politics and Government

Why Trump Keeps Saying ‘Nuclear’
By March 18, 2026

Our national security reporter David E. Sanger describes how President Trump is considering a risky commando operation at an Iranian nuclear site.

Read More Why Trump Keeps Saying ‘Nuclear’
Defense and Military Forces | Hezbollah | International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Larijani, Ali | Maritime Accidents and Safety | Middle East | National Counterterrorism Center | National Security Council | North Atlantic Treaty Organization | Ships and Shipping | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Here’s What Happened in the War in the Middle East on Tuesday
ByEphrat Livni March 18, 2026

The deaths of two top Iranian officials were announced on Tuesday, while President Trump once again lashed out at NATO allies who refused to aid the U.S. war effort against Iran.

Read More Here’s What Happened in the War in the Middle East on Tuesday
Defense and Military Forces | Hezbollah | International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Larijani, Ali | Maritime Accidents and Safety | Middle East | National Counterterrorism Center | National Security Council | North Atlantic Treaty Organization | Ships and Shipping | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Here’s What Happened in the War in the Middle East on Tuesday
ByEphrat Livni March 18, 2026

The deaths of two top Iranian officials were announced on Tuesday, while President Trump once again lashed out at NATO allies who refused to aid the U.S. war effort against Iran.

Read More Here’s What Happened in the War in the Middle East on Tuesday