Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned on Tuesday that any attack targeting the country’s infrastructure would provoke an immediate and proportional response, as tensions continue to rise following recent US-Israel strikes that have escalated the Middle East conflict. In a message posted on the social media platform X, Ghalibaf said Iran would not hesitate to retaliate if its critical facilities were attacked, emphasizing that the country would respond according to what he

Russia has reportedly provided Iran with intelligence regarding the locations of United States military forces, according to people familiar with US intelligence assessments. The information is said to include satellite imagery showing the positions and movements of American troops, ships, and aircraft across parts of the region. Officials briefed on the matter indicated that much of the data came from Russia’s network of overhead surveillance satellites, marking the first indication that M

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that President Donald Trump had effectively “gotten the last laugh” after American forces killed an Iranian official linked to an alleged assassination plot against him. The comments came as the United States expanded its military operations against Iran and signaled confidence that the campaign is significantly weakening Tehran’s capabilities. Speaking during a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said the Iranian official who was killed had overseen a unit connected to efforts aimed at targeting Trump. Although he emphasized that the individual was not the initial objective when hostilities began, Hegseth said military planners ensured that those connected to the alleged assassination plot were eventually included on the operational target list. The issue of a Trump assassination plot first surfaced in 2024, when the U.S. Justice Department charged an Iranian national over what prosecutors described as a plan directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps to kill Trump, who at the time was the president-elect. Tehran has repeatedly denied accusations that it attempted to target Trump or other American officials. The latest developments come amid an expanding conflict between the United States and Iran. Hegseth used forceful language to describe the state of the war, asserting that U.S. forces were gaining the upper hand. He said American military operations would continue as long as necessary to meet the administration’s objectives and warned that Iran’s leadership was facing growing pressure as strikes intensified. The confrontation widened further after U.S. forces struck an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, a move that deepened tensions across the Middle East and raised concerns about disruptions to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway is a vital passage for global oil and gas flows, and the conflict has already begun to affect regional stability. Military leaders said American and allied forces were also making rapid progress in controlling Iranian airspace. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that U.S. operations were establishing localized air superiority along Iran’s southern coast. He said the campaign would now move further inland, allowing American forces greater operational freedom as they target military infrastructure. Caine also noted a significant decline in Iranian offensive activity since the opening phase of the conflict. According to Pentagon data, Iran’s ballistic missile launches have fallen sharply, while one-way drone attacks have also dropped considerably, suggesting that sustained U.S. strikes are degrading Iran’s operational capacity. Despite the administration’s confidence in the military campaign, lawmakers from both major political parties have questioned the longer-term strategy. Critics say the government has yet to clearly outline what the political outcome of the conflict might look like if Iran’s leadership structure becomes weakened or destabilized. Hegseth said the United States has the capability to sustain the campaign for as long as required. He stressed that the duration of the conflict would ultimately depend on the administration’s goals and how quickly the Pentagon is able to achieve its military objectives.

The Pentagon has identified four of the six United States soldiers killed in a drone strike on a military command center in Kuwait, as families across the country mourn service members who were deployed in support roles far from active combat zones. The soldiers died Sunday when a drone struck a command facility at Port Shuaiba, a strategic location used by US forces operating in the Gulf region. The attack occurred a day after the United States and Israel launched military operatio

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic said on Thursday that it will not permit the Pentagon unrestricted access to its technology, pushing back against pressure from US officials who warned of possible action under the Defense Production Act. The dispute highlights growing tensions between private AI developers and the US government over how advanced systems should be deployed in military and intelligence operations. According to the company, the Pentagon had given Anthropic a d

China has strongly criticised a recent Pentagon report, calling it irresponsible, misleading, and an attempt to create divisions between Beijing and New Delhi while exaggerating the so-called China threat narrative. Responding sharply, Chinese officials accused the United States of distorting China’s defence policy and interfering in its internal affairs to justify Washington’s continued military dominance. Speaking at a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes

Police in Arlington, Virginia, are investigating a suspicious vehicle reported near the Pentagon on Friday morning, prompting heightened security measures and road closures in the surrounding area. The incident has led to traffic disruptions as law enforcement agencies continue to assess the situation and ensure public safety near one of the nation’s most secure federal facilities. According to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, the vehicle arrived at one of the Pentagon’s security checkpoints at approximately 7:45 a.m. The nature of the vehicle and the reason it was deemed suspicious have not been disclosed, and officials have so far released limited information while the investigation remains active. Authorities emphasized that precautionary steps were taken immediately after the vehicle was identified, in keeping with established security protocols. As part of the response, several nearby roads were closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. North Rotary Road and Fern Street were confirmed closed as of 10:19 a.m., creating delays for commuters traveling through Arlington during the morning hours. Law enforcement officials urged drivers to avoid the area if possible, use alternate routes, and comply with all police instructions while the investigation continues. Multiple police units were observed in the area as officers worked to secure the perimeter and evaluate any potential risks. Officials stressed that these measures are standard procedure during security incidents involving federal facilities, and they are intended to protect Pentagon personnel, nearby workers, and the general public. No injuries or evacuations were reported during the initial response period. Authorities have not indicated how long the road closures will remain in effect, nor whether the incident poses an ongoing threat. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency stated that updates would be provided as more information becomes available. Until then, residents and commuters in Arlington are advised to remain alert, monitor traffic conditions, and follow official guidance. The investigation remains ongoing, and law enforcement officials continue to work to determine the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s presence at the checkpoint. Further details are expected to be released once the situation is fully assessed and it is deemed appropriate to share additional information with the public.

The White House said on Monday that Admiral Frank Bradley acted within the scope of his legal authority when he ordered a second strike on individuals who survived an initial attack on what officials described as a drug-trafficking vessel. The confirmation followed rising scrutiny of the operation and renewed questions about whether US forces conducted a “double-tap” strike, a tactic typically associated with targeting survivors following an initial assault. Press Secretary Karoline Leavi

The Defense Department announced Monday that it has launched a formal investigation into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, over his participation in a video urging members of the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders. The video, recorded by Kelly and several other Democratic lawmakers, called on uniformed personnel to uphold their oath to the Constitution amid growing political tensions surrounding former President Donald Trump’s statements about execut

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A major private donation aimed at supporting U.S. military personnel during the ongoing federal government shutdown has been revealed to come from Timothy Mellon, heir to the prominent Mellon family fortune. Mellon, the grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon and great-grandson of Mellon Bank founder Thomas Mellon, has contributed $130 million to the U.S. government to help fund service members’ pay amid the political impasse. President Donald Trum

US President Donald Trump delivered an emotional tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 11, declaring him a martyr for truth and freedom during a video message and later at the Pentagon 9/11 observance ceremony. Trump expressed grief over Kirk’s assassination on a college campus in Utah, saying that the shocking act had left the nation in mourning. He described Kirk as a man who devoted his life to liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people, adding that his

The ongoing political clash between federal power and state authority has intensified as President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy military troops in Chicago has sparked fierce opposition from Illinois leaders. Reports indicate that the Pentagon has been quietly preparing for weeks to mobilize thousands of National Guard troops, along with the possibility of active-duty military, to Chicago in September as part of the administration’s broader crackdow

The Pentagon announced Monday that 700 US Marines deployed in Los Angeles will be withdrawn, ending a contentious military presence that had drawn widespread criticism from both city and state officials. The Marines were dispatched last month under a directive from President Donald Trump, who ordered both National Guard and active-duty troops to cities facing large-scale protests triggered by federal immigration raids. The protests had led to civil unrest across major Californi

US President Donald Trump has indicated that he is seriously considering a military strike on Iran, though he has not issued a final order. According to senior White House aides, Trump is monitoring developments closely and wants to give Iran a final opportunity to halt its nuclear program voluntarily. The current focus is on Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility, an underground site believed to be heavily fortified and capable of withstanding conventional attacks. Only advanced bun