Planned Ground Operations Not Imminent, Pentagon Clarifies
Noting for clarity: It was suggested today in a question during the Pentagon press conference that "there's been lots of media coverage that suggested a ground invasion is imminent." Our Washington Post story on Saturday night drove some of that, and it was careful with language. I wrote that ground operations are planned, not imminent, and may or may not be approved by the president. What's planned also falls short of a full-scale ground invasion, several officials say.
Trump’s Team Boasts Multiple Ground‑force Options, May Stay Unused
More here. Hegseth, speaking to concerns about the war in Iran from some of Trump's political base: "As far as President Trump and boots on the ground, I don't understand why the base, which they have already, they understand wouldn't have...
Hegseth Discloses Recent Centcom Visit, Calls to Finish Mission
Press conference at Pentagon just began. Hegseth says he was in the Centcom region for half a day recently -- something not previously disclosed. He has a notably different tone in his opener today, sharing details about what he saw and...
62% Oppose, 12% Support U.S. Ground Troops in Iran
Cited these poll results from @AP/@NORCNews in a story published Saturday. They found that there is a significant range in approval depending on *what kind of action* Trump takes in Iran. Sixty-two percent oppose deploying U.S. ground troops. Just 12...
US‑Israeli Strikes Cripple Iran’s Missile Production Sites
NEW: Four of Iran’s key ballistic missile manufacturing locations and at least 29 ballistic missile launch sites have been damaged in the first four weeks of the U.S.-Israeli offensive, undermining Iran’s strategy, according to a @washingtonpost review and analysis by...
Iran Conflict Options Could Unfold Within Weeks
Top story on Page 1 of @washingtonpost today is this look at military options for the war with Iran. One person told me the objectives under consideration would probably take “weeks, not months” to complete. Another put the potential timeline at...
Pentagon Readies Troops for Potential Iran Ground Invasion
SCOOP: The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, U.S. officials said, as thousands of American soldiers and Marines arrive in the Middle East for what could become a dangerous new phase of the war should President...
31st MEU Arrives in CENTCOM On Schedule
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has begun arriving in Centcom, officials say here. That's pretty much right on schedule with what had been anticipated.
Pentagon Silent for First Full War Week, No Briefings
This marks the first full week since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began that the Pentagon has done *zero* press conferences. Last briefing was held by Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Caine on March 19. Hegseth's public affairs team itself has not briefed...
US Fires 850+ Tomahawks in Weeks, Depleting Stockpile
SCOOP: The U.S. military has fired more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in four weeks of war with Iran, burning through the precision weapons at a rate that has alarmed some Pentagon officials and prompted internal discussions about how to...
Pentagon Greenlights 82nd Airborne Deployment Amid Israel War Escalation
NEW: The Pentagon on Tuesday approved written orders for a couple thousand paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to deploy to the Middle East, U.S. officials said, as President Donald Trump weighs a significant escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war.
Ex‑NCTC Official Warns US Troops on Kharg Island Disaster
U.S. ground troops on Kharg Island? “I just think that would be a disaster,” @joekent16jan19 said. “It would essentially be giving Iran a bunch of hostages on an island that they could barrage with drones and missiles.”
Leaders' Language on Casualties Shapes Wartime Credibility
A passage from here: "The language senior leaders use about casualties —and about the press — signals seriousness, accountability, and respect for service members, their families, and the public. In wartime, tone is part of credibility."
Judge Rules Pentagon Press Policy Unconstitutional, Credentials Restored
Statement tonight from the Pentagon Press Association: "The Pentagon Press Association celebrates the decision by a federal judge today that the Pentagon’s press credentialling policy violated the U.S. Constitution. "Since the ruling clearly states that the policy must not be applied...
Court Cites Pentagon Comments as Excuse for Legal Breach
At some length, this court ruling cites public comments that Pentagon officials made to rule why they didn't follow the law.
Unapproved Plan to Deploy 82nd Airborne to Iran
Can confirm that there is planning -- not yet approved -- to potentially send a few thousand soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division to Iran, per two officials. This comes after @WashingtonPost first reported earlier this month that the HQ of...
Boxer ARG and 11th MEU Accelerated to Replace 31
Can confirm the deployment of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from California has been sped up to occur within days, per two officials. The task force, with about 4,500 sailors and Marines, is expected...
Scrutiny of Military Decisions Earns Praise and Frustr
Two cents here from the back row of this briefing: In convos with veterans, military families and other Americans, I've heard thanks from some for asking hard questions and frustration from others. Our role is to scrutinize each step of the...
Officials Dodge Deconfliction Query, Point to Trump
Specifically asked U.S. military officials if Israeli forces deconflicted their attack on South Pars with U.S. forces -- a common practice to avoid friendly fire, collisions, etc. Military officials referred questions about the issue back to the White House. White House...
Pentagon Preps Press Briefing After Trump's Iran Threat
Good morning. In the Pentagon briefing room this morning for an 8 a.m. press conference with Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Caine. It comes after President Trump threatened overnight to “massively blow up” Iran’s South Pars gas field if Iran continues attacking...
Pete Sessions Broadens “Boots on Ground” Definition
With this argument, @PeteSessions extends the usual D.C. argument about what counts as putting boots on the ground (Do special operators count?) to include a conventional Marine Corps unit that would be on foreign soil. That's pretty much the definition of...
Leaked Allegations Unfounded; Caldwell Secures ODNI Role
Would note that commentary like this follows @PeteHegseth firing @dandcaldwell and others last year at the Pentagon and alleging they leaked classified information. No evidence emerged supporting that, and Caldwell just got a new job at ODNI, as @GregJaffe and @julianbarnes...
Iran Vows to Fight On Despite Leader’s Death
"The cable, circulated by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem on Friday, relayed an Israeli assessment that Iran’s regime is 'not cracking' and is willing to 'fight to the end' despite the Feb. 28 killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and...
Hundreds of Sailors Lost Berthing in USS Gerald Ford Fire
Can confirm reporting here that hundreds of sailors lost their berthing in the fire aboard the USS Gerald Ford, per two U.S. officials familiar with the issue.
Over 200 U.S. Troops Wounded in U.S.-Israeli Iran Campaign
NEW: The number of U.S. troops who have been wounded or injured during the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran now exceeds 200 across seven countries, U.S. officials say, providing the most detailed accounting yet of how American personnel have been put...
Cooper Announces Major Strikes on Iranian Facilities, 100+
New update from Adm. Cooper. Highlights specific strikes on Iranian facilities, including what he says is a drone storage depot near the Strait of Hormuz. Also says that more than 100 Iranian vessels have been destroyed. Again says about 50,000 U.S. troops...
US Strikes Kharg Island to Thwart Iranian Defense Buildup
U.S. forces struck Kharg Island after seeing "indications" it might be reinforced with Iranian defenses, a U.S. official with knowledge of the operation says. The strikes, the official said, were designed to eliminate that possibility.
Marine Corps Post Aligns with Middle East Deployment News
What a coincidence the Marine Corps posted this tonight, after news of a deployment to the Middle East earlier today ...
Trump Claims He Ordered Strikes on Iran's Oil Hub
Trump says he has directed strikes on Iran's Kharg Island, an oil hub. There has been widespread speculation it could be targeted for strikes, U.S. seizure or both. https://t.co/qO3H1olaiI
US Deploys Marine Task Force for Limited Middle East Operations
Can confirm this news, per two U.S. officials familiar with the matter. This will put a Marine air-ground task force in the Middle East, along with three amphibious warships. That's not enough for a major invasion. But the unit, in...
US Injuries From Iran Strikes Occur Across Gulf, Officials Vague
Asked this morning about U.S. military injuries against Iran, neither Secretary Hegseth nor Gen. Caine shared great fidelity. But Caine did say they have occurred "in Kuwait, Jordan, down across the southern flank a little bit, a variety of places, most...
US Uses Mostly Air‑Launched Munitions, Standoff Missiles 1%
In presser this morning, @PeteHegseth says that "only 1 percent" of the munitions the U.S. is dropping on Iran today are "standoff munitions," meaning Tomahawk missiles and the like. They've shifted almost exclusively, he says, to munitions launched from aircraft...
U.S. Targets Iran’s Mine‑Laying Threat in Hormuz
Separate messages today from Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Caine about the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth disputed recent reporting that administration officials had underestimated the war’s likely impact on the strait, saying Iran “always” tries to hold the waterway “hostage.” “As the world...
Hegseth
At presser this morning, @PeteHegseth complained about CNN reporting that the war against Iran is intensifying. Then he and Gen. Caine both said more munitions would be dropped today than at any other time in the conflict.
Iranian School Hit After Being Misidentified as Military Target
NEW FROM WAPO: The Iranian school building where scores of children were killed as the U.S. and Israel began their massive aerial campaign was on a U.S. target list and may have been mistaken for a military site, multiple people...
B-2 Retired Years Ago, B-21 Slated Next
This is definitely false. B-2 line has been gone for years and the B-21 is up next.
Tomahawk
There are a finite number of countries that possess Tomahawk missiles. Iran is not one of them.
Doomsday Plane Myth Debunked Amid Twitter Misinformation
This post, with nearly a million views, is in no way based in fact. The "Doomsday" plane has an eye-grabbing name, but does not carry heavy ordnance. It carries the secretary of defense. Wading through X these days is an...
Obama’s Special Ops Deployment Sparked Washington’s Boots‑on‑ground Debate
During the campaign against ISIS, Obama put U.S. special operators in Iraq and Syria, leading to an extended argument in Washington about what counted as "boots on the ground." 1/
Satellites Have Long Enabled Journalists to Send Field Reports
Journalists have been uploading imagery and text for decades by satellite. I myself did it in Helmand in 2010, and the equipment I was using wasn't new then.
82nd Airborne HQ Exercise Canceled Amid Iran Conflict Speculation
SCOOP: The Army in recent days canceled a training exercise for the headquarters element of the 82nd Airborne Division, fueling speculation among soldiers that they may be called upon for a still undefined mission as the war with Iran widens.
US Sinks Iranian Fleet as Iran’s Missile Barrage Falters
A few notable details here. Adm. Cooper says: - The U.S. is sinking "the entire" Iranian navy, including 17 ships so far - Iran has launched 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones so far - U.S. combat power still building as Iran's is...
Pentagon Names First Four U.S. Troops Killed in Iran Attack
The Pentagon just released the identities of the first four U.S. troops killed since the United States launched its attack on Iran on Saturday. They are: Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla. Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens,...
Ops Center Was Trailer, Not Hardened
This reporting has been matched by a few outlets, including The Post: The ops center was in a trailer-like structure, not a hardened building. T-walls did provide some protection. But not from a direct hit from above.
US Secures Flights for Americans Seeking Middle East Exit
State Department official says here that the U.S. is securing military aircraft and charter flights for Americans who wish to leave the Middle East. Another U.S. official tells me such flights certainly could occur, but nothing related had moved as of...
Claims of Widespread Falsehoods Pre‑ and Post‑Iran H‑hour
There is significant reporting out there that says this post has numerous falsehoods in it. That was the case before H-hour with Iran, and certainly since. https://t.co/7s7fe7YBcW
Americans Lack Clear Information on Major War Objectives
"The American public has received too little information to effectively judge the goals and objectives of the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East in a generation, whatever they turn out to be."
CENTCOM Chief Addresses 50,000 Troops Amid Iran Ops
Adm. Brad Cooper, the top U.S. military officer at @CENTCOM, sent this message to the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops directly involved in operations against Iran, I'm told. https://t.co/9VGvRSWtTW
Trump Claims Troops Likely Unnecessary in Current Conflict
Trump today: “I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground — like every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it ... I say ‘probably don’t need them,’ [or] ‘if they...
Munition Penetrates Fortified Ops Center, Killing U.S. Soldiers
Hegseth, asked how U.S. soldiers were killed over the weekend, says an incoming munition hit a fortified tactical operations center as other incoming rounds were knocked down by U.S. air defenses.