According to Reuters, the Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. combat troops to the Middle East as planning continues for the next phase of the war with Iran. One option under discussion includes deploying U.S. forces to Iran’s coastline to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would mark a significant escalation if approved.

According to The Washington Post, the Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a more than $200 billion funding request to Congress for the ongoing war with Iran. Officials say the request would far exceed the cost of the air campaign so far and is aimed at rapidly replenishing and expanding stocks of key weapons systems used by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Navy. The proposal is expected to face significant resistance from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill mandating automatic deportation for undocumented immigrants convicted of welfare fraud, in a 231–186 vote.

According to Politico, the World Health Organization is preparing for a potential “worst-case scenario” nuclear incident in the Middle East as tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States continue to escalate. U.N. personnel are closely monitoring the aftermath of strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and remain on high alert for any radiological threat. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, warned that a nuclear incident—whether from damage to a facility or the use of a weapon—is their greatest concern. “The worst-case scenario is a nuclear incident… and the consequences would be felt for decades, both in the region and globally.” Officials say preparations are underway for a broad range of scenarios, while emphasizing that they hope such an event never occurs.

Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia in Iraq, says it will pause attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for five days, setting three conditions: 1. Israel halts strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs 2. No strikes on residential areas in Iraq 3. Central Intelligence Agency personnel in Iraq remain confined to the embassy compound, excluding the Masoud area The group warned that attacks will resume after five days if these conditions are not met.

NATO's Rutte on Iran: “Allies are discussing how to open the Strait of Hormuz.”

The IDF says it killed the commander of the “Al-Hamam Hassin” division in Beirut, just days after his predecessor in the role was also eliminated.

Reports indicate that strikes this morning targeted energy infrastructure linked to the South Pars Gas Field in Bushehr Province, southern Iran, potentially carried out by Israel and/or the United States. If confirmed, these attacks would mark a significant escalation in the war, as Iran has previously warned it could retaliate by targeting oil and gas pipelines and other critical infrastructure across the Middle East if its own energy facilities were struck.

According to Israeli officials cited by Axios, this morning’s Israeli Air Force strike on a natural gas processing facility in southern Iran was coordinated with and approved by the Trump administration, despite earlier U.S. objections to targeting Iranian energy infrastructure. It remains unclear whether other regional countries—such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or the United Arab Emirates—were consulted, even as their oil and gas facilities could be among the most exposed to potential Iranian retaliation.

USAF A-10C Warthog strafing Iranian-backed militias in Kirkuk, Iraq.

According to CBS News, Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to deploy U.S. special forces into Iran to secure its nuclear material—an option officials describe as highly dangerous. Privately, Trump told advisers: “I have a lot of decisions to make.” Reports indicate the idea of a limited special operations raid remains under consideration, though no authorization has been given and the risks of such a mission are considered extremely high. 

Tulsi Gabbard on Iran: “If the regime survives, it will likely begin a long-term effort to rebuild its military capabilities, including missiles and UAV forces.”

USAF B-1 Lancer heavy bomber departing England on an Iran strike mission yesterday.

Footage of the U.S. Navy destroyers USS Pinckney and USS Milius launching salvoes of Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iran last weekend.

🚨 Kim Jong-un wins North Korea’s parliamentary elections with 99.93% of the vote.

"The Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks."

Footage reportedly showing drone strikes in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, as sirens are active amidst another wave of Iranian strikes against Iraq.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that earlier today B-2A “Spirit” Long-Range Strategic Stealth Bombers dropped several GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) 5,000lb Precision-Guided Bombs on hardened sites containing anti-ship cruise missiles along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.

Extensive damage to several areas of Tel Aviv, Israel resulting from the impact of cluster munitions during tonight’s ballistic missile attack by Iran. View quoted note →

Iranian cluster munition-equipped ballistic missile falling on central Israel tonight.