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All six service members aboard a U.S. KC‑135 refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq have been confirmed dead, U.S. Central Command said Friday, a grim update that comes as the White House continues to send mixed signals about the trajectory of the war with Iran. The military says the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, despite an unverified claim of responsibility from an Iran‑aligned militia. A second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely in Israel, officials said, while the Pentagon withholds the victims’ names pending family notification.

The confirmation landed just hours before President Donald Trump offered yet another personal benchmark for determining when the conflict will end, saying he’ll know the war is over only when he feels it “in my bones.” The remark, made during a Fox Radio interview, contrasted with his suggestion moments earlier that the fighting may not last much longer — the latest in a series of shifting predictions since U.S. and Israeli forces launched their assault on February 28.

What To Know On Day 14:

• Hegseth said disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are “something we are dealing with” and insisted the U.S. will not allow the waterway to remain contested.
• Gen. Dan Caine said the U.S. is targeting Iran’s ability to lay mines in the strait, which normally carries 20% of global oil.
• Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to keep blocking the strait, rattling energy markets.
• More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran and Lebanon since the war began; millions have been displaced.
• Israel and the U.S. have intensified strikes, including expanded Israeli attacks in Beirut and across southern Lebanon.
• An explosion was seen near crowds at Tehran’s Quds Day rally after Israel warned of more strikes in the capital.
• NATO intercepted another Iranian missile entering Turkey’s airspace — the third in 10 days.
• A missile attack in northern Israel injured dozens; Hezbollah claimed responsibility.
• 800,000+ people have fled their homes in Lebanon amid escalating bombardment.
• A U.S. KC‑135 tanker crashed in Iraq, killing all six crew members, bringing the American military death toll to at least 13.
• Hegseth said an outside officer will investigate the Feb. 28 strike on an Iranian elementary school but declined to address reports that a preliminary review found the U.S. responsible.
• Hegseth said Khamenei was “wounded and likely disfigured” in early strikes, according to U.S. and Israeli assessments.
• Oil prices remain near $100, even after the U.S. temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil at sea.
• At Tehran’s Quds Day rally, crowds chanted anti‑U.S. and anti‑Israel slogans and burned Israeli flags.
• Iran told the UN that 1,348 civilians have been killed since the war began; Lebanon reports 700+ dead and more than 1,500 injured.; concerns are rising about dwindling interceptor stockpiles.

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Mar 13, 2026 at 08:10 PM EDT

WATCH: Hegseth rails against CNN Iran war coverage

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:56 PM EDT

Israel cuts key roads in southern Lebanon as military buildup intensifies

Israel’s military has struck and severed major roads and bridges across southern Lebanon, escalating pressure on Hezbollah as it moves additional forces toward the border. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes hit the Jardali road twice, a key route linking Nabatiyeh to Marjayoun, while other strikes destroyed bridges Israel claims were used by Hezbollah fighters.

The attacks come as the conflict expands geographically and economically. After the 2006 Israel‑Hezbollah war, the World Bank estimated Lebanon’s reconstruction costs at roughly $11 billion, including $6.8 billion in physical damage — a reminder of the scale of destruction the country could face again.

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:43 PM EDT

US military is sending roughly 2,500 Marines and at least one extra warship to Middle East, AP source says

Roughly 2,500 Marines and at least one amphibious assault ship are headed for the Middle East, a U.S. official told The Associated Press.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans, said that elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli have been ordered to the Middle East. The move would mark a major addition of troops to the region.

Marine Expeditionary Units are not only trained and equipped to conduct amphibious landings but they also specialize in bolstering security at embassies, evacuating civilians, and disaster relief. While the deployment is a major increase of troops to the region, it does not necessarily indicate that a ground operation is imminent or will take place at all.

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well the Tripoli and other amphibious assault ships carrying the Marines are based in Japan and have been at sea in the waters of the Pacific Ocean for the past several days, according to images released by the military. Their location puts them more than a week away from the waters off Iran.

— By Konstantin Toropin, The Associated Press

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:29 PM EDT

State Department says more than 50,000 Americans have now returned from the Middle East

The State Department says its teams are working around the clock to help Americans leave the Middle East, as evacuations continue amid the widening regional war. Deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Friday that more than 50,000 U.S. citizens have now made it home.

According to Pigott, the department has operated over four dozen charter flights to bring Americans back and has provided direct assistance to nearly 34,000 people through its 24/7 task force. The figures mark one of the largest U.S. civilian evacuation efforts in recent years.

The department urged any Americans still seeking help to contact its emergency line at +1‑202‑501‑4444, as charter flights and ground transport operations continue across the region.

View this post on X

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:19 PM EDT

Trump Announces ‘Most Powerful Bombing’ Raid Against Iran’s ‘Crown Jewel’

President Donald Trump on Friday evening announced that the U.S. carried out "one of the most powerful bombing raids" in the history of the Middle East, obliterating "every military target" on Kharg Island.

"Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump wrote in a post.

"Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island," he continued. "However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision."

READ IN FULL.

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:10 PM EDT

Households make costly budget mistakes when gas prices spike, expert warns

When gas prices surge, many families make a critical mistake: they don’t change their spending at all, national bestselling author of Breaking Free From Broke and a personal finance expert, George Kamel, told Newsweek in exclusive comments. “The first mistake is doing nothing,” he said. “People just keep spending like normal and hope prices drop next week.” For households with multiple cars, he noted, a jump of even a dollar or two per gallon “can add hundreds of dollars a month” if the budget isn’t adjusted immediately.

Kamel, who has been watching financial traps consumers fall into when gas prices suddenly rise, said Americans often underestimate the hit because fuel is paid for in small, forgettable increments. “You swipe or tap for $40 here, $60 there, and it doesn’t feel dramatic in the moment,” he explained. But for commuters filling up twice a week, a $1.50 increase per gallon can mean “$200–$300 more a month without realizing it.”

The long‑term consequences can be even more damaging. When money gets tight, Kamel said that families often cut the wrong things first. “Contributions to emergency funds and retirement accounts can disappear,” he warned. “Skipping investing for a few months can cost thousands in lost growth down the road.” Without at least a $1,000 emergency fund, he added, “one life hiccup leads to more debt and financial stress.”

He also cautioned against quick fixes that create bigger problems. “Putting the extra cost on credit cards or using Buy Now, Pay Later… turns a short‑term price spike into long‑term payments,” he said. And trading in a car for better mileage can backfire if it means taking on a large loan. “Taking on a $500 car payment… to save $100 a month on gas isn’t a win. It’s digging the hole deeper.”

Kamel’s advice is to adjust the budget immediately and intentionally. “If gas costs more, something else has to cost less,” he said. He recommends trimming non‑essentials like eating out or entertainment rather than skipping car maintenance, which “often costs a lot more later when a small problem turns into a big repair.”

For lower‑income households, he said budgeting becomes even more essential. “When money is tight, budgeting matters even more,” he said. Tracking spending — whether on paper or in an app — helps families spot rising fuel costs early.

Mar 13, 2026 at 06:56 PM EDT

Explosions rock Tehran as thousands rally on Quds Day amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes

Thousands of Iranians filled the streets of Tehran on Friday for a government-backed Quds Day rally, a show of support for the country’s leadership as U.S.-Israeli bombardment continued to target sites across Iran. Senior officials — including the president, judiciary chief, top security adviser and foreign minister — appeared at the march, underscoring the state’s effort to project unity during the war.

State media videos captured at least two explosions near the demonstration. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted footage showing a plume of smoke rising as crowds chanted “God is great.” He wrote that the reaction of demonstrators “is nightmare for aggressors.”

In another clip published by the Tasnim news agency, a blast sounded as judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei was speaking on camera. While those around him flinched, he continued the interview, saying, “The people are not afraid of these noises.”

Attendance at Quds Day rallies is heavily encouraged by the government, which provides free food, drinks and transportation. But the show of support comes against a backdrop of deep internal repression. Just two months ago, Iranian authorities carried out a brutal crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests, killing thousands. Residents say security forces have since flooded Tehran’s streets, preventing any dissent during the war.

Friday’s march featured chants of “Death to America” and posters of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in the opening U.S.-Israeli strike on Feb. 28, alongside images of his successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Demonstrators stomped on coffin-shaped boxes draped in American flags.

The new supreme leader did not attend the rally. President Masoud Pezeshkian did, while U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed — without evidence — that Mojtaba Khamenei had been “wounded and likely disfigured.”

The rally came one day after Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first public statement since assuming power, striking a defiant tone and signaling that Iran would not retreat as the conflict intensifies.

Mar 13, 2026 at 06:42 PM EDT

U.S. turns to Ukraine for help defending Gulf bases after halting aid to Kyiv

The United States has quietly asked Ukraine to help protect American military bases in the Gulf from potential Iranian retaliation — a striking reversal, given that Washington halted military and financial support to Kyiv under President Donald Trump.

The request became public on March 6, when Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, disclosed that Washington had sought Ukrainian expertise to bolster base defenses. Two days later, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian military specialists would be deployed to the region.

By March 9, Zelenskyy had also sent chief negotiator Rustem Umerov to the Gulf to promote Ukrainian‑made interceptor drones, part of a broader push to expand defense partnerships with Middle Eastern states. Zelenskyy said the U.S. and more than 10 European and regional governments have already approached Kyiv “requesting our support for their defensive capabilities.”

Mar 13, 2026 at 06:28 PM EDT

Trump walks back earlier calls for Iranians to rise up

In the weeks leading up to the U.S.‑Israeli assault on Iran, President Donald Trump urged Iranians to prepare for political change, telling anti‑government demonstrators that “help is on its way” and later declaring that once the strikes began, they should “take over your government.”

But in a radio interview aired Friday, Trump acknowledged that such an uprising is far from simple, pointing to the Basij, the paramilitary force tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a major obstacle. He said the group’s willingness to gun down protesters makes public dissent extraordinarily dangerous. “They literally have people in the streets with machine guns, machine gunning people down if they want to protest,” he said, calling it a “very big hurdle” for unarmed civilians.

The comments mark a sharp shift from Trump’s early confidence that Iran’s government would quickly collapse after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28. In recent days, he has offered conflicting ideas about how a new government might emerge, at one point suggesting that hardened IRGC officers could simply hand over their weapons to the public.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also voiced skepticism this week, saying that while the U.S.‑Israeli campaign is creating “optimal conditions” for regime change, only Iranians themselves can topple their rulers — and it is unclear whether they can.

The Basij, estimated at around one million members, played a central role in crushing the nationwide protests that erupted in January, a crackdown that killed thousands and underscored the regime’s deep entrenchment even as the war nears its third week.

Mar 13, 2026 at 06:15 PM EDT

Around 1,000 ships now anchored outside Strait of Hormuz as threat level hits ‘critical’

Roughly 1,000 ships are currently anchored near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, including about 200 oil tankers, as maritime traffic remains effectively frozen by the war, an Associated Press journalist told Al Jazeera.

Inzamam Rashid said the normally packed waterway — which typically sees 20% of global oil and around 20 million barrels a day pass through — has been nearly empty for more than a week. “There have not been any near those numbers over the last nine days or so,” he said, noting that the only tankers moving through are those carrying Iranian oil.

Rashid added that Iran is now exporting “much more oil” than usual, even as it blocks other commercial traffic.

The Joint Maritime Information Centre has assessed the threat level in the strait as critical, warning that conditions remain too dangerous for most vessels to attempt passage.

Mar 13, 2026 at 06:02 PM EDT

IRGC warns of harsher crackdown if new protests erupt

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark warning on Friday, vowing an even more forceful response to any renewed anti‑government demonstrations after January’s nationwide unrest left thousands dead.

In a statement broadcast on state television and reported by Agence France‑Presse, the IRGC accused foreign adversaries of trying to provoke fresh “street riots” after failing to achieve their goals on the battlefield. The force pledged a “stronger blow” against anyone who takes part in new protests.

January’s uprising, initially driven by economic grievances, quickly broadened into widespread anger over political repression and the IRGC’s powerful role in the state. The government responded with a sweeping and deadly crackdown that rights groups say was among the bloodiest in the Islamic Republic’s history.

Mar 13, 2026 at 05:49 PM EDT

Hegseth orders outside inquiry into deadly strike on Iranian school

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he has appointed a general from outside U.S. Central Command to lead the investigation into the February 28 strike that hit an Iranian elementary school, killing at least 175 people, most of them children, according to Iranian officials.

A preliminary military review, reported by The New York Times, found the United States was responsible for the strike on Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School. The building had once been part of a nearby Iranian military base, and investigators determined the U.S. targeted it using outdated intelligence.

People briefed on the inquiry said that officers at Central Command generated the strike coordinates using outdated data from the Defense Intelligence Agency, leading to the fatal error.

Mar 13, 2026 at 05:36 PM EDT

German chancellor wants a ‘convincing plan’ for ending the war

Friedrich Merz spoke Friday alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at military exercises in Norway.

Merz said the world is witnessing “a dangerous escalation,” and said Iran is “indiscriminately” carrying out attacks on countries across the Gulf region.

“With every day this war lasts, more questions are coming up, more than can be answered yet,” Merz said. “And one thing becomes increasingly clear, we need a convincing plan on how this war can come to an end.”

By The Associated Press

Mar 13, 2026 at 05:23 PM EDT

Hegseth says Friday will be most intense day of Iran airstrikes as Trump sends mixed signals

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday would mark the deadliest and most aggressive day of the U.S. air campaign in Iran to date, even as President Donald Trump continues to offer conflicting predictions about when the war might end.

“Never before has a modern capable military… been so quickly destroyed,” Hegseth said at a morning briefing, arguing that Iran’s forces have been rendered “combat ineffective.” Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, echoed him, calling Friday “our heaviest day of kinetic fires across the operating area.”

Officials said the intensified pace reflects the near‑total dismantling of Iran’s air defenses, allowing U.S. and Israeli aircraft to fly deeper into the country and rely on cheaper precision‑guided bombs rather than long‑range missiles. Hegseth said such missiles now make up only about 1% of U.S. munitions used — a dramatic shift from the start of the campaign.

The strategy, he said, is to crush Iran’s ability to project force and increase pressure on its leadership. “With every passing hour… their military capabilities are crumbling,” Hegseth declared. “No quarter, no mercy for our enemies.”

Despite the rhetoric, there is no sign Iran’s government is wavering nearly two weeks into the war. Earlier this week, Trump suggested the conflict could end “very soon,” but he has since adopted a more confrontational tone, boasting Friday that Iran’s navy, air force, missiles, and drones were being “decimated.”

Iran, meanwhile, has inflicted global economic damage by effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil corridors. Hegseth said the U.S. has “no clear evidence” Iran has mined the strait, but acknowledged that reopening it will be a difficult military task. He offered no timeline for when commercial ships might safely pass again.

Hegseth also confirmed he has appointed an outside general to investigate the February 28 strike on an Iranian elementary school, which killed at least 175 people, most of them children. A preliminary assessment reported by The New York Times found the U.S. was responsible, citing outdated intelligence that misidentified the building as part of a nearby military base.

Mar 13, 2026 at 05:08 PM EDT

Trump says Iranians will eventually rise up, but not immediately

President Donald Trump said he believes the Iranian public will ultimately move to overthrow their government in response to U.S. and Israeli military strikes — but cautioned that such a shift may take time.

In an interview aired Friday on Fox News Radio, Trump said Iranians face “a big hurdle” because “they don’t have weapons,” adding that political change is likely but “maybe not immediately.”

Despite his confidence, there have been no major protests or notable defections within Iran’s ruling system since the war began more than two weeks ago. The conflict has already killed over 1,300 people, according to U.S. assessments.

Trump’s remarks add to a series of mixed signals from the administration about how long the campaign could last and what endgame Washington envisions.

Mar 13, 2026 at 04:54 PM EDT

WATCH: How much the Iran war costs the US every day

Mar 13, 2026 at 04:40 PM EDT

Israel rejects Lebanese overture for direct talks, citing lack of credibility

Israel has dismissed a rare offer from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to begin direct negotiations aimed at ending the conflict that erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah entered the regional war alongside Iran.

According to multiple sources familiar with Aoun’s position, the Lebanese leader has already begun assembling a negotiating team and has privately signaled openness to eventually moving toward normalized ties — an unprecedented stance for a sitting Lebanese president.

The shift reflects mounting domestic frustration with Hezbollah’s role as an armed actor outside state control. Last week, Lebanon’s government formally banned the group from conducting military activities, a move that would have been unthinkable in previous years.

But Israeli and U.S. officials showed little interest in Aoun’s proposal, the sources said. Lebanon’s inability to restrain Hezbollah over the past year — and its failure to prevent the group’s March 2 attack — has left Beirut with “nothing tangible” to bring to the table, according to one foreign official.

On Friday, Aoun told UN Secretary‑General António Guterres that he had received no response to his outreach. The lack of engagement underscores how dramatically the balance of leverage has shifted as the war continues to escalate.

Mar 13, 2026 at 04:27 PM EDT

Italy denies secret talks with Iran on Hormuz safe passage

Italy is not engaged in any behind‑the‑scenes negotiations with Iran to secure safe passage for its commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, an Italian foreign ministry source told Reuters, pushing back on a report published by the Financial Times.

The source said Rome’s diplomatic efforts are focused on reducing regional tensions, not cutting special deals to shield its own ships. “Italian leaders want to favour the conditions for a general military de‑escalation,” the official said, adding that there is “no under‑the‑table negotiation aimed at preserving only some merchant ships at the expense of others.”

Mar 13, 2026 at 04:13 PM EDT

Trump declines to say whether U.S. might target Iran’s Kharg Island

President Donald Trump refused to say whether the United States is considering seizing or attacking Kharg Island, the strategic hub for Iran’s oil exports, during a radio interview aired Friday.

Asked by Fox News host Brian Kilmeade if he was weighing an operation against the island — which handles roughly 90% of Iran’s crude shipments — Trump cut him off. “Brian, I can’t answer a question like that,” he said, calling the inquiry “foolish” and insisting such discussions should not be aired publicly.

“It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of so many different things,” Trump added, saying he could “change [his] mind in seconds” but would never telegraph military plans. He mocked the idea of confirming or denying any potential move: “What would I tell you? ‘Oh yes, Brian, I’m thinking about doing it… let me let you know what time and when it’ll take place.’”

Kharg Island, a five‑mile stretch off Iran’s coast, has remained untouched during the first two weeks of the war. Military analysts note that capturing or disabling it would likely require a large ground force — something the administration has so far avoided committing to.

Mar 13, 2026 at 03:59 PM EDT

Daughter of first American killed in Afghanistan condemns White House war memes

The daughter of the first American servicemember killed in action during the War in Afghanistan criticized the White House on Thursday for using memes and video‑game‑style clips to promote the U.S. war in Iran, calling the approach disrespectful to families who have lost loved ones in combat.

“This is really gross stuff,” Alison Spann wrote on X. “Spend an afternoon with a Gold Star child or an operator who lost 24 friends in combat and watch how fast the war memes stop being funny.”

Spann’s father, Johnny Micheal Spann, a CIA paramilitary officer and former Marine, was killed during a Taliban prisoner uprising in November 2001. He was the first of nearly 2,500 Americans who died over the 20‑year conflict.

Her comments came in response to a video shared by U.S. government accounts that spliced Wii sports‑style animations with footage of American strikes on Iranian targets, labeling one attack a “hole in one.” The White House, Pentagon, and U.S. Central Command have circulated similar Hollywood‑inspired clips as the war enters its second week.

The criticism lands amid growing scrutiny of the administration’s messaging, especially after preliminary assessments suggested the U.S. was likely responsible for a strike on an Iranian primary school during its opening barrage — an attack that killed scores of civilians, many of them children.

Mar 13, 2026 at 03:48 PM EDT

Israeli Evacuation Orders Now Cover 14% of Lebanon, Aid Groups Warn of Massive Displacement

Israeli evacuation orders in Lebanon have expanded to cover roughly 14 percent of the country, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), raising fears of an even larger humanitarian crisis as fighting intensifies. The warnings now span about 1,470 square kilometers, including wide areas of southern Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and parts of the Bekaa Valley.

Aid agencies say the scale of the orders could push more than one million people from their homes if bombardments continue. Lebanese officials already estimate that over 800,000 people have been displaced, with about 130,000 sheltering in government-run centers.

Humanitarian leaders say the speed and scope of the displacement are unlike anything the country has faced in recent decades. “The massive population displacement we are seeing here is unprecedented,” Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Programme, told AFP.

Mar 13, 2026 at 03:45 PM EDT

UN launches $325 million appeal to support Lebanon’s war-displaced

UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres announced a $325 million flash appeal on Friday to help Lebanon confront the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis triggered by the war with Israel. Speaking in Beirut, Guterres said the country is facing an emergency of “staggering scale,” with more than one‑seventh of its population forced from their homes in just weeks.

“Solidarity in words must be matched by solidarity in action,” he said, urging international donors to move quickly as displacement, infrastructure damage, and shortages deepen across the country.

Lebanon’s government and aid agencies have warned that shelters, hospitals, and local services are overwhelmed, with hundreds of thousands seeking safety in schools, public buildings, and informal camps. The UN appeal aims to fund food assistance, medical care, temporary housing, and protection services for those most affected.

Mar 13, 2026 at 03:36 PM EDT

U.S. offers $10 million reward for information on Iran’s new leadership

The United States has posted a reward of up to $10 million for information on several senior Iranian officials — including newly installed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei — as Washington and Israel continue their joint military campaign against Iran’s leadership structure.

The bounty, announced through the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, follows the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top figures in the opening days of the war. The notice seeks intelligence on Mojtaba Khamenei and a circle of high‑ranking advisers and security chiefs: deputy chief of staff Ali Asghar Hejazi, military adviser Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, political adviser Ali Larijani, Interior Minister Brig. Gen. Eskandar Momeni, and Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib.

The U.S. is also requesting information on four unnamed senior officials within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including members of the Supreme Leader’s military office and the IRGC command structure.

“These individuals command and direct various elements of the IRGC,” the notice said, describing the force as central to Iran’s foreign operations and deeply embedded in its political and economic systems.

A separate post on X noted that tipsters could be eligible for relocation in addition to financial compensation — a sign of the high‑risk nature of providing intelligence on Iran’s ruling elite.

Mar 13, 2026 at 03:30 PM EDT

Iran school strike: Trump civilian death count compared to Obama and Biden

...

More than 175 people, most of them small children, were killed in a likely U.S. missile strike on a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran on February 28, according to preliminary findings from a U.S. military investigation, per The Associated Press (AP).

The mass casualty figure highlights the civilian toll of war and has focused renewed attention on past U.S. military conflicts under multiple administrations. The U.S. has repeatedly been accused of war crimes and violations regarding civilian deaths and attacks, including in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. Civilian death tolls are often difficult to verify because of conflicting reports from authorities and the challenges of identifying victims and potential combatants.

The attack on the school in Minab, a small town in Hormozgan province, was near the barracks for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval brigade. The U.S. has said its forces were targeting Iranian naval assets in the region.

The Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School, which had murals painted on its external walls, was on a U.S. target list and may have been mistaken for a military site, several people familiar with the strike told The Washington Post.

The aerial strike occurred during school hours on Saturday, the first day of the school week in Iran, killing teachers and children. The facility has been operating as a school for over a decade, and “there is no evidence of any military function in that school compound,” The New York Times reported.

The U.S. military opened an investigation into the incident, and two people briefed on the preliminary findings told the AP that outdated intelligence likely led to the strike. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) relied on target coordinates for the strike, but was reportedly using outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency, the AP reported.

Read more here.

Mar 13, 2026 at 03:16 PM EDT

Israeli strike levels home near Tyre after evacuation warning

An Israeli airstrike destroyed a house in Aabbasiyyeh, a town near Tyre in southern Lebanon, according to reporters on the ground and Lebanon’s National News Agency.

The strike hit roughly an hour after the Israeli military issued a warning for residents to leave the area, part of a pattern of evacuation threats preceding intensified bombardment across the south.

Mar 13, 2026 at 03:02 PM EDT

UAE envoy says Trump will deliver diplomatic end to Iran war ‘in his time’

A senior United Arab Emirates official said Friday she believes President Donald Trump will ultimately steer the war with Iran toward a negotiated settlement, but only once Tehran halts its attacks on neighboring states.

Speaking to Reuters, Lana Nusseibeh said regional governments were stunned by the scale of Iranian strikes across the Gulf, arguing that diplomacy cannot begin while countries remain under fire. “It is difficult to talk about mediation when under attack,” she said. “Mediation can only happen when the guns go silent.”

Nusseibeh expressed confidence that the conflict will end at the negotiating table, adding that Trump would guide the process “in his time” once conditions allow. She described a “tipping point moment” that has not yet arrived but said she believes Washington will eventually lead the region toward de‑escalation.

Mar 13, 2026 at 02:49 PM EDT

UK bond yields climb as oil pushes back above $100

British government bond prices fell again Friday as Brent crude returned to levels above $100 a barrel, adding fresh pressure to global markets already rattled by the energy shock.

Yields on five‑ and ten‑year gilts rose 3–4 basis points shortly after trading opened, with the 10‑year yield hitting 4.817%, its highest point since September. The moves extend a month of sharp underperformance for UK debt: five‑year gilt yields have jumped 65 bps in March, compared with 48 bps in France and 37 bps in the United States.

The sell‑off reflects growing expectations that the Bank of England may need to tighten policy again. Investors now see roughly an 80% chance of a quarter‑point rate hike before the end of the year.

Mar 13, 2026 at 02:38 PM EDT

Pentagon sends Marine Expeditionary Unit to Middle East as commanders seek more options

The Pentagon is deploying a Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East, a move that will place roughly 2,500 Marines and sailors closer to the escalating conflict, three U.S. officials told CNN. The decision adds a flexible, rapid‑response force to the region at a moment when Washington insists it has no current plans to send ground troops into Iran — but refuses to rule out the possibility.

It remains unclear where the MEU will be stationed or what missions it may take on. Traditionally, these units are used for large‑scale evacuations, amphibious operations, ship‑to‑shore assaults, raids, and specialized missions requiring both ground and aviation capabilities. Their arrival gives U.S. commanders “additional options for a range of contingencies,” one official said.

The deployment, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, underscores the widening scope of U.S. military preparations since the joint American‑Israeli campaign against Iran began on February 28.

Mar 13, 2026 at 02:36 PM EDT

Israeli leaflets rain over Beirut as army warns of Hezbollah influence

Beirut residents reported an unusual scene Friday as thousands of Israeli leaflets drifted over the city, scattering across streets and rooftops. The Lebanese Army Command said the leaflets were dropped by an Israeli aircraft and carried messages from Unit 504, the Israeli military’s human‑intelligence division.

According to the army, the leaflets included QR codes linking to WhatsApp and Facebook pages. Officials urged the public not to scan them, warning of “legal and security risks” and the possibility of phone hacking or data theft.

Images shared online showed the leaflets urging Lebanese citizens to distance themselves from Hezbollah, reading: “Your land is yours – don’t let it become easy prey for the Iranian Hezbollah’s weapons.” The message claimed Unit 504 was acting “to ensure the future of Lebanon and its people.”

Asked by CNN whether it was responsible, the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment. Israel has used leaflet drops in previous conflicts, including in Gaza, but this appears to be one of the most visible such operations in Beirut since the current escalation began.

Mar 13, 2026 at 02:34 PM EDT

Gulf states brace for supply strains as Iran’s blockade raises food and water fears

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is deepening anxiety across the Gulf, where several countries rely heavily on imported food and desalinated water that typically move through the now‑paralyzed waterway. With shipping traffic stalled and threat levels deemed “critical,” governments are assessing how long their reserves can hold.

In Qatar, officials insist the country is well‑positioned to withstand a prolonged disruption. Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa said Doha has strategic water reserves sufficient for several months and food stocks that can last up to 18 months, offering one of the strongest assurances from any Gulf state since the blockade began.

Mar 13, 2026 at 02:23 PM EDT

Zelensky slams U.S. sanctions relief on Russian oil, warns it aids Kremlin war effort

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized the Trump administration on Friday for easing restrictions on Russian oil, arguing the move risks funneling billions of dollars into Moscow’s war machine. Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Zelensky said the temporary waiver allowing countries to buy certain Russian oil products “could provide Russia with around $10 billion,” money he warned would be used to intensify attacks on Ukraine.

The U.S. issued the 30‑day license on Thursday in an effort to counter soaring global energy prices driven by the war in Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Zelensky rejected the rationale, saying Russia would channel any additional revenue into weapons — especially drones — that “are striking Ukrainians en masse.”

His comments reflect growing unease across Europe that the conflict in Iran is shifting global attention and potentially strengthening Russia’s position as buyers look for oil outside the Middle East.

Macron sought to reassure Kyiv, insisting that “nothing will distract us” from supporting Ukraine and that rising oil prices must not lead to any softening of Europe’s sanctions regime. He said Moscow is “mistaken” if it believes the Iran war will ease pressure on the Kremlin.

The French leader also confirmed that a French soldier was killed in an attack on a base in Iraqi Kurdistan, calling the strike “unacceptable” and vowing that France would continue its defensive mission alongside allies.

Mar 13, 2026 at 02:10 PM EDT

All 6 crew aboard US KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq are dead, US military says

The military says the circumstances of the incident are being investigated.

Earlier, U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace,” and that the other plane landed safely.

The military said the loss of the aircraft was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.”

By The Associated Press

Mar 13, 2026 at 01:56 PM EDT

U.S. gas prices hit 22-month high as Iran war disrupts global oil flows

U.S. gas prices climbed again on Friday, rising 3 cents to an average of $3.63 a gallon, according to AAA — the highest level in nearly two years. Prices have surged 65 cents since fighting erupted in Iran two weeks ago and are up 23.5% over the past month.

The spike reflects the near‑total shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that normally carries 20% of the world’s oil, as well as Iranian strikes on energy facilities in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Those disruptions have erased far more supply than countries have been able to replace, despite a coordinated release from global oil reserves earlier this week.

Oil markets remain volatile. Brent crude closed above $100 a barrel on Thursday for the first time since 2022 and ticked slightly higher again Friday. Earlier in the week, prices briefly dipped after President Donald Trump suggested the war could end “very soon,” but renewed attacks on ships near the strait quickly sent futures higher.

Analysts warn that even if oil prices stabilize, it may take time for U.S. gas prices to fall, given the scale of supply losses and the uncertainty surrounding the conflict.

Mar 13, 2026 at 01:42 PM EDT

Israel strikes key bridge in southern Lebanon, warns of wider infrastructure damage

The Israeli military said Friday it destroyed the Zrarieh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon, claiming the crossing was being used by Hezbollah to move fighters and weapons between the country’s north and south. Israel did not provide evidence to support the assertion.

The strike marked the first time Israel has openly acknowledged hitting civilian infrastructure during its current campaign in Lebanon. While international law generally bars attacks on civilian sites, exceptions exist if a structure is being used for military purposes — a threshold that remains disputed in this case.

Following the strike, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Lebanon would face escalating damage to its infrastructure unless Hezbollah is disarmed. “The Lebanese government will pay increasing costs through damage to infrastructure and loss of territory,” Katz said, adding, “This is only the beginning.”

Mar 13, 2026 at 01:28 PM EDT

Iran’s Araghchi praises Quds Day crowds after strikes on Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said he was “proud and honored” to join demonstrators in Tehran for International Quds Day, praising the turnout as a show of resilience despite explosions reported near the march.

In a post on X, Araghchi said Iranians “will always stand firm and never cower before cowardly attacks,” sharing video that he claimed showed crowds reacting defiantly as strikes hit the capital earlier in the day.

View this post on X

Mar 13, 2026 at 01:14 PM EDT

Top Iranian leaders join Quds Day march amid U.S. claims of hiding

Iran’s top leadership appeared publicly in Tehran on Friday for the annual al‑Quds Day march, even as U.S. officials claimed the country’s rulers had gone into hiding during the ongoing war. President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior security official Ali Larijani were among the high‑ranking figures seen walking alongside crowds in the capital.

State media also showed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Chief Justice Gholam‑Hossein Mohseni‑Ejei taking part in the demonstrations, which are held each year to express support for Palestinians and opposition to Israeli control of Jerusalem.

Their appearances came shortly after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that Iran’s leadership had “gone underground cowering,” a claim sharply at odds with the images broadcast inside Iran.

The march was overshadowed by violence: at least one person was killed after explosions were heard near the procession, adding to the tension surrounding one of the most politically charged days on Iran’s calendar.

Mar 13, 2026 at 01:01 PM EDT

UAE intercepts Iranian missiles as debris falls in central Dubai

The United Arab Emirates said its air‑defense systems shot down a wave of Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles on Friday morning, in one of the most forceful attacks on the country since the war began. The interceptions sent shockwaves through Dubai’s financial district, where loud blasts were heard and falling debris struck the façade of at least one building, according to Emirati officials.

Authorities said there were no reported injuries, and emergency crews were assessing damage in several parts of the city.

Mar 13, 2026 at 12:48 PM EDT

WATCH: Russia is raking in billions because of Trump’s Iran war

Mar 13, 2026 at 12:35 PM EDT

Israeli forces intensify West Bank raids as settler attacks continue

Israeli forces carried out new raids and arrests across the occupied West Bank on Friday, even as the military continued its operations in Iraq and Lebanon. Palestinian communities reported home invasions, road closures, and escalating settler violence targeting property and farmland.

According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, Israeli troops raided the city of Qalqilya and sealed off the entrances to several nearby towns, including Sinjil north of Ramallah. In Deir Istiya, soldiers arrested a man who had been attempting to repair a water meter that settlers had damaged the previous week.

Settler attacks also surged. A group set fire to a poultry farm east of Bethlehem, destroying livestock and equipment, while another group expanded settlement infrastructure by paving a road near al‑Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah — an area that has seen repeated confrontations in recent months.

Palestinian officials say the combination of military raids and settler assaults is placing intense pressure on rural communities already facing movement restrictions and land seizures.

Mar 13, 2026 at 12:21 PM EDT

Pharmaceutical supply chains face rising risk as Gulf shipping lanes disrupt

Pharmaceutical supply lines are among the most vulnerable to the Strait of Hormuz shutdown, Tammy Kulesa told Newsweek. A significant share of active ingredients and chemical components—many exported from India—move through Gulf shipping lanes now facing delays, rerouting, and equipment shortages.

Kulesa said the first signs of strain include longer transit times, imbalanced container availability, and surging freight and insurance costs. The greatest risk falls on cold‑chain medicines and devices, which depend on precise temperature control and often operate on just‑in‑time replenishment. Even minor delays, she warned, can trigger compliance issues and downstream shortages.

Mar 13, 2026 at 12:08 PM EDT

Trump Warns of Intensified Strikes as Oil Markets Remain Volatile: Catch up on developments

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States will hit Iran “very hard over the next week,” signaling a new phase of escalation even as global markets struggled to absorb the economic fallout of the conflict. His remarks came shortly after he approved a 30‑day partial waiver allowing purchases of sanctioned Russian oil, an attempt to ease price pressures driven by the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran.

Benchmark Brent crude slipped about 1 percent to $99.50 in European trading but remains nearly 40 percent higher than before the war. Stocks in Europe and Asia continued to fall as investors weighed the risk of a prolonged regional conflict and further disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway for a fifth of the world’s oil.

Nearly 2,000 people have been killed in less than two weeks of fighting — most in Iran, but with rising casualties in Lebanon and across the Gulf. The U.S. military confirmed that four of six crew members aboard a refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq were dead, adding to the American toll.

Iran launched more missiles and drones toward Israel, while Israeli forces struck targets across Tehran, as well as Hezbollah positions in Beirut and southern Lebanon. Iranian state media reported that a woman was killed near a Quds Day rally in Tehran, where senior officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, made public appearances in defiance.

Israel’s military said it hit more than 200 sites in western and central Iran over the past day, including missile launchers, air‑defense systems, and weapons‑production facilities.

Mar 13, 2026 at 11:55 AM EDT

Polls show Israel’s political map largely unchanged despite war with Iran

A new round of Israeli polling suggests the military campaign against Iran has done little to shift the country’s political balance or improve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection prospects.

A Channel 12 survey released Thursday found Likud holding steady at 26 seats, identical to its support in the network’s final poll conducted two days before the war began. While Likud remains the largest party, Netanyahu’s right‑wing bloc dropped to 51 seats, still well short of the 61‑seat majority needed to form a government.

The opposition gained a single seat compared to pre‑war polling but also remains unable to form a coalition without backing from Arab parties.

Similar results appeared in polls from Maariv and Channel 13, both showing Netanyahu’s bloc at 50–51 seats. The pattern mirrors surveys conducted after the 12‑day war in June, when Netanyahu saw a brief bump that quickly faded.

Israel is scheduled to vote in October 2026, though Netanyahu retains the option to call early elections.

Mar 13, 2026 at 11:49 AM EDT

Israel says it has carried out 7,600 strikes in Iran, 1,100 in Lebanon

The Israeli military said Friday it has launched roughly 7,600 airstrikes on Iran and another 1,100 in Lebanon since the war began, offering one of its most detailed assessments yet of the scale of its campaign.

The figures underscore the vast disparity in impact between the two countries. While Iran has absorbed the bulk of the bombardment, Lebanon — more than 150 times smaller — has endured a level of destruction that is proportionally far more severe, with strikes hitting residential areas, infrastructure, and towns along the southern border.

Mar 13, 2026 at 11:42 AM EDT

Iran’s new Supreme Leader reportedly injured in early strikes, U.S. says

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was “wounded and likely disfigured” during the opening wave of U.S. and Israeli attacks — the most direct public assessment yet of his condition.

Hegseth dismissed Khamenei’s first public message, released Thursday as a written statement with no audio or video, calling it “a weak one.” The absence of any appearance by the new leader has fueled speculation about his health and mobility.

Mar 13, 2026 at 11:27 AM EDT

Trump predicts Iranians will eventually rise up, but says change may not be immediate

President Donald Trump said Friday he believes the Iranian people will ultimately move to replace their government in the wake of U.S. and Israeli military strikes — but cautioned that such an uprising may not happen quickly.

Speaking in an interview aired on Fox News Radio, Trump said Iranians face “a big hurdle” because “they don’t have weapons,” adding that political change is inevitable but “maybe not immediately.”

His comments come as the war, now more than two weeks old, has killed over 1,300 people in Iran. Despite Trump’s repeated predictions that public unrest will grow, there have been no significant protests or major cracks in Iran’s ruling system since the conflict began.

Mar 13, 2026 at 11:17 AM EDT

Trump says he’ll know Iran war is over ‘in my bones’

President Donald Trump offered a characteristically personal benchmark for determining when the war with Iran will end, saying he’ll recognize the moment “in my bones.” The remark came during a phone interview aired Friday on Fox Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show.

Asked how he would know the conflict had concluded, Trump replied, “When I feel it… feel it in my bones.” Moments earlier, he suggested the fighting may not continue much longer, saying, “I don’t think it’s going to be long when it’s over.”

The United States and Israel have continued their joint military campaign against Iran since launching strikes on February 28. Throughout the conflict, Trump has offered shifting predictions about its duration, at times signaling an imminent end and at others warning of extended operations.

Mar 13, 2026 at 11:03 AM EDT

Oil prices hover near $100 despite U.S. waiver allowing limited Russian crude sales

Global oil prices held close to the $100‑a‑barrel mark on Friday, showing little reaction to the Trump administration’s move to temporarily permit the delivery and sale of certain sanctioned Russian crude stranded at sea.

The waiver, posted on the U.S. Treasury website, applies only to Russian oil and petroleum products loaded as of March 12 and authorizes their delivery through April 11. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measure is designed to expand access to existing supply without meaningfully benefiting Moscow, noting that Russia earns most of its energy revenue at the point of extraction rather than export.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, slipped 0.6% to just under $100 a barrel, while U.S. benchmark WTI fell 1.6% to above $94.

Prices have surged in recent days following the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor normally carrying one‑fifth of the world’s oil output. The continued pressure suggests traders remain focused on the broader supply shock rather than Washington’s narrowly tailored waiver.

Mar 13, 2026 at 10:50 AM EDT

US forced to lift some sanctions on Russian oil to ease Iran war pain

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The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday announced it was further easing sanctions on Russian oil by granting a license that authorizes the delivery and sale of some Russian crude oil and petroleum products for the next month.

Trump signaled earlier this week that he would take more action to address the squeeze on oil flows, after his administration decided to grant temporary permission for India to buy Russian oil.

Oil prices have been volatile, surging more than 70% since the war bega. Following Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz this week, the price has spiked again to $100 per barrel, causing share markets worldwide to sink.

The European Union earlier this week warned the White House against the "temptation" of relaxing Russia sanctions, which had been imposed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

On Thursday, the U.S. said the new exemption would apply only to Russian oil already at sea.

Last week, analysts estimated there were about 125 million barrels loaded on tankers. To put that in perspective, about 20 million barrels of oil per day usually pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the International Energy Agency.

A fifth of the world’s traded oil flows through the waterway leading from the Persian Gulf toward the Indian Ocean. Supply concerns have been fuelled by Iran's effective shutdown of the strait, which is forcing Gulf states to restrict their production and leading to oil regulators having to release back-up supplies.

Read more here.

Mar 13, 2026 at 10:37 AM EDT

China splts with Iran’s new leaders over ship strikes

China’s Foreign Ministry has stepped up its criticism of attacks on commercial shipping as Iranian forces continue to target vessels operating in or near the Strait of Hormuz, conduit for as much as a quarter of global shipborne oil.

“China does not agree with the attacks on Gulf states and condemns all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non‑military targets,” ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during Friday's regular press briefing, without calling out Iran by name.

The remarks mark a shift in rhetoric toward Tehran, now led by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed early in a strike on February 28, launched amid ongoing negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.

China, a key diplomatic partner and the buyer of most of Iran's crude oil, has repeatedly condemned the ongoing U.S.-Israeli offensive, which Iranian officials say have killed more than 1,300.

Beijing has also voiced concerns as the conflict expanded to include Iranian missile and drone attacks against targets in neighboring Gulf states and Tehran's move to block the Strait of Hormuz.

Read more here.

Mar 13, 2026 at 10:24 AM EDT

WATCH: TRANSCOM chief says US doing ‘all we can’ to reopen Strait of Homuz

Mar 13, 2026 at 10:13 AM EDT

UAE issues warning as air defenses respond to missile threat

The United Arab Emirates’ National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said Friday that the country’s air‑defense systems were actively responding to a missile threat, urging residents to stay sheltered and follow official updates.

In a brief statement posted on social media, NCEMA advised people to remain in safe locations while interceptions were underway.

View this post on X

Mar 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM EDT

Bodies of 84 Iranian sailors head home after frigate sunk in international waters

Sri Lanka is returning the remains of 84 Iranian sailors killed when their frigate was sunk by a U.S. submarine torpedo attack nine days ago, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Friday.

Ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo told AFP that the repatriation will be carried out using a chartered Iranian aircraft sent to Colombo for the transfer. The Iranian embassy also confirmed the bodies were being returned, according to Reuters.

Mar 13, 2026 at 09:59 AM EDT

Merz rejects U.S. move to ease Russian oil sanctions, calls decision ‘wrong’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday criticized Washington’s decision to grant a 30‑day waiver allowing countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil stranded at sea, arguing the move undermines pressure on Moscow.

“We believe that is wrong,” Merz said at a press conference alongside Norway’s prime minister, adding that the global oil market is facing a price problem, not a supply shortage. He questioned what additional factors motivated the U.S. to loosen restrictions at a moment when Western allies have sought to maintain a united front.

The waiver, intended to help ease energy prices driven higher by the war, appeared to have limited immediate impact. Brent crude climbed back to $101 per barrel by mid‑morning Friday.

Merz reiterated that Germany is not part of the war and does not intend to be drawn into it, stressing that Berlin’s stance on sanctions remains unchanged despite market volatility.

Mar 13, 2026 at 09:46 AM EDT

Iran men’s team fires back at Trump, says U.S. should be ejected from World Cup

Iran’s men’s national soccer team sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday, arguing that if any nation should be removed from the upcoming World Cup, it is the United States, not Iran.

In a statement posted on social media, the team said, “Certainly, no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is one that merely carries the title of ‘host’ yet lacks the ability to provide security for the teams participating in this global event.”

Their response followed Trump’s latest comments on Truth Social, where he said Iran was “welcome” to attend the tournament but questioned whether it was “appropriate” for the team to come, citing concerns for the players’ safety.

Earlier in the week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Trump had personally assured him that Iran would be allowed to compete in the event, which will be staged across North America.

Mar 13, 2026 at 09:33 AM EDT

IAEA chief says agency working to restart U.S.–Iran nuclear talks

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said Friday that the agency is attempting to help revive nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, according to reporting from Russia’s state news agency TASS.

Speaking during a visit to Moscow, Grossi said he hopes discussions on a long‑term framework for Iran’s nuclear program can resume, signaling that the IAEA is positioning itself as a facilitator at a moment of deepening regional conflict.

Mar 13, 2026 at 09:20 AM EDT

Hegseth says Iran’s military ‘significantly weakened’

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that Iran’s armed forces have been dramatically degraded after nearly two weeks of coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes, arguing the country has been left with only fragments of its former military power.

Speaking at the Pentagon, Hegseth said Iran now lacks functioning air defenses, an air force, or a navy, describing the collapse as unprecedented in modern warfare. He said Iran’s missile output has fallen by 90 percent, while its one‑way attack drones were down 95 percent in the most recent wave of fighting.

Hegseth said U.S. and Israeli aircraft have struck more than 15,000 targets, averaging well over a thousand per day. The campaign, he argued, is on track to eliminate Iran’s remaining military infrastructure. “We’re on plan to defeat, destroy, disable all of their meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before,” he said, adding that Iran’s defense‑production network would soon be fully dismantled.

He acknowledged that most of the munitions being used are unguided or precision‑guided bombs, not long‑range weapons, amid concerns that the U.S. is running low on critical interceptors needed for missile defense.

Mar 13, 2026 at 09:07 AM EDT

Fertilizer shortages could push food prices higher, Blue Yonder expert warns

The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is creating a dangerous bottleneck for nitrogen fertilizer, a key input for global agriculture, according to Tammy Kulesa of Blue Yonder. She told Newsweek that reduced availability during peak planting season could lead to higher costs, lower yields, and mounting pressure on food security.

Consumers won’t feel the impact immediately, she said, but the effects will surface “a few months down the road” across nearly every grocery category. Staples such as grains, animal feed, fruits, and vegetables all depend on nitrogen-based fertilizers, meaning price increases could ripple from bread and rice to meat, dairy, and produce.

Mar 13, 2026 at 08:54 AM EDT

Global supply chains strain as hundreds of vessels stall near Strait of Hormuz

Tammy Kulesa, Senior Director of Supply Chain Execution at Blue Yonder, says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is already producing measurable global fallout. Speaking exclusively to Newsweek, she said more than 700 vessels were stranded or delayed in the first week of March, triggering port congestion, rerouting, and rising operational risk.

Oil, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals are absorbing the earliest shockwaves, but Kulesa warned the disruption is “spreading rapidly” into manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer goods. With shipping schedules destabilized and inventory flows slowing, she said companies are bracing for a prolonged period of volatility.

Mar 13, 2026 at 08:48 AM EDT

Caine says Iran still capable of threatening shipping as U.S. strikes continue

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday that while U.S. operations have degraded Iran’s forces, the country retains the ability to threaten both commercial vessels and U.S. personnel.

“We’ve made progress, but Iran still has the capability to harm friendly forces and commercial shipping, and our work on this effort continues,” Caine said. He noted that U.S. Central Command is continuing to target Iranian assets that could affect the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced that message, insisting the United States will not allow Iran to contest control of the vital waterway. He said U.S. forces will keep striking Iranian capabilities tied to maritime threats until the strait can be safely reopened.

Mar 13, 2026 at 08:42 AM EDT

Hegseth downplays use of long-range weapons as concerns grow over U.S. munition levels

Hegseth said that only a small fraction of the weapons the United States is firing in its campaign against Iran are the most expensive, long‑range munitions, even as worries mount over dwindling stockpiles of key systems.

Hegseth said roughly 1% of the bombs and missiles being used fall into the long‑range category. The vast majority, he noted, are unguided, satellite‑guided, or laser‑guided weapons — far cheaper and more plentiful.

His comments come amid rising concern inside the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill that the U.S. is running low on critical munitions, particularly missile interceptors, which have been heavily relied upon throughout the conflict. Officials have warned that replenishing those systems will require sustained production increases and, likely, additional funding.

Mar 13, 2026 at 08:38 AM EDT

Hegseth orders outside inquiry into deadly school strike, says no evidence of Iranian mines

Hegseth said he has appointed a general outside of U.S. Central Command to lead the investigation into the strike that hit an Iranian elementary school, killing at least 175 people, most of them children, according to Iranian officials.

The move follows reporting by The New York Times that a preliminary military review has concluded the United States was responsible for the attack — a finding the Pentagon has not publicly confirmed. Hegseth said the independent inquiry is intended to ensure a full accounting of what happened.

At the same briefing, Hegseth pushed back on claims that Iran has placed mines in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the U.S. has “no clear evidence” to support those allegations. His comments come amid heightened tensions and competing narratives over the security of the vital waterway, which remains effectively closed due to the conflict.

Mar 13, 2026 at 08:37 AM EDT

Hegseth says U.S. will not allow Strait of Hormuz to ‘remain contested’

Hegseth vowed that the United States will ultimately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though he offered no timeline or operational details on how the military intends to do so.

“There’s a reason why we chose as one of our primary objectives to destroy their Navy,” Hegseth said, arguing that Iran’s ability to threaten the waterway has already been sharply reduced. He added that U.S. forces have “a plan for every option here,” signaling that Washington is preparing for multiple contingencies as the conflict continues.

“That’s not a strait we’re going to allow to remain contested,” he said, framing control of the vital shipping corridor as a central strategic goal of the ongoing campaign.

Mar 13, 2026 at 08:25 AM EDT

Hegseth, Caine say Friday marks heaviest day of strikes in two-week war

Hegseth said that the U.S. was preparing for the most intense bombardment of the nearly two‑week‑old war with Iran, repeating a warning he has delivered at several recent briefings.

“Today will be our heaviest day of kinetic fires across the operating area,” Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, added, underscoring the scale of the planned operations.

Mar 13, 2026 at 08:24 AM EDT

Hegseth says Iran’s military ‘significantly weakened’ after 15,000 strikes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that Iran’s armed forces have been severely degraded after weeks of coordinated U.S. and Israeli attacks, claiming the country has been left with virtually no functioning air defenses, air force, or navy.

“Iran has no air defenses, Iran has no air force, Iran has no navy,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing, describing a dramatic collapse in Iran’s ability to respond. He added that Iran’s missile output has fallen by 90%, while its one‑way attack drones were down 95% in the latest wave of fighting.

Hegseth said U.S. and Israeli forces have struck more than 15,000 targets, averaging over a thousand per day. The campaign, he argued, is on track to “defeat, destroy, disable all of their meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before.”

He also warned that Iran’s defense industry is nearing collapse. “Soon and very soon, all of Iran’s defense companies will be destroyed,” he said, framing the operation as entering its decisive phase.

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:52 AM EDT

Tehran protesters burn Israeli flags as Al Quds Day rally draws massive crowds

Protesters at the Al Quds Day rally in central Tehran were seen burning Israeli flags as tens of thousands marched in one of the largest public gatherings since Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s new supreme leader, according to videos circulating online.

The annual demonstration, held in support of Palestinians, drew huge crowds after Khamenei urged nationwide participation on Thursday. Footage from the scene shows people chanting, waving posters of Mojtaba Khamenei and his late father, Ali Khamenei, and continuing their march even as explosions echoed through nearby neighborhoods.

Several senior Iranian officials appeared at the rally, including national security chief Ali Larijani, judiciary head Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, and Mohammad Mokhber, the former acting president and longtime adviser to Ali Khamenei.

...

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:42 AM EDT

Pentagon briefing expected after fatal U.S. aircraft crash in Iraq

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to brief reporters at the Pentagon at 8 a.m. ET, as the U.S. military confronts a deadly incident in western Iraq.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that at least four American service members were killed when a refueling aircraft crashed during operations. The command said the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, but involved a second U.S. tanker, suggesting a possible midair or operational mishap.

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:39 AM EDT

Trump says U.S. will hit Iran ‘very hard’ in coming week

President Donald Trump said in a Fox News interview Friday morning that the United States plans to strike Iran “very hard” over the next week, according to remarks reported by Reuters.

The warning echoed a message he posted earlier on Truth Social, where he wrote: “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today,” referring to Iran’s leadership. In the same post, Trump claimed Iran had been responsible for killing innocent people for decades and framed the current U.S. campaign as a personal mandate.

“They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them,” he wrote. “What a great honor it is to do so!”

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:38 AM EDT

Woman killed as explosions strike Al Quds Day march in Tehran

A woman was killed during the Al Quds Day march in Tehran on Friday, Iranian state media reported, after several explosions erupted near the massive pro‑Palestinian rally.

The state-run IRNA news agency blamed the deadly strike on the United States and Israel, hours after Israel warned it would target sites inside the Iranian capital. Despite the threat, huge crowds turned out following a call from Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, whose first public message was read on state television the day before.

Senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, were seen attending the march. A prominent cleric, Alireza Arafi, said this year’s turnout was “different from previous years given recent events,” praising what he described as the public’s “enemy‑defying presence” in response to the supreme leader’s appeal.

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:38 AM EDT

NATO intercepts third missile over Turkey as tensions with Iran deepen

NATO has intercepted a third missile over Turkey since the start of the conflict with Iran, the Turkish Defence Ministry said Friday, marking another escalation in the regional security crisis.

According to the ministry, “a ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.” No injuries or damage were reported.

The latest interception follows a similar incident on Monday, after which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Iran against further “provocative steps.” Tehran later denied firing any missile toward Turkey, despite Ankara’s statements.

Erdogan has said Turkish forces have been on heightened alert since the conflict began, with the country monitoring its airspace around the clock using F‑16s, airborne early‑warning aircraft, and tanker planes. The repeated interceptions underscore Turkey’s increasingly exposed position as the conflict continues to spill across borders.

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:34 AM EDT

IDF reports new missile launch from Iran, issues immediate shelter instructions

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that it detected missiles launched from Iran toward Israel, prompting air‑defense systems to engage incoming threats. According to the IDF, the Home Front Command has already pushed emergency instructions directly to mobile phones in areas expected to be affected.

Officials urged the public to act quickly and responsibly, stressing that the directives are “lifesaving.” Residents were told to enter protected spaces as soon as alerts sound and to remain there until authorities issue new guidance. Leaving shelters, the statement said, will only be permitted once explicit instructions are given.

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:25 AM EDT

Saudi Arabia says it intercepted dozens of drones in new wave of airspace breaches

Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry says its air-defense forces have intercepted 56 drones that entered the kingdom’s airspace since early Friday, including one that attempted to approach Riyadh’s high-security diplomatic quarter.

The ministry said the latest interceptions followed a heavy barrage the previous evening, when Saudi forces shot down 53 drones and destroyed five ballistic missiles within a 24‑hour period. Officials did not specify the origin of the drones, and no group has yet claimed responsibility.

Mar 13, 2026 at 07:12 AM EDT

What is toxic rain?

Tehran, a city of more than 9 million people, has been shrouded in thick smoke and dangerous acid rain recently after Israeli strikes hit oil depots and refineries in and near the Iranian capital.

The strikes come amid the U.S. and Israel's ongoing war with Iran, which Iranian officials say has killed more than 1,300 people, including the country’s longtime Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said on Tuesday that dangerous “black” and “acidic rain” has been falling on Tehran.

“Black rain” is a descriptive term for rainfall that becomes dark or contaminated after passing through heavy smoke, soot or other airborne pollution, including chemicals from burning oil.

Dr. George Thurston, director of the Program in Exposure Assessment and Human Health Effects at the NYU School of Medicine, told Newsweek in an email that the black rain is "likely carbonaceous black soot, which is largely composed of particulate matter air pollution from incomplete combustion.

"This includes a toxic mixture of hazardous materials to breathe, including carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, which can form caustic sulfuric and/or nitric acid.

Read more here.

Mar 13, 2026 at 06:40 AM EDT

Explosion near pro-regime rally in Tehran

More from that rally in Tehran demonstrating support for the regime, as images show smoke following an explosion which killed one person, according to Iranian media.

Iran’s state-owned Press TV said that shrapnel from an air attack killed one person at the rally. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had earlier issued an evacuation warning for an area close to the event.

Footage verified by BBC Persian and BBC Verify shows the blast marking Quds Day which was established in 1979 as a demonstration of support for the Palestinian cause and opposition to Israel.

In video filmed near Tehran’s central Enghelab Square, the chants of “Allahu Akbar” and “Death to America” can be heard while a plume of smoke can be seen.

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Mar 13, 2026 at 06:20 AM EDT

NATO intercepts Iranian missile: Turkey

NATO member, Turkey, has said that alliance air defenses in the eastern Mediterranean intercepted a third ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey. Ankara has asked Tehran to clarify Friday's incident.

Explosions and sirens were heard in the morning by residents in the southern city of Adana coming from Incirlik Air Base, which is used by U.S. forces, according to the Associated Press which said that no casualties were reported.

NATO has deployed an additional Patriot air defense system in the southeastern province of Malatya, where the Kurecik radar station is based. Tehran has warned regional countries not to host U.S. military bases.

Mar 13, 2026 at 06:15 AM EDT

France says a drone attack killed one of its soldiers

As the U.S. counts the death of more of its personnel, an attack on a Kurdish military base in Iraq has killed one French soldier and injured others, France’s ministry of armed forces has said.

The strike took place at Mala Qara base in the Irbil region which hosted French soldiers who were training Iraqi units.

France’s ministry of armed forces said Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion was treated on site but later died of his wounds at a hospital.

He had been deployed to Iraq since January 24 as a member of the 7th Alpine Chasseurs Battalion. Six other soldiers were in hospital would be sent back to France.

Mar 13, 2026 at 05:47 AM EDT

Four US crew killed after refueling aircraft went down

Four of the six crew abroad a U.S. military KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq have been found dead, as rescue efforts continue, according to the U.S. military’s Central Command.

In a statement, CENTCOM said that four of six crew members had been confirmed dead and the incident was under investigation.

""The loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the statement said, adding that the names of the dead would not be released until 24 hours after their next-of-kin had been informed.

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Mar 13, 2026 at 05:20 AM EDT

Powerful explosions reported in central Tehran

There are reports of powerful explosions in the center of Tehran after Israel’s military issued an evacuation warning for parts of the Iranian capital.

Iranian media reported blasts around Enghelab Square, Ferdowsi Square and Hejab Street in the city center.the epicenter of ongoing Quds, or Jerusalem Day demonstrations.

The semiofficial Tasnim news agency posted video of gray smoke rising as demonstrators screamed “Death to Israel!” and “Death to America!”

Mar 13, 2026 at 05:15 AM EDT

Israel hits targets in Lebanon

An Israeli strike in eastern Lebanon targeting an Islamic Group official killed two people, it has been reported as Israel continues its attacks on the country.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the Israeli attack in the eastern village of Bar Elias wounded Youssef Dahouk, a local official with al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, or the Islamic Group, whose two sons were killed in the strike.

Also on Friday, the Israeli military said it destroyed a bridge in south Lebanon. The IDF Arabic spokesman posted on X that the bridge on the Litani River in the village of Zrariyeh had been used by Hezbollah fighters.

Mar 13, 2026 at 05:00 AM EDT

Israel says it struck sites across Iran

The Israeli military said its airstrikes hit Iranian military sites in Tehran, Shiraz, and Ahvaz, including an underground ballistic missile production and storage facility in Shiraz.

The IDF said that it also struck Iranian air defense sites and weapons production facilities in Tehran, and headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards ground forces and internal security forces in Ahvaz.

It comes as Israel issued a strike warning Friday for an area near Tehran University hosting the annual Quds Day demonstrations.

Quds is the Arabic name of Jerusalem and demonstrators on Friday chanted “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” while carrying Iranian flags.

Mar 13, 2026 at 04:45 AM EDT

U.S is not the “world’s policeman”: House Speaker Johnson

As well as Trump’s latest boasts about Operation Epic Fury, House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that the U.S. would not carry out nation building in Iran as he emphasized that the attacks on the country in response to an imminent threat.

In an interview with Daily Wire, Johnson said the U.S. was “not trying to be the world’s policeman” but intelligence said that U.S. interests faced “an imminent danger of an attack on our personnel, our service members,” in the Middle East.

“Israel was going to act unilaterally. It’s their right as a nation to do it,” Johnson said, “we had to act first to prevent mass casualties on our side.”

“The Commander in Chief had a tough decision. It’s not a declaration of war, it’s defensive, limited mission,” he added.

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Mar 13, 2026 at 04:29 AM EDT

Donald Trump describes “great honor” to kill Iranian regime figures

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is "destroying the terrorist regime of Iran” in a Truth Social post in which he described that it was a “great honor” to target the Islamic Republic’s leaders.

“Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth," Trump said in the post, which also took a swipe at the “failing” New York Times for not portraying what he described as U.S. military successes.

"We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time - Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today,” Trump’s post added.

Mar 13, 2026 at 04:13 AM EDT

U.S. military aircraft crashes in Iraq

A United States military plane has crashed in Iraq and rescue efforts are under way.

U.S. Central Command said that two aircraft were involved in the incident involving a KC-135 refueling aircraft which crashed in western Iraq with five crew members. The other plane landed safely.

The incident did not involve enemy or friendly fire.

The KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft requires at least three crew members - a pilot, co-pilot and boom operator, and it provides aerial refueling support to the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The U.S. military has not yet identified the individuals involved in the incident which is being investigated.

The U.S. military has not yet identified the individuals involved in the incident which is being investigated.

Read more: US Military Plane Crashes In Iraq: What To Know

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