Steve Mollman

By Steve Mollman

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Israel and Iran exchanged fresh strikes over the past 24 hours, highlighting the widening gap between continued battlefield escalation and President Donald Trump’s claims that diplomatic efforts to end the war are gaining traction.

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Mar 27, 2026 at 06:03 PM EDT

Markets sink, oil surges as Trump says he’s ‘not desperate’ for Iran deal

U.S. stocks fell sharply on Friday, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.7 percent to close its fifth straight losing week. The sell‑off came even as Trump sought to project confidence in diplomatic efforts. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said he was “not desperate” for a deal with Iran and insisted negotiations were progressing, even as he extended a deadline for potential U.S. strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure to April 6.

“I’m the opposite of desperate,” Trump said, adding that the administration had “very substantial talks going on with respect to Iran.”

At the same time, oil prices surged again. Brent crude, the international benchmark, briefly traded above $112 per barrel on Friday and has climbed roughly 50 percent since the war began, driven by fears of prolonged disruption to energy supplies from the Persian Gulf.

Market analysts said the parallel drop in equities and jump in oil prices reflected a risk‑off move heading into the weekend, as investors remained wary of further volatility tied to military developments and shifting signals from the Trump administration.

Mar 27, 2026 at 04:54 PM EDT

Erik Prince warns CPAC of ‘burning American warships’ if US sends troops into Iran

Erik Prince, the founder of the private military contractor Blackwater, warned Friday that deploying U.S. ground forces in Iran could quickly lead to a dangerous escalation, including attacks on American naval assets.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Grapevine, Texas, Prince said he had urged Trump against entering the war, arguing that Iran’s military is structured to continue fighting even after senior leaders are killed.

“I counseled as loud as possible against doing this in the first place,” Prince said, describing Iran as divided into 31 military districts with standing orders to continue combat operations independently.

Prince warned that if the U.S. attempted to deploy troops or force open the Strait of Hormuz, Americans could soon see “imagery of burning American warships,” adding that the public may not be prepared for the consequences.

He also questioned the administration’s optimism that the conflict could end quickly, saying Iran has not been conquered for centuries and that no serious preparation has been made for an internal armed opposition capable of supporting regime change.

His comments echoed ones he made earlier this month on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast, when he urged Trump, "Don't ever contemplate ground troops in Iran."

Mar 27, 2026 at 04:16 PM EDT

Bannon says Americans must be ‘convinced’ as Trump weighs next Iran war steps

Steve Bannon said Friday that the U.S. may be at the beginning of a broader war, cautioning that any decision to escalate must be backed by full transparency—especially with the prospect of American combat troops being deployed. He delivered the comments onstage at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas.

“We're in the middle of a war right now, or let me say, probably the start of a war,” he told attendees. “The decision in going forward is obviously the commander in chief's, but he's got to have, people have to have his back. And you're only going to do that with full information. You have to be convinced that this is the right thing to do, particularly now that we're on the eve of, potentially, the insertion of American combat troops. Your sons, daughters, granddaughters, grandsons.”

Bannon’s remarks came amid growing divisions on the right over Trump’s handling of the war with Iran. The longtime Trump ally has previously warned that a prolonged conflict could erode Republican support ahead of the midterms, a concern that has surfaced repeatedly during the four‑day conference as activists and lawmakers debate whether the administration’s military strategy aligns with Trump’s “America First” promise to avoid extended foreign wars.

CPAC speakers this year have reflected that tension, with some urging continued force against Iran while others—like Bannon—have emphasized the political and human costs of escalation, particularly if U.S. troops are sent into combat.

Mar 27, 2026 at 03:40 PM EDT

Iran accuses Israel of defying Trump’s energy‑strike pause, threatens ‘heavy price’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Israeli strikes had hit two of Iran’s largest steel factories, along with a power plant and what he described as civilian nuclear power sites. He wrote:

"Israel has hit 2 of Iran's largest steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear sites among other infrastructure. Israel claims it acted in coordination with the U.S. Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy. Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes."

Trump, in a Truth Social post on Thursday, said the U.S. would delay strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure to allow for additional diplomacy. He said the delay would last for 10 days—until April 6. He later reiterated the decision when speaking to reporters, saying the goal was to keep a diplomatic window open.

Mar 27, 2026 at 02:46 PM EDT

Rubio warns Iran ‘tolling’ Strait of Hormuz would be illegal after war

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the most immediate challenge after the fighting ends would be preventing Iran from turning the Strait of Hormuz into a “tolling system” for global shipping, calling the idea illegal and dangerous to the world.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with G7 counterparts in France, Rubio said countries that rely most heavily on the strategic waterway should be prepared to act if Iran attempts to impose transit fees. He said the United States is prepared to take part in such an effort but does not need to lead it.

“There seems to be a lot of buy‑in,” Rubio said, describing the issue as a post‑conflict necessity.

His comments came after Iranian officials said parliament is considering legislation to charge ships for safe passage through the strait. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said this week that Iran would continue imposing fees and that countries not involved in the conflict could transit after coordinating with Tehran.

Rubio cautioned that shipping would take time to normalize even after hostilities end, warning that early tankers may require naval escorts or face steep insurance costs.

Mar 27, 2026 at 01:55 PM EDT

Israel says it struck Iran’s Arak heavy water facility

The Israeli military said it carried out airstrikes Friday on a heavy water facility in Arak, central Iran, describing the site as a key installation linked to potential plutonium production.

Israel said the strike targeted reconstruction work at the Khondab Heavy Water Complex, which had been damaged during last year’s 12‑day conflict between Israel and Iran. Iranian state media earlier reported that the facility had been hit, and Iranian officials later confirmed airstrikes at the site.

Heavy water is used in certain nuclear reactors capable of producing plutonium, a core material for nuclear weapons. The Arak reactor has long drawn international concern over the possibility that Iran could reprocess plutonium generated at the facility.

Under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Iran removed the reactor’s core in January 2016 and agreed to redesign the site to prevent weapons‑grade plutonium production.

Mar 27, 2026 at 01:27 PM EDT

House Democrats demand public Iran war hearing in Friday letter

Representative Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, and 26 other House Democrats demanded Friday that the panel’s Republican chairman hold a public hearing on the U.S. war with Iran.

In a letter, the lawmakers said Congress and the public have been left largely in the dark as the Trump administration has limited briefings to classified settings involving Pentagon, State Department and intelligence officials. Members of both parties have complained that those closed-door sessions have provided scant detail on the cost of the war, military operations, and potential munitions shortages.

“We are deeply troubled by the lack of transparency from the Trump administration and the Department of Defense,” the Democrats wrote, accusing the administration of failing to keep Congress and the American people adequately informed.

Democrats lack the power to compel senior administration officials to testify publicly. Republicans, meanwhile, have argued that classified briefings are sufficient and that open hearings could risk exposing sensitive military information.

Mar 27, 2026 at 01:12 PM EDT

Iran war fuels GOP backlash against Trump at CPAC

The war in Iran is emerging as a flashpoint inside Trump’s political base, with some young conservatives voicing sharp frustration at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, now underway in Grapevine, Texas.

Several Gen Z Republicans attending CPAC said Trump’s decision to enter the Iran conflict undercut his long‑running promise to avoid new wars. One 18‑year‑old attendee told CNN that support for Trump among young conservatives is eroding, predicting Republicans could face losses in the midterms as disillusionment spreads.

Another attendee told the Associated Press the Iran war “does feel like a betrayal,” arguing it clashes with Trump’s “America First” message and concerns about foreign entanglements. Others said the conflict has heightened fears of escalation and U.S. troop involvement.

While party leaders continue to defend the military campaign, the reactions at CPAC highlight growing unease within the Republican coalition as the Iran war drags on and its political costs become more visible.

Mar 27, 2026 at 12:56 PM EDT

Rubio says U.S. can meet Iran war goals without ground troops

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the United States believes it can achieve its objectives in the war with Iran without deploying ground forces, as he concluded a meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers outside Paris.

Rubio told reporters the U.S. is not currently postured for a ground operation, even as fighting continues and concerns grow over global shipping and energy markets. He has repeatedly said U.S. goals can be met through air and naval operations, while noting President Donald Trump retains all military options.

The Iran war and its economic fallout dominated talks among G7 diplomats, many of whom remain reluctant to deepen their involvement. Rubio also said Washington has not received a clear response from Iran regarding negotiations and that it remains unclear who would represent Tehran in any talks.

Mar 27, 2026 at 12:40 PM EDT

Chinese ships fail to exit Strait of Hormuz

Three Chinese-owned vessels were turned back after attempting to exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting continued disruption to shipping amid the war involving Iran, according to ship‑tracking data.

Two Hong Kong‑flagged container ships operated by a unit of COSCO Shipping—the CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean—made abrupt U‑turns near the narrow passage after broadcasting messages identifying themselves as Chinese-owned and crewed. A third vessel, a bulk carrier linked to Hong Kong ownership, also reversed course.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later said the strait was closed, contradicting claims by President Donald Trump that Tehran had agreed to allow some vessels through. The incident marked the first attempted transit by a major container carrier since the conflict escalated, underscoring uncertainty over safe passage.

Vessel traffic through the strait has dropped sharply, with repeated attacks and threats raising concerns over global trade and energy flows.

Mar 27, 2026 at 12:24 PM EDT

Gulf states intercept drones, missiles as attacks hit Kuwaiti ports

Several Gulf countries intercepted drones and missiles Friday as regional air defenses responded to renewed attacks, while strikes caused infrastructure damage at two ports in Kuwait and a missile landed inside Jordan.

Kuwait’s Shuwaikh Port was hit by what authorities described as “hostile drones,” the Kuwait Ports Authority said, adding that the attack caused material damage but no injuries. A second port, Mubarak Al‑Kabeer, was also struck by drones and at least one cruise missile, according to Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works. Officials said there were no casualties.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defense systems engaged nine drones and six missiles, while Jordan reported intercepting two of three missiles that entered its airspace, with a third landing in the country without causing injuries.

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones over Riyadh and the Eastern Province and detected six ballistic missiles, two of which were intercepted. Qatar briefly issued an alert that was later lifted, with no confirmed impacts.

Mar 27, 2026 at 12:08 PM EDT

Germany urges Iran to enter talks with US after G7 meeting

Germany’s foreign minister urged Iran to seize what he described as a potential diplomatic opening and enter negotiations with the United States, following talks with G7 counterparts in France.

“The Iranian regime would be well advised to enter into serious negotiations with the United States now,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday after meeting with fellow G7 foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the sidelines of the gathering.

Wadephul’s remarks echoed earlier statements welcoming Trump’s decision to pause threatened strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and pursue negotiations aimed at ending hostilities. The German official has repeatedly called for unity among U.S. allies and stressed the importance of diplomacy to reduce tensions in the region.

The G7 meeting in France brought together foreign ministers from the world’s major industrialized democracies to coordinate responses to the conflict in the Middle East.

Mar 27, 2026 at 11:52 AM EDT

Israel says strikes on Iran will ‘intensify’ as Trump says talks going ‘very well’

Israeli officials said Friday that airstrikes inside Iran would “intensify and expand,” accusing Tehran of continuing missile attacks on Israeli cities despite repeated warnings. Iran, in turn, launched another wave of missiles and drones overnight, prompting emergency responses across Israel, according to military statements. The exchanges came as fighting continued on multiple fronts across the region.

The renewed violence coincided with Trump’s announcement that he had extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, delaying threatened U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. Trump said talks aimed at ending the conflict were going “very well,” describing recent exchanges as productive enough to justify postponing further military action.

Iranian officials quickly disputed those claims, insisting no negotiations were underway and rejecting suggestions that Tehran had agreed to new terms. Iranian leaders vowed to continue military operations “until complete victory,” even as Trump maintained that diplomatic channels remained open.

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