For the seventh day in a row, the U.S. military continued its strikes against Iran. Officials state the objective is to diminish Tehran’s military capacity. The attacks commenced at 3 p.m. EDT, according to U.S. Central Command, expanding in recent days to target locations throughout the country.
On Thursday, the U.S. conducted attacks on the southern coast of Iran, including strikes on bridges near Bandar Abbas, a vital port city. Early Friday, additional targets included bridges and energy sites.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated by targeting U.S. bases in the Gulf regions of Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. They also claimed an assault on a U.S. command center at the al-Tanf base in Syria, which the U.S. Central Command contradicted.
Iran also launched drone and missile attacks on regional allies in Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy continued enforcing a naval blockade resumed earlier that week. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded a sanctioned oil tanker, M/T Wen Yao, on Thursday.
President Trump expressed confidence on Thursday night, stating that the U.S. is “winning” in Iran and predicting that positive outcomes will soon become apparent.
Read the full report at thehill.com.
This update is part of The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, offering insights into Pentagon and Capitol Hill developments. Your engagement is valued, and feedback is encouraged.
Essential Reads
Key policies impacting defense and national security:
- A federal court panel maintained the Pentagon’s requirement for journalists to have escorts, overturning a previous decision.
- The U.S. military continued its campaign of targeting bridges and energy sites in Iran.
- The Navy addressed criticism over a low-altitude Blue Angels flyover in Florida, concluding no disciplinary action was necessary.
On Our Radar
Upcoming events to watch:
- The Center for Strategic and International Studies will host a virtual discussion on U.S. Indo-Pacific engagement, featuring Senator Tammy Duckworth.
In Other News
Additional reads:
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin discussed election security, warning of potential threats to voting machines.
From other outlets:
- A New York Times piece on the limitations of U.S. military power and historical lessons.
- Politico reports on challenges facing Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget.
- According to Military Times, 230 troops discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine have rejoined the forces.
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