NOW PLAYING
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & NatSec newsletter{beacon}
Defense &
National Security Defense &
National Security The Big Story
Trump ramps up threats of major operations in Iran
President Trump told Axios he’s nearing a decision on whether to launch a “massive attack” on Iran as the U.S. expands its targets and deploys heavier firepower in its daily strikes on the country.
Associated Press/Saul Loeb
“I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump told Axios reporter Barak Ravid in a brief interview.
The president told the outlet that Israel, which jointly launched the conflict’s initial strikes with the U.S. on Feb. 28, would join these new military operations “in two minutes if I ask them to.” However, he added that the U.S. does not “need anybody” for a potential next attack.
Earlier on Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Trump’s military stance toward Tehran as a “head for an eye.”
The U.S. military is also moving more B-1 bombers, refueling jets and medical personnel into the region.
Iran accused the U.S. of being responsible to strikes on a border crossing with Iraq, which would mark a significant expansion of its geographic targets.
Taken together, many observers viewed these developments as pointing toward a return to an all-out war on par with the U.S.-Israeli operations that wound down in April.
“Escalation has been the likely basecase because 1) the current standoff isn’t sustainable, 2) the US window for action is not open-ended, 3) the route to de-escalation is unattractive and difficult, and 4) little scope of Iran backing down,” Gregory Brew, a senior analyst on Iran at the Eurasia Group, wrote on X. “Things are going to get worse, before they get better.”
But Trump faces major risks if he turns sharply toward escalation, with growing concerns about dwindling U.S. weapons stockpiles and rising energy costs months out from the November midterms.
Sina Toossi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, said he still assessed a return to diplomacy as the more likely outcome.
“The political costs of a deal would be significant. He would face intense criticism from the hawkish foreign policy establishment and influential elements of his own coalition, particularly pro-Israel groups and donors,” he wrote on X.
“But those costs may ultimately be far lower than owning another endless, enormously costly war with no clear path to strategic success,” he added. “A deal he can always be spin as a victory. A quagmire he cannot.”
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Colin Meyn filling in for Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.
Essential Reads
How policy will affect defense and national security now and in the future:
Houthi attacks create tinderbox in Red Sea: What to know
Houthi strikes on a pair of Saudi oil tankers have created an explosive situation in the Red Sea, threatening to open a new front in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and further roil the global energy market. The Yemen-based militant group said Thursday it struck the Encelia and Layla tankers with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, according to the Houthis’ SABA News Agency. It marked the first attack …
Full Story
US Navy restricting press access to sailors’ service history
The U.S. Navy will no longer release service history information for sailors, ending the decades-long practice to address what officials describe as security threats and harassment concerns. The move comes amid greater press restrictions imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which include a requirement for reporters to be escorted by authorized personnel in the Pentagon. Under the new policy, the Navy will typically …
Full Story
Leavitt deflects questions about new conditions on Saudi nuclear deal
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not offer any new information regarding the civilian nuclear deal Thursday after President Trump made it conditional on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel. “The president is always the final dealmaker, as you know, and this is something that he has mentioned on numerous occasions going back,” Leavitt told reporters Thursday at a press briefing. “I can provide you …
Full Story
Coast Guard should get a leader like other military branches, GOP senators say
(NewsNation) — A trio of Republican senators introduced a bill intending to create a leadership position for the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act would establish a secretary of the U.S. Coast Guard, mirroring a position across all other branches of the armed forces. According to the legislation’s text, the position would report to the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) …
Full Story
On Our Radar
Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:
- The National Institute for Deterrence Studies hosts a seminar on “The Israel Iran wars: Missile offense vs. missile defense” at 7:45 a.m. on Friday.
- The Hudson Institute hosts a discussion on “Taiwan’s national mobilization against the China threat” at 10 a.m.
- World Beyond War hosts the Virtual 2026 War Abolisher Awards ceremony at 1 p.m.
In Other News
Branch out with a different read from The Hill:
Homan on how ICE has improved since January
White House border czar Tom Homan on Wednesday discussed how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has changed since January, when two U.S. citizens were killed in Minneapolis by federal immigration authorities. “You know, I was honest with the American people, you know, in the last few months …
Full StoryWhat We’re Reading
News we’ve flagged from other outlets:
- Selective Service System seeks software to aid the military draft (DefenseOne)
- Satellite Images Show Iran Is Rebuilding. Fast. (Wall Street Journal)
- Number of U.S. Troop Deaths Suddenly Appears Lower on Pentagon Website (New York Times)
Trending Today
Two key stories on The Hill right now:
Senate panel vote on Trump nominees derailed after Warren raises background check concerns
Lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday took the unusual step of delaying a public hearing to consider three of President Trump’s nominees, … Read more
Thune responds to Leavitt quip that Trump’s patience with him ‘running out’ over SAVE America Act
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) bristled when asked Thursday about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s statement that President … Read more
Opinions in The Hill
Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill:
- Ukraine may already be winning World War III for an oblivious West
- A dormant court just woke up, and due process is on trial
- Winning before the battle ends
You’re all caught up.
Check out The Hill’s Defense page for the latest coverage.
Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view all our topical emails here 📩
Privacy Policy | Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe
400 N. Capitol St. NW Suite 950, Washington, DC 20001
Copyright © 1998 – 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.
If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.
CloseThank you for signing up!
Subscribe to more newsletters here
The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter Subscribe Add as preferred source on Google TagsCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments: Link copiedMore Defense & National Security Newsletter News
See All
Defense & National Security Newsletter Pentagon briefs House lawmakers on Iran war by Filip Timotija 1 day ago Defense & National Security Newsletter / 1 day ago 
