Good evening everyone, hope you had a restful Saturday afternoon. There is a lot unfolding right now. The Iranian government is issuing threats against Donald Trump’s life following the death of its Supreme Leader.
At the same time, Trump says the United States was not responsible for the strike on an elementary school in Iran while signaling the U.S. is moving closer to deploying ground troops. Meanwhile, gas prices are expected to rise as a major bombing campaign targeting Iran’s oil infrastructure continues tonight.
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Here’s the news:
- NBC News has confirmed that President Donald Trump has privately discussed the possibility of deploying a limited number of U.S. ground troops into Iran for targeted strategic missions—such as special operations raids, securing nuclear materials, or influencing a post-war political transition—while not pursuing a large-scale invasion; the war is currently an air campaign, no decision has been made on ground deployment, and officials say the option remains on the table amid rising risks and casualties.
- The Trump administration is considering several military options against Iran’s nuclear program, including a potential Special Operations raid by units such as Delta Force to seize or destroy nuclear materials at sites like Isfahan, though the plan would be extremely risky and complex. Officials tell Semafor that alternatives include continued airstrikes or bunker-busting bombs against underground facilities, while contingency plans for temporary ground operations at key nuclear sites have long existed within U.S. Central Command.
- When asked about reports that a strike killed about 175 people at an Iranian elementary school, Donald Trump claimed Iran was responsible due to inaccurate munitions, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the incident is still under investigation. This, despite the fact that the Administration told Congress that it was bombing near the region and analysis conducted by CNN, the New York Times, and others suggested that it was the United States that struck the school in Minab, Iran.
- Iranian national security official Ali Larijani warned that Iran will hold Donald Trump responsible for the conflict and vowed that Tehran will not let the issue go until it retaliates “in kind,” signaling that Iran intends to respond directly to U.S. actions rather than de-escalate.
- U.S. and Israeli strikes reportedly targeted Tehran’s Shahran Oil Depot and other nearby oil facilities, sparking large fires as the campaign known as “Operation Epic Fury” expands to hit Iran’s broader industrial and energy infrastructure.
- A Pakistani man was killed in Dubai’s Al Barsha neighborhood after debris from an intercepted missile fell onto his vehicle, according to the Dubai Media Office.
- Donald Trump said the scale of U.S. strikes could leave Iran so devastated that “there will be nobody left” to formally say “we surrender,” suggesting the campaign could be extremely destructive.
- President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for six U.S. Army soldiers killed in an Iranian strike on their operations center.
- Another image from the transfer:
- During a parliamentary session, some Iraqi lawmakers reportedly chanted “Death to America” while expressing support for Iran amid escalating regional tensions.
- Donald Trump criticized the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying the U.S. no longer needs British aircraft carriers in the Middle East and accusing the U.K. of joining wars only after victory is assured.
- Two people were taken into custody after police discovered suspicious homemade explosive devices outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence (Gracie Mansion) during an anti-Islam protest organized by right-wing influencer Jake Lang; no injuries were reported and the incident remains under investigation.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said the United States has “strongly” warned Russia not to provide targeting intelligence or other assistance to Iran, adding that he hopes Moscow is not doing so.
- Donald Trump signed a proclamation launching an “Americas Counter Cartel Coalition,” pledging to use U.S. military force against drug cartels across Latin America after already deploying troops and conducting strikes in Ecuador, with 17 countries supporting the initiative to combat cartels, reduce migration and drug trafficking, and counter growing foreign influence in the region.
- During an exchange with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Marco Rubio speaking Spanish, Trump asked if Rubio was better in Spanish, and Hegseth replied that he “only speak[s] American.”
- A plaque honoring U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack was installed on the Senate side of the Capitol after years of delay and a Senate resolution, with the location serving as a temporary placement until both chambers agree on a permanent display.
- NBC News has confirmed that Democratic senators launched an investigation into companies that received a $220 million DHS advertising contract featuring former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, seeking to determine whether Noem, adviser Corey Lewandowski, or other DHS officials personally benefited from the no-bid agreements.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, nicknaming her “Kosplay Kristi,” and demanded the Department of Homeland Security release over $500 million in FEMA wildfire recovery funds for Los Angeles that he says were stalled under a policy requiring Noem’s approval for large contracts.
- Rep. Kevin Kiley of California announced he will run for reelection as an independent after Democratic-led redistricting reshaped his district into a Democratic-leaning one, arguing both parties are responsible for partisan gerrymandering and positioning himself as a centrist candidate in a difficult race.
- According to CNN, FDA drug chief Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg is facing internal criticism and potential conflict-of-interest concerns for pushing to hire a researcher friend, Dr. Adam Urato, while accelerating review of his petition to add new warnings to antidepressants about unproven pregnancy risks, a proposal many experts say relies on weak evidence and could discourage necessary treatment for depression during pregnancy.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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