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President Trump and his administration are weighing options to secure or extract Iran’s nuclear materials as the U.S.-Israel-led campaign against Tehran enters an uncertain phase. Multiple people briefed on the discussions said planning has centered on possible deployment of forces from the secretive Joint Special Operations Command, the elite unit often tasked with sensitive counter-proliferation missions. Timing remains unclear and one source said the president had made no decision. White House and Pentagon spokespeople did not immediately comment.
Military movements and preparations
– About 2,200 U.S. Marines and three warships from a second Marine expeditionary unit departed California this week and are headed toward the Middle East; the first unit sent from the Pacific is already en route. The second could take weeks to arrive.
– Pentagon officials have made detailed preparations for the potential deployment of U.S. ground forces into Iran. Senior commanders submitted specific requests as the president deliberates whether to position troops in the region.
– A White House official said the U.S. “can take out” Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, “at any time,” after reports that the administration is considering plans to blockade or occupy the island to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The White House added the president “retains all options.”
– The U.S. said it can use U.K. bases to strike Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz after the U.K. granted permission for such use. Britain emphasized it did not want to be drawn into a wider war and called for urgent de-escalation.
Regional fighting and strikes
– Israel and Iran continued cross-border strikes. Israel launched waves of airstrikes on Tehran and other targets, while Iran launched repeated missile and drone salvos at Israel, hitting communities and sending civilians into shelters. Debris from intercepts damaged homes; at least two civilians in one community were treated for suspected blast injuries.
– Iran intensified attacks on energy and infrastructure across the Gulf. The UAE reported intercepting dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones since the start of attacks; on one day it said its defenses intercepted four ballistic missiles and 26 drones. Dubai, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia reported explosions and intercepted incoming fire.
– Iran launched missiles and drones against Kuwait and struck or threatened energy facilities across the region, including an attack that hit Israel’s Haifa refinery and likely put it out of service for several days.
– Israel continued targeted assassinations inside Iran, with the IDF announcing the killing of an IRGC spokesperson and other senior figures. Israel said it has eliminated dozens of senior Iranian officials during the operation.
U.S. casualties, equipment incidents
– U.S. Central Command reported 232 American service members injured since the war began; 207 have returned to duty and 10 are seriously wounded.
– A U.S. F-35 made an emergency landing at an undisclosed Middle East base after a combat mission over Iran; the pilot was reported in stable condition. U.S. military sources indicated the jet may have been hit, which, if confirmed, would be the first successful Iranian attack on a U.S. aircraft since the conflict started.
Diplomacy and international responses
– Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Kyodo News Iran had not closed the Strait of Hormuz and said Tehran was willing to help Japanese ships transit safely. Japan depends heavily on Gulf oil and began releasing strategic reserves; Tokyo also discussed a joint crude stockpiling venture with the U.S.
– Iran’s foreign minister accused British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “putting British lives in danger” by allowing U.S. use of U.K. bases for strikes on Iranian missile sites. Britain defended its decision as aimed at degrading missile capabilities used to attack shipping and reiterated it wanted to avoid being drawn into the wider war.
– Russia summoned Israel’s ambassador over a strike in Lebanon that injured a pro-Kremlin RT news crew and condemned what Moscow called U.S.-Israeli “unprovoked aggression.” NATO pulled its advisory mission out of Iraq and relocated personnel to Europe after Iranian attacks on allied bases in northern Iraq.
– Sri Lanka denied U.S. requests to station two warplanes at a civilian airport, saying it was maintaining neutrality. Several nations signaled caution in providing basing or direct military involvement.
Sanctions, oil and economic impacts
– The U.S. Treasury temporarily authorized purchase of Iranian oil already at sea if loaded by a specified cutoff, exempting buyers from some sanctions through April 19 in an effort to tamp down global oil prices. The move marks a break with the administration’s prior “maximum pressure” sanctions strategy.
– The Trump administration is pursuing multiple measures to counter rising fuel costs, including tapping strategic reserves and easing regulations. Still, Brent crude rose sharply since the conflict began, and experts said reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be the most effective way to lower prices.
– United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told employees the carrier was preparing for jet fuel prices to reach as high as $175 a barrel and possibly remain above $100 through 2027, warning of existential threats to airlines if high fuel prices persist.
– U.S. gasoline prices climbed toward $4 a gallon, and rising fuel costs are pushing up freight and consumer goods prices across supply chains.
Security, arrests and internal threats
– Authorities in Scotland arrested an Iranian man and a woman after they tried to enter HM Naval Base Clyde, home to Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines. London also reported arrests related to suspected spying for Iran in the capital.
– An Israeli reservist serving in an Iron Dome unit was arrested on suspicion of selling sensitive security information to Iranian contacts.
– Former Iran detainees warned that Americans believed to be held in Iranian prisons face heightened danger as the conflict intensifies.
Leadership, rhetoric and threats
– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran’s leadership structure was “not clear” after targeted killings of senior figures and suggested the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, lacked the influence of his father. Iran’s new supreme leader issued statements praising public resilience and accusing “the enemy” of miscalculating.
– Iran threatened to target recreational and tourist sites worldwide and insisted it continued missile production despite the war.
– President Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. was “getting very close to meeting our objectives” and said the country was considering “winding down” military efforts once objectives—preventing Iranian nuclear capability, degrading missile and naval capacities—were met. He also criticized NATO allies on social media, calling them “COWARDS” for not sending forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and told reporters the U.S. “doesn’t need” the strait.
Humanitarian and operational notes
– Millions in Israel and across neighboring areas have been affected by air-raid alerts and sheltering. Emergency responders reported injuries from debris and strikes in multiple locations.
– Iran’s attacks on South Pars, the Iranian portion of the world’s largest gas field, threatened domestic electricity and gas supplies; Iran said it continued producing and stockpiling missiles even under war conditions.
Ongoing coverage
The situation remains fluid with new strikes, diplomatic moves and military preparations announced daily. U.S. and allied forces continue repositioning assets in the region while policymakers debate options ranging from special operations to larger troop deployments, and leaders weigh economic steps to blunt the conflict’s impact on global energy markets.