1world◈The Iran war7d · #1

Trump Threatens to Bomb Iranian Bridges and Power Plants for Every Ship Hit in Strait of Hormuz

Each attack on a vessel would trigger a strike on an Iranian bridge or power plant, including in Tehran, the president said Wednesday.

The Strait of Hormuz accounts for 20% of global oil transit and 30% of seaborne-traded oil, making it a critical chokepoint for the world’s energy supply. Trump's vow to target Iranian bridges and power plants marks a doctrinal escalation from recent limited strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites by the U.S. and Israel, particularly following the recent attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Amazon's central data hub in Bahrain.

ContextThe Strait of Hormuz accounts for 20% of global oil transit and 30% of seaborne-traded oil, making it a critical chokepoint for the world’s energy supply. Trump's vow to target Iranian bridges and power plants marks a doctrinal escalation from recent limited strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites by the U.S. and Israel, particularly following the recent attack by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Amazon's central data hub in Bahrain.

THE HILL5 sources

2us◀▶contested◈The Iran war7d · #1

House passes $1.15T defense bill on razor-thin 216-212 vote as Iran war spending surges

Six Democrats cross the aisle; a provision expanding U.S.-Israel defense tech cooperation sparks floor chaos and accusations of stoking hatred

Democrats who voted yes: Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) — broke with party despite vocal opposition to the Iran war authorization Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) — cited constituent defense-industry jobs in her swing district Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) — sided with GOP on the Israel tech-sharing provision

ContextThe FY2027 NDAA's $1.15 trillion base is $50 billion above the previous year's authorization of $1.1 trillion, with an additional $95 billion earmarked for the Iran war, totaling over $1.2 trillion in nominal defense outlays. Peak Cold War defense spending was about $650 billion adjusted for inflation. The last defense bill passed by a single-digit margin was in 2014 with a 219-206 vote, but this one is narrower, more expensive, and tied to an ongoing military conflict.

AP6 sources

3us◈The Iran war7d · #1

Trump Attends Third Wartime Dignified Transfer as Iran War Criticism Mounts

Four service members killed in Jordan and Iraq returned home at Dover as the president faces growing backlash over the conflict

Key details: Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) publicly attacked Trump over the war, calling a post honoring fallen service members 'stupid' — a rare break from one of his most vocal allies Latest combat deaths show the risk front has shifted to troops stationed far from Iran's borders, tasked with defending forward bases from incoming strikes Trump personally arranged for Lt. Feehan's grieving family to fly on Air Force One from Dover to Georgia for a tribute at the soldier's high school

ContextTrump's predecessors, Bush and Obama, attended Dover transfer ceremonies selectively, with three presidential appearances in a single conflict being unusual. The war with Iran, which has been ongoing since 2025, has lost public support as casualties rise, with four service members recently killed in action in Jordan and Iraq.

AP7 sources

4world◈The Iran war7d · #1

Pentagon brings Iran war briefing to the House as regional conflict escalates

Bipartisan group of House members briefed on Iran war operations amid escalating tensions in the region

Congress has not authorized military force against Iran, relying instead on the 2001 AUMF, passed 22 years ago. The last comparable briefing on a Middle East campaign occurred during the early phases of operations against ISIS in August 2014. This means the U.S. is conducting military operations without a fresh congressional vote, with costs and potential casualties borne without legislative input.

ContextCongress has not authorized military force against Iran, relying instead on the 2001 AUMF, passed 22 years ago. The last comparable briefing on a Middle East campaign occurred during the early phases of operations against ISIS in August 2014. This means the U.S. is conducting military operations without a fresh congressional vote, with costs and potential casualties borne without legislative input.

THE HILL1 source