airstrikes Archives

Pentagon runs through Yemen strike munitions with limited success: Report

April 4, 2025
- President Donald Trump praised U.S. airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthis, claiming significant success, but according to The New York Times, Pentagon officials privately told Congress that the mission had only limited success. Military officials revealed they’ve used $200 million in munitions in just three weeks.
- A Pentagon official countered, stating the mission is “on track.”
- The airstrikes are part of an investigation involving top officials who accidentally shared sensitive information about the bombings in a group chat.
Full Story

President Donald Trump praised the U.S. military for carrying out airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis, but Pentagon and military officials are telling Congress a different story about the success of the mission.

On Monday, March 31, Trump posted to Truth Social.

“The Iran-backed Houthi terrorists have been decimated by the relentless strikes over the past two weeks,” Trump wrote. “Many of their fighters and leaders are no longer with us. We hit them every day and night — harder and harder.”

However, The New York Times reported military officials admitted to only having limited success in destroying the Houthi’s extensive arsenal of missiles and drones in recent closed-door briefings.

Officials also revealed the strikes are much more intense than those under the Biden administration and larger than the Defense Department publicly stated.

How much has been spent on the airstrike effort?

According to the Times, one U.S. official said they may need to request more funds from Congress soon after using $200 million worth of munitions in just three weeks, with the total cost likely reaching over $1 billion by next week.

However, a senior Pentagon official is countering the claims about a lack of success, telling the Times they are “on track.”

The Pentagon hasn’t given an official update on the attacks since March 17 when it reported more than 30 Houthi targets were hit.

On March 24, a spokesperson for the military’s Central Command said the strikes destroyed command and control facilities, air defense systems, weapons manufacturing facilities and advanced weapons storage.

Why is a group chat about the Yemen strikes being investigated?

The strikes are also at the center of an investigation involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other high ranking officials, who shared information in a Signal group chat about the initial bombings in Yemen March 15, before the pilots were airborne.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz created the group. Waltz said he takes full responsibility for the situation and claimed the Atlantic journalist’s number was mistakenly added under someone else’s contact name.

Top officials, including C.I.A. Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, said the information shared in those messages was not classified.
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Calls for Hegseth resignation grow, top Republican wants probe

March 26, 2025
- Calls for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign are growing after he shared operational details of a military strike in a group chat that included a reporter. The group chat on the encrypted app Signal included top cabinet officials who were discussing an attack against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- Democrats, including Sen. Mark Kelly, argue that this security lapse puts military members in danger, while Republicans acknowledge the mistake but do not believe it warrants resignation.
- National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that no classified information was shared. However, many Congressional Democrats disagree, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal emphasizing the importance of classifying such sensitive information.
Full Story

The calls for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign are growing after it was revealed he shared the exact time, aircraft type and other operational details of a military strike in a group chat that included a reporter.

“This is the evidence that he should have never had this job, and he should resign from this job or be fired,” Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., told reporters. “He is not up to this.”

What was the group chat?

The group chat in the encrypted app Signal was among top cabinet officials, including the vice president, secretary of state and national security adviser. They were debating the foreign policy and political implications of an attack against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Reporter Jeffrey Goldberg was added inadvertently and released the messages.

Democrats, including former Navy combat pilot Mark Kelly, said this type of security lapse puts military members in danger.

“The Houthis know where the ship is if you know ahead of time that you’ve got this strike package coming your way, and you have an idea about where they might be going,” Kelly said. “That was also in there, by the way, not with latitude and longitude, but maybe enough information that makes it easier for the enemy, the surface-to-air missile operators to shoot down an airplane”.

Republicans admit they made a mistake. However, they contend that it’s not serious enough for those involved to lose their jobs.

“I believe all the participants in the chat were under the impression they were using an appropriate and secure form of communication. This will also fall into the category of ‘lessons learned,’” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in a statement.

When asked if Hegseth should remain on the job, Graham said yes.

How has the White House responded?

The White House is calling the story a hoax and denying the content of the conversation, despite the messages being released.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz posted on X, stating, “No locations. No sources & methods. NO WAR PLANS.”

No locations.

No sources & methods.

NO WAR PLANS.

Foreign partners had already been notified that strikes were imminent.

BOTTOM LINE: President Trump is protecting America and our interests.
— Mike Waltz (@MikeWaltz47) March 26, 2025

The messages show that Secretary Hegseth disclosed the exact time and sequence of the strikes. He also revealed the exact aircraft that would be used and the exact missile type that would be fired from Naval vessels.

Hegseth wrote, F-18s would take off at 12:15 Eastern time as part of an initial strike, followed by more F-18s at 2:10, drones at 2:15 and tomahawks at 3:36.

Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic

He closed by writing, “We are currently clean on OPSEC,” which is the acronym for operational security.

“I mean, what’s the objection here, exactly? Is it that they were conversing using a group text, or is it that somebody added a reporter? I mean, adding a reporter, you know, not a great idea, but my understanding is that multiple administrations use group texts and other forms of group communication,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said.

What did officials say during testimony?

In testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reiterated that there was no classified information on the chain.

“No classified information was shared. There were no sources, methods, locations or war plans that were shared,” Gabbard stated.

Many Congressional Democrats disagree.

“If this information doesn’t deserve classification, then the classification means nothing,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said. “There is no information more deserving of classification than this kind of top secret advance word about a military mission of high danger.”

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said he will ask the Trump administration for an inspector general investigation into the matter.
Related Stories
The Atlantic publishes more US military messages, intelligence leaders testify

March 26, 2025
- The Atlantic published details of a group chat among top cabinet members discussing a planned airstrike on Houthi targets in Yemen, including specific timelines for F-18 and drone strikes. The Atlantic defended its publication, citing public interest in revealing the information.
- Administration officials testified that the details were not classified, leading to criticism from Democrats who viewed it as an attempt to downplay the breach’s severity.
- The White House criticized the Atlantic’s reporting, accusing the magazine of sensationalism and labeling the story a “hoax.”
Full Story

On Wednesday, March 26, The Atlantic published more messages from a group chat among top cabinet members, inadvertently including the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.

The newly released messages discussed details of plans to bomb Yemen.

The publication initially withheld details of the strike plans, saying the information was sensitive.

But at a Senate panel hearing on Tuesday, March 25, several administration officials said the information was not classified, which Democrats criticized as an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the breach.
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
- Jeffery Goldberg/The Atlantic
What information did the messages include?

According to the Atlantic, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared the plans for conducting an airstrike on Houthi targets in Yemen in great detail.
- “1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package)”
- “1345: ‘Trigger Based’ F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME – also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s)”
- “1410: More F-18s LAUNCH (2nd strike package)”
- “1415: Strike Drones on Target (THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP, pending earlier ‘Trigger Based’ targets)”
- “1536 F-18 2nd Strike Starts – also, first sea-based Tomahawks launched.”
Hegseth then messaged, “God speed to our warriors,” with Vice President JD Vance responding, “I will say a prayer for victory.”

When were the messages sent?

According to the Atlantic, they received that information two hours before the scheduled start of the bombing of Houthi positions.

“If this information — particularly the exact times American aircraft were taking off for Yemen — had fallen into the wrong hands in that crucial two-hour period, American pilots and other American personnel could have been exposed to even greater danger than they ordinarily would face,” Goldberg and fellow Atlantic journalist Shane Harris wrote Wednesday.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz later texted to confirm that the target was in a building that collapsed and the strike was successful.

What has President Trump said about the release?

President Donald Trump commented on the Atlantic’s latest publication Wednesday during an appearance on “The Vince Show” with Vince Coglianese.

“There weren’t details, and there was nothing in there that compromised. And it had no impact on the attack, which was very successful,” Trump said.

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, calling the information in the group chat “candid” and “sensitive” but not classified.

Hegseth, President Trump and other officials have called out the Atlantic and Goldberg for the publishing of the messages.

“They write stories, it’s such a disgrace there are plenty of others but Goldberg’s a loser,” Trump told Newsmax Tuesday. “His magazine’s a big loser.”

In a statement Wednesday, the Atlantic said it wanted to make the texts public so that people could see them for themselves, saying the White House opposed its publishing of the information.

“There is a clear public interest in disclosing the sort of information that Trump advisers included in nonsecure communications channels, especially because senior administration figures are attempting to downplay the significance of the messages that were shared.”
Statement from the Atlantic

How did the White House respond?

In a Wednesday morning social media post, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted the Atlantic headline called the signal messages an “attack plan” rather than a “war plan” and then criticized Goldberg directly.

“The Atlantic has conceded: these were not ‘war plans.’ This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin,” Leavitt wrote.

The Atlantic has conceded: these were NOT “war plans.”

This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin. pic.twitter.com/atGrDd2ymr
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 26, 2025

Goldberg said on Wednesday the magazine decided to redact a sensitive piece of information out of their follow-up article.

What is Signal?

The officials used the Signal app for messaging on the strike. The app employs end-to-end encryption to prevent any third party from viewing conversation content or listening in on calls.”

Now, there are questions about using Signal to discuss sensitive military operations, including its level of security against hackers.
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CIA director denies classified info was on Houthi strike group chat

March 25, 2025
- The director of National Intelligence and CIA director both denied classified information was disclosed in a group chat among Trump cabinet members. The group used the encrypted app Signal to discuss plans for air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- A journalist publicized the group chat and the disclosure of sensitive military plans after he was inadvertently added to the chat.
- President Donald Trump said he is standing by his National Security adviser despite the security breach.
Full Story

The director of National Intelligence and the CIA director both denied on Tuesday, March 25, that classified information was shared in a group chat. In the group chat, members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet discussed plans for an air strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The chat took place on the encrypted messaging app Signal. It was only made public after a journalist was inadvertently added.

What did officials say at the hearing?

“Secretary Hegseth put into this group text a detailed operation plan including targets, the weapons we were going to be using, attack sequences and timing. And yet, you’ve testified that nothing in that chain was classified. Wouldn’t that be classified?” Sen. Angus King, I-Maine said at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. “What if that had been made public that morning before the attack took place?”

“Senator, I can attest to the fact that there were no classified or intelligence equities that were included in that chat group at any time,” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard replied.

“So the attack sequencing and timing and weapons and targets you don’t consider to should have been classified?” King asked.

“I defer to the secretary of Defense and the National Security Council on that question,” Gabbard answered.

“Well, you’re the head of the intelligence community. You’re supposed to know about classifications,” King said.

.@SenAngusKing: "So the attack sequencing and timing and weapons and targets you don't consider to have been classified?"

DNI Gabbard: "I defer to the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council…"

King: "You're the head of the intelligence community." pic.twitter.com/R59vbevaSx
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 25, 2025

CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated, “My communications to be clear, in the Signal message group, were entirely permissible and lawful and did not include classified information.”

Once the nation’s top intelligence officials repeatedly put themselves on the record as saying there was no classified information, Senators started asking for the messages to be released.

“If there was no classified material, share it with the committee. You can’t have it both ways. These are important jobs. This is our national security,” Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va, said.

.@DNIGabbard: "There was no classified material that was shared in that Signal chat."

Sen. @MarkWarner: "If there was no classified material share it with the committee. You can't have it both ways. These are important jobs. This is our national security." pic.twitter.com/E4y43cSRPE
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 25, 2025

What is Signal?

Signal is a free application for messages and calls. The company describes its product as state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption.

“We can’t read your messages or listen to your calls, and no one else can either. Privacy isn’t an optional mode — it’s just the way that Signal works,” the company states on its website.

The CIA director indicated the use of the app is standard practice.

Ratcliffe stated CIA officials loaded the Signal app onto his computer when he was first confirmed as director. He said this happens to most CIA officers. He added the CIA records management office told him Signal is permissible for work use and that the practice goes back to the Biden administration.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends that “highly targeted individuals” use end-to-end encryption for mobile communications.

The guidance states, “Adopt a free messaging application for secure communications that guarantees end-to-end encryption, such as Signal or similar apps.”

However, it is not clear if planning for a military strike and sharing details of the operation fall under standard mobile communications being referenced in the guidance.

Multiple outlets are reporting Trump decided National Security Adviser Mike Waltz will not lose his job because of the incident.

“Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man,” Trump told NBC news.
Related Stories
- Defense Sec. Hegseth shared military plans in group chat, calls for investigation
- Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira pleads guilty, appeals to Trump for leniency
US continues deadly strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen

March 25, 2025
- The U.S. conducted more airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen Monday night and into Tuesday morning. The group said the attacks killed at least two people and wounded more than a dozen others.
- The strikes are part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to target the rebel group while putting pressure on Iran.
- Iranian officials deny supporting Houthis.
Full story

U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels struck locations throughout Yemen from Monday night, March 24, into Tuesday morning, March 25.

The Iran-backed militant group said one attack in the capital killed at least two people and left more than a dozen others wounded.

This marks the 10th day of American strikes on the rebels.

The strikes are part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to target the rebel group while putting pressure on Iran. Iranian officials have denied supporting Houthis.

The Houthis have launched attacks against U.S. and Israeli ships in the Red Sea as a show of support for Hamas since the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel in October of 2023.

Reports indicated the Houthis have more than 100 commercial and military ships in the region, including the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Related Stories
Second US carrier deployed to Red Sea, Trump expands fight against Houthis

March 24, 2025
- U.S. forces launched airstrikes and deployed dual aircraft carriers to counter Houthi rebel threats to shipping routes and regional security. The campaign aims to degrade the group’s capabilities.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Carl Vinson to join the USS Harry S. Truman.
- President Donald Trump granted U.S. Central Command broader authority for offensive operations.
Full Story

The U.S. military has escalated operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, extending a campaign of airstrikes that entered its tenth straight day.

The latest response included deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region, signaling a significant shift in U.S. military posture away from the Indo-Pacific and toward the Red Sea.

The decision followed renewed Houthi threats to attack shipping routes and fire missiles at Israel.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Carl Vinson to leave the Pacific and join the USS Harry S. Truman in the Middle East. The U.S. Navy has committed two strike groups to the region, marking its second dual-carrier deployment within six months.

What triggered the recent US air campaign?

The airstrikes began on March 15 after the Houthis said they would resume attacks on vessels linked to Israel over the Gaza blockade.

Since September 2023, U.S. officials said the group has launched more than 100 drones and missiles at commercial ships. The attacks sunk two vessels and killed four sailors.

U.S. officials said the attacks jeopardize international shipping and regional security.

The Red Sea is one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, and Houthi actions have raised insurance rates and threatened global supply chains.

Where are the airstrikes taking place?

American forces have targeted locations across Yemen, including Sanaa, Saada, Hodeida and Marib. Houthi officials said a strike in the capital killed one person and injured 13 others.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said the military struck command centers, communication sites, weapons factories and drone production facilities. The Houthis have not verified the extent of the damage.

The Pentagon has not released full details on the number of strikes or their targets, but officials said the campaign aims to degrade the group’s ability to carry out further attacks.

What does the carrier deployment mean?

The USS Carl Vinson was operating in the Pacific and had been preparing to return to its homeport in San Diego. The U.S. Navy will extend the USS Vinson deployment by three months, joining forces with the USS Harry S. Truman, which will stay in the region for another month.

Together, the dual-carrier presence offers commanders additional strike capability and serves as a signal to Iran, the Houthis’ main backer. The U.S. has used similar shows of force in the past to deter threats from Tehran and its regional proxies.

How has the policy shifted under Trump?

President Donald Trump has given U.S. Central Command broader authority to conduct offensive operations without waiting for White House approval. That marks a departure from the Biden administration, which required presidential sign-off for offensive strikes. The Biden-era policy permitted defensive action but emphasized restraint.

Trump vowed to annihilate the Houthis completely and hold Iran accountable for their actions. A Pentagon spokesperson said the current operation is not “an endless offensive,” but the scope and duration remain unclear.
Lebanese, Israeli ceasefire at risk following cross-border rocket exchanges

March 22, 2025
- A truce between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah is at risk of falling apart after a series of rocket strikes targeted the Israeli border town of Metula on Saturday. However, Hezbollah has denied any connection to the attack, saying it remains committed to Lebanon’s ceasefire agreement with Israel.
- In response to the rocket fire, Israel launched a counteroffensive that killed two and wounded eight.
- The latest breakdown comes after Israel effectively abandoned its other ceasefire agreement with Hamas when it launched overnight airstrikes earlier this week, killing 400 people.
Full Story

A truce between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah is at risk of falling apart after Israel said Saturday, March 22, that it had intercepted rockets fired into its territory and retaliated in kind. However, Hezbollah said it stands by Lebanon’s ceasefire with the Israeli military, and that it had “no link” to the rockets that were fired across the border.

Hezbollah said that Israel blaming it for the airstrikes is “merely pretexts to justify its ongoing aggression against Lebanon, which has not stopped since the announcement of the ceasefire.”

Israel said it is still looking into who was behind the six rockets, as no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Three of those were intercepted as they entered Israeli airspace. According to Lebanon’s news agency NAA, two people were killed and eight wounded when Israel launched its counteroffensive Saturday.

The state of Israeli ceasefire agreements

Israel has been involved in two ceasefire agreements since the start of its war in Gaza, which kicked off shortly after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. One of those ceasefire agreements is with Hamas itself and came to fruition in January, while the other, brokered in November, is with Lebanon and Hezbollah, a Hamas ally. Hezbollah began attacking Israel with rockets and artillery on Oct. 8, 2023.

Israel effectively abandoned its ceasefire with Hamas when it launched overnight airstrikes into Gaza Tuesday, March 18, killing 400 people. In the days since, Israel has killed nearly 200 more, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Israel and Lebanon’s prime ministers speak out

Saturday’s rocket launches, fired from a Lebanese district that sits roughly four miles from the northern Israeli town of Metula, marked the second cross-border attack from the Lebanese side since the November ceasefire was signed. Israeli artillery reportedly targeted the Lebanese village of Yohmor and the al-Hamames hills, across the border from Metula. Israel has also launched hundreds of airstrikes into Lebanon throughout the ceasefire.

In a statement following the attempted airstrikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to “act forcefully against dozens of terror targets in Lebanon,” while Israel’s military separately claimed to have hit dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and one of the group’s command outposts.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reiterated that his government, rather than Hezbollah, is in control of the situation, saying, “All security and military measures must be taken to show that Lebanon decides on matters of war and peace.”

Terms of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon called for the removal of all weapons owned and operated by Hezbollah in the country’s south, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli ground troops and the deployment of Lebanese forces. However, each side has accused the other of failing to uphold its end of the agreement.

Responding to Saturday’s aggressions, the United Nations Lebanon branch, UNIFIL, released a statement saying, “Any further escalation of this volatile situation could have serious consequences for the region.”
Related Stories
Houthis claim two attacks on US ships off Yemen coast in 24 hours

March 17, 2025
- Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missiles and drones at U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea, but U.S. defenses intercepted the attacks. The strikes were in response to U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets.
- The U.S. aims to weaken Houthi military capabilities after months of attacks on Red Sea shipping routes.
- Dozens of Houthi military sites were targeted, including missile launchers and air defense systems.
Full Story

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed to have launched a missile and drone attack against U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea on Sunday, March 16. The attacks came a day after President Donald Trump ordered large-scale airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

The Houthis said they fired 18 ballistic missiles and a drone at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier group in two separate attacks over 24 hours. The group called the strike an effort to “thwart a hostile attack the enemy was preparing to launch against our country.”

However, a U.S. official told ABC News that none of the missiles or drones came close to hitting American vessels. According to the official, the Houthis launched 11 drones and one ballistic missile.

U.S. Air Force fighter jets intercepted 10 drones, while a Navy F/A-18 shot down one more. The missile fell into the water, far from U.S. naval forces.

Why did the US launch airstrikes in Yemen?

The U.S. strikes on Saturday, March 15, were part of an ongoing effort to weaken the Houthis’ military capabilities after months of attacks on Red Sea shipping routes. The group has repeatedly targeted commercial and military vessels in the region, citing support for Palestinians in Gaza.

Trump vowed to use “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis ceased their operations. In a social media post, he stated, “They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones.”

What was the impact of the US airstrikes?

The March 15 airstrikes targeted dozens of Houthi military sites, including missile launchers, radars and air defense systems. The Yemeni Health Ministry, controlled by the Houthis, reported 53 people killed and 98 injured.

Witnesses described powerful explosions that shook buildings, with Houthi media circulating images of civilians, including children, receiving medical treatment.

U.S. officials framed the strikes as the start of a broader effort to degrade the Houthis’ military capabilities.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz told ABC’s “This Week” that the operation “targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out.” He also said the strikes sent a message to Iran, which the U.S. accuses of arming and funding the group.

What are the broader implications?

The escalation has raised concerns about regional stability, particularly given Iran’s backing of the Houthis.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard denied involvement, saying Iran “plays no role in setting the national or operational policies” of the Houthis. However, the U.S. has repeatedly accused Tehran of supplying advanced weaponry, including drones and missiles.

The United Nations urged both sides to de-escalate, warning that continued military action could further destabilize global shipping and worsen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.

The Houthis vowed to “meet escalation with escalation” and called for protests against U.S. actions. Meanwhile, the U.S. has signaled its willingness to continue military operations as regional tensions continue to rise.
Trump orders Iran to be ‘obliterated’ if he’s assassinated, renews sanctions

February 5, 2025
- President Donald Trump warned Iran of a “massive retaliatory strike” if they attempt to assassinate him. Trump issued the warning while signing an executive order reimposing sanctions on Iran.
- The sanctions revive Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, amid ongoing threats against Trump and former administration officials.
- Trump expressed willingness to pursue diplomatic talks with Iran, seeking a “verified nuclear peace agreement” and calling for immediate negotiations.
Full Story

President Donald Trump said he has issued orders for the U.S. military to launch a massive retaliatory strike on Iran if he is assassinated. Speaking at the White House while signing an executive order to reimpose sanctions on Tehran, Trump warned that Iran “would be obliterated” if it carried out an attack against him.

“If they did that, they would be obliterated,” Trump said. “That would be the end. I’ve left instructions. If they do it, they get obliterated. There won’t be anything left, and they shouldn’t be able to do it. And Biden should have said that, but he never did. I don’t know why. Lack of intelligence, perhaps.”

Sanctions reimposed on Iran

The executive order restores elements of Trump’s previous “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, reimplementing sanctions lifted under past agreements. The move follows ongoing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and its activities in the Middle East.

U.S. officials have tracked Iranian threats against Trump and other former administration officials for years. Some of those officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, had their government security details revoked after Trump returned to office.

Iranian threats and past tensions

The Justice Department previously charged an Afghan national, Farhad Shakeri, with allegedly conspiring with Iran to assassinate Trump before the 2024 presidential election. Shakeri remains at large in Iran, according to U.S. authorities.

Iran has long vowed retaliation for the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike ordered by Trump. Iranian authorities have sought criminal charges against Trump, Pompeo and former CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie over the operation.

Trump suggests diplomatic talks still possible

While promising harsh consequences for any attempt on his life, Trump also signaled openness to negotiations with Tehran.

“The Iran situation, hopefully … I’m going to sign it, but hopefully we’re not going to have to use it very much,” he said. “We will see whether or not we can arrange or work out a deal with Iran and everybody can live together, and maybe that’s possible and maybe it’s not possible. So I’m signing this, and I’m unhappy to do it, but I really have not so much choice because we have to be strong and firm. And I hope that it’s not going to have to be used in any great measure at all.”

Iran rejects US sanctions and military threats

Iran dismissed Trump’s comments. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the policy a “failed experiment” and stated that the reimposition of sanctions would “end in failure,” as it did during Trump’s first term.

Despite escalating tensions, Trump later denied reports that the U.S. and Israel were planning a military strike on Iran, saying he preferred to negotiate a new nuclear deal instead.

Trump calls for new nuclear agreement

Trump posted on Truth Social expressing his desire for a “verified nuclear peace agreement” and urged immediate talks with Iran.

“I want Iran to be a great and successful Country, but one that cannot have a Nuclear Weapon. Reports that the United States, working in conjunction with Israel, is going to blow Iran into smithereens, ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED.”

The statement followed a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring Tehran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

Iran expresses concerns over Israel’s role in negotiations

Iran’s foreign minister maintained that “maximum pressure” had failed before and would fail again.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian downplayed the impact of sanctions, calling Iran a “powerful, resource-rich country” that could navigate economic challenges.
Trump orders airstrikes on ISIS in Somalia, targets senior leader

February 2, 2025
The U.S. military carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Somalia, marking the first such operation under President Donald Trump’s second term. The strikes, which targeted a senior ISIS attack planner and other operatives in the Golis Mountains, were confirmed by the Pentagon on Saturday. Feb. 1.

Trump announces strikes, criticizes Biden

Trump announced the airstrikes in a post on Truth Social, claiming that the militants were “hiding in caves” and had posed a threat to the United States and its allies.

“The strikes destroyed the caves they live in and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians,” Trump wrote.

He criticized the previous administration, stating, “Our military has targeted this ISIS attack planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did!”

The president concluded his statement with a warning to terrorist organizations: “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!”

Pentagon confirms multiple ISIS fighters killed

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that multiple ISIS operatives were killed in the attack and that no civilians were harmed.

“This sends a clear signal that the United States always stands ready to find and eliminate terrorists who threaten the United States and our allies,” Hegseth said in a statement.

Puntland engaged in Its own anti-ISIS operation

AP

The airstrikes come as Puntland’s regional government continues its military operation against ISIS in northern Somalia. A Puntland official stated that their forces have been in a low-intensity conflict with ISIS-Somalia for nearly a decade and have cleared more than 200 kilometers of territory from jihadist control.

Following the strikes, Puntland officials publicly thanked both the United States and the United Arab Emirates for their military support.

Somali president responds to U.S. airstrikes

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was informed of the U.S. operation and expressed appreciation for America’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

His office released a statement on X, acknowledging the “unwavering support of the United States in the fight against international terrorism” and welcoming continued military cooperation.

Targeting ISIS leader Abdulqadir Mumin

Following the airstrikes, U.S. officials stated that the target included Abdulqadir Mumin, a leader within ISIS-Somalia.

Some reports have suggested that Mumin had quietly risen to a senior leadership role within ISIS’s global network, but experts have expressed doubt that he held such a high-ranking position. It remains unclear whether he was killed in the attack.

Trump’s airstrike strategy in Somalia

Trump has long favored airstrikes over ground troop deployments in Somalia. In 2020, he withdrew U.S. troops from the country, opting instead to rely on targeted airstrikes to combat jihadist organizations.

Just one day before the strikes, Somali President Mohamud urged Trump to keep U.S. military advisers in the country to continue training Somalia’s special forces.

ISIS-Somalia: A persistent threat

ISIS-Somalia, which splintered from al-Shabaab in 2015, is estimated to have between 300 and 700 active fighters, with roughly half being foreign combatants. Despite continuous military pressure from Puntland, the U.S., and Somali forces, the group remains a security threat in the region.

Trump vows continued action against ISIS

Trump has made it clear that his administration will continue taking aggressive action against ISIS and other terrorist groups.

“Our Military is stronger than ever, and we will not hesitate to act,” Trump said in his statement. “Anyone who threatens America will pay the ultimate price.”
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