Overview
- The president said the U.S. is very close to meeting five stated goals that target Iran’s missiles, defense industry, navy and air force, nuclear ambitions, and threats to regional allies.
- Even as he floated a wind-down, officials said three amphibious ships and about 2,500 additional Marines are deploying to the Middle East, joining more than 50,000 U.S. troops already in the region, with the administration preparing to seek roughly $200 billion for the war effort according to reports.
- U.S. Central Command and the Pentagon reported thousands of Iranian targets struck under Operation Epic Fury and said more than 120 Iranian naval vessels have been damaged or sunk.
- Trump rejected calls for a ceasefire, while Israel’s defense minister said attacks on Iranian targets will intensify in the coming week.
- Iran continued retaliatory actions, including reported intermediate‑range missile launches toward the Diego Garcia base and a Nowruz message claiming the enemy was defeated, as the U.S. temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded on tankers through April 19 to help stabilize prices.