On February 28, 2026, Trump and Israel launched strikes on Iran without a declaration of war from Congress and without the kind of congressional authorization that the War Powers Act requires. Twenty-seven days later: 13 US service members are dead. More than 1,750 Iranians have been killed, according to Iran's deputy permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization — including at least 217 children and 1,167 Iranian military personnel. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have killed 1,116 people and wounded 3,229 since March 2, including 121 children and 42 health workers. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to US-aligned ships. Oil hit $110 a barrel. Wall Street on Thursday suffered its worst single-session decline since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump, today, extended his deadline for Iran to capitulate — for the second time in a week.
Russia Is Providing Iran Intelligence on US Positions.
Britain's defense chief stated publicly, citing UK intelligence, that Russia has not only provided Iran with intelligence about US military positions in the Middle East but also provided training before the war began — describing "the hidden hand of Putin" behind Iran's war effort. Multiple sources including a senior US official with direct knowledge told CBS News, just six days into the war, that Russia was providing real-time intelligence to Iran about US positions in the region. That information surfaced days after six US service members were killed in an Iranian strike on an installation in Kuwait. This is the same Vladimir Putin that Trump has spent his entire political career defending. Trump has responded to news of Russian intelligence assistance to Iran with silence. He has not sanctioned Russia. He has not condemned Putin. He extended the deadline for Iran.
At a Cabinet meeting, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said the US had presented Iran with a 15-point peace proposal. Trump said he was not "desperate" to make a deal. He then teased that seizing Iran's oil is "an option" but said "I mean, I wouldn't talk about it." He then talked about it.
The Pentagon Is Planning a Ground Invasion.
Axios reports the Pentagon is developing military options for what officials are calling a "final blow" against Iran. One plan would see the US invade or blockade Kharg Island — Iran's main oil export terminal. Another plan would send US ground forces deep into Iran's interior to seize highly enriched uranium buried inside nuclear facilities. Iran's ground forces commander responded: "Every inch of Iranian territory is being protected with the vigilance and readiness of our forces. All enemy movements along the borders are closely monitored and we are prepared for any scenario." Iran has issued a broad warning that hotels and civilian facilities housing US military personnel anywhere in the Middle East — including in Syria, Lebanon, Djibouti, Bahrain, and the UAE — could be considered "legitimate defensive targets."
Congress Has Done Almost Nothing.
The House Democratic leadership delayed a vote on a War Powers Resolution — a bill that would have put Congress on record about the legality of the war — until at least mid-April. Reporter Ryan Grim reported that House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks delayed the vote specifically because it might pass. Grim wrote that some Democrats "secretly want this war to continue because it hurts Trump." A War Powers Resolution that might actually pass is being deliberately slow-walked while 13 Americans are dead and the Pentagon plans a ground invasion. Meanwhile, a younger generation at the Conservative Political Action Conference is openly breaking with Trump over the Iran war — telling the Associated Press they feel "disappointed and even betrayed." Oil trading surged in the minutes before Trump publicly claimed "productive talks" with Iran — a timeline that has prompted questions about who knew what and when.
Nine Million Americans Plan to Protest Saturday.
The "No Kings" protest movement — organized in response to the Iran war and the broader authoritarian drift of the administration — has drawn signups from more than 9 million Americans planning to demonstrate this Saturday. Bruce Springsteen, who plans to perform "Streets of Minneapolis" at the New York demonstration, said protesters are coming to defend "American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution." The song's title is a direct reference to the two Americans killed by ICE in Minneapolis — the deaths that triggered the DHS shutdown and the Senate's refusal to fund ICE without reforms. Every crisis this administration has created is bleeding into every other crisis.
This post distinguishes between documented facts, allegations, and analysis. Where motive, intent, corruption, or illegality remains disputed in the public record, the text attributes that judgment to court findings, official records, direct quotes, or the reporting linked below.
- CBS News: Trump extends deadline to April 6; Witkoff 15-point peace proposal; Russia providing intelligence confirmed by senior US official; 6 service members killed in Kuwait strike.
- CNN: 1,750+ Iranians killed; 217 children dead; 1,116 killed in Lebanon; 13 US service members killed; Strait of Hormuz closed to US-aligned ships; Wall Street worst day since COVID pandemic.
- Democracy Now! headlines: Pentagon "final blow" ground invasion plans including Kharg Island and nuclear facility seizure; House War Powers vote delayed; 9 million "No Kings" signups; oil trading surge before Trump "productive talks" announcement.
- Al Jazeera live: Iranian missiles targeting Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan; Israel strikes on Arak heavy water reactor; Israel defense minister vows no let-up despite diplomatic push.
- Times of Israel: UK defense chief cites "hidden hand of Putin"; Russia providing training before war began; Iran hotels warning to Middle East facilities housing US forces.