The Washington Post

WaPo Report: Senior officials in the U.S. defense establishment warned War Secretary Pete Hegseth that expanding the military operation in Iran endangers America's ability to defend against threats in other regions, and opposed widening the deployment of U.S. forces across the Middle East. A report submitted to Hegseth cautioned that the falling number of interceptor missiles makes the United States a point of vulnerability against threats from China.

WaPo Claims: A potential pullback from the Persian Gulf is under review as the Pentagon weighs cutting its Middle East footprint after the Iran war, with bases in the region battered by strikes.

Washington Post Report: The Trump administration plans at least $900 million in construction and modernization across the White House grounds. Funding was pulled from other agencies and private donors rather than Congress, then moved into a routine-maintenance account tied to confidential "modernization" contracts.

A U.S. official told the Washington Post that the U.S. Army fired more than 1,300 tactical ballistic missiles at Iran over the course of the war.

The Trump administration is weighing military action in the West African country of Mali to target an al-Qaeda-affiliated group known as JNIM, U.S. officials tell the Washington Post.

The latest U.S. strikes are unlikely to soften Iran's negotiating position, U.S. intelligence assesses. Analysts expect a prolonged stalemate with ongoing attacks and no decisive advantage for either side. Iran's leadership remains focused on regime survival, willing to absorb heavy costs over major concessions. - WaPo

U.S. intelligence agencies warned the Trump administration that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to take steps that could complicate President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a lasting peace deal with Iran, officials tell The Washington Post.

CRAZY REPORT: Washington Post: Qatar sought assurances from Iran early in the war that it would not target the Ras Laffan gas facility. In exchange, Doha offered to halt gas production, driving up prices and increasing pressure on Israel and the U.S. to end the conflict.

A senior security official described it as a “secret deal.” The effort collapsed after Iran struck the Ras Laffan facility in mid-March.

WAPO REPORT CLAIMS:

A confidential CIA assessment obtained by The Washington Post concludes Iran could withstand a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz for 90 to 120 days, and possibly longer. The report finds Tehran retains much of its missile and drone arsenal despite sustained U.S. and Israeli strikes, and has enough oil stockpiles and alternative smuggling routes to avoid immediate economic collapse.

Take this report with caution.

61% of Americans call the war with Iran a mistake, per a new Washington Post–ABC–Ipsos poll. Disapproval has reached levels comparable to the Iraq War at its peak.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) told Republican House candidates he plans to suspend next month’s primaries so lawmakers can pass a new congressional map first, Washington Post reports.

U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon:

"I have a bruise on my head from the Secret Service running across my table and chairs while I ducked under the Washington Post table. Thank God for U.S. Marshals Service team who got me and my posse home safely!"

Dan Eggen, a longtime Washington Post reporter and editor who contributed to three Pulitzer Prize-winning projects and helped lead coverage of the White House, Congress and presidential politics, has died at 60.

NEW 🔴

Washington Post Report: The U.S. is deploying thousands of additional troops to the Middle East.

Washington Post: Talks in Islamabad failed, but officials say limited goodwill was built with Iran, leading President Trump, Vance, and senior officials to believe Tehran could still be pushed to accept U.S. terms.

The Trump administration is expected to demand the release of at least six American citizens held in Iran as part of the negotiations. - Washington Post

U.S.: Iran shifts tactics to conserve missiles and drones, boosting strike accuracy and evasion.

- WP.

Washington Post Report: Trump requested a plan to seize 1,000 lbs of Iranian enriched uranium, involving runway construction inside Iran, airlifting equipment, and possible deployment of hundreds of troops.

Trump was briefed on a U.S. plan to seize nearly 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium from Iran.

-Washington Post

Washington Post reports 88 solid-fuel production sites linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard have been destroyed since the war began.

According to Washington Post, the Pentagon is drawing up plans for limited ground raids in Iran, including coastal military sites and Kharg Island. No full invasion is being considered.
Trump has not yet approved the operations.
Officials warn this phase would expose U.S. troops to drones, missiles, and other threats.

The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, the Washington Post reports, citing U.S. officials.

The Washington Post reports the U.S. has fired over 850 Tomahawk missiles in the past four weeks of the Iran war.

Washington Post claims the Pentagon may divert weapons from Ukraine to the Middle East as the war in Iran depletes critical U.S. munitions.

U.S. officials say it’s unlikely to overthrow Iran’s theocratic regime or permanently block its nuclear program, even with military pressure, Washington Post reports.