Dan Caine

US attacks on Iran escalated following President Donald Trump's remarks, with a strike in Qeshm killing a family and wounding two children. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned against US allies and reaffirmed control over the Strait of Hormuz. The Israeli army intensified attacks in Gaza, killing at least three including a child.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine informed President Donald Trump that the US munition stockpile situation could impact military operations in Iran. A Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis indicated that recent conflict in the region has depleted Patriot and THAAD interceptors, increasing risks for American troops if the conflict continues.

Recent US-Iran conflict has depleted key air defense stockpiles like Patriot and THAAD interceptors, raising risks for American troops. A CSIS analysis warns that reduced inventories may force military forces to take greater risks to conserve defenses, potentially allowing Iranian attacks to succeed. The Pentagon asserts its capabilities remain sufficient despite concerns.

Recent U.S.-Iran clashes have depleted advanced missile interceptor stockpiles, raising concerns about troop safety and operational risks. Analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies highlights potential risks from reduced Patriot and THAAD inventories, while the Pentagon asserts its capabilities remain sufficient.

A federal appeals court upheld a ruling blocking President Trump’s executive order to restrict mail-in voting, and the Trump administration acknowledged canceling $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for 16 states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Trump has urged the Supreme Court to allow the mail-in voting order ahead of midterms, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune challenged efforts to pass the SAVE Act.

The U.S. paused strikes on Iran after nearly two weeks of nightly attacks, following concerns from Vice President JD Vance and Gen. Dan Caine about escalation and munitions stockpiles. President Trump shared AI-generated images depicting U.S. attacks on Iranian targets, while Iran's foreign minister accused Ukraine's Zelenskyy of attacking an Iranian vessel, which Zelenskyy partially acknowledged, citing military actions in the Caspian Sea.

Vice President JD Vance and Gen. Dan Caine raised concerns about escalating the war in Iran during a White House meeting as President Donald Trump considered military options. The US paused its bombing campaign on Iran after nearly two weeks of strikes, with officials citing risks to civilian infrastructure, potential refugee crises, and regional escalation.

U.S. military commander Adm. Brad Cooper advised halting the bombing campaign around the Strait of Hormuz due to its limited effectiveness, influencing President Trump's decision to pause strikes against Iran. The pause follows discussions with advisers, who noted that Iran's ability to attack ships had been significantly degraded and that designated bombing targets were mostly exhausted.

A Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in its first air-to-air kill since 2024, confirmed by U.S. General Dan Caine, highlighting Ukraine's expanded air defense capabilities. Ukraine primarily used F-16s for intercepting drones and missiles until this offensive engagement, despite technical advantages of the Su-35 over older F-16 models.

President Donald Trump honored four U.S. soldiers killed in the Middle East, including three from an Iranian attack on a Jordanian base and one from a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone in Iraq. Trump met with the families and described the soldiers as heroes before the remains transfer ceremony in Delaware.

A top US general confirmed Ukraine's first air-to-air kill using an F-16, which shot down a Russian fighter jet, highlighting improved layered air defenses. Details about the engagement, including the type of Russian aircraft, remain unspecified.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine testified before a Senate panel to request an additional $67 billion to fight the war against Iran. The hearing focused on securing increased funding for the conflict.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the U.S. war against Iran has cost $37.5 billion, while Congress questioned the Trump administration's $80 billion funding request. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the request, citing concerns over the cost and lack of clarity.

Hegseth claims the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion so far. President Trump's military advisors, including Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, are seeking an additional $67 billion in Pentagon funding, which Hegseth described as urgent and necessary.

Senators are questioning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about U.S. military funding for the war with Iran, as part of a GOP-led $95 billion budget proposal. The plan includes war funds, farmer aid, and voter law changes, amid rising casualties and public criticism of the conflict's handling.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee as senators question funding for the U.S. war against Iran. The Republican-led budget proposal includes $95 billion for military operations, $10 billion in farmer aid, and $10 billion for voting law changes, amid rising casualties and public criticism of the conflict.

Senators are questioning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about funding for the U.S. war against Iran, with Republicans pushing a $95 billion budget package that includes military funding, farmer aid, and voter law changes. The military reported 17 deaths and over 450 injuries since the conflict began, while critics warn the war could become a prolonged conflict.

America’s top military leaders under the Trump administration have adopted a cautious approach, focusing on tactical advice while avoiding geopolitical or ethical critiques of administration actions. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has dismissed over 20 generals and admirals, including respected officers, for perceived insufficient loyalty, promoting less experienced replacements instead.

The senior legal counsel to Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine is stepping down nearly a year ahead of schedule, citing 'personal reasons'. This follows a trend of top officials leaving or being pushed out of the Pentagon since the start of the second Trump administration.

President Trump considered escalating military action against Iran but opted for continued diplomatic negotiations, with officials noting flexibility on a nuclear deal deadline. Oman proposed a voluntary fee system for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Saudi Arabia blocked a U.S. operation there, prompting U.S. threats to reduce military support. In Lebanon, 400,000 displaced people have returned to southern regions amid ongoing Israeli military presence.

US President Donald Trump has reviewed military options against Iran with senior officials but opted to continue diplomatic negotiations. Discussions included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, with Trump favoring diplomacy over resuming military strikes to avoid disrupting nuclear talks. Indirect negotiations in Doha continue, though Iran has refused direct meetings with the US.

President Trump advised against using Signal after his advisers accidentally sent war plans to The Atlantic's editor, but top officials continued using the app for group chats with auto-deletion settings. The State Department released records via FOIA litigation, revealing Signal chats between national security figures, including a group with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, raising concerns about compliance with federal record-keeping laws.

President Trump held a Situation Room meeting to discuss potential new strikes against Iran, following statements about hitting Iran 'hard' if a deal is not reached. Qatari mediators are attempting to revive negotiations, while recent U.S. strikes targeted Iranian radar and air defense sites in response to a downed helicopter.

US President Donald Trump reportedly downplayed Iran's downing of a US helicopter, calling it 'not a big deal,' but later shifted stance after military officials suggested action. The Wall Street Journal reported the president initially opposed targeting attacks following the incident.

The U.S. fiscal year 2027 defense budget of $1.45 trillion, the largest since WWII, allocates significant resources to the Indo-Pacific but faces criticism for lacking a coherent long-term strategy. President Trump's recent summit with China yielded minimal policy outcomes, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's testimony failed to address critical questions about U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy.

During Congressional testimony, Representative George Whitesides questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about canceling a command-initiated review, but redirected the question to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. Caine characterized the question as partisan, highlighting how partisan considerations have increasingly extended into military leadership discussions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine faced questioning on Capitol Hill about the war in Iran. The Trump administration is seeking $1.5 trillion for defense in the 2027 budget proposal. Hegseth called it a historic budget.

The cost of the U.S. war with Iran has reached $29 billion, with rising fuel prices contributing to a 3.8% annual inflation rate. Pentagon officials testified to lawmakers about the budget and conflict impacts, while critics raised concerns over spending transparency and economic effects. The war has disrupted oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor.

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy questioned Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about military options and Iran's nuclear capacity. The exchange occurred during a Senate panel hearing on the Pentagon's 2027 budget request. This discussion may contradict President Trump's past statements.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine will testify before a Senate Appropriations Committee panel about the conflict in Iran and President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request. Hegseth may face questions on his feud with Sen. Mark Kelly. The testimony will focus on the Pentagon's budget and Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are testifying in back-to-back hearings regarding a $1.5 trillion budget request. The hearings are being held before the House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees, which oversee defense spending. This is a key step in the budget approval process.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are testifying before House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees on a $1.5 trillion budget request. The hearings will focus on defense spending. Hegseth is being questioned amid the budget request.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine will testify before the House Appropriations Committee on the President's fiscal 2027 $1.5 trillion budget request for the Pentagon. The hearing is related to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, which is under pressure. Both sides have rejected proposals to end the war.

The US military has a playbook to cripple Iran's military capabilities if nuclear talks collapse, starting with missile systems and naval assets. Negotiations are fragile due to deep mistrust on both sides. The US may resume bombing Iran if talks fail.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine denied Iran has 'kamikaze dolphins', but didn't rule out US having them. The statement was made at a press briefing on Tuesday. The existence of such dolphins is uncertain.

The US has paused naval escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz to allow negotiations with Iran to continue, but warned that failure to reach a deal would result in a significantly escalated bombing campaign. The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran is holding despite continued attacks. President Donald Trump announced the pause to give negotiators time to finalize a potential agreement.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth denies Iran has 'kamikaze dolphins', Iranian officials allegedly discussed reviving a Cold War-era program involving trained dolphins to carry mines toward enemy ships. The US military has used dolphins in combat for mine clearance, but not as weapons. The speculation comes amid heightened tensions in the region.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth denies Iran's possession of 'kamikaze dolphins', a claim that emerged from recent reporting on Iran's potential tactics in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military has used dolphins in combat, but not as weapons. The speculation comes amid heightened tensions in the region.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine discussed Project Freedom, a U.S. operation in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation is related to the Iran war. The press conference was held at the Pentagon.

US and Iran exchange fire over Strait of Hormuz, US destroys six Iranian small boats, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth holds press briefing