The United States and Iran continued their military escalation on Tuesday, with U.S. Central Command (Centcom) launching a fresh wave of strikes against Iranian targets in response to the deadly attack on American forces in Jordan. Tehran, in turn, struck at U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf, further widening the confrontation that has raised fears of a broader regional war.
President Trump, in a late-night post on Truth Social, sought to frame the strikes as a defensive measure rather than a prelude to diplomacy, saying he is “not trying to force Iran to the negotiating table” with the military action. His comments come as the administration weighs options for responding to Iranian-backed militias while trying to avoid a full-scale conflict.
In a separate development, Trump announced he would nominate Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao for the permanent role, a move that signals continuity in the Pentagon's leadership. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed at least six Army officers from the list of candidates for promotion to two-star general, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. The decision, reported by The Hill, is the latest in a series of personnel moves that have drawn criticism from military officials and lawmakers.
The escalating tensions with Iran come as the administration faces legal challenges over its use of military force. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit arguing that Trump's orders for deadly boat strikes are illegal, a case that could test the limits of executive authority in wartime. For more on that, see the ACLU's legal challenge.
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, the political establishment held firm against a wave of generational challenges. Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat who has served in Congress for decades, easily defeated Representative Seth Moulton in the state's Senate primary, bucking the trend of veteran Democrats losing to younger opponents in recent cycles. Moulton, who had positioned himself as a fresh voice, was unable to overcome Markey's entrenched support. For a detailed breakdown, see Markey's victory over Moulton.
In the House races, two longtime moderate Democrats, Representatives Richard Neal and Stephen Lynch, also survived primary challenges from more progressive rivals. Neal, who chairs the powerful Ways and Means Committee, and Lynch, a former ironworker, both prevailed, signaling that voters in the state still favor experience and seniority. Lynch's win was particularly notable, as he beat back a progressive challenger who had gained significant traction. For more on that race, see Lynch's primary survival.
The primary results also set the stage for the general election, with the governor's race shaping up between Democrat Maura Healey and Republican Geoff Diehl. The contests in Massachusetts are seen as a bellwether for how the party's internal divisions play out ahead of the midterms.
On Wednesday, Trump has a full schedule of policy meetings and a Rose Garden dinner, according to the White House. The events come as the administration juggles the Iran crisis, Pentagon personnel changes, and the fallout from the primaries.
The situation in the Gulf remains fluid, with both Washington and Tehran showing little appetite for de-escalation. For more on the tit-for-tat strikes, see Iran's strikes on Gulf allies.
