TRUMP: WAR TO CONTINUE ‘UNTIL THEY CRY UNCLE’: As the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran enters its tenth day, President Donald Trump is vowing to do “whatever it takes” to compel complete capitulation from whatever is left of Iran’s leadership.
“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” Trump posted on Truth Social, Friday. “After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”
By Sunday, Iran had announced that 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — whom Trump had previously declared unacceptable — was named Iran’s next leader.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One Saturday before the new ruler was announced, Trump said the war was going so well, “at some point I don’t think there will be anybody left, maybe to say ‘we surrender.’ They’re being decimated.”
Asked what an “unconditional surrender” would look like, Trump said, “It is where they cry uncle or when they can’t fight any longer.” If there is “nobody around to cry uncle, because we have wiped out their leadership,” Trump said, it means, “they are rendered useless in terms of military.”
IRAN NAMES MOJTABA KHAMENEI, SON OF AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI, AS THE NEW SUPREME LEADER
DESPITE APOLOGY, ATTACKS CONTINUED: Earlier on Saturday, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a recorded apology for attacks on its Gulf neighbors, blaming the strike on instructions to military commanders left by the late Ayatollah. Iran’s Islamic Republican Guard Corps immediately disputed the apology, and attacks continued. Today, for example, Bahrain’s state-owned energy company was hit by an Iranian drone strike, forcing it to shut down operations.
“Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Saturday. “Iran will be hit very hard … until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse!”
“With every passing day, we have more and more leverage,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters on Air Force One. “We are pressing the offensive every single day, creating all the leverage the President needs for the outcome he wants.”
“The war itself is going unbelievably. It is as good as it can be,” Trump said. “I think we’ve accomplished more in one week than anyone thought possible. We’ve wiped out their Navy, 44 ships. We’ve wiped out their Air Force, every plane. We’ve wiped out most of their missiles. You see, the missiles aren’t coming much anymore. We’ve also hit the manufacturing areas where they make the missiles very hard. Their drone capacity is way down, and we’ve hit them where it hurts, including about every form of leadership you can have, we’ve wiped out.”
AIRSTRIKES ALONE MAKE REGIME CHANGE IN IRAN DIFFICULT, EXPERTS SAY
RUSSIA’S INTEL SHARING: Trump downplayed a Friday Washington Post report that Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to attack American forces in the Middle East. “We don’t know,” Trump asked if the reports were accurate. “If they are, it is not helping. If you take a look at what’s happened to Iran over the last week, if they are getting information, it is not helping them much.”
In an interview that aired last night on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Hegseth insisted the U.S. was “well aware of who’s talkin’ to who.”
“We’re trackin’ everything. Our commanders are aware of everything. We have the best intelligence in the world,” Hegseth said. “So we know what’s goin’ on.”
“Well, we have a strategy perhaps with Russia, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said on NBC’s Meet the Press. “Military cooperation between Iran and Russia is not something new. It’s not a secret. It has been in the past, and it’s still there, and will continue in the future.”
Trump seemed unconcerned about confronting Russian President Vladimir Putin, tacitly acknowledging the U.S. provides intelligence to Ukraine in its war with Russia. “I guess they’d say we do it against them, wouldn’t they say that? We do it against them.”
“I don’t know. Look, they can give all the information that they want, but people they are sending it to are overwhelmed. Russia would be overwhelmed, too. Anybody would be overwhelmed,” Trump said.
IRAN-RUSSIA PARTNERSHIP ‘WILL CONTINUE,’ IRANIAN FM SAYS WHEN ASKED ABOUT WAR INTEL
Good Monday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE
NOTE TO READERS: Daily on Defense will take a one-week spring break hiatus beginning Monday, March 30. We will return Monday, April 6.
HAPPENING TODAY: OIL PRICES SURGE: Despite a promise from the U.S. to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and provide insurance for wary shipping companies, traffic through the narrow choke point has slowed to a trickle. Global Oil prices have jumped to $115 a barrel, the highest level since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“We’re not too long away, I think, before you will see more regular resumption of ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, noting that a large tanker went through the Strait over the weekend. “We’re still focused right now on continuing to attrit their missile and drone capability to reduce their ability to disrupt traffic.”
“That’s great that a tanker made its way through, but, as you know, it’s usually 60 to 100 a day that make their way through,” CNN’s Jake Tapper pressed. “Yes, that’s right,” Wright replied. “Oh, yes, we’re nowhere near normal traffic right now. And that’ll take some time. But, again, worst case, that’s a few weeks. That’s not months.”
“We figured oil prices would go up. We said, well, they will also come down,” Trump said Saturday. “There is a lot of oil, there is going to be a lot of oil. Our country has a tremendous amount … That will get healed very quickly.”
“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace,” Trump posted yesterday on Truth Social. “ ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!”
OIL PRICES NEAR $120 A BARREL AS TRUMP CALLS IT ‘SMALL PRICE TO PAY’ FOR ‘PEACE’
MINES, NOT MISSILES, COULD CLOSE THE STRAIT: There are plenty of retired Navy officers around who remember the “Tanker War” of the 1980s between Iraq and Iran. To keep oil flowing, the U.S. reflagged Kuwaiti tankers, making them U.S. ships eligible for U.S. Navy escort.
One of those then-junior officers was retired four-star Adm. James Stavridis, former supreme NATO commander. “Iran used mines four decades ago against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. It has been planning a Strait of Hormuz closure operation for decades and probably has more than 5,000 mines; just one hit can severely damage a thin-skinned tanker,” Stavridis wrote an opinion piece for Bloomberg. “The Iranians can lay them covertly with small boats, diesel submarines, and even civilian craft.
“Deeply worrisome,” Stavridis said Saturday on CNN. “I was in fact driving through the Strait of Hormuz and saw those mines actually in the water. Once they’re flooded into the zone, it takes weeks if not months to really clear them.”
“Let’s say hypothetically the Iranians flood that entire region with two, 3,000 mines. They’re capable of doing that,” Stavridis warned. “It’s a non-strategic card, asymmetric card that the Iranians could play.”
TRUMP BLAMES IRAN FOR STRIKE ON SCHOOL: As evidence is mounting that a devastating strike on an Iranian elementary school where 175 people, including scores of children, were killed on the first day of the war may have been caused by a U.S. cruise missile, President Trump is blaming Iran.
“We think it was done by Iran. They are just very inaccurate, as you know, with their munitions. They have no accuracy whatsoever. It was done by Iran,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “Based on what I have seen. That was done by Iran.”
Notably, when Pete Hegseth, who was standing behind Trump, was asked, “Is that true …Did Iran do that?” Hegseth hedged. “We are certainly investigating,” he said. “The only side that targets civilians is Iran.”
Independent analyses by the Associated Press, New York Times, and CNN have said all evidence points to the strike coming from a U.S. Tomahawk missile that was apparently intended to hit a naval base, operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, that is located adjacent to the school.
The latest piece of evidence is a video posted by Iran’s semiofficial Mehr News Agency showing a Tomahawk missile striking the IRGC base at the time of the attack.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new supreme leader
Washington Examiner: Iran-Russia partnership ‘will continue,’ Iranian FM says when asked about war intel
Washington Examiner: US death toll in Iran war rises to 7 after service member dies from injuries in Saudi Arabia
Washington Examiner: Hegseth signals that “there will be more casualties” in the US-Israel operation against Iran
Washington Examiner: ‘No stupid rules of engagement’ for US when it comes to war in Iran
Washington Examiner: Airstrikes alone make regime change in Iran difficult, experts say
Washington Examiner: White House downplays Russian assistance for Iran: ‘It clearly is not making a difference’
Washington Examiner: Hundreds turn to private rescue company for Middle East evacuations
Washington Examiner: China blusters on Iran as US strikes put Xi Jinping in economic, diplomatic bind
Washington Examiner: Farage heads to Mar-a-Lago to reinforce Trump’s opposition to Chagos Islands deal
Washington Examiner: Tillis says Stephen Miller and his ‘outsized’ role should leave Trump administration
Washington Examiner: Noem’s deputy director of ICE bought thousands of vehicles that officers can’t use
Washington Examiner: Pro-Islam counterprotester arrested after deploying explosive device outside Mamdani residence
Washington Examiner: Graham says US ‘marching through the world’ with Cuba next: ‘Stay tuned’
Washington Examiner: CENTCOM issues safety warning to Iranian civilians: ‘Stay at home’
Washington Examiner: US Embassy in Oslo hit by explosion, Norwegian police say
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Iran war shifts US alliances in Europe
Washington Examiner: How Kristi Noem has handicapped DHS for Markwayne Mullin
Wall Street Journal: As Oil Surges Past $100, the Long-Feared Gulf Squeeze Is Here
New York Times: Iran’s De Facto Leader Says Iran Will Not Surrender or Stop Its Attacks
AP: What to know about Mojtaba Khamenei
AP: US to Send Anti-Drone System to the Mideast After Successful Use in Ukraine, Officials Say
Defense News: Pentagon Acknowledges Tough Quest to Counter Iranian Drones
DefenseScoop: Senators Urge DOD to Explore Specialized Treatments for Drone-Specific Injuries
The War Zone: Israeli F-16 Appears Carrying a Mysterious Precision Bomb
Defense One: Missile Makers Agree to ‘Quadruple’ Production, Trump Says
AP: US begins large military drill with South Korea while waging war in the Middle East
Politico: Trump Vows to Use US Military Force Against Cartels Across Latin America
CBS 60 Minutes: U.S. military tested device that may be tied to Havana Syndrome on rats, sheep, confidential sources say
Breaking Defense: Swiss Cutting F-35 Order by Six, Facing Up to Five Year Patriot Delay
Washington Post: Intel report warns large-scale war ‘unlikely’ to oust Iran’s regime
Washington Post: Russia is giving Iran intel to target U.S. forces, officials say
AP: Ukraine says Hungary seized $80 million from armored cars and detained 7 bank employees
Financial Times: Silent killer: the return of torpedo warfare
AP: US military kills 6 in strike on alleged drug boat in the Eastern Pacific
Breaking Defense: Pentagon’s New Chief Data Officer to Push ‘AI Capabilities to Warfighters’
AP: Pentagon’s break with Ivy League leaves colleges bracing for further changes to military programs
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Seeks More Companies to Build the Stand-in Attack Weapon
Air & Space Forces Magazine: USSF Eyes ‘Dual-Use’ Ways to Boost Space Superiority, Prep for Guardians in Orbit
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pentagon Task Force, FAA to Test Counter-Drone Laser
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force-Backed Hypersonic Aircraft Startup Flies Demonstrator
AP: Federal judge rules Trump administration’s actions to dismantle Voice of America are illegal
Washington Post: Long-delayed Jan. 6 plaque honoring police installed in Capitol at 4 a.m.
MONDAY | MARCH 9
12 p.m. — Foreign Policy webinar: “Is Trump War in Iran Justified?” with Matthew Kroenig, senior director, Atlantic Council Center for Strategy and Security; and Trita Parsi, co-founder and executive vice president, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft https://foreignpolicy.com/live/kroenig-parsi-debate-iran-war-trump/?
12 p.m. — Foreign Policy virtual discussion: “Is Cuba Next?” with Peter Kornbluh, director, National Security Archive Cuba Documentation Project; and Ravi Agrawal, editor in chief of Foreign Policy https://foreignpolicy.com/live/is-cuba-next/
TUESDAY | MARCH 10
9 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “U.S.-Japan Cooperation on Naval Maintenance, Commercial Shipbuilding, and Shipping,” with Akira Fukaishi, director for offshore and maritime at the Japan External Trade Organization; Diana Maurer, director for defense capabilities and management at the Government Accountability Office; Michael Roberts, senior fellow, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology; Kyoko Imai, associate director at the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative and Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security; and William Chou, senior fellow and deputy director, Hudson Institute and Japan chair at the Hudson Institute https://www.hudson.org/events/us-japan-cooperation-naval-maintenance
3:40 pm — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “The Pentagon and Silicon Valley: The Future of AI in National Defense,” with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Shanahan, adjunct senior fellow, CNAS Technology and National Security Program; Paul Scharre, CNAS executive vice president; and Vivek Chilukuri, director, CNAS Technology and National Security Program https://www.cnas.org/events/the-pentagon-and-silicon-valley
WEDNESDAY | MARCH 11
9:30 a.m — Henry L. Stimson Center virtual discussion: “The Re-Making of International Security: Arms Transfer Trends in a Changing Global Order,” with Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Arms Transfers Programme; Annie Shiel, director for U.S. advocacy at the Center for Civilians in Conflict; Elias Yousif, fellow and deputy director at the Stimson Center Conventional Defense Program; and Rachel Stohl, senior vice president of research programs at the Stimson Center and director, Stimson Center Conventional Defense Program https://www.stimson.org/event/the-re-making-of-international-security-arms-transfer
8 p.m. — Jews United for Democracy and Justice virtual discussion: “What is the Endgame? U.S. Policy and the Future of Venezuela and Beyond,” with former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta; and Larry Mantle, host of AirTalk with Larry Mantle https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/blog/event/march-11
12 p.m. 2043 Rayburn — Defense Forum Foundation and Free North Korea Radio Congressional Defense and Foreign Policy Lunch Forum: “Envisioning North Korea’s Future: Women Leading the Way,” with Oh Hye Seon, author, The Pyongyang Lady from London; Jung Ah, author, The Journey to South Korea; and Kim Ji Young, president of Free North Korea Radio [email protected]
2 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute book discussion: Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III” with author Shyam Sankar, Palantir chief technology officer https://www.hudson.org/events/mobilize-how-reboot-american-industrial-base-stop-world-war-iii
THURSDAY | MARCH 12
8:30 a.m. 850 16th St. NW — Reagan Institute Center for Peace Through Strength National Security Innovation Base Summit, with Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN); Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ); retired Adm. Christopher Grady, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Navy CTO Justin Fanelli; Rep. John McGuire (R-VA); Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD); former Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX); Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), former Defense Innovation Unit Director Mike Brown; Defense Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey; Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA); Sen. Todd Young (R-IN); former Army Secretary Eric Fanning; and Former Defense Undersecretary for Policy Sasha Baker, head of national security policy at OpenAI; Assistant Defense Secretary for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi; Assistant Army Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Brent Ingraham; Rep. Eugene Vindman, (D-VA).; and NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation Adm. Pierre Vandier, https://www.reaganfoundation.org/events/2026-national-security-innovation-base-summit
5 p.m. 1521 16th St. NW — Institute of World Politics discussion: “Private Military Contractors: Understanding the Non-State Actors Changing the Institution of War,” with Caroline Batka, senior military analyst at Comenius University https://www.iwp.edu/private-military-contractors-understanding-the-non-state-actors
6:30 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. — Association of the U.S. Army “Coffee Series,” with Brent Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology https://www.ausa.org/events/coffee-series/ingraham
FRIDAY | MARCH 13
10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: “Toward a New Strategic Approach to U.S. Extended Nuclear Deterrence,” with Paige Gasser, senior fellow at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Center for Global Security Research https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/toward-a-new-strategic-approach
10:30 a.m. — Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies virtual discussion: “Protecting and defending our interests in space,” with Lt. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, commander, U.S. Space Forces – Space and commander, U.S. Space Command Combined Joint Force Space Component; and Charles Galbreath, director and senior resident fellow for spacepower studies at the Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/events/lt-gen-dennis-o-bythewood/
