US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for an immediate halt to the ongoing US military campaign against Iran. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Schumer wrote that the war must stop, emphasizing that even Republican senators have admitted uncertainty about the administration’s objectives in the Middle East.

Earlier, Schumer had criticized the war’s financial burden, saying billions of dollars were being wasted and that fuel prices had risen to an average of $3.94 per gallon. The conflict, initiated under the Republican president with US and Israeli leadership, has become a major test for Congress, which remains under Republican control. While most Republicans continue to back the president, they are expected to face further critical decisions regarding the war soon.

The situation has also contributed to growing concerns about a global energy crisis, as reports indicate rising fuel prices and escalating regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent has stated that military operations near the Strait of Hormuz will continue until Iran’s military positions in the area are completely destroyed. Speaking to NBC News, Besent said the campaign aims to weaken Iran’s defense bases near the strategic waterway and will persist until those targets are eliminated. He claimed that the ongoing operations have already significantly damaged Iran’s military capabilities.

Besent criticized media coverage of the conflict, arguing that the American public is not being shown an accurate picture of what the United States is doing. He also rejected comments from Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who had accused the Trump administration of losing control of the war and becoming detached from reality. Besent dismissed those remarks as false, asserting that Iran’s capabilities have been destroyed.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of drone incidents in Saudi Arabia, strengthened defenses in Kuwait, and attacks in Lebanon, while the European Union seeks a diplomatic solution to the Hormuz issue.

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has sharply criticized President Donald Trump for his handling of the ongoing war against Iran, saying the president has lost control amid widespread instability. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Murphy described Trump as being in a state of panic as the conflict, now in its fourth week, continues to escalate across the Middle East.

Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been leading criticism of the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. He warned that the war’s impact is already being felt in global energy markets, with rising oil prices putting direct pressure on the US economy and slowing overall growth. The senator also noted growing concern within US political circles about the trajectory and potential consequences of the conflict.

The tensions intensified after Iran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, prompting Trump to threaten destruction of Iranian power plants if the passage remained blocked. Murphy argued that the conflict’s effects extend beyond the Middle East, harming both the global economy and domestic stability in the United States.

After three weeks of war with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a deepening crisis that appears increasingly beyond his control. Global oil prices have surged, Washington has grown isolated from its allies, and despite Trump’s earlier promise of a short campaign, preparations are underway to deploy more troops to Iran. The president has lashed out at NATO members for refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and declared he will no longer support the alliance. His claim of military victory contrasts sharply with reports of continued Iranian missile attacks and energy supply disruptions.

Analysts and former officials say Trump has trapped himself in a conflict with no clear exit plan, threatening both his political legacy and his party’s prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. White House officials insist the campaign has achieved major military successes, but advisers are urging Trump to find an “honorable exit” as allies remain reluctant to join the fight. The conflict has also strained ties with Israel and fueled domestic unease over rising fuel prices.

According to Reuters, thousands of additional U.S. Marines and naval troops are being deployed to the Middle East, though no decision has been made on a ground invasion. Analysts warn that without a defined strategy, Trump’s control over the war narrative and his political movement could weaken further in the coming weeks.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that Iran wants to make a deal, but he is not interested. His remarks came in response to an analysis published by The New York Times. Trump asserted that the United States has effectively erased Iran from the map and rejected criticism that he failed to achieve his objectives in Iran, claiming instead that he met his goals weeks ahead of schedule.

Trump further claimed that Iran’s leadership has effectively collapsed and that the country’s naval and air forces have been destroyed. According to him, Iran now lacks any defensive capability but still seeks a deal, which he refuses to accept.

The comments reflect Trump’s continued hardline stance toward Iran and his rejection of diplomatic engagement, as presented in his social media statement.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has died at the age of 81, according to a family statement cited by US media. Reports said he passed away late Friday night, though the location and cause of death were not disclosed. Former President Donald Trump reacted on his social media platform, writing that Mueller’s death meant he could no longer harm innocent people, AFP reported from Washington.

Mueller served as FBI Director for 12 years, beginning just days before the September 11, 2001, attacks. He strengthened the agency’s counterterrorism operations and later became special counsel for the US Department of Justice to investigate possible Russian interference in Trump’s 2016 campaign. His two-year investigation led to charges against 34 individuals and three entities, including six of Trump’s associates.

Before the politically sensitive Russia probe, Mueller had a strong reputation in Washington, having served under both Democratic and Republican presidents. A decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Marine, he was known for his professionalism and strict work ethic, earning respect across party lines.

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has claimed that President Donald Trump has lost control of the ongoing war against Iran and is now deeply anxious. Murphy, a key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the joint US-Israel military operation has entered its fourth week, drawing increasing criticism from lawmakers.

He alleged that Trump’s war strategy is failing and that the situation is becoming increasingly complex. Earlier, Trump had threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants if the Iranian government did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Murphy had previously described the campaign as “Trump’s mad war,” warning that the sharp rise in fuel prices was beginning to affect the entire US economy.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights growing political tension in Washington as the conflict continues without clear resolution or congressional consensus.

U.S. Democratic lawmaker Yasamin Ansari from Arizona sharply criticized President Donald Trump for his recent threats against Iran. Ansari accused the White House of being led by a 'mad dictator' determined to push the country and the world toward destruction. Her comments came after Trump warned that Iran’s power plants would be destroyed if the country failed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

In a statement, Ansari described Trump’s stance as extremely dangerous, citing his shift from promising help to Iranian protesters to threatening war crimes against an entire population. The lawmaker, whose parents immigrated from Iran, has previously condemned Trump’s military actions toward Iran as reckless and illegal, warning that such decisions could lead to severe consequences, including the loss of American soldiers’ lives.

The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and critics within the U.S. over its handling of Iran policy and military threats in the region.

Three weeks after the US-Israel war against Iran began, the conflict has entered an uncertain phase marked by contradictory statements from President Donald Trump. While Trump has claimed the war is nearly over and the situation is calming, US and Israeli airstrikes continue across Iran, and American Marine units are reportedly moving into the region. In a Truth Social post, Trump warned that if Iran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, US forces will begin targeting Iranian power plants, starting with the largest one.

Trump earlier published a list of US military objectives in Iran, including destroying Iran’s defense infrastructure and nuclear program, but notably excluded securing the Strait of Hormuz, saying that responsibility should fall to other oil-dependent nations. Despite his insistence that the US is not reliant on Middle Eastern oil, analysts note that global oil price fluctuations still affect American fuel costs.

Reports indicate the Trump administration is preparing a $200 billion emergency funding request to Congress for the ongoing operation, suggesting a prolonged and costly conflict. Congressional reactions have been cautious, with lawmakers seeking clarity on strategy and financial implications.

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended greetings to Iranian leaders on the occasion of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, reaffirming Moscow’s position as a loyal and reliable partner of Tehran. According to the Kremlin, Putin wished the Iranian people strength and dignity in overcoming the hardships of war, emphasizing that Russia remains a steadfast friend and dependable ally during difficult times.

Russia also commented on the broader regional situation, accusing the United States and Israel of pushing the Middle East into chaos through attacks on Iran and Israel. Moscow said these actions have triggered a major global energy crisis. Additionally, Russia described the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a brutal assassination.

The report further mentioned related developments, including Iranian attacks on military bases in the UAE and Kuwait, as well as a call from Russia for an international investigation into an attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility.

US forces carried out another strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, officials confirmed on Friday. The attack, conducted on Thursday, left two people dead and one survivor rescued from the water. According to the US Southern Command (Southcom), the targeted vessel was traveling along a known drug-trafficking route. The rescued individuals were later handed over to Costa Rica’s Coast Guard.

Southcom did not initially disclose casualty figures but said the US Coast Guard was assisting in locating three people in distress. The latest incident brings the reported death toll from similar US operations since early September to around 160. The Trump administration has described these missions as part of its campaign against so-called “narco-terrorists” in Latin America.

However, international law experts and human rights groups have questioned the legality of the strikes, arguing they may constitute extrajudicial killings targeting civilians who pose no immediate threat to the United States. The operations have intensified debate over Washington’s military actions in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended Nowruz greetings to Iran’s leaders, emphasizing that Moscow will remain a “close friend and reliable partner” to Tehran. The Kremlin released the message on Saturday, noting Putin’s wishes for the Iranian people to face current challenges with courage. He addressed his greetings to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Despite Putin’s assurances, some Iranian sources reportedly question the extent of Russia’s actual support, arguing that Tehran has not received the expected assistance during what they describe as the country’s most severe crisis since the 1979 revolution. Russia, meanwhile, blames U.S. and Israeli attacks for destabilizing the Middle East and affecting global energy markets, condemning the assault on Iran’s supreme leader as a “cruel act.”

According to Politico, Moscow allegedly proposed to Washington that if the U.S. stopped sharing intelligence on Russia with Ukraine, Russia would halt intelligence exchanges with Iran. The U.S. reportedly rejected the offer, which the Kremlin later dismissed as false.

Perplexity has launched Perplexity Health, a new platform that connects users’ electronic health records and wearable data to deliver personalized health answers. The service integrates with Apple Health, Fitbit, Ultrahuman, Withings, and over 1.7 million care providers through partners such as b.well and Terra API. It enables users to ask health-related questions that draw from their lab results, prescriptions, and activity data, all within a single interface. The rollout begins for Pro and Max users in the United States, with additional regions to follow.

Perplexity Health operates within Perplexity Computer, an AI system that coordinates multiple agents to analyze and generate insights. Users can create customized training plans, nutrition programs, or visit-prep summaries for medical appointments. The platform sources information from peer-reviewed journals and clinical guidelines, providing citations for transparency and guidance on when to seek medical care.

The company emphasizes data security through encryption, strict access controls, and user-managed data deletion. Health data is not used to train AI models or sold to third parties. A newly formed Perplexity Health Advisory Board of clinicians and researchers will oversee product quality and clinical standards.

Blue Origin, the aerospace company backed by Jeff Bezos, has filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to establish data centers in space under a project called Project Sunrise. The plan involves deploying up to 51,600 satellites in sun-synchronous orbit that will use optical links to communicate through Blue Origin’s planned satellite network, TeraWave. The company says these solar-powered satellites will create a new computing tier independent of Earth-based infrastructure.

According to Blue Origin’s filing, space-based data centers could reduce costs by eliminating land, grid, and power constraints while taking advantage of continuous solar energy. The proposal mirrors a similar plan by SpaceX, which earlier this year sought approval to launch one million orbital data center satellites connected to its Starlink network. Both companies argue that space computing could be cheaper and less restricted by terrestrial regulations.

The concept has drawn skepticism from industry observers. Figures such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and analysts at Gartner have criticized the idea as impractical and overly ambitious, citing cost and technical challenges of operating data centers in orbit.

Codex has announced a new initiative providing verified university students in the United States and Canada with $100 in credits for use within Codex. The program aims to support students who are using Codex to develop software projects such as course registration tools, community platforms, and interactive study systems. Eligible students can claim the offer by verifying their enrollment status through SheerID, after which the credits will be automatically added to their ChatGPT accounts.

The offer is limited to one per student and applies only to those currently enrolled at degree-granting universities and residing in the United States or Canada. Credits are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and will be applied to the student’s personal workspace within ChatGPT. Codex clarified that these are not API credits but ChatGPT credits that extend Codex usage beyond standard plan limits.

The initiative underscores Codex’s focus on empowering the next generation of software builders by lowering barriers to experimentation and innovation among university students.