White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that President Donald Trump merely raised a question, not a policy decision, about regime change in Iran. “Last night, the President asked, ‘If the Iranian regime won’t negotiate, why shouldn’t the Iranian people stand up to this cruel rule?’” she said. Leavitt stressed that the U.S. military posture remains unchanged and reiterated that the recent U.S. attack had crippled Iran’s nuclear program. She also dismissed the idea of closing the Strait of Hormuz as “foolish.”

US intelligence warns that Iran may retaliate against American troops stationed in the Middle East within the next one to two days, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. This follows US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last Saturday. Security measures for approximately 40,000 US troops in the region have been heightened amid fears of possible Iranian counterattacks. Officials remain hopeful for a peaceful resolution but are preparing for a potential escalation.

In reaction to discussions about shutting down Iran’s Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump urged: “Everyone, keep oil prices down. I’m watching closely!” He warned that such actions would play into the hands of enemies and urged against it. However, Trump did not specify whom his call was directed at. In a subsequent post, he instructed the U.S. Energy Department to “Drill, baby, drill!!! And I mean it right now!!!” The talks of closing the strategic waterway gained momentum after Iran’s parliament approved the proposal, leading to increased instability in the global oil market.

The U.S. State Department has issued a global security alert, urging American citizens to exercise increased caution following a U.S. military strike in Tehran amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The conflict has disrupted Middle East travel and led to temporary airspace closures. The Department of Homeland Security also warned of a heightened threat environment, citing risks of cyberattacks and lone-wolf assaults. Iran warned it would target any country aiding U.S. attacks, intensifying fears of broader regional instability.

The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place until further notice, citing heightened caution amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The warning follows U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites and Israel’s earlier attacks that killed top Iranian officials and civilians. Iran has since launched retaliatory strikes. With around 10,000 U.S. troops stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, the situation remains volatile, prompting the embassy to issue the alert without providing further details.

Amid escalating Israeli aggression in the Middle East, Pakistan, China, and Russia have jointly introduced a draft resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the bombings of Iran’s nuclear sites as “a dangerous escalation” and stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire and serious diplomatic negotiations. Earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed successful strikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has clarified that the objective of the recent strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities was to neutralize a growing nuclear threat, not to change the regime. “This operation was carried out to protect U.S. and Israeli interests, and to ensure the safety of our troops,” said Hegseth. “Iran’s nuclear program has been effectively dismantled,” he added.

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet his national security team at the White House’s Oval Office on Monday afternoon (local time), following the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. The meeting also comes after Trump warned of regime change in Tehran if Iran does not alter its course. Initially scheduled to attend the NATO summit in The Hague on Monday, Trump will now depart on Tuesday.

Amid growing regional instability, the U.S. State Department has ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel and their families from the American embassy in Lebanon. At the same time, the number of emergency flights for American citizens wishing to leave Israel has been doubled. U.S. authorities have issued multiple alerts to citizens across the Middle East, warning of possible retaliatory actions from Iran.

Brent crude prices rose to $80 per barrel on Sunday, a 3.9% increase, while U.S. crude climbed 4.3% to reach $77 per barrel. The market volatility followed heightened military tensions, including Iran’s recent missile attack and its parliament's call to close the Strait of Hormuz. The rise in oil prices impacted financial markets: the S&P 500 futures dropped by 0.6%, and U.S. Treasury bond prices slightly declined.

US Senator Marco Rubio has urged the Chinese government to engage diplomatically with Iran amid threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, warning that China would suffer the most severe consequences. He added that such a move by Iran would be “another grave mistake” leading to heightened tensions and could amount to economic suicide. Rubio emphasized that the United States has the capability to counter any Iranian blockade, while noting that Iran’s parliament has already passed a motion authorizing the closure of the strategic waterway.

A 55-year-old woman was brutally attacked on a New York subway after being asked if she was Muslim. The attacker, 34-year-old Naveed Durrani, confronted her on a train in Queens, asked about her religion, and launched a violent assault when she answered “Yes.” The woman sustained serious injuries, including a broken nose. Police later arrested Durrani on hate crime charges. A GoFundMe has been launched to help with her medical bills, living expenses, and mental health support as she recovers from the trauma.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the recent military action against Iran was intentionally limited to avoid closing off diplomatic channels. Speaking at a press conference, he emphasized that the U.S. still seeks negotiations and continues to send both public and private messages to Iran. Hegseth said the restrained nature of the strike was itself a message. Analysts suggest this reflects Washington's preference for diplomatic pressure over war, though Iran’s response will shape the conflict’s future course.

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Kane stated that the full extent of damage from recent American military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities remains undetermined. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, he noted that initial assessments are still underway, making it too early to specify what has been destroyed or what remains intact. General Kane also declined to disclose details about measures to protect U.S. troops in the Middle East but affirmed that American forces are fully prepared to defend national and regional interests.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that Saturday night's strikes on Iran were deliberately aimed at "weakening" and "destroying" its nuclear capabilities. Speaking to reporters, he claimed, "Iran's nuclear program has been decimated." Hegseth added that there were no military or civilian casualties. He further asserted, "Many US presidents have dreamed of delivering a decisive blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions, but only Trump has had the courage to carry it out." He stressed that the world should listen when Trump speaks and claimed no other nation but the US could execute such a mission. The operation was codenamed Midnight Hammer, according to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.