News • May 26th, 2026

Iran War: Latest Updates, Bias and Potential Misinformation

WANA/via Reuters via BBC News

We’re tracking the latest key developments in the US-Israeli war with Iran, alongside examples of bias and potential misinformation to keep you in the know:

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May 25 - US Launches Strikes on Iran, Claiming 'Self-Defense' and Allegedly Killing 4 Iranian Soldiers

May 24 - US and Iran Reportedly Close to Signing Deal on Ceasefire, Nuclear Limits

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May 12 - Trump Says Americans' Financial Situations 'Not Even a Little Bit' Relevant in Iran Negotiations

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May 10 - Iran Sends Trump Counter-Proposal to Peace Plan, Trump Calls It 'Unacceptable'

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May 4 - US Launches 'Project Freedom' to Open Strait of Hormuz With Military Force

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Apr. 19 - US Military Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship With Ties to China

US forces seized the Iranian cargo ship, MV Touska, on April 19 off the coast of Iran's Chabahar port in the Gulf of Oman.

The Pentagon reported that the Touska ignored six hours of warnings from the USS Spruance, which then fired several rounds at the Touska's engine room before US Marines boarded. Maritime security sources on April 20 said the ship is likely to have "dual-use items" that could be used by the military onboard, according to Reuters (Center). Details on the ship's cargo haven't been released, but senior advisor for United Against Nuclear Iran, Charlie Brown, said, "Touska's decision to try to breach the U.S. blockade suggested it was carrying something of value to Iran."

According to Wall Street Journal (Center), the Touska is part of a fleet that frequents China, and it reportedly visited the southern China port of Zhuhai twice in the last six weeks. This fleet delivers Iranian oil to China and has been accused of transporting chemicals for Iran's ballistic-missile program. It's also been known to evade US and European Union sanctions to carry out trade with Iran and other countries.

Reuters described the Touska's route and its crewmembers. It cited Iran's military accusing the US of "armed piracy" and China calling it a "forced interception," while The Wall Street Journal focused more on Touska's connections to China and concerns of it carrying materials for Iranian missiles. CNN (Lean Left) quoted a former Royal Australian Navy officer explaining what might happen to the crew, including Iranian crewmembers "may be detained, or…if members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were aboard, they could be held as prisoners of war." Washington Examiner (Lean Right) noted President Trump's frustration with Iran and uncertainty surrounding negotiations with Iran. It quoted Trump saying "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY" in response to Iran's recent firing on French and UK ships.

Apr. 17 - Iran Disputes US Claim on Uranium Transfer Amid Ongoing Talks

Iran denied claims it agreed to transfer enriched uranium, even as US officials said nuclear talks are nearing a potential deal.

On April 17, Iran's foreign ministry said that it will not transfer its enriched uranium stockpile abroad, directly contradicting comments from President Donald Trump, who said Tehran had agreed to demands from the US.

According to multiple media reports, a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry said the country's uranium will remain under its control. The response came after Trump suggested Iran had agreed to suspend its nuclear program and move toward a broader deal to end the conflict. The Trump administration said negotiations are ongoing, with another round of talks expected soon.

At the center of the talks is Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, estimated at roughly 2,000 kilograms. Proposals under discussion include transferring some material to a third country or placing limits on enrichment under international oversight. The negotiations come amid weeks of conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, which disrupted global energy markets and shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz. A fragile ceasefire is now in place as mediators work to finalize a longer-term agreement.

Newsmax (Right) relied heavily on statements from Trump and unnamed US officials, including a quote claiming Iran wants to "fund terrorists like Hamas." It also casts doubt on other reporting by highlighting the White House response that "anonymous sources… have no idea what they are talking about." Conversely, The Daily Beast (Left) used more critical language to describe Trump's comments, calling them a "seemingly premature victory lap." It also highlighted Iranian officials calling Trump's claims "false" and includes multiple quotes pushing back on him.

Apr. 15 - Trump and Pope Leo Feud Over Iranian War, Role of Religion in Politics

President Trump and Pope Leo XIV's ongoing diplomatic disagreements have intensified as the two leaders traded criticism over the administration's approach to the Iranian war and role of the Pope on political issues. The spectacle has prompted media dialogue.

A Washington Examiner (Lean Right) opinion said ongoing tension between the Vatican and the US are due to "fragments of information" that began under Pope Francis, whose "distaste for America…was hardly a secret." It argued that the current feud is a result of "manufacturing collisions" as the media attempts to explain what Pope Leo believes on every issue. It argued against this "mind-reading" of political leaders, saying legacy media should "just tell us what [the pope and the president] said" without "overlay[ing] prior points of view onto the record."

An opinion in Vox (Left) outlined Trump's feuds with former Pope Francis and Pope Leo, describing Leo as "a feistier opponent" than the administration may have expected. It outlined Leo's possible advantages, including public support among conservatives and conservative Catholics, him being from the US, and him being seen as "more temperate" in his stances. Fortune (Center) said Trump found someone he "can't intimidate." It described Leo as "a studious and soft-spoken cleric" and Trump as an "unapologetically bellicose and pugilistic politician." It said Trump "sees Leo in terms of nationalistic pride and loyalty," which leads Trump to treat him as a "domestic political rival" due to their disagreements.

On April 14, Vice President JD Vance said Leo should "be careful" when discussing "matters of theology," saying "let the church be the church." NPR (Lean Left) and Fortune both noted popes voicing their opinions on conflicts throughout history. NPR said another reason Leo is speaking out may be the Trump administration's "continued religious rhetoric and imagery." It also said Leo being American could mean greater influence on the perception of US diplomacy.

Several outlets on the right argued this is a time when the pope would speak out. The National Review Editorial Board (Right) said "Catholics are not required to agree with [Leo]," but that they should take his words "seriously" while "exercising their own judgement" that is "informed by the Gospel." It also described Trump's recent actions as "descend[ing] to something close to deranged buffoonery." An opinion writer in The American Spectator (Right) said while they understand why Trump thinks Leo should get along with him, but Trump was wrong to get angry at the Pope, calling it a "tasteless image" that "underscores the fine line between boldness and blunder." The writer wrote "the pope is right to try to achieve peace by every possible means, and Trump is right to force the end of the ayatollahs' regime."

Apr. 14 - Western Leaders Strengthen Relations With China as Iranian War Continues

Several Western leaders have met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this year to discuss strengthening relations as the Iranian war continues.

On April 13, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez began a four-day visit to Beijing to strengthen Spain's political and commercial ties with China. During the visit, Sanchez urged China to assume a larger role in a multipolar world, including on climate change and security. He also discussed narrowing Spain's $50 billion trade deficit with Beijing. On Tuesday, both leaders pledged to safeguard multilateralism by strengthening communication and cooperating closely; Xi commended Spain saying, "both [nations] are willing to stand on the right side of history." It's Sanchez's fourth trip to China in three years as Spain said it wants to diversify its political relations and seeks to establish itself as a bridge between Beijing and the European Union.

According to Bloomberg (Lean Left), Xi described a collapse of Western-led international order as the Iranian war continues, telling Sanchez it's "crumbling in disarray." Xi has criticized the US' military action in Iran, saying it "risks plunging the Middle East into deeper instability," Bloomberg reported. In a meeting with Abu Dhabi's crown prince on Tuesday, Xi said, "We cannot allow the world to revert to the law of the jungle." Xi also shared a peace proposal with the crown prince, which included promoting coexistence, sovereignty, rule of international law and the pursuit of development and security.

Prime ministers from Britain, Ireland, Canada and Finland have also met with Beijing this year to discuss deepening global relations. In January, Britain and China called for a "strategic partnership" amid "the current turbulent and ever-changing international situation," according to Associated Press (Left). The Irish Prime Minister also met with Xi in January–the first official visit by an Irish leader to China in 14 years–to discuss strengthening strategy, economic and trade ties. On April 9, China and Taiwan's opposition leader met for the first time in a decade. Xi cited ongoing global conflicts, saying "Today's world is far from peaceful, and peace is all the more precious."

Breitbart (Right) referred to Xi as a "dictator" and noted both Xi and Sanchez were "socialist." Newsmax (Right) highlighted Sanchez's criticism of the US and Israel, and noted while Sanchez was in China, his wife was being accused of misusing public funds back in Spain. Reuters (Center) also mentioned Sanchez's criticism of the war and said Spain has been "one of Europe's loudest proponents of expanding trade and treating China as a strategic ally, rather than the economic and geopolitical rival seen by Trump."

Apr. 13 - US Begins Its Own Blockade of Strait of Hormuz

The US began its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as the war in Iran continues. According to a senior official, over 15 US warships are in place to support the operation. President Trump said on Monday the blockade was part of his effort to force Tehran to open the strait and accept a ceasefire deal. He has also said he'll bar ships that plan to enter Iranian ports and any ships that paid Iranian tolls for safe passage through the strait. In turn, Iran threatened all ports in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The Associated Press (Left) reported two tankers approaching the strait on Monday turned around when the blockade began.

Trump told reporters on April 12 that other countries would be helping the US' blockade, however none have been confirmed. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday the UK is "not supporting" the US' blockade, and French President Emmanuel Macron and the UK have said they would co-host a conference in coming days to discuss reopening the strait. Reuters (Center) reported the refusal to help will "likely anger Trump and increase strains in the alliance."

Iran and the US failed to come to a ceasefire agreement over the weekend. As of April 13, a second round of negotiations were underway, according to the Associated Press. On March 27, it reported Iran had begun something similar to a "toll booth" in the strait where ships were vetted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards and two vessels reported paying for passage through.

Outlets across the political spectrum emphasized the global economic implications. Wall Street Journal (Center) said the blockade sets up "a risky new showdown," and noted it could impact Iran's food imports. The Atlantic (Left) said the "US believes that it needs to wage a new kind of war…by targeting Iran's economy." It wrote the war's outcome "may be decided on [who] blinks first from the economic pain" and said the rest of the world will "suffer prolonged economic pain." Fox News (Right) interviewed a former CENTCOM commander who said the blockade offers the US "economic power" as Iran's economy is impacted. He also discussed the US clearing out Iranian mines in the strait as part of the blockade. BBC (Center) quoted Vice President JD Vance calling Iran's blockade of the strait an "act of economic terrorism."

Apr. 11 - US Inflation Hits 3.3% in March as Iran War Pushes Up Energy Prices

Inflation rose in the United States in March as the Iran war drove a sharp spike in energy prices, with gasoline costs as the primary driver.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation that tracks the average change in prices for goods and services, rose 3.3% in March from a year earlier, according to the Labor Department. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.9%, the largest gain since 2022. Energy costs drove much of the increase. Gasoline prices jumped 21.2% in March, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the overall rise, according to multiple media outlets. Energy prices overall climbed 10.9% for the month. Other categories showed mixed movement. Grocery prices edged down slightly, while used car prices also declined. Airline fares rose 2.7% as higher fuel costs began to affect travel.

The Trump administration on April 10 described the increase as a result of "short-term disruptions" tied to the Iran war. Officials said some household prices, including food staples and prescription drugs, have remained stable or declined. The Iran conflict has disrupted global oil supply, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. Economists warn higher energy costs could continue to push up prices in the coming months. Consumer sentiment has also dropped sharply. The University of Michigan's index fell to a record low in early April, with many Americans citing the war and rising costs as key concerns.

Coverage of the report was largely consistent across the political spectrum. USA Today (Lean Left) focused more on how inflation is affecting consumers, highlighting rising travel costs and pressure on household finances. Fox Business (Lean Right) emphasized inflation data trends and included forward-looking projections from economists, leaning more into economic analysis.

Apr. 8 - Iran Reportedly Closes Strait of Hormuz Again as Israel Continues Striking Lebanon

Iran reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz again in response to continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon, threatening the ceasefire between the two and the US.

Fars News Agency, an Iranian news outlet that many have described as tied to the government, reported on April 9 that the strait had been closed. The development followed Israeli attacks on Lebanon, in which Lebanese health officials reported over 1,000 total injuries and deaths.

The US, Israel, and Iran reached a two-week ceasefire agreement mediated by Pakistan late on April 8 under which Iran agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz. Both Iran and the US claimed to have presented and agreed to the terms first, and both sides declared themselves victorious. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promptly said after the ceasefire was reached that it did not include Lebanon, which Israel began attacking shortly after the initial joint strikes on Iran. Vice President Vance told reporters in Budapest on Wednesday that Lebanon was not included in the agreement and that he believes Iran was misunderstood.

An April 7 report from The New York Times (Lean Left bias) chronicled the Trump administration's meetings and dialogue leading up to the decision to bomb Iran. The report revealed that many cabinet members, most prolifically Vance, were very concerned about the prospect, but that the final decision rested with President Trump.

Some outlets from the right didn't highlight that the ceasefire was threatened and that Iranian media reported the strait had been closed again. Fox News (Right) ran live coverage titled "President Trump's ceasefire with Iran draws praise from world leaders" and noted that Trump said he would help facilitate traffic through the strait. Fox Business (Lean Right) and ZeroHedge (Lean Right) reported that ships had reportedly moved through the strait. Conversely, The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) highlighted an NYT report that said the opposite. Several outlets from the left and center highlighted in headlines the uncertainty around the ceasefire and that Iran reportedly closed the strait again.

Apr. 8 - Stocks Rise, Oil Prices Dip as Iran Ceasefire Takes Hold

Following a temporary ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, global prices fell and financial markets rose.

Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel following the announcement. The Dow also rose by 1,325 points or 2.8%–the best day in the year, according to CNN (Lean Left bias). Financial markets also rose in the US, Europe and Asia. Shares of oil and gas companies declined as oil prices dropped. The ceasefire agreement is supposed to last two weeks. It also included plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, however Iran said it was closing the strait again after recent Israeli strikes against Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Oil prices still remain higher than before the war started; before Feb. 28, it was trading at around $70 a barrel, according to BBC (Center). Since the strait closed in March, roughly 12 million to 15 million barrels of crude oil a day have been halted, CNN reported. The agreement comes after President Trump waved off his threats to strike critical Iranian infrastructure.

Outlets across the political spectrum reported the numbers similarly. Some outlets on the left and in the center noted uncertainty surrounding the temporary ceasefire. New York Times (Lean Left) said investors "welcomed the move" despite "confusions about the terms of the deal." CNN highlighted the impact of the higher oil prices on consumers and the transit fees Tehran has imposed on tankers going through the strait. It also noted the ceasefire terms proposed by Iran are "unlikely to be acceptable to the US and its allies." Right-leaning outlets like the National Desk (Right), ZeroHedge (Lean Right) and Fox News (Right) highlighted the market success and praise from world leaders over the deal, attributing it to Trump pulling back on his plan to strike Iran.

Apr. 8 - US, Israel and Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire; Strait of Hormuz to Reopen

The US, Israel, and Iran have agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after President Trump waved off his grave threats against the Islamic Republic.

The deal was mediated by Pakistan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, and Israel has since continued bombing Lebanon. Trump declared a "total and complete victory" for the US to AFP. Conversely, Iran declared victory as well and said it had forced the US to accept the plan.

On April 5, President Trump threatened Iran, saying if the Strait of Hormuz were not reopened, the US would strike critical Iranian infrastructure such as power plants and bridges – almost identical to a threat he made on March 21. On April 7, Trump wrote on Truth Social, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will."

Most outlets have authored updated live coverage since the ceasefire was presented late on April 7. Western outlets framed the ceasefire as being presented and agreed to by Trump before reporting that Iran had agreed. With the exception of The Epoch Times (Lean Right bias), outlets from the right were slower to update live coverage or publish new coverage of Iran's agreement early on Wednesday. Qatari outlet Al Jazeera (Lean Left) emphasized "distrust" between the two countries in its coverage. ZeroHedge (Lean Right) covered the news promptly and also emphasized the distrust between the US and Iran.

Apr. 7 - Trump Threatens Iran: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight'

President Trump furthered threats against Iran on April 7 by stating, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will."

Less than two hours before the deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, Trump agreed to "suspend the bombing and attack" for two weeks, during which the Strait will reportedly be open. He stated, "We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate." Trump ordered Iran to "Open the F***in' Strait" on Easter Sunday, giving the country the deadline of Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET and threatening, "You'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!"

Many commentators on the right criticized or even condemned Trump's rhetoric. Noah Rothman (Lean Right) stated in an opinion for National Review (Right), "On the domestic front, remarks like these only make the president's life (as well as that of his fellow Republicans) more difficult." He defended the "instrumental utility in projecting unflinching determination in wartime" and emphasized that Trump has not carried out the threats in question. However, Rothman asserted, "[If] the president was to act on his threat to euthanize the ancient Iranian civilization, that would certainly amount to a violation of the conventions that govern just warfare. But [to Democratic critics], the threats alone constitute a crime of war." He cautioned, "The president's rhetoric should not obscure a careful analysis of what his Pentagon is actually doing."

"Trump's threat against Iran marks a grave political and moral decline," declared Responsible Statecraft (Center) in an analysis. "Once a president speaks in those terms, accusations of genocidal threat cease to be fanciful or polemical." The piece noted that the UN Genocide Convention would not likely consider Trump's comments alone as proof of "genocidal mens rea." However, it also suggested that the president's use of the word "civilization" makes it "entirely reasonable to say that Trump has opened the door to accusations that he is threatening genocide."

An analysis from The Intercept (Left), along with most other pieces on the left, framed Trump's actions as unambiguously and completely unjust. The outlet gave voice to several officials who flagged the president's comments as blatant threats of war crimes, highlighted US attacks on civilian infrastructure, and emphasized the resulting damage. The piece stated, "Almost 115,200 civilian homes, commercial properties, and other civilian sites have been damaged in the war, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. This includes 763 schools." It reported a civilian death toll of over 2,000, according to the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and echoed concerns for a potential environmental crisis due to strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Apr. 6 - Trump Says Gov't Will Find 'Leaker' Who Prematurely Gave Info on Iran Rescue Mission to Media

President Trump threatened an unnamed reporter with potential jail time if they do not disclose who leaked sensitive information to them regarding the US military's recent mission to rescue two downed airmen in Iran.

Two US troops were stranded in Iran last week after their fighter jet was shot down. One was rescued swiftly, while the other sustained injuries and remained in hiding in Iran as the nation searched for him. Several mainstream news outlets reported on the second pilot still being stranded in Iran around the same time. Trump said the rescue mission involved 155 total aircraft, including four bombers, 64 fighters, 48 refueling tankers and 13 rescue aircraft. An extensive April 6 feature from BBC News (Center bias) chronicled the rescue operation and various reporting on it.

Trump told reporters on Apr. 6, "As you probably know, we didn't talk about the first one for an hour and then somebody leaked something… They basically said that we have one and there's somebody missing. Well, [Iran] didn't know there was somebody missing until this leaker gave the information. So, whoever it was – we think we'll be able to find it out because we're going to go to the media company that released it and we're going to say national security, give it up or go to jail." He added, "All of a sudden the entire country of Iran knew that there was a pilot that was somewhere on their land that was fighting for his life. And it also made it much more difficult for the pilots and for the people going in to search for him… Iran put out a major notice, you all saw it, offering a very big award for anybody that captures the pilot. So in addition to a hostile, very talented, very good, very evil military, we had millions of people trying to get an award."

Most outlets from the left noted that Trump said a reporter could face jail time if they don't cooperate with the government, whereas most outlets from the right emphasized his comments as an effort to find the leaker. Some outlets from the center, like Reuters (Center), Britain's The Times (Center), and Turkish state media Anadolu Agency (Center), published headlines more similar to those from the left. The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) also broke from the right in doing so.

Apr. 5 - Trump Gives Iran Until April 7 to Open Strait of Hormuz, Threatens to Strike Power Plants and Bridges

On Easter Sunday, President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian power plants and bridges if Iran doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" Trump posted to Truth Social. "Open the F***in' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah." He later specified, "Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!" On Monday, Iran rejected Trump's ceasefire proposal in pursuit of "a permanent end to the war… with guarantees that we won't be attacked again," according to Iranian diplomat Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) posted to X, "If I were in Trump's Cabinet, I would spend Easter calling constitutional lawyers about the 25th Amendment," to revoke Trump's presidential power. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), with support from House Oversight Committee Democrats, similarly stated, "The 25th Amendment exists for a reason," suggesting Trump's agenda in Iran would include war crimes if carried out.

Trump issued a similar threat to Iran in late March, after the country blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which facilitates about 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas transportation. He said the US would "obliterate" Iranian power plants if the country didn't open the strait within 48 hours. Iran counter-threatened both military and economic retaliation, and Trump delayed his threats pending reported peace talks.

News media across the political spectrum highlighted the acerbity of Trump's comments. Daily Caller (Right) called them an "Easter Sunday threat" in its headline, and BBC (Center) referred to them as "expletive-laden." ABC News (Lean Left) furthered the narrative by quoting Iranian official Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, who said, "... Our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following [Israel Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's commands… You won't gain anything through war crimes." US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt countered such criticisms last week, saying the Trump administration and US military "will always act within the confines of the law."

Apr. 3 - US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran, Crew Members Rescued

The two crew members of the F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran have been rescued by US special forces. One was rescued immediately, while it took days to recover the other.

This is the first time in the five-week-long war with Iran that a US jet has been shot down. So far, 13 U.S. military service members have been ⁠killed in the conflict and more than 300 have been wounded, according to the U.S. Central Command. An unnamed US official told NBC News (Lean Left) that the military is scrambling to find the other crew member after the regional governor offered a $60,000 bounty for them.

President Donald Trump recently commented he would bomb Iran "back to the Stone Age." When asked whether peace talks would suffer due to the incident, Trump said, "No, not at all. No, it's war. We're in war."

NBC News included remarks from Iranian state media. The Telegraph (Lean Right) focused on context about the peace talks between the US and Iran.

Apr. 1 - Trump Delivers His First Primetime Speech Since Beginning of Iran War

President Donald Trump gave a primetime speech to the nation on April 1 for the first time since the beginning of the conflict with Iran.

Trump, during his roughly 19-minute speech said that Operation Epic Fury "will continue until our objectives are fully achieved," and "that we are on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly, very shortly." Trump asserted that "Over the next two to three weeks, we're going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong," adding that if a deal is not made, "we have our eyes on key targets" and "we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants very hard and probably simultaneously." Calling Iran "the bully of the Middle East," Trump said, "This is a true investment in your children and grandchildren's future" and asked the American public to "keep this conflict in perspective" considering the war with Iran has only been ongoing for 32 days while listing many other wars lasting years.

Stephen Collinson, writing analysis for CNN (Lean Left) said "Trump presented his most coherent and temperate explanation of why he went to war," but added that "weeks of subsequent whiplash filled by his contradictory and shifting war aims may blunt the impact of his more clearly articulated justifications for war." Trump, according to Collinson, did not answer the most pressing questions undermining his victory lap." Trump said in his speech that while regime change wasn't an objective, the killing of the Ayatollah and several other IRGC leaders effected regime change, but Collinson asserted that "Iran is still in the hands of regime remnants that may be even more radicalized than before the war." Collinson also said that Trump's statements regarding satellite surveillance over Iran's bombed out underground bunkers believed to be holding enriched uranium "leaves his assurances that he ended the nuclear threat open to doubt."

Matt Peterson, writing analysis for CNBC (Lean Left) said "Trump's Iran speech ignores the risks of a return to the 1970s," explaining that even if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, "the conflict and its economic consequences for Americans may get worse before they get better." Other outlets, like Market Watch (Center) framed the speech around the "soaring" oil prices, saying Trump's statements over hitting Iran "extremely hard" is "fueling concerns about broader disruption in the global energy sector."

The New York Post (Lean Right) highlighted Trump's statements of the war being an "investment in your children and your grandchildren's future." The article also focused on the portions of the speech describing Iran as "The most violent and thuggish regime on Earth."

Mar. 31 - Average Gas Price Hits $4 per Gallon for First Time Since 2022

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in America broke $4 on March 31, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

The figure is up by over a dollar from February 28, when the US and Israel began their military operations against Iran. It's the highest gas prices have been since 2022 when prices reached over $5 per gallon on average. The price of premium gas currently sits around $4.90, while diesel is around $5.45.

The price hike comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to most vessels, and the Trump administration and Iran have struggled to reach a diplomatic solution for opening it. On March 11, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said its member countries would release 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency stocks to try to bring down oil prices. On March 13, the US struck over 90 targets on Kharg Island, Iran's main oil processing hub. On March 20, the US lifted sanctions on 140 million barrels of Iranian oil that were already loaded on vessels at sea. On March 29, President Trump said he wants to seize Iranian oil, though he previously said the US does not need it.

On March 5, Trump said he was not concerned about rising gas prices. Previously, his administration touted when the AAA average gas price fell below $3 per gallon, saying it had kept one of its campaign promises.

Many outlets from the left and center mentioned Trump in headlines, framing the rise as a political liability for his administration. Several outlets from the right also did, but less prominently and less frequently

Mar. 30 - Two New Polls Find Low Support for Iran War Among Jewish Americans

Two polls published by Jewish American organizations J Street and the Jewish Electorate Institute (JEI) found that about 60% of American Jews oppose the US military action against Iran.

The J Street poll was conducted from March 24-26 by GBAO Strategies and surveyed 800 registered Jewish voters. It found 60% of American Jews opposed the war, while 40% supported it. 58% of poll respondents identified as Democrats, 26% as Independents, and 16% as Republicans.

The JEI poll was conducted from March 13-23 by the Mellman Group and surveyed 800 registered Jewish voters. It found 55% of American Jews opposed, while 32% supported, and 13% were undecided. In this poll, 74% of Democrats disapproved, and 83% of Republicans approved. By Jewish denomination, 83% of Orthodox Jews approved, while 48% of Conservative Jews (a plurality) disapproved, 67% of Reform Jews, and 56% of non-denominational Jews disapproved. AllSides could not find raw poll data. JEI noted, "This is the first release from this new poll. More to come soon."

J Street is an advocacy and lobbying group that describes itself as "a home for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans." JEI describes itself as a "non-partisan" research group. Both are nonprofits funded by donors, according to ProPublica (Lean Left). GBAO Strategies and Mellman Group are both private companies.

According to JEI and Mellman, 71% of Jewish voters voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on March 1 found that 27% of survey respondents – 7% of Democrats and 55% of Republicans – approved of the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran. A poll published on March 25 by Pew Research Center (Center) found 61% Americans disapproved of President Trump's "handling of the conflict," while 37% approved.

Several Jewish or Israeli outlets, including The Times of Israel (Center), Haaretz (Lean Left), Jewish Telegraph Agency, and Jewish Insider, covered at least one of the polls. Jewish publication The Forward (Lean Left) republished JTA's wire coverage. Newsweek (Center) published coverage of the JEI poll, and Common Dreams (Left) covered both polls in one feature on March 30. Outside Newsweek, AllSides didn't find coverage from mainstream American outlets.

Mar. 29 - Trump Says He Wants to Seize Iranian Oil, WSJ Says Uranium Too

President Trump told Financial Times (Center) on March 29 that he wants to "take the oil" in Iran. On the same day, The Wall Street Journal (Center) reported he is considering deploying US troops to seize 1,000 pounds of Iran's uranium.

Trump told FT, "To be honest with you, my favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say: 'Why are you doing that?' But they're stupid people." He added, "Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don't. We have a lot of options. It would also mean we had to be there for a while." When asked about Kharg Island's defenses, he said, "I don't think they have any defense. We could take it very easily."

The Journal reported Trump's considerations for seizing uranium and cited unnamed "US officials" as its source. It added that Trump told reporters if Iran doesn't give in to US demands, "they're not going to have a country," and that it must "give us the nuclear dust."

Meanwhile, The Journal and Washington Post (Lean Left) reported the US is preparing to send 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East and conduct several weeks of ground operations in Iran, respectively. On March 13, the US struck over 90 targets on Kharg Island, Iran's main oil processing hub. On March 16, Trump said, "We don't need oil… [the US] has more than double what anybody else, in terms of oil production [has]." He added that the US struck Iran for its "good allies" in the region, including Israel.

In June 2025, Trump said US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities "totally obliterated" the locations it struck, though some media outlets and the Iranian state pushed back on his claim. On February 24, four days before the US bombed Iran again, the White House confirmed this, though since the beginning of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Trump has claimed one of the US objectives in Iran is preventing the country from getting a nuclear weapon.

Trump's comments regarding oil to FT were widely covered by mainstream outlets on by the morning of March 30. At the same time, the Journal's report on uranium was less widely covered by the Western mainstream. WSJ and Fox News (Right) both framed potential US ground operations to seize uranium and oil, respectively, as risky. Fox offered several split perspectives from analysts, with some saying the economic impact on Iran could be immediate and others saying it could take a while.

Mar. 28 - Pentagon Reportedly Preparing to Send 10K Troops to Middle East and For Weeks of Ground Operations in Iran

The US is preparing to send 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East and to conduct several weeks of ground operations in Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) and Washington Post (Lean Left), respectively.

The Journal reported that the Pentagon is mulling "sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to give President Trump more military options," according to "Department of Defense officials with knowledge of the planning." The Journal noted that the development comes days after the US ordered 5,000 members of the 82nd Airborne Division be sent to the region.

The Post said the Pentagon is also "preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran," according to anonymous "US officials." The Post promptly framed the news as "what could become a dangerous new phase of the war should President Donald Trump choose to escalate." It added that "any potential ground operation would fall short of a full-scale invasion and could instead involve raids by a mixture of Special Operations forces and conventional infantry troops," per its sources.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who appears to be the country's de facto chief diplomat at the moment, said on Sunday the "enemy openly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue and secretly plans a ground attack."

The news comes as the US and Iran have publicly disputed the state of peace negotiations, with President Trump saying they're ongoing and "productive," and Iran calling his claim "fake news." Also this week, the US Army raised its maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42.

Outlets across the spectrum based coverage solely on the aforementioned anonymous reports. Qatar-based outlet Al Jazeera (Lean Left) noted WaPo's report and amplified Iran's rhetoric and response to reported US escalations in recent days. As AllSides previously noted, media reports have differed on how many troops are being deployed from the 82nd Airborne; Fox News (Right) wrote in its coverage of The Journal's report that 1,500 were ordered to be sent.

Mar. 27 - Heavy Use of Tomahawk Missiles in Iran War Raises Questions About Supply and Cost

The US military has fired hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles during the war with Iran, raising concerns among some officials about stockpile levels and the long-term sustainability of high-cost precision weapons.

More than 850 Tomahawk missiles have been launched by US forces in roughly four weeks of fighting, according to The Washington Post (Lean Left). The pace of use is significantly higher than typical annual procurement levels. However, media reports pointed to some White House and Pentagon officials saying the military still has sufficient resources to meet operational goals. Reportedly, officials have been in discussion about increasing production and replenishing supplies. Tomahawk missiles are long-range precision weapons capable of striking targets more than 1,000 miles away. They are primarily used by the US Navy and are a key component of early strike operations.

Each Tomahawk missile can cost roughly $2 million or more, depending on the variant. The US maintains an estimated stockpile of about 3,000 missiles, but production and procurement rates are far lower than current usage levels. Defense contractors, including RTX Corporation, have agreements in place to increase production capacity in the coming years.

The war has highlighted a broader challenge in modern warfare: balancing expensive precision weapons against lower-cost threats. Iran has relied heavily on drones and missiles, many of which are cheaper to produce but still require costly interception systems. Despite this imbalance, US and allied forces have intercepted the majority of incoming threats, supported by layered air defense systems and regional coordination.

Some media outlets covered reports about high interception rates, but differed in emphasis — one on supply and procurement, the other on cost dynamics and long-term sustainability. Fox News (Right) highlighted the broader cost imbalance in the conflict, emphasizing how cheaper Iranian drones and missiles are straining more expensive US and allied defenses. CBS News (Lean Left) focused on the pace of Tomahawk use and stockpile concerns, citing data and expert analysis on production limits.

Mar. 26 - Has the Conflict With Iran Impacted the Housing Market?

As homebuyer interest has ticked up in early spring, news sources have providing a variety of analysis on how angles on the US housing situation.

The current 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, according to Mortgage News Daily, is around 6.48%, which is up from 5.99% in late February. However, this rate dropped from a peak of 7.26% in January of 2025.

Axios (Lean Left) pointed to the war in Iran as the cause for "mortgage rates hitting their highest point in five months." The article said that the war in Iran "has triggered energy inflation that's dimming the prospects of interest rate cuts and keeping borrowing costs higher." Axios explained that "mortgage rates are priced off the 10-year Treasury yield," and "the threat of higher-for-longer oil prices continued to keep Treasury yields elevated."

CNBC (Lean Left) said, "the Iran war could crush the U.S. housing recovery, and it's not just about mortgage rates." The article cited Zillow's chief economist Mischa Fisher, who explained that on top of the increased mortgage rates, there is "potential for a slight uptick in the unemployment rate given reduced consumer spending power resulting from higher prices."

Fortune (Center) focused on a trend showing "Gen Zers are flocking" to the Midwest, where homes are on average about 30% cheaper than major coastal metros like New York City or Los Angeles. The article cited information from Redfin showing that "although home prices in the Midwest are rising," locations like Detroit, Michigan, "has the lowest median sales price of any major metro at $80,000," and Cleveland, Ohio, "at about $125,500," both of which "are less than half of the overall U.S. figure."

Newsweek (Center) highlighted Redfin data showing that the US housing market last month had "630,000 more sellers than buyers," which marked "the largest gap in records dating back to 2013." The article explained that anytime the market has ten percent more sellers than buyers, it is considered a buyer's market. Last month, there were an estimated 46 percent more sellers than buyers, saying the figures indicate "that the United States is solidly a buyer's market." However, under the ten percent definition, the US has been a "buyer's market since May 2024—without bringing much relief to U.S. buyers."

ZeroHedge (Lean Right) said that the increased mortgage rates, coupled with insurance, "turns a half-million dollar house into a $1.2 million house plus property taxes," making houses "unaffordable for another class of buyers while already out of reach for most people." The article also mentioned that on the supply side of the equation, "millions of existing homeowners are locked into COVID-era mortgages of 3 percent or lower," which is "a great deal unless you sell and then have to buy again." The article explained that this has produced an 18 percent drop in home sale numbers in January, which is "a level comparable to the bust following the 2008 financial crisis that began with housing."

Mar. 25 - Conflicting Narratives Emerge on Status of Peace Negotiations

Conflicting reports and differing narratives have highlighted uncertainties of when the Iran War will end.

The US reportedly proposed a 15-point peace plan with Iran via Pakistan on March 24 that would impose limits on Iranian defense systems and require the acceptance of Israeli statehood. Iranian officials reportedly rejected negotiations with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, after which Trump said Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would manage the talks.

Iranian Parliament head Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf is reportedly at the center of the negotiations, after he was elected to replace National Security Secretary Ali Larijani, who was killed in a strike last week. Ghalibaf, a potential successor of the Iranian regime, called Trump's comments about US-Iran negotiations "fake news" to boost the oil and stock markets.

Iran previously submitted a counterproposal with the five following conditions, according to The Guardian (Left): "An end to 'aggression and assassinations;' 'Concrete' guarantees preventing the reoccurrence of war against Iran; Payment for war damage and reparations; End of war on Iran and against 'all resistance groups' across the Middle East; Recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the strait of Hormuz."

Trump announced on March 23 that the US and Iran had "very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East" and that he "instructed the Department of War to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions" throughout the week. Iranian officials responded with skepticism of US diplomacy, with military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari stating, "Has the level of your internal conflicts reached the point where you are negotiating with yourselves?"

Outlets from the left and in the center emphasized the uncertainties surrounding the negotiations. The Guardian noted "confusion over Iran's response" and conflicting reports over "whether [Iran] rejected [negotiations] outright." The article stated, "Iran has scoffed at reports that the US has put forward a ceasefire deal to bring an end to the conflict in the Middle East." CNN's (Lean Left) lede similarly said, "Iran's military has mocked the Trump administration's efforts to strike a deal." The outlet also suggested that Trump's deployment of additional soldiers to the Middle East suggests he is "keeping his options open."

Outlets on the right prominently highlighted Trump's efforts to negotiate and framed the war's status more optimistically. While both CNN and Fox News (Right) reported on the nearly 300 US service members injured in combat with Iran, Fox emphasized reports that the "vast majority" are back on duty.

Mar. 24 - Pentagon to Deploy Troops to Middle East, Trump Shares Ceasefire Proposal

The Pentagon is expected to deploy parts of the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East as the war continues.

The number of expected deployments varied between outlets. CBS News (Lean Left) reported at least 1,000 troops will be deployed, while The Hill (Center) reported roughly 2,000 troops and Reuters (Center) reported between 3,000 and 4,000, according to two sources familiar with the plans. The Hill reported the 82nd Airborne Division can deploy within 18 hours of notification, and can conduct "parachute assaults" and secure "key objectives" to support US national interests. Roughly 2,200 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are also expected to arrive in the Middle East on March 27 – the day President Trump has given Iran the deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon has also ordered the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Centcom, which will depart in the following weeks.

Also on March 24 , the New York Times (Lean Left) reported the US sent Iran a 15-point plan and cease-fire proposal via Pakistan to end the war. The New York Post (Lean Right) quoted Trump claiming the regime had already agreed to one of the key conditions: not pursuing nuclear weapons. Other conditions reportedly include Iran must dismantle its existing nuclear capabilities; stop funding, directing and arming its proxies, and the strait must remain open. In return, the international community would end its sanctions on Iran and the US would offer its assistance to advance Iran's civilian nuclear energy program.

Simultaneously, Israel and Iran continued to trade strikes early, according to several outlets. BBC (Center) reported Israel had confirmed strikes on Tehran, while Iran launched retaliatory attacks on Israel and Persian Gulf Arab states. Defense Minister Israel Katz on March 24 said Israel will occupy southern Lebanon, creating a "security zone," according to Reuters.

Outlets across the spectrum contextualized the deployment within concerns about the global economy and rising oil prices. Daily Mail (Lean Right) wrote that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was "urging" Trump to deploy troops on the ground and "take an opportunity" to remake the Middle East. CBS noted that up until this point, the US had been conducting an air war with Iran. It mentioned Iran has dismissed reports of ongoing negotiations as "fake news." Washington Examiner (Lean Right) said it's more likely the troops would "be used as a show of force against Iran without engaging in land warfare," similar to when the 82nd was deployed to Poland during the Ukraine war.

Mar. 23 - Trump Claims 'Productive' Talks With Iran, Iran Says 'Fake News'

President Trump said the US will hold off on its promise to "obliterate" Iranian power plants because the two countries have had meaningful peace discussions, though Iran has denied that the negotiations have taken place.

Trump said in all caps on Truth Social that "over the last two days" the two nations have had "very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution," prompting a directive "to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period."

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X, "No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told Iranian state media outlet IRNA that "messages have been received from some friendly countries regarding the US's request for negotiations to end the war."

On March 23, Fox Business (Lean Right bias) host Maria Bartiromo said she asked Trump about the Iranian claims that no talks had happened. Bartiromo said, "I asked him what his reaction is to Iranian state television, saying that there are no talks, and he said he's not sure what they are referring to because the most recent talks happened, in fact, last night with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and their counterparts… he said it's hard to get any information there because of the US is blowing up so much of their infrastructure."

Outlets across the spectrum noted the split narratives, though outlets from the left and center often did so in headlines while outlets from the right did not. Fox News (Right) was the only outlet AllSides found to note Trump's clarification when asked about it by Fox Business host Bartiromo.

Mar. 23 - State Department Issues Security Alert for Americans Abroad

The State Department issued a security alert on March 23 advising Americans around the world to exercise increased caution as the Iran war continues. The alert, posted on its website, warned that groups supportive of Iran could target US interests overseas, including US-associated locations. It advised Americans to follow guidance from the nearest US embassy or consulate and also cautioned that periodic airspace closures could cause travel disruptions.

Over the weekend, President Trump threatened to strike Iranian power plants if the country didn't open the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since March 2. Iran responded that it would attack US-linked energy infrastructure across the region if the US attacked. Last week, the department told US embassies and consulate posts worldwide to evaluate their security operations "immediately." Many US embassies have been targeted by Iran and its proxies since the start of the war.

The story was covered more often by Center-rated outlets. Newsweek (Center) said the advisory "highlights growing concern" Iran may widen its scope of attacks and follows similar alerts across Europe. The Hill (Center) included Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaho reportedly having "productive" talks with Iranian leaders on Monday. New York Post (Lean Right) contextualized the alert within Iran's "chilling threat" about targeting US interests. It emphasized Iranian strikes on US embassies and "tourist hubs" in the region. The San Francisco Chronicle (Left) mentioned different country-specific travel advisories Americans abroad may experience, and mentioned ongoing travel disruptions in the US as the partial government shutdown continues.

Mar. 21 - Trump Threatens to Strike Iranian Power Plants, Iran Vows Retaliation

President Trump threatened to strike Iranian power plants if the country doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz fully by March 23.

In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote the US would "obliterate" Iran's various power plants if it didn't open the strait within 48 hours. The warning came after Iranian strikes targeted two cities in southern Israel, Dimona and Arad, which are close to Israel's main nuclear research center on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said roughly 180 people had been injured. Officials told Washington Post (Lean Left) that Iran had turned to this extreme option earlier in the conflict than anticipated and that its ability to control the strait has been proven more complicated.

Iran responded on March 22 that it would retaliate across the region if the US carried out its threat, including targeting "all energy infrastructure" as well as US-linked information technology and water desalination facilities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also told Iranian media it would also "completely close" the Strait of Hormuz if the US attacked. In a statement on Friday, the IRGC said Iran was "impatiently waiting" for the arrival of thousands of US Marines currently headed to the region and is prepared to give them "a close-up view of naval surprises," according to The Washington Post.

The Washington Post quoted a senior former Israeli security official who said the US's hesitation underscores concerns that Iran's hold on the strait has been more resilient or complicated than anticipated. It highlighted uncertainty about the US's ability to secure the strait and noted potential danger to US military personnel. In relation to Iran's strikes on Dimona and Arad, NPR (Lean Left) noted authorities refuse to confirm or deny whether Israel has nuclear weapons. Outlets on the right generally emphasized the 48-hour deadline Trump gave Iran, framing it as an ultimatum, and noting it represents an escalation in Trump's rhetoric surrounding the war. Breitbart (Right) described the threat as Trump "ratchet[ing] up pressure on Iran's leadership," while Fox News (Right) framed the story within Trump's recent comments that NATO didn't have the "courage" to help the US reopen the strait.

Mar. 20 - US Lifts Sanctions on 140 Million Barrels of Iranian Oil

The US lifted sanctions on Iranian oil that is already loaded on vessels at sea. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measure on as oil rose to about $112 per barrel. The US Treasury said the authorization will run until April 19 and will add about 140 million barrels to the global oil market.

Bessent described the measure as "a narrowly tailored, short-term authorization" that will expand "the amount of worldwide energy" and help "relieve the temporary pressures on supply." He also said China has been hoarding Iranian oil "on the cheap" and that the US is winning the war at an "even faster pace than anticipated."

NBC News (Lean Left) prominently wrote that the move would be worth more than $14 billion for Iran, though Bessent said on X that "Iran will have difficulty accessing any revenue generated." BBC News (Center) cited experts who said the price of oil won't change much, though in a TV interview with NBC, Bessent implied that the move is aimed at keeping oil prices low so Russia profits less from its oil sales.

Prior to the war, China was the main buyer of Iranian oil, receiving it at a discount due to sanctions imposed on Iran by many countries. Iran has since closed the Strait of Hormuz, complicating global trade and causing energy prices to rise. Earlier this month, the US lifted restrictions on India, allowing it to purchase Russian oil for 30 days, though sanctions on Russian oil and other countries that may purchase it remained in place.

NBC News used a lot of charged language in its opening and framed it as a move that lacked "strategic planning" and could greatly benefit Iran but is "unlikely to make a difference." BBC framed the news by writing, "Experts said it was likely to have a limited effect on prices and could boost funds going to the Iranian regime that the US is attacking." Fox News (Right) covered Bessent's "clash" with an NBC News host, Kristen Welker, and included several long, full quotes from Bessent explaining his position, but few quotes from Welker.

Mar. 20 - Iran Launches Missiles at US-UK Base but Fails to Hit Target

Iran launched missiles toward a remote US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, but failed to reach its target, marking Iran's first operational use of intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean, according to The Wall Street Journal (Center). Neither missile hit the base. One reportedly failed mid-flight, while the other was intercepted or targeted by a US warship using a missile defense system, though it remains unclear if the interception was successful.The timing of the launch has not been confirmed. Multiple news sources indicate the attempted strike came before the UK agreed to allow the US to use British bases for operations targeting Iranian missile sites linked to attacks on shipping routes. British officials issued a press release, that said they're working with allies on plans to safeguard shipping in the region and support defensive operations targeting missile threats. Leaders have also called for de-escalation to avoid a wider conflict.

Iran has increasingly targeted shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. British officials have warned that such actions risk escalating tensions and disrupting global trade. The base at Diego Garcia is strategically important for US and allied military operations. Last year, the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, though the base remains central to Western defense interests.

Coverage across outlets aligned on the details about the failed attack. Some outlets, including CNN (Lean Left), appeared to focus more on live updates rather than standalone reports. BBC News (Center) and The Guardian (Lean left) emphasized the broader geopolitical context, including UK involvement and warnings from Iranian officials. The New York Post (Lean Right) focused more on Iran's missile capabilities and potential threat.

Mar. 20 - Iran Threatens Global 'Tourist' and 'Recreational' Destinations

An Iranian military spokesperson threatened to target tourism and recreational locations worldwide in an address on March 20, prompting a military response from the US.

"From now on, based on the information we have about you, even parks, recreational areas, and tourist destinations anywhere in the world will no longer be safe for you," the spokesperson said. A military official also said, "We are producing missiles even during war conditions, which is amazing, and there is no particular problem in stockpiling."

President Trump didn't make clear statements about his intentions to send additional troops to the region. According to Associated Press (Left), a US official confirmed that the military has sent three more warships and roughly 2,500 Marines to the Middle East. On Thursday, Trump told a reporter, "I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you." The Pentagon has also asked for an additional $200 billion to pay for its operations against Iran, which will require Congressional approval.

New York Post (Lean Right) reported Iran's threats against worldwide tourist destinations, highlighting that the threats align with many Americans' spring break travel plans. The Hill (Center) noted that Iranian state TV reported that the military official who made the threats was killed shortly after publishing his comments. New York Times (Lean Left) wrote that Trump's comments about sending troops to the Middle East "left some room for him to reverse course" and noted that the Pentagon's request for funds "is expected to encounter resistance on Capitol Hill."

Mar. 18 - Israel Strikes South Pars Gas Field; Iran Retaliates

Israel's March 18 strikes on Iran's South Pars gas field were met with retaliatory strikes by Iran.

The Iranian gas field known as South Pars is in the Persian Gulf and is a part of the world's largest natural gas reserves. The entirety of the field is shared between Iran and Qatar, the Qatari side being called the North Dome. The field's natural gas is the biggest supplier of Iran's domestic supply, used for both electricity and heating throughout the country.

President Trump said on Truth Social that Israel "out of anger" has "violently lashed out" by striking the gas field. Trump said that "a relatively small section of the whole has been hit" and that the US "knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it." Iran, according to Trump, retaliated without knowing "pertinent facts," and "unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar's LNG [Liquefied Natural Gas] facility." Trump asserted that "NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL" against South Pars "unless Iran unwisely" attacks Qatar, "In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before."

Trump in his statements regarding the Israeli strikes said that the US "knew nothing about this particular attack," however, some US outlets like Axios (Lean Left) reported that the strikes were conducted "in coordination" with the US.

Besides attacking the LNG facility in Qatar, Iran also struck energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many of the gulf countries have called for a de-escalation, but statements from Iran may signal the opposite, according to ZeroHedge (Lean Right). A warning from Tehran said, "We warn the enemy that you made a major mistake by attacking the energy infrastructure of…Iran…the next attacks on your energy infrastructure and that of your allies will not stop until their complete destruction."

Some outlets on the right, like Newsmax (Right), tended to focus more on Trump's statements about the strikes over other aspects. However, some other outlets on the right, like ZeroHedge, mentioned both the possible repercussions to the global energy supply, as well as mentioning that some western outlets alleged that the US was involved with the Israeli strikes. Some outlets on the left, like Associated Press (Left), seemed to focus more on what the outlet called the "massive energy shock to the global economy." Other outlets, like The Guardian (Left) noted how the retaliatory attacks from Iran were "infuriating" to Trump.

Mar. 18 - Are Republicans Divided Over the Iran War?

As prolific conservative commentators such as Tucker Carlson (Right), Megyn Kelly (Right), and Mark Levin (Right) have split regarding support for the Iran war, media commentators have debated the Republican populace's support for it.

The New York Times (Lean Left) published an analysis framing the Republican divide through the media feud between Kelly and Levin. The Times highlighted that on Levin's side are also President Trump, Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, Ben Shapiro (Right), and others. It also noted that American Conservative (Right) magazine has joined Kelly and Carlson in dissent. The Times framed GOP support for the conflict against previous Middle East entanglements: "The heated disagreement over attacking Iran, which shows no sign of abating, sets this conflict apart from previous military actions in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, which began with more unified support from conservatives."

Andrew Mitrovica of Qatari outlet Al Jazeera (Lean Left) argued, "Trump's supporters remain loyal, even if there are a few loud dissenting voices." Mitrovica argued that some from the American left have identified "a seismic split in his ardent base," though it's "a silly myth and a seductive delusion." He said the dissent came from "a handful of familiar MAGA personalities," but "MAGA remains what it has always been: a political phenomenon built to burnish one man's ego and narcissism," and that recent polling supports this.

Noah Rothman (Lean Right) of National Review (Right) noted that polls from NBC News (Lean Left), Fox News (Right), and CBS News (Lean Left) all found Republican support for the war on Iran to be around 85%. Rothman said, "The same polling that indicates voters are trepidatious about this campaign also shows that the public recognizes Iran is a threat to the United States, and some surveys indicate that a short war to overthrow the Islamist regime would be overwhelmingly popular." But he implied that "a broader and longer campaign" could eventually make the public wane and that Trump "will need Americans' forbearance sooner rather than later."

Mar. 17 - Director of National Counter Terrorism Center Resigns Over Iran War

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counter Terrorism Center, resigned on March 17, saying Iran posed "no imminent threat" to the US.

Kent announced his resignation on X, and wrote: "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."

Noah Rothman (Lean Right) of National Review (Right) argued Americans are "better off without [Kent]." He emphasized that "at no point since 1979 has the Islamic Republic of Iran not represented an imminent threat to the lives of U.S. civilians and service personnel." Rothman suggested Kent's frustrations undermine the work the US has done over decades to protect oil and support "American national interests across the globe." He also argued Kent's frustrations seem to be linked to Israel and "the pernicious influence he believes it exercises" over American politics. He challenged this assertion by saying that belief "ignores the constant maintenance" that's been done in the Middle East for decades.

A Fortune (Center) article emphasized Kent's "ties to the far right," saying his career was defined by his "extremist associations" and military record, which was praised by right-wing political influencer Nick Fuentes (Right). It also mentioned his anti-interventionist views come from his first wife being killed by a suicide bomber in Syria while she was aiding the US fight against ISIS. Fortune highlighted his argument that Washington's "permanent ruling class" had prolonged wars "on the backs and dead bodies of US soldiers" by making people money.

In an opinion for USA Today (Lean Left), Nicole Russell (Lean Right) argued that given Kent's credibility, his resignation "raises important questions" about Iran. The writer argued that if Kent's warnings about Iran not posing a threat were true, the Trump administration would lose "a lot of trust with the American people", especially conservatives. CNN (Lean Left) and TIME (Lean Left) both emphasized Kent's resignation as part of a growing divide among Republicans and their views on the Iranian war. CNN noted the "ongoing problem" for the administration to justify its war, and said "no matter what you think of him," Kent leaving is "significant" in Trump "losing his base a little at a time."

Mar. 17 - Israel Kills Top Regime Official Ali Larijani

Iranian security official Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli strike, leaving media outlets split on how to frame what the news means for the Iranian regime.

'Loss To Iran': "When [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei was killed, [Larijani] was quick to appear on television offering a reassuring and grounded leadership for those worried Iran had no wartime strategy," read an opinion in The Guardian (Left). The writer framed Larijani diplomatically, as did multiple outlets on the left, saying he was "a driving ideological and practical force" who had "huge personal influence not just in Iran but with foreign states including China and Russia."

The article called Larijani's death "a devastating body blow to the country and probably a bigger reverse than the loss of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei" and cautioned that it "cuts off the remote chance that he could have played a [transitional] role but also raises questions about whether the US actually has a candidate inside the country." The writer concluded, "The test now is whether the attrition, and gaping holes in Iran's intelligence operation, mean Iran cannot find another generation with which to renew itself."

'Regime Is Irredeemable': Noah Rothman (Lean Right) declared Iran already failed that test. In an opinion for National Review (Right), he wrote, "The Iranian regime is irredeemable. There are no moderate forces inside the Islamic Republic that, if only the West hadn't killed them first, would have led Iran to a brighter day." In stark contrast to The Guardian writer, he called Larijani "one of the Islamic Republic of Iran's foremost repressors" and "the architect of the slaughter of perhaps tens of thousands of anti-regime protesters." He criticized coverage by CNN (Lean Left) and The Washington Post (Lean Left), which exhibited similar framing to The Guardian, as "apologetics for the Islamic Republic." Rothman quipped, "The rest of us might struggle to reconcile [faith] in Larijani's willingness to negotiate with the United States and Larijani's emphatic March 1 statement: 'We will not negotiate with the United States.'" Citing tyrannical examples from the regime's history, he concluded, "The products of 47 years of indoctrination into the millenarian creed that prevails inside the Islamic Republic are not interested in moderation."

Mar. 15 - Mixed Reports Emerge on the State of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's Health

Mixed reporting has emerged in recent days regarding the physical health of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, with a recent report from Kuwaiti media saying he is in Russia to receive leg surgery.

On March 13, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Khamenei was "wounded and likely disfigured," though he did not elaborate further. The same day, President Trump said he thinks Khamenei is "damaged" but "probably alive in some form."

A day earlier, on March 12, UK tabloid The Sun (Center) said "sources" in Iran told it Khamenei was "in a coma," had "lost at least one leg," and that his "liver or stomach" ruptured.

On March 15, Kuwaiti outlet Al-Jarida reported that a "high-ranking source close to" Khamenei said he is in Russia at one of President Putin's palaces, where he underwent a "successful" surgery. The surgery was reportedly offered by Putin himself, and Khamenei was reportedly picked up by a Russian aircraft.

Major outlets have treated recent reports about Khamenei's health with caution. Hegseth's comments were picked up by many mainstream outlets. The Sun and Al-Jarida's reports were primarily picked up by some international outlets and tabloids.

Khamenei was reportedly injured in the US-Israeli strikes on the country and has not appeared publicly since. A video spread virally online showing Iranians presenting a cardboard cutout of Khamenei at a ceremony, though fact checker Lead Stories (Lean Left) has assessed it as fake.

Mar. 14 - FCC Says News Broadcasters Could Lose Licenses if They Don't 'Correct Course' on War Coverage

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr has threatened not to renew several news broadcasters' licenses unless they "correct course" on their coverage of the Iran war.

President Trump took issue with mainstream reporting that Iranian forces had hit five American planes and wrote in a Truth Social post, "The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (in particular), and other Lowlife 'Papers' and Media actually want us to lose the War. Their terrible reporting is the exact opposite of the actual facts!" Carr shared Trump's post and wrote, "Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions — also known as the fake news — have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not."

Carr, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 and served as one of the FCC's Republican commissioners during the Biden administration, was made chairman by Trump after his 2024 election victory. Days before the election, Carr criticized NBC for including Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live and not giving Trump, the Republican nominee, airtime under the FCC's "Equal Time" rule. Last month, the FCC pushed back against allegations of censorship after late-night host Stephen Colbert claimed CBS News (Lean Left) wouldn't air an interview he did with Democratic Texas Senate candidate Rep. James Talarico (D-TX).

The story was widely covered by the left and center. The only outlet from the right AllSides found coverage from was The Epoch Times (Lean Right).

Mar. 11 - US Military Reportedly Believes It Was Responsible For Deadly Strike on Iranian School

An ongoing review by the US military determined the US was responsible for the deaths of at least 175 people at an elementary school in Iran, according to multiple reports.

The New York Times (Lean Left) reported on Wednesday that the misstrike happened because those involved were using outdated intelligence. Reuters (Center) reported on Thursday morning that the investigation found the US was likely responsible for the strike. The Washington Post (Lean Left) on Thursday reported that Israel said it was not involved in the strike and that the targeting was not "cross-checked" or discussed with Israeli forces. All outlets used anonymous sourcing.

The strike happened on February 28 and was reported by Iranian state media. Mainstream American outlets were slow to cover the reports, and once they did, most treated the claims with caution. Previously, a report from Human Rights Watch (Center) suggested the US was likely responsible for the bombing. President Trump previously said the strike was "done by Iran" and doubled down on the narrative after reports had emerged that it was a Tomahawk missile that hit the school. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously noted an investigation is underway, but said Iran is "the only side that targets civilians."

Most outlets credited other outlets for pieces of reporting. The only outlet from the right AllSides found to cover the new developments was The Washington Times (Lean Right).

Mar 10 - Pentagon Reports Show First 6 Days of Iranian Conflict Cost ~$11.3 Billion

Pentagon reports showed that officials in a closed-door Pentagon briefing said the US spent more than $11.3 billion in the first six days of the Iran conflict, according to people familiar with the briefing.

Outlets like Bloomberg (Lean Left) and Newsmax (Right) broke the figure down into an estimated daily amount spent, albeit with different estimates. Bloomberg reported that the daily estimate was around $1.9 billion per day, while Newsmax was more conservative, saying the daily cost was between $800 million and $1 billion.

Outlets like the Washington Post (Lean Left) and Washington Examiner (Lean Right) focused more on the first two days of the conflict, with both reporting that US forces expended roughly $5.6 billion. Washington Examiner said "a significant portion of the spending was due to the use of advanced munitions" in initial strikes. The Washington Post added that this figure "is likely to intensify concerns in Congress that U.S. forces are churning through a scarce supply of advanced weaponry."

Some, like Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), expect "that the current total operating number is significantly above that." Both Newsmax and NBC News (Lean Left) cited Coons explaining that the initial figures largely only account for the replacement of munitions used in the first wave of the attack, and that it does not account for every aspect of the war.

The US campaign against Iran, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, is "transitioning away from its reliance on precision munitions and instead will increasingly use the more plentiful stores of laser-guided bombs" now that the US and Israel have achieved air superiority over Iran.

According to Newsmax, some of the high-tech weaponry utilized during the early days of the conflict, such as AGM-154 glide bombs, can cost between $578,000 and $836,000 each. The Washington Post cited Center for Strategic and International Studies Senior Adviser Mark Cancian who explained that shifting away from longer-range munitions, which may cost millions of dollars each, will allow for more cost-effective rounds to be used, some of which are less than $100,000 each.

NBC mentioned casualty figures right before saying that President Donald Trump "gave conflicting remarks Tuesday" over how much longer the war will last. Bloomberg, while not giving the tally of US service members killer or wounded, cited Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) saying "The American people deserve to know what this war is costing in blood and treasure."

Mar. 10 - Pentagon Says 7 Dead, 'Approximately 140' Wounded in Iran Conflict So Far

The Pentagon has said seven US service members have died and "approximately 140" were wounded so far in the conflict with Iran.

Six US service members were killed during the early days of the conflict when an Iranian drone struck a tactical operation center, and the seventh died on Sunday from injuries sustained in Saudi Arabia. Reuters (Center) was the first to report the number of wounded, initially saying it was "up to 150" and citing “two people familiar with the matter.” The Pentagon later confirmed that "approximately 140" had been wounded and that most sustained minor injuries and have since returned to duty. The confirmation by the Pentagon is the first official tally of US service members wounded during the conflict in Iran.

When asked if Iran was a stronger adversary than first expected, General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, "I think they're fighting, and I respect that, but I don't think they are more formidable than what we thought."

Mar. 10 - US Sinks 16 Iranian Mine Laying Boats in Strait of Hormuz

In a Truth Social post, Trump threatened to escalate attacks on Iran if it laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Minutes later, he said the US military had destroyed 10 inactive mine-laying boats in the Strait. US Central Command (CENTCOM) then updated that number to 16. According to CNN (Lean Left), which originally reported that Iran was mining the strait, Iran still has upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine layers active in it. The Epoch Times (Lean Right) said Iran allegedly has over 3,000 speedboats in the waterway. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) currently has full control of the strait and has warned that any ship passing through would be attacked.

Mar. 9 - Iranians Rally in Support of New Leader Mojtaba Khamenei; Many Remain Skeptical

Thousands rallied in Iran in support of the country's newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on Monday.

Authorities called for public assemblies in major squares and streets across the country ahead of the demonstrations. BBC News (Center) reported that Iranian media published videos showing rallies in Tehran, Bojnurd, Tabriz, Zanjan, Kerman, Khorramabad, Mashhad, Bushehr, Yazd, Qom, and Ilam. According to DW News (Center), Iranian state media reported "hundreds of thousands" turned out to demonstrate.

A video posted by Qatari-funded Al Jazeera (Lean Left) showed a demonstrator in Tehran, who said in English, "They killed the old Khamenei. Now, what has happened, the young Khamenei has taken his place. And what is he promising to the world, to our people in Iran? That we are going to defend our sovereignty. We are going to defend our liberty."

Previously, mainstream American outlets were slow to cover reports from Iranian state media that the US and Israel had killed over 175 people in the bombing of a school in Iran. Once they did, most outlets treated the claims with caution. New Western reports have suggested the US was likely responsible for the bombing. Mainstream Western outlets also widely covered celebrations abroad regarding the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but downplayed reports of mourning from within Iran.

The rallies in Iran were covered by several international Western outlets, but very scarcely by the US media. The only US outlet AllSides found coverage from was Christian Science Monitor (Center), which mentioned the street demonstrations briefly in a wider analysis on support for Mojtabi. Forbes (Center) and Boston's local CBS affiliate reposted videos of the demonstrations on YouTube. Israeli outlet The Times of Israel (Center) republished very short wire coverage from AFP. Al Jazeera shared video reporting, but not print coverage. AllSides did not find coverage from the right, but Daily Mail (Lean Right) shared a video on Facebook.

Mar. 9 - Trump Says Iran War Could End 'Very Soon', Markets Rebound

President Trump said the Iranian war could end "very soon", but not this week, as operations are reportedly ahead of schedule.

Trump said the US has won in "many ways" but hasn't "won enough." In clarifying remarks during a press conference, Trump told reporters he wanted to reach a situation where Iran wouldn't have a nuclear weapons program. He also said that if Iran "starts up again, [it] will be getting hit even harder." Trump also predicted oil prices would drop and said he plans to waive oil sanctions. He proposed taking control of the Strait of Hormuz and having the US Navy escort tankers through the Strait.

Trump had previously said he expected the war to last at least "four weeks or so". Following Trump's comments, the price of US crude oil dropped to 5% (around $86 per barrel) from 32% previously ($119 per barrel). The Dow Jones Industrial Average initially fell by over 880 points, but recovered and closed 239 points higher than where it started. Despite this, the price of US crude had risen over 30% in the previous five days.

Outlets on the right highlighted Trump's comments and emphasized the reported success of the military operation. Outlets on the left framed the comments within growing economic fears and the increase in oil prices.

Mar. 9 - Ayatollah Khamenei's Son Mojtaba Named as Next Supreme Leader

Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated by the US and Israel on February 28, to succeed his father and serve as the country's next Supreme Leader.

Khamenei, 56, was named by the Assembly of Experts, which consists of 88 members. According to Iranian state media, reportedly more than two-thirds of the Assembly was present for the vote. Several key leaders, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Iranian military have promptly pledged their backing to the new leader.

Khamenei is a cleric and served as a Deputy Chief of Staff to the Supreme Leader since 2008. The same day Mojtaba was named leader, but before confirming reports had emerged, President Trump told ABC News (Lean Left) that any Iranian leader picked without his approval "is not going to last long." Trump previously told Fox News (Right) that 48 Iranian leaders had been killed in the strikes on the country. Iranian state television reportedly said Mojtaba was injured in the strikes as well.

Days before the appointment, Trump told Axios (Lean Left), "They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight." He added that his appointment would be "unacceptable." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, "This valuable choice is a manifestation of the will of the Islamic nation to consolidate national unity; a unity that, like a solid barrier, has made the Iranian nation resistant to the conspiracies of the enemies."

Qatari-funded Al Jazeera (Lean Left) emphasized Mojtaba's experience and ties to the existing Iranian establishment. It ended its coverage by noting that US and Israeli officials have not stated a clear path to ending the war. The New York Post (Lean Right) echoed Trump's sentiments that Mojtaba is a "lightweight" and framed him negatively. It noted reports that, before the vote, there was apprehension from the Assembly and claims that he previously had problems performing well sexually with his wife.

Mar. 8 - US Reportedly Unhappy With Israel Over Oil Depot Strikes

Israeli strikes on 30 Iranian fuel depots on March 7 left Tehran residents dealing with smoke and acid rain and reportedly led to the first disagreement between Israel and the US since the conflict began.

Outlets like The Guardian (Left) and Time Magazine (Lean Left) focused on Iranian descriptions of the conditions they are faced with following the strikes. One source speaking with The Guardian called the situation "apocalyptic," saying it "is so frightening it's hard to describe." She explained how she and many others have severe shortness of breath and burning eyes and throats due to the contaminants and smoke in the air. Another woman described the night looking like the day due to the fire and the day being "so dark, just like our futures."

Axios (Lean Left) focused on the US response to the strikes, with reporter Barak Ravid calling it the "first significant disagreement between the allies [US and Israel] since the war began." According to both US and Israeli officials, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) informed the US of the strikes beforehand. The Jerusalem Post (Center) said the US was surprised about the scope and scale of the attacks and warned that "targeting critical infrastructure could backfire."

Daily Mail (Right) said President Donald Trump is "furious at Israel" and highlighted an Israeli official who said the US response was "What the f***." The article highlighted concerns from White House officials over oil prices following the release of images depicting oil burning. One Trump adviser told Axios that "The president doesn't like the attack. He wants to save the oil. He doesn't want to burn it. And it reminds people of higher gas prices."

Mar. 7 - New Reports Suggest US Likely Responsible for School Bombing

Mainstream American outlets were slow to cover earlier reports from Iranian state media that the US and Israel had killed over 175 people in the February 28 bombing of the Tayyebeh Girls' School in Iran. Once they did, most outlets treated the claims with caution.

The missile attack killed 165 people, most of whom were schoolchildren, according to Iranian state media. Satellite imagery confirmed the strike, though no group has taken responsibility as of this article's publishing. Amid several accusations that the US and Israel attacked the school, President Trump asserted, "It was done by Iran." Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth more ambiguously said an investigation was underway, but Iran is "the only side that targets civilians."

A report from Human Rights Watch (Center), an independent watchdog group, determined the following:

A full investigation of war crimes is needed for the "unlawful attack." The attack's structure "indicate[s] that the attack was carried out by highly accurate, guided munitions, rather than errant weapons whose guidance or propulsion systems failed or were otherwise disrupted and randomly struck the area."
The US and Israel "should immediately assess their responsibility for this attack and make the findings public… Human Rights Watch is concerned that under the second Trump administration, the Defense Department has deliberately and systematically weakened its domestic protections meant to ensure its compliance with the laws of armed conflict."
The school is located within an Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) Naval compound. "If any of the facilities within the compound were used for military purposes, Iranian authorities would appear to have been placing civilians at unnecessary risk and therefore also would have been in violation of the laws of war."

Media on the left largely reported on the US' probable responsibility for the strike. Associated Press (Left), for example, reported "mounting evidence" of US culpability. The Wall Street Journal (Center) also covered such evidence but noted the school's attachment to the military compound in its headline. Media on the right omitted coverage almost entirely, though some outlets, such as The New York Post (Lean Right), led their reports with Trump's claims.

Mar. 5 - Congress Rejects War Powers Resolution on Iran

The House and Senate have both voted down a resolution to restrict President Trump's war in Iran. The War Powers Resolution would've given Congress the ability to require Congressional authorization before the US could continue military action in Iran. It failed to pass in the Senate 47-53 and 212-219 in the House, largely along party lines. Two Republican representatives voted to support the resolution, and four Democrats opposed it. One Democratic senator voted against the resolution, and one Republican voted in support.

Mar. 5 - Some Outlets Report CIA Has Armed Kurds and Offensive Into Iran Has Begun

Some outlets reported that thousands of Kurdish fighters launched a ground offensive in Iran in an effort to overthrow the Islamist regime. Several reported that the US and Israel backed the operation; this remains unconfirmed and is doubted by some.

Outlets like The Jerusalem Post (Center) and Responsible Statecraft (Center), an arm of the US-based Quincy Institute, also said that "reports indicate" that the Kurds have launched an offensive. Other outlets tended to be more cautious. Axios (Lean Left) said the "Kurds backed by Mossad, CIA could lead next phase of war in Iran." Al Jazeera (Lean Left) said the US is "rallying" Kurdish groups to fight Iran but didn't suggest the Kurdish groups have begun an operation. The Washington Post (Lean Left) said that while Trump has spoken to several Kurdish leaders, representatives of the Iranian Kurdish Coalition "denied rapidly spreading rumors late Wednesday that they had begun an invasion from Iraq."

Several days before the US struck Iran, six Kurdish Iranian groups formed what they call the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan. The coalition issued a statement on Wednesday urging "all [Iranian] soldiers and personnel" to abandon their support of the Islamic regime.

Trump reportedly offered "extensive US aircover" and logistical support for the Kurds to take over portions of western Iran. Leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Talabani, said that "Trump was clear in his call," adding that "He told us the Kurds must choose a side in this battle — either with America and Israel or with Iran."

Some outlets highlighted concerns with the reported plan to arm and utilize the Kurds as a substitute for US troops on the ground in Iran. Daily Mail (Lean Right) highlighted the concerns of British author and journalist David Patrikarakos, who warned the plan "could spark a 'catastrophic' civil war that destabilises the nation for years to come." Patrikarakos urged that the US should proceed with "extreme caution," explaining that it "risks splitting Iran along ethnic lines" and sparking a "civil war, which might grind on and on." Responsible Statecraft echoed some of the concerns, saying that if reports are true, Washington is playing "a very dangerous game."

Iran on Thursday said a preemptive strike took place against Kurdish forces in Iraqi Kurdistan after learning of the reports of a Kurdish invasion on Iran's western borders. Iran reported that the "separatist groups" had sustained heavy losses.

Mar. 2 - US Announces First Casualties, Trump Says More Deaths 'Likely'

US Central Command reported that in the first day of Operation Epic Fury, four servicemen were killed in action and four others were injured. According to The Washington Post (Lean Left bias), the soldiers killed were part of a "sustainment unit" in Kuwait.

Key Quote: In a video on Truth Social, Trump said, "We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends."

Outlets from the left and center mostly penned headlines that included Trump saying more deaths are "likely," while the right was split and didn't always cover this angle. For instance, Fox News (Right) did not report on the casualties directly, but did report that Trump vowed to "avenge" the fallen soldiers. Axios (Lean Left) noted that Trump pushed back on the critics of the war by saying the strikes were to ensure security not just for ourselves, but for our children and their children.

Mar. 1 - Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds One in Four Americans Support Iran Strikes

A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on March 1 found that 27% of survey respondents approved of the strikes, while 43% disapproved and 29% were unsure. Reuters (Center) said the poll was conducted during the strikes on Iran between February 28 and March 1 and concluded before the US had announced it sustained a few casualties in the operation. Only 7% of Democrats supported the strikes, as opposed to 55% of Republicans.

On February 28, The New York Times (Lean Left) highlighted a University of Maryland poll from February 5-9 that found 21% of survey respondents said they favored "an attack on Iran under the current circumstances."

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was covered or mentioned by many mainstream outlets from the left and center. AllSides did not find much coverage from the right. Jack Hunter of The American Conservative (Right) mentioned the poll and wrote, "These are not favorable numbers for this administration. Furthermore, if their narrative is that Team Trump and the US didn't start a war, and in fact are simply ending an ongoing 47-year-long one, that's classic adding insult to injury."

Mar. 1 - Thousands of Iranians Mourn Ayatollah Khamenei's Death, Demonstrate Against US in Iran

Thousands of Iranians assembled and mourned the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran, following the joint US-Israeli attacks on the country.

Pictures and videos that emerged from Tehran have showed protesters, mostly dressed in black and often crying, holding Iranian flags and pictures of the fallen leader. They also reportedly shouted chants condemning the US and Israel. Demonstrations also emerged across the country in other major cities like Qom and Mashhad. Qatari outlet Al Jazeera (Lean Left) reported that "tens of thousands" of Iranians assembled to mourn the killing of Khamenei.

Pro-Iranian demonstrations have also broken out abroad. Most notably, at least 22 were killed in anti-American demonstrations that turned violent outside the US Embassy in Pakistan.

Some mainstream Western outlets covered the pro-government demonstrations within Iran but framed them differently. NBC News (Lean Left) reported that in Tehran, "the mood was suspended between grief and disbelief" and that "there were no mass celebrations from the regime's opponents." NBC implied this was a directive from President Trump, however, and that "others, beyond Tehran and across social media, celebrated his death, dancing in the streets." Contrarily, Turkish state outlet Anadolu Agency (Center) and Associated Press (Left) played up the level of demonstrations within Iran. Anadolu wrote in its headline that "protests erupt[ed]" and reported "widespread public reaction." AP didn't publish written news coverage but shared a video and described "protests" with "death to America" and "death to Israel" chants. AllSides did not find coverage of the demonstrations within Iran from the right, though many covered the one outside the US Embassy in Pakistan.

Feb. 28 - Iranian Leader Khamenei Killed by US-Israeli Strikes

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed by joint US-Israeli strikes. An Israeli strike destroyed Khamenei's compound, according to Israeli sources. The Israeli military said it killed seven senior Iranian figures in the strikes and recovered Khamenei's body.

The 86-year-old Khamenei had been in power for 35 years. Iran's constitution says a council of clerics is set to select a new leader, but senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders and political leaders were killed in the strikes, leaving the chain of command in question.

Click the tiles below for details.

US Launches Strikes on Iran, Claiming 'Self-Defense' and Allegedly Killing 4 Iranian Soldiers

May 25

US and Iran Reportedly Close to Signing Deal on Ceasefire, Nuclear Limits

May 24

Trump Says Americans' Financial Situations 'Not Even a Little Bit' Relevant in Iran Negotiations

May 12

Iran Sends Trump Counter-Proposal to Peace Plan, Trump Calls It 'Unacceptable'

May 10

US Launches 'Project Freedom' to Open Strait of Hormuz With Military Force

May 4

Iran Executes Several Men Tied to January Anti-Government Uprisings

May 4

Hegseth Testifies to Congress in First Hearing Since Iran War Began

Apr. 29

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Iran War: Latest Updates, Bias and Potential Misinformation

May 25 - US Launches Strikes on Iran, Claiming 'Self-Defense' and Allegedly Killing 4 Iranian Soldiers

May 24 - US and Iran Reportedly Close to Signing Deal on Ceasefire, Nuclear Limits

May 12 - Trump Says Americans' Financial Situations 'Not Even a Little Bit' Relevant in Iran Negotiations

May 10 - Iran Sends Trump Counter-Proposal to Peace Plan, Trump Calls It 'Unacceptable'

May 4 - US Launches 'Project Freedom' to Open Strait of Hormuz With Military Force

May 4 - Iran Executes Several Men Tied to January Anti-Government Uprisings

Apr. 29 - Hegseth Testifies to Congress in First Hearing Since Iran War Began

Apr. 27 - Iran Offers to Reopen Strait of Hormuz in Latest Ceasefire Proposal

Apr. 25 - US Envoys Head to Pakistan as Iran Denies Any Planned Meeting

Apr. 23 - What To Know About Mines In Strait of Hormuz

Apr. 21 - US, Iran Agree to Ceasefire Extension

Apr. 19 - US Military Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship With Ties to China

Apr. 17 - Iran Disputes US Claim on Uranium Transfer Amid Ongoing Talks

Apr. 15 - Trump and Pope Leo Feud Over Iranian War, Role of Religion in Politics

Apr. 14 - Western Leaders Strengthen Relations With China as Iranian War Continues

Apr. 13 - US Begins Its Own Blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Apr. 11 - US Inflation Hits 3.3% in March as Iran War Pushes Up Energy Prices

Apr. 8 - Iran Reportedly Closes Strait of Hormuz Again as Israel Continues Striking Lebanon

Apr. 8 - Stocks Rise, Oil Prices Dip as Iran Ceasefire Takes Hold

Apr. 8 - US, Israel and Iran Agree to Two-Week Ceasefire; Strait of Hormuz to Reopen

Apr. 7 - Trump Threatens Iran: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight'

Apr. 6 - Trump Says Gov't Will Find 'Leaker' Who Prematurely Gave Info on Iran Rescue Mission to Media

Apr. 5 - Trump Gives Iran Until April 7 to Open Strait of Hormuz, Threatens to Strike Power Plants and Bridges

Apr. 3 - US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran, Crew Members Rescued

Apr. 1 - Trump Delivers His First Primetime Speech Since Beginning of Iran War

Mar. 31 - Average Gas Price Hits $4 per Gallon for First Time Since 2022

Mar. 30 - Two New Polls Find Low Support for Iran War Among Jewish Americans

Mar. 29 - Trump Says He Wants to Seize Iranian Oil, WSJ Says Uranium Too

Mar. 28 - Pentagon Reportedly Preparing to Send 10K Troops to Middle East and For Weeks of Ground Operations in Iran

Mar. 27 - Heavy Use of Tomahawk Missiles in Iran War Raises Questions About Supply and Cost

Mar. 26 - Has the Conflict With Iran Impacted the Housing Market?

Mar. 25 - Conflicting Narratives Emerge on Status of Peace Negotiations

Mar. 24 - Pentagon to Deploy Troops to Middle East, Trump Shares Ceasefire Proposal

Mar. 23 - Trump Claims 'Productive' Talks With Iran, Iran Says 'Fake News'

Mar. 23 - State Department Issues Security Alert for Americans Abroad

Mar. 21 - Trump Threatens to Strike Iranian Power Plants, Iran Vows Retaliation

Mar. 20 - US Lifts Sanctions on 140 Million Barrels of Iranian Oil

Mar. 20 - Iran Launches Missiles at US-UK Base but Fails to Hit Target

Mar. 20 - Iran Threatens Global 'Tourist' and 'Recreational' Destinations

Mar. 18 - Israel Strikes South Pars Gas Field; Iran Retaliates

Mar. 18 - Are Republicans Divided Over the Iran War?

Mar. 17 - Director of National Counter Terrorism Center Resigns Over Iran War

Mar. 17 - Israel Kills Top Regime Official Ali Larijani

Mar. 15 - Mixed Reports Emerge on the State of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's Health

Mar. 14 - FCC Says News Broadcasters Could Lose Licenses if They Don't 'Correct Course' on War Coverage

Mar. 11 - US Military Reportedly Believes It Was Responsible For Deadly Strike on Iranian School

Mar 10 - Pentagon Reports Show First 6 Days of Iranian Conflict Cost ~$11.3 Billion

Mar. 10 - Pentagon Says 7 Dead, 'Approximately 140' Wounded in Iran Conflict So Far

Mar. 10 - US Sinks 16 Iranian Mine Laying Boats in Strait of Hormuz

Mar. 9 - Iranians Rally in Support of New Leader Mojtaba Khamenei; Many Remain Skeptical

Mar. 9 - Trump Says Iran War Could End 'Very Soon', Markets Rebound

Mar. 9 - Ayatollah Khamenei's Son Mojtaba Named as Next Supreme Leader

Mar. 8 - US Reportedly Unhappy With Israel Over Oil Depot Strikes

Mar. 7 - New Reports Suggest US Likely Responsible for School Bombing

Mar. 5 - Congress Rejects War Powers Resolution on Iran

Mar. 5 - Some Outlets Report CIA Has Armed Kurds and Offensive Into Iran Has Begun

Mar. 2 - US Announces First Casualties, Trump Says More Deaths 'Likely'

Mar. 1 - Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds One in Four Americans Support Iran Strikes

Mar. 1 - Thousands of Iranians Mourn Ayatollah Khamenei's Death, Demonstrate Against US in Iran

Feb. 28 - Iranian Leader Khamenei Killed by US-Israeli Strikes

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