U. S. , Allies Ready New Weapons as Iran Moves Up the Threat Scale

The United States has begun using different kinds of aircraft—Apache helicopters and A‑10 jets—to counter Iranian drones, moving away from a reliance on long‑range missiles. This shift was announced by top military leaders as part of a new operational plan.

Tactical Shift

Aircraft Deployment: Apaches and A‑10s replace long‑range missiles in drone counter‑measures.
Mission Timeline: Officials declined to disclose how long the new strategy will take to complete.

Congressional Dynamics

Senate Rejection: Lawmakers rejected a proposal that would have limited President Trump’s military authority over Iran.
Democratic Divergence: Only one Democrat opposed the majority stance.

Refugee Policy

Trump Administration Stance: No refugees will be accepted from a potential Iran conflict, according to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
Policy Comparison: The plan contrasts with the earlier Biden approach, which allowed many Afghan refugees but faced criticism for insufficient vetting.

National Security Briefings

Intelligence Briefing: U.S. intelligence chiefs are briefing Congress on global threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Key Issues Discussed:
Threats to Taiwan
Ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran
The relative strength of the Iranian government

Funding Request

Pentagon's Appeal: The Pentagon has asked Congress for a substantial budget increase to counter Iran.
Funding Estimate: War Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated the request could exceed $200 billion, citing needs for weapons readiness and future operational planning.

Regional Developments

Israel’s Operations:
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported killing more than 20 enemies in Lebanon over the last day.
The IDF destroyed several Hezbollah weapons and buildings, pledging continued action against the Iran‑backed group.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM):
Posted a video showing attacks on Iranian naval ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
The footage emphasizes U.S. protection of international shipping lanes, which have slowed due to ongoing conflict.