Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth bizarrely claimed in a live Pentagon address that the U.S. did not "start" the war with Iran. Hegseth, in his platitude-filled broadcast message on Monday morning, said Iran has carried out attacks for decades in a "one-sided war against America," without offering much in the way of specifics. "We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it," the former Fox News host added. Elsewhere in the communique, he said the goal of the so-called "Operation Epic Fury" was not regime change, even though the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini was killed in an early strike. "This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it," Hegseth crowed.
First Lady Melania Trump is slated to chair a UN Security Council meeting on Monday, March 2, an appearance that was announced last week before the United States launched its war against Iran. Her office said the former model would "make history at the United Nations, taking the gavel as the United States assumes the Security Council Presidency to emphasize education's role in advancing tolerance and world peace." Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, confirmed Melania's event would mark the first time a first lady " or first gentleman " has presided over a Security Council meeting. The US will hold the Council's rotating presidency in March. President Donald Trump's third wife has dabbled in diplomacy before, notably working to try to secure the release of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
. "If you buy, you know, a porterhouse steak, it's going to, it is going to take you back. You can buy liver or the cheaper cuts of steak that are very, very affordable," [Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] added. read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin may have lost another close ally after the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but an oil shock from conflict in Middle East spells potential good news for his war chest. The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway giving access to the Persian Gulf and one of the world's key chokepoints for tankers carrying oil and liquefied natural gas. That is firing speculation that global crude prices could spike dramatically, boosting Russian revenues. "$100+ oil per barrel soon," Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev gloated on X Saturday evening. The current price of Brent crude is about $73 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate trades at about $67.
The U.S. military said on Monday that Kuwait "mistakenly shot down" thee American F-15E Strike Eagles during a combat mission as Iran attacked the country. The U.S. military's Central Command said the combat included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones -- the first time Iran's aging combat fleet has been engaged in the war. "The U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses," it said. "All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation."
President War Piggy claimed gas was under $2. What gives?