The US has deployed additional Marine Corps units and naval vessels to the Middle East, with Trump claiming that a 'massive airstrike' on Iran will occur next week.

On Friday, March 13, the US-Israeli military strikes against Iran entered their 14th day, with the intensity of conflict continuing to escalate and no signs of ceasefire from either side. US Defense Secretary Hegseth claimed that the most intense round of strikes to date would be launched on Friday. US media reported that the US military would increase troop deployment in the Middle East. US President Trump also stated that a 'massive airstrike' would occur next week.

Hegseth stated at a press conference on Friday that the scale of the planned US strikes against Iran would be approximately 20% higher than the previous maximum intensity. According to Xinhua News Agency, Hegseth stated the goal is to destroy Iran’s entire military capability and revealed that Iran’s missile stockpile has 'decreased by 90%' and its suicide drone count has 'dropped by 95%,' with over 15,000 Iranian targets struck by the US and Israel. Xinhua News Agency cited US media reports stating that the Pentagon is deploying additional Marine Corps units and warships to the Middle East region.

On Thursday, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first statement since assuming office, declared that Iran will never abandon its quest for vengeance and will continue using the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a tool. According to CCTV News, the Iranian military announced on Friday that it had launched 30 super-heavy ballistic missiles, each weighing one or two tons, targeting specific Israeli objectives, destroying Israel’s critical aerospace surveillance system. This marked the most intense air assault against Israel to date.

As rising oil prices continue to impact the global economy, there is increasing news regarding efforts to lower oil prices and alleviate the blockade of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Trump administration is addressing the spillover effects of the war to ease domestic energy supply pressures and is considering suspending the century-old Jones Act. Reports on Thursday indicated that the Trump administration is contemplating issuing a temporary exemption to the Jones Act to address bottlenecks in domestic fuel distribution. The White House later confirmed this report. Trump also mentioned on Friday that he is considering this option.

Xinhua News Agency cited US media reports stating that the US is deploying additional Marines and warships to the Middle East. There are also reports suggesting that the US Department of Defense is considering sending more destroyers to prepare for escort missions in the Strait of Hormuz. British media reported that France and Italy are seeking an agreement with Iran for passage through the strait, though Italy later denied this. According to CCTV News, Turkey's Minister of Transport confirmed that a Turkish vessel has been granted passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump Declines to Comment on Seizing Iran’s Kharg Island Oil Hub, Reaffirms Escort Commitment if Necessary

According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump told US media in a phone interview on Friday, March 13, that the US military would conduct 'massive airstrikes' against Iran next week. He refused to discuss whether the US intends to occupy Kharg Island, Iran’s oil export hub.

According to reports, when asked whether the US is considering seizing Kharg Island, Trump responded, 'I cannot answer such questions. It is just one of many options. It is not currently a priority, but it remains one of many options. And I can change my mind in a matter of seconds.' When questioned about when the war would end, Trump said, 'When I feel it – when I feel it in my bones.'

According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump reiterated in an interview that Iran's military strength has suffered significant losses and claimed that it would take years for Iran to rebuild. He stated that the current focus of the US military is on destroying Iran's missiles and drones, and efforts are underway to dismantle Iran's drone manufacturing facilities. Trump also mentioned that the US does not require Ukraine's anti-drone technology assistance in defending against Iranian drones.

Xinhua News Agency noted that other US media recently disclosed that as military operations against Iran continue, the US is considering seizing Iran's Kharg Island. Located in the Persian Gulf, the island serves as Iran’s largest crude oil export hub, handling 90% of the country’s oil exports. During an interview on Friday, Trump declined to answer related questions.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump reiterated in the interview that if necessary, the US military will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

US Defense Secretary Announces Largest Strike on Friday as All Six Crew Members on Crashed Refueling Plane Killed

US Secretary of Defense Hegseth stated on Friday that the US military would launch its largest-scale strike against Iran to date, with sortie numbers approximately 20% higher than the previous peak intensity. The US objective is to destroy all of Iran's threatening military capabilities.

Amidst the escalation of strikes, the US military suffered a severe accidental loss. According to Xinhua News Agency, US Central Command announced on Friday the 13th that all six crew members aboard the KC-135 aerial refueling tanker that crashed in Iraq had perished.

The US Central Command released a statement on social media on Friday, confirming that a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker operating in western Iraq had crashed, resulting in the deaths of all six crew members. The statement indicated that the crash was “not due to enemy fire or friendly fire,” and the exact cause is still under investigation.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Iraqi militia group Islamic Resistance Organization previously claimed to have attacked two US aerial refueling planes, stating that one of them was shot down.

According to Xinhua News Agency citing US media reports, earlier this week, an Iranian vessel approached too closely to the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, prompting the US military to fire missiles and hit the vessel. The status of the vessel and its crew remains unclear. Meanwhile, Iran's Armed Forces General Staff claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy attacked the US Lincoln aircraft carrier, declaring that the carrier had lost its operational capability and departed from the area.

Trump States Study on Suspending the Jones Act; White House Confirms Research on Exemptions

As the war triggered a spike in energy prices, the Trump administration began addressing domestic fuel supply pressures.

Trump stated this Friday that once the Iran war concludes, the U.S. economy will rebound swiftly. His administration will 'review' the suspension of the Jones Act.

Wall Street NewsIt was mentioned that, according to Thursday's reports, the Trump administration plans to issue a 30-day temporary exemption to the Jones Act, allowing foreign oil tankers to participate in domestic fuel transportation to alleviate supply pressures on East Coast refineries. The 30-day exemption period will allow foreign tankers to transport fuel from the Gulf Coast to East Coast refineries, easing domestic fuel logistics bottlenecks.

White House Press Secretary Leavitt told the press Thursday evening: 'In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering a limited-time exemption to the Jones Act to ensure the free flow of critical energy products and agricultural necessities to U.S. ports. This action has not yet been finalized.'

The Jones Act is a century-old federal maritime law stipulating that cargo transported between U.S. ports must be carried by vessels built in the United States, flying the U.S. flag, and operated by U.S. crews. The last temporary exemption occurred in October 2022 during post-Hurricane Fiona emergency response efforts. Analysts noted that the impact of the exemption on per-gallon gasoline prices is real but relatively limited compared to fluctuations in crude oil prices.

U.S. media: Pentagon considers deploying additional destroyers to prepare for escort duties in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to U.S. media reports this Friday, as Iran intensifies attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon is increasing its military presence in the Middle East.

According to Xinhua News Agency citing U.S. media reports on Friday the 13th, with Iran continuing to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon is deploying additional Marine Corps units and warships to the Middle East region.

Three U.S. officials disclosed to the media that Defense Secretary Hergeseth has approved a request from U.S. Central Command to deploy an amphibious ready group and its attached Marine Expeditionary Unit. This force typically comprises several warships and 5,000 Marines.

According to reports, the U.S. Navy's amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, currently stationed in Japan, along with its embarked Marine Corps unit, is heading to the Middle East and is expected to arrive in approximately 12 to 16 days. Additionally, according to a report by the Associated Press citing sources, the U.S. military is deploying an additional 2,500 Marines and at least one warship to the Middle East.

The aforementioned officials also stated that the U.S. Marine Corps had previously provided support in military operations against Iran.

U.S. officials told the media that the Pentagon is also considering deploying additional destroyers to escort tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global oil supplies typically flow. However, officials indicated that even with reinforcements in place, the U.S. military will not immediately initiate escort operations, waiting instead until the threat from Iran diminishes—a process that could take a month or longer.

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has paralyzed traffic in this strategic waterway, disrupted global supply chains, driven up oil and gas prices, and placed significant political pressure on the Trump administration.

U.S. Reveals Military Expenditure for Actions Against Iran for the First Time: Approximately $11 Billion Last Week

According to Xinhua News Agency, Jules Hurst, the acting chief financial officer of the U.S. Department of Defense, disclosed on Thursday, the 12th, that the U.S. spent approximately $11 billion on military actions against Iran last week. This marks the first time the U.S. government has publicly estimated the cost of the conflict. Hurst also stated that the Office of the Chief Financial Officer is preparing more specific figures and plans to submit them to the White House and Congress within a few days.

Xinhua News Agency cited U.S. media reports stating that Hurst disclosed this “approximate figure” at a defense conference in Washington, D.C., on the same day. He also noted that the Department of Defense’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer is preparing a more detailed figure for a supplementary budget request, intending to submit it to the White House and Congress within a few days. The report highlighted that $11 billion is nearly enough to build a Ford-class aircraft carrier.

This figure has raised questions in Congress. Democratic Senator Chris Coons of the Senate Appropriations Committee expressed uncertainty about whether the government’s estimate includes all operational costs such as vessels, aircraft, fuel, and personnel, emphasizing that future figures reported to Congress should encompass the full costs of months of preparation, deployment, ammunition replenishment, and operations. Some lawmakers, based on communications with government officials, estimated that related additional budget needs would reach at least $50 billion, though this figure has not been confirmed by the White House or the Pentagon.

External agencies have provided broader estimates. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the cost of aerial and naval strikes during the first 100 hours after the conflict began was approximately $3.7 billion. Meanwhile, the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute estimated that costs to date range between $11.2 billion and $14.5 billion.

Iran Launches 45th Round of Military Operations; Trump Reportedly ‘Boasted’ at G7 Meeting That Iran Is ‘About to Surrender’

According to CCTV News, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched the 45th round of its "True Promise-4" military operation on Friday, the 13th, using a large number of "Kheibar Shekan" solid-fuel precision-guided missiles, supported jointly by the Revolutionary Guard Navy, Army, drone units, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that the United States cannot win a war "with a few tweets," and Iran will make the U.S. regret its "serious miscalculation." Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ravanchi indicated that Iran is allowing vessels from certain countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, leaving room for diplomatic mediation in its phrasing.

Xinhua News Agency cited U.S. media reports stating that Trump claimed on Wednesday, the 11th, during a G7 leaders' video conference that Iran was "about to surrender." However, informed sources pointed out that "the Iranian regime has shown no signs of imminent surrender or collapse" and noted that "there is no one left in Iran to declare surrender."

The report highlighted that "Trump's assessment conflicts with the actual situation, which is far more complex." On Friday, Trump again claimed on social media that the U.S. is completely destroying Iran militarily, economically, and in other aspects.

Italy denies negotiating with Iran over passage through the Strait of Hormuz; Turkey confirms one vessel has been granted passage.

British media reported on Friday, the 13th, citing informed sources that France and Italy have initiated preliminary consultations with Iran regarding passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The goal is to resume oil and gas exports from the Gulf region without escalating the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron previously stated that he had spoken with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, emphasizing Iran's need to ensure freedom of navigation to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated in an interview that Italy is striving to promote a unified European voice, prioritizing securing passage for non-belligerent vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, it was reported that the Italian Foreign Ministry immediately denied the aforementioned reports about Italy negotiating with Iran on the issue of strait passage.

British media cited informed officials as saying that officials from the involved countries admitted that whether negotiations can proceed and whether Iran is willing to engage in dialogue on this issue remains uncertain. The media also noted that there are significant divisions within the EU on this stance, with some member states opposing such diplomatic engagements.

Currently, France, Italy, and Greece have deployed warships in the Red Sea as part of the EU’s maritime protection mission, "Aspides." However, no European navy is reportedly willing to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz due to concerns that such actions might further escalate the conflict.

It was reported that British officials explicitly stated that the UK is not currently negotiating directly with Iran on the issue of strait passage. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is visiting Saudi Arabia to consult with Gulf nations on stabilizing oil supply.

According to CCTV News, Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkerim Uraloğlu confirmed on Friday that currently 14 Turkish vessels are waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Another vessel, involved in operations at an Iranian port, was permitted to pass after communication between Turkish and Iranian authorities.

CCTV reported that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Lavanji stated on Thursday, the 12th, that Iran allows vessels from certain countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but nations participating in aggression against Iran do not enjoy 'safe passage rights' in the Strait of Hormuz.

Turkey Claims Three Missiles Intercepted from Iran within Ten Days; Iran Denies Launch

According to CCTV News, Turkey’s security sector confirmed on Friday, the 13th, that in the past ten days, NATO air defense systems intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched from Iran that entered Turkish airspace, causing no casualties or property damage. Turkey emphasized its non-involvement as a conflict participant and exhibited a clear risk-averse stance.

CCTV mentioned that Turkey reported an air raid siren sounding early Friday morning at the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey. Subsequently, the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that a ballistic missile launched from Iran was intercepted and destroyed by NATO's air and missile defense system deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean after entering Turkish airspace.

According to Xinhua News Agency, an air raid alarm sounded early in the morning at the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey, where U.S. troops are stationed.

Thereafter, according to CCTV, the Iranian Embassy in Turkey issued a statement on social media, firmly asserting that Iran did not launch any missiles towards Turkey. The statement noted that, based on the consensus reached during recent calls between the leaders of both countries and consultations between their foreign ministers, Iran is ready to form a joint investigation team to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident to eliminate any misunderstandings. The statement reiterated Iran’s full respect for Turkey's national sovereignty and territorial integrity as a friendly neighbor.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Oman’s security sector reported that two drones crashed in Sohar, Oman, with one hitting an industrial zone, resulting in the deaths of two workers. According to Xinhua News Agency, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated that U.S. and Israeli military actions have destabilized the entire Middle East, bringing catastrophic consequences to the region, and called for an immediate halt to the actions and pursuit of a diplomatic resolution.

According to reports, UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh stated in an interview that this conflict will ultimately conclude through negotiations, with the UAE maintaining continuous communication with Trump. She remarked, "Ultimately, this will be a diplomatic solution, but it requires a pivotal turning point. I believe President Trump will guide us to that moment when appropriate." She also pointed out, "It is difficult to discuss mediation while under attack; mediation can only occur after the gunfire ceases."

Editor/Stephen