Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, White House confirms
Khamenei was killed in a major attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, President Donald Trump said Saturday on social media.
Trump was once wary of ordering regime change in Iran. Here’s what made him change his mind
Guardrails were tossed aside, as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered up a battle plan that included strikes on Iran’s leadership.
War powers debate intensifies after Trump orders attack on Iran without approval by Congress
Many Democrats are calling the operation illegal, saying the Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war.
US confirms first combat use of LUCAS one-way attack drone in Iran strikes
The Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, or LUCAS drone, is a one-way attack drone reverse-engineered after the Iranian Shahed-136.
Most Popular
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Whitepaper: The Ongoing Evolution of Ground Vehicles
This whitepaper explores how Army modernizing vehicles are being used to counter emerging threats, how open systems allow fast tech upgrades, and more.
Whitepaper: Post-quantum security for the next-generation battlespace
Learn how U.S. and allied militaries can maintain information dominance in the next-generation battlespace with quantum-safe, Zero Trust-ready encryption.
Whitepaper: How Modular Systems Help Ensure Defense Readiness
Learn how a Modular Open Systems Approach avoids proprietary lock-in, how ease of sourcing replacement parts helps ensure readiness, and more.
Sponsored Content
How to Build Savings When You’re Just Starting Out — Money Minute
Jeanette Mack from Navy Federal Credit Union is here to help you start saving early and help prepare you for your future.
Air
Germany, Austria complete ‘Alpine triangle’ for airspace surveillance
Under a new law, both countries will be allowed to quickly pursue “non-military” airspace violations or unknown threats across their shared border.
Land
US Army revamping its electronic warfare acquisition system
The Army is seeking feedback from industry on the service's new concept of electromagnetic spectrum operations.
Pentagon
World leaders fear broader escalation after major US and Israeli attack on Iran
European leaders held emergency security meetings and scrambled to protect their citizens in the Middle East after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology in dispute over AI safety
Hegseth also said he was designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk, a move that could prevent U.S. military vendors from working with the company.
Anthropic ‘cannot in good conscience accede’ to Pentagon’s demands, CEO says
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday the AI company “cannot in good conscience accede” to the Pentagon’s demands to allow wider use of its technology.
Pentagon
US military assembles largest force of warships, aircraft in Middle East in decades
The U.S. Navy will have at least 16 ships in the region, dwarfing the 11-ship fleet that was, until the Ford’s departure, positioned in the Caribbean Sea.
What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon’s Anthropic ultimatum
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei repeatedly has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI.
US soldiers earn French medal for 2023 Iraq rescue
In 2023, French special operations troops came under attack from ISIS fighters near Hawija, Iraq. Guardsmen boarded a CH-47 and sped off towards the fight.
Naval
Swedish Navy intercepts suspected Russian drone nearing French aircraft carrier
Swedish defense officials said the craft likely came from a nearby Russian ship.
Space
SpaceX and Blue Origin abruptly shift priorities amid US Golden Dome push
The largest U.S. commercial space companies recently shifted priorities toward lunar development, just as DOD pushes its next-gen missile shield plans.
VIDEOS
Pentagon releases footage of US fighters, ships launching Operation Epic Fury
Images from U.S. Central Command show American forces taking part in the strikes on Iranian targets. (CENTCOM)
Featured Videos
More Stories
Trump was once wary of ordering regime change in Iran. Here’s what made him change his mind
Guardrails were tossed aside, as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered up a battle plan that included strikes on Iran’s leadership.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic since 1989, is dead at 86
Iranian state media reported the death early Sunday, after a major attack launched by Israel and the United States.
By Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, White House confirms
Khamenei was killed in a major attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, President Donald Trump said Saturday on social media.
War powers debate intensifies after Trump orders attack on Iran without approval by Congress
Many Democrats are calling the operation illegal, saying the Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war.
US confirms first combat use of LUCAS one-way attack drone in Iran strikes
The Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, or LUCAS drone, is a one-way attack drone reverse-engineered after the Iranian Shahed-136.
By J.D. Simkins
World leaders fear broader escalation after major US and Israeli attack on Iran
European leaders held emergency security meetings and scrambled to protect their citizens in the Middle East after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology in dispute over AI safety
Hegseth also said he was designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk, a move that could prevent U.S. military vendors from working with the company.
Pakistan in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan, defense minister says
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border attacks overnight in a dramatic escalation of tensions.
Swedish Navy intercepts suspected Russian drone nearing French aircraft carrier
Swedish defense officials said the craft likely came from a nearby Russian ship.
Germany, Austria complete ‘Alpine triangle’ for airspace surveillance
Under a new law, both countries will be allowed to quickly pursue “non-military” airspace violations or unknown threats across their shared border.
By Linus Höller
The good, the bad and the ugly — Inside Europe’s race to supplant US defense enablers
Defending Europe against a Russian attack without U.S. help will stay tricky for the foreseeable future, as some areas are progressing faster than others.
Last-ditch effort in Geneva to avert war between US, Iran wraps with ‘significant progress,’ Omani official says
Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said discussions on a “technical level” will take place next week in Vienna.
By Tanya Noury