President Trump has intensified military action against Iran while a congressional war‑powers push is expected to fail. U.S. officials say a submarine sank an Iranian warship and that Iranian missile and drone activity has fallen sharply since the campaign began. The conflict is producing regional spillover, rising oil prices and a large U.S. evacuation effort; questions remain about civilian casualties and whether U.S. ground forces could be deployed.
Trump Escalates Military Campaign Against Iran as War‑Powers Vote Falters
President Trump is moving aggressively to expand U.S. military operations against Iran while congressional efforts to limit his authority appear unlikely to succeed. Lawmakers, military officials and administration spokespeople are sparring over strategy, scale and civilian impacts as the conflict spreads across the region.
Congressional Response
The House is scheduled to vote on a war‑powers resolution expected to fail a day after the Senate rejected a similar measure largely along party lines. Sen. Rand Paul (R‑Ky.) was the only Republican to back the effort to constrain the president’s authority; Sen. John Fetterman (D‑Pa.) joined Republicans in opposing it. Although symbolic given a potential veto, the votes are shaping the early policy debate in Washington.
Military Operations And Claims
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that a U.S. Navy submarine sank an Iranian warship in international waters and the Pentagon released video of the strike, which officials described as the first confirmed sinking of an adversary vessel by U.S. forces since World War II. Hegseth also said strikes have killed an Iranian figure allegedly tied to a 2024 assassination plot against Trump; Pentagon officials did not publicly identify the individual.
The administration calls the campaign "Operation Epic Fury." The chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, reported a sharp decrease in Iranian missile and drone activity, saying missile strikes were down about 86% and attack‑drone launches down about 73% from day one to day four.
Spectators watch the fireworks while waiting for Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, to come out and make his prediction during the 140th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Feb. 2, 2026. (Barry Reeger, Associated Press)
Regional Escalation And Humanitarian Concerns
The conflict has begun to spill into neighboring countries. NATO air defenses intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile headed toward Turkish airspace; whether Turkey was specifically targeted remains unclear. Iran’s temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz has contributed to a spike in oil and gas prices, and analysts expect continued volatility.
The State Department says roughly 17,000 Americans have left the region and about 6,500 have received U.S. government assistance. Officials are arranging charter flights and buses, and continue to urge U.S. citizens in affected countries to consider evacuation. The Pentagon is investigating reports of a strike at a girls’ school in Iran that allegedly killed large numbers of civilians.
Tina Peters speaks during a debate on Feb. 25, 2023, in Hudson, Colo. (David Zalubowski, Associated Press file)
Administration Messaging And Media Tensions
Senior officials have traded barbs with reporters over coverage of U.S. casualties and the campaign’s progress. Hegseth criticized media coverage that emphasized the deaths of six U.S. service members killed in an Iranian drone strike on a command center in Kuwait, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the fallen troops will receive a dignified transfer and disputed characterizations of Hegseth’s comments.
Domestic Politics And Other Developments
While foreign policy dominates headlines, several domestic stories continue to unfold: the House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi over the release of Jeffrey Epstein files; the DOJ reportedly shelved an inquiry into use of an autopen by President Biden; and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R‑Texas) is facing a House Ethics probe after admitting to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
A Texas state flag waves in the wind backdropped by the NRG Stadium, one of the stadiums that will host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, in Houston, Dec. 28, 2025. (Jon Shapley, Associated Press)
In Texas, Trump signaled he will weigh in on a Republican Senate runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, saying he will endorse soon. Education officials nationwide are planning celebrations for the U.S. semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), with the Department of Education backing civics initiatives.
What’s Next
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby is set to testify before the House Armed Services Committee, and members will press the administration for details on objectives, rules of engagement and the potential for expanded U.S. troop involvement. Lawmakers and the public will be watching for evidence that civilian harm is being minimized and that there is a clear strategy and endgame.
Note: All operational claims are attributed to U.S. officials and the Pentagon; investigations and independent verifications are ongoing.
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