Stories

Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

May 22, 2026

House Republicans Cancel Iran War Powers Vote, Shielding Trump from Rebuke

House Republican leaders abruptly canceled a scheduled May 22 vote on a war powers resolution that would have compelled President Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran, after it became clear they lacked the votes to defeat it. A previous House vote on a similar measure ended 212-212 with three Republicans crossing over in favor. Democrats erupted on the floor — Rep. Jim McGovern delivered a fiery speech calling Republicans cowardly — and the vote is now expected to be rescheduled for June after recess.

Senate Advances Iran War Powers Resolution 50-47 in Historic First

The Senate voted 50-47 on May 19, 2026 to advance a war powers resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran — the first time such a measure succeeded after seven prior failed attempts. Four Republicans crossed party lines: Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy (who flipped after losing his Louisiana GOP primary). Sen. John Fetterman was the lone Democrat to oppose. The resolution must still pass a final vote and clear the House before reaching President Trump, who is expected to veto.

US Navy Fires On and Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship Touska

The US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman on April 19, 2026 — the first forcible seizure since the US naval blockade of Iranian ports began. After six hours of warnings, Spruance fired on the Touska's engine room to disable it; US Marines then boarded and took custody. Trump announced on Truth Social that "it did not go well for them" and threatened to "take out their bridges and their power plants" if Iran doesn't sign a deal before the ceasefire expires Wednesday. Iran's joint military command accused the US of "armed piracy" and "violating the ceasefire," vowing the armed forces "will soon respond and retaliate." The seizure threw planned Islamabad peace talks into doubt, with Iran declining to confirm its participation. Iran's parliament speaker Ghalibaf declared it "impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot."

Iran Re-Closes Strait of Hormuz and Fires on Indian Ships

One day after briefly reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Revolutionary Guard reversed course on April 18, 2026, re-closing the waterway and firing on two Indian-flagged merchant ships — the tanker Sanmar Herald and cargo vessel Jag Arnav — forcing them to turn back. The IRGC warned that "no vessel should make any movement" toward the strait and declared it would remain shut "until the US restores full freedom of navigation for vessels travelling from Iran." The re-closure came after President Trump declared the strait "COMPLETELY OPEN" on Truth Social while simultaneously insisting the US naval blockade on Iran would remain "in full force." Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire deal by maintaining the blockade. India summoned Iran's ambassador, calling the attack on its ships "completely unacceptable." European allies demanded unconditional reopening of the strait.

US and Israel Launch Joint Military Attack on Iran

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran — codenamed "Epic Fury" by the Pentagon and "Roaring Lion" by Israel — striking nuclear facilities, missile sites, and government compounds across Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. By Day 2, CENTCOM confirmed over 1,000 targets had been hit, and Iranian state media acknowledged that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed along with dozens of senior officials. Iran retaliated by launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, US military bases, and Gulf states including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, killing three US service members and eight people in Israel. Hezbollah broke its November 2024 ceasefire by firing rockets at northern Israel, the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, and Middle Eastern airspace was largely closed. In Congress, bipartisan war powers resolutions were introduced with votes expected as early as March 4, while Trump said the operation was "ahead of schedule" and could take "four weeks or less." As of March 1, strikes continued with international calls for ceasefire from the UN, China, and others, while Oman offered mediation and Iran signaled openness to de-escalation.

Hegseth's War Prayer and the Pope's Rebuke

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led a Pentagon prayer service on March 26, 2026, praying for "overwhelming violence of action" and asking that "every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness" in the name of Jesus Christ. Pope Leo XIV responded on Palm Sunday, declaring that God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war." The confrontation escalated when the Pentagon excluded Catholics from Good Friday services. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the military's top Catholic leader, declared on Face the Nation that the Iran war does not meet Catholic just war criteria.

Hegseth Pentagon Purge of Senior Military Officers

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired or forced out more than a dozen senior military officers since taking office, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. The purge, framed as removing "woke" generals and restoring a "warrior ethos," has drawn bipartisan concern — particularly after the firing of Gen. George in April 2026 during the active U.S.-Iran conflict. Five former defense secretaries condemned the firings as "reckless" in a joint letter to Congress.

Trump Military Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats in Caribbean and Pacific

Beginning September 2, 2025, the Trump administration launched a sustained military campaign of lethal strikes against vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific that the administration described as drug-trafficking boats operated by designated narco-terrorist organizations, principally Venezuela's Tren de Aragua. The first strike — announced personally by President Trump — killed 11 people on a vessel that had departed Venezuela. By late March 2026, the U.S. military had conducted more than 47 strikes on at least 48 vessels, killing at least 163 people, under what the Pentagon branded "Operation Southern Spear." The campaign has triggered an escalating war powers and legality fight in Congress. The Washington Post revealed in November 2025 that on the very first strike Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given a "kill them all" order, and that a follow-on "double tap" strike killed two survivors clinging to the burning wreckage. Both House and Senate Armed Services committees opened bipartisan probes. Sens. Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, Rand Paul and Chuck Schumer forced repeat war powers votes, all defeated by the Republican Senate majority — most recently on January 8, 2026 (52-47 to advance, then defeated on final passage). Critics across both parties argue the strikes are extrajudicial killings without congressional authorization and may constitute war crimes; defenders, led by Secretary Rubio and Sen. Lindsey Graham, characterize the boats' operators as terrorists in an "armed conflict" with the United States.

US Military Buildup in Persian Gulf Raises Threat of Iran Strike

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group with 5,000+ troops is heading to the Middle East amid reports that US military action against Iran could come within 24 hours. The buildup follows mass protests in Iran where UN officials report at least 5,000 protesters killed by security forces. Iran has warned it will strike US bases in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Turkey if attacked. Trump says Iran "wants to talk" while deploying what he calls a "massive fleet."

US Military Operation Captures Venezuela's Maduro

On January 3, 2026, "Operation Absolute Resolve" deployed over 200 Delta Force operators and 150+ aircraft to capture President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. Maduro and wife Cilia Flores were transferred to New York to face narco-terrorism charges. At least 23 Venezuelan and 32 Cuban security officers were killed. Six Latin American nations condemned the action as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Americans are evenly split (33% approve, 34% disapprove) with a stark partisan divide.

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