| GOALS VS. OBJECTIVES: Are you confused? Critics of President Donald Trump's decision to end diplomatic efforts and wage war against Iran complain that the justification is questionable and the goals are unattainable. As the military campaign enters its 12th day, Trump insisted, "We're winning very decisively. We're way ahead of schedule," and the Pentagon said there is no confusion about the military objectives. "Our objectives, which are the same as the day I gave my first briefing," War Secretary Pete Hegseth said yesterday. "One, destroy their missile stockpiles, their missile launchers, and their defense industrial base, missiles, and their ability to make them. Two, destroy their navy. And three, permanently deny Iran nuclear weapons forever." The first two are well within the capability of the U.S. military if it maintains the current tempo of operations, but the third — permanently denying Iran nuclear weapons — is a political goal that the current campaign doesn't directly address. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GIVES VARYING TIMELINES ON WAR IN IRAN THE 460 KILOGRAMS OF HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM: Absent the introduction of ground troops, either by the U.S. or Israel — which Trump has not ruled out — there is no plan to deal with the big question that dominated negotiations with Iran before Trump lost patience: where is the 460 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, enough to make 11 bombs? "The negotiation opened with their lead negotiator … stating unequivocally that they had the, quote, 'inalienable right' to enrich as a nation," Trump Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said in an interview on CNBC. "'You know, and I know that that's 11 bombs' worth of material. So you need to be serious about this.' That was the second statement that they made." "The third statement that they made at this negotiation was that … they were not going to give to us what they felt we couldn't win militarily," Witkoff said. "If we didn't destroy it all during Midnight Hammer, then they weren't going to give it to us diplomatically — which was the moment when we really knew that they had no intention of doing a deal with us." "It wouldn't be all that much for them to do a World War II-vintage type weapon. So we knew that it was possible that they could have a weapon, where they might be close to being able to procure a weapon," Witkoff added. "They could easily have taken the 60% enriched material and made a dirty bomb out of it. That would have been a really easy step." Iran's strategy appears to be based — not on winning — but on surviving to fight another day. Without regime change or an agreement to hand over its uranium stockpile and submit to intrusive inspections, the nuclear threat could outlive what Trump has promised will be a "short-term" war. 'YOU CAN'T BOMB KNOWLEDGE OUT OF EXISTENCE': "Every single day, we are pursuing objectives that the administration can't actually effectuate, including using military force to try to destroy the knowledge that already exists inside Iran to build a nuclear weapon," Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) argued in a weekend appearance on CNN. "What they fail to understand is that you can't bomb knowledge out of existence. Even if you were to do something wildly dangerous, like putting American ground forces in to try to extract some of their enriched uranium, there's still going to be the knowledge inside Iran, so that if you don't actually succeed in putting a new leader inside that country, they will just be able to rebuild that capacity as soon as American forces are gone," Murphy said. After a classified briefing for the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — one of the confidants who pressed Trump to go to war — seemed to agree. "There's no way you can say you won this war with an ayatollah in charge. No way you can say that," Graham told reporters. "If anybody like him is in charge, we've degraded their capability, but we have not gone to the source of evil." Meanwhile, Trump seems to be looking for a way to declare victory and bring the war to an end. At yesterday's White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's demand for "unconditional surrender" is based on his definition of the term. "When President Trump says that Iran is in a place of unconditional surrender, he's not claiming the Iranian regime is going to come out and say that themselves," Leavitt told reporters. "What the president means is that Iran's threats will no longer be backed by a ballistic missile arsenal that protects them from building a nuclear bomb in their country." WHITE HOUSE SAYS TRUMP COULD END WAR WITHOUT TEHRAN'S 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE NOTE TO READERS: Daily on Defense will take a one-week spring break hiatus beginning Monday, March 30. We will return Monday, April 6. HAPPENING TODAY: THE RACE AGAINST MINES: On a day when Pete Hegseth promised the "most intense day of strikes inside Iran," the top priority was not inside Iran, but in the vital Strait of Hormuz, where the threat posed by Iranian mines, missiles, and drones has effectively closed the narrow sea lane to tanker traffic, driving up global oil prices. "U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz," the U.S. Central Command posted on X, along with videos of the strikes. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump both warned Iran not to lay mines and also to remove any mines they have laid. "If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!" Trump said. "If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before." "We will not allow terrorists to hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage," Hegseth posted on X. "To the weakened Iranian regime: you have officially been put on notice!" Nevertheless, reports suggested Iran has already started mining the waterway, and this morning, the U.K. Maritime Trade said a projectile hit a container ship off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz. The commercial vessel caught fire, and the crew was forced to abandon ship. A second ship reported "damage from a projectile" but the extent of the damage was unclear. HEADING FOR NAVAL ESCORTS? Energy Secretary Chris Wright moved the oil markets yesterday when he briefly and erroneously posted on X that the U.S. Navy had begun escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. The post, which was blamed on a mistaken caption added to a video by a staffer, was quickly taken down, but it added to the expectation that naval escorts would be required to keep the Strait open. "I can confirm that the U.S. Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time, though, of course, that's an option the President has said he will absolutely utilize, if and when necessary, at the appropriate time," Karoline Leavitt said at the White House. While at the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said he has not been "tasked" to draw up plans for escorts. "We're looking at a range of options there, and we'll figure out how to solve problems as they come to us," Caine told reporters. "And like we always do with every potential mission, come to the Secretary and the President with both, what are the resources required, what is the command and control required, and what are the risks, and how do we mitigate those risks." According to retired officers who participated in the last time the U.S. escorted ships through the Strait in the 1980s, it is an operation that requires a range of air and naval assets. "This is something that the U.S. Navy absolutely knows how to do. And I guarantee they already have plans on the shelf to escort in and out of the Strait," retired Rear. Adm. John Kirby said on CNN. "You basically have to line up your convoys. And the number of ships in that convoy is going to alter by both the market and what needs to come in and come out, but also about the threat." "The number of ships in the convoy will determine how many escort ships you have in that convoy at the beginning and the middle of the end of it, and what the capabilities you need on those escort ships," Kirby said. "When I did this, the biggest worry were Iranian mines and fast boats." OPINION: TRUMP MUST NOT LOSE THE BATTLE FOR THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ ZELENSKY: 'OUR TEAM IS ON ITS WAY': Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is offering Ukraine's state-of-the-art interceptor drones — which have proved highly effective against Iranian Shahed drones — to Gulf states in the hope that they will, in turn, provide air defense missiles Ukraine can use to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles. "Our team is now on its way to the Gulf region, where they can help protect lives and stabilize the situation," Zelensky said in a post on X. "Those now seeking Ukraine's help must continue to assist our own defense – first and foremost, our air defense." Zelensky also appeared to confirm an Axios report that last year the Trump administration snubbed a Ukrainian offer to provide its counter-drone technology to the U.S. "We actually proposed to the United States, and for us this is a priority, this is a strategic partner, we proposed a drone deal," Zelensky said. "This proposal was only for the United States of America. I don't know if they declined it, I'm not sure, but it's definitely been postponed." "Ukrainian officials tried to sell the U.S. their battle-proven technology for downing Iranian-made attack drones," Axios reported. "They even made a PowerPoint presentation — obtained exclusively by Axios — showing how it could protect American forces and their allies in a Middle East war." Without the cheap, effective interceptor drones made exclusively by Urakrine, the U.S. has been forced to use expensive air-to-air missiles fired from manned fighter jets and helicopters to down many of the slow-flying drones. "Alongside our regional partners along the southern flank, [we] continue to execute intercepts against one-way attack drones using fighters and attack helicopters," Caine said yesterday. "We also have struck several one-way drone factories to get at the heart of their autonomous capability." UKRAINE LOOKS TO PROVE ITS VALUE TO AMERICA WITH DRONE ASSISTANCE THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: CENTCOM says 16 Iranian minelayers destroyed as Trump aims to secure Strait of Hormuz Washington Examiner: Roughly 140 Americans have been injured during first 10 days of Iran war Washington Examiner: Ukraine looks to prove its value to America with drone assistance Washington Examiner: Trump administration gives varying timelines on war in Iran Washington Examiner: White House says Trump could end war without Tehran's 'unconditional surrender' Washington Examiner: Iranian drones hit largest oil refinery in the Middle East Washington Examiner: Iran's IRGC is down but not out yet Washington Examiner: White House says Trump could end war without Tehran's 'unconditional surrender' Washington Examiner: Europe flails in response to Iran conflict as Strait of Hormuz closure threatens energy supply Washington Examiner: Opinion: Trump must not lose the battle for the Strait of Hormuz Washington Examiner: GOP prays for 'speedy resolution' of Iran war to ease economic fallout Washington Examiner: Witkoff says US takes Russia 'at their word' in denying intel sharing with Iran Washington Examiner: Johnson says GOP had 'little hiccup' with Hispanic voters over ICE operations Washington Examiner: Democrats face growing pressure to fund DHS amid airport lines and security crises Washington Examiner: Low polling support for Iran war poses challenge for Trump Washington Examiner: Trump appoints Erika Kirk to Air Force Academy board position Washington Post: Drone hits U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq, official says; no known casualties Wall Street Journal: Trump Says the Iran War Is Nearly Won but Israel Has Other Ideas New York Times: Iranian Military Shows It Knows How to Adapt, U.S. Officials Say Wall Street Journal: Iran Is Exporting More Oil Than Before the War DefenseScoop: Cyber Command, Engaged in War with Iran, Gets New Commander DefenseOne: A Year into Hegseth's Cuts, Defense Civilians Report 'Degraded Performance' and Low Morale Air & Space Forces Magazine: New Air Force Safety Tool Forecasts Mishap Risk Defense News: US Space Force Clears Design Milestone, Advances Missile-Warning Constellation Air & Space Forces Magazine: New X-Plane Promises Jet-Like Speed Without the Need for Runways Breaking Defense: Powering Up: Air Force Eyes 'Broad Reaching' Battery, Energy Storage Research Air & Space Forces Magazine: 'Battle Lab' to Produce Standard Plans for Air Base Counter-Drone Defense Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space RCO Adopts New Approach to Fielding Cloud-Based, Consolidated C2 System THE CALENDAR: WEDNESDAY | MARCH 11 9:30 a.m — Henry L. Stimson Center virtual discussion: "The Re-Making of International Security: Arms Transfer Trends in a Changing Global Order," with Siemon Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Arms Transfers Programme; Annie Shiel, director for U.S. advocacy at the Center for Civilians in Conflict; Elias Yousif, fellow and deputy director at the Stimson Center Conventional Defense Program; and Rachel Stohl, senior vice president of research programs at the Stimson Center and director, Stimson Center Conventional Defense Program https://www.stimson.org/event/the-re-making-of-international-security-arms-transfer 12 p.m. 2043 Rayburn — Defense Forum Foundation and Free North Korea Radio Congressional Defense and Foreign Policy Lunch Forum: "Envisioning North Korea's Future: Women Leading the Way," with Oh Hye Seon, author, The Pyongyang Lady from London; Jung Ah, author, The Journey to South Korea; and Kim Ji Young, president of Free North Korea Radio [email protected] 2 p.m. — Arab American Institute virtual discussion: "The failure of the Trump administration to follow the Powell Doctrine and to learn from the past lessons of the Iraq war," with James Zogby, co-founder and president of AAI https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ 2 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute book discussion: Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III" with author Shyam Sankar, Palantir chief technology officer https://www.hudson.org/events/mobilize-how-reboot-american-industrial-base-stop-world-war-iii 8 p.m. — Jews United for Democracy and Justice virtual discussion: "What is the Endgame? U.S. Policy and the Future of Venezuela and Beyond," with former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta; and Larry Mantle, host of AirTalk with Larry Mantle https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/blog/event/march-11 THURSDAY | MARCH 12 8:30 a.m. 850 16th St. NW — Reagan Institute Center for Peace Through Strength National Security Innovation Base Summit, with Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN); Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ); retired Adm. Christopher Grady, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Navy CTO Justin Fanelli; Rep. John McGuire (R-VA); Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD); former Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX); Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), former Defense Innovation Unit Director Mike Brown; Defense Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey; Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA); Sen. Todd Young (R-IN); former Army Secretary Eric Fanning; and Former Defense Undersecretary for Policy Sasha Baker, head of national security policy at OpenAI; Assistant Defense Secretary for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi; Assistant Army Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Brent Ingraham; Rep. Eugene Vindman, (D-VA).; and NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation Adm. Pierre Vandier, https://www.reaganfoundation.org/events/2026-national-security-innovation-base-summit 5 p.m. 1521 16th St. NW — Institute of World Politics discussion: "Private Military Contractors: Understanding the Non-State Actors Changing the Institution of War," with Caroline Batka, senior military analyst at Comenius University https://www.iwp.edu/private-military-contractors-understanding-the-non-state-actors-changing-the-institution-of-war/ 6:30 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. — Association of the U.S. Army "Coffee Series," with Brent Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology https://www.ausa.org/events/coffee-series/ingraham FRIDAY | MARCH 13 10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: "Toward a New Strategic Approach to U.S. Extended Nuclear Deterrence," with Paige Gasser, senior fellow at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Center for Global Security Research https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/toward-a-new-strategic-approach 10:30 a.m. — Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies virtual discussion: "Protecting and defending our interests in space," with Lt. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, commander, U.S. Space Forces – Space and commander, U.S. Space Command Combined Joint Force Space Component; and Charles Galbreath, director and senior resident fellow for spacepower studies at the Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/events/lt-gen-dennis-o-bythewood/ MONDAY | MARCH 16 2 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "A Conversation with Ambassador Kevin Rudd," with CSIS President and CEO John Hamre, and Charles Edel, CSIS senior adviser and Australia chair https://www.csis.org/events/conversation-ambassador-kevin-rudd THURSDAY | MARCH 19 9 a.m. 1789 Massachusetts Ave. NW — American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research in-person discussion: "Poland, Northeastern Europe, and the Future of the Transatlantic Partnership," with Erik Brattberg, nonresident senior fellow, Atlantic Council; Ian Brzezinski, senior fellow, Atlantic Council; Heather Conley, nonresident senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute, Robert Doar, president, American Enterprise Institute; Radosław Fogiel, Member, Sejm of the Republic of Poland; Anniken Huitfeldt, Ambassador of Norway to the U.S.; Igor Janke, president, Warsaw Freedom Institute; Paweł Kowal, member, Sejm of the Republic of Poland; Andrew Michta, professor of strategic studies, University of Florida; Dalibor Rohac, senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy, American Enterprise Institute; and Rep. Michael Turner (D-OH) https://www.aei.org/events/poland-northeastern-europe-and-the-future-of-the-transatlantic-partnership/?
| | | | "Here we are, well into the second week, and it is still the case that the Trump administration cannot explain the reasons that we entered this war, the goals we're trying to accomplish, and the methods for doing that. The one part that seems clear is that while there is no money for 15 million Americans who lost their health care, there's a billion dollars a day to spend on bombing Iran." | | Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), after emerging from a classified briefing for members of the Armed Services Committee |
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