| TRUMP: 'ANY TIME I WANT IT TO END, IT WILL END': On the twelfth day of the Iran War, President Donald Trump began the day telling one of his favorite reporters, Barak Ravid of Axios, that in his view the war in Iran was winding down. In a five-minute phone call, Trump told Ravid there's "practically nothing left" to target in Iran. "Little this and that." And he seemed ready to pull the plug whenever his gut told him. "Any time I want it to end, it will end." Later, in an interaction with reporters at the White House, Trump was asked by another of his favorite reporters, Peter Doocy of Fox News, "What more do you need to do militarily for this operation to end?" Trump replied, "More of the same," but also indicated he wanted to leave some of Iran's infrastructure intact. "We're leaving certain things that if we take them out and we could take them out … they literally would never be able to build their country back," he said. Trump pointedly refused to answer two key questions: Is he willing to end the war with hard-liner Mojtaba Khamenei leading the country, and with Iran still in possession of enriched Uranium? "I'm not going to answer that. But we have hit them harder than virtually any country in history has been hit. And we're not finished yet." FIRST WEEK OF IRAN WAR COST $11.3 BILLION, PENTAGON TELLS CONGRESS 'WE'VE GOT TO FINISH THE JOB, RIGHT?' From there, Trump went to Kentucky to tour an order fulfillment center and talk about the economy. "Oil prices are already coming back down," Trump told a crowd, even as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed, and global prices briefly topped $100 a barrel again. "It's going to come down," Trump insisted. "But we're not leaving until that job is finished. And it's going to be very fast. It's going to be very fast." Then, as he continued, Trump seemed to declare victory. "Let me tell you, we've won. You know, you never like to say too early you won. We won. We won … in the first hour, it was over," adding at another point, "We don't want to leave early, do we, huh? We've got to finish the job, right?" "We don't want to go back every two years. And that's because, you know, there will be some day when you don't have me as president, you'll have perhaps, perhaps, perhaps you'll have a weak, pathetic person like we've had in the past." As he left to return to Washington, Trump talked to reporters about ending the war. "I think we're in very good — we're in very good shape. The main thing is we have to win this thing, win it quickly, but win it," he said. "And there are many people, I'm just watching some of the news, most people say it's already been won. It's just a question of when, when do we stop? We don't want to let it regrow, and ideally would like to see somebody in there that knows what they're doing. In other words, they can build a country." TRUMP SAYS HE CHOSE 'EPIC FURY' AS TITLE OF IRAN OPERATION OUT OF 'LIKE, 20 NAMES' SEEKING A CEASEFIRE? A report in the British newspaper the Guardian claimed that Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, made some backchannel inquiries with Iran about a possible ceasefire in the coming days. "Iran has spurned two messages from Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, seeking a ceasefire as its leaders sense it is not losing the war and the U.S. president is, at the minimum, feeling the political pressure," writes the Guardian's diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour. "The foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has further said a unilateral declaration from Trump that the U.S. had won the war would not bring an end to the conflict." "Iran believes there can be no end to the conflict until it believes Trump has been shown the economic, political, and military cost is so high that it is not worth repeating," Wintour writes. "It is instead insisting on a permanent deal that includes a U.S. commitment not to attack Iran again." Even if the U.S. halted its attacks, Israel has shown no signs that it is ready to end its part of the war, while Iran is led by an ayatollah just as hostile to Israel as the last one. Today, Israel announced another "wide-scale" round of airstrikes across Iran. Despite suffering the loss of most of its military assets, Iran remains defiant. Amid speculation that Trump might order U.S forces to take over or target Kharg Island, Iran's main oil terminal, Iran's Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said today that any invasion of Iran's islands will "make the Persian Gulf run with the blood of invaders." "Homeland or Death!" Qalibaf wrote on X. "Any aggression against soil of Iranian islands will shatter all restraint. We will abandon all restraint and make the Persian Gulf run with the blood of invaders. The blood of American soldiers is Trump's personal responsibility." US INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUGGESTS IRANIAN REGIME IS NOT AT RISK OF IMMINENT COLLAPSE Good Thursday 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: This morning, the Senate Armed Services Committee will hear from America's top commander in Europe and the four-star general in charge of logistics, as it reviews the budget for the next fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. U.S. European Commander Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, who is also NATO's supreme commander, will testify alongside Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. NO SHORTAGE OF TARGETS: Even as Trump muses that there's "practically nothing left" to target in Iran, the U.S. Central Command continues to post cockpit videos of the devastating air campaign. "The Iranian regime is losing air capability day by day. U.S. forces aren't just defending against Iranian threats, we are methodically dismantling them," CENTCOM said in a post on X that showed large transport planes being hit on the ground by U.S. bombs. "U.S. forces remain centered on very clear military objectives for eliminating Iran's ability to project power against America and its neighbors." In remarks in Kentucky, Trump said he questioned his commanders about why the U.S. is sinking the entire Iranian navy, instead of capturing the warships for use by the United States. "They knocked out 54 ships in two days. They're real ships. In fact, I got angry at my people. I said, 'Are they any good?' 'Yeah, they're warships.' I said, 'Why the hell did we kill them? Why didn't we just capture them and use them in our Navy?'" "They said, 'They wouldn't have qualified for that.' But I got a little upset with my people. I said, 'Why do we have to knock them? and actually, one of my generals said, 'Sir, it's a lot more fun doing it this way.'" TRUMP ORDERS RELEASE OF 172 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL FROM STRATEGIC RESERVE AMID IRAN WAR MEANWHILE IN UKRAINE: While the world's attention is fixated on Iran and whether the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened, there has been a gradual, but significant, turning of the tide in Ukraine. "Ukrainian forces are successfully counterattacking not only in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole directions but also in western Zaporizhia Oblast," the Institute for the Study of War reported in a recent battlefield assessment. "These counterattacks are generating tactical, operational, and strategic effects that may disrupt Russia's Spring-Summer 2026 offensive campaign plan." On Tuesday, Ukraine used British Storm Shadow missiles to strike a critical Russian microchip manufacturing plant, the second-largest producer of microchips for the Russian Defense Ministry. In the past month or so, Ukraine has reclaimed more than 300 square kilometers of territory from the Russians. During a visit to the front lines in Donetsk this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "Our warriors are holding their ground with dignity." "Ukraine has not just stopped Russia and Putin in their tracks. Now they're retaking territory. Russia is substantially weakened that the ability of us to pressure Russia into ending this war is greater now than it's been," Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said on CNN yesterday, criticizing the Trump administration for easing some sanctions on Russia to prop up oil supplies. "It's given a bit of a lifeline to Putin, and no one's paying attention," Smith said. "It prolongs the war, that too is an enormous cost … As Russia continues to bombard Ukraine and attempt to take them over through an active force, I don't think that's a smart policy right now." "The Russians are not abandoning the war, and here, in the Donetsk region, they are preparing an offensive for the spring," Zelensky said in a video recorded during his visit. "It is important that our positions are strong." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: First week of Iran war cost $11.3 billion, Pentagon tells Congress Washington Examiner: US intelligence report suggests Iranian regime is not at risk of imminent collapse Washington Examiner: Trump orders release of 172 million barrels of oil from strategic reserve amid Iran war Washington Examiner: One dead in attack that set two oil tankers ablaze in Persian Gulf: Report Washington Examiner: Three cargo ships damaged by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz Washington Examiner: Iranian drones strike Oman oil depot despite countries' friendly relations Washington Examiner: White House says Democrats have perverted war powers law to obstruct Trump Washington Examiner: FBI warns of Iranian drone attack in California Washington Examiner: South Korea upset at US moving air defense system to Middle East Washington Examiner: Trump says he chose 'Epic Fury' as title of Iran operation out of 'like, 20 names' Washington Examiner: Pentagon bans photographers from Hegseth's Iran war briefings Washington Examiner: US knows location of 'most' domestic Iranian sleeper cells, Trump says Washington Examiner: Shipping disruptions spread beyond oil: Helium, sulfur, and semiconductors Washington Examiner: White House says Democrats have perverted war powers law to obstruct Trump Washington Examiner: Opinion: Iranians need to get online to topple the regime Washington Examiner: Opinion: Why Iran is attacking its Arab neighbors AP: Iran's unrelenting attacks on Mideast shipping and energy infrastructure send oil prices soaring Wall Street Journal: Ending Iran War Quickly Carries Big Risks for the US and Allies Axios: Trump tells Axios there's "practically nothing left" to target in Iran CBS News: Dozens of US Service Members in Kuwait Suffered Serious Injuries, Including Burns, Brain Trauma, and Shrapnel Wounds, Sources Say CNN: Source: New Iranian supreme leader had fractured foot and face lacerations on first day of war Air & Space Forces Magazine: MQ-9s Over Iran: Striking and Finding Targets—But Taking Some Losses New York Times: U.S. at Fault in Strike on School in Iran, Preliminary Inquiry Says The Guardian: Iran is becoming more defiant in face of US-Israeli onslaught Politico: Ukraine's US Air Defenses Are at Risk in Iran War Defense News: These Are Ukraine's $1,000 Interceptor Drones the Pentagon Wants to Buy Defense News: Ukraine's Top Drone Units to Bring Frontline Lessons to Washington This Month AP: New drone maker partly owned by Trump sons hopes to win Pentagon contracts Washington Post: After Iran assault, Russians say U.S. can't be trusted in Ukraine talks CNN: Fake explosions, fake missiles, fake troops: AI videos and images of Iran war spread widely on social media New York Times: China's Military Has Quietly Cut Flying Near Taiwan The War Zone: UK Grows Its Defensive Posture Abroad in Response to Iran Conflict Wall Street Journal: The Final Days of an Iranian Navy Crew Before the U.S. Torpedoed Their Ship DefenseScoop: CENTCOM Commander Touts Use of AI in Fight Against Iran During Operation Epic Fury Air & Space Forces Magazine: B-21 Spotted Flying with KC-135 in Precursor to Refueling Test Air & Space Forces Magazine: Anduril Bolstering Space Portfolio by Buying Sensing Firm Aviation Week: Despite Solicitation, US Air Force Still Against More E-7A Buys Washington Post: OPINION: Our Air Force Is Stretched Dangerously Thin. Here's How to Revamp It. New York Post: Opinion: Can Ukraine's state-of-the-art drone tech come to US aid in Iran? Washington Post: Pentagon bars press photographers over 'unflattering' Hegseth photos THE CALENDAR: THURSDAY | MARCH 12 8 a.m — National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations virtual discussion: "The Gulf in the Crossfire: Assessing the GCC's High-Stakes Calculus and the Region's Future After the Iran War," with Michael Gfoeller, independent consultant on international politics and economics and former charge d'affaires for the U.S. embassy in Riyadh; Faisal Abbas, editor-in-chief of Arab News; Norman Roule, non-resident senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, former intelligence manager for Iran at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and David Rundell, author of Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads and former chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh RSVP: [email protected] 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 9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: "The posture of the U.S. European Command and U.S. Transportation Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY2027 and the Future Years Defense Program," with Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, commander, U.S. European Command and supreme allied commander Europe; and Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, commander, U.S. Transportation Command http://www.armed-services.senate.gov 10: 30 a.m. Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies virtual discussion: "Gaza: The Dream and the Nightmare," with Julie Norman, associate professor of politics and international relations, University College London https://sais.jhu.edu/campus-events 12 p.m. — Foundation for Defense of Democracies virtual discussion: "Between Ally and Adversary: Turkey's Strategic Calculus in the Iran War," with Henri Barkey, Council on Foreign Relations adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies; Steven Cook, CFR senior fellow for Middle East studies; and Sinan Ciddi, director of the FDD Turkey Program https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/02/26/beyond-erdogan 1 p.m. — Washington Institute for Near East Policy virtual forum: "Countering Threats from Iran's proxies and Partners During Wartime." with Hanin Ghaddar, WINEP senior fellow; April Longley Alley, WINEP senior fellow; and Michael Knights, WINEP adjunct fellow https://washingtoninstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register 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, Virginia — 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/? | | | | "I got a little upset with my people. I said, 'Why do we have to knock them?' And actually, one of my generals said, 'Sir, it's a lot more fun doing it this way.'" | | President Donald Trump, telling a crown in Hebron, Kentucky, about the response he got when he asked why the U.S. doesn't "capture" Iranian ships instead of sinking them |
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