Operations

• The Pentagon is preparing plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran involving conventional infantry and special operations elements, with decisions now resting with President Trump, according to the Washington Post. • Trump raised the idea of U.S. forces seizing Iran's Kharg Island, the country's main oil terminal in the Persian Gulf, telling The Financial Times "Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don't. We have a lot of options." • Trump also claimed Iran agreed to allow 20 ships carrying oil through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning as a "sign of respect," while the White House emphasized no final decision has been made on military operations.

Conflict shows signs of entering new, more dangerous phase as additional 3,500 US troops arrive in the Middle EastUS lawmakers responded to reports that the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, as thousands of US troops assemble in the Middle East and the conflict showed signs of entering a new, more dangerous phase.Officials told the Washington Post that a ground operation in Iran could be limited to raids by Special Operations forces and infantry troops, but it was unclear whether Donald Trump would approve any of the Pentagon’s plans. Continue reading...

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US conflict with Iran would extend another two to four weeks, while signaling no immediate plans for a ground operation into Iranian territory. • Rubio identified preventing Iran from imposing tolls on ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz as the biggest post-conflict challenge, characterizing such action as illegal and dangerous to global commerce. • The statement comes as the US deploys additional troops to the region following an Iranian missile and drone attack that injured 12 American service members at a Saudi base.

• Stryker, a major US medical device manufacturer, suffered a cyberattack causing widespread business disruption, reported on March 27, 2026. • The company stated operations are steadily improving toward full capacity after the incident. • This incident highlights ongoing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in US healthcare tech supply chains.

• The US Department of Defense designated Palantir's Maven Smart System as a core program for operations planning, per a March 9, 2026 memorandum by Deputy Secretary Steven Feinberg. • The status ensures stable long-term funding and permanent AI integration across all US armed forces branches. • Maven has supported thousands of strikes in the Middle East, including Iran, in recent weeks.

• Israel announces ground operations targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, escalating the multi-front conflict. • Iran launches a new wave of drone and missile strikes across the Gulf, including damage to Iraq's Al-Rasheed Hotel and attacks on Kuwait and Qatar. • U.S. President Trump receives regular options to end the Iran war, per sources, amid concerns of wider regional involvement.

• Meta is planning a significant workforce reduction of 20%, marking another major restructuring at the social media and technology company. • The layoffs signal ongoing cost-control measures within the company as it navigates evolving market conditions and competitive pressures. • The reduction would represent a substantial change to Meta's organizational structure and headcount across its global operations.