Donald Trump says US strikes have “totally demolished” much of Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub and threatened that “we may hit it a few more times just for fun”.
In comments to NBC News, the president also questioned, without attribution, whether Iran’s new supreme leader “is even alive”, while deflating hopes of a deal with Tehran to end the conflict.
Meanwhile the mood among some anti-regime Iranians has turned on Trump, shifting from hope of being rescued to dismay at the destruction of infrastructure, culture and lives.
Here are the key stories at a glance.
Trump renews calls for allies help secure strait of Hormuz
During his interview with NBC, Donald Trump said it was not clear whether Iran had dropped mines in the strait of Hormuz.
“We’re going to be sweeping the strait very strongly, and we believe we’ll be joined by other countries who are somewhat impeded, and in some cases impeded from getting the oil,” he added.
Trump renewed his call on Saturday for other nations to help secure the strait of Hormuz and said the US will coordinate with them amid the US-Israel war on Iran.
‘You are all worse than each other’: anti-regime Iranians turn on Trump
After years of arrests, disappearances and mass killings of protesters, the hatred in Iran from some quarters for the oppressive governing regime had boiled into such a desperate rage that many believed Donald Trump’s promise that the US would “come to their rescue”.
Now, after a fortnight of war, with US and Israeli airstrikes killing hundreds as they hit residential blocks, shops, fuel depots and even a school, the mood is changing.
“They are also lying! Like the regime has been lying to us,” said Amir*, a student at the University of Tehran. “You are all worse than each other.”
Pentagon identifies six US service members killed in crash over Iraq
The names of the six US service members who died when a military refueling aircraft crashed over Iraq on Thursday have been released.
The Pentagon on Saturday identified the crew members as Maj John “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; Tech Sgt Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky; Capt Seth Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech Sgt Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.
Americans struggle with affordability despite Trump’s claims
US workers are still struggling with the cost of living despite Donald Trump’s campaign promises to fix the US affordability crisis.
The Guardian spoke to workers as an exclusive poll showed cross-party concerns about the Trump administration’s handling of the US economy.
Trump administration to be paid $10bn for brokering TikTok deal
Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly poised to be paid $10bn by investors as part of a deal to create a US-controlled version of TikTok.
The $10bn, considered by the US government as a sort of transaction fee, will be paid by the administration-friendly investors who took control of TikTok’s US operations from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, according to reporting that first appeared in the Wall Street Journal.
New York lawyer linked to Trump pardon charged with attempted extortion
A New York lobbyist and attorney connected to a presidential pardon issued by Donald Trump in November has been charged with attempting to extort a former client and the client’s son over an alleged $500,000 debt.
Democratic lawmaker may attend Kennedy Center board meeting, judge rules
A federal judge ruled on Saturday that a Democratic lawmaker is entitled to participate at a board meeting about Donald Trump’s plan to close down the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for two years of renovations.
But the judge is not forcing the board to let the Ohio representative Joyce Beatty, an ex officio member through her position in Congress, vote at Monday’s session.
FCC chair threatens to throttle news broadcasts over ‘hoaxes’ about Iran war
The Trump administration’s communications licensing tsar fired a warning shot over the US broadcasting industry Saturday, threatening to cancel the spectrum permits of broadcasters pushing what he termed “hoaxes and news distortions”.
US immigrant parents are taking intense precautions in case of detention
From wills and guardianship papers to advance healthcare directives, parents are anticipating dying in custody or being deported without warning.
Democratic lawmaker condemns Hegseth’s call for ‘no quarter’ for US enemies
A top Democratic lawmaker with a military background has reacted strongly to US defense secretary Pete Hegseth’s call for “no quarter” for US enemies during a Friday press briefing at the Pentagon, calling such an order – if followed by troops – a potential violation of international law.
Catching up? Here’s what happened Friday 13 March.