The United States dispatched additional warplanes and ships to the Middle East amid heightened concerns about an imminent Iranian strike against Israel and potential increased violence that could affect American troops in the region, U.S. officials said Friday.
Washington
Pentagon sends more troops to Middle East as Israel braces for Iranian threat
Tehran has blamed Israel for the April 1 strike on an Iranian site in Syria that killed two Iranian military commanders, and has vowed revenge. Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attack.
“I am certain that the world sees the true face of Iran,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Friday, according to a statement from the ministry. “We are prepared to defend ourselves on the ground and in the air,” he said.
The move reflects the Biden administration’s concern that its support for Israel’s war in Gaza could spark wider violence in the Middle East. President Biden told reporters Friday that he expected an attack on Israel to come “sooner rather than later.” When asked what his message was to Iran, he replied: “Don’t.”
Threats from Iran — including a statement from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, that Israel would “regret this crime” — prompted the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to issue a security alert restricting the movement of government employees and their families.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin complained to his Israeli counterpart that Israel did not notify Washington before the Syria strike, an escalation the Pentagon sees as increasing risks to U.S. forces in the Middle East, The Washington Post reported.
Here’s what else to know
Jacob Toukhy, a staff member of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s mission in the West Bank and Gaza, was killed Friday near his home in Israel, according to an internal memo seen by The Washington Post. USAID is working with the U.S. Embassy to ascertain details about the death, the agency said.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society accused Israeli forces of firing bullets at one of its ambulances in the West Bank on Friday. The society also said Israeli forces assaulted one of its volunteer paramedics, who was later released and transferred to a hospital. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Turkish state-run broadcaster TRT said Friday that two of its journalists were injured while reporting in Gaza after they were struck by Israeli fire. Sami Shehadeh, a freelance cameraman for TRT’s Arabic channel, was “grievously injured,” it said, adding that doctors had amputated one of his feet. Zahid Sobaci, TRT’s director general, said in a message on social media that a second journalist, Sami Barhum, was in good condition.
The Israeli military said Friday that trucks transporting food entered through a new aid crossing into northern Gaza. Israel announced the route this week in the face of international pressure to stave off famine in the besieged enclave. It was not clear how much aid went in.
At least 33,634 people have been killed and 76,214 injured in Gaza since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants and says the majority of the dead are women and children. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and says 260 soldiers have been killed since the start of its military operation in Gaza.
Dan Lamothe, Bryan Pietsch and John Hudson contributed to this report.
Washington
Tulip Day Washington draws buzz as sign-up site goes down
WASHINGTON – Coming up this month, spring’s most colorful new event: Tulip Day Washington.
What we know:
On March 15, 2026, Tulip Day Washington will transform DC’s National Mall into a vibrant tulip-picking garden beautiful views of U.S. Capitol
This one-day event will take place from 11:15 AM – 4:15 PM, offering a floral showcase of approximately 150,000 tulips; visitors are invited to pick their choice of 10 tulips for free upon arrival.
Dig deeper:
The registration site for Tulip Day is currently down, showing users “This site is currently unavailable. If you’re the owner of this website, please contact your hosting provider to get this resolved.”
Users on social media say the event may be sold out.
Check tulipday.eu for updates.
The backstory:
The event is organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands and Royal Anthos, a Dutch trade association, in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The display of tulips will be in the shape of the number 250.
The bulbs come from the Netherlands, but are being grown in Virginia and New Jersey.
These won’t be the first tulips on the National Mall, however. The Floral Library, also known as the Tulip Library, features 93 beds of flowers near the Tidal Basin. The Floral Library was established in 1969, and is maintained by the National Park Services. These flowers, though, are to be enjoyed only – not to be picked.
Washington
PHOTOS: Long Beach State Dirtbags vs. Washington State, Baseball
The562’s coverage of Dirtbags Baseball for the 2026 season is sponsored by P2S, Inc. Visit p2sinc.com to learn more.
Long Beach State dropped a 9-7 decision against Washington State on Sunday afternoon, closing out a busy weekend on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.
The visiting Cougars took the lead for good in the eighth inning when Long Beach Poly grad Ryan Skjonsby delivered a game-winning two-run single with two outs and the bases loaded. Skjonsby was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and three RBIs for Washington State in their road victory.
For the Dirtbags, catcher Damon Valdez scored twice and had a key two-run single in the sixth to help lead a Long Beach comeback. Trevor Goldenetz had a pair of hits at the top of the order, including an RBI triple. Camden Gasser walked twice and singled, improving his on-base percentage to .574 on the season.
Long Beach State (4-7) will be back in action at home on Tuesday with an exhibition match against Waseda University from Japan. The Dirtbags will then visit San Diego State on Wednesday and open Big West play at UC Santa Barbara this weekend.
Washington
Week Ahead in Washington: March 1
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Operation “Epic Fury” — the weekend military operations carried out by the U.S. and Israel against targets in Iran — tops the agenda for Congress as lawmakers return to Washington.
Sunday, President Donald Trump said the new leadership in Iran wants to talk to the Trump Administration.
Democrats in both chambers called for Congress to return as soon as possible for classified briefings on Iran, followed by a move to vote on the War Powers Act. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war on another country.
Congress’ return to Washington was originally delayed due to the start of the 2026 midterm elections cycle.
Tuesday, voters in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas head to the polls for primary elections.
North Carolina and Texas are drawing significant attention, as both states are facing congressional redistricting and competitive primary races for Senate seats.
In Texas, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R) is facing primary challenges from state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt. On the Democratic side, Rep. Jasmine Crockett is facing state Rep. James Talarico.
In North Carolina, candidates are vying to replacing retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R) . They include former Governor Roy Cooper (D) and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley.
Also this week, the Rev. Jesse Jackson is laid to rest. He will be honored Wednesday in Washington before a final memorial service Saturday. Jackson died Feb. 17.
Copyright 2026 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
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