By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-white-house-holds-briefing-as-u-s-announces-most-intense-day-of-strikes-on-iran Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: White House holds briefing as U.S. announces 'most intense' day of strikes on Iran Politics Updated on Mar 10, 2026 3:39 PM EDT — Published on Mar 10, 2026 1:11 PM EDT White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump "is not making anything up" as he offers varying justifications for launching the war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would be the most intense day yet of U.S. strikes inside Iran as the Islamic Republic, its firepower diminished, vowed to fight on. Watch the White House briefing in our video player above. The U.S. stock market and oil prices were holding relatively steady Tuesday after Trump's signals about how long the war could last caused wild swings in financial and fuel markets. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Leavitt said in Tuesday's White House briefing that U.S. troop injuries in the Iran war are "in the ballpark" of 150. As she was speaking, the Pentagon announced that about 140 American troops have been injured in the 10 days of conflict, claiming the "vast majority" have been minor. READ MORE: Dignified transfer for Kentucky soldier who was 7th U.S. service member to die in Iran war The new figure is the first insight into the broader toll of injuries that have been sustained by U.S. troops in the wake of a barrage of retaliatory rocket and drone strikes from Iran that have also claimed the lives of seven soldiers in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Leavitt was also asked about a social media post by Energy Secretary Chris Wright claiming that the U.S. Navy had helped an oil tanker the Strait of Hormuz. Wright took the post down moments after putting it up. Leavitt said the post was false. "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," Leavitt told reporters. WATCH: Trump says U.S. Navy will escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz 'if needed' Leavitt said she had not had a chance to talk to the energy secretary about the misleading post that triggered a reaction in the energy markets. But she added that "the post was taken down pretty quickly." The prospect of military escorts could open up the strait for key oil and natural gas shipments, helping to reduce price pressures created by the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump "is not making anything up" as he offers varying justifications for launching the war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would be the most intense day yet of U.S. strikes inside Iran as the Islamic Republic, its firepower diminished, vowed to fight on. Watch the White House briefing in our video player above. The U.S. stock market and oil prices were holding relatively steady Tuesday after Trump's signals about how long the war could last caused wild swings in financial and fuel markets. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Leavitt said in Tuesday's White House briefing that U.S. troop injuries in the Iran war are "in the ballpark" of 150. As she was speaking, the Pentagon announced that about 140 American troops have been injured in the 10 days of conflict, claiming the "vast majority" have been minor. READ MORE: Dignified transfer for Kentucky soldier who was 7th U.S. service member to die in Iran war The new figure is the first insight into the broader toll of injuries that have been sustained by U.S. troops in the wake of a barrage of retaliatory rocket and drone strikes from Iran that have also claimed the lives of seven soldiers in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Leavitt was also asked about a social media post by Energy Secretary Chris Wright claiming that the U.S. Navy had helped an oil tanker the Strait of Hormuz. Wright took the post down moments after putting it up. Leavitt said the post was false. "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," Leavitt told reporters. WATCH: Trump says U.S. Navy will escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz 'if needed' Leavitt said she had not had a chance to talk to the energy secretary about the misleading post that triggered a reaction in the energy markets. But she added that "the post was taken down pretty quickly." The prospect of military escorts could open up the strait for key oil and natural gas shipments, helping to reduce price pressures created by the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now