More Marines heading to Middle East as U.S. continues relentless strikes on Iran

Geoff Bennett:

Welcome to the "News Hour."

Around 2,500 U.S. Marines are reportedly heading for the Middle East along with an amphibious warship. Their mission is not yet clear, but it signals a marked increase in U.S. forces in the region.

Amna Nawaz:

The deployment comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said more than 15,000 targets had been struck in Iran over nearly two weeks of relentless bombing against the regime; 13 American personnel have now been killed during the war and more than 2,000 are dead, both in Iran and from Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

Stephanie Sy reports.

Stephanie Sy:

Mid-interview, a pro-regime demonstrator in Tehran interrupted. An airstrike sends smoke rising over a crowded square, but doesn't disperse the masses. These Iranians are defiant, chanting familiar slogans, "Death to America, Death to Israel," setting fire to Israeli and American flags.

The protesters had gathered for an annual rally in solidarity with Palestinians when the midday strike hit, killing at least one person. Several top Iranian leaders, including the president, Masoud Pezeshkian, were in the crowd.

Iran's hard-line judiciary chief speaking to a reporter in the moment.

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, Head of Iranian Judiciary in Iran (through interpreter): We stand with the people until the last breath. People don't fear these boom-boom sounds. Under the rain and the missiles, they will not back down at all.

Stephanie Sy:

In Northern Israel, fear over cross-border retaliation. A home where a family once lived is now filled with shrapnel and debris, another Iranian missile fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon, this one leaving at least 58 people injured.

(Sirens blaring)

Stephanie Sy:

In the early hours Friday, Iran targeted a U.S. air base in Southern Turkey. The ballistic missile was intercepted by NATO defenses, as the American death toll is rising.

U.S. Central Command said today six Americans were confirmed to cease when their aircraft was lost during Operation Epic Fury. It added: "The circumstances of the incident, which occurred in Western Iraq, are under investigation."

Earlier today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran's -- quote -- "evil regime" is crumbling.

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary:

They're confused and we know it. Our response? We will keep pressing. We will keep pushing, keep advancing, no quarter, no mercy.

Stephanie Sy:

No quarter suggests even those who surrender could be killed, a violation of international law.

Meanwhile, market-shaking concerns remain over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international oil route.

Pete Hegseth:

The only thing prohibiting transit in the straits right now is Iran shooting at shipping. It is open for transit should Iran not do that.

Stephanie Sy:

The U.S. is temporarily easing some of its sanctions on importing Russian oil in an effort to ease supplies. But, today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, when meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasized the U.S. sanction waivers won't help end the war he's fighting.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through interpreter):

The single easing of sanctions by America could provide Russia with approximately $10 billion for the war. This certainly does not help peace.

Stephanie Sy:

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz today adding, it is a price problem, not a quantity problem.

Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor (through interpreter):

There was a very clear opinion from six members of the G7 that this is not the right signal. We then learned this morning that the American government has apparently decided otherwise. Again, we believe this is wrong.

Stephanie Sy:

Meanwhile, President Trump today addressed reports that Russia is aiding the Iranian regime.

Brian Kilmeade, FOX News Anchor:

Do you think Putin is helping them?

President Donald Trump:

I think he might be helping him a little bit, yes, I guess. And he probably thinks we're helping Ukraine, right?

Brian Kilmeade:

And you are, right?

(Laughter)

President Donald Trump:

Yes, we're helping them also. And so he says that and China would say the same thing. You know, it's like, hey, they do it and we do it, in all fairness.

Stephanie Sy:

The comments followed a social media post from the president earlier today saying the Iranian regime has been -- quote -- "killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years. And now he is killing them. A great honor," he added.

The U.S. is now sending more aircraft into the Middle East, signaling the military campaign is far from over.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Stephanie Sy.