How the war with Iran is actually going

The Hill
by Harlan Ullman, opinion contributor
March 23, 2026
3 min read

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The Bottom Line

The Trump administration claims major military victories against Iran, yet Tehran continues launching missile and drone attacks on U.S. forces.

AI Summary

The Trump administration has claimed major military victories against Iran, including destruction of its Navy and Air Force, yet Tehran continues to launch missile and drone attacks against U.S. forces and regional allies throughout the Persian Gulf. The discrepancy between the administration's public statements and observable Iranian military activity suggests either significant exaggeration of damage inflicted or Iran's ability to sustain operations despite reported losses. Ongoing Iranian strikes indicate the conflict remains active and unpredictable despite declared U.S. successes. The persistence of Iranian attacks complicates efforts to declare victory and raises questions about the actual military balance in the region.

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