Trump announces AI chatbot ban while Pentagon uses it to prepare Iran attacks
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Trump banned an AI company from government work while Pentagon used their chatbot for Iran attack planning.
AI Summary
The Trump administration announced a ban on technology company Anthropic from federal government work while the Pentagon was reportedly using Anthropic's AI chatbot Claude to prepare attacks on Iran. The timing creates a contradiction as the ban was announced during the same period the Pentagon was utilizing the company's AI technology for military operations.
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Iran & Middle East Conflict
Tracking the evolving military and diplomatic situation across the Middle East, including US-Iran tensions, Israeli operations, proxy conflicts, and the broader geopolitical implications for the region.
AI & Technology
Following the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on society, including regulation debates, workforce disruption, military applications, privacy concerns, and the race between tech giants and governments to shape AI's future.
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Government TransparencyTrump’s FCC chair wants American media to work like Iran’s state TV | Caitlin Vogus
<p>If Brendan Carr and the US president’s attacks on the press aren’t stopped, the outcome could be dire</p><p>Over the weekend, Donald Trump fumed on Truth Social about newspapers covering attacks on US tanker aircrafts in Saudi Arabia. Within hours, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/fcc-broadcast-permits-iran-war-news">reposted</a> Trump’s rant and vowed to revoke the licenses of broadcasters who air what he called “fake news”. For some extra brownie points, Carr tossed in a line about Trump’s “landslide election victory”, too.</p><p>Early on Monday, Trump completed the sycophantic cycle with a second post <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/16/trump-fcc-chair-broadcast-license-threat-iran-war">announcing</a> that he’s “thrilled” by Carr’s threats and accusing unnamed media outlets of “treason” and a lack of patriotism for reporting on AI fakes linked to Iran. (It’s not clear what Trump w...
National SecurityTrump Once Did a Deal With Oligarchs Allegedly Linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard
In the opening days of his war against Iran, Donald Trump had a message for members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps: Surrender and get “total immunity”—or face “absolutely guaranteed death.” An elite armed force that exists outside Iran’s normal military structure, the IRGC began as the ayatollah’s personal strike force. But during the country’s […]
PoliticsScoop: Trump eases Venezuela sanctions on oil, fertilizer to blunt Iran war costs
<p>The Treasury Department made it easier Friday for U.S. businesses and farmers to buy Venezuelan fertilizer and oil as their prices rise because of the <a href="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran war,</a> Axios has learned.</p><p><strong>Why it matters</strong>: The bottleneck of tankers in the Persian Gulf because of Iranian attacks has caused the costs of oil and fertilizer, a petrochemical product, to jump. It threatens to spike inflation and raise the <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/iran-us-israel-war-food-crisis-prices-fertilizer-energy-costs-inflation/a-76286348" target="_blank">cost </a>of food in the U.S.</p><hr><ul><li>By reducing sanctions on oil-rich Venezuela, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/iran-war-trump-officials-ship-escorts-hormuz-strait" target="_blank">Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent</a> hopes to increase supplies in the U.S. and lower prices.</li></ul><p><strong>Zoom in:</strong> The Office of Foreign Assets Control, which manages ...
GlobalPutin's 'hidden hand' likely helping Iran against Trump, says UK minister
Vladimir Putin's "hidden hand" is likely helping Iran respond to Donald Trump's war, the UK defence secretary has said, as it emerged that Iranian-linked drones hit a base in Iraq where some British troops are located.
GlobalTrump says Iran shouldn't come to World Cup for 'own life and safety'
US President Donald Trump warned Iran's football team Thursday their "life and safety" would be at risk if they took part in the upcoming World Cup in North America.
PoliticsTrump announces Ric Grenell is stepping down as Kennedy Center's president
Richard Grenell, an ally of President Donald Trump who oversaw far reaching changes at the Kennedy Center that prompted many artists to abandon the iconic performing arts venue, will step down as the institution's president.

Tech industry rallies behind Anthropic in Pentagon fight
<p>Tech industry groups representing hundreds of companies are urging a court to pause the Pentagon's blacklisting of Anthropic.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>The Pentagon didn't just stop doing business with Anthropic — it labeled the company a supply chain risk, a move industry says could chill innovation and reshape how the government treats AI vendors.</p><hr><p><strong>Driving the news: </strong>Major tech industry groups representing companies with Pentagon contracts filed an amicus brief calling for a pause on the designation. </p><ul><li>"The government has ample, well-established tools to resolve procurement disputes and to contract with providers on whatever terms it prefers," the March 13 <a href="https://www.itic.org/documents/2026-03-13-%5BFILED%5DBriefofAmiciCuriaeIndustryTradeAssociations.pdf" target="_blank">court filing</a> states.</li><li>What they can't do, the filing says, is "misuse extraordinary national security authorities designed for foreign advers...
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Lasers may be the next frontier for stopping Iran's cheap drones

Race on to establish globally recognised 'AI-free' logo

Biggest wildfire in Nebraska history continues to burn out of control - abcnews.com

TikTok and Meta risked safety to win algorithm arms race, whistleblowers say

Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions


