Shea Levin — text status

The Wall Street Journal reports that Admiral Brad Cooper, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, personally briefed President Trump at the White House on Thursday about military options for renewed strikes against Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine also attended the unusual high-level meeting. The briefing comes as Washington weighs resuming major combat operations against Iran following next week's midterm elections, while the Pentagon reinforces its regional military presence, replenishes munitions and air defenses, and prepares to send an additional Patriot battery to Israel.