Mission in Iran war has pivoted toward ensuring oil flow, Trump official says

• 01Sixteen American military members have been killed in the conflict with Iran, including two troops killed in Jordan.
• 02US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on ABC’s This Week that the mission shifted from diplomatic efforts to ensuring oil shipments move through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran proved unwilling to allow oil flow without attacking.
• 03Senator Mark Warner of Virginia described the conflict as a 'war of choice' launched without an imminent threat and stated that enriched uranium desired by the US to prevent nuclear weapon development remains in place.
• 04Warner added that removing the volatile uranium canisters would require a minimum of 15,000 troops on the ground for a week.
• 05The US launched retaliatory strikes against Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) on Sunday following the deaths of the two US troops.
• 06Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on social media that the deaths of the service members 'stiffen our resolve' and vowed the military campaign would continue.
• 07President Trump urged Congress to include Iran in pending Russia sanctions legislation, which would weaken the June memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran aimed at resolving the conflict.

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US officials defended the ongoing military campaign against Iran amid mounting criticism over its duration and the deaths of 16 American soldiers. While Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated the mission has pivoted to securing oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, Senator Mark Warner argued the war has failed to achieve its objectives, including the removal of enriched uranium. President Trump further escalated pressure by urging Congress to add Iran to existing Russia sanctions bills.