Salem News Channel

Israel says it has killed Iran’s intelligence minister in a targeted airstrike in Tehran, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Defense officials identified the official as Esmaeil Khatib, saying the strike is part of an expanding campaign targeting Iran’s senior leadership and security infrastructure. Israel’s defense minister said additional “significant surprises” are expected as military operations continue inside Iran and against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. The developments come as the region experiences widening hostilities, with both sides carrying out strikes across multiple fronts and raising concerns about further escalation. Iran has not immediately confirmed the reported killing.

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The FBI is investigating a former top U.S. counterterrorism official who resigned this week amid internal disagreements over the war with Iran, according to officials familiar with the matter. Joe Kent stepped down as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, citing policy differences related to U.S. military strikes on Iran and the broader direction of the conflict. Officials say the FBI inquiry is focused on whether Kent improperly handled or shared classified information in the period leading up to his resignation. The investigation is in its early stages, and no charges have been filed. The resignation comes at a sensitive moment, as the U.S. continues military operations tied to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, raising concerns within the intelligence community about internal security and information handling. Authorities have not commented further on the specifics of the investigation.

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The nation’s top intelligence official says Iran’s government remains intact but has been significantly degraded following months of conflict and military strikes. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers that Iran’s overall military and strategic capabilities have been “severely degraded,” though the country continues to function as a state and retains the ability to rebuild over time. Gabbard also said U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure “obliterated” the country’s nuclear enrichment program, according to her prepared testimony during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats. Her remarks come amid ongoing debate in Washington over the long-term impact of the strikes and the current trajectory of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Intelligence assessments presented to Congress indicate that while Iran’s program suffered major setbacks, analysts are divided on how quickly the country could recover. Lawmakers pressed intelligence officials during the hearing on whether Iran still poses a near-term nuclear threat, as well as the broader risk of escalation in the region. Officials emphasized that while Iran’s capabilities have been reduced, its government structure remains intact and operational. The hearing underscores continuing tensions between the White House and some members of Congress over the scale of damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear program and the broader implications for U.S. policy in the Middle East.

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President Donald Trump is warning of major escalation in the Middle East, saying the United States would “massively blow up” Iran’s South Pars gas field if Tehran carries out further attacks on Qatar. The comments came after Iran launched missile strikes targeting energy infrastructure in Qatar in retaliation for earlier regional attacks, further intensifying an already volatile conflict involving Israel, Iran, and Gulf states. South Pars, located in the Persian Gulf, is the world’s largest natural gas field and is jointly shared by Iran and Qatar, where it is known as the North Field. The site is a critical source of global energy supply, making it one of the most strategically significant infrastructure assets in the world. Trump’s warning marks one of the most forceful statements yet in the ongoing crisis, which has seen repeated strikes on oil and gas facilities across the region and growing fears of a broader regional war. The escalation has already disrupted global energy markets and raised concerns among international leaders about the risk of wider economic instability if attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure continue. Officials have not confirmed any new U.S. military action, but the rhetoric underscores the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the region.

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The Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East as tensions with Iran continue to intensify, according to multiple reports. Officials are weighing options that could include reinforcing American forces already in the region and positioning troops to help secure key maritime and energy infrastructure, including shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The discussions also reportedly include potential deployments near strategic sites such as Iran’s oil export facilities. While no final decision has been made, the move would mark a significant escalation in the U.S. military presence in the region amid an increasingly volatile conflict that has already included air and missile strikes across multiple countries. The Pentagon has already increased its regional footprint in recent weeks, with additional naval and Marine units deployed to bolster defenses and protect shipping lanes as regional instability threatens global energy supplies. The possible troop expansion comes as the U.S. and its allies continue military operations against Iranian targets, while Iranian forces and allied militias have responded with strikes across the Gulf region. The conflict has raised concerns about wider regional escalation, disruptions to global oil markets, and the risk of a broader ground commitment by U.S. forces. Officials emphasize that discussions remain ongoing and no deployment orders have been issued.

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Is Joe Kent Resigning a Good Thing?

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The FBI said Wednesday that a suspicious package found outside a gate at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa earlier this week contained “possible energetic materials.” An analysis of the material has not been completed, the FBI Tampa said in a statement posted on social media Wednesday afternoon. The FBI said the investigation is continuing and provided no further details. Energetic materials store a large amount of chemical energy, and can include explosive materials, fuel or propellants. The FBI did not respond to an email seeking clarification on what type of material was in the package found Monday outside the MacDill Air Force Base Visitor Center. Earlier Wednesday, the base went on a shelter-in-place order after a threat was received. “We take all threats seriously and are taking appropriate measures to prioritize the safety and security of our installation. As a matter of policy, we will not release specifics on what security measures have been implemented,” MacDill officials said in a statement posted on social media. The order was lifted about two hours later, but the base remains on high alert, officials said. On Tuesday, the base began operating under Force Protection Charlie, referred to as “FPCON CHARLIE.” This is the second-highest military security level, and allows officials to “implement deliberate security measures proactively.” The advisory said that all personnel at the base “should remain vigilant, follow the direction of security forces, and report any suspicious activity immediately.” The U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, which is located at MacDill, is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of South Asia. MacDill is one of the U.S. bases that has been on heightened alert since the war in Iran began.

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How Long will the War Last?

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This War Has Been Successful Tactfully 

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On today’s show, Josh discusses what he calls the “brain rot” being driven by certain voices on the right, arguing that some are engaging in a coordinated effort that ultimately misleads and weakens public understanding. He explains why he believes these figures lack genuine conviction and ties that argument to the recent resignation of Joe Kent. Josh also examines Kent’s role within the intelligence community, questioning his credibility and discussing reports that he had been sidelined from key intelligence briefings well before his departure. Later, Josh turns to Capitol Hill, where two major hearings are underway, and explains why one nominee may be facing serious challenges. To close the show, Josh looks at the situation in Cuba, where rolling blackouts are fueling public frustration and sparking growing protests across the country.

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Air traffic controllers will use radar, not just visual checks, to ensure that helicopters maintain a safe distance from arriving and departing airplanes in the wake of last year’s fatal midair collision near Washington, D.C., federal officials announced Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Administration said recent near-misses show that previous guidelines for pilots to maintain visual separation between helicopters and airplanes have failed to provide adequate protection around busy airports. Under the new guidelines, air traffic controllers must use radar to keep helicopters and airplanes apart by specific lateral or vertical distances. The new requirement applies to more than 150 of the nation’s busiest airports, extending a restriction already put in place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. “Today, we are proactively mitigating risks before they affect the traveling public,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a news release. “Following the mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), we looked at similar operations across the national airspace. We identified an overreliance on pilot ‘see and avoid’ operations that contribute to safety events involving helicopters and airplanes.” Officials also specifically mentioned a Feb. 27 near-miss in which a police helicopter had to turn to avoid an American Airlines flight that was landing at San Antonio International Airport in Texas. A similar close call happened on March 2, when a helicopter had to turn away from a small aircraft that had been cleared to arrive at California’s Hollywood Burbank Airport, officials said. The January 2025 collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter killed 67 people, making it the deadliest plane crash on U.S. soil since 2001. Among other factors contributing to the crash, investigators said controllers in the Reagan tower overly relied on asking pilots to spot aircraft and maintain visual separation. The night of the crash, the controller approved the Black Hawk’s request to do that twice. However, investigators say the helicopter pilots likely never spotted the American Airlines plane as the jet circled to land on the little-used secondary runway. Many of the people who died were young figure skaters and their parents and coaches who had just attended a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were held there.

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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday he'll stick around as head of the U.S. central bank until his successor is confirmed, and will not leave the institution until a criminal investigation into the Fed is resolved. "If my successor is not confirmed by the end of my term as chair, I would serve as chair pro-tem" until that's resolved, Powell said in a press conference following the end of the Fed's latest two-day policy meeting. He said that is what "the law calls for" and "that's what we've done on several occasions, including involving me, and that's what we're going to do in this situation." Powell's term as head of the Fed ends in May. President Donald Trump has nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to succeed Powell, but Warsh has yet to be confirmed into that role by the Senate. The timing of his potential confirmation is unclear, and the process is not likely to move forward until the conclusion of a criminal investigation into the central bank launched by the U.S. Department of Justice. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican member of the Senate Banking Committee, has said Warsh will not be confirmed until the probe is over. A U.S. judge last week quashed subpoenas tied to the investigation, which seemed to open a path for the Senate's formal consideration of the Warsh nomination. A Department of Justice official, however, said the ruling will be appealed. "I have no intention of leaving the Board until the investigation is well and truly over with transparency and finality," Powell told reporters on Wednesday, referring to his seat on the Fed's Board of Governors. Powell can remain a Fed governor until 2028 even after stepping down from the central bank's top job. He told reporters on Wednesday that he would make that decision at the proper time. Fed chiefs usually leave the central bank when their leadership stints end.

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The Montreal-Trudeau International Airport was handling a limited number of flights on Wednesday afternoon over an investigation into a suspicious package that was found on a landing flight, an airport spokesperson said. One of the two runways at the airport was closed due to the investigation, while the other runway remained operational, the spokesperson added. The suspicious package led to a ground stop advisory by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for flight departures to the airport. The ground stop is expected to remain in effect from 1902 to 2115 GMT, with a moderate chance of an extension, according to the FAA advisory.

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The message is clear: America and our allies are prevailing through strength and resolve, while the mainstream media’s refusal to acknowledge reality only reveals their own agenda of weakness and moral confusion. Strategically and morally, we are on the right side of history.

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As some on the right waste energy on pointless attacks against each other, honest conversations about America’s relationship with Israel must remain possible — without instantly smearing critics as bigots or antisemites.

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How Elise Stefanik Exposed Elite Universities

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Why Did Joe Kent Flip-Flop and Walk Away?

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The nation’s top intelligence official says Iran’s government appears to still be intact after nearly three weeks of war. In testimony before Congress, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the U.S.-Israeli military campaign has taken on a toll on the Iranian regime. But she also told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee that “Iran and its proxies continue to attack U.S. and allied interests in the Middle East.” Gabbard said if a hostile regime survives, Iran “will seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its missiles and [drone] forces.”

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President Donald Trump is set to pay his respects on Wednesday at a Delaware military base when the remains of six U.S. service members killed in the crash of a refueling aircraft are returned to their families. It will be the second time since launching the war with Iran on Feb. 28 that the Republican president will attend the solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer, which he once described as the “toughest thing” he has had to do as commander in chief. All six crew members of a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft were killed last week in a plane crash over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. They were from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Washington state. “Every person on that aircraft carried a weight most Americans will never see, and they carried it with professionalism, courage, and a level of quiet excellence that deserves to be recognized,” retired Lt. Col Ernesto Nisperos, a friend of one of those killed, said in a text message Wednesday. The crash brought the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members. About 200 U.S. service members have been injured, including 10 severely, the Pentagon has said. Trump last traveled to Dover Air Force Base on March 7 for the dignified transfer of six U.S. service members who were killed by a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait. He saluted as flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of the fallen service members were carried from military aircraft to vehicles waiting to take them to the base’s mortuary facility to prepare them for their final resting place. “It’s the bad part of war,” he told reporters afterward. Asked then if he worried about having to make multiple trips to the base for additional dignified transfers as the war continued, he said, “I’m sure. I hate to do it, but it’s a part of war, isn’t it?” U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said that the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace” over Iraq but that the loss of the aircraft during a combat mission was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.” The circumstances were under investigation. The other plane landed safely. The crash killed three people assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida: Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, who served in Birmingham, Alabama; Capt. Ariana Linse Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky. Klinner, who left behind a wife, a 2-year-old son and 7-month-old twins, was known for his steady command and goofy nature, as well as a willingness to help others. Pruitt’s husband described her as a “radiant” woman who lit up the room. Savino was a friend, mentee and “source of positive energy” who was proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and inspired young Latinas, said Nisperos, who is serving as spokesman for her family. “She had had this warmth that made you feel seen, a strength that showed up in everything she touched, and a spark — that spice — that made her unforgettable,” Nisperos said. “If you knew her, even for a moment, you knew you were in the presence of someone who was going to change the world.” The three others were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio: Capt. Seth Koval, 38, a resident of Stoutsville, Ohio, who was from Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, who lived in Columbus; and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus. Koval grew up dreaming of becoming a pilot, according to his wife, who described him as a loving, generous “fixer of all things.” Angst’s family said his life was defined by service, generosity and “a genuine love for people.” Simmons loved confiding in his 85-year-old grandmother and working out with her, Sen. Jon Husted said Tuesday, when he and Sen. Bernie Moreno honored the Ohio airmen on the Senate floor. “To the mom and dad of these three young soldiers, I can’t even process what you’re going through. I can’t even imagine the emotions that you’re feeling,” Moreno said. “Just know that America is grateful beyond words for the sacrifice that your heroic young sons made.”

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Markwayne Mullin says he'd be a steady hand at the Department of Homeland Security if he's confirmed as secretary. But he's facing pushback from fellow senators at a hearing Wednesday as DHS tries to move on from controversy under Kristi Noem. Mullin is signaling that he'll follow President Donald Trump’s immigration priorities and he's taking issue with concerns over his temperament for the Cabinet post. The Oklahoma Republican says Congress must end a shutdown that's left many DHS workers without pay. The early part of the Senate hearing grew testy when the committee head, Republican Sen. Rand Paul, sought to challenge Mullin’s fitness for the job.

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