Washington Today U.S.-Iran Tensions, Rising Oil and Gas Prices, TSA Pay Restored, DHS Funding Stalled
Mar 30, 2026
Elise Labatt, global affairs journalist and co-founder of the Cosmopolitics Substack, breaks down U.S.-Iran tensions and what limited incursions might look like. She also discusses how heated rhetoric rattled oil markets and sent gas prices up. Finally, she explains the political standoff over Homeland Security funding even as TSA paychecks ease airport delays.
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Keep Congress Briefed When Preparing Military Options
- Seek congressional consultation even when preparing military options.
- Caroline Levitt emphasized the Pentagon provides options while noting the administration gives courtesy notices and briefings to Congress like the Gang of Eight.
Troop Deployments Signal Targeted Raids Not Full Invasion
- Ground raids could be limited, focused operations rather than a full invasion.
- Washington Post reporting and Elise Labatt note troop deployments (82nd Airborne, Marines) suggest targeted seizures like Karg Island could take weeks, not months.
Trump Said He Would 'Take The Oil' In Iran
- President Trump openly said his "favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran" during an FT interview.
- That remark drew direct questioning on Good Morning America and spurred market moves and policy concern.