Start Here Torpedo Away: Historic US Strike on Iran
16 snips
Mar 5, 2026 
Jonathan Karl, a Capitol Hill correspondent, explains congressional reactions and the politics of recent primaries. James Longman, an international reporter in Iraq, covers Kurdish forces and possible ground moves near Iran. Louis Martinez, a Pentagon correspondent, describes the submarine torpedo strike and expanding air campaign. They discuss regional spillover, NATO concerns, and uncertainties about the campaign's goals.
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Submarine Torpedo Sinks Iranian Warship
- The U.S. used a submarine torpedo to sink one of Iran's newest warships, the first such sinking by a U.S. sub since World War II.
- Louis Martinez described modern periscope imagery on a TV screen and Sri Lankan rescuers finding 32 survivors and dozens deceased from the attack.
Air Superiority Enables Shift From Missiles To Bombs
- U.S. and Israeli strikes are targeting Iran's air defenses and aircraft to gain air superiority before switching from long-range missiles to massed bombing.
- Louis Martinez said air superiority lets aircraft fly freely and drop many more bombs up close than standoff missiles allow.
Conflict Spreading Beyond The Middle East
- The conflict has widened geographically, drawing in countries beyond the Middle East with defensive deployments to protect interests.
- Louis Martinez cited drone activity near Cyprus, the UK sending air-defense-equipped ships, and France sending the Charles de Gaulle carrier to the eastern Mediterranean.