The Brian Lehrer Show Monday Morning Politics: Latest on US Strikes in Iran
Mar 16, 2026
Dan Lamothe, U.S. military and Pentagon reporter at The Washington Post, gives frontline reporting on U.S. strikes and Pentagon policy. He breaks down what went wrong with targeting, why the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, and the risks of multinational naval escorts. He also explains shifts in Pentagon press access and possible military and diplomatic off‑ramps.
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Whistleblower Wes Bryant Went Public About Shutdown
- Wes Bryant, a former branch chief, publicly leaked the closure of the civilian harm office and revealed he went public with his name.
- Brian Lehrer played Bryant's On the Media clip where he said he chose to whistleblow because policy changes were being rescinded.
Closure Of Civilian Protection Unit Raises Questions
- The Civilian Protection Center of Excellence was closed under the Trump administration, raising questions about preventive safeguards.
- Lamothe says the center focused more on retrospective reviews but also mapped no-strike areas, so its closure may have reduced preemptive civilian protections.
Strait Of Hormuz Closure Has Global Ripple Effects
- The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed because the area is too dangerous for most commercial shipping.
- Lamothe warns closure cascades into higher global fuel prices and disrupted supply chains, with Asia and Europe hit harder than the U.S.