"Iran War Day 35" — war/crisis format, series authority pattern.
Hits the morning briefing language pattern, covers the four biggest developments, 30 words, answers "why does this morning matter" in five seconds.
The U.S. military destroyed the largest bridge in Iran on Thursday, killing at least eight people and sending oil prices to $112 a barrel as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the Army’s top general in the middle of an active war.
The B-1 Bridge connecting Tehran to the neighboring city of Karaj collapsed after U.S. strikes, wounding 95 others. President Trump posted video of the bombing and warned the U.S. “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran,” threatening to target desalination plants next. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the escalation, stating that striking civilian infrastructure will not compel a surrender.
The bridge strike is part of a broader expansion of targets well beyond military sites. In just the past 48 hours, U.S. and Israeli forces hit the Pasteur Institute — a century-old medical research center in Tehran — steel plants, and a Red Crescent relief warehouse in Bushehr province. Iran’s death toll has reached at least 2,076 killed and 26,500 wounded since February 28. More than 600 schools have been struck. Over one million Iranians are internally displaced.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon’s casualty figures for U.S. forces are increasingly contested. Official statements say 13 killed and approximately 140 wounded, but The Intercept reports CENTCOM has been sending outdated numbers — including a wounded count that was already three days old when issued and excluded at least 15 more injuries from a March 27 attack on Prince Sultan Air Base. A defense official called it a “casualty cover-up.” Wikipedia’s aggregated tally lists 15 confirmed U.S. deaths.
The 60-day War Powers clock runs out April 28 — 25 days from today. Congress has not authorized this war.
Quick Hits
- War Powers Clock at 25 Days — The 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline falls on April 28. House Democrats delayed forcing a second vote until Congress returns from recess April 14, giving a 14-day window before the constitutional deadline. The first attempt failed 219-212. Even Republican Sen. John Curtis of Utah has publicly stated he will not support military action beyond 60 days without congressional approval. [Source]
- Pentagon Casualty Reporting Under Fire — The Intercept reports CENTCOM has been providing outdated and low-ball casualty figures, with a defense official calling it a "casualty cover-up." The Pentagon's official count of 13 killed and 140 wounded appears to significantly undercount actual losses. [Source]
- Good Friday Markets Closed — U.S. and European markets are closed for Good Friday. S&P 500 futures slipped 0.3% in pre-holiday trading. Asian markets rose moderately amid cautious optimism.
- Iran Claims Downing U.S. Fighter Jet — Iranian state media released photos of what it claimed is wreckage of a U.S. Air Force fighter jet downed by the IRGC. CNN has asked the military for comment. No Pentagon confirmation as of this morning. [Source]
What to Watch For
UN Security Council vote on Hormuz resolution now expected Saturday morning after Good Friday postponement — watch for Russia and China vetoes.
Artemis II crew approaching the moon — expected to break Apollo 13’s distance record Saturday.
DHS shutdown stretches into weekend with Congress on recess until April 14 — watch whether Trump’s executive order to pay DHS workers actually moves.
Oil prices in weekend futures trading — WTI closed Thursday at $112, the highest since 2022. Monday open could be volatile.
By The Numbers
Price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil on Thursday, up from $54 at the start of the year. The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure have more than doubled U.S. oil prices in 35 days.
Confirmed dead in Iran since February 28, with 26,500 wounded and over one million internally displaced, according to Iranian officials and HRANA.
Days of the DHS partial government shutdown, the longest in history. Thousands of FEMA, Coast Guard, and CISA employees have gone without pay for nearly seven weeks.
U.S. service members confirmed killed in Operation Epic Fury according to aggregated reporting, though the Pentagon's official count remains at 13.
Days until the 60-day War Powers Resolution clock runs out on April 28. No congressional authorization has been sought. No hearing has been held.
Quote of the Day
"Striking civilian structures, including unfinished bridges, will not compel Iranians to surrender." — Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, responding to the U.S. destruction of the B-1 Bridge between Tehran and Karaj.
https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/live-updates-iran-war-trump-strike-b-1-bridge-tehran-hormuz-israel-rcna266522
Bottom Line
The United States is bombing civilian infrastructure in Iran, firing the generals running the war, hiding its own casualty numbers, and operating without congressional authorization 25 days before the War Powers clock expires. Congress is on recess. The DHS shutdown is in its 48th day. Oil is at $112. The systems that are supposed to provide oversight are either closed, on vacation, or being dismantled by the people they're supposed to oversee. That is the state of American accountability on Day 35.
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