Wednesday morning news: March 11, 2026

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Iran latest » The U.S. military just carried out its heaviest day yet of strikes inside Iran. That’s the word from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who said the military is not doing the job half-way. Instead, they’re looking to cripple the Iranian regime.

HEGSETH:  If the enemy can simply wait and then project power, that's problematic. And we've seen some spurts here or there, but ultimately the trend lines, if you look at the charts that we look at every day, have gone like this down to all a, a flat. It doesn't mean they won't be able to project.

But he said Iran’s ability to do damage has already been strongly degraded.

And America's top General Dan Caine agreed, telling reporters that the strength of Iran’s response is trending sharply downward:

CAINE:  Ballistic missile attacks continue to trend downward 90% from where they've started. And one way attack drone does have decreased 83%, since the part, beginning of the operation.

And the White House says the military operation is going exactly according to plan, perhaps even better.

But there are some mixed messages from the administration about how long the mission might last. After President Trump seemingly suggested this week that the operation could wrap up very soon, the White House clarified that the mission will only end when “Iran is in a position of unconditional surrender.”

Israel-Lebanon » In Israel:

SOUND: [Air raid siren over Tel Aviv]

...air raid sirens sounded over Tel Aviv yesterday...as flashes appeared in the sky as Israeli interceptors blocked Iranian missiles. There were no reports of any damage or injuries. Israel's military says it has already struck more than 400 military targets in Iran.

Meantime, across Israel's northern border:

SOUND: [Explosion]

...an explosion rocked the Lebanese capital city of Beirut...as Israel's air force hit a southern suburb. Israel says those attacks are targeting members of the Iran backed terror group Hezbollah who are active there.

Four Iranian diplomats were killed in a strike in Beirut. Iran's ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani:

IRAVANI: Diplomats have temporarily relocated to the hotel for their safety and security.

He called on the UN to condemn the strikes.

Shots fired at U.S. consulate in Toronto » Canadian police are investigating after two men apparently opened fire on the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto on Tuesday.

Toronto Deputy Police Chief Frank Barredo:

 BARREDO:  Two individuals emerged from the vehicle, discharged at what appears to be a handgun at the front of the building, and then got back into their vehicle and drove southbound.

He said police received reports of the shooting and arrived on the scene soon thereafter. Police say they found spent shell casings, as well as damage to the building.

BARREDO:  There were people inside the building, however, this building is highly secure, highly fortified, and there were no injuries.

They released no information about possible suspects.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the shooting unacceptable intimidation, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is linking it to recent gunfire at two synagogues. 

Chow says police have increased patrols at the U.S. and Israeli consulates. She also warns that anti-semitic incidents often rise during international crises.

Thune pans Trump plan to pass SAVE Act » On Capitol Hill, President Trump’s plan for passing a law verifying voter eligibility is facing some friendly fire. 

WORLD’s Harrison Watters has more now from the nation's capital.

HARRISON WATTERS: Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Tuesday he doesn’t have the votes to get the SAVE America Act through debate as is.

It takes 60 votes to prevent bill amendments on the floor.

President Trump wants him to use the so-called nuclear option, changing the Senate rules to end the filibuster. That would allow it to pass on a simple majority.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt:

LEAVITT:  He wants all options on the table, and he wants the Senate to move as quickly as possible through whatever means necessary.

WATTERS: But Thune says there is not enough support in the Senate for ending the filibuster.

Trump has said he will not sign any other legislation until the SAVE Act hits his desk with a few changes. He wants Congress to include rules blocking mail-in ballots, along with bans on men in women’s sports and transgender surgeries for minors.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Harrison Watters in Washington

FBI finds explosives after 2 men arrested in NYC » The FBI found explosive residue in a Pennsylvania storage unit after two men were charged with bringing homemade bombs to a protest outside the home of New York City’s mayor.

Police said the FBI conducted controlled detonations after finding the materials at a public storage facility in Langhorne.

Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacted, saying he would not be intimidated.

MAMDANI:  I think first and foremost, just to make it clear to everyone that extremism and hatred of any kind will not be tolerated in our city.

Eighteen-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi were arrested Saturday near Gracie Mansion in Manhattan.

Investigators say the suspects were inspired by ISIS.

I'm Kent Covington.

And straight ahead: Hunter Baker is here for Washington Wednesday. Plus, how one church welcomes those with special needs.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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