Iran Security Chief Killed as Trump Feuds with NATO Over Hormuz Mission

President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO allies on March 17 for declining to join his administration's Strait of Hormuz security mission, calling their refusal "a very foolish mistake." Germany, Japan, Italy, and Australia all stated they would not participate. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K. would "not be drawn into the wider war," while French President Emmanuel Macron indicated France was willing to help secure the strait only as part of a separate mission, stating "We are not a party to the conflict."

Trump responded on Truth Social that "The United States has been informed by most of our Nato 'Allies' that they don't want to get involved with our Military Operation against the terrorist regime of Iran," adding that the U.S. "no longer 'need,' or desire, the Nato Countries' assistance — WE NEVER DID!" Trump also indicated he may delay a planned trip to China, and reached out to Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has effectively closed the critical waterway since attacks on vessels the previous week, sending oil prices above $100 per barrel. The International Energy Agency released 400 million barrels from emergency reserves as a stopgap measure. Analysts warned that a prolonged closure could trigger recession in major oil-importing economies.

Joe Kent, director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on March 17, stating in a public letter posted on X that he could not "in good conscience" continue serving given the ongoing war with Iran. Kent, a former U.S. Army Ranger and Special Forces veteran with 11 combat deployments in the Middle East, wrote that "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."

Kent's resignation reflects growing dissent within Trump's broader political coalition. He had been appointed by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and was considered an ally within the MAGA movement. His departure drew criticism from some prominent MAGA figures who have opposed the administration's decision to enter a conflict they view as contrary to Trump's campaign pledges to end long-term U.S. military engagements.

President Trump dismissed Kent's resignation, telling reporters, "I always thought he was weak on security" and "I didn't know him well." Trump maintained that Iran did pose a threat, calling Kent's departure "a good thing." The resignation stands as the most prominent inside-the-administration protest against the war since it began in late February.

A federal judge in Massachusetts blocked Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s overhaul of the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule, ruling that Kennedy and his advisers had acted arbitrarily and in violation of established scientific processes. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy sided with the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations that filed suit against the Department of Health and Human Services.

The ruling targets changes Kennedy implemented in January, when the CDC reduced the number of recommended childhood vaccinations from 18 to 11, dropping recommendations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, RSV, dengue, and two types of bacterial meningitis. Judge Murphy also blocked Kennedy's 13 appointments to the CDC's vaccine advisory committee (ACIP) from continuing in their roles, effectively invalidating their prior votes to reshape vaccine policy.

An HHS spokesperson confirmed that a scheduled ACIP meeting was postponed following the ruling. Kennedy had framed his changes as restoring parental choice and scientific independence, while plaintiffs argued the changes bypassed legally required processes and endangered public health. An appeal from the administration is expected.

Illinois held its 2026 primary elections on March 17, with Darren Bailey winning the Republican gubernatorial nomination and setting up a rematch against incumbent Democratic Governor JB Pritzker. Bailey, who lost to Pritzker by approximately 13 percentage points in 2022, defeated three other GOP challengers. Pritzker, running unopposed in the Democratic primary, is seeking a third term — the first Illinois governor to attempt this since the 1980s.

In the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won a crowded 10-candidate field to claim the nomination for the seat being vacated by longtime Senator Dick Durbin. Several contested congressional primaries also concluded, including Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller defeating former Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. in Illinois' 2nd District.

Election officials reported turnout comparable to the 2020 competitive presidential primary, with projections of approximately 1.5 to 1.6 million Democratic and roughly 1 million Republican ballots cast statewide. The November general election will determine control of the governor's office and Illinois' open Senate seat.