Pentagon Reviews Senator's Comments on Depleted Munitions Stockpiles

Days afterward one of the senators, a former CIA officer, received a bomb threat. A grand jury declined to bring charges in February. Officials have not commented on the scope of the current legal review of the senator's television appearance, the potential consequences or whether an investigation has formally begun.

Separately, President Trump told reporters that Iranians had initially offered to let the United States remove enriched uranium from the country but later rescinded the invitation. "They said you're going to have to take it. We were going to go with them.

But they changed their mind," Trump stated. He added that Iran lacks the equipment to remove nuclear dust. Trump also said he is seriously considering renewing Project Freedom, an operation that involved U.S.-flagged merchant vessels transiting certain waters.

The comments came amid ongoing discussions about the costs and goals of the Iran conflict.

In a related development, President Trump announced last week that the United States will remove 5,000 troops from Germany, possibly as the start of a larger drawdown. Pentagon planners anticipate a phased reduction over the next 12 months that could significantly reduce the total U.S. presence in the country.

Some officials favor rotating troops rather than maintaining permanent bases. Americans have been stationed in Germany by the tens of thousands since the end of World War II. Roughly 50,000 Americans, including military personnel, civilian employees and families, live in the Kaiserslautern Military Community that includes Ramstein Air Base.

The initial troop reduction is expected to come primarily from forces near training grounds in Bavaria. Local German communities near the bases face economic disruption. Thousands of German nationals work directly for the U.S. military, and many more jobs depend on American personnel.

Businesses that have served American tastes for generations may close as the troop presence shrinks. The administration has suggested the withdrawal punishes Germany for criticizing U.S. Iran policy. The move has prompted debate about the future of transatlantic relations and whether it signals a broader pivot toward the Indo-Pacific.

>"That’s not classified, it’s a quote from you. " — Sen. Mark Kelly (The Guardian) >"Now he’s blabbing on TV (falsely & dumbly) about a CLASSIFIED Pentagon briefing he received.