US military and intelligence officials have canceled their Memorial Day weekend plans to prepare for possible strikes on Iran. Personnel across the defense and intelligence apparatus are updating recall rosters and shifting into operational readiness mode.
President Trump himself altered his personal schedule, staying in Washington rather than attending planned events, including his own son’s wedding.
How we got here
The current standoff traces back to February 2026, when US and Israeli forces conducted joint airstrikes targeting Iranian military sites. Those strikes triggered a chain of escalations near the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum passes through it on any given day.
A ceasefire was briefly established in April 2026. The truce is showing visible signs of strain, and the Pentagon’s holiday cancellations suggest officials believe the ceasefire framework may not hold.
