Panic briefly gripped the Pentagon after an air quality alert triggered a lockdown and prompted hazardous materials teams to respond inside America’s military headquarters. Officials said sophisticated monitoring systems detected an issue, leading to shelter-in-place orders while investigators assessed the situation. The incident came at a tense moment as Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Iran, warning of bigger and more powerful military strikes. With the Middle East already on edge and Washington signaling a tougher stance, the Pentagon alert has fueled speculation and raised fresh questions about security during a rapidly escalating crisis.