A former New York City resident and U.S. citizen immigrant originally from Senegal, opened fire at a crowded Austin, Texas, bar, killing three people and injuring 14 others. Sources have told media the attack may have been motivated by recent U.S. strikes on Iran. {UPDATE: Shooter Pictured Below Fold}

The shooter was found to have a Quran in his vehicle and was wearing what is described as Islamic attire. The FBI is probing the incident as a potential act of ideologically driven terrorism. (PROMPTED)

(Fox 7 – Austin) – At a press conference early Sunday, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said police received a call around 1:40 a.m. for reports of a “male shooting” at Buford’s, a beer garden in the city’s busy entertainment district.

When police arrived at the scene, they confronted a man with a gun and then “returned fire, killing the suspect,” Davis said. According to EMS Chief Robert Luckritz, three people died at the scene and 14 people were taken to hospitals. Three of those injured were in critical condition.

A spokesman for the FBI said at a news conference later Sunday morning that the gunman appears to have ties to a terror group, but that is still under investigation.

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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is now confirming that three U.S. Servicemembers have been killed in action, and another five have been seriously injured. [SOURCE] One report indicates the three fatalities were the result of an Iranian missile strike against U.S. forces in Kuwait.

TAMPA, Fla. – As of 9:30 am ET, March 1, three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury. Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty.

Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified. {source}

There are no details surrounding the deaths or injured.  According to Military.Com, “U.S. forces across the region remain on heightened alert as commanders assess force protection measures and potential follow-on actions. Senior defense officials are expected to brief lawmakers in the coming hours as the scope and trajectory of the operation continue to develop.”

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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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March 1, 2026

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” ~ Ps 113:4-6

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Iran’s state media delivered the message this way: “To the noble and proud people of Iran: With the ultimate grief and sorrow this is to inform you that following the barbaric attack by the criminal governments of America and the evil Zionist regime, the true example of faith, jihad and resistance, the Supreme Leader of the Revolution Grand Ayatollah Khamenei achieved the blessing of martyrdom.”

President Trump shares the following message via Truth Social:

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.

This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!”

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According to multiple confirmations following visible evidence of his body, news is now widely spreading throughout the middle east that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is DEAD.

This could rapidly escalate an end to the U.S. military operation, through regime change.  We await confirmation of this news from President Donald Trump.

The very first strikes in Tehran by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were targeted to the power circle in control of government in Iran.

In a nationally televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just said the strikes had targeted the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“There are growing signs that the tyrant is no longer alive,” Netanyahu said. However, earlier today, Iran’s foreign minister told NBC News that the country’s supreme leader and president were alive “as far as I know.”

Several of Iran’s top military leaders and family members of Khamenei are confirmed to have been killed, which seems to explain the unfocused attacks by Iran toward a host of middle east nations including Israel, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike this morning on Iran, with his body being found recently among the rubble, Israeli officials tell The Times of Israel. {Source}

Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesperson, says the strikes also killed other senior Iranian officials. Defrin says they included the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the defense minister, the head of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s military bureau and the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. {Source}

U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, after the strikes on Iran, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

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A remarkable conflict has revealed itself amid the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, the United States Government (USG), the Dept of War (DoW) and the AI software company Anthropic.

At the core of the issue is the USG contracting with Anthropic for the use of their Claude AI system for use in military operations.  The Dept of War has a contract with Anthropic to use their software in combination with various military and weapon use systems.  However, Anthropic is putting restrictions on the military application of their AI.

Anthropic says the AI cannot be used for defense dept autonomous weapons that do not utilize human triggering.  Additionally, Anthropic is saying their system cannot be used to surveil U.S. citizens. Anthropic engineers would be the decisionmakers on the government use.

The Trump administration has rejected the demand of Anthropic, saying they will not permit a Silicon Valley group of engineers to determine deployment of U.S. applications, thereby replacing the decision-making of elected officials, military commanders, the Joint Chiefs’ of staff, and ultimately the President of the United States and even military servicemembers who are facing life or death decisions.

It is a key moment for the use of AI as it applies to government application and private sector.

♦ After several weeks of conflict between U.S. government officials and the CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, President Trump finally said enough and told all agencies of government to stop using Anthropic products.

President Trump via Truth Social: “The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution. Their selfishness is putting AMERICAN LIVES at risk, our Troops in danger, and our National Security in JEOPARDY.

Therefore, I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic’s technology. We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again! There will be a Six Month phase out period for Agencies like the Department of War who are using Anthropic’s products, at various levels. Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period, or I will use the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow.

WE will decide the fate of our Country — NOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company run by people who have no idea what the real World is all about. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

♦ Secretary of War Pete Hegseth then responded via X:

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Many Americans are waking up this morning to discover the United States and Israel have launched joint military operations against Iran.  The news can be unsettling, unnerving and yes, admittedly, frustrating for many.

President Trump has made the decision and called for the people of Iran to stand now against the Iranian regime that has been a thorn in the side of many regional partners for decades.  A direct and kinetic U.S. war against Iran is underway.

This decision has weighed heavily on President Trump throughout the first fourteen months of his presidency. Regardless of our personal opinions therein, the decision has been made.  Knowing the stakes at hand both here and abroad, we carry the assurance that President Trump knows what the ramifications entail.

Accepting the stakes; knowing this is an all or nothing proposition; the conflict is likely to be a long duration event for several days, even weeks.  For the leadership in Iran this is a zero-sum moment.  For those who have long tried to find an alternative to war, this is also a no retreat moment.  Either the regime in Iran is toppled, or the operation will have failed. Given all the expanded energy, this is the reality of the matter.

(AP) – A person briefed on the military plans says Saturday’s operation was planned by the U.S. and Israel for months and closely coordinated. The person says the attacks are expected to continue for several days. {SOURCE}

That said, there will be time for talking about the domestic political consequences for this action; however, this is not that time. Right now, our thoughts and prayers are with American military carrying out their mission, and with those who are in the expanded region of conflict.  We pray for their protection, safety and strength.

Within hours the Iranian regime responded with counter attacks launched against U.S. military bases and regional allies in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE.  U.S. and allied defensive missile systems are intercepting Iranian missiles in multiple operational areas while the U.S. joint military operations against Iran continue into what is presumably multiple pre-planned stages.

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The United States together with the State of Israel have begun major military combat operations against Iran.  Early reports indicate several top Iranian military leaders have been killed.  President Trump made the announcement moments ago (video below):

According to the Associated Press (AP) “The U.S. strikes took place from both air and sea, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.”

Associated Press – Live Reports:

The United States and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.

President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun “major combat operations in Iran.” He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S. (Live Reports)

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