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The first details of possible effects on Iran's nuclear program, the issue at the center of the escalating conflict, began to emerge. More allies of the U.S. and Israel engaged, as did Iran's armed proxies. And countries from the Gulf to Cyprus found themselves in the line of fire.

Fast-paced diplomacy was required as the missiles and drones kept coming. Borders closed, embassies emptied and allies sent military reinforcements.

Open support, and some silence

Many nations refrained from commenting directly on the initial U.S.-Israeli joint strikes but condemned Tehran's retaliation, perhaps mindful of U.S. President Donald Trump.Other governments criticized Iran's strikes on Arab neighbors while staying silent on the U.S. and Israeli military action.Canada — not shy about its frustration with the Trump administration — expressed open support for the U.S. strikes, along with Australia.Russia, Chinaand Spain responded with sometimes sharp criticism. Russia's foreign ministry accused the U.S. and Israel of "hiding behind" concerns about Iran's nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.India called for dialogue. "There will have to be a dialogue at some point," the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said.With thousands of citizens of countries around the world stranded at airports or on cruise ships, and some from countries like the Philippines and China killed in the exchanges of fire, more nations have a stake in what comes next.All will have the chance for more say as international groups convene in urgent calls and meetings, after the U.N. Security Council gathered in emergency session on Saturday, hours after strikes began.Pitching in to stop IranIn a statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the United States and Iran to resume talks over Iran's nuclear program and said they favored a negotiated settlement. Saturday's strikes began two days after the latest round of talks.The three countries haveled effortsto reach a negotiated solution over Iran's nuclear program.At the same time, Britain, France and Germany said they were ready to help with efforts to keep Iran from firing more missiles and drones.But countries tried to make clear how far they might go. Germany will not actively participate in military action against Iran but will consider defending its soldiers stationed on multinational military bases in Jordan and Iraq if they are attacked, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Monday.Britain stressed that it was "not at war," although it said it would now permit the U.S. to use joint bases to strike Iran, pointing to Iran's "scorched-earth strategy."Top diplomats of six Gulf states — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain — after an emergency meeting called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and asserted their right to self-defense.A plea for talks, tooOman, which was facilitating the nuclear talks and tried to keep the U.S. and Iran at the table as tensions soared, said the U.S. action "constitutes a violation of the rules of international law and the principle of settling disputes through peaceful means." Oman, too, like other Gulf nations reported attacks that came uncomfortably close to home.But Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said after the second full day of hostilities that "the door to diplomacy remains open."Meanwhile, some states were shaken into saying something different.The 22-nation Arab League, which has historically condemned both Israel and Iran for actions it says risk destabilizing the region, called the Iranian attacks "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability."And Syria was among Iran'sclosest regional alliesand a staunch critic of Israel under former President Bashar Assad, yet its foreign ministry singularly condemned Iran, reflecting the new government's efforts to rebuild ties with regional economic heavyweights and the United States.Concerns about oil and nuclear assetsChina, a significant buyer of Iranian oil, said it was "highly concerned" about the U.S. and Israeli strikes called for an immediate halt to the military action and return to negotiations.But Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday played down growing worry about the economic impact on oil shipments from the Middle East, saying Japan has oil reserves at home that can last for several months.The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. And European Union leaders in a joint statement called for restraint and diplomacy in hopes of "ensuring nuclear safety."___Associated Press writers around the world contributed.

Many nations refrained from commenting directly on the initial U.S.-Israeli joint strikes but condemned Tehran's retaliation, perhaps mindful of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Other governments criticized Iran's strikes on Arab neighbors while staying silent on the U.S. and Israeli military action.

Canada — not shy about its frustration with the Trump administration — expressed open support for the U.S. strikes, along with Australia.

Russia, Chinaand Spain responded with sometimes sharp criticism. Russia's foreign ministry accused the U.S. and Israel of "hiding behind" concerns about Iran's nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.

India called for dialogue. "There will have to be a dialogue at some point," the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said.

With thousands of citizens of countries around the world stranded at airports or on cruise ships, and some from countries like the Philippines and China killed in the exchanges of fire, more nations have a stake in what comes next.

All will have the chance for more say as international groups convene in urgent calls and meetings, after the U.N. Security Council gathered in emergency session on Saturday, hours after strikes began.

Pitching in to stop Iran

In a statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the United States and Iran to resume talks over Iran's nuclear program and said they favored a negotiated settlement. Saturday's strikes began two days after the latest round of talks.

The three countries haveled effortsto reach a negotiated solution over Iran's nuclear program.

At the same time, Britain, France and Germany said they were ready to help with efforts to keep Iran from firing more missiles and drones.

But countries tried to make clear how far they might go. Germany will not actively participate in military action against Iran but will consider defending its soldiers stationed on multinational military bases in Jordan and Iraq if they are attacked, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Monday.

Britain stressed that it was "not at war," although it said it would now permit the U.S. to use joint bases to strike Iran, pointing to Iran's "scorched-earth strategy."

Top diplomats of six Gulf states — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain — after an emergency meeting called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and asserted their right to self-defense.

A plea for talks, too

Oman, which was facilitating the nuclear talks and tried to keep the U.S. and Iran at the table as tensions soared, said the U.S. action "constitutes a violation of the rules of international law and the principle of settling disputes through peaceful means." Oman, too, like other Gulf nations reported attacks that came uncomfortably close to home.

But Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said after the second full day of hostilities that "the door to diplomacy remains open."

Meanwhile, some states were shaken into saying something different.

The 22-nation Arab League, which has historically condemned both Israel and Iran for actions it says risk destabilizing the region, called the Iranian attacks "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability."

And Syria was among Iran'sclosest regional alliesand a staunch critic of Israel under former President Bashar Assad, yet its foreign ministry singularly condemned Iran, reflecting the new government's efforts to rebuild ties with regional economic heavyweights and the United States.

Concerns about oil and nuclear assets

China, a significant buyer of Iranian oil, said it was "highly concerned" about the U.S. and Israeli strikes called for an immediate halt to the military action and return to negotiations.

But Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday played down growing worry about the economic impact on oil shipments from the Middle East, saying Japan has oil reserves at home that can last for several months.

The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. And European Union leaders in a joint statement called for restraint and diplomacy in hopes of "ensuring nuclear safety."

Associated Press writers around the world contributed.

But for all the debate that surrounds who should be in and out of the 68-team field, dozens of other teams across the country that are safely in will be spending the final two weeks of the 2025-26 regular season jockeying for position on the bracket.

At this pivotal time of year, some teams are hitting their stride and looking poised for a deep tournament run. Others, meanwhile, are watching their once-bright hopes fade with loss after loss.

A March Madness prelude:Basketball conference tournament schedule

What teams are surging inMarch Madnessprojections? And which ones are starting to stumble?

Here's a look at the latest list of rising and falling teams for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:

Projected seeds are based on the bracketology update from USA TODAY Sports on Feb. 27

Rising

Florida

Current projected seed: No. 2

The reigning national champions once again look like one of the favorites to cut down the nets with "One Shining Moment" playing in the background. The Gators got off to an inauspicious 5-4 start, but have gone 18-2 since. Their once-struggling backcourt of Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland is starting to round into form while its frontcourt remains arguably the best in the sport.

Floridalooks like the clear favorite in the SEC and if its run keeps going, it just might be able to join Duke, Michigan and Arizona as No. 1 seeds.

UConn

Current projected seed: No. 1

If the Gators aren't able to gobble up that final No. 1 seed, it will likely be because of another recent national champion. The Huskies haven't been on quite the same run that Florida has — they're 5-2 in their past seven games after starting the season 22-1 — but one of their recent wins was as impressive a victory as anyone has had this season: a 72-40 beatdown of St. John's on Feb. 25.

The win helped solidify UConn's standing as the fourth No. 1 seed, a status aided in part by a Dec. 9 victory at Madison Square Garden against the Florida team that's chasing it.

Alabama

Current projected seed: No. 4

One month ago, the Crimson Tide were 14-7, coming off a 23-point loss at Florida and were mired in former G League player Charles Bediako's contentious eligibility fight. Quite a bit has changed since then. Coach Nate Oats' team has reeled off eight consecutive victories, including against ranked Tennessee and Arkansas teams, and is up to No. 15 in the NCAA's NET rankings.

Saint Mary's

Current projected seed: No. 8

The Gaels are coming off their most emphatic, and certainly sweetest, win of the season, a 70-59 victory on Feb. 28 against then-No. 9 Gonzaga in the final regular-season meeting between the rivals as West Coast Conference members. Saint Mary's won its final eight-season games and is 18-2 since Dec. 15.

With another win against the Bulldogs in a potential WCC championship matchup, the Gaels could maybe manage avoiding a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in a possible second-round NCAA tournament game.

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Virginia

Current projected seed: No. 4

Yes, the Cavaliers are coming off a 26-point humbling at the hands of Duke, but there have been few teams better than them nationally since the calendar flipped to 2026. Since a triple-overtime loss at Virginia Tech on New Year's Eve, Virginia is 14-2, with wins against NC State (twice), at Louisville and against Miami.

Ryan Odom has engineered one of the more impressive one-year turnarounds in recent memory in the sport. It's the least he could do after upsetting the No. 1 seed Hoos back in 2018 when he was the coach at UMBC.

REQUIRED READING:March Madness predictions: 13 teams who can win men's tournament

Falling

Current projected seed: No. 6

What was set up to be a magical season for the Cougars with potential No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick AJ Dybantsa has started to unravel in recent weeks. Since starting the season 16-1, BYU is just 4-8 in its past 12 games. While some of that is the unavoidable rigor of a Big 12 schedule, it has also suffered losses against the likes of Oklahoma State and West Virginia, neither of which is projected to make the NCAA tournament. Since Jan. 17, the Cougars are only the No. 60 team nationally, according to Bart Torvik.

A season-ending injury to Richie Saunders on Feb. 14 certainly didn't help matters, but even before that, BYU was already sliding, with a 2-5 mark in its seven most recent games.

Purdue

Current projected seed: No. 2

A Boilermakers team that was 17-1 and No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll just six weeks ago has been decidedly more mortal the past month and change, going 5-6 in its past 11 games. More recently, it has lost three of its past four games, including an 82-74 loss on Sunday at an Ohio State team desperately fighting for its NCAA tournament life.

Purdue still has one of the best players in the sport in guard Braden Smith, but nearing the end of the regular season, the preseason No. 1 team has fallen comfortably short of expectations.

Houston

Current projected seed: No. 2

"Falling" is a relative term when you're dealing with a program that's been as dominant as Houston has the past five years, but the Cougars are 1-3 in their past four games after a 23-2 start. That skid included the program's first three-game losing streak since all the way back in 2017.

Coach Kelvin Sampson's team ultimately may not be that hurt by the recent slip-ups. Whether it's as a No. 1 or a No. 2 seed, the Cougars may end up getting to play Sweet 16 and potentially Elite Eight games in Houston.

Texas A&M

Current projected seed: No. 9

Bucky Ball, the intensely fast-paced system implemented by first-year Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan has encountered its share of speed bumps lately. Texas A&M has dropped six of its past eight games after starting the season 17-4, with three of those losses coming by at least 13 points. Thankfully for the Aggies, there's a chance for a high-profile rebound, with a home game Tuesday against Kentucky.

Louisville

Current projected seed: No. 6

The Cardinals have quietly been one of the more disappointing teams in the sport this season, going just 13-9 since a 7-0 start that vaulted them as high as No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Some of that could be attributed to an extended injury absence from five-star freshman guard Mikel Brown, who Louisville went 4-4 without, but even with Brown and every other rotation piece, it has lost three of its past four games.

Coach Pat Kelsey's team is increasingly looking like a squad that will be fortunate to advance past the first week of the tournament, rather than the Final Four or national championship contender it was viewed as in the preseason.

NC State

Current projected seed: No. 7

Will Wade likely has the Wolfpack headed back to the NCAA tournament in his first season at the helm, but they're currently limping on their way there. NC State has lost four of its past five after an 18-6 start. The losses are bad enough, but the way they've come is even more concerning. It was drubbed by 41 at Louisville and 29 at Virginia, and most recently, it lost on the road to a 13-16 Notre Dame team that had lost 12 of its previous 14 games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NCAA Tournament teams rising, falling for March Madness

The end goal?

Allowing him to drop a bit in the draft, presumably so that the team could take Mendoza.

The Indiana quarterback is projected to go No. 1 overall after helping to lead the Hoosiers to a national championship this past season, and plenty of NFL teams would do just about anything for the chance to draft Mendoza.

Speaking with CBS Sports on Friday, Mendoza said one team jokingly suggested he get himself arrested to fall down the draft board.

"It was, 'hey, maybe you should get arrested,' and I was a little confused, but then I was like, the slide … so you could slide in the draft," Mendoza responded when asked what the strangest question he'd gotten at the NFL combine was.

Mendoza added later: "So, hopefully I don't get arrested."

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The future NFL star didn't reveal what team it was that made the comment, though he did indicate it was not said during a formal interview.

Mendoza received quite the reception while at the combine in Indianapolis.

The Heisman Trophy winner was given a loud cheer from the fans inside Lucas Oil Stadium last Sunday when he showed up in the building.

Mendoza did not participate in any drills at the combine, but he joined the other quarterbacks on the field during the position group's on-field testing.

Mendoza threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season, while also throwing just six interceptions.

He was part of the first Indiana football team to win a national championship in the program's history.

The draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, with the Raiders, Jets and Cardinals slated to make the first three picks.

"I've needed a transplant for a year," Philips toldUs Weekly in an exclusive sit-down interview, her first in a decade.

Phillips, 45, was born with underdeveloped kidneys and received her first kidney transplant at 36. In February, the actor revealed that she was back on dialysis — a treatment that Phillips emphasized is "not a cure" and puts her at an increased risk of infection.

"I could make it on dialysis for a couple years, or I could get an infection in my line tomorrow and be gone in a few days," Phillips told Us Weekly. "I'm really hopeful, [but] it's an extremely urgent situation."

Phillipsshared on Instagramon Feb. 11 that she needed help finding a kidney and shared a questionnaire for followers who were interested in becoming a donor. Nearly 1,300 people came forward saying they wanted to get tested and see if they were a match for Phillips. Of those individuals, Phillips said 50 or 60 might be a match.

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She called the response "beautiful" and said it was important to use her platform to advocate for those with kidney disease. "I think it's useful to raise awareness, [to encourage] more people to donate into the ether. It's such a wild disease," she told Us Weekly.

In the past, Phillips said, her creative projects inspired her to keep going. Now, Phillips says she is fighting for her life for her daughter, Fianna. "I'm all she's got," Phillips said.

"Now I'm a single mom and things are different. I want to be here for her, and I have to be here for her. The fight is back. That had been gone for a long time," Phillips said.

The life-and-death situation motivated Phillips to turn to social media for help with the encouragement of her famous friends and family, like sister Mackenzie Phillips and longtime friends Nicky and Paris Hilton. "To put my health out there publicly was terrifying, but my friends and family got fed up with me. They took control and were like, 'We're doing this,'" Phillips said.

Phillips offered the rare peek into her private life following theconviction of her ex-husbandDanny Masterson, who was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two rape convictions. Phillips filed for divorce days later.

Phillips' team could not be immediately reached for comment.

Food-Voracious-Lentil Sloppy Joes

My versions hit just as hard, especially because they're loaded with plant-based protein, so your body enjoys them just as much as you do.

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Traditional sloppy joes are way too sweet and ketchup-y for my taste. I like to think my version is a little more refined — still hearty and meaty from the lentils, with a smoky, savory sauce that's just the right amount of tangy. Serve the hearty filling on high-protein buns and watch them disappear.

Napkins definitely required.

Lentil Sloppy Joes

Servings: 4 sandwiches2 tablespoons avocado oilIngredients½ medium white onion, diced½ green bell pepper, seeded and diced2 garlic cloves, minced1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce2 tablespoons coconut sugar2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos1 tablespoon chili powder1 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon smoked paprika½ teaspoon red pepper flakes½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper2 cups cooked lentils4 high-protein burger buns, such as HeroDirectionsPreheat the oven to 200°F. In a large skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the pepper is soft, about 4 minutes.Stir in the tomato sauce, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, paprika, red pepper and black pepper. Let the mixture come to a simmer, then stir in the lentils to coat. Simmer until the lentils are warmed through and the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.While the lentils are simmering, split the burger buns and arrange on the oven rack to toast. Divide the sloppy joes mixture among the toasted buns and serve immediately.—-Robin Arzón is head instructor and vice president of fitness and programming at Peloton. She's also a bestselling author. She lives in New York City with her husband, Drew, and their children Athena Amelia and Atlas Sage.Excerpted from "Eat to Hustle" by Robin Arzón. Copyright (copyright) 2026 by Robin Arzón. Used with permission of Voracious, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Servings: 4 sandwiches

2 tablespoons avocado oil

Ingredients

½ medium white onion, diced½ green bell pepper, seeded and diced2 garlic cloves, minced1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce2 tablespoons coconut sugar2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos1 tablespoon chili powder1 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon smoked paprika½ teaspoon red pepper flakes½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper2 cups cooked lentils4 high-protein burger buns, such as HeroDirectionsPreheat the oven to 200°F. In a large skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the pepper is soft, about 4 minutes.Stir in the tomato sauce, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, paprika, red pepper and black pepper. Let the mixture come to a simmer, then stir in the lentils to coat. Simmer until the lentils are warmed through and the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.While the lentils are simmering, split the burger buns and arrange on the oven rack to toast. Divide the sloppy joes mixture among the toasted buns and serve immediately.—-Robin Arzón is head instructor and vice president of fitness and programming at Peloton. She's also a bestselling author. She lives in New York City with her husband, Drew, and their children Athena Amelia and Atlas Sage.Excerpted from "Eat to Hustle" by Robin Arzón. Copyright (copyright) 2026 by Robin Arzón. Used with permission of Voracious, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. New York, NY. All rights reserved.

½ medium white onion, diced

½ green bell pepper, seeded and diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

2 tablespoons coconut sugar

2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cups cooked lentils

4 high-protein burger buns, such as Hero

Directions

Preheat the oven to 200°F. In a large skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the pepper is soft, about 4 minutes.Stir in the tomato sauce, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, paprika, red pepper and black pepper. Let the mixture come to a simmer, then stir in the lentils to coat. Simmer until the lentils are warmed through and the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.While the lentils are simmering, split the burger buns and arrange on the oven rack to toast. Divide the sloppy joes mixture among the toasted buns and serve immediately.—-Robin Arzón is head instructor and vice president of fitness and programming at Peloton. She's also a bestselling author. She lives in New York City with her husband, Drew, and their children Athena Amelia and Atlas Sage.Excerpted from "Eat to Hustle" by Robin Arzón. Copyright (copyright) 2026 by Robin Arzón. Used with permission of Voracious, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Preheat the oven to 200°F. In a large skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the pepper is soft, about 4 minutes.

Stir in the tomato sauce, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, paprika, red pepper and black pepper. Let the mixture come to a simmer, then stir in the lentils to coat. Simmer until the lentils are warmed through and the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.

While the lentils are simmering, split the burger buns and arrange on the oven rack to toast. Divide the sloppy joes mixture among the toasted buns and serve immediately.

Robin Arzón is head instructor and vice president of fitness and programming at Peloton. She's also a bestselling author. She lives in New York City with her husband, Drew, and their children Athena Amelia and Atlas Sage.

Excerpted from "Eat to Hustle" by Robin Arzón. Copyright (copyright) 2026 by Robin Arzón. Used with permission of Voracious, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. New York, NY. All rights reserved.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have both announced they are on war footing, as theyhave been in the pastover whether U.S. strikes, ordered by PresidentDonald Trump, on Iranian targets would prompt the Tehran regime and its proxy forces to seek revenge.

And while officials from both agencies declined comment to USA TODAY on March 1 about their heightened operations, veteran Iran watchers said there is good reason for them to be worried.

Iran launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes against American and Israeli targets after the joint U.S.-Israeli attack. Iran said its enemies would be "decisively defeated." Photos show reported attacks in Bahrain and Qatar.

Smoke rises after the state news agency reported missile attack on the service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain February 28, 2026, in this still image obtained from a video.

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See Iran's retaliatory attacks on US military sites in the Middle East

Iran launchedretaliatory drone and missile strikesagainst American and Israeli targets after the joint U.S.-Israeli attack. Iran said its enemies would be "decisively defeated." Photos show reported attacks in Bahrain and Qatar.Smoke rises after the state news agency reported missile attack on the service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain February 28, 2026, in this still image obtained from a video.

"Iran has developed this capability to carry out attacks abroad over many years," including in the United States, former FBI and Treasury Department counterterrorism official Matthew Levitt said. "If there was ever a time the regime would want to act on it, it would be now."

Already, Iran has responded with awave of retaliatory strikesacross the Middle East, including targeting countries hosting U.S. military bases like Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. IranianPresident Masoud Pezeshkianvowed March 1 that "bloodshed and revenge" is Iran's "legitimate right and duty."

ThreeAmerican service membershave been killed and five others have been seriously injured in the ongoing conflict.

The Iranian regime has a long history –dating back at least 46 years– of assassinations and other terrorist plots on U.S. soil and against Americans overseas.

Those include plots disrupted by the U.S. against Iranian dissidents, andagainst Trumpand his former National SecurityAdviser, John Bolton, in response to a 2020 military strike that killed Iranian military leaderGen. Qassem Soleimani.

The United States wenton high alertlast June 22 overconcerns of retaliationfrom Tehran after the bombingof three Iranian nuclear sitesa day earlier.

Major U.S. cities from New York to Los Angelesstepped up their security, and the U.S. government issued warnings to U.S. citizens at home and abroad.

More:US sanctions Iranian officials for plot to kill John Bolton, other Trump officials

Washington's intervention in the so-called "12-day war" last year between Iran and Israel prompted the FBI and Department of Homeland Security toissue terrorism advisory warningsof potential Iranian attacks in the U.S.

And it spurred the FBI to pull many agents from one of Trump's top priorities, immigration and mass deportation efforts, back to counterterrorism in anticipation of potential attacks, Levitt wrote in an article for theU.S. Army's Combating Terrorism Centerin August.

At the time, federal officials advised their state and local government counterparts to be especially vigilant for potential domestic plots in the United States. One DHSNational Terrorism Advisory System bulletinwarned that the "Iran conflict is causing a heightened threat environment in the United States."

The bulletin warned that terror plots weren't the only concern.

Cyberattacks against U.S. networks "by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely," with other attacks possible by the Iranian government, the bulletin said.

Citing Iran's "long-standing commitment to target U.S. Government officials," the bulletin said "the likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland."

What are the FBI and DHS doing now?

On Feb. 28, FBI DirectorKash Patelsaid the bureau is "fully engaged on the situation overseas,"  and that he has instructed the FBI's Counterterrorism and intelligence teams, including its 200-plusJoint Terrorism Task Forcesacross the country, to be on high alert and to "mobilize all assisting security assets needed."

"Our JTTFs throughout the country are working 24/7, as always, to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland," Patel saidin an X post. "While the military handles force protection overseas, the@FBIremains at the forefront of deterring attacks here at home - and will continue to have our team work around the clock to protect Americans."

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Patel called on "everyone to please report anything that may seem suspicious to law enforcement" via the FBI's  1-800-CALL-FBI tip line andtips.fbi.govwebsite.

Homeland Security SecretaryKristi Noemsaid the Department of Homeland Security is on similar heightened alert for potential U.S.-based attacks.

"I am in direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners as we continue to closely monitor and thwart any potential threats to the homeland," Noemsaid in an X post.

Officials from both agencies told USA TODAY they could not comment beyond what Patel and Noem announced.

Decades of plots, assassinations and attacks

In 1980, Iranian operative David Theodore Belfield, who had changed his name to Daoud Salahuddin,allegedly assassinated a former aideto the recently deposed Shah of Iranin the Washington, D.C. suburbof Bethesda.

Ali Akbar Tabatabai, 49, the Shah's aide, had organized the Iran Freedom Foundation, a vocal group opposed to the new religious government led by the then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Dozens of other plots over the years followed, both in the U.S. and against American targets oversea,according to congressional investigators.

U.S. prosecutors say those efforts ramped up significantly in the years following the Trump-ordered assassination of Soleimani, a major general in Iran's feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of the IRGC international attack unit known as the Quds Force.

Since Soleimani's death in 2020, Iranian operatives have plottedattacks on Trump,Bolton, other U.S. officials and prominent Iranian dissidents, either alone or in concert with the IRGC's many proxy organizations including the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah.

In all, U.S. authorities have disrupted at least 17 Iranian plots in the homeland since Soleimani's death, Levitt wrote in his West Point article.

A murder-for-hire plot against Trump

In November 2024, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York charged three men in amurder-for-hire plotagainst a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin. One of them,Iran-based operative Farhad Shakeri, was also charged with being directed by Iran and the IRGC with "surveilling and plotting to assassinate" Trump in revenge for Soleimani's assassination, according to a Justice Department criminal complaint.

Also indicted wereCarlisle "Pop" Rivera, 49, and Jonathon Loadholt, 36, both of New York.

Another man withties to Iran, Asif Merchant, is currently on trial in New York, and accused of taking part in a 2024 terrorism attempt and plot to kill Trump.

Bolton, the former top Trump aide who has been one of Iran's top U.S. targets, said March 1 he could not comment on whether he is receiving special protection from the FBI or Secret Service as he has in the past.

"I just probably shouldn't get into anything about that," Bolton told USA TODAY. "I just have no comment on all that sort of thing."

Bolton said he was given numerous "duty to warn" intelligence alerts by the FBI in recent years following confirmed Iranian threats to his life because of his role in the Soleimani assassination.

Those were deemed so serious that the FBI asked the Biden administration for special Secret Service protection for Bolton beginning at Thanksgiving 2021. It lasted until Trump ordered it cancelled on his first day back in office in January 2025 because of a falling out between the two after publication of Bolton's tell-all memoir of his time in Trump's first administration.

But, Bolton said, "The whole counterterrorism apparatus ought to be on high alert at this point in the U.S., and in contact with our friends and allies around the world, because there's no doubt that Iran will – the regime will – try and use every mechanism they've got to retaliate for what's happening."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FBI, Homeland Security on high alert after US attacks Iran

Reddick scored the win at the Circuit of the Americas when he held off Shane van Gisbergen on Sunday. After winning the Daytona 500 and a week ago at Atlanta, Reddick became the sixth driver in NASCAR history and the first since Matt Kenseth in 2009 to win the first two Cup races of a given season.

Now he's got the record all to himself.

"In this day and age of Cup racing, the Daytona 500 is so hard to win. It's so hard to survive at [Atlanta] and we were able to do that," Reddick said. "And to be able to hold off Shane at the end of that race to make it three in a row, yeah, it seems just very fitting that we had to go through the hurdles we did, especially the last two weeks, to pull this off."

Reddick won the Daytona 500 by leading only the last lap of the race as 37 of the race's 41 cars were officially involved in a wreck. Over the last two races, Reddick has led 111 of a possible 366 laps.

He won at Atlanta even though he was missing his entire right-front fender following a crash with less than 50 laps to go. He worked his way back to the front of the field and took the lead with two laps remaining from teammate Bubba Wallace ahead of a green-white-checkered finish after a late caution flag.

Sunday, he started from the pole as van Gisbergen started 13th. The former Australian Supercars champion has been incredibly dominant since moving to NASCAR. He won in his first start at the Chicago road course in 2023 and then won five of the six road course races on the Cup Series schedule in 2025 and many of those victories came in dominating fashion.

The road course race he didn't win? The COTA race that Reddick started from the pole.

As the laps ticked down Sunday, Reddick said he had to remind himself that he didn't need to win by a blowout margin. He simply needed to be ahead of van Gisbergen at the finish line.

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"It's so important to just not make mistakes because who knows, Shane could have been playing games, right? Like back off a bit, see if I burn myself up and I back up to him at the end of the race," Reddick said.

"There's just so much going on there. He's just so good on the road courses. Even when I was pulling way, right, it's like, alright, I just didn't let myself think it was over until it was truly over."

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Reddick entered the season with eight career wins and was tied with Alex Bowman and Kyle Petty on NASCAR's career Cup Series wins list. With the victory at COTA, Reddick now has more wins than drivers like Sterling Marlin, Clint Bowyer and NASCAR Hall of Famer Donnie Allison in just 221 starts.

It's a win percentage that's among the best across all active drivers despite a winless 2025 season. After scoring three wins and making the championship race in 2024, Reddick was one of just two drivers to make the 16-driver playoff field in 2025 without a win.

Yet that lack of a win was an anomaly given Reddick's underlying statistics. And it looks even more out of place now. Only seven drivers had more top-five finishes and a better average finish than Reddick did a season ago and no driver completed more laps.

In 2026, Reddick is piling up wins in a NASCAR era designed for no one to dominate. The current Cup Series car is built with spec parts that every team buys from the same suppliers. The margins for advantages are thinner than they've ever been.

That may make Reddick's streak even more impressive. And it's a streak that his 23XI Racing team co-owner Michael Jordan made clear that he wanted him to continue before Sunday's race. Like he was in Daytona and Atlanta, Jordan was in attendance in Austin on Sunday.

"He reminded me early this week, he does things in threes. He expected no less today," Reddick said of Jordan's two runs of three consecutive NBA Finals wins. "I was really glad to be able to live up to the standards that he has for us and be able to deliver three in a row. That was really cool to share that moment with him."