U.S. and Iran threaten escalation, and Robert Mueller dies: Weekend Rundown
Weekend Rundown: March 22
On Sunday, Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, justified the nation’s and Israel’s attacks on Iran’s critical facilities, stating that “sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate.” His remarks followed President Donald Trump’s declaration on Truth Social that Iran had 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz, or face strikes targeting its power plants, beginning with the largest one.
“We’re just trying to get a child out of a jail to do a spelling bee,” said Rachel Accurso, the popular children’s entertainer known as Ms. Rachel. “I just never thought those words would go together.”
A spokesperson for Iran’s military command headquarters warned that any U.S. attack on oil infrastructure would trigger a reciprocal response. “If Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked, then fuel, energy, information technology systems, and desalination infrastructure used by America and the regime in the region will be struck,” said Col. Ebrahim Zolfaqari, according to the IRNA state news agency.
Meanwhile, Robert Mueller III, the former FBI director and special counsel leading the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, passed away at 81. Mueller joined the bureau shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and played a key role in reshaping it under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Cuba’s deputy foreign minister hinted at potential military action, stating that the nation’s armed forces are ready for “the possibility of military aggression” from the U.S. “Our military is always prepared,” Carlos Fernández de Cossío told NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” “and in fact, it is preparing these days for the possibility of conflict.”
Back in the U.S., Rachel Accurso has shifted her focus from entertaining children to advocating for families detained at the Dilley, Texas, center. She is collaborating with legal experts and immigration advocates to reunite children with their parents and restore community ties. Accurso recently spoke with children held there, including 9-year-old Deiver Henao Jimenez, who fears missing his school spelling bee in New Mexico.
The Kremlin’s control over Russian communication has expanded to include its most widely used messaging app. Critics, including pro-Kremlin supporters, have expressed concerns that restricting Telegram could lead to unintended consequences, both domestically and in Ukraine. The app, relied upon by people across political lines, is now being sidelined in favor of MAX, a “national” alternative that raises fears of increased surveillance.
Rachel Jordan, a 43-year-old Florida resident, experiences grueling workdays that often stretch from 5 a.m. to midnight, lasting multiple days. “I’m just exhausted, honestly,” she admitted. With over $75,000 in student loan debt, Jordan balances two jobs weekly, driven by the need to manage financial obligations incurred early in life.