EU leaders call for de-escalation as Israel, Iran launch more attacks.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (March 19) the U.S. needed more funding for a "lot of reasons" amid the Iran war when asked about a media report that Pentagon was seeking $200 billion for the conflict.

“It's a small price to pay to make sure that we stay tippy-top,” Trump said to reporters as he met in the White House with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also echoed the call for more funding.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

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WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 19, 2026) (UNRESTRICTED POOL – Access all)

1. U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, MEETING IN THE OVAL OFFICE WITH JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, SANAE TAKAICHI

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, RESPONDING TO JOURNALIST, SAYING:

JOURNALIST ASKING [OFF CAMERA]: “If the war is almost over, why is the Pentagon going to ask Congress for an additional $200 billion?”

TRUMP: “Well, we're asking for a lot of reasons beyond even what we're talking about in Iran. This is a very volatile world, and the military equipment, the power of some of this weaponry is unthinkable. You don't even want to know about it. Oh, you could end this thing in two seconds if you wanted to. But we are being very judicious."

3. JOURNALISTS AND OFFICIALS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

“All our equipment, it's amazing, actually, how good it is. So we want to be sure. And it's a small price to pay to make sure that we stay tippy-top.”

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (MARCH 19, 2026) (UNRESTRICTED POOL - Access all)

5. U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL DAN CAINE ARRIVING FOR BRIEFING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH SAYING:

“As far as $200 billion, I think that number could move. Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys. So, we're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we're properly funded for what's been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition is everything's refilled and not just refilled, but above and beyond."

7. HEGSETH AND CAINE DURING PRESS CONFERENCE

European leaders voiced their views on the energy crisis triggered by the Iran conflict at an EU summit late on Thursday (March 19) and through the early hours of Friday (March 20).

French President Emmanuel Macron called for an end to strikes on civilian infrastructure as German Chancellor Freidrich Merz called for peace.

EU Presidents of the European Council and European Commission Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen spoke about the need for a lesser reliance on energy from the region and to ensure no mass migration to Europe occurs as a result of the conflict.

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BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MARCH 19, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

8. FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE

9 (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

"I reiterated France’s position in this conflict. It is strictly defensive. It aims to protect our nationals and our interests, to support our regional allies, to preserve freedom of navigation and maritime security, and to do everything possible to help de-escalate."

10. NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING

11. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

"We have called for the immediate implementation of a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water facilities. Indeed, civilian populations, their essential needs, and the security of energy supplies must be protected from any escalation."

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MARCH 20, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. MACRON'S NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING PAST MIDNIGHT

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BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MARCH 19, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access All)

13. GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ ARRIVING FOR PRESS CONFERENCE

14. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ SAYING:

"We agreed in the European Council that the risks of further escalation in the region are considerable. The global repercussions, extending as far as the United States of America, are serious. That is why we all want an end to the hostilities as soon as possible. What we need now is to embark on a new peace order for the Middle East. A central element of this must be the security of the State of Israel, but equally the security of the Gulf states."

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BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MARCH 20, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access All)

15. PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, ANTONIO COSTA, AND PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE

16. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

17. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, ANTONIO COSTA, SAYING:

"The current Middle East crisis and the impact it has on our energy supply, global energy supply, shows, confirms that we have chosen the right path, which is we need to become more autonomous and rely on our own energy sources. Decarbonisation and using local energy sources is still the right thing to do to limit dangerous dependency and to reduce the cost of energy in the long term. But at the same time, we need to take immediate actions to protect our citizens and enterprises."

18. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

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BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MARCH 20, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access All)

19. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"The situation in the region is extremely serious. It is causing great instability, suffering and growing risks far beyond the region itself. And this is why we need de-escalation and maximum restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. And I want to say a word about our partners and friends in the Gulf and the broader region. We stand with them in solidarity and in friendship. The European Union is supporting them. And just this week, the commission announced over €450 million in humanitarian assistance for the region."

20. JOURNALISTS LISTENING

21. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"We also discussed the migration aspects of the crisis. So far, we have not seen migratory movements towards Europe. But we must be prepared. We will not let there be a repeat of 2015. We have learned the lessons of the past and today we are better equipped. We have stronger external borders and stronger agencies. We have a solid legal framework, the Migration and Asylum Pact. We have strengthened our partnerships with the neighbours in the region. And most importantly, we are united as Europeans. We know that when we act together, we are stronger."

22. JOURNALISTS LISTENING

China's foreign ministry urged all sides involved in the Gulf conflict to ensure a stable and unimpeded oil supply, in comments on the United States weighing the lifting of sanctions on some Iranian oil.

The comments came after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday (March 19) the United States might remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea in a bid to hold down oil prices.

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BEIJING, CHINA (MARCH 20, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

23. CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, LIN JIAN, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE

24. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, LIN JIAN, SAYING:

"China has consistently opposed illegal unilateral sanctions. We are deeply concerned about the continuing tensions in the Middle East. All parties should immediately cease military operations, prevent any further escalation, and avoid greater disruption to global economic development caused by instability in the region. Energy security is crucial to the world economy, and all parties have a responsibility to ensure that energy supplies remain stable and unimpeded."

25. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

26. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, LIN JIAN, SAYING:

"The current escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, with the fighting still spreading, is not only undermining peace and stability in the region, but also directly affecting international energy, finance, trade, and shipping. This harms the shared interests of all countries. History and the present reality have repeatedly shown that force is not the way to solve problems, and engaging in military confrontations will only create new hostilities."

27. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

Iran launched a series of missiles overnight from an undisclosed location, as Israel and Iran exchanged fresh attacks.

The salvo comes a day after Tehran struck an Israeli oil refinery and after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Israel against further attacks on an Iranian offshore gas field shared with Qatar.

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UNKNOWN LOCATION (MARCH 20, 2026) (POOL VIA WANA - No use BBC Persian. No use VOA Persian. No use Manoto. No use Iran International. No use Radio Farda)

28. MISSILE BEING LAUNCHED / PERSON WATCHING, RAISING ARMS

29. VARIOUS OF MISSILES BEING LAUNCHED