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Panetta on Iran war: US 'in deep trouble'
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Mira Bhakta and The Hill , KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 24, 2026
· 1 min read
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the United States is in “deep trouble” with the Iran war, comparing it to the U.S.’s drawn out conflict in Vietnam.
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Mira Bhakta and The Hill, KTSM 9 News (NBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the United States is in “deep trouble” with the Iran war, comparing it to the U.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The comments from former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on the Iran war have significant implications for El Paso, given the city's large military presence. As home to Fort Bliss, one of the largest military installations in the country, El Paso's economy and community are closely tied to the nation's defense strategy. The potential for a prolonged conflict with Iran, as suggested by Panetta's comparison to the Vietnam War, could lead to increased deployments and strain on local military families. Additionally, the economic impact of a long and costly war could be felt in El Paso, where defense spending is a major driver of the local economy. As the situation with Iran continues to unfold, El Pasoans will be watching closely to see how the city's military community is affected and what steps local leaders take to support those who may be impacted.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the United States is in “deep trouble” with the Iran war, comparing it to the U.S.’s drawn out conflict in Vietnam.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mira Bhakta and The Hill at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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