{"id":2583891,"date":"2026-03-26T05:45:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T09:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-war-sparks-lobbying-gold-rush\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T05:50:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T09:50:38","slug":"iran-war-sparks-lobbying-gold-rush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-war-sparks-lobbying-gold-rush\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran war sparks lobbying gold rush"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Firan-war-sparks-lobbying-gold-rush%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2583891&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>&#8211; Since late February, when Israel adn the United States began strikes against Iran, about 34 firms have registered to lobby the federal government on defense, energy, or homeland security issues, indicating a sharp rise in Washington lobbying tied to the war.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Large and well-connected lobbying outfits are being hired to press for favorable policies and contracts,with firms such as Continental Strategy,DLA Piper,holland &#038; Knight,McGuireWoods,Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman,and Squire Patton Boggs leading the effort,along with specialized defense lobbyists.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The drive to influence policy is led by defense contractors and energy-related companies, including those aiming to sell AI, missile defense, drone, and other technologies to the military. The lobbying push is partly spurred by the Pentagon\u2019s request for about $200 billion in additional funding for the war.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Notable lobbying activity includes northrop Grumman hiring former lawmakers and aides through Skyline Capitol,and Anchor &#038; Arrow bringing in veterans with deep defense budgeting experience to represent small and mid-sized defense tech firms.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; New clients entering the scene include both established defense players and smaller tech firms such as Gallatin AI, Oklo (nuclear tech), Airrow (autonomous drones), Lola Vision Systems (defense AI processors), Delta Black Aerospace (drone tech), Q-Net Security (AI-powered cybersecurity), and Born Primitive (military equipment funding).<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; While most new registrations involve small to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-few-cheers-many-worries-among-us-businesses-facing-covid-19-vaccine-test-mandate\/\" title=\"A Few Cheers, Many Worries Among US Businesses Facing COVID...19 Vaccine, Test Mandate\">mid-sized companies<\/a>, some large names are expanding their lobbying efforts. However, disclosures often lag behind the actual activity, so the true level of lobbying may be higher than public records show.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; the report portrays a \u201clobbying gold rush\u201d in Washington as the Iran war creates lucrative opportunities for defense and energy sectors to seek policy influence and funding.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Iran war sparks lobbying gold rush for defense and energy sectors<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2542933\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>War is big business in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>Close to three dozen firms have registered to lobby the federal government on issues related to energy and defense since Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran in late February, disclosures show.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4503754\/joint-ukraine-us-fund-approves-first-investment\/\">Joint Ukraine-US fund approves first investment<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4500553\/watchdog-calls-inspector-general-review-oracle-pentagon-contract\/\">Watchdog calls for inspector general review of Oracle-Pentagon contract<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4503087\/iran-rejects-us-deal-troops-middle-east\/\">Iran rejects US deal to end war as more US troops head to Middle East<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In the weeks following Feb. 28, the day the war began, a <em>Washington Examiner <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1Wri48pYAcCo4Y_n6KWEseTiDN0Y-AP1oY9Rmyh6tUr4\/edit?usp=sharing\">review<\/a> of lobbying found that 34 firms either hired new lobbyists or amended their existing contracts while indicating that they will be seeking to influence policies related to defense, energy, or homeland security. To assist in their efforts to sway the government and possibly secure lucrative contracts, these companies have retained some of the most powerful lobbying outfits in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>Given that lobbying registrations are often posted weeks after contracts began, the true increase in lobbying activity following the war has likely been greater than what can be gleaned from public records.<\/p>\n<p>This mad dash to buy up influence in Washington may have been initially fueled by inklings that war in Iran would be an expensive endeavor for the U.S., and therefore a possibly lucrative opportunity for industry. These suspicions were vindicated when the Pentagon <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4497849\/pete-hegseth-confirms-200-billion-dollar-pentagon-request-iran-war\/\">announced<\/a> on March 19 that it would seek $200 billion in additional funding to finance the war &mdash; a significant increase to the military&rsquo;s $1 trillion fiscal 2026 budget.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It takes money to kill bad guys,&rdquo; War Secretary Pete Hegseth said of the request. &ldquo;So we&rsquo;re going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure we&rsquo;re properly funded for what&rsquo;s being done, for what we may have to do in the future.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Secretary of War Pete Hegseth provides updates on the continued military operations on Iran 2during a press briefing on the Iran war at the Pentagon on March 19, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. The U.S. and Israel have continued their joint attack on Iran that began on February 28. (Photo by Win McNamee\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4495115\/why-oil-gas-prices-up-us-energy-independence\/\">Spikes<\/a> in energy prices owing to reduced oil output in Iran and increased fears of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4501217\/iranian-linked-terrorist-group-responsibility-antisemitic-arson-attack-belgium\/\">Iranian-backed terrorist attacks<\/a> could also explain some of the lobbying efforts being launched in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>identified 24 lobbying registrations filed since Feb. 28 mentioning defense, 10 mentioning energy, and five that reported homeland security lobbying. Some disclosures listed more than one of these issue areas. Companies seeking to sell artificial intelligence products to the military were particularly eager to interface with the government following the strikes on Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Cashing in on the desire to buy influence as the war in Iran progresses are top-tier firms such as the Trump-aligned <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/a45a88e5-9bd0-41de-9ca9-c5dd84517d43\/print\/\">Continental Strategy<\/a>, as well as more <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >traditional blue-chip lobbying houses<\/a> such as <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/e85a0040-1f51-4d8e-95c1-942f58c91440\/print\/\">DLA Piper<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/b68f034d-b5d7-4d78-bfd0-bb656c262661\/print\/\">Holland &amp; Knight<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/26283881-e8ae-44ba-9b4e-316dd09364a5\/print\/\">McGuireWoods<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/81a970d6-4efd-4c81-a23e-f9e4e80638be\/print\/\">Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/a298ef9e-943c-40b2-9d34-551ce665f0b6\/print\/\">Squire Patton Boggs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Lobbying outfits specializing in representing defense contractors, such as Anchor &amp; Arrow, have also brought in significant business since bombs began dropping in Iran.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Anchor &amp; Arrow helps &ldquo;small and mid-sized defense technology companies&rdquo; align their &ldquo;interests with policymakers [and] senior Pentagon leaders,&rdquo; according to its website.<\/p>\n<p>Among the new clients signed by Anchor &amp; Arrow since the war broke out are <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/112bc169-907b-4734-834b-34c53fd15c94\/print\/\">&#8203;Gallatin AI<\/a>, which is selling an AI-powered logistics platform, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/ab825742-4bdd-4bf3-a7ec-6014acaa6314\/print\/\">Oklo<\/a>, a Californian nuclear reactor design firm seeking to influence &ldquo;defense and energy policies and appropriations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Prestigious firms typically provide their clients with high-powered, well-connected representatives to plead their case to Washington, D.C., powerbrokers. The lobbyists helping this recent crop of clients attempt to profit amid the war in Iran are no different.<\/p>\n<p>Anchor &amp; Arrow, for instance, has tapped Christopher &#8203;Zumbar, who was formerly the congressional appropriations liaison for the Navy and headquarters Marine Corps comptroller, and John &#8203;Noonan, who worked on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, to represent a suite of small and midsized defense contractors. Both men have ties to the policymakers tasked with determining how the U.S. spends its defense budget.<\/p>\n<p>Major defense contractor Northrop Grumman, meanwhile, has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/2e6b75a7-fb8d-42af-9ad7-bcbabbfd378c\/print\/\">retained<\/a> former Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) and two of his one-time senior staffers via the firm Skyline Capitol. Stewart served on the House Appropriations Committee during his roughly decadelong tenure in Congress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Capitol building in Washington. (Anna Moneymaker \/ Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Former political operatives with links to President Donald Trump have also been swept up in the recent lobbying frenzy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Among these are Aquia Group&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/f0518580-10e4-4b6f-a318-c9c11cc436c5\/print\/\">Austin Agrella<\/a>, who served as the deputy Cabinet secretary for policy during the first Trump administration; Squire Patton Boggs&rsquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/a298ef9e-943c-40b2-9d34-551ce665f0b6\/print\/\">Thomas &#8203;Andrews<\/a>, who was a special assistant specializing in legislative affairs in the first Trump White House; as well as Trump&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/a45a88e5-9bd0-41de-9ca9-c5dd84517d43\/print\/\">former ambassador to the Organization of American States<\/a> and a former campaign staffer who work for Continental Strategy, among others.<\/p>\n<p>The bulk of lobbying contracts filed after the war broke out involve small- and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-recruits-woke-corporations-to-invest-in-central-america-to-stop-illegal-migration\/\" title=\"Kamala Harris Recruits Woke Corporations to \u2018Invest&#039; in Central America to Stop Illegal Migration\">medium-sized companies<\/a>; however, some household names have gotten in on the rush as well. Lobbyists retained by Northrop Grumman and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lda.gov\/filings\/public\/filing\/e173e86e-1d50-45fb-a833-f59caf3f4f40\/print\/\">Advanced Manufacturing Company of America<\/a>, for instance, have filed new registration documents since the war in Iran kicked off. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the former is interested in missile defense programs, whereas the latter is seeking to lobby on &ldquo;issues related to defense and manufacturing policy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Some smaller firms that have tossed their hats into the Washington lobbying ring since war broke out with Iran include Airrow, a company marketing an &ldquo;autonomous robotic hub enabling a self-regenerating, persistent UAS force;&rdquo; &#8203;Lola Vision Systems, which is selling the &ldquo;first purpose-built edge AI processor for defense applications;&rdquo; Delta Black Aerospace, which specializes in drone technology; Q-Net Security, a cybersecurity company that brags of being &ldquo;powered by AI,&rdquo; and Born Primitive, a &ldquo;patriot inspired workout clothing&rdquo; that is hoping to secure &ldquo;funding for specialized equipment for war fighters.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3339633\/trump-lobbyists-sell-influence-foreigners\/\"><strong>&lsquo;AMERICA FIRST&rsquo;-ADJACENT LOBBYISTS LINE UP TO SELL INFLUENCE TO FOREIGNERS&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Major defense contractors with sizable existing lobbying networks, such as Lockheed Martin and RTX, are likely billing more hours to the lobbyists they have retained. The full extent of this possible uptick, however, won&rsquo;t be known until lobbyists file their second quarter reports later this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paraphrase:<br \/>\nIn the weeks after the Iran-related hostilities began on Feb. 28, about 34 firms either added new lobbyists or updated existing contracts to push for policies in defense, energy, or homeland security. They\u2019ve enlisted prominent Washington lobbying groups to help shape decisions and win potential contracts. Because lobbying disclosures often appear weeks after work starts, actual lobbying activity may be higher than these filings show. The surge likely reflects expectations that the Iran conflict will be costly for the U.S. and potentially lucrative for industry, a point underscored by the Pentagon\u2019s March 19 request for roughly $200 billion in extra funding to wage the war, on top of the military\u2019s large budget for fiscal 2026. Energy price volatility and security concerns have also spurred interest in Washington. The Examiner\u2019s review counted 24 lobbying registrations tied to defense, 10 to energy, and five to homeland security, with some filings listing multiple issue areas. Companies aiming to market AI to the military are particularly active. Leading firms such as Continental Strategy, as well as traditional outfits like DLA Piper, Holland &amp; Knight, McGuireWoods, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, and Squire Patton Boggs, have gained new business. Niche defense contractors, including Anchor &amp; Arrow, have added clients like Gallatin AI and Oklo. In some cases, former political operatives with ties to Trump\u2019s circle joined these efforts, and large contractors like Northrop Grumman have engaged ex-lawmakers and staff. Most new contracts involve smaller to mid-sized firms, but big players such as Lockheed Martin and RTX are likely increasing hours as well. The full extent of the uptick will only become clear with forthcoming quarterly filings.<\/p>\n<p>Proposed 55-character title:<br \/>\nIran war spurs lobbying surge for defense, energy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":894,"featured_media":2583892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26067343102389_978b40.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[76560,3823,4198,50434],"class_list":["post-2583891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-goldrush","tag-iran","tag-lobbying","tag-war-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26067343102389_978b40.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/894"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2583891"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2583895,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583891\/revisions\/2583895"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2583892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2583891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2583891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2583891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}