US President Donald Trump has announced that he has postponed a planned military strike on Iran at the request of Gulf state leaders, but has instructed the US military to be prepared for a full-scale assault if negotiations fail.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that the leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia approached Washington due to the possibility of reaching a deal that would be "very acceptable" to the US and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He stated, "We will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached."
Ceasefire Stalled
While Trump has frequently used social media to threaten Tehran and suggest a peace deal is imminent, there has been no sign of a breakthrough in stalled negotiations to end the war. A ceasefire has paused most violence after six weeks of US-Israeli airstrikes and Iranian retaliation, but progress has been minimal. Trump previously described the ceasefire as "on life support," and Israeli media reports suggest a resumption of hostilities may be imminent.
Iran's foreign military spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, claimed that Pakistan has shared Tehran's latest proposal with the US, though no official confirmation has been provided.
Other Key Developments
- Approval Rating Sinks: Trump's approval rating has fallen to its lowest point of his second term, amid mounting frustration over the cost of living and the US-Israel war on Iran. Polling indicates most American voters believe the war was the wrong choice.
- Lawsuit Dismissed: Trump moved to dismiss a $10bn lawsuit against the IRS, dropping his claims amid reports he is considering a $1.7bn settlement fund for allies allegedly persecuted by the government.
- Immigration Crackdown Costs: Tax experts warn that Trump's immigration crackdown could lead to up to $479bn in lost tax revenue over ten years, as undocumented workers may be deterred from filing taxes.
- Weather Data Cuts: Experts fear that cuts to climate and weather data programming could make federal weather forecasts less reliable ahead of hurricane season and record-breaking summer heat.
- PFAS Limits Repeal: The Trump administration plans to repeal Biden-era drinking water limits on four PFAS "forever chemicals," linked to cancer and other health issues, and delay standards for two other compounds.
- Press Restrictions Lawsuit: The New York Times has filed a second lawsuit against the Pentagon over an interim policy requiring journalists to have official escorts on Pentagon grounds, calling it unconstitutional.
In other news, three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, investigated as a hate crime; Cuba's president warned against US military action; a jury ruled in favor of Sam Altman in a legal battle; an American developed Ebola after exposure in the DRC; and Greenland's government criticized the arrival of a US doctor alongside Trump's special envoy.
