President Donald Trump gives brief remarks to the media aboard Air Force One (audio only for first minute).  The first segment of the questions and answers deals with President Trump talking to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel agreeing not to strike, to turn around and return their planes home.

President Trump reaffirmed that he does not want to see regime change in Iran and that things can be settled without conflict if all parties engage with honesty and integrity.  The conversation then moves to the NATO summit which begins later tonight.  WATCH (Video starts at 1:40)

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It’s all right there for those who have eyes to see and do not pretend.

Chopper Pressers are the best pressers.  Departing the White House President Trump leads off his initial remarks by saying. … “And I’m talking directly to Israel right now”… “I’m not happy with Israel, I’m not happy at all.”  President Trump repeats.

President Trump is speaking about the increased fire the Israeli government conducted, as soon as the ceasefire was announced, and again talking about the ongoing retaliation fire that Israel is taking right now to a single Iran rocket that missed any Israeli target.  “Israel needs to calm down,” he continued.

Then, to drive home the point and express his frustration, President Trump says, “we basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard, that they don’t know WHAT THE FUCK THEY’RE DOING! Do you understand that?” He then turns his back in disgust and walks away.  WATCH:

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This week wasn’t just about stopping Iran. It was also about taking Israel’s “Iran has nukes!” card off the table.

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Israel has agreed to the terms and conditions established by President Donald Trump:

[SOURCE]

“Israel has eliminated an immediate dual existential threat, both in the nuclear domain and in the field of ballistic missiles. Additionally, the IDF achieved full air superiority over Tehran, dealt a severe blow to the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of key government targets in Iran,” the statement says. “Even in the past day, the IDF dealt major blows to regime targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminated hundreds of Basij operatives, the regime’s oppression apparatus, and assassinated another senior nuclear scientist,” it continues. “Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defense and for their role in removing the Iranian nuclear threat.”

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Vice President JD Vance appears on Fox News with Bret Baier to discuss the ceasefire and peace plan between Iran and Israel.  Vice President Vance notes the entire Middle-East wanted to deal with the Iranian issue and were appreciative of President Donald Trump dealing with the issue.  WATCH:

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If you are confused about what happened in the past 96 hours, that’s understandable.

Cliff notes. The Occam’s Razor was always accurate. President Trump didn’t want to escalate with Iran. Netanyahu forced President Trump into a supportive box with attacks against Iran. President Trump responded with a public hug to Bibi and eventually a U.S. bombing of the Iran nuclear sites. Israel was big happy. However, Trump’s emissary Steve Witkoff never stopped communicating with Iran on peace approach, and negotiated/coordinated a face-saving Iranian retaliation via a happy to oblige Qatar.

Iran retaliated against the USA support for Israel with a pre-planned attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which was easily managed. Iran saves face against evil Trump. Meanwhile, loyal friend to Israel, Trump has facilitated the request of Bibi. Diplomacy now returns sans operational nuclear sites.  No regime change. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli lobbyist Mark Levin are furious.

All the pro-war Israel-First pundits who sold a narrative of Trump duping the Iranians were wrong.  Trump never wanted the conflict escalation, nor did Trump pre-plan with Netanyahu to pretend diplomacy.  Pure fantasy speculation. The prior diplomatic efforts between the USA and Iran were genuine from the Trump administration, despite the duplicity from the Iranian side.

In a weakened state the Iranian regime and the Israeli government are now directed to engage in “peace and harmony,” against the new backdrop of the nuclear sites out of commission. Trump’s out. We’re done.

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President Trump has responded with a “thank you” to Iran for their forewarned retaliation; noting he will “enthusiastically encourage” Israel to seek peace now.  Via Truth Social:

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered. There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was “set free,” because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their “system,” and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE. I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” (source)

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “I’d like to thank the Highly Respected Emir of Qatar for all that he has done in seeking Peace for the Region. Regarding the attack today at the American Base in Qatar, I am pleased to report that, in addition to no Americans being killed or wounded, very importantly, there have also been no Qataris killed or wounded. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” (source)

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A few surface points. The time of day, just after 8pm local reflects an “attack” intended to be intercepted, reviewed and assessed. The target U.S. base in Qatar, an intermediary and friendly geopolitical ally to Iran, reflects coordination to give optics of retaliation in name only. No doubt Iran coordinated this retaliatory strike with Qatar. The scale, 6 easily intercepted missiles.

In summary, a response from Iran intended for domestic consumption to give/save regional face for Persians.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards, in an official statement:

In response to the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, we carried out a powerful and devastating missile strike against a strategic asset – the largest American airbase in the Middle East. Any repetition of U.S. aggression will accelerate the collapse of the American military establishment in the region.

Qatar condemns the puff-n-bluster ballistic missile attack by Iran on U.S. Al Udeid Air Base, adding that all of the missiles were intercepted and that there are no reported injuries so far.  If Iran does it again, they will be met with a more strongly worded letter.

In return Iran’s top security body tells Qatar: “THIS ACTION DOES NOT POSE ANY THREAT TO ‘OUR FRIENDLY AND BROTHERLY’ NEIGHBOUR QATAR”

Iran’s military claimed it had carried out a “devastating and powerful” missile attack on the Al Udeid U.S. military base in Doha, but Qatar said the missiles were intercepted. Qatari officials said the nation reserves the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law after Iran tried to strike the base.

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Jonathan Karl is not known for his pragmatic pontification, however in the framework of what comes next following the U.S. bombing of Iran, he’s correct.  The next move is entirely up to Iran, and for the moment that puts the decision to escalate outside the control of President Trump.

As Karl outlines, President Trump was adamant the strikes against the Iranian nuclear sites were “one and done.”  However, the underlying consideration in the background was the contingency planning for what comes next.  As Karl accurately notes, this puts the power of escalation in the hands of Iran.  If Iran strikes U.S. military facilities, President Trump will be pulled into a larger military response, and so – the potential for the escalation spiral begins.

ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl spoke to President Donald Trump about what he hopes these attacks on Iran will accomplish.  WATCH:

I think most agree that we do not want to see Iran gaining nuclear weapons power.  However, most Americans also do not want to get pulled into a protracted conflict in the middle east again.  It is a tenuous moment.

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White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt responded to reporters questions today about President Trump suggesting “regime change” in Iran as an objective. WATCH:

“The President’s posture and our military posture has not changed. The President was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking. If the Iranian regime refuses to give up their nuclear program or engage in talks – we just took out their nuclear program on Saturday night as you all know – but if they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving why shouldn’t the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime? That’s a question the President raised last night. But as far as our military posture, it hasn’t changed.”

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Vice-President JD Vance appears on Meet the Press with Kirsten Welker to discuss the administration’s intent and purpose of bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities.

JD Vance notes there have been multiple illegal alien entries into the United States during the Biden administration during the open borders, and some of them are likely terrorist threats to the nation.  All efforts are underway to ensure those illegal entrants would be tracked down and extracted from our country.

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