Senator Tom Cotton is the current chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and one of the strongest voices in full support of military strikes against Iran.

Good morning, and Happy Father’s Day to you.

SENATOR TOM COTTON (R-Arkansas): Thank you, Margaret.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, I know you are staying on top of all these events.

When it comes to what President Trump has said publicly, he seems to be indicating not just that the U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, but he’s saying this is not America’s fight unless Iran hits the U.S.

Should it be such a bright line?

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows he needs the support of the United States government if he is going to succeed in his war against Iran; intended to forever eliminate the potential for Iran to ever gain a nuclear bomb.

As details of the ongoing operations inside Iran continue to collate, it is becoming clear that Israeli intelligence has long-term embeds deep inside the Iranian government and security apparatus. Apparently some of these deep intel agents have been inside the Iranian national security system for decades; this seems to have shocked the upper tiers of the Iranian government.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears on Fox News with Bret Baier today to walk through the intentions of the ongoing operations and the overall goals and objectives. WATCH:

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As the G7 leaders gather in Canada for their annual meeting, President Trump delivers a message to Iran from his Truth Social account.

President Trump continues pushing Iran to make a deal before things get worse.

President Donald Trump – “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that’s OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!”

Early this morning, President Trump reiterated that the USA has nothing to do with the ongoing attacks by Israel.  The U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight. If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before. However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!

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President Trump supporter Charlie Kirk presented a poll question on his Twitter account asking, “Should the US get involved in Israel’s war against Iran?”  Almost a half million responses and the outcome is almost 90% saying no.

[SOURCE]

There is obviously a significant majority of MAGA Republicans who do not want the U.S. military involved in more foreign conflict.

Also, it’s obvious this is not a scientific poll and more of a ‘sense’ amid the people who use Twitter; people who are often the strongest political influence voices for American politicians; but still, that is quite a remarkable outcome.

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President Trump released a series of statements earlier this morning as Israel continues to execute operation Rising Lion and strike Iran.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP –  “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to “just do it,” but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it.”

“Certain Iranian hardliner’s spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!” [source]

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP – “Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to “make a deal.” They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!” [source]

Also, VIA CNN: I just spoke with President Donald Trump on the phone. The President told me the US supports Israel and called the strikes on Iran last night “a very successful attack.”

“We of course support Israel, obviously and supported it like nobody has ever supported it,” Trump said during our brief phone call.

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According to most information flowing from the region, a second wave attack from Israel us underway (or just completed).  The first wave targeting was the Iranian military leadership and nuclear scientists, the second wave hitting the nuclear installations.

We could tell from the initial targeting, the IDF were not targeting hardened installations, they were targeting people who run them where they live in the middle of the night.  This appears to be confirmed by ground reporting of residences being the target with highly strategic Mossad agents on the ground doing major intelligence activity to identify the targets.  It appears Israel was very successful (but still really early).

That approach also establishes the baseline for internal Iranian political opposition to push for regime change.

The second wave of Israeli targeting then goes directly at the nuclear installations.  This approach also makes sense.  First round takes out the brain power, second round takes out their hardened facilities (much more difficult to eliminate).

As the operation proceeds, we now turn focus to the U.S. interests, and this is where we use hindsight to last Sunday’s Camp David meeting.

Secretary of State / National Security Advisor Marco Rubio emphasizes Israel is acting “unilaterally,” without USA support.  President Trump proactively and strategically emphasizes his preferred approach of “diplomacy.”

Some will doubt, but I would draw your attention to Trump’s relay of the call with Vladimir Putin last week. Obviously, President Trump understood Israel was on the cusp of taking some ‘unilateral’ action, albeit with a likelihood of a heads-up to USA of approximate timing (Sunday Camp David as a proactive ‘get us prepped’ agenda).

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech outlining the motives and intentions of the IDF attacking Iran to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons from Iran.  “Operation Rising Lion”

Within the speech, Netanyahu alleges Iran were close to being capable of creating a nuclear weapon within one-month or one-year.  President Netanyahu promises the liberate Iran and become their friend as soon as the Iranian regime is replaced. Within the speech tone, Netanyahu does not sound confident.  WATCH:

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OK, DEEP BREATH. What to watch for?

If Steve Witkoff still goes to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman on Sunday, that means: #1 Rubio’s use of the word “unilateral” was *extremely* diplomatic; #2 President Trump is not happy with Bibi, and #3 Israel is on truly their own!

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Tehran is 7.5 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. 

As was widely expected, overnight in Tehran, Israel has begun a series of what it calls “preemptive strikes” against Iran. Iranian state media outlet IRNA reported repeated explosions could be heard in Tehran.

VIA CNN – Israel has launched what it is calling a “preemptive strike” against Iran and declared a state of emergency, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz.

“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,” Katz said in a statement.

Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv following the announcement.

The U.S. did not provide any assistance or have any involvement in the Israeli strike, a U.S. official told ABC News. (read more)

Sirens were sounded in Israel as the nation prepares for long-planned counter attacks from Iran to begin.  Three hours before the Israeli strikes began, President Trump released a statement saying, “We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Iran had previously vowed to strike at both Israeli and USA targets if they were attacked.  The attack is taking place around 3:00-4:00am local time on Friday the 13th in Tehran.   The National Day of Rage in the USA is scheduled for Saturday, June 14th.  The anti-Israel protesters will now likely align with the anti-deportation protesters and things could get dramatic in the USA.

There are reports of approximately a dozen sites inside Iran being targeted.  Everything is very fluid at the moment.

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If Israel were to attack Iran on/around the same timeline the leftists have their ‘day of rage’ scheduled on June 14 (Sat), it would be the worst possible timing.  Of course, that outcome might also make it more likely.

President Trump confirmed tonight personnel are being “moved out” of parts of the Middle East as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, while diplomatic talks between the USA and Iran seem to have stalled.

“Well, they are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens. But they are — we’ve given notice to move out. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said while walking the red carpet at the Kennedy Center.  The State Department recently ordered the departure of all nonessential staff from the Baghdad embassy, apparently due to increased security risks.

Additionally, the defense department “has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations” across the region, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. The command “is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East.”

(VIA AP) – […] Tensions in the region have been rising in recent days as talks between the U.S. and Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program appear to have hit an impasse. The talks seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions that the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

The next round of talks — the sixth — had been tentatively scheduled for this weekend in Oman, according to two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss diplomatic matters. However, those officials said Wednesday that it looked increasingly unlikely that the talks would happen.

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I know no one likes to watch the Republican warmongers advocate for expanded intervention, conflict and escalated global violence as a means for them to retain power.  However, this is one of those sickening points of advocacy that need to be watched and listened to very carefully.

Mike McCaul is Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and he has never experienced a war he didn’t enjoy.  McCaul notes he is happy for the House to receive a sanction package against Russia from Lindsey Graham that will likely be voted on in the Senate tomorrow.  Last week the Senate met with Ukraine officials in a closed-door session, where the after-activity review was never outlined by media.  DC is pretending the meeting never took place.

After discussing his advocacy for enhanced U.S. conflict against Russia, the Texas republican notes he has just spent 3-days in a strategy session with the leadership of Israel, specifically Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the topic of Iran.  As McCaul notes, “there is no question in my mind coming out of that meeting, what Mr Netanyahu’s intentions are and that is to strike Iran when the negotiations go bad.”  WATCH:

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McCaul asked Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, “at least coordinate with us if you go alone to respond to the retaliation coming out of Iran.”  In essence, it will be easier for us to convince the American people to defend you, if you at least tell us after you attack Iran.  This is nuts.

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