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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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)
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.
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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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will be holding a press briefing today at 1:00pm ET. Livestream links below.
During an oval office event to celebrate the Juventus team, President Trump took questions from the assembled press pool. The questions begin at 01:44 of the video below – prompted.
President Trump notes a situation room meeting was scheduled for updates in approximately 1 hour. The president also notes the Iranian delegation wants to meet to discuss the ongoing conflict; President Trump is not in a hurry to hear the requests at the current time.
President Trump is asked about what changed his perspective and leaned toward a willingness to engage with U.S. support for the physical removal of the Iranian nuclear capabilities. Trump notes Israel is proceeding “well” on a planned course of action to eliminate the threat Iran represented. WATCH:
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President Trump participated in a flagpole raising celebration earlier today at the White House. During the installation, President Trump delivered remarks to the media and took questions from the assembled press pool. WATCH:
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After departing the G7 in Canada, President Trump held a press availability aboard Airforce One at approximately 1:00am. President Trump and Secretary Rubio were returning to the White House early to address issues of concern in the Iran-Israel conflict. WATCH (prompted):
The president’s entire national security apparatus are assembled in the White House today (Tuesday) as the principals review events from the situation room.
Jennifer Jacobs (Bloomberg) provides a solid recap of the AF1 presser. “Trump wants “a real end” to the nuclear problem with Iran and this morning will find him in the White House Situation Room, monitoring developments in Middle East, he told us during his midnight departure from Canada.
“I didn’t say I was looking for a ceasefire,” he said on AF1. He said he wants “a real end,” with Iran “giving up entirely” on nukes.
The Israelis aren’t slowing up their barrage on Iran, he predicted. “You’re going to find out over the next two days. You’re going to find out. Nobody’s slowed up so far.”
Asked his thinking on calling for Tehran to evacuate, he told me he wants “people to be safe.”
Tehran, the capital and largest city of Iran, has a population of around 9.8 million in the city as of 2025, and 16.8 million in the metropolitan area. Evacuation would be a hot mess.
U.S. President Trump and U.K Prime Minister Starmer finished signing the details of the U.S-U.K trade agreement on heavy industry, aerospace, car tariffs and automobile trade. Both Trump and Starmer delivered remarks to the assembled press pool prior to answering questions.
The media were full of questions for President Trump about the latest developments in the Israel-Iran conflict. President Trump noted he needs to conclude the commitments on his schedule before he can engage in Iranian negotiations.
The British media, maintaining their longstanding history against the Russian Federation, are worried that President Trump might like Russia and or even agree with Russian perspectives. To the British press this possibility gives them the vapors. President Trump tries to intercept the U.K fainting by reminding the Brits the goal is to “stop death” at a rate of 5,000 young lives per week. WATCH:
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