Overview
- A Wall Street Journal-sourced leak published late Thursday reported President Trump launched an expletive-filled tirade in the Oval Office, calling Iran’s leaders “scumbags” and “lunatics.”
- Officials quoted in the leak say Trump has grown skeptical that negotiations can work and believes Iran “only understands” force, prompting him to treat continued strikes as one of the few options left.
- A preliminary ceasefire and a June memorandum of understanding collapsed in recent weeks and U.S. forces have resumed repeated strikes, with U.S. military deaths reported at least 18 and global fuel prices rising.
- Some White House advisers express alarm that the protracted campaign is consuming the presidency and could hurt Republican prospects in upcoming elections by driving down approval ratings and raising costs for Americans.
- The conflict began without formal Congressional authorization after the president promised a short campaign, and regional actors such as Houthi-aligned forces have expanded attacks on shipping routes and energy chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, worsening supply and price pressures.