President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the U.S. blockade, insisting that discussions around Iran’s nuclear program must come first. This development comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced nearly six hours of intense questioning from House lawmakers regarding the ongoing war against Iran.
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee criticized the conflict as a costly war of choice waged without congressional approval, raising concerns about ballooning costs, the depletion of U.S. munitions, and civilian casualties, including a deadly elementary school bombing. They also questioned the military’s preparedness against Iranian drones and the war’s impact on American taxpayers, particularly rising gas prices.
Hegseth defended the administration’s actions, pushing back on claims that the war was a ‘quagmire’ and asserting that Americans support the mission to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He also confirmed ordering the removal of two female and two Black officers from a promotion list, citing the need for new leadership, and announced the release of $400 million in delayed Ukraine aid funds. Hegseth refused to provide an estimated duration or cost for the war, stating it would tip off adversaries.
Amidst these domestic confrontations, Trump also threatened to reduce the U.S. military presence in Germany due to tensions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war. He also revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin renewed an offer to help deal with Iran’s enriched uranium, though Trump prioritized ending the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in a whirlwind diplomatic tour, including calls with India, Kenya, and Poland, and visits to Oman, Pakistan, and Moscow, to garner support and discuss regional tensions, attributing insecurity in the Persian Gulf to U.S. and Israeli actions.
Other significant developments include the USS Ford aircraft carrier heading home after a record-breaking deployment that included participation in the Iran war. The life of imprisoned Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi is reportedly in ‘imminent danger’ due to deteriorating health. In Israel, ultra-orthodox protests against the draft law continued, leading to clashes with police. The Kremlin warned of ‘dire consequences’ if hostilities against Iran resumed, with Putin reportedly telling Trump that a ground operation would be ‘unacceptable and dangerous.’ Economically, climate activists protested outside TotalEnergies after the French energy giant reported significant profits, linking them to war-related price spikes, while a UN report projected 1.24 million people in Lebanon would face acute food insecurity.
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