The administration has threatened to resume large-scale military strikes against Tehran if it refuses to agree to an American-led settlement. Speaking on Thursday, the president noted he would prefer to avoid additional devastation across the country but warned that further action remains possible. These foreign policy threats arrive amid intense domestic political scrutiny after recent midterm elections. Democratic victories in the races were driven in part by public frustration over the eight-month conflict and rising fuel prices.
Key points
The U.S. administration is insisting that Tehran cannot move forward with its nuclear pro…: The U.S. administration is insisting that Tehran cannot move forward with its nuclear program without direct American consent.
Military action remains an active threat as Washington attempts to force Iran into accept…: Military action remains an active threat as Washington attempts to force Iran into accepting an official settlement.
Domestic political pressure is mounting on the administration following election setbacks…: Domestic political pressure is mounting on the administration following election setbacks tied directly to the ongoing eight-month conflict.
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US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying Washington could take further action against the country while signalling that he would prefer to avoid additional destruction. He also asserted that Tehran could not move ahead with its nuclear programme without US approval.
"I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I’ll have to. You will know soon enough," Trump told reporters at the Oval Office.
Additionally, on Iran's nuclear programme, he said, "They're not doing anything without our approval."
This comes as Trump faces renewed scrutiny over the eight-month-old Iran war following the Republicans' losses in the US midterm elections, with voter dissatisfaction over the conflict and rising fuel prices emerging as factors in the Democratic gains. Trump had earlier threatened to resume large-scale strikes against Iran after the elections if Tehran failed to agree to a settlement on terms acceptable to Washington.
Seeking to permanently preserve recent gold renovations, the outgoing administration has restricted future commanders-in-chief from modifying key West Wing workspaces. The move follows significant legislative losses to Democrats in the midterm elections, sparking immediate pushback over executive priorities. Opposition critics argue the administration is fixating on federal building projects rather than addressing pressing economic hardships and the conflict in Iran.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating the Oval Office and select adjoining rooms as a national monument, placing them under the management of the National Park Service. Trump, who has extensively remodeled the space since beginning his second term, stated the action is intended to prevent future administrations from altering or dismantling the office. The order directs the National Park Service to preserve the historic character and architectural integrity of the room, which was establis…
Quincy Institute Executive Vice President Trita Parsi assessed the post-election landscape during a discussion with MEE Live's Mathilda Mallinson. He warned that Donald Trump's hubris and unpredictable nature threaten to drive a military escalation, mirroring the factors that initiated hostilities. This assessment arrives as regional intermediaries attempt to facilitate diplomacy, including an Iranian nuclear proposal transmitted to Washington through Qatar.