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    Trump Reveals Identity Of Secret Iran Negotiation Partner

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed that his administration is engaged in talks with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, identifying for the first time the official he has described as a key contact in ongoing negotiations.

    The confirmation was reported by New York Post national security correspondent Caitlin Doornbos, who said Trump told her the U.S. is negotiating directly with Ghalibaf and suggested it would soon become clear whether the talks could produce results.

    Trump “confirmed to me today that the US is negotiating with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, saying we’ll ‘find out in about a week’ whether he is someone America can truly work with,” Doornbos reported.

    The disclosure follows days of speculation after Trump announced on Truth Social that “VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS” were underway between the United States and Iran, even as tensions remained high following recent military escalation.

    Trump’s announcement of talks came alongside a significant policy shift. Just hours after warning that Iran could face “total decimation” if it failed to comply with U.S. demands over the Strait of Hormuz, the president ordered a five-day pause on planned strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, citing progress in negotiations.

    Before naming Ghalibaf, Trump had declined to identify his counterpart, telling reporters only that discussions were taking place with “a top person.”

    “A top person. Don’t forget, we wiped out the leadership, phase one, and phase two and largely phase three. But we’re dealing with a man who I believe is the most respected and the leader. It is a little tough. We’ve wiped out everybody,” Trump said.

    When pressed at the time on whether he was referring to Iran’s leadership, Trump ruled out direct contact with the country’s newly named supreme leader.

    “No, not the supreme leader. Nobody has heard of the second supreme leader, the son. We have not heard from the son. Everyone said you’ve seen a statement made, we don’t know if he is living. But the people that seem to be running it, and they seem that based on, really, fact because things they’ve said have taken place.”

    Following those remarks, The Jerusalem Post reported that Trump’s backchannel contact was Ghalibaf. The Iranian official quickly denied the claim, posting on X that no negotiations were taking place.

    “Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved. No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”

    Despite the denial, Trump reiterated his position in comments to Doornbos, suggesting the administration is actively testing whether Ghalibaf represents a viable negotiating partner as conflict continues to unfold across the region.

    “We’re gonna find out,” Trump told The Post when asked about Iran’s Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. “I’ll let you know that in about a week.”

    Trump also indicated that recent developments inside Iran may have altered the diplomatic landscape.

    “There has been total regime change because the regimes of the past are gone and we’re dealing with a whole new set of people. And thus far, they’ve been much more reasonable,” he said.

    The conflicting accounts underscore ongoing uncertainty around the status of negotiations, even as the Trump administration signals optimism about a potential resolution

    According to a report from The Hill, Pakistan on Sunday said it would host talks aimed at ending the U.S.-Iran war, after diplomats from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia met in Islamabad.

    “Pakistan will be honored to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days in a comprehensive sentiment of the ongoing conflict,” Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a speech after the meeting.

    It was not immediately clear if the U.S. and Iran would take part in the talks.

    On Sunday, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said U.S. universities based in the Middle East “are legitimate targets” after its military said joint U.S.-Israeli strikes hit two colleges in the country. 

    “The reckless rulers of the White House should know that from now on, all universities of the occupying regime and American universities in the West Asia region are legitimate targets for us until two universities are struck in retaliation for the Iranian universities that have been destroyed,” it wrote in a post on the social platform X. 

    “All staff, professors, and students of American universities in the region, as well as residents in their surroundings, are advised to stay at least one kilometer away from these universities to ensure their safety,” the statement continued. 

    Many American universities have satellite campuses in the region, including New York University, Georgetown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Northwestern University and Texas A&M University. 

    Additionally, President Trump threatened to attack Iran’s energy infrastructure on Monday morning in a Truth Social post:

    “The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran. Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately “Open for Business,” we will conclude our lovely “stay” in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet “touched.” This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year “Reign of Terror.” Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

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    Trump Reveals Plans For ‘Massive Military Complex’ Under The White House

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    President Trump said late Sunday that the U.S. military is constructing a “massive complex” beneath the White House as part of ongoing renovations tied to a controversial new ballroom project on the East Wing.

    Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed new details about the underground development, which he suggested had only recently become public due to legal challenges.

    “Now, the military is building a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed,” Trump said. “But the military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that’s under construction, and we’re doing very well.”

    The president described the above-ground ballroom as a highly fortified structure, emphasizing modern security features.

    “We have all bullet-proof glass, we have drone-proof roofs, ceilings,” Trump said while displaying newly produced renderings of the project. “Unfortunately, we’re living in an age when that’s a good thing.”

    Trump had previously indicated that elements of the project were intended to remain undisclosed. During a Cabinet meeting last week, he acknowledged a national security component tied to the construction.

    “It was supposed to be secret, but it became unsecret because of people that are really unpatriotic saying things,” he said. “Now it’s no secret, the military wanted it more than anybody.”

    The ballroom project—estimated at roughly $400 million—is being promoted by Trump as a long-overdue upgrade to the White House’s event capacity. He argued that existing rooms are too small to host major foreign dignitaries and large-scale gatherings.

    “For 150 years, they’ve wanted to build a ballroom at the White House. Other presidents have wanted it,” Trump said. “When we have dignitaries coming like President Xi of China or anybody else, we have very small rooms. They’re not big enough to handle the kind of capacity that you need.”

    He added that the new structure is designed to visually match the existing White House and could even accommodate presidential inaugurations.

    “This is the same height as the White House. It’s an incredible fitting,” he said. “I think it will be the finest ballroom of its kind anywhere in the world.”

    According to Trump, the ballroom is being funded entirely through private donations and personal contributions, with no taxpayer dollars involved.

    “All of this money, all of the money paid is paid by myself and donors, it’s all donors,” he said. “There’s not one dime of government money going into the ballroom.”

    However, the project has drawn scrutiny from preservation groups and architects. A recent report raised concerns about design choices, including claims about “faux windows,” which Trump forcefully denied.

    “We have no fake windows,” he said. “The glass is extremely thick. It’s high-grade, bulletproof glass. So, all of the windows are bulletproof.”

    The construction has also sparked a legal battle. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a lawsuit arguing that the administration bypassed required approvals from Congress and federal planning agencies. A federal judge is currently considering whether to halt construction.

    Despite the controversy, Trump insisted the project is progressing smoothly.

    “We’re ahead of schedule and under budget,” he said.

    He also framed the ballroom as secondary to the underground military infrastructure being built beneath it.

    “The ballroom essentially becomes a shed for what’s being built under the military, including from drones and including from any other thing,” Trump said.

    The plans are expected to face a key test later this week, when the National Capital Planning Commission is set to review the proposal for final approval.

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    Taliban Releases Detained American After Pressure From US

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Cabinet Room. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    An American who was detained by the Taliban for more than a year without charges has been released and is now on his way home, according to U.S. officials.

    Dennis Coyle, 64, had spent nearly two decades working in Afghanistan before he was taken from his home in Kabul in January 2025 by Taliban intelligence forces. He was held in near-solitary confinement and never charged with a crime, officials said.

    Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler said Coyle’s detention was unjust and that he had been used as leverage by the Taliban.

    “The United States welcomes the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle, who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for more than a year,” Boehler said in a statement to Fox News.

    “President Trump made clear: the United States will not tolerate the unjust detention of its citizens — anywhere. His personal determination — executed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a fully aligned interagency team — has driven a shift to accountability, pressure and results.”

    Coyle’s family said he had been legally working in Afghanistan as an academic researcher supporting language communities.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio also welcomed the release, calling it progress but emphasizing that other Americans remain detained.

    “The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy,” Rubio said. “President Trump is committed to ending unjust detentions overseas – Dennis joins over 100 Americans who have been freed in the past 15 months under his second term in office.”

    Rubio added: “We thank the United Arab Emirates for its support in securing Dennis’ release. We also appreciate Qatar’s continued support and advocacy for Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan.”

    Coyle’s release comes amid broader U.S. pressure on the Taliban. Earlier this month, Rubio designated Afghanistan a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” accusing the group of unlawfully holding Americans and other foreign nationals.

    Officials say several Americans are still believed to be detained in Afghanistan, including Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby.

    The Trump administration has made the return of detained Americans a central priority during the president’s second term. According to U.S. officials, 176 individuals — including more than 100 Americans — have been brought home from wrongful detention or captivity abroad.

    That effort has included multiple high-profile cases. In Afghanistan, Americans such as George Glezmann, Ryan Corbett, and William McKenty were freed following negotiations involving U.S. envoys and regional intermediaries like Qatar.

    Elsewhere, the administration secured the release of Americans held in Venezuela, Russia, and by Hamas in Gaza, including teacher Marc Fogel and American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel.

    U.S. officials say many of these releases have relied on sustained diplomatic pressure and coordination with allies, particularly in the Middle East.

    “In Israel, the president and his team’s dogged persistence resulted in the release of all hostages held by Hamas,” Boehler said.

    “Behind these outcomes are professionals whose names will never be known—individuals who take real risks to bring Americans home. We will not accept hostage diplomacy. We will impose consequences. Americans remain detained abroad. We will not stop until every single American is home.”

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    Top Iranian Official Responds To Report He’s Trump’s Secret Negotiating Partner

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    A senior Iranian official identified in media reports as a potential backchannel to President Donald Trump has publicly denied any involvement in negotiations with the United States.

    Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, rejected the reports after The Jerusalem Post described him as the “top person” Trump had suggested his administration was engaging with behind the scenes.

    In a post on X, Ghalibaf dismissed the claim and accused the U.S. of spreading misinformation.

    “Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved. No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”

    The denial comes amid conflicting signals from Washington about the state of diplomacy. Just hours earlier, Trump said his administration had engaged in “very good and productive conversations” with Iran and announced a five-day pause on planned military strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure.

    Read Trump’s Truth Social message:

    “I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote. “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”

    The pause marked a sharp shift in tone after Trump had warned over the weekend that Iran could face “total decimation” if it failed to comply with U.S. demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

    Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Trump hinted at the existence of a high-level Iranian contact but declined to identify the individual.

    “A top person,” Trump said, offering no further details.

    When asked whether Iran’s newly named supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was involved, Trump said the U.S. had not heard from him. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his appointment and is widely believed to be gravely injured.

    “Don’t forget: We’ve wiped out the leadership phase one, phase two and largely phase three. But we’re dealing with a man who I believe is the most respected and the leader, you know it’s a little tough, they’ve wiped out — we’ve wiped out everybody,” Trump added.

    Trump’s claims of active discussions followed his announcement that strikes would be temporarily halted to allow negotiations to continue. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has also denied that any talks are taking place, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic track even as tensions remain high following U.S. threats tied to the Strait of Hormuz.

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    Trump Reverses Iran Strike Orders Hours After Threatening ‘Total Decimation’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    President Donald Trump on Monday announced a temporary pause in planned military strikes against Iran, just hours after escalating rhetoric in which he warned the country would face “total decimation.”

    The shift came after what Trump described as “very good and productive conversations” between U.S. and Iranian officials over the past two days, raising the possibility of a broader de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.

    In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had ordered a five-day halt to attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure while negotiations continue.

    “I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote. “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”

    The announcement marked a notable reversal from Trump’s earlier statements. On Sunday, during a phone interview with Channel 13 reporter Neria Kraus of Israel, the president warned that Iran would soon face overwhelming military action if it failed to comply with U.S. demands.

    “You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good. Total decimation of Iran,” Trump said. “It’s gonna work out very good.”

    Trump also criticized Iran’s leadership, saying the country had been “very bad for 47 years” in reference to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, adding, “Now they’re getting their comeuppance.”

    A day earlier, Trump had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to “FULLY OPEN” the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. He warned that failure to do so would trigger immediate U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure.

    “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” he wrote.

    The ultimatum followed weeks of escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, including joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and intensified regional tensions.

    Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined sharply since the conflict began on February 28. According to the BBC, maritime traffic dropped as much as 95% in March, with daily vessel counts falling from a typical 138 ships to around 100. The disruption has contributed to a surge in global oil prices, which rose to $98.09 per barrel on Friday—an increase of 47% since before the war began.

    Despite earlier predictions that the conflict was progressing quickly and nearing resolution, Trump’s latest comments suggest a potential shift toward diplomacy, at least in the short term, as negotiations continue.

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    Report: Mysterious Drones Spotted Over Military Base Housing Trump Cabinet Officials

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - Pete Hegseth, CC BY-SA 2.0

    U.S. officials have detected unidentified drones flying over a Washington military installation that houses Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to three people briefed on the situation. Authorities have not yet determined the origin of the drones.

    The sightings come amid heightened security concerns tied to escalating tensions in the Middle East. A senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, told The Washington Post the military has intensified monitoring for potential threats as the United States and Israel conduct strikes against Iran. Multiple drones were observed over Fort Lesley J. McNair on a single night within the past 10 days, prompting additional security measures and a White House meeting to assess possible responses.

    The incidents in Washington coincide with broader security actions both domestically and abroad. The U.S. government has issued a global alert to its diplomatic posts and increased security levels at several military bases. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida have both raised their force protection level to Charlie, indicating that intelligence suggests a possible threat. The only higher level, Delta, is reserved for when an attack is imminent or has already occurred.

    Officials also considered relocating Rubio and Hegseth following the drone activity, according to two of the people briefed. However, the senior administration official said both secretaries remain at their residences on the base, which were publicly identified by multiple news outlets in October.

    Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined to provide details about the situation. “The department cannot comment on the secretary’s movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible,” he said.

    Separately, MacDill Air Force Base—home to U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East—experienced multiple security incidents this week. The FBI is investigating a suspicious package that temporarily closed the base’s visitors center on Monday. On Wednesday, an unspecified incident prompted a shelter-in-place order that lasted several hours.

    “To ensure the safety and security of our people and the mission, commanders adjust their installation’s security posture in accordance with local threat assessments,” an Air Force spokesperson said in a statement.

    The State Department has also directed all U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide to immediately review their security protocols. The order, outlined in a cable reviewed by The Washington Post, cited “the ongoing and developing situation in the Middle East and the potential for spillover effects.”

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    GOP Lawmaker Warns Trump Against One Move That Would ‘Destroy’ Republican Party

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    5

    Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) issued a stark warning Tuesday to President Trump, cautioning that a unilateral move to withdraw the United States from NATO could fracture the Republican Party and trigger long-lasting internal divisions.

    “If he broke up NATO on his own, it would be a civil war in the Republican caucus, or the conference,” Bacon warned CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “Most of us would find that totally unacceptable, and I’m not alone. There’s a large group of us that believe in our alliances and standing up for freedom and pushing back on China and Russia.

    “We don’t want war with these guys, but you’ve got to be strong, and if he went in and somehow destroyed or tore up NATO, it would probably destroy the party for many years,” he added. “There would be many that will never forgive that.”

    Bacon, a retired Air Force general who has often positioned himself as a more traditional, internationalist Republican, has at times broken with Trump on foreign policy and national security issues. While not a consistent antagonist of the former president, he has repeatedly defended U.S. alliances and a robust global posture—placing him at odds with Trump.

    A moment later, Bacon reiterated that he believes the GOP “would implode” if the U.S. were to depart NATO.

    His comments came after Trump sharply criticized the alliance earlier Tuesday in a Truth Social post, arguing that U.S. military strength makes reliance on allies unnecessary. The president lashed out at countries reluctant to support U.S. operations tied to escalating tensions with Iran.

    “Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID!” Trump wrote. “Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”

    Trump has also been pushing for an international coalition to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been closed since late February amid the conflict with Iran. The disruption has driven sharp increases in oil, gas, and fertilizer prices worldwide.

    On Wednesday, President Trump escalated his rhetoric and floated the idea of shifting responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz to other countries that rely on the strategic shipping route after the U.S. has “finished off” Iran, in a jab at America’s “non-responsive allies.”

    “I wonder what would happen if we ‘finished off’ what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so-called ‘Strait?’ That would get some of our non-responsive ‘Allies’ in gear, and fast!!!,” Trump wrote.

    Moments later he added: “Remember, for all of those absolute “fools” out there, Iran is considered, by everyone, to be the NUMBER ONE STATE SPONSOR OF TERROR. We are rapidly putting them out of business!”

    Despite his criticism of NATO, Trump warned Sunday that the alliance faces a “very bad” future if member nations do not contribute more to joint security efforts. He has long argued that NATO countries fail to meet defense spending commitments and has repeatedly threatened to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance.

    Bacon’s warning underscores the divide between Republicans on the issue. As a lawmaker preparing to leave Congress, bacon has opted to speak more candidly about the potential political consequences of Trump’s foreign policy approach. His comments reflect broader concerns among establishment-minded Republicans who view NATO as central to U.S. global leadership and national security.

    Formed in 1949 to counter Soviet expansion, NATO remains a cornerstone of Western military cooperation. While some Republicans aligned with Trump have dismissed it as outdated, others—like Bacon—argue that abandoning the alliance would not only weaken U.S. influence abroad but is also likely to ignite a damaging rift at home.

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    Trump Official Resigns In Protest Over War With Iran

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

    On Tuesday morning, a Trump administration official announced his immediate resignation due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

    Joe Kent, the Trump-appointed director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned in protest from his position on Tuesday.

    “After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today,” wrote Kent in a letter to Trump, which he also made public on social media:

    I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

    I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

    In your first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qasam Solamani and by defeating ISIS.

    Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.

    As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.

    I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.

    It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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    Trump Threatens New Attacks on Iran as U.S. Ramps Up Largest Strike Campaign Yet

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    President Donald Trump warned Friday that the United States could intensify its military campaign against Iran, boasting of America’s military strength and threatening further attacks that could devastate Tehran’s remaining capabilities.

    In an early morning post on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. military has overwhelming power and signaled that additional strikes were imminent.

    “We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time – Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today,” the president wrote.

    “They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them,” he continued. “What a great honor it is to do so!”

    According to U.S. Central Command (Centcom), American forces have struck approximately 6,000 Iranian targets since the conflict began at the end of February. U.S. operations have also hit or sunk more than 90 Iranian vessels during the campaign.

    Trump’s remarks come as tensions escalate following threats from Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed power after his father was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike.

    In his first public statement since taking power, Khamenei vowed retaliation against American forces in the region. His message came amid reports that he had been severely injured during the strike that killed his father, with speculation circulating that he had been in a coma and had part of his leg amputated. Khamenei also reportedly lost his wife in the same attack.

    In a statement read by Iranian state media, Khamenei warned that Iran would escalate the conflict if necessary.

    “The Strait of Hormuz must remain closed. American bases in the Middle East must be closed,” he said. “Iran’s other military and regional capabilities will be activated if necessary.”

    Trump responded to the threat during an interview with Fox News commentator Brian Kilmeade, saying Iran’s leadership has done “a lot of talking” but may soon be forced to act.

    “We’ll have to see because we are decimating them,” the president said. “We’ve knocked out most of their missiles. We’ve knocked out many of their drones. We knocked out a lot of the manufacturing areas where they manufacture the missiles and now the drones. We’re hitting them harder than anybody’s been hit since World War II.”

    The president also said he believes Iran’s new supreme leader is still alive despite reports of severe injuries.

    “I think he probably is. I think he’s damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, yeah,” Trump told Kilmeade in an interview set to air Friday morning.

    Senior U.S. officials echoed Trump’s assessment that Iran’s leadership has been severely weakened.

    Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Friday that Khamenei “lacks legitimacy” and suggested the new leader is in hiding following the strikes that killed his father.

    “Iran’s leadership is in no better shape. Desperate and hiding, they’ve gone underground, cowering. That’s what rats do. We know the new so-called not so supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said at the Pentagon.

    “He put out a statement yesterday. A weak one, actually, but there was no voice. And there was no video. It was a written statement,” Hegseth continued.

    “He called for unity, apparently killing tens of thousands of protesters is his kind of unity. Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father dead. He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy.”

    Hegseth also indicated that the United States was preparing to significantly expand its military operations Friday.

    “Today will be yet again the highest volume of strikes that America has put over the skies of Iran and Tehran,” he said.

    “The number of sorties, the number of bomber pulses, the highest yet, ramping up and only up.”

    U.S. officials say the sustained campaign has dramatically degraded Iran’s military capabilities.

    “Iran has no air defenses. Iran has no air force. Iran has no navy,” Hegseth said earlier. “Their missiles, their missile launchers and drones being destroyed or shot out of the sky. Their missile volume is down 90%. Their one way attack drones yesterday, down 95%.”

    “And as the world is seeing, they are exercising sheer desperation in the Straits of Hormuz. It’s something we’re dealing with. We have been dealing with it and don’t need to worry about it. We’re on plan to defeat, destroy, disable all of their meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before,” he added.

    The strategic waterway has become a focal point of the conflict. About one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

    U.S. Central Command said American forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait earlier this week as Iran attempted to disrupt shipping through the crucial route.

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    Senior Iranian Official Issues Deadly Threat To Trump

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    Gage Skidmore Flickr

    A senior Iranian official issued a pointed warning to President Donald Trump on Tuesday, escalating tensions after Iran selected a new supreme leader without consulting the United States and as conflict in the region continues to intensify.

    Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, responded directly to Trump’s recent warnings about Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

    “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats,” Larijani wrote on the social media platform X in a post translated by The Associated Press. “Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.”

    Larijani’s remarks came after Trump issued a stark warning Monday on Truth Social, threatening severe retaliation if Iran interferes with oil shipments passing through the strategic waterway.

    “If Iran does anything that tops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Trump wrote.

    “Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!” he continued. “This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated.”

    The exchange comes as Iran moves forward with a major leadership transition following the death of longtime supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran’s governing clerical establishment selected his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader — a move that has drawn scrutiny abroad and further strained relations with Washington.

    Trump said he is skeptical that Iran’s new leader will bring stability to the region.

    “I don’t believe he can live in peace,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.

    Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the new supreme leader of Iran, “would be wise to heed the words of our president, which is to not pursue nuclear weapons and come out and state as such.”

    The leadership change comes amid a rapidly expanding regional conflict. Iranian forces launched a new wave of attacks Tuesday targeting Israel and several U.S.-aligned Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain, according to The Associated Press.

    In Bahrain, an Iranian strike on a residential building killed a 29-year-old woman and injured eight others.

    The escalating confrontation follows the U.S.-Israeli joint military campaign against Iranian targets, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, which began Feb. 28 and aimed to dismantle Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons capabilities.

    The conflict has also disrupted global energy markets.

    Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it would block oil exports from the region in response to the attacks.

    The Guard said it would not “allow the export of even a single liter of oil from the region to the hostile side and its partners until further notice.”

    The threat has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically passes through the strait each day, making it one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world.

    Shipping traffic has slowed dramatically.

    According to monitoring data from hormuzstraitmonitor.com, only two ships passed through the strait in the last 24 hours — far below the typical average of about 60 daily vessels. As of Tuesday, 157 ships remain stranded near the passage, including 98 oil tankers and 34 bulk carriers.

    The disruption has already driven up energy prices.

    West Texas Intermediate crude oil, the benchmark for North American markets, rose to just over $90 per barrel Tuesday morning. The national average price for gasoline in the United States climbed to $3.54 per gallon, according to AAA.

    Trump has defended the military campaign despite the economic fallout, arguing that higher fuel prices are a necessary cost to eliminate Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

    The spike in oil prices is a “very small price to pay,” he said.

    Still, some lawmakers worry the administration may not have fully anticipated the economic consequences.

    Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) criticized the White House for appearing unprepared for the energy market shock.

    “For heaven’s sakes, are you telling me you didn’t game this one out?” she told Punchbowl News last week. “I’m starting to think they didn’t game this one out.”

    With tensions rising and oil markets rattled, the confrontation between Washington and Tehran appears poised to intensify as Iran’s new leadership consolidates power and the U.S. continues its military pressure campaign.

    On Tuesday, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine told reporters at the Pentagon that Iran is “fighting, and I respect that.”

    “But I don’t think they’re more formidable than what we thought,” he added about Tehran’s defensive capabilities.

    “Our strikes mean we’ve made significant progress in reducing the number of missile and drone attacks out of Iran,” Caine also said. “Ballistic missile attacks continue to trend downward, 90% from where they’ve started, and one-way attack drones have decreased 83%, since the beginning of the operation.”

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