President Trump has assembled his national security team in the Situation Room today to weigh the U.S.'s options as Israel and Iran's brewing conflict unfolds.
🚨 He just posted an update on the situation in the Middle East: "We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured "stuff." Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA," Trump posted on Truth Social.
Trump to the "so-called 'Supreme Leader,'' arguing he's an "easy target" — and called for "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER."
^ He also rejected his own director of national intelligence's assessment of Iran's nuclear capabilities earlier this year, telling reporters this morning he "doesn't care" what Tulsi Gabbard said and insisting Iran was close to obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Vice President Vance also publicly weighed in, giving what may be the clearest signal that Trump is weighing whether to get involved. "He may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment," Vance said of Trump. "That decision ultimately belongs to the president." Read Vance's full post
The big question — will the U.S. get involved?: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the U.S. will send deployments to the Middle East, stressing they are to be "defensive." White House spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer was then quick to shut down any suggestion that the U.S. would get involved, aside from "[defending] American interests."
Trump has urged a diplomatic solution. The Trump administration told Middle Eastern allies over the weekend that the U.S. will *not* get actively involved in the conflict unless Iran targets Americans, per Axios. He clearly wants a deal to be made with Iran, but Israel's preemptive strikes have made that much more difficult.
Who has Trump's ear?: Trump was set to meet Tuesday morning with his one-stop-shop for foreign policy advice, Secretary of State/national security adviser Marco Rubio, Vice President Vance and Joint Chiefs of Staff chair Dan Caine, per Politico.
💡 Some context to Trump's team: Rubio has been fairly hawkish on foreign involvement in his career, while Vance has a more isolationist worldview. Both have closely followed Trump's "America First" approach. Caine was not well known before his nomination — and was viewed at the time as being an unconventional pick. Plus, remember when Trump gutted his National Security Council in May, dismissing dozens of foreign policy experts? This is one of the most perilous moments for Trump's national security team since retaking office. I wonder how these shifting dynamics will affect moments like this.
Coming up later: In The Hill's Evening Report, Jonathan Easley will bring you the latest on Trump's huddle with his national security team as the day unfolds. Click here to sign up & get it in your inbox.
Related read, via NBC News: 'How Trump went from opposing Israel's strikes on Iran to reluctant support'
What are the U.S.'s options?: The New York Times's David E. Sanger and Jonathan Swan argues Trump has two choices: "Last-Chance Diplomacy or a Bunker-Busting Bomb."
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🍁 Isn't Trump supposed to be in Canada?: Trump cut his Group of Seven (G7) Summit trip short, abruptly flying back to Washington, D.C., late on Monday, after sending an ominous Truth Social warning to Iranians. "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump posted.
Trump's reason for leaving Canada: Trump says it's easier to stay on top of the developments in the Middle East in person than by phone. "Just to be a little bit, I think, more well versed, not having to use telephones so much," Trump told reporters. "Being on the scene is much better."
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