Good morning everyone. I spent the night reviewing the deal between the United States and Iran and closely tracking the fallout, and the reaction is intense. Many Americans are furious, arguing the agreement gives Iran more now than it had before the war even began. Lindsey Graham is already demanding congressional review, signaling just how serious the backlash is.
Donald Trump is declaring this a moment of “world peace,” but that claim is clashing with reality as strikes continue and Israel escalates its operations in Lebanon. At the same time, Trump is lashing out at the press and threatening action against journalists who report on the deal or highlight statements from Iranian officials that contradict his narrative.
I am working around the clock to keep you informed in real time. Despite the ceasefire, this is shaping up to be a long and volatile day with major developments still unfolding. I will continue tracking everything as it happens and bringing you clear, accurate updates without delay.
Here’s the news:
- The United States’ agreement with Iran on a temporary two-week ceasefire has sparked frustration among many Republicans, who view the deal as a political and strategic setback. Coming just before President Trump’s own deadline threatening severe consequences if Iran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, critics argue the agreement undercuts his earlier hardline stance.
- Rather than being seen as a strong step toward peace, some Republicans characterize the ceasefire as a fragile concession that leaves key issues unresolved. Many within the party have gone further, describing the outcome as a humiliation for the president and warning that continued negotiations may signal weakness rather than strength on the global stage. Lindsey Graham is demanding that Congress approve any deal, despite not approving the war in the first place:
- Despite the ceasefire, violence has not fully stopped across the region, highlighting the instability of the agreement. Iran has reportedly launched attacks on Gulf states such as Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, while Israel continues military operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah. This is what Lebanon looks like this morning:
- This contradiction—ceasefire in some areas but continued fighting in others—creates confusion about the scope and enforcement of the truce. It also underscores how multiple overlapping conflicts in the region complicate any single peace agreement. Despite this, Trump claims that the world is now at “peace.”
- Trump reacted angrily to media coverage of the ceasefire, particularly targeting CNN in a series of late-night social media posts in which he accused the network of spreading false information. He rejected reports highlighting Iran’s claim of victory, calling them fraudulent and even suggesting potential legal consequences for the outlet. The outburst reflected broader frustration within his camp, as narratives portraying the deal as a defeat gained traction.
- The Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in the conflict, as it is a critical global oil shipping route. Iran has indicated that passage will be allowed but only under coordination with its military, raising concerns about potential restrictions or fees. The United States has suggested possible joint control or involvement in managing the strait, a proposal that could challenge international maritime law. Uncertainty around access to this waterway continues to affect global trade and energy markets. This morning, Trump suggested a “joint venture,” as Iran is now suggesting it will charge a toll for ships to pass through.
- That would be marketably worse for the United States than before the war.
- Iran has openly portrayed the ceasefire as a victory, emphasizing that it—not the United States—retains control over the Strait of Hormuz and successfully pushed its own terms into the negotiations. Iranian officials claimed the U.S. accepted the framework of a 10-point peace plan, including potential fees for ships and continued Iranian authority over the key waterway. Critics, including many Republicans, point to these concessions and Trump’s last-minute reversal of his military threats as evidence of a weakened U.S. position.
- Here are the 10 principles:
- Economic reactions to the ceasefire were immediate, with global markets showing signs of relief. Oil prices dropped sharply, and stock markets surged in response to reduced fears of prolonged disruption. However, experts caution that long-term economic damage from the conflict may persist, especially in energy supply chains. Industries such as aviation and shipping warn that recovery will take time due to lingering risks and logistical disruptions.
- The human cost of the conflict has been severe, with more than 3,400 people reported killed across the Middle East. This includes significant civilian casualties, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, as well as deaths among military personnel from multiple countries. The scale of destruction and loss highlights the urgency of achieving a lasting peace agreement. However, incomplete data and limited transparency from some governments make the full extent of casualties difficult to verify.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drew attention for framing the military campaign in explicitly religious terms, saying “God deserves all the glory” for the outcome of the conflict and describing operations as guided by “divine providence.”
- Key political and military tensions remain unresolved, especially regarding Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. officials have insisted that Iran must give up its enriched uranium, while Iran maintains its right to continue nuclear development. The possibility of renewed military action remains on the table if negotiations fail, with U.S. leadership signaling readiness to act again if necessary. These fundamental disagreements pose a major obstacle to any long-term peace deal.
- International involvement is playing a crucial role in stabilizing the situation and pushing for further diplomacy. Countries like Pakistan are mediating talks, while European and global leaders have expressed support for negotiations and a permanent ceasefire. Organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency have offered to assist with nuclear oversight and verification. This broad international engagement reflects the global stakes of the conflict, particularly in energy security and regional stability.
- Overall, the ceasefire represents a temporary de-escalation rather than a definitive end to the conflict. Continued military activity, unresolved political disputes, and uncertainty over enforcement all suggest that tensions could quickly reignite. While leaders have expressed optimism, many analysts describe the situation as a “fragile truce” dependent on rapid diplomatic progress. The coming days of negotiations will be critical in determining whether this pause leads to lasting peace or merely delays further conflict.
- Trump said this morning he will impose tariffs on any country that sells weapons to Iran:
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- Democrats notched a series of significant down-ballot victories across multiple states, signaling strong electoral momentum even as national attention remained focused on the Iran conflict. In Wisconsin, Chris Taylor won a state Supreme Court seat, expanding the liberal majority to 5–2 and marking the third consecutive liberal victory for the court, further solidifying progressive influence in a key battleground state. Liberals will have a majority on the Supreme Court through at least 2030.In Georgia’s 14th district, although Republicans held the seat, Democrats dramatically overperformed expectations in a deeply red area, narrowing margins and suggesting shifting voter dynamics.Meanwhile, local wins in Missouri and Oklahoma—including a mayoral victory, a school board flip, and a seat flip with a wide margin—highlighted Democratic gains in traditionally conservative regions, collectively pointing to broader grassroots strength heading into upcoming elections.
- In Wisconsin, Chris Taylor won a state Supreme Court seat, expanding the liberal majority to 5–2 and marking the third consecutive liberal victory for the court, further solidifying progressive influence in a key battleground state. Liberals will have a majority on the Supreme Court through at least 2030.
- In Georgia’s 14th district, although Republicans held the seat, Democrats dramatically overperformed expectations in a deeply red area, narrowing margins and suggesting shifting voter dynamics.
- Meanwhile, local wins in Missouri and Oklahoma—including a mayoral victory, a school board flip, and a seat flip with a wide margin—highlighted Democratic gains in traditionally conservative regions, collectively pointing to broader grassroots strength heading into upcoming elections.
- Bill Gates is set to testify before Congress as part of an ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, with lawmakers seeking answers about his past meetings and communications; Gates has denied any wrongdoing, stating their interactions were limited to philanthropy and expressing regret over the relationship.
- The German government publicly rebuked JD Vance, accusing him of hypocrisy after he claimed the European Union interfered in Hungary’s election; officials argued that his own visit to Budapest and vocal support for Viktor Orbán amounted to foreign interference. The criticism highlights growing tensions between the U.S. and European allies, as well as backlash to Washington’s unusually direct involvement in a key European election.
- Voters in Port Washington approved the nation’s first anti–data center referendum, requiring future large-scale projects to gain voter approval before receiving tax incentives. The measure passed by a roughly 2-to-1 margin and reflects growing grassroots opposition to AI infrastructure developments tied to companies like OpenAI and Oracle.
- According to Politico, Western security agencies revealed that Fancy Bear, a cyber unit linked to Russian military intelligence, carried out a large-scale espionage campaign by hacking vulnerable Wi-Fi routers across the U.S. and Europe. The operation allowed hackers to steal sensitive data—including passwords, emails, and authentication tokens—from military, government, and critical infrastructure targets. Officials say the campaign has been active since at least 2024 and exploited weaknesses in widely used devices, enabling surveillance and potential cyberattacks. The findings underscore growing concerns about state-backed cyber warfare and the vulnerability of everyday internet infrastructure.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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