Good afternoon everyone. Senior U.S. officials are now describing Donald Trump as “bloodthirsty” and a “mad dog” as the clock ticks toward an 8 PM deadline for potential strikes on Iran. Even some Republicans are openly hoping he does not follow through—despite Trump insisting the deadline still stands.
At the same time, calls to invoke the 25th Amendment are growing louder across the political spectrum, as fears mount that the situation is spiraling toward something far more dangerous.
Here’s the news:
- Donald Trump issued an extreme and alarming threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran failed to meet his deadline, signaling a potential willingness to unleash devastating force. He described plans to obliterate Iran’s infrastructure—including bridges and power plants—using rhetoric that suggests large-scale destruction rather than limited military action.
- Iran has cut off direct communication with the United States following Donald Trump’s threat to destroy an entire civilization, signaling a sharp breakdown in diplomatic relations at a critical moment. While indirect talks are still happening through intermediaries, the move is a clear act of defiance that makes any last-minute deal far harder to reach. The communication freeze raises the risk of miscalculation, with both sides now operating without direct contact as the deadline for potential strikes looms. It underscores how quickly the crisis is sliding from tense negotiation toward open confrontation.
- Legal experts and lawmakers reacted with shock, warning that openly threatening to target civilians and cripple an entire country could constitute war crimes and collective punishment. Trump told Fox News he is not backing down from the 8 PM deadline:
- Donald Trump is portrayed by insiders as aggressively driving the push toward a wider war with Iran, with one source describing him as “the most bloodthirsty” figure in his own administration. He has set a hard deadline for Iran and threatened to unleash overwhelming destruction—wiping out bridges, power plants, and critical infrastructure in a matter of hours—while even his own officials remain unsure whether he will actually follow through.
- A senior Iranian source is warning to Reuters that any U.S. strike on Iran’s power plants could trigger a sweeping regional blackout, with Tehran threatening to retaliate by targeting energy infrastructure across the Middle East. The message signals that escalation wouldn’t stay contained—oil routes, power grids, and critical systems throughout the region could be hit in response. Iran also warned that its allies, including the Houthis, could shut down the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital global shipping chokepoint, dramatically widening the crisis. These threats were reportedly passed directly to the Trump administration through intermediaries, underscoring how close the situation is to spiraling into a broader regional conflict.
- Republican Senator Ron Johnson hopes that Trump does not follow through:
- Republican Mike Lawler thinks Trump is not actually saying what he is saying:
- Iranians are reportedly gathering in large numbers around bridges and power plants, forming human chains in a highly visible attempt to shield critical infrastructure from looming U.S. and Israeli strikes.
- Marco Rubio pointedly ignored a reporter’s question about whether threatening to “wipe out a civilization” would constitute a war crime, refusing to engage as scrutiny over the administration’s rhetoric intensifies.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling for the 25th Amendment. Flagging this clearly: Congress cannot invoke the 25th Amendment, only the president’s cabinet can.I’m seeing a lot of confusion about Article II, Section 4. That’s the impeachment clause. Congress can pursue impeachment, but it has to pass both the House and the Senate. Bottom line: neither option happens quickly, and impeachment, especially, is not happening anytime soon:
- Alex Jones is too:
- The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain has ordered all American government personnel to shelter in place, signaling rising fears that the conflict could spill beyond Iran. Officials are urging all U.S. citizens in the country to follow the same guidance—stay indoors, avoid windows, and remain in secure locations until further notice. The warning reflects growing concern that regional retaliation or escalation could put Americans in immediate danger.
- Countries are now acting as if a major escalation is imminent, with governments warning their citizens to stay away from likely targets as U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran’s infrastructure loom. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has told its nationals in Iran to stay indoors for 48 hours and explicitly avoid electric facilities, military sites, and even upper floors of buildings—areas seen as especially vulnerable to attack.
- The U.S. and Israel are ramping up strikes on Iran specifically to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and agree to a cease-fire, signaling a deliberate push toward intensified military pressure to break the stalemate.
- Iran’s strike on Saudi Arabia’s Jubail complex is threatening to collapse ongoing U.S.–Iran talks and could trigger Saudi retaliation that risks pulling Pakistan into the conflict under its defense pact.
- According to Politico, the Pentagon is actively expanding its list of potential targets in Iran to include “dual-use” energy sites—facilities that power both civilian life and the military—in what officials see as a way to justify strikes and blunt accusations of war crimes. This shift comes as Donald Trump pushes for more aggressive options, including threats to destroy bridges and power plants if Iran doesn’t meet his deadline. The move reflects growing pressure inside the administration as traditional military targets are depleted and the conflict drags on. Critics warn the strategy risks blurring the line between military and civilian targets, potentially increasing harm to civilians while attempting to maintain legal cover.
- According to the New York Times, the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has reportedly offered to negotiate with the Iraqi government over the release of kidnapped American journalist Shelly Kittleson. The group is demanding the release of detained militia members in exchange, effectively turning the situation into a hostage swap. Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad earlier this week, raising fears about escalating militia activity and risks to journalists in the region. The development adds another volatile front to an already tense Middle East situation.
- Bill Gates is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee on June 10 as part of its ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Gates says he welcomes the opportunity and maintains he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes, despite past meetings that have drawn scrutiny. The testimony comes amid a broader probe involving multiple high-profile figures connected to Epstein, with several additional interviews scheduled. The investigation continues to examine relationships and potential knowledge surrounding Epstein’s activities as lawmakers expand their inquiry.
- Kanye West has been barred from entering the United Kingdom, with the government blocking his travel ahead of a planned festival performance over his history of antisemitic remarks. Officials said his presence would not be “conducive to the public good,” prompting the cancellation of the event he was set to headline. The move follows mounting political and public backlash, including criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting how seriously authorities are treating the controversy. The decision underscores a rare but forceful step by the UK to deny entry based on public conduct and speech concerns.
- JD Vance used a visit to Hungary to attack the European Union, accusing “bureaucrats in Brussels” of interfering in the country’s upcoming election while simultaneously backing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Despite denying he was meddling, Vance openly praised Orbán and even told supporters “we have to get Orbán re-elected,” drawing backlash from Orbán’s opponent who accused the U.S. of election interference. The visit highlights growing alignment between the Trump administration and Orbán’s nationalist agenda, as well as rising tensions between Washington and European institutions. Polls suggest, however, that U.S. involvement may be backfiring, potentially hurting Orbán rather than helping him.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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