Vance: Trump may ‘take further action' to stop Iran
Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday warned that President Donald Trump may 'take further action' to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, and urged people who don't support such action to trust the president.
Trump 'may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment,' Vance wrote in a post on X. 'That decision ultimately belongs to the president.'
Iran has increased its uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade levels, according to a report from a United Nations nuclear watchdog. The country has been the subject of Israeli bombardment in recent days over its refusal to give up its nuclear capabilities.
The Trump administration has attempted to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran in recent months but talks halted after Israel struck Tehran last week.
'Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign,' Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday. 'What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!'
Vance, in an attempt to appease both the MAGA war hawks and isolationists within Trump's base, the latter of which he's been a committed member, validated the concern about getting involved in a foreign war. 'People are right to be worried about foreign entanglement after the last 25 years of idiotic foreign policy.'
But he stressed that Trump 'has earned some trust on this issue,' and 'having seen this up close and personal, I can assure you that he is only interested in using American military to accomplish the American people's goals. Whatever he does, that is his focus.'
The comments come hours after Trump made an abrupt departure a day earlier than scheduled from the G7 summit in Canada.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump left the conference to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. But the president took to Truth Social to correct his French counterpart.
'Wrong!' he said. 'He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire.'
The reasoning is 'much bigger than that,' Trump said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
8 minutes ago
- The Hill
US shifts Middle East posture as Trump mulls Iran involvement
The U.S. military is positioning itself to potentially join Israel's assault on Iran, as President Trump weighs direct action against Tehran to deal a permanent blow to its nuclear program. Trump on Tuesday urged residents of Tehran to flee and suggested he was weighing action against Iran, less than 12 hours after he had publicly pressed the country to accept his terms for a nuclear deal. Perhaps the biggest question facing Trump is whether the U.S. will drop bunker buster bombs, known as GBU-57, on Iran's Fordow nuclear site, a move Iran hawks say is necessary to eliminate Tehran's nuclear threat. Israel does not possess such a bomb, believed to be the only armament capable of destroying the highly protected nuclear plant buried deep in an Iranian mountain, nor the U.S. B-2 stealth bomber to drop it from. That has former and current Israeli officials pressing the U.S. to enter the conflict. 'The United States is much stronger than us. It has capabilities that we don't possess,' former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Monday. 'I am sure that the United States, if it decides to act, will do it for its own interests and not our interests only.' Another former Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, also told CNN that Trump has 'an obligation to make sure that the region is going to a positive way and that the world is free from Iran that possesses [a] nuclear weapon.' Trump — who on Monday cut short his visit to the Group of Seven summit in Canada to return to Washington to huddle with his national security team — has already authorized several military capabilities to the Middle East for defensive purposes. Those include more than 30 refueling tanker aircraft sent to Europe, the USS Nimitz carrier strike group ordered to the Middle East and two destroyers sent to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to help Israel defend against guided missile strikes. The refueling tankers could be used to help replenish Israeli jets, offering Trump a less intense option for military involvement. A U.S. official told NewsNation that the planes were moved to the European theater to give Trump 'options' should things escalate further and the U.S. decide to become more involved. The extra equipment and personnel add to the large U.S. force posture in the Middle East, with nearly 40,000 troops, air defense systems, fighter aircraft and warships. The deployments of air and sea assets, taken together, suggest Washington is preparing for a potential offensive operation as Israel and Iran take part in tit-for-tat attacks, open warfare that Israeli officials have said could last 'weeks, not days' and threatens to spark a wider war in the Middle East. Trump on Tuesday afternoon met with his national security team for more than an hour in the Situation Room, according to the White House. But even amid the military buildup and high-level meetings, Trump as of Tuesday afternoon has not publicly committed himself to any course of action. He continues to urge Iran to make a deal to end its nuclear program 'before it is too late,' but has deflected questions as to what would cause a direct U.S. intervention in the war, telling reporters on Monday: 'I don't want to talk about that.' Still, he has hinted the U.S. could step into the fray. He said Tuesday on Truth Social that, 'We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,' which an administration official told NewsNation indicated both the U.S. and its ally Israel, adding the U.S. has no presence in 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,'' Trump posted. And Sunday, he said 'it's possible' the U.S. could get involved in the conflict. Israel, now in its fifth day of missile strikes, has already damaged Iranian energy installations, missile sites, nuclear infrastructure, command centers and its state television station, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showing no interest in negotiating after last week launching its largest military operation ever against the regional rival. Israeli attacks, which also killed several of Iran's top military leaders, began after its officials accused Iran of being on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. Since then, the two sides have traded large scale missile attacks in what has become the deadliest confrontation between the countries, with at least 24 people killed in Israel and more than 220 killed in Iran. The U.S. so far has only stepped in to help Israel shoot down incoming missiles via its provided Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense systems. Trump earlier Tuesday also said he was seeking 'a real end' to the conflict, stressing that he's 'not looking for a ceasefire.' But he also warned that Iran knows 'not to touch our troops' and that the U.S. would be 'gloves off' in its response to such a scenario.
Newsweek
10 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Approval Ratings Gap Expands: Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's approval ratings gap has widened compared to weeks before, as more Americans disapprove of the job he is doing in his second term leading the United States. Why It Matters Trump has routinely touted positive approval ratings and polls during news conferences and campaign rallies throughout his political career. When the president returned to the White House in January, he coasted in with positive numbers. But his approval ratings then dipped significantly amid sweeping tariff announcements. Trump later walked back the tariffs by announcing a 90-day pause for the majority. Slipping in polls could ultimately hinder Trump's political clout in an already highly polarized climate and potentially hurt Republican chances in the coming 2026 midterms. What To Know In a new poll from The Economist and YouGov out on Tuesday, the president's approval rating is 41 percent versus a disapproval rating of 54 percent. The poll shows the president has a 13 percent gap, with more Americans disapproving of his handling of the presidency. The poll was taken from June 13 to June 16 among 1,512 U.S. adult citizens, with a 3.3 percent margin of error. The week before, from June 6 to June 9, the president had an approval rating of 43 percent and a disapproval score of 52 percent. The gap was 9 percent leaning toward more Americans disapproving of the president's handling of the Oval Office. The poll was taken among 1,533 respondents and had a margin of error of 3.5 percent. In a survey taken from May 30 to June 2, the president had a 45 percent approval rating versus a 49 percent disapproval mark. The gap was 4 percent, with a margin of error of 3.2 percent among 1,660 respondents. The expansion of Trump's approval ratings gap comes amid fever pitch tensions in the Middle East and domestic issues including protests and riots over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Trump has urged everyone in Iran's capital of Tehran to leave immediately amid escalating strikes between the country and Israel. The president also made an early exit from the Group of Seven summit in Calgary, Canada, to meet with his National Security Council. President Donald Trump stops to talk to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn at the White House on June 15 in Washington, D.C. () President Donald Trump stops to talk to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn at the White House on June 15 in Washington, D.C. () What People Are Saying Political analyst Craig Agranoff to Newsweek via text message Tuesday: "Right now, with Trump's approval-disapproval gap widening to 13 points from just two weeks ago, it's clear public sentiment is shifting, particularly as Middle East tensions escalate." "Public support is always critical during foreign policy crises, it lends legitimacy and political capital to tough decisions. But with Trump, it's hard to say if he's swayed by these numbers. His track record suggests he prioritizes his base and his instincts over broad public approval, especially on issues like Iran or Israel. Still, ignoring a growing disapproval gap could limit his room to maneuver if the situation worsens," Agranoff said. Charlie Kirk, founder and president of conservative Turning Point USA, on X, formerly Twitter, this month: "President Trump has a positive net approval rating, and no other issue contributes to his popularity more than immigration: 'He is begging for a fight on immigration because he knows what he's doing so far is working with the electorate.' Bring it on, Democrats." Democratic strategist Matt McDermott, on X this week: "Second abysmal poll this week for Trump, with his approval rating falling below 40%. Economic disapproval 71% among Indies. The signal is clear: voters are sick of Trump." What Happens Next Weekly figures charting the president's approval ratings are published by numerous pollsters and media outlets.
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Trump Family Is Betting Big on Mobile Phones. Should Apple Stock Investors Be Worried?
President Donald Trump's family business is entering a new market: mobile phones. This initiative, led by the president's sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., will feature a made-in-the-USA phone retailing for $499 and a mobile phone service priced at $47.45 a month, a reference to Trump's terms as the 45th and 47th president. Trump Mobile, which will be operated by T1 Mobile LLC, also promises to run U.S.-based call centers for customer support. Dear Tesla Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for June 22 Nvidia Says Quantum Computing Is Nearing an 'Inflection Point.' Here Are the 3 Best Stocks to Buy Now to Profit. Warren Buffett Loves This Cheap Dividend Stock and So Do Company Insiders Get exclusive insights with the FREE Barchart Brief newsletter. Subscribe now for quick, incisive midday market analysis you won't find anywhere else. 'Hard-working Americans deserve a wireless service that's affordable, reflects their values, and delivers reliable quality they can count on,' Eric Trump said in a statement. So, where does this leave Apple (AAPL)? Is the Trump family's entrance into the mobile phone market a cause for concern for AAPL investors? Make no mistake, Apple has problems, and some of them are Trump-centric. The president made his displeasure particularly clear with Apple's plans to move production of most of the iPhones used in the United States to India, remarking about CEO Tim Cook, 'I said to him, 'my friend, I treated you very good. You're coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you're building all over India.' I don't want you building in India.' Apple has pledged to invest $500 billion across the United States over the coming four years, including through building an advanced server manufacturing hub in Texas. These initiatives are expected to help mitigate Apple's exposure to tariffs while simultaneously generating political goodwill through localized production. At the same time, Apple has stepped up its efforts to diversify its manufacturing footprint. As of the second quarter of its fiscal 2025, around half of the iPhones intended for U.S. consumers are now assembled in India, which is an outcome of a notable strategic shift. In addition, a substantial share of iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods for the American market are now manufactured in Vietnam. As for the potential challenge posed by Trump Mobile, Apple appears well-insulated. With a global installed base of more than 2 billion active devices, a brand identity that is unrivaled in the tech world, and a deeply integrated ecosystem that creates substantial user lock-in, it is hard to envision a scenario where a nascent competitor like T1 Mobile poses any meaningful disruption. Apple's Services division, in particular, has served as a bright spot in an otherwise uncertain environment, helping buffer the company from headwinds such as geopolitical tensions and a maturing hardware market. With 1 billion active paid subscriptions, this segment continues to deliver dependable revenue streams. It includes high-margin components like the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud services, Apple Pay, and lucrative licensing deals, notably its multibillion-dollar agreement with Google (GOOGL) for default search placement on Safari. What makes the Services business especially compelling is its profitability. In Q2, it posted a gross margin of 75.7%, well ahead of the 35.9% gross margin seen in the Products division. This margin advantage underscores the scalable nature of digital services, where additional user acquisition adds minimal incremental costs once the infrastructure is established. Moreover, as discussed in my prior analysis, Apple is making deliberate moves to broaden accessibility to its devices by appealing to more cost-conscious consumers while also exploring radical design changes for the iPhone's next iteration. In light of these factors, even with ongoing debates around Apple's pace of innovation and exposure to tariffs, it is difficult to see how the unreleased Trump T1 Mobile would pose any credible threat to the iPhone's dominance. Apple's fundamentals should also give investors confidence here. Apple has a market cap of $2.96 trillion and 10-year revenue and earnings compound annual growth rates of 6.56% and 7.36%, respectively. Although the stock is down 21.9% on a YTD basis, its shares are up more than 500% over the past decade and nearly 125% over the past five years. In line with its well-established pattern, Apple once again delivered quarterly results that outperformed Wall Street projections. The tech giant reported total revenue of $95.4 billion for Q2 2025, reflecting a 5.1% increase from the same period last year. Gross margin also improved, rising to 47.1% compared to 46.6% a year earlier. Revenue from the Products division saw a slight year-over-year uptick of 2.7%, totaling $68.7 billion, whereas the company's Services arm continued its strong growth trajectory with an 11.6% increase, bringing in $26.6 billion. Earnings per share reached $1.65, representing a 7.8% rise from the previous year and surpassing analysts' average forecast of $1.62. Apple ended the quarter in a strong financial position, holding $28.2 billion in cash, a figure comfortably above its short-term liabilities of approximately $6 billion. Further reinforcing its commitment to shareholder returns, the company also revealed a new $100 billion stock repurchase authorization alongside a 4% boost in its quarterly dividend, now set at $0.26 per share. However, beyond the earlier-mentioned tariff-related issues, another pressing concern weighing on Apple's stock trajectory has been its comparatively subdued performance in artificial intelligence. Despite the company's progress in mitigating supply chain vulnerabilities, its approach to AI has not resonated as strongly with investors as some had hoped. Apple's unveiling of its AI suite, branded as 'Apple Intelligence' during WWDC 2024, arrived with much anticipation but failed to sustain interest. The buzz surrounding the announcement quickly dissipated, largely due to its limited compatibility (available only on newer models starting with the iPhone 15 Pro) thereby leaving a sizable segment of its user base excluded. The delay of the enhanced Siri, now postponed until spring 2026, only adds to growing frustrations. Legal hurdles have also emerged, with lawsuits now pending that accuse the company of misleading advertising practices and anti-competitive behavior. Further, expectations were also dampened following WWDC 2025, where the keynote failed to inject fresh energy into Apple's AI narrative. While the introduction of a redesigned interface dubbed 'Liquid Glass' drew attention, many critics saw it as more of a visual upgrade than a meaningful leap in functionality. Moreover, the broader presentation lacked the kind of bold AI vision that competitors have recently demonstrated. Google, for example, showcased its advanced Veo 3 model during I/O just weeks earlier, reinforcing the perception that Apple is trailing in this space. That said, one potentially transformative step was the company's move to open its proprietary Apple Intelligence model to third-party developers. This could, in time, promote broader AI integration across its product suite, spanning hardware and services alike. Still, the payoff from this strategy is unlikely to be immediate. And with competitors rapidly accelerating AI deployment, Apple may be running short on time to reassert leadership in the next wave of consumer tech innovation. Considering all this, analysts have earmarked a rating of 'Moderate Buy' for Apple stock with a mean target price of $230.75. This indicates upside potential of about 18% from current levels. Out of 37 analysts covering the stock, 18 have a 'Strong Buy' rating, three have a 'Moderate Buy' rating, 13 have a 'Hold' rating, one has a 'Moderate Sell' rating, and two have a 'Strong Sell' rating. On the date of publication, Pathikrit Bose did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Sign in to access your portfolio
