Donald Trump: Trump's Iran war room: Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard out of President's 'tier one' group - The Economic Times Video
As US President Donald Trump considers joining Israel's military strikes against Iran, reports have claimed prominent members of his national security team have been excluded from the decision-making process. The President is relying rather on a high-profile group of Cabinet picks rather than his loyalists on the Israel-Iran conflict. Trump is apparently banking on more seasoned advisers rather than officials like Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, according to current and former US officials and people close to the White House. Trump has instead turned to a small group of lower-key but more experienced aides, the Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
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Hindustan Times
19 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
On World War 3 possibility, Russian President Vladimir Putin's ‘no joke' response
As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies and fears of a broader war is on the rise, Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced serious concern over the possibility of World War III. Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks about possibility of WW3 during a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 20, 2025.(Reuters) When asked whether the world was inching toward WW3, the Russian leader didn't mince words: 'It is disturbing. I am speaking without any irony, without any jokes,' reported Reuters. Vladimir Putin was addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, when he acknowledged the growing risk of international conflict, warning that the current global trajectory was deeply troubling. Follow Iran Israel war live updates. 'Of course, there is a lot of conflict potential, it is growing, and it is right under our noses, and it affects us directly,' he said. 'And this requires, of course, not only our careful attention to the events taking place, but also the search for solutions, preferably by peaceful means, in all directions.' Putin's remarks came amid mounting fears of a nuclear disaster in the Middle East, particularly in light of Israel's ongoing military campaign against Iran. The conflict, which began on June 13 after a surprise Israeli offensive, has seen repeated strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, military infrastructure, and top scientists. Also Read | UN watchdog warns of 'serious' nuclear disaster if Israel strikes Iran's Bushehr reactor Israel PM vows to end Iran's nuclear ambitions Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the assault. 'We will fight as long as necessary to destroy Iran's nuclear program,' he declared, calling Tehran's ambitions an 'existential danger.' While Iran insists its nuclear program is strictly peaceful, its enrichment of uranium up to 60% — just below weapons-grade — has raised alarm across the West and especially in Israel. Also Read | Israel warns of 'prolonged war' with Iran as conflict enters ninth day International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi has issued a stark warning amid growing tensions in the Middle East. 'Countries of the region have reached out directly to me over the past few hours to express their concerns, and I want to make it absolutely and completely clear — in case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity,' Grossi cautioned. The stakes are high for Russia too. Moscow is heavily invested in Iran's nuclear infrastructure, with Russian specialists currently constructing two new reactors at the Bushehr nuclear facility. Putin confirmed that following a call with Netanyahu, Israel had given assurances that Russian personnel at the plant would not be harmed.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Harvard and Trump administration resume talks to resolve ongoing feud
Harvard University and the Trump administration have resumed discussions to resolve a long-standing dispute that escalated into funding cuts , legal battles , and political tensions. The talks, which restarted this week at the White House , aim to find common ground after months of confrontation over federal funding , campus policies , and academic independence, according to a report by the New York Times. During the meeting, Harvard officials presented a PowerPoint outlining recent actions on antisemitism, admissions, and viewpoint diversity. In response, White House representatives listed further steps they expect the university to take. A letter from the administration followed, detailing conditions for a possible agreement. Harvard has not yet commented on its response. Sources close to the matter say the negotiations restarted after other academic leaders urged Harvard to reengage with the administration. The outreach also followed public remarks by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who signaled readiness for talks. Although the terms of any potential deal remain unclear, both sides have indicated interest in finding a resolution. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:-:- Loaded : 0% 0:00:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - -:-:- 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 'Swing is King': Mr. Hemant's Strategy Finally Explained in Free Session TradeWise Learn More Undo Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that 'very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so.' However, two people familiar with the talks said a deal in the immediate future is unlikely. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Internally, Harvard officials are weighing the risks of continued conflict. According to those briefed on the discussions, university leaders fear that ongoing tension with the federal government could shrink Harvard's influence and budget. Key concerns include funding cuts, visa restrictions on international students , and federal investigations. Live Events You Might Also Like: Federal judge blocks Trump effort to keep Harvard from hosting foreign students One individual close to Harvard emphasised, 'The university is not going to compromise its values or First Amendment rights.' A possible agreement being explored could see restoration of a portion of the federal research funding withdrawn earlier this year, and a halt to legal actions. In exchange, Harvard may be asked to make stronger commitments on antisemitism, admissions reform, and ideological diversity. The discussions mark a shift from April, when Harvard cut off talks after receiving a letter from the administration demanding wide-reaching changes. The letter proposed merit-based hiring and admissions, a halt to diversity programs, and ongoing oversight through 2028. Harvard rejected those terms, leading to lawsuits and public sparring. Since then, the administration has continued to cut research funding and challenge Harvard's ability to admit international students. Meanwhile, the university has faced increasing pressure from within to find a less confrontational path forward. You Might Also Like: How Trump has targeted Harvard's international students - and what the latest court ruling means A potential deal may also serve as a model for other universities seeking to avoid similar conflicts. According to sources, multiple elite colleges are in private discussions with the Trump administration over funding and campus policies. On social media, Trump described a possible agreement as 'mindbogglingly HISTORIC' and 'very good for our Country.' He later praised Harvard's leadership for acting 'extremely appropriately' during negotiations. The legal case regarding Harvard's funding cuts is ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for July 21 in Boston.
The Hindu
22 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Trump says Tulsi Gabbard was 'wrong' about Iran; Israeli strikes could be 'very hard to stop'
President Donald Trump has said that his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was 'wrong' when she previously said that the U.S. believed Iran wasn't building a nuclear weapon, and he suggested that it would be 'very hard to stop' Israel's strikes on Iran in order to negotiate a possible ceasefire. Mr. Trump has recently taken a more aggressive public stance toward Tehran as he's sought more time to weigh whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility. Buried under a mountain, the facility is believed to be out of the reach of all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs. Follow Israel-Iran conflict LIVE on June 21 After landing in New Jersey for an evening fundraiser for his super political action committee on Friday, Mr. Trump was asked about Ms. Gabbard's comments to Congress in March that U.S. spy agencies believed that Iran wasn't working on nuclear warheads. The President responded, 'Well then, my intelligence community is wrong. Who in the intelligence community said that?' Informed that it had been Ms. Gabbard, Mr. Trump said, 'She's wrong.' In a subsequent post on X, Ms. Gabbard said her testimony was taken out of context 'as a way to manufacture division'. 'America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalise the assembly,' she wrote. 'President Trump has been clear that can't happen, and I agree.' Still, disavowing Ms. Gabbard's previous assessment came a day after the White House said Mr. Trump would decide within two weeks whether the U.S. military would get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran. It said seeking additional time was 'based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future'. But on Friday, Mr. Trump himself seemed to cast doubts on the possibility of talks leading to a pause in fighting between Israel and Iran. He said that, while he might support a ceasefire, Israel's strikes on Iran could be 'very hard to stop.' Asked about Iran suggesting that, if the U.S. was serious about furthering negotiations, it could call on Israel to stop its strikes, Mr. Trump responded, 'I think it's very hard to make that request right now.' 'If somebody is winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing," Mr. Trump said. 'But we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens.' The President later added, 'It's very hard to stop when you look at it.' "Israel's doing well in terms of war. And, I think, you would say that Iran is doing less well. It's a little bit hard to get somebody to stop," Mr. Trump said. Mr. Trump campaigned on decrying 'endless wars' and has vowed to be an international peacemaker. That's led some, even among conservatives, to point to Mr. Trump's past criticism of the U.S. invasion of Iraq beginning in 2003 as being at odds with his more aggressive stance toward Iran now. Mr. Trump suggested the two situations were very different, though. 'There were no weapons of mass destruction. I never thought there were. And that was somewhat pre-nuclear. You know, it was, it was a nuclear age, but nothing like it is today,' Mr. Trump said of his past criticism of the administration of President George W Bush. He added of Iran's current nuclear programme, 'It looked like I'm right about the material that they've gathered already. It's a tremendous amount of material.' Mr. Trump also cast doubts on Iran's developing nuclear capabilities for civilian pursuits, like power generation. 'You're sitting on one of the largest oil piles anywhere in the world,' he said. 'It's a little bit hard to see why you'd need that.'
