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Int'l Business Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Marco Rubio Reportedly Part Of Trump's Inner Circle As He Weighs Whether To Strike Iran
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly part of President Donald Trump's inner circle as he ponders whether to strike Iran. NBC News reported that others who are part of the inner circle are Vice President JD Vance, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. Trump also relies on Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff on matters he covers and has been "crowdsourcing" with allies outside the White House and his administration about what decision he should make, the outlet added. Others involved in high-level discussions are Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command; and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. At the same time, Trump has reportedly sidelined two high-ranking officials who would generally be involved in such matters: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell rejected the claim, saying it's "completely false." "The Secretary is speaking with the President multiple times a day each day and has been with the President in the Situation Room this week," he said in a statement. However, a recent report by the Washington Post details that Hegseth has been excluded from high-level deliberations. "Nobody is talking to Hegseth," an official told the outlet. Despite the Pentagon's claim that Hegseth remains closely involved, three current U.S. officials confirmed that key briefings and war planning are being led by Generals Kurilla and Caine, with no operational coordination involving Hegseth or his staff. Gabbard has also been reportedly sidelined. Quoting several senior administration officials, NBC News recalled that she was not invited to attend a meeting of top officials earlier this month at Camp David to discuss the matter. In fact, Trump reportedly revealed to close aides that he has been considering dissolving the office ran by Gabbard, alleging that she does not add to his administration. The idea stemmed from a brief video posted on social media by Gabbard earlier this month, in which the former Hawaii representative rattled off about how "political elite and warmongers" are "carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers," adding that the world is "on the brink of nuclear annihilation." The video, which had not been approved by the White House, reportedly infuriated President Trump, who believed Gabbard was expressing disapproval of Israel's incoming attacks on Iran. The president's frustration with Gabbard reportedly worsened when, while aboard Air Force One, a reporter asked him about her statement that Iran was not attempting to build a nuclear weapon, which she delivered to Congress in March. "I don't care what she said," Trump replied. "I think they were very close to having a weapon." Originally published on Latin Times
New York Post
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Meet the muscular military man influencing Trump's Iran strategy as president weighs crucial decision
WASHINGTON — President Trump's Iran strategy is being influenced by a muscular military leader who has been given authority to draw up possible plans for a US strike on Tehran's nuclear sites, potentially with bunker-busting bombs that could eliminate underground facilities. US Central Command chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, known as 'The Gorilla,' has been leading strategy over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with a lot of his proposals for more military assets being approved, despite other administration officials being wary of more involvement in the Middle East, Politico reported. The commander, described by at least one former official as a 'jacked' general with the 'lethality look' that Trump's Pentagon has been keen to promote, has also been getting more face time with Trump, according to the outlet. Advertisement 'Secretary Hegseth empowers all of his combatant commanders the same way—by decentralizing command and harnessing their real-world expertise regarding the defense of their respective AORs,' Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to The Post. 'The entire DOD leadership team—from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy—similarly provide courses of action and counsel to the Secretary based on their expertise,' Parnell added. 3 Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command, testifies during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the U.S. Central Command. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Advertisement 'The Secretary then makes a decision and final recommendation to the President. This is how the Pentagon does, and should, function. Our senior leaders are in lockstep and will continue to work in unison to deliver on President Trump's national security agenda.' Before Israel carried out its first strikes against Iran, Kurilla indicated that he gave the president the option to use the US military to strike Iran to destroy its nuclear weapons capability. 'President Trump has made it clear that if Iran doesn't permanently give up its nuclear enrichment, military force by the US may be necessary,' said House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers at a June 10 Congressional hearing. 'If the president directed, is CENTCOM prepared to respond with overwhelming force to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran?' Rogers asked Kurilla. Advertisement 'I have provided the secretary of defense and the president a wide range of options,' Kurilla responded, later saying 'yes' to the question. Kurilla is set to leave his post at CENTCOM in just a few months after serving since 2022, leading some to believe he's grown bolder in his approach. 3 Trump hasn't ruled out getting the US military involved in Iran. AP 3 An excavator removes debris from a residential building that was destroyed in today's attack by Israel in Tehran, on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Getty Images Advertisement The four-star Army general would be in charge of carrying out whatever strategy Trump decides on in the region in response to Iran and has also been responsible for the US response to Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Kurilla deployed to Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan during his service and deployed to Germany in 2022 to oversee US troop deployment in response to the Russia-Ukraine war. Dan Caldwell, Hegseth's former senior adviser, indicated that reports of Kurilla being more open to aggressive policies due to his upcoming retirement from CENTCOM could be true. 'It's been reported, and, you know, based on my experience with him, is that he takes a fundamentally different view of the importance of the Middle East than a lot of other people in the administration,' Caldwell said in a 'Breaking Points' interview on Monday. 'He also, I think, believes that a military campaign against Iran will not be as costly as others. So, that's his view — and I think there are a lot of folks that want to see some type of military action occur before he retires as a result of that,' he said. 'He retires, I believe, in the middle of July — and I don't think it's a coincidence you see a lot of the pressure ramping up to do something prior to his retirement.'
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Satellite Imagery Shows Evacuation at Largest U.S. Air Base in Middle East
Satellite imagery showed U.S. aircraft have vacated a key air base in Qatar, in another sign that a confrontation with Iran could be imminent. Newsweek has reached out to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for comment. The disappearance of the aircraft could indicate that strikes on Iran are seeing as a growing possibility and that therefore Iranian attacks on U.S. bases are seen as a bigger threat. It also comes as a significant movement of tankers and vessels has been taking place in the Middle East since Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks on Israel in response to the targeting of its nuclear, missile and military sites. The U.S. has also deployed additional military equipment to the region. Satellite images shared by open-intelligence analysts on X, formerly Twitter, revealed that Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a key hub for U.S. and British aerial tankers, surveillance, and transport aircraft, appeared empty. The key base holds the U.S. CENTCOM Forward Headquarters. The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has also issued two security warnings against going to the base. The U.S. began evacuating nonessential diplomats and their families from the American embassy in Israel earlier this week. There are around 700,000 Americans or dual citizens currently in Israel and thousands more in Iran and neighboring Middle East countries. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said launched a wave of strikes on Thursday, targeting the inactive nuclear reactor in Arak, a nuclear weapons development site near Natanz, ballistic missile & air defense production facilities, radar systems & missile storage sites. U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce in press briefing Tuesday: "When it comes to how quickly people can expect a dynamic – the American government, the State Department, our military – you've seen all of these assets, all of these departments involved in this dynamic in one fashion or another – are working exclusively for the safety of this nation and the safety of the American people, wherever they may be." Karen Sudkamp, Associate Director of the Infrastructure, Immigration, and Security Operations Program at RAND said in published Q&A: "The United States evacuated nonessential personnel prior to Israel's strike from Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates-countries that could receive initial attacks against U.S. personnel should Tehran choose to include American targets in its response. U.S. naval assets are also moving towards the Middle East as defensive forces." A decision from the president regarding the next course of action on Iran could decide whether or not there is an attack by U.S. forces or whether curbs on Iran's nuclear program can be agreed through diplomacy. Related Articles U.S. Issues Security Warning for Biggest Middle East BaseIran Starts Firing Heavier Missiles in Israel AttacksUS Ally Reveals Chinese Military Activity Near American BaseIsrael Says Iran's Supreme Leader 'Cannot Continue to Exist': Live Updates 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Satellite Imagery Shows Evacuation at Largest U.S. Air Base in Middle East
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. Satellite imagery showed U.S. aircraft have vacated a key air base in Qatar, in another sign that a confrontation with Iran could be imminent. Newsweek has reached out to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for comment. Why It Matters The disappearance of the aircraft could indicate that strikes on Iran are seeing as a growing possibility and that therefore Iranian attacks on U.S. bases are seen as a bigger threat. It also comes as a significant movement of tankers and vessels has been taking place in the Middle East since Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks on Israel in response to the targeting of its nuclear, missile and military sites. The U.S. has also deployed additional military equipment to the region. What To Know Satellite images shared by open-intelligence analysts on X, formerly Twitter, revealed that Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a key hub for U.S. and British aerial tankers, surveillance, and transport aircraft, appeared empty. Drag slider compare photos The key base holds the U.S. CENTCOM Forward Headquarters. The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has also issued two security warnings against going to the base. The U.S. began evacuating nonessential diplomats and their families from the American embassy in Israel earlier this week. There are around 700,000 Americans or dual citizens currently in Israel and thousands more in Iran and neighboring Middle East countries. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said launched a wave of strikes on Thursday, targeting the inactive nuclear reactor in Arak, a nuclear weapons development site near Natanz, ballistic missile & air defense production facilities, radar systems & missile storage sites. What People Are Saying U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce in press briefing Tuesday: "When it comes to how quickly people can expect a dynamic – the American government, the State Department, our military – you've seen all of these assets, all of these departments involved in this dynamic in one fashion or another – are working exclusively for the safety of this nation and the safety of the American people, wherever they may be." Karen Sudkamp, Associate Director of the Infrastructure, Immigration, and Security Operations Program at RAND said in published Q&A: "The United States evacuated nonessential personnel prior to Israel's strike from Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates—countries that could receive initial attacks against U.S. personnel should Tehran choose to include American targets in its response. U.S. naval assets are also moving towards the Middle East as defensive forces." What Happens Next A decision from the president regarding the next course of action on Iran could decide whether or not there is an attack by U.S. forces or whether curbs on Iran's nuclear program can be agreed through diplomacy.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Satellite Images Show US Navy Vessels Deploy for Possible Iran Attack
Satellite imagery showed that all forward-deployed U.S. Navy vessels have left a key port in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain as Washington braces for a potential Iranian strike. Newsweek contacted the Pentagon for comment on the naval moves. The U.S. military buildup in the region signals a posture of high readiness amid growing uncertainty over whether President Donald Trump will back Israel's offensive against Iran. While Trump had long sought to broker Middle East deals and steer America away from protracted entanglements, his approach toward Iran has leaned on pressure and coercion. If the U.S. enters the conflict, Iran is expected to strike back not only at American assets but also at key regional allies, with Gulf nations among the possible first targets. At least one Littoral Combat Ship, four Mine Countermeasure vessels, and the special operations mothership M/V Ocean Trader are currently underway in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, according to satellite imagery shared by open-source analysts on X, formerly Twitter, such as Ian Ellis. Their departure suggests movement into strategic positions across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, or Gulf of Oman-all key zones within CENTCOM area of responsibility, analysts said. On Monday, the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier diverted from the South China Sea to the Middle East, where it would join the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group that entered the Arabian Sea in April. A U.S. strike on Iran's underground Fordow facility would likely involve a GBU-57/B bunker buster delivered by B-2 bombers based at Diego Garcia. "Consistent with the duty to protect U.S. forces in the Middle East, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel," a defense official told Newsweek on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday: "We know exactly where the so-called "Supreme leader" is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Heather Williams, Associate Director of the International Security and Defense Policy Program at RAND, in a published Israel-Iran analysis: "The threat to U.S. personnel in the region is real. In terms of broader conflict in the Middle East, Israeli military successes against Iran are likely to reduce the threat in the short term and raise it in the long term. On the one hand, this could give Washington space to focus on more-immediate security needs in other theaters, but it also could set conditions for a future Middle East conflict that would mire the United States when it wants to be focused elsewhere." U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft are also headed for the Middle East amid an escalating war between Israel and Iran. The key question will be whether the United States joins the action. Related Articles Map Shows U.S. Middle East Travel Warnings as Possible Iran War LoomsAmerican Killed in Deadly Russian Strike on KyivUS Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington Counters China Navy PresenceHow Iran Could Retaliate Against US. Three Possible Options 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
