President Trump: war with Iran “very much complete,” he tells CBS, adding that when to wrap it up is “in my mind, nobody else’s.” Major Garrett’s Takeout episode reviewed the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, domestic reactions in Washington, economic fallout and a separate domestic terror case in New York City.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (60 Minutes)
– Hegseth told Garrett the Pentagon is still investigating whether the U.S. was involved in a strike that killed children at a girls’ school in southern Iran; he reiterated the U.S. does not target civilians and said investigations are ongoing.
– He described the U.S. effort as intentionally asymmetrical, with overwhelming air capabilities combined with Israel’s air force. He rejected the idea this is a conventional “regime change” war on the scale of the 2003 Iraq invasion, saying that approach—massive troop deployments and remaking societies—failed in prior conflicts.
– On protecting Iranians the president favors, Hegseth said the best protection is between American and Israeli efforts creating a “generational opportunity” for the Iranian people.
– On nuclear materials, Hegseth said there are many ways to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions and declined to discuss operational options; he refused to confirm whether U.S. forces are in Iran, saying “I would not tell you that if we did,” but the U.S. “reserves the right” to take any option, including boots on the ground.
– Hegseth described campaign phases to come, including heavier conventional munitions, but declined to define “unconditional surrender” beyond saying the president will set terms and that the U.S. will know when Iranian forces are combat ineffective.
Reporting from the region: Matt Gutman (Tel Aviv)
– Gutman said video verification shows a missile hit near the school; Israeli officials initially said they did not operate there, and U.S. involvement has been suggested by some sources. Investigations into targeting and dated intelligence that may have misidentified a civilian site were underway.
– He described the new Iranian Supreme Leader as a low-profile backdoor operative, seen as loyal to the regime and the Revolutionary Guard. Israeli sources told him that the next leader (reportedly a son of the slain Ayatollah) could be a high-risk figure and might be targeted.
– Gutman characterized Iran’s current tactic as deploying cluster munitions and bomblets that can evade Israeli air defenses by releasing submunitions high in the atmosphere; he contrasted life in Tel Aviv—regular sheltering and terror—with Tehran, where large-scale air defenses and shelters are lacking.
CBS News reporting and analysis
– Garrett’s interviews and CBS reporting show a tension between U.S. and Israeli assertions, evidence from open sources, and ongoing Pentagon investigations into civilian casualties.
– Elliott Ackerman (former CIA officer) warned that military action alone cannot create political outcomes; he said history shows that bombing alone does not produce the political conditions necessary for a durable victory and argued the administration must articulate political objectives beyond military effects.
– Robert Costa (CBS chief Washington analyst) reported President Trump is confident about the campaign and has been meeting with House Republicans, who are broadly supportive. Costa said some Republicans privately worry about inflationary and electoral consequences but that no anti-war movement is forming in the party.
– Weijia Jiang (CBS) reported Trump told her he believes the war is “very much complete” and that deciding when to end U.S. involvement is his decision. Trump also said oil and markets factor into his thinking and that he has preferences about who might lead Iran next; he told CBS he would protect people he favored if needed, but did not disclose specifics.
Domestic security: attempted attack outside NYC mayor’s residence
– Federal prosecutors say two men were charged after allegedly trying to detonate homemade bombs near New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence during protests. Authorities said the suspects were “ISIS-inspired” based on statements and devices containing TATP, a highly volatile explosive ingredient used in past terror attacks.
– The suspects, reportedly aged 18 and 19, are charged with using weapons of mass destruction and attempted use of explosive devices; they pleaded not guilty and were due back in court. NYPD credited officers who ran toward the devices and made arrests quickly, preventing a larger explosion.
Economic impact: gas prices and broader costs
– AAA reported the national average price for a gallon of gas rose significantly after the strikes; Justin Wolfers (economist, University of Michigan) told The Takeout that oil prices have jumped and, historically, every 10% jump in oil pushes pump prices by roughly 10%. With oil up roughly 40% in the recent period, pump prices could near $4 a gallon absent other changes.
– Wolfers warned administrations routinely understate war costs and duration; he said the U.S. often underestimates how long conflicts will last and their economic consequences, and cautioned that short-term pain (higher fuel costs) can be used to justify long-term objectives—but the political and financial costs can escalate.
Domestic politics: Trump, Republicans, and voting legislation
– Garrett reported Trump met with House Republicans, who applauded his handling of the conflict. They want the war moving toward conclusion but generally defer to the president’s timeline.
– Trump has pressured senators to pass the “Save America Act,” a voting bill he claims would “guarantee the midterms.” Taurean Small (Capitol Hill reporter) explained the president’s push includes stricter mail-in voting rules and a “talking filibuster” to lower Senate thresholds—measures that face procedural hurdles. Senate Republicans, including Leader Thune, have expressed reservations.
Context and takeaways
– The program underscored unresolved questions: who struck the girls’ school in Iran and whether the U.S. was involved; the limits of military power to achieve political outcomes; how and when the U.S. and Trump will declare the campaign concluded; and the domestic repercussions—from pump prices to political fights over voting legislation.
– The episode combined Garrett’s interviews (including Hegseth and reporting from around the region), analysis from former officials and economists, on-the-ground reporting about the New York plot, and White House conversations about timelines and objectives.
Practical notes
– CBS reporting emphasizes investigations are ongoing into civilian casualties, and that officials have withheld operational details while asserting the U.S. does not target civilians.
– Economists and strategists on The Takeout warned long-term political strategy and domestic political explanations for success will be crucial if the campaign extends beyond the near term.