Overview
President Trump told CBS the war with Iran is ‘very much complete,’ and that when to end U.S. involvement is his decision. Major Garrett’s Takeout examined the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, Washington’s political reactions, economic effects and a separate domestic terror case in New York City.
Defense perspective (Pete Hegseth)
– Hegseth said the Pentagon is still investigating whether U.S. forces were involved in a strike that killed children at a girls’ school in southern Iran, reiterated that the U.S. does not target civilians, and said probes are ongoing.
– He described the campaign as intentionally asymmetrical: overwhelming U.S. air capabilities paired with Israeli air power, not a conventional large-scale ‘regime change’ invasion like Iraq in 2003. He argued massive troop deployments and nation-building failed in the past.
– On protecting Iranians the president favors, Hegseth said U.S. and Israeli pressure creates a ‘generational opportunity’ for change inside Iran.
– He declined to discuss operational options for countering nuclear ambitions, would not confirm U.S. boots on the ground, and said the U.S. reserves the right to use any option.
– Hegseth outlined future campaign phases, including heavier conventional munitions, but left terms like ‘unconditional surrender’ undefined, saying the president will set the conditions and that Iranian forces will be declared combat ineffective when appropriate.
Reporting from the region (Matt Gutman)
– Open-source video and verification indicate a missile struck near the girls’ school; Israeli officials initially denied operating at that site and some sources have suggested U.S. involvement. Investigations are probing whether dated or faulty intelligence misidentified a civilian target.
– Gutman reported the new Iranian Supreme Leader is a low-profile, regime-loyal figure tied to the Revolutionary Guard; Israeli sources warned the next potential leader (reported to be a son of the slain ayatollah) could be high-risk and a possible target.
– He described Iranian use of cluster munitions and bomblets that can evade defenses by dispersing submunitions high in the air, and contrasted life in Tel Aviv—where frequent sheltering and warnings are common—with Tehran, which lacks widespread civil defense infrastructure.
CBS reporting and analysis
– Garrett’s coverage highlights tensions among U.S. and Israeli statements, open-source evidence, and Pentagon investigations into civilian casualties.
– Elliott Ackerman, a former CIA officer, warned military strikes alone rarely produce durable political outcomes and urged the administration to articulate political objectives beyond kinetic effects.
– Robert Costa reported President Trump is confident, meeting with House Republicans who broadly support his handling; some Republicans privately fear inflationary and electoral fallout, but no anti-war faction has coalesced in the party.
– Weijia Jiang said Trump told CBS he believes the war is ‘very much complete,’ that he decides when U.S. involvement ends, and that oil markets and preferences about Iran’s future leadership factor into his thinking.
Domestic security: attempted attack near NYC mayor’s residence
– Federal prosecutors charged two men, reportedly 18 and 19, after an alleged attempt to detonate homemade bombs near New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence during protests. Authorities described the suspects as ‘ISIS-inspired’ and said the devices contained TATP, a volatile explosive used in prior terror attacks.
– The suspects face charges including use of weapons of mass destruction and attempted use of explosive devices; they pleaded not guilty. The NYPD credited officers who ran toward the devices and quickly arrested the suspects, preventing a larger explosion.
Economic impact
– AAA reported national average gas prices jumped after the strikes. Economist Justin Wolfers noted oil prices rose sharply—roughly 40% in the recent period—which historically translates into similar percentage increases at the pump; absent other changes, pump prices could approach $4 a gallon.
– Wolfers cautioned governments routinely understate war costs and durations; short-term fuel pain can be used to justify long-term objectives, but political and financial costs can escalate if conflicts drag on.
Domestic politics and voting legislation
– House Republicans largely applauded Trump’s handling and deferred to his timeline for concluding the campaign.
– Trump has pressed senators to pass the ‘Save America Act,’ advocating stricter mail-in voting rules and a ‘talking filibuster’ to lower Senate thresholds. Senate Republicans, including Leader Thune, have expressed reservations and the proposals face procedural hurdles.
Takeaways and practical notes
– Major unresolved questions include who struck the girls’ school and whether U.S. forces were involved; the limits of military power to produce political change; when and how the U.S. and Trump will declare the campaign over; and domestic repercussions from higher fuel prices to political battles over voting rules.
– CBS emphasized investigations into civilian casualties are ongoing and officials have withheld operational details while asserting they do not target civilians. Analysts on The Takeout warned that if the campaign continues, articulating long-term political strategy and preparing for economic and domestic political fallout will be crucial.