The juxtaposition of the threats with the children's event drew widespread attention on social media, where users described it as bizarre and humorous. ' The threats prompted calls to invoke the 25th Amendment after Trump appeared to threaten 93 million people, and he attacked Pope Leo after the Pope said a 'delusion of omnipotence' triggered the war. Trump also deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus after backlash.
According to The Independent - Main, psychiatrist Dr. Geoff Grammer suggested Trump's behavior may stem from narcissistic rage or disinhibition. Peace talks with Iran remained uncertain, with both sides warning they would continue fighting if no deal was reached.
Trump warned that 'lots of bombs' would 'start going off' if there was no agreement with Iran.
Trump warned that 'lots of bombs' would 'start going off' if there was no agreement, and he extended the ceasefire, citing the fractured Iranian government and a request from Pakistan. JD Vance was set to lead peace talks but was told not to go, while planes were being readied to take Kushner and Witkoff to Pakistan to meet with Iran's Foreign Minister. Trump gave a confusing answer about whether the war is 'very complete' or 'just the beginning,' saying it could be both.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it is up to the president whether the war is the beginning or the end. Trump said he had a 'feeling' Iran was set to attack the US as a reason for the bombardment. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's feeling was 'based on fact,' but Pentagon officials told congressional staffers there is no intelligence indicating Iran planned to preemptively attack.
Trump gave a confusing answer about whether the war is 'very complete' or 'just the beginning', saying it could be both.
In a speech on April 1, Trump referred to nuclear weapons over 20 times and used the risk of a nuclear Iran as justification for war. He said, 'For years, everyone has said that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. But in the end, those are just words.
' A CSIS analysis noted Trump may have painted himself into a corner by relying on the nuclear justification, as the end of the war must also have a nuclear solution. Military operations in June 2025 significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program. Operation Rising Lion and Operation Midnight Hammer targeted facilities including Fordow and Isfahan.
Trump's foreign policy is described as an 'on-again off-again zigzag' by historian Jonathan Alter.
On June 22, the US Air Force and Navy attacked three nuclear facilities as part of the Twelve-Day War under Operation Midnight Hammer, using B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles. Trump said the strikes 'completely and totally obliterated' Iran's key enrichment facilities, but a July Pentagon assessment found the program was likely set back around two years. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth claimed 'Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated,' which CSIS analysis called an overstatement.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said nuclear sites sustained severe damage. The location of Iran’s 60 percent enriched uranium stockpile remains uncertain, with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi indicating it was in Isfahan and Natanz. Israeli Ambassador Joshua Zarka claimed Israel assassinated 14 Iranian scientists after Operation Rising Lion.
Trump said he had a 'feeling' Iran was set to attack the US as a reason for the bombardment.
Iran still maintains some nuclear capacity, and deep distrust persists on both sides about upholding any future nuclear bargain. A final bomb damage assessment was still ongoing as of August 2025. Iran responded by attacking a US base in Qatar, and the next day Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
On July 2, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA. Under Trump, the US military is executing Operation Epic Fury to dismantle Iran’s ability to threaten the US, with objectives including obliterating its ballistic missile arsenal and ensuring it never acquires a nuclear weapon. The Pentagon considered expelling Spain from NATO for refusing to get involved in Iran, and officials mulled rescinding US support for the UK’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's feeling was 'based on fact'.
Congressional Republicans largely supported Trump's action, while most Democrats and some Republicans were concerned about constitutionality and effects. World reaction was mixed. com, Maltese MEP Daniel Attard urged European governments to move beyond statements of concern and adopt concrete measures against Tehran.
He argued Europe cannot remain a passive observer and outlined a pressure strategy including halting all trade with Iran and restricting Iranian embassies. Attard said the European Parliament’s push to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization was 'very long overdue' and stressed that enforcement of sanctions matters as much as designation. He warned that Europe’s credibility depends on consistency.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it is up to the president whether the war is the beginning or the end.
Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons in Iran but has not delivered a solemn Oval Office address or visited military sites to rally the nation. He wore a white 'USA' baseball cap at a dignified transfer for fallen service members. ' Trump made creepy remarks about his son's ex-fiancee Kimberley Guilfoyle at a Greek Independence Day event, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche boasted about firing everyone involved in prosecuting Trump.
Trump claimed King Charles agrees with his policy that Iran should not have nuclear weapons, but Buckingham Palace stated the King is mindful of his government's position on non-proliferation. Trump also touched the King on the shoulder, a breach of royal protocol. ' In a primetime address, Trump claimed US troops did a 'masterful job' in 'taking' Venezuela and said Americans 'have so much gas' despite rising fuel prices.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche boasted about firing everyone involved in prosecuting Trump.
Trump said the Pentagon is preparing to release 'very interesting' UFO files, following his February directive to release records related to extraterrestrial life. The Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office is working with the White House to release never-before-seen UAP information. According to The Independent - World, former AARO director Sean Kirkpatrick described Trump's UFO promises as bluster and a distraction from the Iran war.
A retired CIA analyst claimed Trump was blocked from accessing nuclear codes by General Dan Caine during a White House meeting, but a White House spokesperson said the claim is untrue. The 'nuclear football' is a 20kg metal briefcase carried by a military aide near the president at all times. Trump has not confirmed whether he will speak at CPAC, unlike previous years.
Trump declared he would bomb Tehran 'back to the Stone Ages' if the Strait of Hormuz wasn't reopened by 8pm ET.
ICE chief Tom Homan and Education Secretary Linda McMahon were expected, and RFK Jr. was announced to appear. The CPAC schedule was changed multiple times and then deleted from the website.
Former UK PM Liz Truss is scheduled for a third appearance.
Trump claimed King Charles agrees with his policy that Iran should not have nuclear weapons.
Trump says the Pentagon is preparing to release 'very interesting' UFO files.
Former AARO director Sean Kirkpatrick said Trump's UFO promises are bluster and a distraction from the Iran war.
Trump posted an expletive-laden Truth Social post telling Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or 'live in Hell'.
Trump threatened CNN with investigation after it reported Iran claimed a 'great victory' over the US.
FCC head Brendan Carr called for 'change at CNN' over the Iran report.
In a primetime address, Trump claimed US troops did a 'masterful job' in 'taking' Venezuela.
Trump claimed Americans 'have so much gas' despite rising fuel prices.
Attard said 'Responsibility to protect is not just a slogan, it is a commitment. When a regime turns on its own people, when the regime kills its own people to stay in power, sovereignty cannot be used as a shield.'
Attard argued Europe cannot remain a passive observer and said 'The time for negotiation is over. We should be decisive, we should show leadership, we should match the courage of the people of Iran.'
Attard said 'Iranian embassies are still operating like it was business as usual in Europe. So we need to be more decisive. No more business as usual — be it politically, be it economically, and be it diplomatically.'
Attard stressed that enforcement of sanctions matters as much as designation and said 'We should enforce those sanctions without any possibility of any loopholes.'
Attard warned that Europe’s credibility depends on consistency and said 'We cannot claim to defend human rights if we look away to what’s happening on the streets of Iran.'
Trump said 'For years, everyone has said that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. But in the end, those are just words. If you’re not willing to take action when the time comes.'
President Trump said the strikes 'completely and totally obliterated' Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities.