President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will decide within two weeks whether to initiate direct military action against Iran amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, which have lasted for seven days. In his statement, which was relayed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump mentioned a "substantial chance" for potential negotiations regarding Tehran's nuclear program as a factor in his decision-making.
One option under consideration is a strike on Iran's heavily fortified Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is considered a critical target and is buried under a mountain, making it resilient to conventional weapons except for specialized "bunker-buster" bombs. This heightened tension comes after Israeli defense minister Israel Katz issued a threatening statement aimed at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following missile attacks that resulted in significant casualties, injuring at least 240 people in southern Israel.
In a response to these attacks, Israeli air forces escalated airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructures. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed trust in Trump's judgment regarding American interests, stating that the U.S. is already providing significant support to Israel amid the conflict.
In a separate report, Hurricane Erick has hit Mexico's Pacific coast, causing heavy rain and landslides, particularly in Acapulco, where residents are reeling from the impact. The hurricane, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm, has resulted in one confirmed death and significant infrastructural damage, with blocked roads and power outages reported. The storm's remnants are expected to dissipate as they move inland into the mountains of Michoacán state, but the threat of additional heavy rain persists.
Meanwhile, Juneteenth celebrations took place across the United States, marking the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas learned of their freedom. President Joe Biden, who designated Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021, emphasized the importance of remembering the historical significance of the day. Celebrations included participants who reported feeling motivated by current events to continue advocating for racial justice and equality.
In contrast, Trump remained silent on Juneteenth this year, a significant departure from his previous year’s acknowledgments. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to confirm whether the president would formally recognize the occasion, raising questions about his administration’s stance on the holiday.
Additionally, an appeals court ruled in favor of Trump, allowing him to maintain control of National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles amidst immigration protests. The ruling countered a lower court decision that deemed his order illegal, affirming the president’s authority in federalizing the National Guard in response to civil unrest.
In a related development, the Los Angeles Dodgers organization asked federal immigration agents to leave Dodger Stadium grounds after agents were spotted in a parking lot. The team's statement emphasized their commitment to protecting their event spaces from federal intrusion, which coincided with nearby protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Turning to social media, Trump extended the deadline for a TikTok ban for the third time, granting another 90 days to facilitate negotiations for American ownership of the platform. His administration cited concerns over user data privacy while emphasizing the app's popularity among younger voters. Trump's moves regarding TikTok have been controversial, especially given the circular negotiations with China over the application's future.
Simultaneously, the Independent Restaurant Coalition has opposed Trump's proposal to eliminate federal taxes on tips, arguing that such measures would not address the broader issues faced by workers in the restaurant industry. The proposal has gained bipartisan support but raised concerns among various stakeholders about its potential effectiveness and fairness.
SpaceX experienced another setback with the explosion of a Starship rocket during a test in Texas, marking the latest incident in a string of mishaps involving the vehicle. The company confirmed that all personnel were safe and accounted for despite the dramatic explosion that occurred during a preparatory test.
Lastly, in the sports world, the Indiana Pacers secured their spot in the NBA Finals Game 7 by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91. This sets up a decisive match on Sunday night, marking the first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016, thereby promising an exciting conclusion to the championship series.
