Jun 24 2025

President Trump Outwitted Benjamin Netanyahu – The “12 Day War” is Over!

Posted originally on CTH on June 23, 2025 | Sundance

If you are confused about what happened in the past 96 hours, that’s understandable.

Cliff notes. The Occam’s Razor was always accurate. President Trump didn’t want to escalate with Iran. Netanyahu forced President Trump into a supportive box with attacks against Iran. President Trump responded with a public hug to Bibi and eventually a U.S. bombing of the Iran nuclear sites. Israel was big happy. However, Trump’s emissary Steve Witkoff never stopped communicating with Iran on peace approach, and negotiated/coordinated a face-saving Iranian retaliation via a happy to oblige Qatar.

Iran retaliated against the USA support for Israel with a pre-planned attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which was easily managed. Iran saves face against evil Trump. Meanwhile, loyal friend to Israel, Trump has facilitated the request of Bibi. Diplomacy now returns sans operational nuclear sites. No regime change. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli lobbyist Mark Levin are furious.

All the pro-war Israel-First pundits who sold a narrative of Trump duping the Iranians were wrong. Trump never wanted the conflict escalation, nor did Trump pre-plan with Netanyahu to pretend diplomacy. Pure fantasy speculation. The prior diplomatic efforts between the USA and Iran were genuine from the Trump administration, despite the duplicity from the Iranian side.

In a weakened state the Iranian regime and the Israeli government are now directed to engage in “peace and harmony,” against the new backdrop of the nuclear sites out of commission. Trump’s out. We’re done.

Mark Levin (aka, Old Yeller) – “The Iranian Nazi regime is desperately trying to hold on to power with no effective options. Will the regime be provided an “off ramp” without surrendering unconditionally? In other words, will the regime be given a lifeline, and survive to terrorize and murder, build more ballistic missiles, and develop nukes and intercontinental missiles in the future? That would be a disastrous outcome after all of this.”

There are no current nuclear sites.

President Trump says, “Go peacefully negotiate!” We support you both.

Peace, out!

PRESIDENT TRUMP – CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!

Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL.

On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, “THE 12 DAY WAR.” This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!

DONALD J. TRUMP,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (LINK)

Jun 24 2025

President Trump Thanks Iran for Their Polite Retaliation and Tells Israel They Can Seek Peace Now

Posted originally on CTH on June 23, 2025 | Sundance

President Trump has responded with a “thank you” to Iran for their forewarned retaliation; noting he will “enthusiastically encourage” Israel to seek peace now. Via Truth Social:

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Iran has officially responded to our Obliteration of their Nuclear Facilities with a very weak response, which we expected, and have very effectively countered. There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was “set free,” because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. I am pleased to report that NO Americans were harmed, and hardly any damage was done. Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their “system,” and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE. I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured. Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” (source)

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “I’d like to thank the Highly Respected Emir of Qatar for all that he has done in seeking Peace for the Region. Regarding the attack today at the American Base in Qatar, I am pleased to report that, in addition to no Americans being killed or wounded, very importantly, there have also been no Qataris killed or wounded. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” (source)

Jun 24 2025

Easy Peasy – Iran Retaliates With Missiles Targeting Previously Evacuated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar

Posted originally on CTH on June 23, 2025 | Sundance

A few surface points. The time of day, just after 8pm local reflects an “attack” intended to be intercepted, reviewed and assessed. The target U.S. base in Qatar, an intermediary and friendly geopolitical ally to Iran, reflects coordination to give optics of retaliation in name only. No doubt Iran coordinated this retaliatory strike with Qatar. The scale, 6 easily intercepted missiles.

In summary, a response from Iran intended for domestic consumption to give/save regional face for Persians.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards, in an official statement:

In response to the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, we carried out a powerful and devastating missile strike against a strategic asset – the largest American airbase in the Middle East. Any repetition of U.S. aggression will accelerate the collapse of the American military establishment in the region.

Qatar condemns the puff-n-bluster ballistic missile attack by Iran on U.S. Al Udeid Air Base, adding that all of the missiles were intercepted and that there are no reported injuries so far. If Iran does it again, they will be met with a more strongly worded letter.

In return Iran’s top security body tells Qatar: “THIS ACTION DOES NOT POSE ANY THREAT TO ‘OUR FRIENDLY AND BROTHERLY’ NEIGHBOUR QATAR”

Iran’s military claimed it had carried out a “devastating and powerful” missile attack on the Al Udeid U.S. military base in Doha, but Qatar said the missiles were intercepted. Qatari officials said the nation reserves the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law after Iran tried to strike the base.

A U.S. defense official confirmed to USA TODAY that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran. There were no reports of U.S. casualties, the official said.

President Donald Trump is in the Situation Room with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, a senior Department of Defense official told ABC News.

Trump was scheduled to meet with his national security team in the Oval Office at 1 p.m. on Monday afternoon, but the meeting was moved to the Situation Room as reports came in of Iran’s attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar. A U.S. official said the U.S. intercepted Iranian missiles with assistance from Qatar.

The proverbial “response” ball is back on Donald Trump’s side of the court.

Jun 24 2025

The “Next Move” Belongs to Iran

Posted originally on CTH on June 23, 2025 | Sundance

Jonathan Karl is not known for his pragmatic pontification, however in the framework of what comes next following the U.S. bombing of Iran, he’s correct. The next move is entirely up to Iran, and for the moment that puts the decision to escalate outside the control of President Trump.

As Karl outlines, President Trump was adamant the strikes against the Iranian nuclear sites were “one and done.” However, the underlying consideration in the background was the contingency planning for what comes next. As Karl accurately notes, this puts the power of escalation in the hands of Iran. If Iran strikes U.S. military facilities, President Trump will be pulled into a larger military response, and so – the potential for the escalation spiral begins.

ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl spoke to President Donald Trump about what he hopes these attacks on Iran will accomplish. WATCH:

I think most agree that we do not want to see Iran gaining nuclear weapons power. However, most Americans also do not want to get pulled into a protracted conflict in the middle east again. It is a tenuous moment.

Jun 24 2025

Karoline Leavitt Responds to Questions About President Trump’s “Regime Change” Suggestion

Posted originally on CTH on June 23, 2025 | Sundance

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt responded to reporters questions today about President Trump suggesting “regime change” in Iran as an objective. WATCH:

“The President’s posture and our military posture has not changed. The President was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking. If the Iranian regime refuses to give up their nuclear program or engage in talks – we just took out their nuclear program on Saturday night as you all know – but if they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving why shouldn’t the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime? That’s a question the President raised last night. But as far as our military posture, it hasn’t changed.”