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US-Iran War Escalates as Trump's Aggressive Stance Continues
Confirmed
In Short: President Donald Trump, in a speech at the White House, declared that Iran was 'failing very badly' and that the war would be 'over with very, very soon,' reflecting his aggressive stance on the conflict.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran, targeting military infrastructure and reportedly killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
President Donald Trump, in a speech at the White House, declared that Iran was 'failing very badly' and that the war would be 'over with very, very soon,' reflecting his aggressive stance on the conflict.
Economic analysts predict that if interest rates remain high, it could add an additional $2.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
The Federal Reserve is expected to increase interest rates to combat rising inflation, with growing expectations for a quarter-point hike.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with the United Arab Emirates National Security Adviser to discuss the next steps in the Iranian crisis, highlighting the complex diplomatic landscape.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in Jeddah, is facing uncertainty due to the ongoing tensions in the Gulf region.
Background
Commercial shipping around the Strait of Hormuz is experiencing its most intense period of attacks since the US-Iran war began on February 28, with four tankers struck and another directly threatened, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations.
Politico and NPR report that the ongoing war in Iran and rising inflation could significantly impact the upcoming midterm elections.
What's confirmed
- On February 28, the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran, targeting military infrastructure and reportedly killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
- President Donald Trump, in a speech at the White House, declared that Iran was 'failing very badly' and that the war would be 'over with very, very soon,' reflecting his aggressive stance on the conflict.
- Economic analysts predict that if interest rates remain high, it could add an additional $2.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
- The Federal Reserve is expected to increase interest rates to combat rising inflation, with growing expectations for a quarter-point hike.
- White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with the United Arab Emirates National Security Adviser to discuss the next steps in the Iranian crisis, highlighting the complex diplomatic landscape.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in Jeddah, is facing uncertainty due to the ongoing tensions in the Gulf region.
What's still developing
- Bush and Dwight Eisenhower, who called on Iraqis and Hungarians respectively to rise up against their oppressors and then stood by when they were massacred, Trump on January 13 called on the Iranian people to “keep protesting” as “help is on its way” before they were left helpless and butchered by the regime, likely by the tens of thousands.
- In 2018, he unwisely withdrew altogether from former US President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement instead of leveraging its strengths, such as its provisions to “ snap back ” sanctions.
- Trump hasn’t gotten everything right on Iran, of course.
- Foreign Policy, 1099 14th St NW, Suite 500 East, Washington, D.C., 20005.
- Srinagar, Sep 11: US President Donald Trump rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to order strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, Axios reported, citing two US officials.
- The cost to fill up is steadily rising as the Iran war shows signs of dragging on into next year.
- “Accused for years of copying the technologies of other countries, China now dominates the renewable energy landscape not just in terms of patent filings and research papers, but in what analysts say are major contributions that will help to move the world away from fossil fuels,” the New York Times wrote in an August 2025 report.
- The ongoing Iran conflict limits OPEC+'s influence over oil prices.
- It comes ahead of the Federal Reserve making its latest interest rate decision next week, with growing expectations they will be increased in a bid to slow the rate at which prices are rising.
- The announcement follows weeks of speculation over whether the 2026 edition, scheduled to unfold from December 3-12 in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, would take place amid tensions across the entire Gulf region due to the U.S.-Israeli-Iran war.
- The CME FedWatch tool showed probability hovering around 60.6% for another quarter-point Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike, whereas the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is widely projected to leave its policy rate anchored at 0% well into next year.