“International laws aimed at preventing the horrors of total war are codified in a series of agreements, including the Geneva Conventions, the Hague Conventions, the Nuremberg Principles and the United Nations Charter. Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violate those. So does pillaging a country, which Mr. Trump has suggested he might do by taking Iran’s oil.”

“The Trump administration’s language and actions could have far-reaching consequences. Within Iran, it is likely to galvanize opposition to the United States, including among some ordinary Iranians who have protested their own government.”

Said Trump: “If they don’t come through, if they want to keep it closed, they’re going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country.”

Pressed on when he thinks the war will end, Trump said: “I will let you know pretty soon.”

Said Leo: “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them! We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people.”

Said Trump: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!”

He added: “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

“This could make for a big electoral win for Democrats in November, despite the division in the party and its overall nominally unpopular rating…”

“This is the pattern I’d expect in a midterm environment that favors the out-party. But with many Americans (including the vaunted ‘double-haters’) still viewing the Democrats as weak and ineffectual, a big electoral victory will not completely solve their deeper problems of identity and division.”

“The rescue came after a life-or-death race between U.S. and Iranian forces that stretched over two days to reach the injured airman, who evaded Iranian for more than 24 hours in mountainous territory with little more than a pistol.”

“As U.S. forces converged on the downed airman, a firefight erupted, a former senior military official briefed on the operation said. In the end, the United States extracted the officer in an operation that involved hundreds of special operations troops.”

Said Graham: “I am completely convinced that he will use overwhelming military force against the regime if they continue to impede the Strait of Hormuz and refuse a diplomatic solution to achieve our military objectives. If it’s not clear to Iran and others by now that President Trump means what he says then I don’t know when it will ever be.” 

Unlike most recent weekends, Trump has remained in Washington this weekend instead of traveling to Mar-a-Lago.

Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric again on Saturday, warning that if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, “all hell will reign down on them.”

The phrasing was striking — not just for the familiar Trumpian misspelling, but for the tone.

“This week Mr Trump’s net approval hit -23 percentage points among all Americans and -19 among registered voters. That is worse than the president’s previous low of -21 in 2017, and roughly matches Joe Biden’s nadir after his disastrous debate performance in 2024, when many Americans concluded he was unfit for office.”

“The order to pull the $1.5 million weapon from Pacific stockpiles was issued at the end of March… Missiles at US facilities elsewhere, including the continental US, will be moved to US Central Command bases or Fairford in the UK.”

Said Trump, on Truth Social: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”

For those counting, this is at least the third 48-hour ultimatum Trump has made to Iran.

The latest episode of Trial Balloon is live.

Trump’s speech aimed to explain the war but instead left its purpose unclear and raised more doubts than it resolved.

“The now-deleted video, briefly posted Wednesday on the White House website, showed an East Room gathering that quickly veered from prayer into full-blown flattery, with Trump’s spiritual adviser Paula White, likening his legal and political battles to the crucifixion.”

“Neither of these incidents means Iran is suddenly on anything close to an equal footing militarily. And there have thus far been limited American casualties, including no known deaths in the last three weeks.”

“But in a conflict in which military dominance is the US’ chief advantage, this episode underscores the perils of asymmetric warfare, the costs of which the American public already isn’t buying.”

“These are all early indications of the Iran war’s impact on the U.S. economy. So far, the costs of the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign have been modest, especially compared with the economic turmoil roiling Asia, and U.S. growth remains solid…”

“But like thunderclaps that herald an advancing storm, rising energy bills, interest rates and supply shortfalls may be warnings of worse to come.”

“One member of the two-person crew of the U.S. F-15E fighter jet was rescued after it was destroyed, according to U.S. officials. Iranian forces were also pursuing the missing American, Iranian officials said, speaking anonymously to discuss ongoing operations. The status of the airman was unknown as of midday Saturday.”

“Iran has also retained a significant amount of its missiles and mobile launchers, the reports say.”

“Mr. Trump is searching for a tougher version of Ms. Bondi but the fault lies not in the shirking weakness of those he has called upon to execute his will, but rather in the impossibility of his request — to bring criminal charges against political targets with little to no evidence or legal justification.”