White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told A小蓝视频 News on Monday morning that Iran was an 鈥渋mminent threat鈥� and that President Donald Trump is the 鈥渇irst president with the guts to actually do something about it.鈥� She was definitive about the outcome of the surprise U.S. strikes against Iran over the weekend, saying they 鈥渢ook away Iran鈥檚 ability to create a nuclear bomb.鈥� American stealth bombers, fighter jets and a submarine struck Iran with bombs and missiles - joining Israel鈥檚 attempt to wipe out Iran's nuclear program.
Here's the Latest:
House Speaker Mike Johnson voices opposition to Congress weighing in on the use of military force against Iran
Johnson said he is opposed to debate and a vote on a use-of-force resolution.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think this is an appropriate time for a War Powers resolution. And I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 necessary,鈥� Johnson told reporters Monday.
He said Democratic presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama exercised their authority as commander-in-chief in ordering operations in the Middle East. He said Democratic lawmakers didn鈥檛 object then.
鈥淪uddenly, now, they are just up in arms,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all politics. This is not a time for politics.鈥�
Johnson said Trump has used his constitutional authority 鈥渏udiciously.鈥�
Johnson said he had a classified briefing Monday morning about Iran. He spoke to reporters soon after Iran had launched a missile attack on a U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq.
鈥淭his is the retaliation that was expected,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淪o far, so good. No casualties so far as we know.鈥�
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said there would be a classified briefing for House members Tuesday afternoon.
US confirms strikes from Iran targeting base in Qatar
A Defense Department official is confirming a missile attack from Iran on a U.S. military base in Qatar but says no casualties have been reported.
The official said Monday that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. The U.S. is continuing to monitor the situation, said the official.
The confirmation came soon after Iran acknowledged the missile attacks, saying the attack in Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on its nuclear sites over the weekend, signaling its likely desire to de-escalate.
Iran launched attacks Monday, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region.
Trump Media to buy $400 million of its own slumping shares
罢谤耻尘辫鈥檚 media company plans to buy back up to $400 million of its stock, which have tumbled 46% this year.
Trump Media and Technology Group, which operates the Truth Social media platform, says that the acquisition will improve its financial flexibility.
Companies can drive their stock higher by acquiring or removing the number of company shares outstanding. Trump is the largest stakeholder in Trump Media, with about 114 million shares.
Shares of Trump Media rose just over 1%. But the shares appeared to peak about a month after the company went public in late March. Shares have been on a steady, downward trajectory since.
Qatar said there鈥檚 no casualties after Iran鈥檚 attack on the Al Udeid Air Base
The quick statement from Qatar Foreign Minister spokesman Majed al-Ansari said that the energy-rich nation 鈥渃ondemns the attack that targeted Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.鈥�
鈥淲e reassure that Qatar鈥檚 air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles,鈥� it added.
Qatar said it would push for diplomatic efforts for 鈥渁 serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.鈥�
Al Udeid is also home to the Combined Air Operations Center, which provides command and control of airpower across the region as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest expeditionary wing in the world.
Iran launches missile attacks in Qatar
Iran launched missile attacks Monday on a U.S. military bases in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region.
People in Doha, Qatar鈥檚 capital, stopped and looked up as missiles flew and interceptors fired and struck at least one missile in the night sky.
Iran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar鈥檚 Al Udeid Air Base.
Qatar issued a statement condemning the Iranian attack and said no casualties were reported.
Trump visited the Qatari base Iran is attacking just last month
Iran said Monday night that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar鈥檚 Al Udeid Air Base.
Trump visited the base and addressed US and Qatari troops there in May during a trip to the region.
Speaking to U.S. troops at the base in May, the president said 鈥渕y priority is to end conflicts, not start them.鈥�
鈥淏ut I will never hesitate to wield American power, if it鈥檚 necessary, to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our great partners right here,鈥� referring to Qatar. 鈥淲hen we鈥檙e threatened, America鈥檚 military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force.鈥�
White House monitoring reported Iranian strikes on US base in Qatar
The White House and Pentagon are aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a senior administration official.
The official was not authorized to comment publicly.
Trump questions ex-Russian president suggesting some countries could give nuclear warheads to Iran
Trump is casting doubt on former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev鈥檚 suggestions that 鈥渁 number鈥� of countries were considering supplying Iran with nuclear warheads.
鈥淒id he really say that or is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY,鈥� Trump posted on his social media site.
The president also questioned Medvedev鈥檚 authority compared to Russia President Vladimir Putin, writing, that the threat of nuclear attack 鈥渟hould not be treated so casually. I guess that鈥檚 why Putin鈥檚 鈥楾HE BOSS.鈥欌��
Trump ended his message with an implicit threat. He said U.S. bombing might displayed in Iran over the weekend could pale in comparison to the lethal force of 鈥渙ur nuclear submarines.鈥�
Democratic lawmakers demand halt to Medicaid data transfer to immigration officials
A group of Democratic House members demanded Trump administration officials on Monday to stop sharing data of Medicaid enrollees 鈥� including their immigration status 鈥� with the Department of Homeland Security.
The request came in a letter sent by 31 lawmakers to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The letter was sent in response to an this month that detailed how deportation officials had obtained the sensitive data over the objections of career health officials. The data could assist federal agents in finding migrants.
Rep. and Rep. , chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, were among those who signed the letter. It follows by Democratic senators to Kennedy and other Trump appointees.
Trump targets Massie
The president is unloading on Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who has criticized his attack on Iran.
鈥淕ET THIS 鈥楤UM鈥� OUT OF OFFICE, ASAP!!!鈥� Trump wrote on social media.
He posted a lengthy message on Sunday describing Massie as 鈥渁 negative force鈥� who is 鈥渘ot MAGA, even though he likes to say he is.鈥�
He promised that there would be a 鈥渨onderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I鈥檒l be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard.鈥�
Trump will soon face a congressional vote over his military powers
While the president has authority as the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces to order specific military actions, any prolonged war-time footing would traditionally need authorization from Congress.
The House and Senate authorized actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.
Trump faces a vote in Congress as soon as this week on a war powers resolution from that would 鈥渄irect the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.鈥�
Another resolution has been introduced by lawmakers from both parties in the U.S. House.
At least one Democrat, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, said 罢谤耻尘辫鈥檚 actions are 鈥渃learly grounds for impeachment.鈥�
Trump urges oil producers to pump more oil
With oil prices surging after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump on Monday called on oil producers to step it up.
鈥淒RILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!鈥� Trump posted on social media. He added, 鈥淓VERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I鈥橫 WATCHING! YOU鈥橰E PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON鈥橳 DO IT!鈥�
Iran鈥檚 parliament has approved cutting off the Strait of Hormuz, about 20% of global oil and gas flows through the narrow shipping lane in the Persian Gulf. It鈥檚 now up to Iran鈥檚 national security council whether to move forward with the move that could lead to a spike in the cost of goods and services worldwide.
Trump just 鈥榬aising a question鈥� about regime change
Leavitt said U.S. operations in the Middle East haven鈥檛 changed despite Trump raising the possibility of toppling Iran鈥檚 theocratic leaderships.
鈥淭he president was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking,鈥� she told reporters on Monday morning.
She added, 鈥渋f they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn鈥檛 the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime?鈥�
On Sunday, Trump called into question the future of Iran鈥檚 ruling theocracy after a on three of the country鈥檚 nuclear sites, seemingly contradicting his administration鈥檚 earlier calls to resume negotiations and avoid an escalation in fighting.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not politically correct to use the term, 鈥楻egime Change,鈥� but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn鈥檛 there be a Regime change???鈥� Trump posted on social media. 鈥淢IGA!!!鈥�
Leavitt says Democrats were notified about U.S. attack on Iran
罢谤耻尘辫鈥檚 of three sites in Iran quickly sparked debate in Congress over his authority to launch the strikes, with Republicans praising Trump for decisive action even as many Democrats warned he should have sought congressional approval.
Leavitt rejected accusations that Democrats were not given a heads up about the U.S. attack on Iran.
鈥淲e did make bipartisan calls,鈥� Leavitt told Fox News. She said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries 鈥渃ouldn鈥檛 be reached.鈥�
Traditionally, there are bipartisan briefings for congressional leaders, even for classified missions.
Leavitt insisted the White House was 鈥渘ot obligated to tell anybody鈥� about the plans but 鈥渨e gave these calls as a courtesy.鈥�
Pakistan condemns Trump shortly after nominating him for Nobel
Pakistan condemned U.S. President Donald Trump for bombing Iran, less than 24 hours after saying he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for defusing a recent crisis with India.
Relations between the two South Asian countries plummeted after in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April. The nuclear-armed rivals in the weeks that followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., resulted in a truce .
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This story has been corrected to show that Iran launched missile strikes on bases in both Iran and Iraq. Iran did not claim credit for Iraq attack, which could have been carried out by militias.
The Associated Press
