ISRAEL AND IRAN AT WAR: As Israel’s military campaign to degrade Iran’s nuclear program enters its fourth day, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is lavishing praise on President Donald Trump in an apparent effort to convince the U.S. to go all in on Israel’s all-out attempt to destabilize Tehran’s ruling regime and completely eliminate its nuclear facilities.
In a speech Saturday, Netanyahu praised Trump as “an extraordinary leader” with a “decisive, courageous, clear vision,” all while thanking him for his “clear support” of Israel and for “helping protect Israeli lives.”
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“We have indications that senior leaders in Iran are already packing their bags. They sense what’s coming,” Netanyahu said, and in a Fox interview Sunday, made no secret of the fact he’s hoping to topple Iran’s leaders. “The Iran regime is very weak. I think it’s basically left with two things. It plans to have atomic bombs and ballistic missiles. That’s basically what Iran has. They certainly don’t have the people. 80% of the people will throw these theological thugs out.”
At the same time, Netanyahu seemed to deny widespread media reports, attributed to a U.S. official, that Trump, when briefed on an Israeli plan to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vetoed the idea. “There’s so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I’m not going to get into that,” Netanyahu told Fox News anchor Bret Baier. “But I can tell you, I think that we do what we need to do.”
“The decision to act, to rise up at this time, is the decision of the Iranian people. We decided to act because we had to. We saw enough uranium, enriched uranium for nine bombs, and all they had to do was weaponize them,” Netanyahu said. “We’re geared to do whatever is necessary to achieve our dual aim, to remove two existential threats, the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat. And we’re doing that as we speak now in Tehran. But we’re not bombing the population.”
HOW ISRAEL LAUNCHED STRIKES ON IRAN FROM SECRET BASE WITHIN NATION’S BORDERS
TRUMP: ‘THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE THERE’LL BE A DEAL’: Before leaving Washington for the G7 meeting in Canada last night, Trump continued to hold out hope Iran would cave and agree to his demands they give up on their insistence they retain the right to enrich uranium for a peaceful energy program.
“Well, I hope there’s going to be a deal. I think it’s time for a deal, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters. “But sometimes they have to fight it out. But we’re going to see what happens. I think there’s a good chance there’ll be a deal.”
Trump continued to profess a belief that whatever the problem, “trade” is the answer. “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks,” Trump posted on Truth Social over the weekend.
“There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran!” Trump said. “Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything.”
“The issue here is not ceasefire. The issue here is stopping those things that will threaten our survival, and we’re committed to stopping them. And I think we can achieve that,” Netanyahu said. “Now, if they are willing to accept President Trump’s terms, that’s a different matter.”
TRUMP VOWS ISRAEL AND IRAN ‘WILL MAKE A DEAL’ TO END CONFLICT, CITING TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
THE FORDOW QUESTION: With Iran weakened militarily and Israel enjoying air superiority over Iran’s skies, there is an increasing call by some Israel hawks in Congress to go for the kill, that is, to join Israel’s efforts with military capabilities that the U.S. has and Israel does not in order to deliver a knockout blow to Iran’s deeply buried uranium enrichment sites at Natanz and Fordow.
For that, most experts believe that Israel needs American bunker-buster bombs, and for the U.S. to use B-2 stealth bombers, now stationed in Diego Garcia, to deliver them.
“The worst possible outcome for the world is for the Iranian nuclear program to survive after all this. How do you destroy their program? Through diplomacy — I prefer that — or through military action,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on CBS’s Face the Nation.
“I would urge President Trump to go all in to make sure that, when this operation is over, there’s nothing left standing in Iran regarding their nuclear program. If that means providing bombs, provide bombs. If it means flying with Israel, fly with Israel,” Graham said. “The worst possible outcome for the world is to take the Iranian nuclear program on and leave it standing. That will be a disaster.”
“The nuclear enterprise is a very complicated target,” retired Gen. Jack Keane, chairman of the Institute for the Study of War and a Fox News analyst, said Sunday. “It would be a complicated target for the United States. It’s spread out in excess of 12 sites. And to deal with every one of those sites is a campaign almost in itself.”
The Natanz facility, the most prominent and the largest one, has been severely damaged, Keane told Fox’s Maria Bartiromo, host of Sunday Morning Futures. “The Isfahan facility, another one, is in progress of being severely damaged. They’re working extensively on it. They have a significant amount of enriched uranium.”
“I also think dealing with the Fordow facility, I believe if Israel is asking for penetration bombing, we should give them penetration bombing, so they can complete the damage and destruction of this nuclear enterprise. We should not leave that site intact, so the Iranians can recover and rebuild,” said Keane, who spoke to Trump over the weekend. “My conversations with the president are his conversations once I begin that, and I don’t discuss those, but I think the U.S. role right now certainly is appropriate.”
PAUL PREDICTS ‘MORE WAR’ BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN, URGES US TO STAY OUT
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HAPPENING TODAY: President Donald Trump is in the Rocky Mountains of Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, today for the annual Group of Seven meeting of the world’s largest economic powers. The summit comes as Trump has engaged in a trade war with the G7 countries, and trade is expected to dominate some of the discussions, along with the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s first bilateral meeting is this morning with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump has made it clear he prefers one-on-one meetings to sessions where all the leaders get to talk. He’s also expected to meet privately with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Asked by a reporter last night if he planned to announce any trade agreements, Trump insisted he does need to make deals because he’s in a position to simply dictate terms. “Look, we have our trade deals. All we have to do is send a letter. ‘This is what you’re going to have to pay.’ But I think we’ll have a few new trade deals. Yes.”
TRUMP IN CANADA: CARNEY ON ‘HIGH-WIRE ACT’ TO AVOID G7 SUMMIT ENDING AS A G6
ZELENSKY: RUSSIA ‘SPIT IN THE FACE’: In a video address Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of perfidy in using the United States to pressure Ukraine to refrain from attacking energy infrastructure in Russia, while it mounted a massive attack on Ukrainian energy facilities in the Kremenchuk region.
“It was a combined attack, deliberately and treacherously planned to target our civilian infrastructure – specifically, our energy facilities. The Russians used different missile types in this strike – cruise, ballistic, and air-launched ballistic missiles,” Zelensky said. “It happened right after Putin’s conversation with Trump. After the Americans asked us not to strike Russian energy facilities. At the same time as Putin tries to portray himself as a mediator for the Middle East and attempts to somehow assist his accomplices in Tehran. The level of cynicism is staggering.”
“A significant number of missiles and drones were intercepted. No people were injured. However, unfortunately, energy infrastructure was damaged,” Zelensky said. “This is Russia’s spit in the face of everything the international community is trying to do to stop this war.”
TRUMP: PUTIN ‘VERY NICELY’ WISHED ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Trump continues to refer to Russian President Vladimir Putin as if he were a dear friend.
“President Putin called this morning to very nicely wish me a Happy Birthday, but to more importantly, talk about Iran, a country he knows very well,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We talked at length. Much less time was spent talking about Russia/Ukraine, but that will be for next week.”
“The call lasted approximately 1 hour. He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end,” Trump said.
On CNN, former Vice President Mike Pence questioned the wisdom of using Putin as a mediator. “As Vladimir Putin continues his brutal and unprovoked invasion in Ukraine, using drones provided by Iran, I would say respectfully to the administration, we ought to be looking elsewhere than Vladimir Putin for advice on how to deal with this situation.”
PUTIN CALLS TRUMP TO WISH HIM HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DISCUSS MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS
A CIRCUMSTANTIAL PARADE WITHOUT THE POMP: President Trump’s grand parade celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday went off without a hitch Saturday night. The rain largely held off, protesters kept their distance, and the parade looked nothing like the extravagant, over-the-top displays favored by dictatorships such as North Korea and Russia.
Observers noted that most of the soldiers wore their BDUs, eschewing their formal dress uniforms, and they largely strolled down Constitution Avenue rather than marching in lockstep. Tank crews smiled and waved to the crowd as their Abrams main battle tanks appeared to do no damage to the roadway, as some had feared they would.
Military historians reveled in the display of historic period uniforms and weaponry that ranged from the Revolutionary War to the modern day.
And President Trump kept his remarks brief and nonpolitical. “From Bunker Hill to San Juan Hill, from Gettysburg to Guadalcanal, from Yorktown to Shiloh, and from the trenches of the Argonne to the mountains of Afghanistan, the Army has forged a legacy of unmatched courage, untold sacrifice, and unequaled and undying glory,” Trump said. “Tonight, we affirm with unwavering certainty that in the years ahead, and in every generation hence, whenever duty calls and whatever danger comes, the American soldier will be there.”
TRUMP MILITARY PARADE TURNS OUT THOUSANDS DESPITE WEATHER AND NATIONWIDE PROTESTS: ‘IT’S ABOUT TIME’
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Trump vetoed ‘credible plan’ by Israel to kill Iranian leader Khamenei
Washington Examiner: Netanyahu claims intelligence shows Iran behind Trump assassination attempts
Washington Examiner: Iranian military intelligence chief and his deputy killed in Israeli strike
Washington Examiner: Putin calls Trump to wish him happy birthday, discuss Middle East tensions
Washington Examiner: Trump says US had ‘nothing to do’ with recent strikes on Iran, warns ‘full strength’ response if attacked
Washington Examiner: Trump vows Israel and Iran ‘will make a deal’ to end conflict, citing trade negotiations
Washington Examiner: Graham urges annihilation of Iranian nuclear program if diplomacy fails: ‘Nothing left standing’
Washington Examiner: Paul predicts ‘more war’ between Israel and Iran, urges US to stay out
Washington Examiner: US directs Navy to reposition ships in response to Israel’s attack on Iran
Washington Examiner: How Israel changed its Iran calculation
Washington Examiner: Iranian crown prince urges military to rebel, join resistance against regime
Washington Examiner: How Israel launched strikes on Iran from secret base within nation’s borders
Washington Examiner: Federal police still arresting migrant farmworkers after Trump expressed disapproval
Washington Examiner: Trump announces expansion of ICE raids in sanctuary cities
Washington Examiner:
Washington Examiner: Trump in Canada: Carney on ‘high-wire act’ to avoid G7 summit ending as a G6
Washington Examiner: Trump military parade turns out thousands despite weather and nationwide protests: ‘It’s about time’
Washington Examiner: Trump gets his first-term wish of a military parade
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Israel-Iran war will bring military and terrorism challenges for US
Wall Street Journal: In Twist, U.S. Diplomacy Served as Cover for Israeli Surprise Attack
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Israel Launched an Attack With 200 Fighters. Could the US?
The War Zone: Massive Stealth Flying Wing Emerges At Secretive Chinese Base
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pentagon Reviewing Base Defense as Experts Warn of Pacific Threats
Military.com: Supreme Court Rules Unanimously Against Time Limits on Combat-Related Disability Pay
Task & Purpose: Air Force Relieves Commander of Pilot Training Squadron
Reuters: US Marines Carry Out First Known Detention of Civilian in Los Angeles, Video Shows
New York Times: Close Trump Allies Sponsored the Military Parade, Raising Ethical Concerns
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Opinion: Preparing for a Fight
THE CALENDAR:
MONDAY | JUNE 16
9:30 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Korea-Japan Relations: What to Expect?” with Christopher Johnstone, partner and chair, Asia Group Defense and National Security Practice; Yuki Tatsumi, co-director, Stimson Center’s East Asia Program; Victor Cha, CSIS Korea chair; and Mark Lippert, CSIS Korea chair https://www.csis.org/events/korea-japan-relations-what-expect-capital-cable-115
6 p.m. 1777 F St. NW — Council on Foreign Relations discussion: “Strategic Crossroads: NATO’s Agenda for the Hague Summit,” with former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), nonresident senior adviser, Center for Strategic and International Studies; former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute, chairman of the BGR Group’s International and Defense Practices; former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith, president of Clarion Strategies; Peter Rough, director, Hudson Instituter, Center on Europe and Eurasia; and Charles Kupchan, CFR senior fellow https://www.cfr.org/event/strategic-crossroads-natos-agenda
TUESDAY| JUNE 17
9 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW — CSIS Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency 15th Annual South China Sea Conference with Adm. Stephen “Web” Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet https://www.csis.org/events/fifteenth-annual-south-china-sea-conference
10 a.m. 2100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies National Security Symposium: “The China Challenge: U.S. National Security Policy in the 21st Century,” with Alexander Yui Tah-ray, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. https://fedsoc.org/conferences/2025-national-security-symposium
10:30 a.m. 124 Dirksen — Senate Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing: “Proposed budget estimates for FY2026 for military construction and family housing” http://appropriations.senate.gov
11 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion of new report: “The Russian Wartime Economy: From Sugar High to Hangover,” with Elina Ribakova, nonresident senior fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics; Maria Snegovaya, senior fellow, CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program; and Max Bergmann, director, CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program https://www.csis.org/events/russian-wartime-economy
12 p.m. SVC-215, U.S. Capitol — Cato Institute briefing: “NATO 2025 Summit: Rebalancing the Transatlantic Relationship,” with Joshua Shifrinson, associate professor, University of Maryland; Justin Logan, Cato director of defense and foreign policy studies; and Lawrence Montreuil, Cato director of government affairs https://www.cato.org/events/nato-2025-summit-rebalancing-transatlantic-relationship
12 p.m. — Association of the U.S. Army “Noon Report” virtual discussion: “Modernizing Army Personnel Management and Readiness,” with Lt. Gen. Brian Eifler, deputy Army chief of staff (G-1); and Marshall “Will” Williams, former acting assistant Army secretary for manpower and reserve affairs https://www.ausa.org/events/noon-report/ltg-brian-eifler
12 p.m. — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace virtual discussion: “The Future of Israeli-Palestinian Peace,” with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert; and former Palestine Liberation Organization Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/06/israeli-palestinian-peace
1 p.m. — Atlantic Council virtual discussion: “Drone, defense, and diplomacy: Negotiations and the battlefield in Ukraine,” with Konstantin von Egert, Russian affairs analyst at Deutsche Weller, Russian Service; William Taylor, fellow, Atlantic Council Eurasia Center; and Debra Cagan, senior adviser, Atlantic Council, Eurasia Center https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/drones-defense-and-diplomacy