An exclusive report claims a call between Donald Trump (former U.S. president) and Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli prime minister) shifted Middle East strategy, even as Netanyahu reportedly asks the White House about secret Iran negotiations. Pete Hegseth (U.S. defense secretary 2025) says the war’s duration is uncertain—“it could be four weeks… it could be eight”—while ripping media coverage for suggesting concern over American casualties is political. Sources allege the Central Intelligence Agency (U.S. intelligence agency) is working to arm Kurdish forces in hopes of sparking an uprising in Iran, as Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 11 and hit residential areas. In U.S. politics, James Talarico (Texas state representative) defeats Jasmine Crockett (U.S. representative, Texas) in a Democratic primary shocker, while Gavin Newsom (California governor) likens Israel to an “apartheid state” and questions future military support. Economist Peter Schiff (American economist) argues Trump risks blaming economic troubles on an Iran war, fueling debate over the administration’s motives as regional and domestic tensions escalate.