APTOPIX Trump Iran US

President Donald Trump has used his first major address since launching his war in Iran to assure Americans all his military objectives will be completed “shortly” and urge a skeptical electorate to give him more time. Trump in his Wednesday address dialed back the bluster that’s dominated his rhetoric in recent days as world markets convulse and a badly battered Iran still lands some effective blows on Gulf neighbors' infrastructure and U.S. bases. But the Republican president's promise to “finish the job” hardly built confidence with a jittery market as oil prices surged and Asian stocks fell on his vow to continue hitting Iran very hard. Democrats say Trump's war is "destabilizing the world.”

The U.S. Army’s top uniformed officer has been asked to step down by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Pentagon officials have not given a reason for Gen. Randy George's departure during the Iran war. George is the latest of more than a dozen firings of top U.S. generals and admirals. Iran has fired more missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states. An Iranian military spokesperson said Thursday that Tehran maintains hidden stockpiles of arms, munitions and production facilities. Israel has launched a ground invasion in Lebanon against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Lebanon's Health Ministry says Israeli strikes have killed 27 people in a single day.

The White House is releasing details of President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget, including a $1.5 trillion defense spending request. That's the largest of its kind in decades. The Republican president had indicated even before the war against Iran that he wanted to increase defense spending to modernize the military. He's also calling for a 10% cut in non-defense discretionary spending. The president’s annual budget does not carry the force of law. Instead, it reflects an administration’s priorities and provides a road map to Congress, which handles spending issues. But Congress is free to reject it and often does.