Trump Signals Economic Pressure on Iran; Israel Rejects US Proposal

Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.

On today's podcast:

1) President Trump said the US was only "semi-negotiating" with Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz, and that the US was "low keying it" as Iran faces huge inflation and no money. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's military adviser Mohsen Rezaee was named the new leader of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, and has been an advocate for full Iranian control over Hormuz. Tehran published a list of demands for Washington as conditions for fully reopening Hormuz, including lifting the naval blockade, withdrawing forces, removing sanctions, and releasing frozen assets, which may be difficult for the US to meet alone.
2) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a proposal by US-backed mediators for disarming Hamas, saying "Israel does not accept the 15-point document." Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defense Forces will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and it will continue to thwart threats against Israeli forces and citizens. The Board of Peace described the roadmap as its deal with Hamas, rather than with Israel, and said that nobody is required to do anything before verified steps are taken on the ground by the Palestinian cadres.
3) The US Supreme Court has a reputation problem, with polls showing poor approval ratings and a record low support amid continued attacks on the institution from President Trump. A majority of Americans believe the justices tend to act for political reasons, not legal ones, which experts see as unhealthy and potentially dangerous. The court's reputation has been driven down by factors including a hyper-partisan confirmation process, polarizing decisions, and ethics controversies, leading to calls for Congress to impose term limits or expand the court.

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