Trump meets with national security officials as he weighs next steps on Iran

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🗞️ Driving the news: President Donald Trump met with top U.S. national security officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to review options on the ongoing conflict with Iran
• No decisions were made, as diplomacy continues with delegations from Qatar and Pakistan engaging Tehran

🔭 The context: Trump’s White House sessions on Iran are routine but intensified amid stalled negotiations
• Pakistan’s Army Chief and Iran’s Foreign Minister discussed “preventing escalation” in late-night talks
• Differences remain “very deep,” and additional rounds of negotiation are needed to reach a resolution

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Escalation of military conflict in the Middle East could further exacerbate the global ongoing energy crisis, impacting fossil fuel supply chains and increasing emissions indirectly
• Regional instability may also impede climate and environmental initiatives
• This would affect coordinated action on sustainable energy and emissions reduction

⏭️ What’s next: Trump awaits Iran’s response to a deadline set for early next week
• Options for military action remain on the table, while international diplomacy continues to seek a negotiated settlement
• The situation is fluid and may influence both U.S. foreign policy and global security dynamics

💬 One quote: “I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time.” — President Donald Trump

📈 One stat: The planned nuclear-capable HESA Shahed 136 drones are being produced by Iran’s military-industrial base faster than expected, according to U.S. intelligence

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