US-Iran Tensions: Talks Progress Amid Controversy
Donald Trump claims peace with Iran is near despite denouncements of US airstrikes by Tehran. An internal checkup and the ongoing redistricting war highlight domestic challenges, while US stocks rise on optimistic talks with Iran even as consumer confidence dips under inflation pressures.
President Donald Trump insists a peace deal is close on the 88th day of the Iran war, but Iran on Tuesday denounced US airstrikes as a sign of 'bad faith and unreliability' as negotiations continue. Meanwhile, state media in Lebanon reports that Israel has killed 12 more people in another strike. Iran has demanded that any deal must include an end to hostilities in Lebanon and Gaza.
In Washington, Trump has a medical checkup on his schedule, and the redistricting war also continues - the Congressional Black Caucus is urging corporate America to get involved to save voting rights, ending a collective retreat during Trump's second presidency. In Texas, the Trump-backed, scandal-plagued Ken Paxton is favoured over Sen. John Cornyn in Tuesday's GOP primary runoff election.
A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll in April found that less than half of US adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively.
'I think concern for the president's physical health is probably at an all-time high, and I think advanced physical age is the No. 1 concern,' said Dr Jeffrey Kuhlman, who served as a White House physician under Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
If the ongoing economic pressures worsen with inflation and gas prices rising, polls show Americans have soured on Trump's economic policies, which could harm Republicans in this year's elections.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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