Iran conflict enters sixth month as Trump shifts to economic pressure

The U.S.-Israel war against Iran has reached its six-month mark, a milestone that stands in contrast to President Donald Trump's earlier assurances that the conflict would be a brief affair. The administration is now signaling a strategic shift, emphasizing economic pressure over military action in an effort to conclude the war.

Officials say the new approach centers on threatening sanctions against any country or entity that continues to do business with Tehran. The move comes as the U.S. weighs its diminished munitions stockpiles after months of sustained combat, raising concerns about military readiness in other regions.

In a separate development, a federal judge has ruled in favor of AI company Anthropic in its challenge against the Pentagon. The court found that the government acted illegally when it labeled the company a supply chain risk, determining the decision was based on retaliation for the firm's criticism of the Department of Defense's stance on AI use. The government is expected to appeal.

Meanwhile, another federal judge has temporarily blocked the implementation of Trump's executive order limiting mail voting. The ruling, which halts the directive for two weeks, comes just days before the first mail ballots are scheduled to be sent out for the upcoming midterm elections. The case may return to the Supreme Court.

In Washington, a judge has also expressed skepticism over the Kennedy Center's plan to restore Trump's name to the venue's facade by early September. The judge questioned the urgency of the timeline, noting that a previous court ruling had blocked the effort. The board insists the schedule aligns with its earlier vote.