US President Donald Trump on Wednesday held an expansive Cabinet meeting at the White House, addressing a wide range of issues from ongoing negotiations with Iran and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz to Ebola preparedness, immigration detention protests, and domestic anti-fraud initiatives.
Iran Negotiations and Threat of Further Strikes
Trump stated that talks with Tehran were progressing “nicely” but warned that military action could resume if a deal is not reached, insisting Iran was “negotiating on fumes.” He said Iran is eager to reach an agreement but the US is not yet satisfied with the current terms. “They want very much to make a deal. So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be,” Trump said. He also warned of renewed military action if negotiations collapse: “Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
Strait of Hormuz and Oman Warning
Trump ruled out any arrangement allowing Iran or Oman to control the Strait of Hormuz, calling it international waters. “We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it,” he said. He issued a warning aimed at Oman after being asked about a possible joint management proposal involving Iran: “Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up.”
Midterm Election Pressure
Trump rejected the idea that the upcoming congressional midterms were influencing his Iran strategy. “They thought they were gonna outwait me. You know, ‘We’ll outwait him. He’s got the midterms.’ I don’t care about the midterms,” Trump said.
Republican Concerns Over Possible Iran Deal
Trump said he would not support Russia or China taking custody of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile as part of any future agreement. “That would not make me comfortable,” Trump said. Under the proposed framework, Iran could give up its stockpile in exchange for sanctions relief. The emerging deal has drawn criticism from several Republican lawmakers who argue it resembles the Iran nuclear agreement under former President Barack Obama.
Israel-Hezbollah Conflict and Lebanon
The Cabinet meeting also addressed the expanding Israel-Hezbollah conflict in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced expanded military operations against Hezbollah, while Iran has reportedly insisted that any US-Iran ceasefire agreement must also cover Lebanon.
Ebola Response and Travel Screening
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration was intensifying efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in Africa and prevent infected individuals from entering the US. “The number one priority of our foreign policy is to protect the American people. We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola into the United States,” Rubio said. He noted coordination with the CDC and HHS to contain the outbreak and monitor travelers. Officials have expanded enhanced Ebola screening for passengers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda. Travelers who visited those countries within the past 21 days are routed through designated airports including Washington Dulles, Houston Intercontinental, and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. The administration is reportedly planning a treatment and quarantine facility in Kenya for Americans exposed to Ebola abroad.
Immigration Detention Protests
Trump defended conditions at a New Jersey immigration detention center where protests and hunger strikes were reported. “We run the finest facilities anywhere in the world — of their type — but we have some horrible killers,” Trump said.
Washington Renovation Projects
In a lighter moment, Trump spent several minutes discussing renovation plans for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the World War II Memorial in Washington. “We cleaned it. We fumigated it,” Trump said, describing the reflecting pool which he said would be resurfaced in “American flag blue.” The reflecting pool, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is among the most recognizable landmarks in the US capital. The nearby World War II Memorial honors the 16 million Americans who served during World War II and the more than 400,000 who died.
Anti-Fraud Task Force and Social Security
Vice President JD Vance highlighted anti-fraud efforts involving Medicare, Medicaid, and student aid programs. Trump praised the initiative, saying it was “bringing our country back to honesty.”
