US House Votes to End Military Action in Iran; Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Tested

US President Donald Trump admitted criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calling him "crazy" in a phone call, adding that he was "a little bit perturbed" that Israel's strike on Lebanon were impacting his peace talks with Iran.

The US president acknowledged this during an interview to Pod Force One podcast. He also played down the tensions between the two, insisting that he and Netanyahu were solid.

"We've worked very well together. I like Bibi a lot. And I work very well with him," Trump said.

Netanyahu, in an interview with Merican Business News channel CNBC, also brushed the matter off saying that though they had "tactical disagreement," they "agree on the main things."

"He respects me. I respect him. We always find a way to work out our differences," the Israeli prime minister said.

Trump's comments a rare confirmation of the growing pressure he faces to end the Iran war, which threatends global commerce, economic stability in several nations and the president's own political future.

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The US House of Representatives has backed a resolution seeking to halt American military action in Iran, in a symbolic but telling blow to US President Donald Trump, who is in the midst of peace talks with Tehran.

Four Republicans voted with the Democrats in favor of the war powers resolution, which had failed to pass on three previous occasions. Republicans hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives.

The move is symbolic, as the resolution would have to be approved by the Senate, where Republicans also hold a thin majority. If the Senate were to pass the measure, Trump would be expected to veto it.

Nevertheless, it is a sharp political message to Trump as Republicans and Democrats gear up for the critical midterm election in November.

"This is a loud and unambiguous message to Donald Trump on behalf of the American people: it's time to end his deeply unpopular and illegal war of choice in Iran," Democrats posted on X.

Talks between Washington and Tehran seem to have stalled in yet another effort to conclude the months-long conflict in the Middle East.

The US and Iran have sent conflicting messages in recent days, with Tehran saying on Wednesday "no tangible progress" had been made. That's while Trump is voicing optimism by telling reporters a deal could happen "over the weekend."

Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire on Wednesday, brokered by the US. However, the temporary pause is already being tested as Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah continue to trade fire.

In Kuwait, the military condemned an alleged Iranian drone strike on its airport, calling it a "criminal Iranian Aggression." Iran's Revolutionary Guards have denied responsibility for the attack and blamed it on an error of the US Patriot air defense system.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy," and that Netanyahu was complicating Washington's peace talks with Iran.

We have all of this and more coming up. Stay tuned!