Chinese tech giant Huawei said on Monday it had developed a new way of making semiconductors that could get around its U.S.-enforced lack of access to the most advanced chipmaking equipment. Huawei has in recent years been at the centre of a geopolitical standoff after Washington warned its
World Tarot Day 2026: The most misunderstood tarot cards and what they actually meanPeople tarot as entertainment or fear it because of the dramatic social media readings. But tarot was never meant to work through fear; it is a symbolic tool. Updated on: May 25
From mirrors to mood lighting, these 5 budget-friendly decor tricks can make small homes look surprisingly luxuriousWant to upgrade your home into a luxurious space? Here are some budget-friendly decor ideas you can consider for a beautiful home. Published on: May 25
A Bahraini court sentenced nine defendants to life in prison and two others to three years in jail for collaborating with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to carry out what it described as “hostile and terrorist acts” against Bahrain
Tarot vs Astrology: Which one can predict your future better? An expert breaks it downAstrology explains cosmic timing and patterns. Tarot explains your emotional experience of those patterns. One gives you the map, the other acts like a mirror. Updated on: May 25
The Japanese fruit ‘sando’ is becoming India’s favourite summer dessert; take a look With fluffy milk bread, clouds of whipped cream, and jewel-like slices of fresh fruit tucked inside, the Japanese sando has become India’s go-to dessert Updated on: May 25
Madhuri Dixit serves ‘a little bit of drama’ as she gives classic white saree a modern twist with chic jacketMadhuri Dixit proves age is just a number as she stuns in ivory saree with floral prints, layered with a sleek jacket, blending elegance with modern drama. Published on: May 25
3 elephant calves die within 17 days in Chhattisgarh’s DharamjaigarhEight elephant calves have died in Dharamjaigarh forest division over the past five months due to drowning, getting trapped in marshland, etc Published on: May 25, 2026 1:27 PM IST By Ritesh Mishra Share via Copy link Three
Trump's confidence is undimmed - but every Iran option comes with risk
In the third week of the joint US-Israeli war against Iran, Donald Trump faces decisions that could define the rest of his presidency.
But if the American commander-in-chief is grappling with a war of choice that seems in danger of spiralling in ways he can't control, those concerns are not playing out in public.
In more than an hour of public remarks at the White House on Monday, he discussed his thinking on the state of the war effort - and also on Kennedy Center renovations, White House ballroom construction plans, this year's World Cup tournament, the health of a Republican congressman and a host of other unrelated topics.
It was classic Trump, as unscripted and wide-ranging as ever. This past weekend, he played golf at his Florida resort. And on his Truth Social website, he devoted nearly as much time to railing about the Supreme Court as he did to discussing the Iran War.
While Trump may be interested in other topics, he is confronting a lesson previous American presidents have learned the hard way - that war can consume a presidency whether they want it to or not.
And evidence continues to mount that a war that Trump had previously said was "already won" and "very complete" now has a timeline that could stretch for weeks or even longer.
On Monday afternoon, Trump announced that the US had requested that a planned presidential trip to China in early April be delayed for a month because of the war.
"The president's utmost responsibility right now as commander in chief is to ensure the continued success of Operation Epic Fury," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said when the move was first reported, referring to the military name for the Iran war.
Over the weekend, the president posted on social media that he was forming a coalition of forces to help protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been threatened by Iranian attacks.
"Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships," he wrote. "One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!
Since his call, however, a growing list of nations – including Japan, Australia and many European powers – have indicated that they are not interested in joining the effort.
"We will not be drawn into the wider war," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday, adding that he was open to a "viable collective plan" to address the situation in the strait.
That leaves Trump with the unpleasant decision of whether to more fully commit the US Navy to securing the narrow waterway through which approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passes.
On Monday, he noted that the US was destroying Iran's minelaying ships – which present a key danger to navigating the strait - but "all it takes is one".
It's a little unfair," he said. "You win a war, but they have no right to be doing what they're doing.
There are some signs the US is taking steps to keep its military options open. Last Friday, US media reported that the president had ordered a Marine amphibious unit, which includes 5,000 soldiers and sailors, from Japan to the Middle East.
If Trump chooses to act, it could put US forces in greater danger due to their proximity to Iran.
If he doesn't act — if he instead announces the US has achieved its objective of significantly degrading Iran's military power and wraps up the American military campaign – Iran could continue to pose a threat to shipping and the price of oil could remain stubbornly high.
In the second scenario, the US may have spent tens of billions of dollars without conclusively altering the Middle East balance of power.
According to Clifford Young, chair of public affairs and strategic insights at polling company Ipsos, an extended surge in energy prices would pose a very real political threat to a president who is already on shaky ground with the American public.
For the moment, he said, polls indicate that Trump's core supporters continue to stick with him even as they have some doubts about the Iran operation and other core issues, like immigration and tariffs. The erosion of his support has come at the margins, among centrist Republican and independent voters.
While the president's popularity, with approval ratings in the low 40% range, should be a concern for Republicans, there's little sign yet that the Iran war is dragging him down significantly.
That could all change, however, if the war affects the issues that Americans tell pollsters they care about the most – the cost of living and affordability.
Prices, particularly for housing, groceries and consumer goods, continue to remain high even as the overall inflation rate has dropped over the first year of Trump's presidency.
At the very least, the war in Iran distracts Trump and his administration from efforts to convince the American public that the president is addressing their economic concerns. And if the cost of gas at the pump – until recently a source of pride for Trump - stays high, it could have dire consequences for his political standing.
The current average cost of a gallon of petrol in the US, according to the American Automobile Association, is $3.72 - a dramatic increase from the $2.94 average price a month ago.
It just blows up everything," Young said. "The affordability agenda gets torpedoed from the Republican point of view.
On the other end of the risk equation for the president is the very real danger that comes with choosing to expand US operations in the Mideast.
With thousands of Marines reportedly on the way to the region, Trump could engage American ground forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz, to control Iranian oil export terminals or to locate and more thoroughly dismantle components of the nation's nuclear programme.
Any use of US troops, however, risks greater outcry from the majority of the American public that is wary of yet another protracted US military engagement, including many of whom believe Trump's campaign promises to avoid foreign wars.
There's a forever war fatigue," Young said. "If we put boots on the ground, that's a whole new risk for the administration. That changes everything.
If the US involvement in Iran continues to be limited to an aerial campaign, however, Trump has time to regain his political footing. While Americans can be quick to blame the president for higher prices at the pump, their anger tends not to linger if those prices go down.
The midterm congressional elections in November are still more than seven months away, giving the president time to find a resolution that avoids a domestic economic crisis.
We don't need anybody," Trump said on Monday. "We're the strongest nation in the world.
The challenge for Trump, however, is that – with or without help – none of Trump's present choices are without risk and the odds of a quick and easy resolution are dwindling by the day.
Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: YouTube suspends pro-Iran account using Lego-style videos to mock Trump Congress approves bill to release Epstein files that will head to Trump's desk Keir Starmer wants UK Plc to win over China’s Xi without annoying Trump Watch | Putin sports peculiar expressions ahead of press briefing with Trum Donald named Europe captain for third time Honduras on edge as vote count drags into third week Telangana local body polls likely to be held in third week of Sep Asia stocks slump and oil rises for third day as markets track Iran war India seek redemption against dominant Australia in third ODI ICC Punishes India For Slow Over-Rate In Third ODI Against Australia
The Canadian Grand Prix was the race in which the Formula 1 title battle finally came alive this year. It was also, however, the race in which it took a potentially decisive turn, putting a huge dent in George Russell's hopes of beating his 19-year-old Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli to the
5 hours ago
CBSE Class 12 answer sheet scanned copies application window ends today, direct link hereCBSE Class 12 answer sheet scanned copies application window will close today, May 25, 2026. The direct link to apply is given here. Published on: May 25
5 hours ago
Microsoft techie couple in Noida breaks down ₹1.6 lakh monthly expenses, says city feels balanced despite rising costsA Microsoft couple in Noida revealed they spent around ₹1.6 lakh monthly while balancing work, lifestyle and family needs. Published on: May 25
5 hours ago
A CBSE Class 12 student has raised serious concerns over the board’s re-evaluation process after claiming the Physics answer sheet uploaded under his roll number does not belong to him. The student shared comparisons of multiple answer sheets and demanded an urgent investigation into the alleged
5 hours ago
Thyroid disorder cases have been gradually rising over the past few years, especially in younger adults and the younger working generations. Even though genes and autoimmune disorders play a role, the way we live our lives is becoming a reason for thyroid problems. We speak to Dr Aravind Badiger
5 hours ago
Sandhu finishes T-63, Sterne wins after gap of 13 yearsSandhu finishes T-63, Sterne wins after gap of 13 years Published on: May 25, 2026 1:47 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Rinkven , Indian golfer Yuvraj Sandhu endured a difficult final day to finish T-63 at the Soudal Open here
5 hours ago
Mumbai's old building redevelopment market grows 16% in 2025; Momentum continues in 2026: DataMumbai real estate: A total of 1,094 development agreements (DAs) were signed between January 2020 and March 15, 2026, according to data from Knight Frank India Published on: May 25
8 hours ago
New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued statewide directions on Bakrid across the state. In a meeting with officials, Adityanath reviewed the festival’s preparedness and also looked into Ganga Dussehra arrangements and actions against illegal activities
8 hours ago
Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek will make permanent a 75% price cut on its flagship V4-Pro artificial intelligence model, keeping prices at a quarter of their original level, the company said in a statement on Saturday. DeepSeek did not disclose whether the permanent
8 hours ago
For years, carbohydrates have been put on trial in the fitness world. Scroll through social media, and you will find countless posts blaming carbs for weight gain, sluggishness, and poor fitness results. Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts respond by cutting carbs drastically
8 hours ago
‘Work culture is not hell’: Man who worked in Europe, UK, Canada and US says Bengaluru’s real problem is commuteA man claimed Bengaluru’s commute, not work culture, is the real reason many professionals feel exhausted. Published on: May 25, 2026 10:56 AM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share
8 hours ago
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their last league outing has brought the curtain down on the top-two battle in IPL 2026, with both finalists now officially confirmed. Although RCB walked away on the losing side
8 hours ago
, which has a global market capitalisation of $343 billion, has advocated modernising India’s power grid to help drive the country’s AI dream, underscoring the intricate linkages and dependencies across multiple domains and utilities crucial to acing the technology that's now grabbing 80% of
8 hours ago
Aishwarya Rai's stylist gets emotional about dressing 'icon' for her high-stakes Cannes return: 'What a week it’s been'Stylist Mohit Rai hails Aishwarya Rai as Cannes ‘legend’, silencing critics with a masterclass in avant-garde couture: ‘Showing the children how it’s done’
8 hours ago
Uttar Pradesh groom murder main accused killed in police ‘encounter’Police said Ravi Yadav, the accused, who carried a reward of ₹1 lakh on his head, was on a motorcycle when he was asked to stop during vehicle checking Published on: May 25, 2026 10:54 AM IST By HT Correspondent Share via
8 hours ago
Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts has announced the birth of her first child. In a social media post, the singer, 40, said her daughter had "arrived healthy and content a couple of weeks ago at 38 weeks" and was "thriving". Photos from her Instagram account show the star holding her baby
8 hours ago
Uber's board met on Saturday to discuss raising its offer for after a major shareholder rebuffed Uber's bid that would value the German food delivery group at over 11.5 billion euros ($13.39 billion), the Financial Times reported on Sunday
8 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Looking for a compact bedroom air purifier? Here's why Qubo R250 is a solid choiceThe compact Qubo R250 punches above its weight with rapid HEPA filtration and smooth smart controls
8 hours ago
May 25 Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for you this yearIf your birthday falls on May 25, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: May 25, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on May 25
8 hours ago
Opposition parties in Kerala accused the Congress of double standards after Kerala’s former chief electoral officer assumed charge as the secretary to Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Sunday, PTI reported. Rathan U Kelkar, a 2003-batch Kerala cadre Indian Administrative Services officer
8 hours ago
In late April, India's Sun Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay $11.75bn (£8.59bn) to acquire New York-listed women's health and biosimilars firm Organon & Co. It marked the biggest overseas acquisition by an Indian company in nearly two decades and followed a string of high-profile international deals
8 hours ago
‘Laughed at me, called me stupid’: Founder of AI data collection firm on Pronto CEO Anjali SardanaHuman Archive founder Rushil Agarwal has taken a swipe at Pronto's Anjali Sardana amid the row around the Bengaluru startup recording inside customers’ homes Updated on: May 25
8 hours ago
In the English translation of Franz Kafka’s short story, Metamorphosis, published in 2007, Michel Hofmann translated the famous opening line (which included the German word “Ungeziefer”, generically meaning insect) in this manner: “When Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from troubled dreams
8 hours ago
Marco Rubio visits Taj Mahal in Agra with wife Jeanette | VideoAfter the Agra visit, he is scheduled to continue his trip to Jaipur later in the day. Updated on: May 25, 2026 10:46 AM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link US secretary of state Marco Rubio visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Monday
8 hours ago
Full Moon May 2026: Astrologer shares how this intense Blue Moon might impact your zodiac signAccording to astrologer Sidhharrth S Kumaar, every zodiac sign could experience this lunar energy differently. Here's what this Blue Moon may mean for you. Updated on: May 25
8 hours ago
Cardiologist reveals the real cause of heart attacks that most people overlook and it’s not just ‘bad cholesterol’Could your gut health be affecting your heart? A cardiologist explains how inflammation, poor sleep, stress, and unhealthy habits may raise heart attack risk. Published on: May 25
8 hours ago
Turkish riot police fired tear gas and forced their way into the main opposition party’s headquarters to evict its ousted leadership on Sunday (May 24, 2026), deepening a crisis at the heart of Turkiye’s democracy. Clouds of tear gas billowed within the Republican People’s Party
8 hours ago
