🎧 NPR’s Greg Myre says the president's choice of words when discussing the deal grabbed his attention. Trump said he didn't want to be another Herbert Hoover, the president who presided over the Great Depression. He also said that world oil supplies would run out within four weeks. In the early stages of the war, Trump demanded Iran’s "unconditional surrender." Now, he says he is ending it to prevent an economic crisis. Myre points out that while this deal aims to end the conflict, the president still used belligerent language, saying he has the right to resume the war. Iran stands to gain significantly from the deal, as it would be able to sell its oil freely on the global market, providing a substantial immediate benefit. If they reach a final agreement, all U.S. and UN sanctions are supposed to be lifted. That is still a big “if,” Myre says. But for the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran could operate without these extensive restrictions, marking a shift in the longstanding efforts by the U.S. and its allies to pressure the nation with punitive measures.

➡️ More than three months after the U.S. and Israel initiated their war on Iran, the repercussions are felt globally. Here are some key areas where the war's costs are already evident.

🎧 Many economic factors are working against Republicans this year, including high gas prices, soaring inflation, tariff policies and the war with Iran, NPR's Stephen Fowler says. This survey was conducted before the latest memorandum of understanding, which could potentially bring about a change in the conflict in Iran. The persistent pessimism about the economy, which dates back to the Biden administration, is particularly strong among independents. Strategists from both parties warn that this situation could lead to a shift in key races, with some voters who once supported Trump gravitating back to Democrats who propose solutions for rising prices. A portion of Trump’s most loyal supporters may choose to stay home on Election Day.

🎧 Democrats are concerned about what Pulte could do with access to the entire government surveillance toolkit, NPR’s Eric McDaniel says. Republicans are frustrated by Pulte's lack of experience in national security and intelligence. The Senate is supposed to vet cabinet positions, but the president's decision to block the confirmation of a full-time official denies them this constitutional responsibility, McDaniel says.