US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers as Midterm Voters Push Back on Data Centers

Mojtaba Khamenei Named as Replacement for His Father

Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the replacement for his slain father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel has threatened to target any successor, and global markets are absorbing surging oil prices that have hit $100 per barrel for the first time since July 2022.

Tehran Rejects Ceasefire Demands

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected calls for a ceasefire in an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press. He stated that Iran needs to continue fighting for the sake of its people.

Araghchi declined to specify whether Russia has been providing intelligence support. However, he noted that Moscow is helping in many different directions.

Mounting Casualties Across the Region

Hundreds of people have died across the Middle East as hostilities persist into a second week.

In Iran, at least 940 people have been killed by Israeli and American strikes, according to Iranian state media reports. Meanwhile, 11 people have died in Israel from retaliatory strikes. Israeli strikes have also killed nearly 400 people in Lebanon, and at least seven American troops have died in the wider conflict.

Washington Debates War Responsibility and Funding

President Trump told reporters he believes Iran is behind a strike on an elementary school that killed at least 168 people. This claim contradicts preliminary findings from his own administration indicating that a U.S. munition was most likely responsible, according to sources.

On Capitol Hill, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to commit to blocking additional funding for the war. He told Meet the Press that Trump has failed to justify the conflict so far, but added that lawmakers will cross that bridge when they get to it.

Midterm Fallout and Voter Disapproval

Inside the United States, a new national NBC News poll indicates that majorities of registered voters disapprove of President Trump’s handling of key issues as the midterm election year begins.

Voters gave Trump his lowest marks on the economy, with 62% expressing disapproval of his handling of inflation and the cost of living. While he received stronger marks on border security, 54% of voters disapproved of his handling of immigration overall.

As political parties begin nominating candidates for the congressional midterms, Democrats maintain an advantage in the battle for legislative control. Fifty percent of registered voters say they prefer Democrats to win control of Congress this fall, compared with 44% who prefer Republican control, according to the NBC News poll. Voters across the political spectrum show a preference for ideological alignment over electability, while the electorate overall holds a negative view of both major political parties, led by independent voters.