Geopolitical Crisis & International Relations - The G7's effectiveness is questioned due to the president's early departure during a geopolitical crisis [2][3] - The US signals to Iran that it must either accept a deal to prevent nuclear weapon development or face potential military action from Israel and the US [4][5] - US officials estimate Iran is days away from assembling the fissile material needed for a nuclear bomb, but months away from delivering a weapon [8] - Israel views preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as an existential matter, while the US, though not seeing it as existential, is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining such weapons [9] - The US and Israel are closely aligned regarding Iran [10] US Foreign Policy & Power Dynamics - The president's early departure from the G7 is partly a power play, demonstrating his focus on urgent matters like Iran [11][12] - Trade is a lower priority for the US president compared to the Iran situation [12][13] - The US president prioritizes the Iran issue as an urgent matter [13] Military & Security - The Fordo nuclear installation is under consideration for potential military action by the US, requiring B2 bombers with 30,000-pound bombs [5] - Iran's defenses and proxies are weakened, making them unable to successfully strike Israel due to Israel's strong defenses [7]

We're not looking for a ceasefire. I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire. We were looking for better than a ceasefire. What specifically is better than a ceasefire.What are you looking for here. An a real end, not a ceasefire. And then so something that will be permanent.Yeah. Or or uh giving up entirely. Is that okay too.Are you close there. Is are you possible. Is that possible in the next 24 hours.Certainly possible. We'll come down so hard if they do anything to our people. We'll come down so hard ...

For more on the conflict, let's bring in Trita Parsey, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute and Tom Danenbomb. He's a professor of international law at the Fletcher School at TUS. Welcome to both of you.Uh Treata, I'll start with you. And um it does appear, I mean, signs are pointing in that direction that um the Iranians are asking uh for a pause of some kind, some kind of truce here. I don't know the word to use.Um what more do you expect in order to come to some kind of international agreemen ...

Geopolitical Landscape & Nuclear Proliferation - The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated, potentially pushing Iran to pursue nuclear weapons more aggressively for deterrence against future Israeli military actions [5][6] - Iran was reportedly weeks away from having enough uranium to potentially develop a nuclear bomb, and the Israeli attack may have delayed this [3] - The IAEA has reported that Iran is not complying with the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, raising concerns about its nuclear program [2][5] Potential Military Actions & US Involvement - A crippling strike on Iran's Fordo facility, a key element in Iran's ability to quickly develop a nuclear weapon, would likely require direct US military assistance [6][7] - Israel might attempt to cripple Fordo through alternative means, such as collapsing the entrance or disrupting its power supply [7][8] - The US administration faces a difficult decision on whether to directly intervene to take out Fordo, to prevent Iran from rapidly developing a nuclear weapon [10] Regional Implications & Potential Retaliation - If the US becomes directly involved, Iran is expected to retaliate with all available means, potentially escalating the conflict regionally [12] - Potential Iranian responses could include Houthi involvement, targeting American personnel or bases, attacking Gulf oil infrastructure, or attempting to close the Strait of Hormuz [13]

All right, joining us right now to talk more about Israel and Iran, specifically the impact for China and the energy markets, is Shazad Kazzy, the COO of the China Beige Book. And Shazad, this is a little different than what we usually bring you on to talk about. Geopolitics obviously flaring up in a big way.You're here to tell us what that means for for China, the other big superpower in the world. Yeah, I think the the key thing for China is first of all, they've already come out and said that they are op ...

Geopolitical Risks - Military action against Iran carries significant perils, as Iran is not isolated like Iraq or Libya [1] - Iran is a central player in BRICS, with 90% of its oil exports going to China [1] - Iran signed a defense agreement with Russia in January, indicating it has support from major global powers [1] - Potential for escalation into a larger, unmanageable conflict is real due to Iran's alliances [2] International Relations - Iran has significant allies representing the majority of the world's population, economy, and land mass [2] - Preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is a reasonable goal [2]

Joining us now, we have former Israeli ambassador to the US, Michael Ern. Ambassador, we just got a security alert uh coming out of the US embassy in Jordan, saying the US embassy has indications there may be missiles, drones, or rockets flying over Jordanian airspace. It's urging American citizens to exercise caution uh due to high tensions in the region.But I want to ask you about those high tensions in the region. We saw the US State Department quietly move a lot of people out of those uh the consulate i ...

Geopolitical Situation & Security Concerns - The Tel Aviv Institute reports that Tel Aviv residents are living in fear, seeking shelter from missile attacks, with at least seven people injured [1] - Israel faces potential increased tensions with Iran amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, straining military resources [1] - The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly threatened Israel's existence, creating a climate of fear and the need for self-defense [1][3] - The analyst hopes that Israelis and Iranians would remember they have more in common than the governments that divide them [1] Military & Strategic Actions - Israeli officials indicated that the attack was planned for April but postponed, then executed due to concerns about Iran's nuclear enrichment levels [2] - Israel felt it had no choice but to attack due to the perceived threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon [4] - The analyst credits the security forces and MSAD (Mossad) for the operation to deter Iran from achieving nuclear power, which would destabilize the Middle East and threaten the world [7] Political Implications - The analyst acknowledges that the situation with Iran benefits Prime Minister Netanyahu, despite being an opponent of his policies [5][6] - The threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran is a long-standing issue, not solely related to Netanyahu's leadership [5]

of staff. That was during President Trump's first term, co-chair of ACTUM. Now, Mick, uh, your thoughts, please, on look, a lot of people were saying that the president kind of intentionally like he knew about this days ago, didn't say anything to the Iranians.We've seen now the what that has meant. What more do you expect of the Iranian response. Um, a bunch of different questions there.What to expect of the Iranian response. It's hard to say. It's hard to know what they still have available to them.I gues ...

Welcome back to Squawk on the Street. Stocks just hitting session lows right now. We're down over a percent on the S&P. The Dow's down around 700 points.Our next guest said back in January there was a 100% chance that Israel would target Iran's nuclear infrastructure this year. And that is exactly what happened overnight. Joining us now is Lieutenant General HR McMaster, former National Security Adviser and Hoover Institution senior fellow.Lieutenant General, it's great to have you on on a day like today. T ...