US House votes to limit Trump’s war powers

US President Donald Trump admitted criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calling him “crazy” in a phone call, saying he was “a little concerned” that Israel’s attack on Lebanon was affecting his peace talks with Iran.

The US President admitted this during an interview on the “Pod Force One” podcast. He also played down the tension between the two, insisting that he and Netanyahu are on solid terms.

“We’ve worked very well together. I like Bibi very much. And I work very well with her,” Trump said.

Netanyahu also dismissed the matter in an interview with American business news channel CNBC, saying that although they had “strategic disagreements”, they “agree on the main things.”

The Israeli Prime Minister said, “He respects me. I respect him. We always find a way to overcome our differences.”

Trump’s comments are a rare confirmation of growing pressure on him to end the Iran war, which threatens global commerce, economic stability in many countries and the president’s own political future.

The US House of Representatives has backed a resolution demanding a halt to US military action in Iran, a symbolic but clear blow to US President Donald Trump, who is in the middle 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 have a slight majority in the House of Representatives.

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

Still, it is a sharp political message for Trump as Republicans and Democrats prepare for crucial midterm elections in November.

“This is a loud and clear message to Donald Trump on behalf of the American people: It is time to end his deeply unpopular and illegal choice in Iran,” the Democrats posted on Twitter.

Talks between Washington and Tehran appear to have stalled in yet another effort to end months of conflict in the Middle East.

The US and Iran have sent conflicting messages in recent days, with Tehran saying on Wednesday that “no concrete progress has been made”. This comes as Trump is expressing optimism by telling reporters that a deal could be reached “over the weekend”.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire on Wednesday under US mediation. However, the temporary pause is already being tested as firing between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah continues.

In Kuwait, the military condemned an alleged Iranian drone attack 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 by the US Patriot air defense system.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump admitted that he had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “crazy” and that Netanyahu was complicating Washington’s peace talks with Iran.

We’ve got all this and more to come. Stay tuned!