103 days into a war Donald Trump promised would never happen, the United States is striking targets inside Iran and along the Iranian coast for the third straight day. The Secretary of Defense announced the US would target bridges and power plants. Legal scholars say those strikes are unconstitutional. International law experts say targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime.

This morning, Trump announced the US would be taking Kharg Island, Iran's most important oil hub. Senator Patty Murray called it a quagmire. Iran's lead negotiator called it a quagmire. Military and constitutional scholars called the strikes illegal. Six hours later, Trump posted on Truth Social that the strikes were cancelled and a peace deal was done.

Iran was not on the list of countries that approved the deal. Iran has not commented. This is the 39th time Trump has announced a peace deal is ready to be signed.

Grant also breaks down why 265 ships are still stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, what it means that the US has drawn down its own oil reserves to historic lows, and what Mike Johnson said when asked whether Congress should authorize the war — and then ran away from the cameras.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 The US is back at war with Iran. Three days of strikes. Here's what changed.

1:30 Sponsor: Cozy Earth

3:00 The helicopter Iran shot down, the rescue, and the US airstrike response

4:15 Why these strikes are unconstitutional: no Congressional authorization, no War Powers justification

5:30 Mike Johnson asked if Congress should authorize the war. He ran away from the cameras.

6:45 Senator Ron Johnson: Congress can't be trusted to know about its own wars

8:00 Targeting power plants and bridges: why Hegseth's "on our terms" is an admission of war crimes

9:30 The covert oil mission: 100 million barrels through the Strait, 265 ships still stranded

11:00 Trump says "I love inflation." The White House spin vs. what oil executives are actually telling the administration.

12:30 Kharg Island explained: why taking it means boots on the ground and a full-scale ground war

14:00 55% of Americans oppose any invasion. Support for the war is now at minus 20.

15:15 Six hours later: the invasion is off. Peace deal number 39 is announced. Iran wasn't consulted.

16:45 103 days of a war Trump promised would never happen. No end in sight.

PROMO CODES

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Summer nights and a chaotic news cycle are a rough combo — at least your sheets shouldn't make it worse. Cozy Earth's bamboo sheets and brushed bamboo pajamas are temperature-regulating, insanely soft, and built for actually sleeping cool. Use code MIMS25 at CozyEarth.com for 30% off — and when you do, you're also supporting the show.

Support the show

Follow along on social media

SaySo: @GrantHermes
X: @GrantHermes

Insta: @Grant__Hermes

Tiktok: Grant_Hermes