Ambassador Michael Leiter, Senator Mark Warner, Congressman Mike Turner

This episode of Face the Nation examines the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict and its global repercussions, featuring key figures including Israeli Ambassador Michael Leiter, Senator Mark Warner, and Congressman Mike Turner. The discussion centers on the collapse of high-stakes negotiations in Pakistan, where Vice President J.D. Vance failed to secure Iran’s commitment to abandon nuclear ambitions, leading President Trump to announce a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. While the U.S. and Israel maintain a unified front, internal disagreements emerge over strategy, with Senator Warner warning of the dangers of a ground war and questioning the feasibility of regime change, while Congressman Turner defends the administration’s goals as essential to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. The economic fallout is severe, with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva detailing a global energy crisis affecting supply chains, food prices, and economies worldwide, particularly in Asia and vulnerable nations. Public approval of Trump’s handling of the war has plummeted to 36%, driven by rising gas prices, lack of clarity on objectives, and inconsistent messaging. Despite broad public support for core goals—stopping Iran’s nuclear program, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and ensuring Iranian freedom—Americans feel the war is poorly managed and lacks a coherent plan. The episode closes on a hopeful note with the successful splashdown of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission, symbolizing human achievement amid geopolitical turmoil.