White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision on the U.S. becoming involved in Israel's conflict with Iran within the next two weeks."I have a message directly from the president, and I quote, 'based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,'" Leavitt said at a White House briefing quoting Trump."That's a quote directly from the president for all of you today."MAJOR OIL PRICE SHOCK LOOMING AS ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT THREATENS"He's been very clear," she added. "Iran went for 60 days when he gave them that a 60-day warning without coming to the table. On day 61, Israel took action against Iran. And as I just told you from the president directly, he will make a decision within two weeks in."Leavitt said that there have been six rounds of direct and indirect negotiations with Iran. She said that talks continue but declined to provide details.Asked if Trump would strike Iran if negotiations fail, Leavitt repeatedly said the president wouldmake a decision"whether or not to go" within the next two weeks.When pressed about the reliability of that timeline, given previous delays on other global matters, Leavitt said the conflicts are different."PresidentTrump inherited global instability from the last administration. He is always interested in diplomacy but not afraid to use strength," Leavitt said.Leavitt insisted that Iran cannot attain a nuclear bomb, a position repeatedly stated by Trump and Israel."The presidents top priority is ensuring that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon and providing peace and stability in the Middle East."Israel launched an attack on Iran on Friday, targeting its nuclear facilities and taking out some of the country's top military generals. Iran has been respnseinf hitting Tel Aviv and other locations.An Iranian missile barrage hit the Soroka Hospital on Thursday morning, injuring more than 70 people, Israel said.This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

One of the 12 jurors who cleared Karen Read of murder charges in the death of Boston cop boyfriend John O'Keefe explained the panel's reasoning Thursday, a day after her second trial came to a close.The juror also explained brief confusion Wednesday afternoon that arose out of a verdict that jurors later retracted before it was read in court.Judge Beverly Cannone sealed that one. Within minutes, jurors handed down a verdict for real."Everything on that initial slip was the same as the slip that was presented," Juror No. 4, identified only as "Jason," told TMZ Live. He said they pulled the first slip back over the OUI charge operating under the influence of liquor, of which jurors found her guilty.KAREN READ MURDER CASE VERDICT REACHED AFTER DEADLOCKED FIRST TRIALWATCH: Juror No. 4's interview"In our deliberations, we had decided there was enough evidence and proof that she was driving under the influence," he said.Jurors found Read not guilty of murder, manslaughter and fleeing a deadly accident in a trial that stretched on for more than 30 days of testimony and four days of deliberations. The lesser included charge of OUI is the Massachusetts term for drunken driving."I don't know what happened to John," Jason said. "I was only presented a limited scope of what happened at the night, and I can only base my opinion off of the evidence that was shown in the courtroom. So, I don't really know if there was a cover-up or not."I know that's the big conspiracy around it, but I don't really know. All I know is there was a lot of holes in the investigation. Whether they were deliberate holes or not deliberate holes, it's kinda hard for me sitting back to know that you know, what actually happened."He said the defense claim that O'Keefe could have been killed by someone in the house in an attack that involved a dog was an "example of reasonable doubt.""We were tasked with finding ... with deciding this person's fate based on the proof in the evidence that the commonwealth was able to present, and there was a lot of holes," he said.He said another important factor for the jury was video that showed Read's taillight."We could see from the car, after the alleged incident happened, when we could see the taillight it was lit up red, where it shouldn't just have been red," he said. "I don't believe that the SUV collided with John O'Keefe."Still, he added, there was no way for jurors to know whether claims of a "corrupt" police investigation were true."I don't know that there was any corruption going on," he said. "But do I know that there wasn't enough proof or evidence secured by the police to convict Karen Read? Absolutely."Also Thursday, Massachusetts State Police brass broke their silence on the years-long case marred by investigative missteps and the firing of a state trooper who played a central role in the case.Read was accused and acquitted of killing her boyfriend by slamming an SUV into him and leaving him to die on the ground during a blizzard after a drunken argument. Jurors found her guilty only of drunken driving, for which she received a sentence of one year probation and outpatient treatment.Col. Geoffrey Noble, the state police commissioner, said the entire department sends its condolences to O'Keefe's family."The events of the last three years have challenged our department to thoroughly review our actions and take concrete steps to deliver advanced investigative training, ensure appropriate oversight and enhance accountability," Noble said in a statement. "Under my direction as colonel, the state police has, and will continue to, improve in these regards."He said the goal is to deliver "excellent" service and maintain public trust.GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUBJurors did not appear to trust the investigation after four days of deliberation, when they rejected the prosecution's case almost entirely.MASSACHUSETTS TROOPER MICHAEL PROCTOR TERMINATED FROM STATE POLICEThe lead investigator on the case, former State Trooper Michael Proctor, lost his job in March after an internal investigation concluded he shared confidential and sensitive law enforcement information with civilians in a group text, the contents of which were also lewd in nature and mocked Read's health issues.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON XIt was Noble who announced the firing, days before Read's second trial began. Her first trial ended with a deadlocked jury last year after the texts were read in court and Read's defense exposed other glaring flaws in the investigation."It is incumbent upon me, as well as every member of this department, to hold one another accountable when any member compromises our mission by failing to uphold our values," he said at the time.SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERNoble and the department were also sued by true crime reporters and some of Read's supporters over the enforcement of a "buffer zone" around the Dedham courthouse that their lawyers called unconstitutional.Separately, local police in Canton, Massachusetts, were subjected to an external audit that recommended increased training and oversight while dispelling claims of a conspiracy to frame Read for O'Keefe's death.A federal investigation into the case ended without charges against members of either law enforcement agency.

Several Boeing 747s have been spotted on radar leaving China for Iran over the last week, according to reports, sparking concerns that the CCP is helping the Middle Eastern nation transport cargo or people out of the country as Israel continues to strike the countrys nuclear facilities.Starting on June 14th, FlightRadar24 shows that at least five flights traveled from China to Iran, andThe Telegraph reported that the "mystery transport planes" had flown westward along northern China before crossing into Kazakhstan, south through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and then fell off radar as they approached Iran.Additionally, the report indicated that the flights had a final destination of Luxembourg but dont appear to have ever crossed into European airspace.Some experts have speculated that these types of planes are typically used for transport and could be evidence of China aiding its longtime ally Iran during the conflict with Israel, although Fox News Digital has not independently confirmed the nature of the flights.'INSTINCTS FOR RESTRAINT': SENATE DIVIDED OVER WHO GETS TO DECLARE WAR"I think it's important to remember what the relationship is, forty-three percent of China's oil and gas comes from the Middle East, a large volume of that from Iran," Robert Greenway,director of the Heritage Foundations Center for National Defense, told "The Ingraham Angle" on Wednesday night."It likes to buy sanctioned oil below market value, and that fuels the Chinese economy and also its military ambitions, and so, that's the central relationship. They've been relatively quiet in fact, extremely quiet about the current conflict and coming to Iran's assistance. We also know that a large fire in Bandar-Bas port was Chinese solid propellant for missiles that exploded and created a tremendous amount of damage just about a month ago. I think it's unlikely to see Chinese arms shipments under the circumstances to Iran. It's more likely that Iran may be removing material or personnel or regime valuables to safe haven in light of the conflict. I think that's probably the extent to which China is willing to accept the risk associated with the current circumstances."HOW BUNKER BUSTER BOMBS WORK AND HOW THEY COULD DESTROY IRANS FORDOW NUCLEAR SITEIn 2021, Fox News Digital reported that Tehran and Beijing signed a 25-year cooperation deal amidst great fanfare in the Iranian capital.University of Tehran Professor Mohammad Marandi, who is close to the regime, told Fox News that it is about much more than what's on paper."This strategic partnership is important because it allows Iran and China to build a roadmap for long-term relations that will be much more fruitful," he said."Its also a signal being sent to the United States.The more the U.S. tries to isolate Iran and China, the more it causes countries like Iran and China to move more closely to each other."TUGBOATS, CRUISE SHIPS AND FLIGHTS: ISRAEL BEGINS EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF CITIZENS AMID IRAN WARSome have cast doubt on the flights representing a nefarious connection between the two nations, including Atlantic Council fellow Tuvia Gering who posted on X that an aviation expert told him the flights are "nothing to write home about.""There are regular cargo flights by the Luxembourg-based freight company from several locations in China to Europe, with a stopover in Turkmenistan (just a few dozen kilometers from the Iranian border)," Gering wrote."Some flight tracking websites lose the tracking signal shortly before landing and continue to show a projected route that appears to enter Iranian airspace. The sites clearly indicate that this is an estimated path; checking the aircraft tail numbers shows they take off again from Turkmenistan a few hours later, and reviewing the flight history of these routes shows they always land in Ashgabat and do not continue into Iran. All this is before even considering the obvious logic that a major European cargo company is highly unlikely to be the channel through which China transfers its super-advanced, top-secret strategic weapons to Iran."ISRAEL'S WAR WITH IRAN IS A GLOBAL FLASHPOINT. AMERICA MUST LEAD BEFORE IT SPREADSTensions between Iran and Israel have escalated significantly in recent days, with the United States contemplating whether it will get directly involved in striking Iran. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and he is expected to meet with national security and defense leaders again on Thursday."Yes, I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this that Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate," Trump said Wednesday."And I said, why didn't you negotiate with me before all this death and destruction? Why didn't you go? I said to people, why didn't you negotiate with me two weeks ago? You could have done fine. You would have had a country. It's very sad to watch this," the president added.

U.S. troops based in the Middle East could face increased attacks in the coming days or weeks, should the U.S. decide to become involved in the growing conflict between Israel and Iran.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision in the next two weeks whether the U.S. will move forward and strike Iranian nuclear facilities."Yes, I may do it. I may not do it," Trump said Wednesday. "I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate."Meanwhile, Iran has issued a clear message: Doing so will come with consequences. Iran has cautioned that the U.S. will suffer if it chooses to become involved in the conflict, and previously issued retaliatory strikes against bases where U.S. troops were housed after the U.S. killed a top Iranian general in 2020."The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage," Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday, according to state media.The Pentagon has bolstered its forces in the Middle East in light of the growing tensions, including sending the aircraft carrier Nimitz from the South China Sea to join the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson in the Middle East.TRUMP WEIGHS STRIKING IRANIAN NUCLEAR FACILITIES: I MAY DO IT, I MAY NOT DO ITThe Pentagon referred Fox News Digital to Department of Defense spokesperson Sean Parnells Monday statement that American forces remain in a "defensive posture" and Hegseths announcement Monday that more forces had been deployed to the Middle East."Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region," Hegseth said Monday.Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., pressed Hegseth Wednesday for details regarding what contingency plans are in place from drones amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Three U.S. service members were killed in an unmanned drone attack in Jordan in January 2024 that was attributed to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-backed militia."I have no assurance that we have the capacity to safeguard against a swarm of small, lightweight, slow-moving drones that are, in my view, our major vulnerability, and right now, if we engaged in the Iran conflict, would put us and U.S. personnel at risk there," Blumenthal said Wednesday.The U.S. currently has more than 40,000 U.S. troops and Defense Department civilians stationed in the Middle East. Here are some of the countries where U.S. military personnel are based and could face heightened threats:Roughly 2,500 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Iraq as of September 2024, and are assigned to Combined Joint Task ForceOperation Inherent Resolve, according to the Department of Defense. Their role in Iraq involves advising and supporting partner forces in the region to defeat ISIS.Following the 2020 U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, Iranian forces launched ballistic missile attacks at Erbil Air Base and Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, where U.S. troops are stationed.TRUMP SAYS SOMETHING'S GOING TO HAPPEN VERY SOON' WITH IRAN AS HE PUSHES TO NEGOTIATE NUCLEAR DEALAbout 350 U.S. troops are deployed to Jordan at a remote military base known as Tower 22, according to the Department of Defense.In January 2024, three soldiers were killed and another 40 were injured when a one-way uncrewed aerial system struck Tower 22.In May, ten New York Army National Guard soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart for the injuries they suffered in the attack. The Pentagon blamed an Iranian-backed militia for the attack.The U.S. currently operates five bases in Kuwait: Camp Arifjan, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Camp Buehring, Camp Patriot and Camp Spearhead.As of January, approximately 13,500 U.S. troops are based there and primarily are focused on eliminating the threat of ISIS, according to the U.S. State Department.Qatar hosts U.S. Central Commands forward headquarters at Al Udeid Air Base, home of the Air Forces 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, which Air Forces Central Command has dubbed the "largest and most diverse wing" within the command. The wing includes airlift, aerial refueling intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and aeromedical evacuation assets, according to Air Forces Central Command.TRUMP REINSTATES MAXIMUM PRESSURE CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRANNaval Forces Central Command is based out of Manama, Bahrain, where it spearheads a coalition of regional and international partners that are focused on supporting task forces targeting counterterrorism, counter-piracy and maritime security in the region.The Navy first established a base in Bahrain in 1971, which has hosted Naval Forces Central Command since 1983.Just 20 miles south of the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi is Al Dhafra Air Base, home of the Air Forces 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.The wing includes unmanned aircraft including the RQ-4 Global Hawk, a remotely piloted surveillance aircraft.

An attorney representingHouston Texans safety Jimmie Ward says the NFL player will be "vindicated" based on the facts of the case after he was arrested in Texas last week on a felony assault charge.Ward, 33, was arrested early Thursday morning and booked into the Montgomery County Jail. He wascharged with assault on a family member by impeding breathing or circulation, which is a third-degree felony.He was released on a $30,000 bond.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe Texans said in a statement at the time they were aware of the reports surrounding Wards arrest, but had "no further comment" as they gathered more information.Attorney Steve Jackson toldPeople this week that he believes Ward will be "vindicated" as they continue to investigate the allegations made against him."We have been aware of the complaining witness for some time and her actions towards Jimmie Ward as well as another high profile sports figure," Jackson told the outlet. "It is sad that professional athletes and public figures have to endure things like this, but has seemingly become commonplace. But we will continue to thoroughly investigate this woman and her history, and believe that Jimmie will be vindicated."TEXANS SAFETY JIMMIE WARD ARRESTED ON FELONY ASSAULT CHARGEWard spent the majority of his career playing for theSan Francisco 49ers. In nine seasons with the organization, he registered seven interceptions and 451 tackles across 106 games.He entered the 2023 offseason as a free agent before signing a two-year, $13 million deal.Ward signed a one-year contract extension worth $10.5 million before the start of last season. In two seasons with the Texans, Ward appeared in 20 games and registered three interceptions and 98 tackles.According toThe Houston Chronicle, Wards attorneys filed a motion this week to modify his bond agreement because of the GPS ankle monitor, which they claim interferes with his profession. A ruling on that motion was not made, but Ward is due back in court on July 16.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Pro wrestling legend Bubba Ray Dudley will return to "WWE Legends & Future Greats" for the second season of competition as the next crop of talent looks to earn an NXT contract.Dudley, one half of the famed pro wrestling tag team the Dudley Boyz, told Fox News Digital ahead of the start of the second season there will be mix of those who came up short in the first season and new faces in Season 2. He said he believed the intensity level for those competitors returning from Season 1 will be turned up a notch."I think fans can expect the same from Season 1 in Season 2 of LFG only with the level of seriousness a lot higher," he said. "I think a lot of the returning future greats from Season 1 realized how serious this show really is and how big the competition really is and what it truly means."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMDudley pointed to the impact Jasper Troy has made on the NXT roster almost immediately. Troy stepped up to challenge NXT champion Oba Femi and became one of only a few opponents Femi looked to struggle against."Jasper didnt win the match, but he certainly caught the eye of wrestling fans all over the world. Definitely got the WWE Universe to sit up and take notice about who he was," Dudley said. "Jasper Troy was throwing Oba Femi around the ring like no other competitor ever has."So, to get the opportunity to go through LFG to get that contract, put on TV, be put in situations where you can face Oba Femi, huge deal. And I think that the people from Season 1 returning know that I believe it is a much more serious season with the stakes. Even though the stakes are the same, the level of intensity are kicked up."Zena Sterling was one of Dudleys students from Season 1 who will compete in Season 2. She came up just short of earning an NXT contract, losing in the Season 1 finale to Tyra Mae Steele. An injury hampered Sterling at the end.Dudley had high hopes for her with Season 2 about to begin.WRESTLEMANIA 42 TO TAKE PLACE IN LAS VEGAS ONCE AGAIN"I believe Zena Sterling is the most popular future great coming out of Season 1. Tyra Mae Steele won the contract, but everyone was talking about Zena," Dudley said. "Zena did a phenomenal job on Season 1 maximizing all of her television time. Zena does a phenomenal job maximizing her social media, and, in my opinion, Zena should have won Season 1."A knee injury at the absolute worst, worst time just days before the finals at Madison Square Garden knocked her down to 50%. Even at 50%, it was a struggle for Shawn Michaels to give that contract to Tyra."WWE NXT, they know what they had with Zena Sterling, and Zena is coming into Season 2 on a mission and that mission is to win. I dont speak as highly as I do about Zena just because she is on my team. I would speak just as highly if she was on Bookers team or Michelle McCools team or Undertakers team. This girl has it all. She has the it factor, Zena is going to be a big deal in the WWE and a force to be reckoned with in the womens division one day."Dudley named a few others fans should look out for, including mens Season 1 runner-up Shiloh Hill, Haze Jameson, Elijah Holyfield, Bayley Humphrey, Sirena Linton and Dani Raye.He told Fox News Digital he was proud to have the ability to mold the next generation of superstars and hoped the 16 competitors will take a step forward and compete for a contract in WWE."WWE Legends & Future Greats" Season 2 debuts Sunday on A&E at 10 p.m. ET.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

"The View" co-host Joy Behar said she felt an obligation to speak out about President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday and said she hoped to influence people's thinking during a "Behind the Table" discussion.Producer Brian Teta asked Behar, who has been with the show for 26 years, what she likes about doing the ABC talk show and why she's been on it for so long."It's because of the freedom to speak my mind, that has always been the attraction," she responded, before talking about other parts of her career. "I like the people I work with, number one, I like everybody.""I also feel an obligation to speak about the administration that were in the midst of, and I feel like were in a privileged position to say certain things and that we, you know, we can actually influence peoples thinking sometimes, even if its a little bit, that were in a lot of trouble in this country right now, and that I like the idea that we can say stuff that people will listen to," she said.'THE VIEW' MELTS DOWN OVER LATEST BIDEN BOOK, SLAMS CNN FOR 'HAWKING' ITBehar was also asked about the many political figures she's gotten to interview on the show and about why politicians come on the talk show."We can show them the way they are in real life, the way they really are," Behar said. "I've met Hillary Clinton many times. She's different when she's running for office, and she's all scared to make a mistake. When she's herself, she's very funny. She should have come on The View more, I think at that time. In fact, somebody screwed her up, somebody in her campaign said, dont go on,' and it was a big mistake."Behar said Clinton was a grandma, wife and mother and was much more than just someone who ran for office.The co-hosts also talked about Sunny Hostin's viral question posed to former Vice President Kamala Harris last year during the 2024 campaign, as Teta joked that the liberal co-host had "single-handedly taken down the Democratic Party" when Harris' bungled answer went viral.'THE VIEW' INSIDER SOUNDS ALARM AS DISNEY BOSS URGES HOSTS TO COOL OFF POLITICAL CHATTERHostin defended her question about whether Harris would have acted differently at any point during President Joe Biden's first term, saying it was one Harris should have expected. Harris memorably said she couldn't think of anything she'd have done differently than the unpopular Biden, and the soundbite became fodder for the Trump campaign that Harris was more of the same."I knew it instantly when she answered it," Hostin said during the podcast conversation, when asked by Teta if she knew it would be a viral moment. "Which is why I asked the follow-up question, is there one thing?Because I knew, I could see the soundbite and I knew what was going to happen, but I thought it was a really fair question and I thought it was a question that she would expect."Biden appeared on the show in May for one of his first interviews since leaving the White House.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREThe former president blamed racism and sexism for Harris' loss during the conversation."I wasnt surprised, not because I didnt think the vice president was the most qualified person to be president," Biden said. "She is. Shes qualified to be President of the United States of America. I was surprised because they went the route of, the sexist route, the whole route. I mean, this is a woman, shes this, shes that. I mean, Ive never seen quite as successful and a consistent campaign undercutting the notion that a woman couldnt lead the country, and a woman of mixed race."

EXCLUSIVE: Top congressional Iran hawks were about to depart for the U.S. from the Middle East on Wednesday, when two members of the delegation spoke to Fox News Digital about what they were seeing on the ground.Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., said they visited Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and were in the United Arab Emirates as of Tuesday, meeting with leaders and discussing the armed conflict between Israel and Iran."Over the course of the last week, we have seen just a dramatic escalation, particularly by Iran threatening the region," he said, adding that he is also spearheading the Iranian Maximum Pressure Campaign Act, which comprises 47 pieces that give President Donald Trump leverage over Iranian "Supreme Leader" Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei.Nunn, a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force who conducted intel-reconnaissance missions off Russia and China said Gen. Erik "Gorilla" Kurilla has his "full support" after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated Tuesday he would defer to the CENTCOM commander on Iranian strategy.1,500 JEWISH AMERICANS EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL AS DESANTIS SPONSORS RESCUE FLIGHTS TO TAMPA"[Kurilla] has been very clear here that Iran needs to take the offramp from its nuclear enrichment program. In fact, he was one of the ones that highlighted here the real threat coming from a nuclear Iran, both to its neighbor Israel, and other nations across the Middle East. The United States has a very important role to play here in deterrence," he said.Arab allies like the UAE recognize that Iran presents the greatest "existential threat" to peace in the Middle East, Nunn said, adding that as a veteran of the War on Terror, he doesnt want to see U.S. service members return to combat in the region.Forty thousand troops, however, are stationed in non-combat roles in the region, and are in range of Iranian weapons if Tehran escalates.Nunn warned that the porous southern border has also opened up the likelihood that Iranian proxies are already inside the U.S., and cited reports Tehran was connected in some way to the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania.He and Panetta, son of former CIA Director Leon Panetta, said the reason they came together in a bipartisan showing to Mideast leaders was that while they may not disagree politically on every issue, Congress is united with Mideast allies.BILL CLINTON URGES TRUMP TO 'DEFUSE' ISRAEL-IRAN CRISIS"There's a real opportunity here for our Arab partners and Israel to stand together in deterring Iran. The U.S. should not be the policeman for the world. There are certain capabilities that only the United States can provide in this scenario. That includes deep penetration strikes to eliminate the nuclear reactor and the enrichment program that Iran's produced. But ultimately, this is also up to the Iranian people to decide what they want for their future."Panetta said he hopes the trip helped lay an even stronger basis for other nations to align with the Abraham Accords forged by Trump in his first term."The conflict between Israel and Iran broke out on Thursday, before the Friday we were to get here. And so that sort of changed a few things and unfortunately prevented us from going into Israel. However, we were able to have very substantive meetings with some of the leadership in Saudi Arabia, in Bahrain, and here in the United Arab Emirates before we have to fly out tonight," Panetta said."And what we heard consistently is -- none of them want a nuclear-armed Iran."Like Nunn, Panetta also does not want boots on the ground, saying that when or if Tehrans government falls or surrenders, as Trump wants, the change must come "from within."Members of both parties arent looking to trigger regime change through force, he said, but they do want to see Tehrans nuclear ambitions defeated.And, when it comes to concerns about stability after seeing Iraq and Libya falter after strongmen were ousted it will be up to the Iranian people at that point how to proceed, the lawmakers said.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"The purpose of Israel's bombing, at least from what we've heard, was to destroy their nuclear capabilities. It was not for regime change," Panetta said."However, if the people see this as an opportunity, then that's something that basically, I think now more than ever, would be the right time for the people of Iran to rise up."Given the rare bipartisan agreement on the Iran issue in an otherwise fractured political environment, the Democrat added that he will always work with anyone to support both his constituents, and whoever, including Trump, wants to have substantive discussions to solve pressing problems like Irans nuclear capabilities, "forever wars," and that Israel retains the right to defend itself."[Those] are bipartisan issues that I think we can work together on," Panetta said.

The Indiana Pacers enter Thursday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on the brink of elimination.The Thunder defeated the Pacers in Game 5 to take a 3-2 NBA Finals series lead. Even if the Pacers are able to stave off elimination on Thursday, Game 6 will mark the final NBA playoff game this year that is played in Indianapolis. The series would shift back to Oklahoma City for Game 7, if necessary.Several hours before Game 6 tipped off, the Pacers shared a rallying cry with the team's supporters. "One more time, Indiana," the Pacers wrote on X on Thursday morning.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"This is itthe final home game of the season. One last chance to fight. To believe," a graphic posted to the Pacers social media account read. "Gainbridge Fieldhouse has been electric all year, but this time we'll be louder. Wilder. More relentless than ever. We bring the chaos from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Because tonight, we leave it all out there."The Pacers then encouraged fans to create a raucous atmosphere by standing up and waving their yellow towels. "So get on your feet. Wave those towels. BE DOMINANT. BE DEAFENING AND ABOVE ALLBELIEVE."The Pacers said the team will "fight to see another day."Meanwhile, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is fighting his way through a strained right calf. Even as the start of Game 6 looms, Haliburton's status for tonight remains a question mark.ONE WIN AWAY! OKC ON VERGE OF NBA FINALS TITLE; CAN THE PACERS RESPOND?"I think I have to be as smart as I want to be," the star guard said Wednesday. "Have to understand the risks, ask the right questions. Im a competitor. I want to play. Im going to do everything in my power to play. Thats just what it is."Meanwhile, Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the cusp of a nearly unprecedented season when it comes to individual honors.He is the favorite, as of now, to win NBA Finals MVP. He has already won the NBA MVP award for this season, meaning he could be the first double MVP since LeBron James did it with Miami in 2011-12 and 2012-13.Gilgeous-Alexander took the NBA's scoring title this past season as well.Thursday is also the 25th anniversary of the end of Indianas most recent appearance in the NBA Finals before this season.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio says he was nearly attacked on Thursday by what he calls an "unhinged, deranged man" who had a Palestinian flag."The deranged hatred in this country has gotten out of control. Today I was run off the road in Rocky River, and the life of me and my family was threatened by a person who proceeded to show a Palestinian flag before taking off," Miller, who is Jewish, wrote in a social media post.Miller, who served as a reservist in the U.S. Marines and worked as a White House aide in President Donald Trump's first administration before first winning election to Congress in northeastern Ohio in 2022, said that he filed a report with the U.S. Capitol Police as well as with the local police.Rocky River Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that the incident was reported and that it has launched an investigation but could not offer any more details.RISING ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE, TERROR ATTACKS IN US SPUR HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE HEARING"We know who this person is and he will face justice," Miller said."As a Marine, a proud Jewish American and a staunch defender of Israel, I will not hide in the face of this blatant antisemitic violence."JEWISH REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER TALKS ANTISEMITISM IN AMERICA AFTER DEADLY DC SHOOTINGMiller, in a video posted to social media, added that "I will continue to fight against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all other forms of hate."And speaking directly to the person that he said tried to run him off the road, Miller added that if "you have an issue, take it to our office. You want to run me off the road. That's a different story."Cases of antisemitism and hate crimes towards Jewish Americans have surged in recent years, particularly since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, according to a survey last year by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The ADL is an international non-governmental organization founded to combat antisemitism and other forms of bigotry.froc