US President Donald Trump snapped at a female reporter on Monday who asked whether he had "ruled out" using nuclear weapons against Iran, calling it a "stupid question" while confirming he had indeed ruled the option out. He argued there was no need, as Iran had already been "totally defeated militarily," and dismissed the country as a "failed nation" with rampant inflation and no functioning currency. His comments come amid a six-month conflict that has cost 18 American lives and $37.5 billion, and follow reports of internal military unease over the war's demands on US forces.

The exchange, with News Nation's Libbey Dean, echoed a similar rebuke Trump gave PBS reporter Liz Landers in April over the same question. Separately, US military leaders reportedly "non-concurred" with a Pentagon plan to keep over 50,000 troops on alert, warning it could hinder responses to other threats, though Trump dismissed the concern. The nuclear option had previously been raised by Pentagon official Elbridge Colby, prompting conservative commentator Tucker Carlson to call for Trump's impeachment over even discussing it.