Trump cranks up pressure on Iran as Democrats try to hold him in check

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VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE FRI, JAN 10, 2020 CNBC POLITICS EDITOR'S NOTE Hello,      This is CNBC.com politics reporter Jacob Pramuk, in for Mike Calia.    The U.S. and Iran stepped back from the edge of an armed clash this week. It doesn't mean sharp tensions in the Middle East have evaporated.    The Trump administration slapped new sanctions Friday on Tehran, targeting senior government officials and the metals industry. The White House did so after it hit Iraqi bases housing U.S. forces in Tuesday missile strikes. No Americans were hurt.   Despite the apparent deescalation, the prospect of a military conflict has consumed Washington this week. The House voted Thursday to try to rein in Trump's military powers in Iran. The GOP-held Senate may not follow suit.    The specter of another Middle East war swallowed up nearly all other topics this week — including impeachment of President Donald Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi still has not said when she will send House-passed impeachment articles to the Senate and kickstart a trial on whether to convict Trump and remove him from office.    The president will soon get to focus on a topic he'd much rather talk about. The U.S. and China will sign "phase one" of their trade deal next week in Washington. Trump says he wants to start talks toward a second phase "right away" — but when the world's two largest economies complete an agreement is anybody's guess.   Thanks for reading.   Thoughts? Email me at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.     Have friends or colleagues who might like this newsletter? They can sign up here. For more on the intersection of business and politics, sign up for the weekly Capital Exchange newsletter here. Mike Calia @Michael_Calia KEY STORIES  Trump slaps new sanctions on Iran following strikes on US targets The Iranian officials targeted by the Treasury "have advanced the regime's destabilizing objectives," the department said in a press release. State Department tells Iraq it will not discuss US troop withdrawal The latest revelation from the State Department further deepens confusion over plans for U.S. troops in the region. Mike Pompeo: 'We don't know precisely' when or where Soleimani planned to attack Defense Secretary Mark Esper claimed Soleimani "for sure" had plans to attack U.S. targets "days" before he was killed. Here's how far Iran's missiles can strike Iran, which boasts one of the largest and most diverse missile portfolios in the Middle East, uses its arsenal to project power throughout the region. Diplomatic crisis: Pressure builds on Iran as Western powers suggest it downed Ukraine plane "If the preliminary assessments prove accurate, the diplomatic fallout for Iran will be significant in the short term," Eurasia Group said. House passes resolution to limit Trump's war powers against Iran The measure calls for Trump to stop military force against Iran within 30 days if he does not have congressional approval. Pete Buttigieg unveils $1 trillion infrastructure plan Pete Buttigieg is pledging to direct federal funds to state and local governments to revitalize the nation's transport networks, clean water supply and broadband internet. Polls show a logjam at the top of the 2020 Democratic field in Iowa and New Hampshire With only weeks until the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries, polls show virtual ties among Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg.       Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2020 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS