The Latest: Trump turns to a dual economic and military approach in latest attempt to squeeze Iran

Confronted by an intransigent Iranian government that's refused to back down in the face of a massive military campaign, President Donald Trump appears to have settled on a dual-prong approach that combines economic pressure with the potential of a devastating escalation in force.Vice President JD Vance on Thursday rejected the use of the word “war” to describe the U.S. fighting with Iran as he steered clear of predicting that the 6-month-old conflict would be over by November’s midterm elections, in which Republicans are trying to hang on to their narrow majorities in Congress.Here's the latest:Hiring perked up last month in the latest sign of a choppy job marketU.S. companies and other employers added 162,000 jobs last month, an improvement from recent months of sluggish hiring, while the unemployment rate stayed a low 4.1%.The figures suggest businesses are optimistic enough about the economy to expand and gives the Trump administration and Republicans running for Congress a positive talking point heading into midterm elections.Still, average hourly wages grew 3.1% from a year ago, usually a decent figure but below the August inflation rate of 3.4%.

That means Americans are losing purchasing power even amid an otherwise healthy economy.Big job gains were recorded in manufacturing, construction, and restaurants, bars, and hotels.Midterm mail ballots start to go to voters as litigation over Trump’s order creates uncertaintyStatewide mail voting for this year’s midterm elections kicks off Friday amid a churning legal battle over President Trump’s attempts to limit the practice and mounting concern over Postal Service changes that some state officials blame for a rise in rejected ballots.The developments have created a sense of uncertainty about a popular voting method used by one-third of the nation’s voters.North Carolina on Friday is scheduled to become the first state to widely distribute mail ballots for this year’s elections, which will determine the balance of power in Congress for the remainder of Trump’s term.Election officials said that while they’re closely monitoring the litigation, ballots will be mailed out as expected and the state is prepared to administer a secure election even if the new limits go forward.▶ Read moreRubio heads to South America to visit right-leaning leaders friendly with the Trump administrationSecretary of State Marco Rub… Statewide mail voting for this year’s midterm elections kicks off Friday amid a churning legal battle over President Donald Trump’s attempts to limit the practice.