Iranian Defense Minister:

Some terrorists died due to heavy drug use. Organizers distributed industrial drugs to intensify violence, and in some cases leaders killed their own members with close-range shots to fabricate deaths and incite public emotions.

Iranian Defense Minister:

Targeted attacks on religious and cultural sites and the burning of the Quran show that these actions had security and terrorist objectives, not protest or livelihood-related aims.

Reporter: You called China a "global disruptive power." Do you still believe that's the case or has your language around China softened?

Canadian FM Anita Anand: This is a new government with a new Prime Minister, a new foreign policy and a new geopolitical environment.

It is necessary for us to diversify our trading partners and to grow non-US trade by at least 50% over the next 10 years.

NEW: Trump administration officials are considering using private military contractors instead of U.S. troops to protect oil and energy infrastructure in Venezuela.

The goal is to reassure oil companies that their assets can be secured long term without a large U.S. military presence.

Security firms with regional experience—potentially including groups linked to Trump allies—are already positioning themselves.

Source: CNN

Arab governments believe tensions between the US and Iran have eased after intense diplomacy urged Trump to avoid military action. Regional states warned a strike could destabilise the Gulf and raise global energy prices.

US–Iran communication reportedly reassured Trump that Iran had halted killings of protesters and planned no executions, reducing fears of imminent conflict.

While some US military movements continue and options remain on the table, officials say Washington is giving talks time to develop, at least for now.

Source: FT

French President Macron:

To remain free, we must be feared. To be feared, we must be powerful. And to be powerful in this world so brutal, we must act faster and act stronger.

Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Iceland, Billy Long, joked that Iceland would become the 52nd U.S. state and he’d be its governor.

Source: Politico

French President Macron:

We are in a world where destabilizing powers have awakened; we have seen it in recent years.

The difference is that we see certainties that sometimes lasted for decades being called into question. And Europe is being shaken in some of its certainties.

It has competitors it did not expect to see, and it sometimes has allies we thought were predictable, unshakeable, always by our side, who are starting to cause a lot of doubt...

NEW: Reuters reports the security alert at the U.S. Al Udeid air base in Qatar has been lowered, and U.S. aircraft that were moved out earlier this week are now gradually returning.

French President Macron on Greenland:

France has decided to join the exercise scheduled and launched by Denmark, in a sovereign and independent manner, within the framework of ‘Arctic Endurance.’

A first team of French military personnel is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days by land, air, and sea resources.

Trump:

If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State.

Hegseth meets with Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi.

Senior Saudi official to AFP:

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman convinced US President Donald Trump to “give Iran a chance.”

French President Macron on the Oreshnik:

We have just observed, for the second time, the firing of a very long-range missile by Russia. This is a very clear signal from a power that has decided to equip itself with such capabilities.

We are within range of these shots. If we want to remain credible, we Europeans — and particularly France — must seize these new weapons that will change the game in the short term.

The U.S. has seized another Venezuela-linked tanker.

Source: Reuters

Macron:

Where Ukraine was eminently dependent on American intelligence capabilities by an overwhelming majority a year ago, today two-thirds are provided by France. Two-thirds.

Putin:

Long-standing conflicts are escalating, new hotspots of tension are emerging, and the search for solutions is being replaced by dangerous unilateral actions.

Putin:

We want to hope that difficulties and hardships, as well as mutual conflicts, will remain in the past.

Senator Graham on reports that Trump is de-escalating on Iran:

All the headlines like these are examples of reporting that are beyond inaccurate.

The circumstances around the necessary, decisive action to be taken against the evil Iranian regime have nothing to do with President Trump’s will or determination.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Quite the opposite. Stay tuned.

Putin:

We will always continue to help our Cuban friends.

WATCH: Under Operation Southern Spear, U.S. forces seized the tanker Veronica in a pre-dawn operation.

The vessel was operating in violation of Trump’s quarantine on sanctioned ships in the Caribbean.