Trump on Iran:

They started talking about mines, so we hit 28 mine ships as of this moment.

Trump on Iran:

We did a little excursion. We had to take this little couple-week excursion.

But it’s been incredible. Our military has been unbelievable.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Iran's national infrastructure is under attack. This time, a branch of my country's oldest bank was bombed while full of employees. They were laboring to ensure Iranians have food on the table ahead of our New Year.

Our Powerful Armed Forces will exact retribution for this crime.

A Chinese-owned bulk carrier, Hailan Journey, suddenly had to reverse its course near the Strait of Hormuz after nearby ships were hit by Iranian projectiles.

Former PYD (a branch of terror group PKK in Syria) leader Salih Muslim has died in a hospital in Erbil after an illness.

A Tehran resident says civilians expected regime change without widespread destruction, but Israeli airstrikes hitting infrastructure and areas near homes have shattered that hope.

“We weren’t supposed to be bombed,” she said after an explosion near her apartment.

Source: FT

Israel is quietly exploring plans to establish a security presence or potential military base in Somaliland, near the entrance to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The move would give Israel a strategic position to monitor and potentially conduct operations against Houthi forces in Yemen.

The idea follows Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December, opening the door for deeper security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and possibly a permanent foothold near one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

Source: Bloomberg

Chinese sailors filmed Iranian missile strike on the Fujairah oil storage facility in the UAE.

Patriot interceptors attempted two interceptions, firing six missiles, but failed to stop the strike.

Date unknown.

Satellite imagery shows Ukrainian ATACMS and SCALP/Storm Shadow strikes on Donetsk Airport, destroying six garages storing Geran-2 kamikaze drones and causing a major fire in the terminal ruins.

Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Standard Chartered told staff to avoid Dubai offices and work remotely amid Iran attack threats targeting banks and financial institutions in the Gulf.

Source: Bloomberg

EU officials warn the Iran war could push inflation above 3%.

Source: Bloomberg

Trump says the U.S. will release “a little” oil from its strategic reserves.

The Pentagon told Congress the first six days of the Iran war cost over $11.3 billion, with the total expected to rise as more operational costs are calculated.

Source: NYT

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan.

Drafted by Bahrain and backed by 135 countries, the resolution passed with 13 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained.

It reaffirmed support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of GCC states and Jordan, condemned Iran’s attacks as violations of international law, and criticized strikes on civilian infrastructure that caused casualties and damage.

Nearly all U.S. Senate Democrats sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding a “swift investigation” into airstrikes on a girls’ school in Iran that killed dozens of children.

Signed by 46 senators, the letter says most victims were girls aged 7–12 and notes that neither the U.S. nor Israel has claimed responsibility.

Lawmakers asked whether U.S. forces carried out the strike, what steps the military takes to prevent civilian casualties, and whether AI tools were used in the operation.

Source: Reuters

Trump explains the Iran War to his supporters:

We did an excursion. Do you know what an excursion is?

We had to take a little trip to get rid of some very evil people.