Senator Chris Murhpy on Iran's nuclear program:

The president has also said over and over again that a goal of the war is to permanently deny Iran the ability to have nuclear weapons.

But in our closed-door briefings, we learned that this is not actually a goal of the war plan.

It is not a goal of the war to destroy Iran’s nuclear program — which is not surprising, because you cannot destroy Iran’s nuclear program from the air.

You cannot destroy knowledge. You cannot hunt down with missiles every Iranian scientist who knows how to build a nuclear reactor.

And much of the material is buried so far underground that it is immune to an air campaign.

But then why is the president and the Department of Defense telling the American people that the point of the war is to destroy Iran’s nuclear program?

Senator Graham on Iran:

Do you see any American ground troops? I don't see a need for it.

This is not Iraq.

Senator Graham on Iran:

What we've done in 11 days is beyond what I thought we could do.

There are weeks more of this coming. Then we'll make an assessment.

UK MP Sorcha Eastwood:

I havent been able to get this kid out of my mind. Such a wee gent setting off for his day and his precious life extinguished in a needless war of greed, aggression and insanity. Horrifying and painful.

Senator Chris Murphy:

The strait (Hormuz) has effectively been closed for ten days. There is no plan to reopen it.

And it is getting worse, not better, as news broke today that Iran is, for the first time, mining the strait.

We cannot discuss every detail of this on the Senate floor, but we all know that once mining begins, it becomes very difficult — if not impossible in the short term — to counter.

If the strait remains closed for weeks or months, that would trigger a global economic catastrophe.

This war is costing us at least $2 billion a day. There are no achievable war aims. The goals shift from day to day.

There is no plan to manage the consequences and fallout for the citizens of the Gulf.

You saw stories today of additional missiles raining down on our Gulf allies.

You probably know that they, much faster than we are, are running out of the interceptors that stop those missiles.

There will be increased deaths in the region very soon because we did not have adequate supplies ready for our allies in the region to protect themselves against an onslaught of Iranian aerial attacks.

BREAKING: Iranian kamikaze drones hit a French military base near Erbil Airport in northern Iraq, wounding six French soldiers.

Iraqi sources claim a French helicopter caught fire after being struck by suicide drones in Erbil.

🛰️ Satellite imagery shows a huge impact crater at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, reportedly caused by an Iranian Khorramshahr-series ballistic missile with a very large warhead.

BREAKING: CENTCOM says a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft was lost during Operation Epic Fury in friendly airspace.

The incident involved two aircraft: one crashed in western Iraq while the other landed safely.

CENTCOM said the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

Rescue operations are ongoing.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić:

Serbia will not join NATO and intends to maintain its neutrality.

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is the U.S. Air Force’s primary aerial refueling aircraft, in service since the late 1950s.

Crew: typically 3 — pilot, copilot, and boom operator.

About 550 aircraft remain in service out of 732 built.

Netanyahu on Iran:

These achievements are increasing the status of Israel as a superpower more than ever.

Our threats come and go. But when we become a regional superpower and in many respects a global superpower, we have the power to push away threats and ensure our future.

The lost KC-135 aircraft was carrying 6 crew members.

No words on their condition.

Source: CBS

CBS reporter says the other KC-135 aircraft “was hit, but landed in Israel.”

Trump on Iran:

Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.

The U.S. issued a 30-day waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil that is currently stranded at sea, aiming to stabilize global energy markets disrupted by the Iran War and shipping problems in the Strait of Hormuz.

A power struggle inside the White House is shaping Trump’s shifting messages about the Iran War.

Some advisers warn that rising oil and gas prices could damage public support and urge a quick, limited end to the conflict, while hawks push for continued military pressure on Iran.

Trump has alternated between claiming victory and saying the fight must continue.

Source: Reuters

French President Macron:

Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins from Varces died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq.

Several of our soldiers have been wounded. France stands by their side and with their loved ones.

The U.S. has used years’ worth of key munitions, including expensive Tomahawk missiles, since the start of the Iran War.

The rapid depletion is raising concerns about military stockpiles, high war costs, and the ability to replenish weapons.

The Pentagon plans to request up to $50 billion in additional funding, which could trigger a major political fight in Congress.

Source: FT

Senator Ted Cruz on Iran:

Mossad’s intelligence penetration is extraordinary.