Zelensky on Netanyahu:

He has what I need and I have what he needs.

I am ready for this dialogue. I think it’s an important dialogue.

Zelensky on Reza Pahlavi:

He wanted to meet and to speak about the future...

I think that a lot of people in Iran — civilians — want to live a normal life and to be free.

Trump:

Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) Semifinal. They are looking really great. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately!

I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?

The Trump administration has told Cuba that progress in negotiations requires President Miguel Díaz-Canel to step down.

The goal isn’t full regime change, but a symbolic leadership shift to enable economic reforms and improve U.S.–Cuba relations.

Díaz-Canel is seen by U.S. officials as a hard-liner and a replaceable figurehead, while real power remains with the Castro network.

In return, the U.S. is pushing for economic opening, political prisoner releases, and reduced influence of older communist officials.

Source: NYT

Another tanker was attacked near Fujairah, UAE, according to UKMTO.

The Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Front (PMF) released footage showing an FPV drone flying freely near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Trump said he spoke with a former U.S. president who told him he wished he had bombed Iran, but aides for all four living former presidents — George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden — said no such conversation happened.

Trump didn’t name who he meant, and the White House hasn’t explained the conflicting claims.

Source: NBC News

A fire aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford burned for over 30 hours, displacing more than 600 sailors and injuring at least two.

The blaze started in a laundry area and left many crew members without beds or working laundry facilities.

The carrier, already on a prolonged deployment, is now in its 10th month at sea and may be extended to a full year—far longer than typical missions.

Source: NYT

Marco Rubio ordered American diplomats worldwide to push governments to quickly act against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran-backed groups due to an “elevated risk of attack.”

The directive urges countries to increase pressure on Iran, label groups like Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, and coordinate efforts—potentially with Israel—to weaken Iran’s military and proxy networks.

Source: ABC News

Iran is in talks with FIFA to move its 2026 World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico, citing safety concerns after comments from Trump about not guaranteeing the team’s security.

FA chief Mehdi Taj said the team won’t travel to the U.S. under those conditions.

Iran is scheduled to play group games in Los Angeles and Seattle, though withdrawal remains possible.

Zohran Mamdani on whether he supports Irish reunification:

“I gotta be honest, I haven't thought enough on that question.”

U.S. intelligence warned Trump before the attack on Iran that retaliation against American allies in the Gulf was a likely outcome, even if not certain.

Despite this, Trump later said he was surprised when Iran struck countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Source: Reuters

The U.S. has lost roughly ~10% of its MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet during operations against Iran.

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine

Gulf Arab states didn’t initially support war with Iran, but are now urging the U.S. not to stop until Iran can no longer threaten regional oil routes.

This shift follows Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf airports, ports, and energy facilities, along with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Gulf leaders now see Iran as a direct and ongoing threat.

Source: Reuters

READ MORE

Sri Lanka has introduced a weekly Wednesday holiday for public institutions to reduce fuel use.

Retired French General Michel Yakovleff on why France shouldn't join Trump's Hormuz coalition:

It's not the time to buy a promo ticket for the Titanic.

On the Titanic, the captain, it seems, wanted to sell cheap tickets for the dinner dance after hitting the iceberg.

You do not reinforce failure. I learned that at the American War College. You do not reinforce failure.

You find something else, you move elsewhere, but you do not reinforce failure.

So there are lots of reasons to say no to Trump.

Israel’s Defence Minister Katz welcomed soldiers accused of r*ping Palestinian detainees after charges against them were dropped.

Netanyahu welcomed it, calling the soldiers "heroic warriors" and the original case a "blood libel."