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

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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."

US Embassy in Baghdad Comes Under Attack

The US Embassy was targeted in a coordinated drone and rocket assault — one of the most intense in recent months.

At least 3 drones and 4 rockets used

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Qatar’s Defense Ministry intercepted an Iranian missile attack, with explosions also reported in Dubai.

13 of 14 missiles destroyed, no casualties reported

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Five major Western nations — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom — have urged Israel to avoid a large-scale ground offensive in Lebanon. Leaders call on Hezbollah to disarm and stop attacks on civilians.

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EU Says Iran Is ‘Not Europe’s War’

The European Union has no intention of directly entering military conflict with Iran, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, emphasizing that Europe has no appetite for an open-ended war despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.

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Journalists Watchdog CPJ Demands Release of Journalists Held in Darfur by RSF

Committee to Protect Journalists MENA Director Sarah Qudah demanded RSF release 3 Nyala Radio journalists detained since February 28 in South Darfur in Sudan without charges, warning of rising arrests & disappearances of media workers during the war.

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A major Pakistani airstrike with fighter jets hit a large drug rehab hospital in Kabul last night, reportedly killing hundreds (400+) and injuring ~250, according to Taliban officials.

The Taliban accuse Pakistan of deliberately targeting a civilian facility, while Pakistan denies this, saying it carried out precision strikes on militant targets only.

IRGC Spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari mocks Trump in English:

The outcome of war is determined in the field, not by tweets.

The very place where you and your forces do not dare to approach and you can only talk about it in your tweets.

It’s better to name this war as “Epic Fear” instead of “Epic Fury”.

BREAKING: Ali Larijani was among the targets hit in Iran last night by Israel.

Source: Israeli Broadcasting Authority

Multiple Blasts Kill at least 23 in Maiduguri Markets & Hospital in Nigeria

Nigeria police said blasts in Maiduguri killed at least 23 and injured 108 after suspected suicide bombings at a hospital and markets, underscoring escalating violence in Borno amid ongoing attacks by militants.

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