U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum:

From the time that we've spent working with those folks in Eastern Europe, the closer they are to Russia, the more aligned they are with President Trump, and the more aligned they are on energy policy.

NASA FIRMS data indicates a fire at Israel’s Ben Ami military base following an Iranian ballistic missile strike.

The base hosts the IDF’s 6920th Transport Battalion and is a major storage facility.

Source: EGYOSINT (at X)

German Chancellor Merz on Trump:

He’s not exactly on very good terms with me at the moment.

German Chancellor Merz on MAGA:

The MAGA movement is not our movement. What they are doing with culture and media, how they deal with each other, is not our understanding of democracy.

We have a different understanding.

German Chancellor Merz on climate:

Of course we agree on the goal. But on the way to get there — do you really want to deindustrialize Germany?

German Chancellor Merz on democracy:

In a dictatorship, everything happens quickly — most of it wrong.

In a democracy, things sometimes take longer. There has to be debate, there has to be struggle — and where the media are free, it will be reported.

Senator Ted Cruz:

Anyone who believes Israel killed Charlie Kirk has lost their mind.

Tucker Carlson:

I don’t want Israel to be destroyed.

I don’t want any country to be destroyed at all.

Senator Graham:

We should consider removing U.S. bases from countries who won’t let us fly from them as we confront the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism who has been hellbent on developing a nuclear weapon and was extremely close to achieving that goal.

Spain’s refusal to allow American aircraft stationed in Spain to fly in support of Operation Epic Fury is an insult and an outrage to the alliance.

Mr. President, I think America’s interests would be well-served to move those aircraft from Spain to a country that we can actually rely on in a time of great need. I trust your judgment.

Trump:

We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran.

The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!

If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated.

NEW: Trump is considering several limited military options that could involve sending U.S. troops into Iran, but no decision has been made.

The ideas being discussed include securing shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, seizing key oil facilities to pressure Iran economically, or recovering enriched uranium.

Any operation would likely be relatively small—ranging from hundreds to a few thousand troops—rather than a large-scale invasion like Iraq or Afghanistan.

Source: NBC News

GRAPHIC: Iranian woman records her own death in U.S. / Israeli double tap strike on a civilian neighborhood.

The US will start accepting new F-35 jets without radars due to delays with the APG-85, leaving them airworthy but non-combat capable and limited to training.

If delays persist, over 100 jets could be affected and later require retrofits.

Source: Breaking Defense

Spain approved a €5 billion emergency package (~80 measures) to offset energy price shocks from Iran War.

Key steps include cutting VAT on fuel and energy to 10% (up to €0.30/litre cheaper fuel), reducing electricity taxes by ~60%, and providing a €0.20/litre subsidy for transport, agriculture, and fishing sectors.

The plan targets 20 million households and 3 million companies.

BIG: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are moving closer to supporting the US-Israel war effort by expanding base access and preparing for a longer conflict.

Officials say attitudes in Riyadh have shifted toward “supporting the US war as a way to punish Iran,” but both states remain cautious, warning that direct offensive involvement could “open a can of worms.”

Source: MEE

🇺🇸 Around $1 trillion was wiped off the US stock market today, as major indices dropped 1–2% amid escalating Middle East tensions.

US 1-year inflation expectations surged to ~5.2% (highest since 2023), driven by the energy shock from the Middle East conflict.

MORE: Saudi Arabia has opened King Fahd Air Base to US forces.

More US troops are deploying to the region.

UAE signaled it is ready for a long war (up to 9 months).

The US is pushing Saudi Arabia to join offensive operations.

NEW: Iran issued an urgent warning to the residents of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE to evacuate via designated routes, saying the city could be targeted due to involvement in actions against Iranian islands.

The statement adds local authorities had been previously warned and would bear responsibility for any consequences.

BREAKING: New U.S. license allows the sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on ships between March 20 and April 19.