Iran’s Embassy in South Africa posted this.

Netanyahu held a key phone call with Trump shortly before the Iran strike, using it as a final push to argue that the moment was uniquely favorable for action.

He pointed to intelligence suggesting a rare opportunity to target Ali Khamenei and framed the strike as both strategically decisive and historically significant, even suggesting it could reshape Iran’s leadership.

Although Trump had already approved the idea of military action and was leaning toward a strike, he had not finalized the timing or conditions.

Source: Reuters

While Trump says he’s holding talks with Iran, the U.S. is still deploying thousands of troops against Iran.

— USS Boxer ARG + 11th MEU (~2,500 Marines).

— USS Tripoli ARG + 31st MEU (~2,200 Marines).

Total in region: 50,000+ US troops

82nd Airborne Division (paratroopers):

Training exercises canceled → put on alert.

Immediate Response Force on standby for rapid deployment (can deploy within ~18 hours).

USS Abraham Lincoln (active combat)

USS Gerald R. Ford (temporarily in Greece)

150+ aircraft, subs, destroyers, etc.

Possible 3rd carrier preparing.

What they’re preparing for:
• Reopen/secure Strait of Hormuz
• Possible limited operations:
• Kharg Island (oil hub)
• Coastal strikes / seizures
• Not planning a full invasion

Political / current status
• Trump hinted at winding down if talks work.
• Announced a 5-day pause on some strikes.
• BUT buildup continues anyway.

U.S. officials say Iran has placed around a dozen naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: CBS News

Since March 12, U.S. has flown 35+ C-17s (with more coming) into the Middle East.

Cargo = troops + equipment (Army, Air Force, Navy), not just supplies.

Main staging points: Israel (Ovda Air Base) and Jordan (key air bases).

Flights originate from major rapid-response bases (e.g., Fort Liberty, JBLM) → suggests combat-ready units.

Stephen Miller praised Trump for several minutes. After he finished, Trump turned to Kash Patel and said, “Kash, see if you can top that.” Then Kash Patel began praising him as well.

Trump:

Could I have taken Elvis Presley in a fight?

Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaee:

The war will continue until all damages are compensated, all economic sanctions are lifted, and a guarantee is obtained that the United States will not interfere in Iran’s affairs.

This is the decision of our nation, our leader, and our armed forces.

Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaee:

If you strike our infrastructure, it will no longer be “an eye for an eye”—it will be “a head for an eye”; you will be crippled.

U.S. and Israeli officials increasingly view securing the Strait of Hormuz as the most realistic endgame of the conflict, shifting away from earlier ambitions like regime change and fully stopping Iran’s nuclear program, which they now consider unlikely to succeed.

Source: WaPo

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf:

Iran is fighting for humanity.

The world is either with Gaza and against this colonial terror regime, or it stands with the Epstein class and child torturers. There is no middle ground.

Thousands of U.S. Marines are set to enter the Middle East on Friday—the same day as Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

About 2,200 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with the USS Tripoli and USS New Orleans, will move into Central Command, though it will take a few more days to reach the strait.

Source: WSJ

Eight people were killed and 83 others were injured in the crash, according to local authorities.

Source: AFP

The Trump administration will pay about $1 billion to French energy company TotalEnergies to cancel planned offshore wind farms off the U.S. East Coast.

In return, the company will shift investment toward oil and gas projects, including LNG exports.

Trump administration is quietly considering Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a potential negotiating partner—or even future leader.

But officials are still “testing” options, and many insiders are skeptical Iran would cooperate or accept U.S. influence.

“He’s a hot option… one of the highest. But we got to test them.”

“It’s all about installing someone… you’re going to give us a good deal on the oil.”

Source: Politico

Stephen Miller sighs as Trump talks about his war against Iran.

Kim Jong Un:

North Korea’s status as a nuclear power is irreversible.

Traders placed about $580 million in oil bets roughly 15 minutes before Trump posted about “productive” Iran talks.

Around 6,200 Brent and WTI contracts were traded just before the announcement, after which oil prices fell sharply and stock markets jumped.

The timing has raised suspicions of possible insider knowledge, though there’s no proof and officials deny wrongdoing.

Source: FT

BIG: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are edging closer to joining the fight against Iran after repeated attacks on their energy infrastructure and cities.

Saudi Arabia has begun allowing U.S. forces to use its bases, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is now eager to re-establish deterrence and is close to deciding to join the attacks—meaning it may be only a matter of time before the kingdom enters the war.

Source: WSJ

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US-Israeli strikes reportedly hit energy facilities in Iran’s Isfahan and Khorramshahr, according to Iranian media.

Targets included a gas administration building, a pressure station, and a pipeline, with no reported casualties.

The attacks came despite Trump saying he had postponed strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days following talks with Tehran.

A fire broke out Monday at a diesel hydrotreater unit at Valero’s Port Arthur refinery in Texas, causing severe damage and a partial shutdown.

A few minor injuries were reported, and nearby highways were closed as a precaution.

The refinery, one of the largest in the US, may face further shutdown decisions.