U.S. official to Axios:

If the Iranians can't strike a deal with Vance, they don't get a deal. He's the best they're gonna get.

African Farmers Desperate as Hormuz Crisis Halts Fertilizer Supply

The war on Iran is spiraling into a global food crisis, as Hormuz closure choked off fertilizer supplies, sending shockwaves through farming communities in Africa & worldwide amid surging food price.

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U.S. officials say they can confirm only about one-third of Iran’s missiles have been destroyed in the ongoing conflict.

Another third is likely damaged or buried in underground sites, but not fully verified.

Despite heavy U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran still has a significant missile stockpile and continues launching attacks—possibly holding some weapons in reserve.

The findings contradict Trump’s claim that Iran has “very few rockets left.”

Source: Reuters

German Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume confirms they are in talks with Israel's Rafael to convert its Osnabrück factory to manufacturing components for the Iron Dome:

We are not talking about weapons systems.

Inside the White House, aides say Trump is already mentally moving on from the Iran conflict.

A senior official said:

“[Trump] is getting a little bored with Iran. Not that he regrets it or something — he’s just bored and wants to move on.”

Source: MS NOW

Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid:

The government is sending the army into a multi-front war without the necessary means, and with far too few soldiers...

The Chief of Staff reported to the Cabinet that the regular forces are in complete collapse.

The army does not have enough soldiers for its missions.

Iran War Renders Somalia's Tuk-Tuk Drivers Jobless Amid Oil Surge

The war on Iran is triggering an immediate economic shock in Somalia, where soaring fuel prices have forced three wheeler tuk tuk drivers off the streets, as global energy disruptions ripple through its vulnerable economy.

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The Iran national football team honored the Minab schoolgirls by holding small backpacks during the national anthem.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed four Army officers—two of whom are Black and two of whom are women—from a one-star promotion list, an unusual move that has raised concerns about possible racial and gender bias.

Army leaders had resisted for months, citing the officers’ strong records, but Hegseth overruled them.

Source: NYT

Two Chinese COSCO container ships tried to leave the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz but turned back, despite Iran saying Chinese vessels could pass safely.

Source: Reuters

At least 303 American troops have been wounded nearly a month into the war with Iran, officials say.

Most injuries are traumatic brain injuries caused by drone and explosive attacks.

Of the wounded, 273 have returned to duty, while 10 suffered serious injuries.

Source: ABC News

Israel targeted Iran’s two major steel hubs — Mobarakeh and Khuzestan — hitting power systems, production lines, and storage to disrupt steel output and supply chains.

Steel is a key strategic sector in Iran.

German Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume on China:

China’s rise didn’t happen suddenly. It’s 30 years of deliberate planning. What looks sudden is actually decades of execution.

What took decades suddenly accelerated, almost exponentially. After COVID, it felt like we had missed years of progress. China didn’t pause. It pulled ahead.

China didn’t just import products, it absorbed knowledge. They understood the technology, then built their own industry. The student has become the competitor.

Technology in China is advancing at an incredible pace. Entire industries are emerging almost overnight.

There’s a lot we can learn: structure, discipline, and execution.

Spain Rushes to Algeria in a Scramble for Gas Amid Energy Crisis

Europe’s deepening energy crisis has forced Spain into urgent talks with Algeria to secure more gas, as disruptions linked to Iran war rattle global markets, pushing countries to scramble for reliable supply before shortages tighten further.

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