The UK is sending more troops and air defence systems to the Middle East to help allies counter potential Iranian attacks, Defence Secretary John Healey said.

The Pentagon is considering deploying an anti-drone laser system at Fort McNair in Washington, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio live, after reports of drone activity nearby.

Source: NYT

NEW: Two of the U.S. Air Force’s new EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jets have arrived in the U.K. and could soon deploy to the Middle East.

They would give CENTCOM America’s most advanced long-range jamming capability; disrupting enemy communications, air defenses, and command systems, while also providing ISR (intelligence and tracking).

SOURCE

Prof. John Mearsheimer on Iran War:

He (Trump) can’t walk away. He’s stuck. He’s going up the escalation ladder.

He’s looking for a way to win this. The problem is, he can’t fix it.

Escalation is not a strategy. The Iranians can outlast us.

Are we going to accept defeat? This is the United States of America — we don’t lose.

Once you move up the escalation ladder, it’s very hard to climb back down.

I don’t see how he gets out of this without doing something with those ground troops.

📸 Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa & the Big Ben.

American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in central Baghdad in broad daylight.

Armed men stopped her car on a busy street, pulled her out, and fled.

Iraq’s Interior Ministry confirmed the abduction, arrested one suspect after a vehicle chase, and says search operations are ongoing.

No group has claimed responsibility.

Iranian President Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran is willing to end the war, provided its demands are met—especially guarantees that any aggression will not happen again.

Senator Graham to Trump:

Wind down the war and wind up efforts for an historic peace deal.

NOTE: Ultimate decision-making power in Iran does not rest with President Pezeshkian.

Israel says it will stop all arms purchases from France, citing France’s increasingly critical stance.

A defense official said Israel will instead rely on domestic production and “friendly” countries.

Source: POLITICO

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Iran has not responded to any of the 15 U.S. proposals and has not submitted any proposals or conditions of its own.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Iran is “prepared for any ground confrontation” and hopes its adversaries do not miscalculate.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Iran continues to receive messages from Witkoff, but this does not mean negotiations are taking place.

These messages include “warnings or mutual viewpoints” sent through various regional channels.

No formal negotiations with any specific party are underway, and the exchange of messages is conducted through the Foreign Ministry in coordination with security institutions.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Iran “will not agree to a ceasefire” and is calling for a “complete end to the war across the entire region.”

White House official to Al Jazeera:

We are speaking with the right people within the Iranian system, and they are eager to reach an agreement.

Trump is confident that an agreement will be reached soon.

Egypt’s pound has sharply devalued, with the USD/EGP rate rising to around 54.8, marking roughly a 15% drop in one month (near 20% in recent moves).

Netanyahu:

We have proven that our air defense systems are the best in the world.

Many countries are requesting our assistance because they know we are number one in both defense and offense.

Netanyahu:

We are working on transforming Israel into a supernation in the region and globally.

Netanyahu:

The trillion dollars Iran invested in destroying us has been wasted.