Discussions are taking place about a possible ceasefire with Iran in return for the reopening of the Hormuz Strait.

The officials said it is unclear if a deal can be reached.

Source: Barak Ravid

A 99-year-old Iranian woman was reportedly killed in U.S.–Israeli airstrikes in western Tehran.

The U.S. has lost 16 MQ-9 Reaper drones since the Iran war began, including two near Isfahan this week.

Each Reaper costs around $30 million — making the losses potentially worth nearly $500 million.

Source: CBS

West Bank Shops Close to Protest Death Penalty Bill for Palestinian Prisoners

Israel’s Knesset approved death penalty for Palestinian pisoners, triggerring a West Bank strike Wednesday amid global condemnation. Rights groups warn the descriminatory bill violates international law & deepens tensions in occupied Palestinian territories.

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JD Vance has been communicating with Pakistani intermediaries about the Iran conflict, signaling that Trump is open to a ceasefire if U.S. demands (like reopening the Strait of Hormuz) are met.

He also warned Iran that failure to agree could lead to increased pressure on its infrastructure.

Pakistan is acting as a go-between, and Vance is taking a growing role in negotiations as the conflict enters its fifth week.

Source: Reuters

Armenia's Pashinyan to Putin:

Armenia is not participating in the work of the CSTO because the authorities cannot explain to the Armenian people why the organization did not intervene in the situation in Karabakh.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei:

I emphatically declare that the consistent policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following on the path of Imam Khomeini and the martyred Leader, is to continue supporting the Resistance against the Zionist-US enemy.

NEW: Concerns are growing that Trump may settle for Iran war’s achievements and declare it over.

Source: Israeli Broadcasting Authority, citing an Israeli source

📸 Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where they discussed strengthening UK–Syria cooperation.

King Charles expressed support for Syria and the Syrian people’s efforts to rebuild the country.

BREAKING: Trump threatened to stop weapons for Ukraine unless Europe joined Hormuz coalition.

Source: FT

BIG: Switzerland is threatening to cancel its U.S. Patriot missile defense order and has already stopped payments, because the U.S. pushed Swiss deliveries back.

It worries the Patriot dispute could also mess up its much bigger F-35 fighter jet purchase and even other U.S. weapons/support contracts.

Source: Breaking Defense

Chinese firms are reselling surplus LNG — including cargoes linked to Russian projects — at two to three times the original purchase price, exporting record volumes to Asian buyers such as Japan, despite Tokyo’s sanctions on Russian energy.

Source: Reuters

The Pentagon is sending 18 more A-10 Thunderbolt II planes to the Middle East, doubling its fleet there.

Source: NYT

Trump:

We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow “Birthright” Citizenship!

A dense wave of African dust swept across Crete, Greece, reducing visibility and disrupting flights.

A former Trump envoy, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, has joined the advisory board of Powerus, a U.S. startup working with Ukrainian drone companies to supply tech to the U.S. military.

The United Arab Emirates has asked the United Nations to approve urgent action — including possible military force — to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed.

WATCH: Aftermath of U.S. or Israeli strikes on another artillery ammunition depot near Isfahan, Iran.

The area reportedly hosts massive artillery stockpiles, as two Iranian Army ground artillery groups are based there.

A U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jet pursued an Iranian Shahed-136 drone but could not shoot it down over Iraq.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker:

President Trump is evaluating and reevaluating everything.

Whether that is our involvement at NATO… whether that is our support to the European efforts in Ukraine… or anything else the United States is doing.

Everything is on the table.

BREAKING: Trump will deliver a primetime Oval Office speech declaring the Iran war is “winding down” and that U.S. objectives have been met.

He is expected to declare victory while shifting responsibility for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to European and Gulf allies.

Source: Politico