Hegseth:

We’ll be hanging around. We’re not going anywhere.

We’re going to make sure Iran complies with this ceasefire and ultimately comes to the table and makes a deal.

Hegseth on Iran’s buried enriched uranium:

They will either give it to us, as the President has laid out — they’ll give it to us voluntarily — or we’ll get it.

We’ll take it. We’ll take it out.

Or, if we have to do something else ourselves, like we did in Operation Midnight Hammer or something similar, we reserve that option.

Hegseth:

Iran would be wise to find a way to get the message out to their troops in remote locations not to shoot anymore one-way attack drones or missiles, because sometimes it takes time for ceasefires to take hold.

Hegseth:

We had some military targets on Kharg, which was a signal. They can’t defend it, and so the Iranians ultimately understood their position — their future.

Their ability to produce and generate power to fuel their regime was in our hands. It was in President Trump’s hands. That’s why they came to the table.

He ultimately made clear: we can take it all from you. Your ability to export energy can be taken away, and the United States military has the ability to strike those targets with impunity.

That type of pressure is what brought them to the point where they effectively said, “Okay. We want to cut this deal.”

Hegseth:

The more Iran moves forces and the more they reposition, the more easily targetable they become for us right now.

Remember, we’re able to look. We’re able to see. We’re able to sense. We know where they are.

So if they try to pre-position, they’re just creating more ripe military targets for us to strike.

Hegseth:

Nothing we’ve done — not a single thing we’ve done — has put an American troop in more harm’s way.

Hegseth:

I would love to see the Iranian people take advantage of this opportunity. They have been oppressed by the previous regime, and they may now have a new opportunity with this regime. That remains to be seen.

That was not our objective in this effort.

Hegseth:

The UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait — all of whom have fought shoulder to shoulder with us, especially in defense of our facilities and our people, as well as their own facilities.

We appreciate that, and that coordination will, of course, continue.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez:

The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.

BREAKING: First ship passes through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran’s permission following the ceasefire.

BREAKING: Iran demands $1 per barrel on oil transiting the Strait of Hormuz — payment to be made in cryptocurrency.

Source: FT

JD Vance:

I wasn’t even aware that Zelensky had said that he was going to send private soldiers to Orbán’s residence until yesterday.

Viktor actually told me that, and then I went and looked it up.

I almost couldn’t believe it’s true, but it’s true. It’s completely scandalous.

Initial estimates from Israeli strikes in Lebanon indicate around 100 killed and 500 wounded.

Lebanese Prime Minister:

Our friends are called upon to help us stop the Israeli attacks by all means.

INTERESTING: For the first time in history, Europe is set to overtake China in terms of annual births.

📸 Hezbollah's cemetery in Beirut’s Dahieh district after multiple Israeli strikes.

Türkiye plans to expand tax breaks at the Istanbul Financial Center (IFC) to attract global firms—especially those leaving conflict-affected regions—and boost Istanbul as a regional finance hub.

New law will increase incentives for companies at IFC.

Goal: attract firms from Gulf & East Asia amid Middle East instability.

Source: Bloomberg

Pew Poll: Dislike of Americans for Israel & Netanyahu Rising Sharply

A growing share of Americans are turning away from Israel & its leadership, with a new Pew survey revealing a widening backlash - especially among youngsters - as frustration builds over war, leadership, & the direction of U.S. foreign policy.

READ MORE

"Iran Begged for Ceasefire" - Pentagon Claims Total Victory

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says U.S. achieved a “total victory”, with Iran allegedely "begging for a ceasefire". He warned that Washington may seize nuclear material & strike again if Tehran violates terms.

READ MORE

BIG: Iran says it will withdraw from the ceasefire if Israel continues attacks on Lebanon and is preparing potential responses.

A source warned Tehran could retaliate by force if violations persist.

NEW: Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has reportedly stopped following Israel’s strikes on Lebanon.