Trump asked Netanyahu on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to support Iran negotiations.

Source: NBC News

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Iran negotiations:

Two weeks may not be sufficient to resolve all of this.

If the parties reach an agreement, the ceasefire may be extended for a longer period, allowing negotiations to continue.

NATO's Rutte:

This alliance is not whistling past the graveyard, as you would say in the United States.

Allies recognize, and I recognize, we are in a period of profound change in the Transatlantic Alliance.

NATO's Rutte:

Europe is assuming a greater and fairer share of the task of providing for its conventional defense, and from that there will be no going back, nor should there be.

This is a move from unhealthy codependence to a transatlantic alliance grounded in true partnership.

NATO's Rutte:

When the time came to provide logistical and other support the United States needed in Iran, some allies were a bit slow, to say the least. In fairness, they were also somewhat surprised.

To maintain the element of surprise for the initial strikes, Trump chose not to inform allies in advance, and I understand that.

But what I see across Europe today is that allies are now providing a massive amount of support—logistics, basing, and other measures.

NATO's Rutte:

Nearly without exception, allies are doing everything the United States is asking.

BREAKING: Netanyahu:

Following repeated requests from Lebanon for direct talks, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.

The talks will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.

Israel also welcomes the Lebanese prime minister’s call today to demilitarize Beirut.

NATO's Rutte:

I clearly felt Trump’s disappointment; I understand it to a certain extent.

NATO's Rutte:

I know there are those who pleaded to continue the negotiating track, but hey listen, we know what happened with North Korea.

There can be a moment where you've negotiated so long that guess what, North Korea got its hands on the nuclear capability, and then it is too late.

Negotiations with Lebanon will take place under fire, and we are preparing for continued attacks.

Source: N14, citing Israeli officials

Q: Do you still consider Trump ‘daddy’ after yesterday?

Mark Rutte: Well, on the ‘daddy’ issue—this is really a language problem.

In Dutch, you would say that the translation of ‘your father’ is ‘daddy.’ And I said, well, yes—sometimes a ‘daddy’ has to be angry.

So I was not calling him my daddy. Of course, the word ‘daddy’ also has a different connotation.

And now I have to live with it—is this the rest of my life… But I own it, and the president owns it as well.

He made a movie... so funny, this is why I like him so much.

NATO's Rutte:

A couple of countries are holding back on Ukraine’s entry into NATO, including Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, and the United States.

I don’t think it is on the table right now.

NATO's Rutte:

I do not think that Ukraine’s NATO membership can be resolved in the short term.

I don’t think it will happen politically anytime soon—that is my fair assessment.

NATO's Rutte:

The question is: what would happen if China were to move against Taiwan? Why not first call your ‘junior partner’ in all of this—Russia—and ask them to keep us occupied here?

So most likely, this would not remain limited to one region.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Netanyahu's criminal trial resumes on Sun. A region-wide ceasefire, incl in Lebanon, would hasten his jailing.

If the U.S. wishes to crater its economy by letting Netanyahu kill diplomacy, that would ultimately be its choice. We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it.

The U.S. has lost 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones in the Iran conflict (8 since April), totaling about $720 million.

Source: CBS

Trump says he’s “very optimistic” about a deal with Iran:

They’re much more reasonable… they’re agreeing to what they have to.

If they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be very painful.

I spoke with Bibi. We have to be a little more low-key.

Source: NBC

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

There will be a concluding diplomatic leg in Gaza that will expand our borders.

There will be a concluding diplomatic leg in Lebanon that will expand our borders, to the Litani [river], to defensible borders.

There will be a concluding diplomatic leg in Syria... the crown, the Hermon, and the Hauran at least...

In 2020, Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro approved a plan to spend over $400 million to buy a ballistic missile system from Iran.

The missiles could potentially have reached U.S. territory and would have been deployed on Venezuelan naval vessels.

The deal ultimately did not go through after pressure from the Trump administration.

Source: Politico