White House:

This is important to Trump: the Pakistanis have been incredible mediators, and we appreciate their friendship and their efforts.

They are the only mediator in this negotiation.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent:

We have told countries that if they are buying Iranian oil, or if Iranian money is sitting in their banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions.

White House:

President Xi assured Trump that they are not supplying Iran with weapons throughout this conflict.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent:

We believe that with this blockade, there will be a pause in Chinese buying of Iranian oil.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent:

Two Chinese banks received letters from the U.S. Treasury.

We told them that if we can prove that there is Iranian money flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to put on secondary sanctions.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent:

We will not be renewing the general license on Russian and Iranian oil.

White House:

The blockade is enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports.

This includes all Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Russia's Medvedev:

Russian Defense Ministry’s statement must be taken literally: the list of European facilities which make drones & other equipment is a list of potential targets for the Russian armed forces.

When strikes become a reality depends on what comes next. Sleep well, European partners!

White House:

Look at how gas prices have decreased over the past year since Trump was in office.

Netanyahu:

Our forces continue to strike Hezbollah; we are about to overwhelm Bint Jbeil.

NEW: Iran has proposed allowing ships to pass safely through the Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz if it reaches a deal with the U.S.

Source: Reuters

Netanyahu:

Our American friends keep us constantly updated on the contacts with Iran.

Our objectives are aligned.

Five Israeli soldiers were wounded by Hezbollah rocket fire in southern Lebanon.

Trump would “welcome and be happy with an end of hostilities” between Israel and Lebanon, a U.S. official said.

Source: Axios

CENTCOM:

Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is heading back to Iran.

Ten vessels have now been turned around and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the U.S. blockade on Monday.

Iran’s Ghalibaf:

The completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the resistance and steadfast struggle of the great Hezbollah and the unity of the Axis of Resistance.

The United States must comply with the agreement.

Resistance and Iran are one soul, both in war and in ceasefire.

America should withdraw from “Israel First” mistake.

At a private White House dinner, Trump told the Dutch king and queen he wants to end the Iran war quickly, saying the only way to bring Tehran back to negotiations is to “increase the pressure.”

Source: WSJ

Trump:

Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon.

It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!

The U.S. Senate voted against stopping arms sales to Israel.

More than 30 Democrats backed Bernie Sanders’ effort to block the sales.

The measures failed due to Republican opposition.

The Pentagon is asking companies like General Motors and Ford Motor to help boost U.S. weapons production as conflicts strain military supplies.

Officials are exploring whether manufacturers can shift some factory capacity to produce munitions and equipment, similar to WWII-era industry mobilization.

Source: WSJ

Stephen Miller almost says “final solution” about Iran—then catches himself mid-sentence.