Trump has grown frustrated with the “no deal, no war” stalemate with Iran and is pushing for more decisive action in the Strait of Hormuz.

As one official put it, “The president wants action… He wants pressure. He wants a deal.”

Source: Axios

French President Macron:

We are trusted by the U.S., but we are respected and trusted by the Iranians.

A senior U.S. official denies that a U.S. ship was hit by Iranian missiles.

Source: Axios

CENTCOM:

No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned an Iranian drone attack on an ADNOC-linked tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

Two drones hit the vessel, but no injuries were reported.

BIG: U.S. official says the rules of engagement for U.S. forces in the region have been changed, and they were authorized to strike immediate threats against ships that cross the strait, like IRGC fast boats or Iranian missile positions.

Source: Barak Ravid

Armenia's PM Pashinyan:

Now we have peace with Azerbaijan.

It is already two years that we have had no casualties… unprecedented since our independence.

This is the first time when the President of Azerbaijan is participating in an event taking place in Armenia… but online...

Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to visit Azerbaijan in 2028.

French President Macron:

We will probably experience the cost of our dependencies vis-à-vis China. No doubt.

One major risk is an acceleration of confrontation between China and the U.S.

French President Macron:

Europe decided to wake up and not depend on any big power.

WATCH: Hezbollah FPV drones hit 2 Israeli Namer APCs, a Merkava Mk.4M tank, and an M113 at IDF staging areas in Lebanon.

Some Israeli units have started camouflaging vehicles, but mostly in a basic/limited way and not consistently.

Dr. Andreas Krieg | Gulf Security Expert | Institute of Middle Eastern Studies:
 

The UAE is trying to regain control over its destiny - reviewing every relationship & assessing the utility of every multilateral membership to its own security.
 
Abu Dhabi is a Machiavellian actor built purely around national interests - specifically Abu Dhabi's interests, not just the UAE's.
 
Since 2020, there's been immense tension with Saudi Arabia in OPEC over oil quotas. Abu Dhabi hasn't complied with quotas for a long time. This move was coming & many analysts predicted it.
 
The deeper issue isn't OPEC - it's a geopolitical redefinition of Abu Dhabi's destiny. That could lead to reconsidering ties with the Arab League & the Organization of Islamic Cooperation too.

FULL INTERVIEW

NEW: CENTCOM says two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have safely transited Strait of Hormuz and are on their way.

Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons (the UAE's leading luxury watch and fine jewelry retailer):

People told us this country was safer than many in Europe during the crisis.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

Jewish life in Germany is more threatened than it has been in a long time.

We are seeing a sharp rise in criminal offenses, assaults, and anti-Semitic graffiti.

We stand fully and without any restriction behind the Jewish women and men living in Germany.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

Jewish life belongs to Germany.

Anyone who attacks Jewish life in Germany attacks our society and our democracy.

Germany has a historic obligation to protect this life.

Dr. Andreas Krieg | Gulf Security Expert | Institute of Middle Eastern Studies:
 

The UAE is a federation of 7 emirates - but under Mohammed bin Zayed, it has become increasingly Abu Dhabi-centric.
 
Foreign policy, security & statecraft are all determined by the al-Nahyan. Everyone else falls in line.
 
Abu Dhabi's strategic culture is Machiavellian, zero-sum & deterministic - rooted in Bedouin inland heritage, less commercially minded than the coastal emirates like Dubai.
 
This culture is now conflated with UAE strategy as a whole, but it isn't. There is internal friction.
 
Dubai's mercantile culture favors engagement & multilateral solutions over confrontation.
 
On Iran, Abu Dhabi is pushing deterrence & force - even with Israel if necessary. That is not in Dubai's interest. But Abu Dhabi dictates the terms.

FULL INTERVIEW