Finland President Alexander Stubb:

If the United States wants to project power in the Middle East — say Iran right now — it has absolutely no chance to operate without European bases.

John Bolton:

Decision-making now consists of Trump sitting behind his Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, five or six people in a semicircle in front of him, and he says, 'I think we'd like to do X.'

That's when Pete Hegseth says, 'Yes, sir, we'll do that.'

That's decision-making.

John Bolton:

Trump sees international relations as embodied in the relations of heads of state.

So if he's friends with Xi Jinping, he thinks the US-China state-to-state relations are in great shape. He calls Xi 'King.'

He thinks he's friends with Xi Jinping and with Vladimir Putin.

And I will guarantee you that's not how they see Trump. I think they both see him as an easy mark.

Angela Merkel:

In 10 years, the Ukraine war is — hopefully over.

And in such a way that Ukraine is an independent, free, sovereign country.

Tony Blair:

When your ally asks for help with basically logistics and support — in this case for the refueling of their planes — you've got to think long and hard before you refuse that.

Tony Blair:

I don't believe that President Putin, if the Ukraine war ends, is going to come back and try and invade Europe.

I don't believe that personally, but I understand I may be wrong about it.

Tony Blair:

America is not an important ally. It's an indispensable part of our security.

So when they come asking for our help, you got to think long and hard before you refuse it.

Because if they are an indispensable part of our security, we should stand with them if we can.

And that doesn't mean to say joining every action they do.

I mean, for example, I don't think this was ever going to happen — if they seriously considered taking Greenland or something, of course you wouldn't have said yes to that.

But this is action in respect of Iran and we were being asked for support, not to be part of the military action.

NEW: Spain's Civil Guard elite anticorruption unit raided the national headquarters of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialist Party in Madrid, executing a court order as part of an investigation into alleged illegal party financing.

Agents searched for contracts, invoices, and financial records tied to suspected fake payments made between 2017 and 2024, some linked to former PSOE operative Leire Díez, known internally as the party's "fixer."

Prosecutors allege the funds were used to finance disinformation campaigns targeting judges and police investigators probing the party.

Opposition parties are calling for his resignation and snap elections.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez:

An orderly migration — and I insist, orderly — opens opportunities for countries of origin and also for host countries, creates shared prosperity, and makes us understand that human dignity for every person stands above everything else.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez:

Replacement theories are not supported by science, data, or historical experience.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez:

I believe peace is not built with missiles; it is built through dialogue and respect for international law.

I sincerely thank the Pope for his courage, his inspiration, and his commitment to this path — so necessary and indispensable in the times the world is going through.

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir:

The evil structure of the Ayatollah regime has been significantly cracked, and its future and stability are shrouded in uncertainty.

Its leaders are being hunted, most of its military capabilities have been destroyed, its nuclear program has been set back by years; its economy is collapsing, and its citizens have yet to grasp the scale of the disaster to which their extremist leaders have led them.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler:

Our rights and interests in the Aegean Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Cyprus are based on historical, legal, and legitimate foundations.

In this framework, I want to emphasize once again that we do not accept maximalist initiatives aimed at creating faits accomplis that contradict the spirit of international agreements.

Activities aimed at militarizing islands that should remain under non-military status are incompatible with good neighborly relations, the spirit of alliance, and international law.

It must be clearly understood that we will never remain indifferent to any attempt targeting our sovereign rights, our security, and our legitimate rights and interests in our seas.

The Turkish Armed Forces, with their high operational capability, modern weapons systems, strong personnel structure, and field experience, possess the power and determination to eliminate every threat directed toward our country.

Likewise, our stance regarding the protection of the security, peace, and rights of our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters is clear.

Türkiye, just as always, today and tomorrow as well, will continue standing by our kin as a guarantor state and will continue protecting their security and rights.

A draft “Islamabad agreement” to end the Iran war is still being negotiated — nothing is final yet, and Iran says it still deeply distrusts the US.

Key reported points:

• US would ease restrictions on Iranian shipping

• Iran would restore commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf & Sea of Oman within a month

• Strait of Hormuz would NOT fully reopen; Iran & Oman would still control inspections/transit

• Possible US military pullback near Iran, though details remain vague

• A finalized deal could receive binding UN Security Council backing within 60 days

• Iran says implementation depends on verification, and talks could still collapse

Source: IRIB

Hezbollah released footage of the FPV drone strike on the Iron Dome system in Misgav Am on May 19th.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez:

Some colleagues are asking me to call early elections because they believe I would win a larger parliamentary majority and govern more comfortably.

I appreciate that, but I cannot call elections for partisan interests.

Serbian President Vučić meets with Chinese robots.

Israeli Army warns residents in Tyre and nearby South Lebanon areas to evacuate north of the Zahrani River ahead of possible strikes.

Trump:

Trump posts about Iran’s navy.

Israel received its first Boeing KC-46 “Gideon” refueling aircraft from the US.

The KC-46 carries more fuel and can refuel more aircraft than Israel’s older tankers, extending the range of F-35s, F-15s, and F-16s.

Israel is expected to receive at least six KC-46 aircraft.