Iran's IRGC Navy says 26 commercial ships and tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours after obtaining IRGC permission.

Several vessels that tried to enter without authorization — with navigation systems disabled — were stopped or turned back.

The IRGC also claimed the U.S. struck near Bandar Abbas airport with "no damage," and said it responded by attacking the U.S. base that launched the strike.

It warned of a "hard response" to any repeat.

Israel bombs Beirut in an apparent assassination attempt.

Armenia publicly displayed Chinese-made CH-4B Rainbow combat drones for the first time at its Republic Day parade in Yerevan, armed with air-to-ground missiles and paraded on transporter trucks.

Türkiye's Gökdoğan (BVR) and Bozdoğan (WVR) air-to-air missiles — domestic replacements for the AMRAAM and Sidewinder respectively — have completed live warhead tests, clearing the final verification hurdle before serial production.

Developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE since 2013, the missiles are set for integration on F-16s and future Turkish platforms including the KAAN stealth fighter and Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet.

Israel targeted the commander of Hezbollah's missile unit, identified as Ali al-Hisini.

The Trump administration is increasing pressure on Cuba through tougher sanctions and contingency planning, amid concerns the Cuban government could face major instability this summer.

Officials told Axios the U.S. has discussed possible military responses if unrest escalates, though no invasion is planned.

The strategy focuses on economically squeezing Cuba by targeting key revenue sources and companies linked to the Cuban military.

Officials describe the approach as gradual “accelerationism” — increasing pressure while avoiding direct intervention for now.

The administration believes worsening shortages of food, electricity, and fuel could spark protests similar to past anti-government demonstrations.

Source: Axios

BREAKING: Sweden is donating 16 JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter jets to Ukraine, with Zelensky in Stockholm for the announcement at Uppsala airbase.

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson:

Today's agreement between Sweden and Ukraine entails the purchase of 20 new Gripen E aircraft.

Our ambition is to quickly conclude a complete agreement that will enable deliveries as of 2030.

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson:

Delivery of the Gripen C/D — the current models in existence — will take place in the early part of 2027, and it will greatly strengthen Ukraine and Europe's air defense.

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson:

Sweden is part of the group of countries that have provided Ukraine with the most military products and equipment — totaling SEK 128 billion since this horrific war began by Russia.

When we support Ukraine, we also support Sweden and Europe — and to me and the Swedish government, no task is more important.

Zelensky in Sweden:

We expect to receive the first aircraft within the next 10 months.

More than 2 billion from the first packages allocated specifically for aircraft.

Zelensky in Sweden:

Europe has its own tools for defense against cruise missiles, but when it comes to ballistic threats, the situation is much more difficult.

We are forced to rely primarily on the U.S.

Zelensky in Sweden:

Because of the war in Iran, the supply of Patriot missiles has become more complicated.

On Tuesday I sent a special letter to the President of the United States and to Congress, outlining every aspect of what is needed — how a sufficient supply of Patriot missiles and systems could help bring this war to an end.

I believe Europe must have, here at home on its own continent, all the capabilities necessary for protection. We need our own European ballistic missile defense — in sufficient numbers and with sufficient capabilities.

BREAKING: Zelensky in Sweden:

We will get jets with weapons, not just jets. These Gripens with specific weapons — especially Meteor missiles — which can destroy targets at 100 kilometers.

We think that we will push out these Russian jets, and they will not be able to use glide bombs massively. This is number one.

There are a lot of other things I can't share with you publicly — but this is a very important moment.

Zelensky in Sweden:

We will buy all 150 Gripens. We will have enough financing for this.

As I said, on this 90 billion, we will manage all our decisions between Ukraine and Sweden step by step.

Zelensky:

We very much hope that Ukraine will receive licenses to produce Patriot PAC-3 missiles — so that we could help other countries as well that might face this need, as we now see in the Middle East. Everybody needs it.

Ukraine has not yet received licenses for Patriot production. I believe we can receive it in the future — or we can build our own system.

Zelensky:

As of now, diplomacy cannot stop Russia; we are stopping them with our long-range sanctions.

Zelensky:

I think that in December–January, we will get the first Gripens with our Ukrainian pilots.

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson:

We have already started the training of pilots since quite some time — alongside when the other aircraft were provided for Ukraine.

We started training pilots for future use, and now we can obviously increase the numbers being trained.

Three Russia-linked “shadow fleet” tankers were struck by Ukrainian sea drones last night near Kilyos — just 2–3 km from Türkiye’s coast.

Two drones hit Velora but failed to detonate; a third struck James II nearby.

Altura (previously hit in March) was also damaged. All crew evacuated safely.

The blasts were felt in Istanbul’s Rumelifeneri neighborhood.

A serious fire or oil spill could have threatened Istanbul and its airport.

The Trump administration has been pushing the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to design a $250 bill featuring Trump's portrait — which would be the first living person on U.S. currency since 1866, when it was banned by law.

Two Treasury political appointees pushed bureau staff on this, even providing mock-up designs. The bureau's director told them it was illegal and would take years — and was abruptly reassigned in April.

The political appointee who led the push has since been named acting director.

Source: WaPo