Marco Rubio on Balogun's red card:

So, look, it may be turning into an international incident. I don't know.

Maybe we'll bring it up at NATO tomorrow where we're with the Belgians and everybody else.

But I just hope the match will go on, everyone will be at full strength, and the winner will be the winner.

U.S. official to Axios:

Bibi made a bunch of promises about the Iran war that didn't come to pass.

But what can we do? He'll come. He'll make his promises and then we'll have to check everything out.

During a phone call, Netanyahu urged Trump to "rein in" President Erdogan.

Source: Axios

French President Macron joins Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa for an official dinner during his visit to Damascus.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

Syria is in the process of signing a contract to order eight Airbus aircraft, and I believe they will be delivered soon.

Source: BFMTV

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa:

At present, we are working to establish a program to rebuild and modernize the country's institutions.

Last year, we signed several contracts in the energy sector to produce 5,000 megawatts of electricity and to rebuild power plants.

Source: BFMTV

Trump:

Great news! I have just been informed that one of the biggest, best, and smartest Retailers in America, Walmart, will be lowering prices, by a lot, at my Administration's request to celebrate our great Country's 250th birthday.

Walmart will, in particular, be dropping the price for a pound of ground beef by almost 15%, among many other products. This is a huge deal for the many millions of Americans who, smartly, shop at Walmart, which is a truly patriotic Company who loves the U.S.A.

My Administration is lowering prices that Joe Biden incompetently raised with the worst inflation crisis in history, a total disaster along with the Southern Border, the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, and many other failures.

Just as I promised, Oil Prices are plummeting FAST, and Gas Prices at the pump are dropping too, just like egg and Prescription Drug prices which I am bringing down by historic levels.

Walmart is stepping up in a big and bold way, and other Retailers should follow the lead of these absolute Patriots. Together, we will make America stronger and greater than ever before!

Russian media report that a Ukrainian missile strike hit energy infrastructure in Belgorod, Russia, causing power outages in parts of the city.

Zelensky said Ukraine's expanding long-range drone campaign is designed to bring the war closer to Russia's leadership, arguing that sustained strikes on Moscow would force Putin to "feel it personally."

"Once he begins to feel it personally... you will see advisers urging him to relocate somewhere beyond the Urals."

He concluded:

"The farther Putin is from Moscow, the closer the end of the war will be."

Source: FT

Zelensky to FT:

Without nuclear weapons, you are no longer part of the club that others fear attacking.

Instead, you become part of the club that can be attacked.

Iran resumed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, firing at least two missiles at commercial ships Monday night, according to two U.S. officials.

Two vessels were damaged but no injuries were reported.

Source: Axios

Trump departed the U.S. en route to the NATO summit in Ankara.

BIG: Trump is expected to tell Turkish President Erdogan that he wants to restore Türkiye's access to F-35 fighter jets, reversing the ban he imposed in 2019.

The move would require overcoming U.S. legal and congressional restrictions, likely by ensuring Türkiye no longer possesses or operates its Russian-made S-400 air defense systems.

Options under discussion include transferring the S-400s to a third party or rendering them inoperable.

Trump is expected to signal his intent during the NATO summit in Ankara, though no final decision has been announced, and Congress could still block the sale.

Source: NYT

WATCH: Jackson Hinkle leads anti-U.S. chants in Tehran, Iran.

📸 Turkish President Erdogan and NATO chief Mark Rutte walking hand-in-hand.

NATO Summit in Ankara kicks off today.

Trump:

The United States Military has never been stronger, or more powerful. No other Nation can do what we do (It’s not even close!). This year we set even more Historic Recruiting Records, months ahead of schedule. Morale has never been higher. Our Military’s unmatched POWER was on full display during our Celebration of 250 Years of American Independence and, like our Country, the WAR DEPARTMENT has never been “HOTTER.”

We need to keep it that way, which is why, when Congress returns, we must pass Reconciliation 3.0, with 350 Billion Dollars for Defense, plus THE SAVE AMERICA ACT! I am calling on House and Senate Leadership to make this their Number One Priority, and ensure that 350 Billion Dollars in Recon 3.0 moves out of the Budget Committee as soon as Congress is back in session.

The SAVE AMERICA ACT, which everyone is asking for, paired with the full funding of our Great Department of War, can be passed very quickly, ensuring that the United States of America stays FREE for Generations to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Para 13 of the MoU is clear: Negotiations on final Deal will not commence if threats continue Honor your signature.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler:

While most European countries downsized their armed forces after the Cold War, Türkiye did not.

Instead, it maintained a much larger active-duty, professional military.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler:

In the defense sector, Türkiye advocates complementarity rather than competition or exclusion.

The Alliance's security is not strengthened through restrictions, but through solidarity and a shared vision.

French President Macron and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.

📸 French President Macron and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus.