As Trump was preparing to depart the White House for Türkiye, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth briefed him in the Oval Office on reports that Iran had launched cruise missiles and drones at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, striking three vessels.

Trump questioned whether Tehran was still committed to reaching a final agreement and, after consulting with his senior national security advisers, concluded that it was not.

The meeting marked a turning point, prompting him to abandon the ceasefire framework and authorize new military strikes and renewed economic pressure on Iran.

Source: WSJ

US Prepares for Extended Military Campaign Against Iran over Hormuz

The White House is bracing for an extended military confrontation with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz as diplomatic efforts stall.

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Belgian PM Bart De Wever unknowingly brought home a loaded, personalized revolver gifted by Turkish President Erdogan at the NATO summit.

The gift wasn't opened until the delegation landed in Belgium, where they discovered the gun and ammunition.

The weapon was immediately handed over to airport police, and its fate is still undecided.

Source: 7sur7

Ukrainian forces struck 14 more Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight, bringing the claimed total to 35 tankers, cargo ships, and support vessels hit in the past 96 hours.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias:

Just throwing money on defense is not the answer.

Q: It seems like Türkiye is going to get new aircraft from America.

Greek Defense Minister Dendias: Hopefully not.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias:

Greece is not happy for Türkiye to get the F-35. Greece is not happy with Türkiye getting engines for a new-generation aircraft.

We're asking one question: Is it in the real interests of the United States of America? Yes or no? And, of course, it's for the American people and the American government to answer that.

It is certain that, for the United States government, NATO, and especially stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, are essential.

So, giving a platform to one country in the Eastern Mediterranean without the caveat that this cannot be used against another allied member—is it in the interest or not in the interest of the United States?

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias:

I am not good at predicting things. I'm not even necessarily good at analyzing.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias:

Why did Iran attack Saudi Arabia? Why did they attack Bahrain and the UAE?

Why?

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

The answers offered by radical parties, whether from the left or the right, may sound tempting, but they do not build—they destroy.

They divide our country and, if they were ever to assume political responsibility in Germany, they would lead it into the abyss.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz:

We did not ask anyone for permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need anyone's permission to remain in Lebanon.

NEW: Iran launches missiles toward Jordan.

Epstein Survivors Accuse Former Assistant of Lying to US Congress

Multiple survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network accuse his longtime assistant, Lesley Groff, of repeatedly lying to a US House oversight panel.

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Volkswagen is considering closing several German factories as part of a major restructuring plan that could affect around 40,000 jobs.

Production at the Zwickau and Emden plants could end within five years, followed by Hannover in 2032 and Audi's Neckarsulm plant in 2034.

CEO Oliver Blume also reportedly aims to cut 50,000 jobs by 2030.

Source: Spiegel

A Greek Air Force F-16 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Zakynthos Airport on Thursday after reportedly catching fire during flight.

The pilot landed safely and was unharmed.

Jordan's military says it intercepted eight Iranian ballistic missiles launched toward its territory.

EU Weighs Total Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements

The European Commission has circulated a paper outlining a full or partial ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements, responding to pressure from a majority of EU member states.

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Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias says Greece will "try hard" to prevent the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.

Footage showing the aftermath of a Greek Air Force F-16 that made an emergency landing and caught fire.

Luke Coffey, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute:

Türkiye is leading by example, and many other NATO members should follow what Türkiye is doing.

The Secretary-General has been very clear in recent weeks highlighting what Ankara is doing with its defense industry.

It's world-beating; everyone is looking at what the Turkish defense industry is doing.

The European Union is talking about playing a bigger role on defense issues, especially the defense industrial base, yet they don't want to include countries like the UK or Türkiye. Strategic autonomy is impossible unless you include all the actors.

Türkiye is a leader and should be encouraged.

Palm Beach International Airport officially became President Donald J. Trump International Airport on July 9 after a Florida law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis took effect.

For now, travelers will still see the airport code PBI on tickets and flight information. The new code, DJT, won't take effect until Aug. 18.