Iran's IRGC says it struck U.S. military infrastructure in Juffair, Bahrain, and destroyed long-range air surveillance (FPS) and maritime radar sites in Oman in a fifth round of retaliatory attacks.

It also says the U.S. recently hit an agricultural water pump in Mahshahr.

Japan is building its first centralized intelligence agency since WWII to counter growing threats from China, Russia, and North Korea.

With advice from the U.S., Australia, and Germany, the agency will improve intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, and counterespionage.

Source: NYT

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei:

Seeking justice for the martyred leader is a serious principle and a demand shared by the public.

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei:

The United States bears direct responsibility for the recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Americans reneged from day one; they are trying to bypass the secure route coordinated with Iran.

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei:

As long as the United States continues to violate its commitments, Iran will likewise refrain from fulfilling the obligations it has undertaken.

Russia's FSB claims it foiled an alleged Ukrainian drone sabotage plot targeting the Ukrainka and Shagol airbases, saying authorities seized 24 FPV drones and arrested suspects involved in smuggling and preparing them for launch.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Europe should build a broader continental security framework that includes partners such as Türkiye, the UK, Ukraine, Norway, Switzerland, Moldova and the Western Balkans, arguing that defense "should not be limited to the EU's borders alone."

Speaking to La Stampa, Crosetto also warned that NATO is "too exposed to Trump's volatile mood" and said Europe needs "a fresh European alliance."

Iranian Foreign Ministry on Lindsey Graham's death:

Azrail (the Angel of Death) is just.

For such an individual, whose entire life’s legacy was malice and support for aggression, nothing but a dark record will remain in the minds of people.

The death of this hot-headed and sharp-tongued senator will certainly not grieve the heart of any free person.

Finland has built an underground city beneath Helsinki that can protect nearly a million people.

Beneath Helsinki lies a vast network of 5,500 bomb shelters capable of protecting nearly one million people in the event of war or a nuclear attack.

Most serve everyday purposes—such as sports halls, playgrounds, swimming pools, and even rehearsal spaces for metal bands—but can quickly be converted into emergency shelters.

Source: The Times

For the first time since the Syrian civil war began, Turkish Navy ships have visited the Syrian port of Latakia.

Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense said the Navy commander is aboard the TCG İstanbul during the visit.

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski:

We thought Putin had the world's second strongest army. Today we can say he has the second strongest army... in Ukraine.

Source: Il Messaggero

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski:

We have been thinking about our security in relation to Russia for about five hundred years, and we are not going to stop. Russia has invaded Poland many times throughout history. When the Russians threaten us, we take those threats seriously.

But today Putin does not have the means to attack us. At most, he can attempt some provocation. He has still not managed to conquer Donbas after nearly thirteen years of trying.

Source: Il Messaggero

Israel spent years cultivating former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a potential intelligence asset and possible leader in a post-regime Iran.

As part of the effort, Israeli intelligence met with him abroad, including in Hungary, using academic events as cover for secret meetings.

The plan culminated during the 2026 Israel-Iran war, when Mossad operatives extracted Ahmadinejad from Tehran following an Israeli airstrike on his compound and took him to a safe house inside Iran as part of a broader regime-change operation.

The operation ultimately failed after Ahmadinejad left the safe house under unclear circumstances.

According to Iranian officials, he is now under house arrest after authorities uncovered his alleged contacts with Israel.

Source: NYT

BREAKING: Houthis say Saudi airstrikes hit Sanaa International Airport and warn the attack "will not go unanswered."

French President Macron:

Peace is our goal. We cherish freedom and law.

We are ready to fight to defend these principles, always and forever, and to pay tribute in blood if necessary.

French President Macron:

Last year, in this very same place, I said we needed to go faster and stronger in order to be free.

We needed to be feared. We needed to be strong, not out of pleasure, but out of necessity.

We're not doing this because we want to, but because that is our duty.

French President Macron:

It is today's wars that we have to win. We need to hold the line on the Ukrainian front. We need to stand by our partners in the Middle East.

French President Macron:

Patriotism, yes. But nationalism, never.

French President Macron:

FCAS was perhaps not a success, but we should not stop here.

New competitors will appear and we need to move forward when it comes to advanced technologies... We need to make sure that Europe becomes an active industrial military reality.