After Sen. Lindsey Graham's death, pro-Kremlin officials and commentators expressed hope that his absence could weaken U.S. support for Ukraine and soften Washington's stance toward Russia.

Graham, one of Congress's strongest Russia hawks, had been leading bipartisan efforts to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Source: WaPo

A Korean YouTuber says some Japanese restaurants use two menus: a cheaper Japanese menu for locals and a more expensive English menu for tourists.

After asking for the Japanese menu, he noticed the prices were much lower—sometimes nearly half.

He says this practice is becoming more common in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, with staff choosing the menu based on the language you speak.

NOW: The U.S. blockade on Iran has started again.

Iran's Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabadi:

Iran will never request negotiations with the United States.

The IRGC is sending messages to Trump through messages written on its missiles.

CENTCOM:

U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 p.m. ET.

There are currently more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East.

Trump:

If we left right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild what they have.

The only way to negotiate with these people is through strength, and the only strength is military strength.

Literally, two days ago, we had a deal, and then they broke it at the last moment.

Trump on his comments about taking Kharg Island:

We already hit Kharg Island, as you know, twice. Even three times.

I said hit everything but just leave that little area from 25 yards out because I don't want that in terms of the world economy.

As far as taking it is concerned, if we degrade them far enough and deep enough back, I would do that.

Trump:

We're gonna hit them very hard tonight, we're gonna hit them very hard tomorrow night, we're gonna hit them very hard the night after.

And then, next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants, bridges.

We're gonna knock out all their power plants and bridges.

Trump on a deal with Iran:

I think they have no choice.

I think if I didn't do it the way I'm doing, they would never make a deal.

They would've never made a deal with Obama.

Trump on Iran:

Everything they say is a lie.

I've never seen anything like it.

Trump on the Strait of Hormuz being open:

It's open if people want to go through it.

It's only close for Iran, both in and out.

We're coming up with great alternatives, including Texas and Alaska.

Trump:

I don't want to negotiate now.

Trump:

We're being very careful with the civilian population, as you know.

But I said, "You better make a deal. You're not going to have anything left."

President Trump held a Situation Room meeting Tuesday to discuss plans for a much broader U.S. offensive against Iran, including strikes on strategic targets beyond the current campaign in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also said the U.S. plans to escalate attacks over the coming days unless Iran agrees to negotiate over its nuclear program.

Source: Axios

WATCH: An Iranian Shahed-136 drone strikes an oil storage facility in Kuwait.

CENTCOM releases footage of its overnight strikes on Iran.

Senate Democrats blocked debate on the annual defence bill in a 50-46 vote, arguing Congress should not advance a $1.15 trillion military budget while Trump expands the war on Iran.

They also opposed provisions to deepen US military ties with Israel, including expanded intelligence sharing, closer defence technology cooperation and greater integration between the two militaries.