Pete Hegseth on Iran:

We didn't start this war. Iran started this war 47 years ago.

We didn't start it. They did.

Pete Hegseth on Iran:

I am not asking for unlimited bombs. I am asking for the right bombs at the right time.

Pete Hegseth on Iran:

The nuclear sites were obliterated, but the Iranians foolishly continued to attempt to pursue nuclear capabilities.

Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next UN secretary-general.

He believes Infantino's global reputation and experience leading FIFA make him a strong candidate to replace António Guterres.

Source: New York Post

Kuwait says its air defenses are intercepting hostile drones.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city lacks the legal authority to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York.

"My administration has reviewed every avenue... It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant," Mamdani said.

He added that "the federal government, however, does" and called on it to "join the ICC and execute this warrant."

President Trump approved a 30-year civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia worth tens of billions of dollars, giving U.S. companies a leading role in building the kingdom's nuclear infrastructure.

A key feature is the potential construction of a U.S.-built uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia if a joint study finds it commercially justified.

The Trump administration says U.S. oversight and a "black box" system would prevent sensitive technology transfer and reduce the risk of military use.

Unlike the Biden administration, Trump did not require Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel before approving the deal.

The agreement is expected to be signed this week and sent to Congress, where opponents face a difficult path to blocking it.

Source: WSJ

The Pentagon says Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, a US soldier previously reported missing after an Iranian attack on a military base in Jordan, is now believed to have been killed in action.

Iran and the US exchanged fire for another night, with air strikes reported across multiple Iranian cities.

Air defences were activated in Tehran, while attacks targeted a military base in Tabriz.

Explosions were also reported in Omidiyeh, Mahshahr and Behbahan in Khuzestan province.

Strikes hit Sirik, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, as well as Chabahar and Konarak in the southeast.

Additional attacks were reported in Bushehr, Kangavar, Kabudarahang and near Baneh in Kurdistan province, marking the first reported strike there.

Iran’s military says it launched drones at US facilities at Camp Doha in western Kuwait.

A US missile strike hit a power substation near the Bushehr nuclear plant, cutting electricity to a nearby village.

Power was restored about 2 hours later.

Source: Fars

Marco Rubio on Iran:

The problem we're having right now is that they're not serious about talks. If they're serious, we're serious.

If they're not, then we will do what is necessary to protect our interests and also the interests of our allies.

At its core, it's very simple. Iran demands the right, which they do not have under any existing legal mechanism, to control the transit of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This is an international waterway.

Marco Rubio on Iran:

I just want to reiterate once again, the United States is always committed to diplomacy.

We are open-minded and always willing to engage in negotiated settlements of differences, and that remains true in the case of Iran.

Unfortunately, as of now, despite their direct outreaches—and Iran has been reaching out to the United States, both directly and indirectly, to engage in talks about settling the differences with regards to what's happening in that part of the world—unfortunately, so far, even though we have reached agreements, they have not kept their commitments.

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam made his first visit to Zawtar al-Gharbiya after the IDF withdrawal under the Israel-Lebanon pilot agreement.

He planted the Lebanese flag, symbolically asserting Lebanon's sovereignty over the area.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the U.S.-Iran war has cost $37.5 billion so far, but CBS News reports the true cost may be significantly higher.

Sources familiar with the matter say the Pentagon's estimate excludes major expenses, including military construction and repairs to damaged U.S. bases.

The administration is also seeking an additional $67 billion from Congress to help cover war costs and replenish military supplies.

Source: CBS News

Stephen Miller on Iran:

The results have been very clear. The regime has been eviscerated militarily, financially, politically, in every possible way.

They and everyone watching around the world are learning a clear lesson about America and President Trump.

Stephen Miller on Iran:

If the regime keeps choosing the path of conflict, they aren't going to have the capability of being able to wage war, nor will they have an economy to support a war machine.

That's the choice they face. It's never been clearer.

Sen. Jon Ossoff pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his earlier claims that Operation Epic Fury was a “historic and overwhelming victory” and that Iran’s military had been rendered “combat ineffective for years to come.”

Ossoff repeatedly asked whether those statements were accurate, noting Hegseth had also claimed the U.S. had “achieved every single objective.”

Hegseth defended his assessment, saying Iran’s military had been set back “not just years” but likely “decades,” while acknowledging it still retains “capabilities.”

He argued “combat ineffective” did not mean “every single missile was gone.”

Ossoff rejected that explanation, arguing the administration’s stated objectives were not met.

Poland and Hungary are tightening restrictions on non-EU workers to respond to public concerns about immigration, despite warnings from businesses and economists that both countries face serious labor shortages due to aging populations.

Poland has reduced work permits for non-EU citizens, while Hungary has stopped issuing worker visas to several nationalities.

Source: Reuters