Trump in 'Revenge Mode' and Fed Up With Iran War: Official

The US president has abandoned diplomatic efforts to resolve the five-month conflict in Iran, entering a kinetic "revenge mode" against Tehran according to officials.

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Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken:

I think what we're seeing in so many places, in so many ways, is the bottom dropping out in support for the United States and seeing the United States as a credible leader that other countries want to work with and follow.

Polls showing that China is considered more reliable, more trustworthy.

The United States is considered an adversary by countries like Germany.

We're seeing similar numbers in other countries across Europe, Korea, Japan and other places.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken:

Our military does the job we ask it to do. But it's that job—not having thought it through, not having set out clear, achievable objectives—that leads to this great mismatch where you might have tactical successes in taking out some Iranian missiles somewhere, but losing the war strategically.

Now we're in a situation where the president seems to be in a corner that he can't get out of. Some have called it an escalation trap.

I think he wants to get out of the corner he's put himself into. He's been looking for an off-ramp, but he can't find it.

He can't accept the proposition that he's also created an entirely new reality that didn't exist before this war.

China is encouraging Pakistan to help restart stalled U.S.-Iran talks, and Pakistan has begun exploratory discussions with Iranian officials.

Source: Reuters

Laura Loomer during her interview with Zelensky:

I'll admit I've said some pretty terrible things about Ukraine and terrible things about you as well, openly on social media.

I mocked you…

I'm a Republican, I'm not a Democrat, and so I was very unhappy with the United States sending billions of US tax dollars to Ukraine when our own country is suffering.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on China:

One of the most complex and arguably most important relationships we have is the one with China.

There are aspects of contestation, there are aspects of cooperation, and we want to avoid conflict.

They're a lot bigger than we are, their market's a lot bigger, their manufacturing is three times ours, they've got more ships, they put forward more papers and more patents.

As strong and as powerful as we are, playing one-on-one can be tough.

Zelensky:

I think that Soviet Union is the most dangerous enemy for the United States.

If Russia will be Soviet Union again… you will get China and Soviet Union.

The biggest empire, the biggest army in the world, and they will be really bigger than the United States.

And it will be dangerous for you.

Zelensky on what the U.S. gets in return for supporting Ukraine:

America got the experience. All the experience of this war.

All the generals of the United States, they accepted it already…

America has exclusive, without paying for this experience by their lives. We paid.

Without your experience for the America… they can get to this level… 10, 20 years. So, America got back absolutely exclusive things.

Our drone deal, it's win-win. We will build a great factory in the United States.

Zelensky:

Now you have drones, and our early Russians and we have drawn 3,000 plus kilometers.

And this year we will have 4,000 kilometers.

Next year from 5 to 10…

Zelensky on his relationship with Trump:

We had a first like changing moment in Rome, in Vatican…

It's I think an historic moment because we changed the relations during 15-20 minutes.

So nobody was around us. We've been only two of us.

And I was very happy to hear the President, and I hope, and I think he heard me.

President Trump began to try, to trust me, and this is what is important. I think this is the key.

The Trump administration is increasingly concerned that the U.S. is using advanced air-defense interceptors and precision-guided missiles in the Iran conflict faster than they can be replaced.

Heavy use of Patriot and THAAD interceptors, along with long-range missiles like Tomahawks and JASSMs, has strained stockpiles.

Because missile production takes years to expand, the Pentagon has shifted toward using cheaper, shorter-range weapons such as JDAMs and Small Diameter Bombs while reserving high-end munitions.

Officials worry the current pace is unsustainable and could weaken U.S. readiness for a potential conflict with China.

Source: CBS News

Laura Loomer during her interivew with Zelensky:

I just wanted to share with you, as somebody who was anti-Ukraine, and who did consume a lot of Russian propaganda — I used to write articles for RT, I wrote about five articles for RT and I regret doing so.

I've come to realize that I was bamboozled by Russian propaganda.

And I came to believe a lot of untrue things about Ukraine.

I used to think that this was a country full of Nazis.

Zelensky: No, we are not Nazis.

Can I tell you, honestly?… I think if I knew, or if I really could be involved to elections, maybe Democrats could have a little bit better results.

Laura Loomer: Well, we don't want that. We don't want that.

NEW: Iran will kill one member of the U.S. Armed Forces for every Iranian killed, the head of Iran's top joint military command says.

Laura Loomer: True or false: Were you doing cocaine with Macron, or were you not?

Zelensky: Of course not. Never.

Laura Loomer: Who's the best president of the United States?

Zelensky: Lincoln.

Loomer: President Trump is going to watch this interview.

Zelensky: Trump is good, strong leader. He's the best or not, of course, history will answer.

Sometimes we live and we don't know, sometimes we have monuments for somebody, and then we understand that it was not great person.

Laura Loomer: I personally believe Russia is paying American influencers. If you get any evidence of that, please give it to me.

Zelensky: Okay.

Loomer: I think more Americans need to admit that they've been duped by Russian propaganda.

Zelensky:

The USSR killed all the languages.

They occupied the territories, killed the traditions, and destroyed the churches.

They killed religion, traditions, and language for 70 years.

BIG: Bahrain and Kuwait secretly hit Iran with fighter jets early this month — their first direct retaliation — hitting drone and missile depots, with the UAE providing intel and air cover.

Saudi Arabia is weighing its next move, and some officials are quietly floating regime change in Tehran as the only long-term exit.

Source: WSJ

Trump:

Canada disinvited the United States of America to the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, which is fine, considering they are paying substantial TARIFFS to the United States.

The original Deal, terribly negotiated by a previous Administration, no longer stands.

We changed the terms so that the United States now gets 50% of the Profit.

Laura Loomer: Would you be willing to sign the peace deal with Russia in the Oval Office?

Zelensky: Yes, I am ready. I am ready to come to the Oval Office or Mar-a-Lago for the peace deal. It depends on Trump.

The U.S. and UK are planning a high-level meeting in London next week to discuss forming an international coalition to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting, still being finalized, could bring together defense ministers and senior military leaders from Western and regional countries.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are expected to attend.

Source: Axios