U.S. officials worry Putin and Xi may see depleted American munitions stockpiles — drained by the Iran war — as an opening for moves against Ukraine/Europe and Taiwan.

Chinese analysts have called the U.S. a “giant with a limp.”

Source: NYT

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper recommended halting the U.S. bombing campaign around the Strait of Hormuz, saying it had hit the limit of its effectiveness.

Source: Axios

Ukraine Demands Freyja Prototype by 2027

Kyiv is pressing European allies to deliver a prototype of Freyja anti-ballistic system within first half of next year, aiming to create a lower-cost alternative to US Patriot batteries.

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Senior Iranian MP Ebrahim Azizi:

Attacking Iran has never been and will never be without cost; America and the Zionist regime know this full well.

Ukraine too will soon realize that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not leave debts unpaid. The list of defeated forces is getting longer!

'No Way I Can Die Yet': Lindsey Graham's Years-long Push for Iran War

Unreleased documentary footage revealed the late senator's obsessive campaign to drive the US into war with Iran, revealing behind-the-scenes exchanges with Trump and foreign leaders.

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A major fire is still burning at Saudi Aramco's Jizan refinery more than 48 hours after Houthi ballistic missile and drone strikes overnight on 25 July.

Satellite imagery and NASA thermal data confirm damage to storage tanks and pipelines at the eastern half of the $21 billion, 400,000-bpd complex, with thick smoke consistent with a crude oil tank fire rather than routine flaring.

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei:

We have never allowed, and will not allow, the United States to determine the timing of the war.

We will defend ourselves whenever our interests require it, and we will certainly use diplomatic tools whenever we feel it is appropriate.

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei:

I don't know how you think they are managing the war. A war that was supposed to lead to Iran's collapse within three days, forcing Iran to surrender, and yet now after five months, they are stuck in a quagmire of their own making.

This is not war management.

Committing war crimes every once in a while and taking pride in them is merely flailing in a disgrace created by their own hands and tempted by the Zionist regime; naturally, they must pay the price for it.

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei:

The behavior of the Ukrainian President is reminiscent of the behavior of anarchists who, on the eve of World War I, carried out theatrical and very dangerous actions whose consequences affected all of Europe.

The Ukrainian regime downgraded its country to a tool for geopolitical disputes between powers starting four years ago.

During this period, it has accused various countries. Instead of focusing on solving the problem and saving its country and the region from the war it has imposed on Eastern Europe—and in a way, on the whole world—it has constantly blamed others.

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei on the Saudi nuclear deal:

There is no doubt that the Zionist regime basically has problems with any kind of technology transfer and any kind of indigenous progress in the countries of the region.

Regarding the matter itself, according to the usual behavioral habit of the United States, this agreement apparently did not last more than 24 hours and they raised conditions.

The peaceful use of nuclear energy is the right of all countries according to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The reason or excuse for the actions of the US and its allies against Iran has been this very insistence of Iran on exercising its rights according to the NPT.

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei:

We expected the new British government to act more wisely than the previous one. Unfortunately, we have seen that it has practically followed the same path, perhaps even worse.

The United States utilized British military bases to support its aggressive operations against Iran.

This action, by any standard, is contrary to international law. Appeasement in the face of an aggressor, and attempts to please a side that explicitly tramples on international laws, will in no way guarantee international peace and security.

It will only further tarnish the reputation of those supporting such a process.

Iran's FM Spox. Esmail Baghaei on the negotiations with the U.S.:

Do not pay much attention to these media speculations. We currently have no negotiations with the United States.

The negotiations we are having, which may sometimes be subject to different interpretations, are the ones we are holding with Oman, focused on making the necessary arrangements regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella says he'll close embassies in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Cuba, Czechia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Hungary, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Romania, Senegal, and South Africa.

He'll also cancel plans for an embassy in Palestine and merge Colombia's diplomatic missions in France (UNESCO) and Italy (FAO).

Colombia will maintain diplomatic relations with all countries except Cuba and Nicaragua.

The EU is considering changing how it approves Russia sanctions after Greece delayed the latest package to secure an exemption allowing Greek shipping company Dynagas to continue transporting Russian LNG.

Officials are now discussing approving sanctions individually or in smaller batches to reduce the ability of member states to use vetoes to win unrelated concessions.

Source: FT

Chairman of the Russian State Duma Volodin:

Russia! Putin! Victory!

Oil wastage and theft in Iraq have exceeded $35 billion since 2011, with more than a third of oil production revenues diverted to militias and political parties — equivalent to about 1.5 million barrels a day.

Source: Al Arabiya

UK Grants Ukraine Production Rights for Air Defense Jamming System

London will transfer rights for its Stone Cloak electronic warfare system to Ukraine, allowing Kyiv to mass-produce signal jammers capable of blinding Russian air defense systems.

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Putin:

Russia will achieve its objectives in the "Special Military Operation."

Putin:

The people of Russia can never be broken.

That has never happened, and it never will!

Netanyahu before leaving for Washington:

I am on my way to Washington for a meeting with our friend, President of the United States Donald Trump.

his is my eighth meeting with him since he was elected President, more than any other international leader. It is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility.

In my experience as Prime Minister, one must act in these complex times with both great determination and great wisdom.

We will discuss all the topics on the agenda, headed by Iran.

I am setting out on this mission with one clear goal: to ensure the security, strength, and future of our dear State of Israel.

Presidential Row: Brazil Recalls Ambassador as Argentina's Milei Insults Lula

The decision comes after Javier Milei publicly branded Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a "thief" and a "convict" during a rally for Brazilian presidential hopeful Flávio Bolsonaro.

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