Trump on Iran:

We have things that we could sanction on Iran. We have very draconian sanctions, and we’ll see what happens.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee:

I think that Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia believe it will be helpful to them to band together for security purposes.

So, I don't see it having a destabilizing impact. They don't seem to have a desire to start any conflict.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Iran:

The Iranians have been kicked in the butt twice. You would think that after that they might begin to learn that President Trump is serious when it comes to taking military action when he thinks it's the only option.

He has expressed to them that if they're unwilling to give up their nuclear weapons ambitions and their enrichment ambitions and if they're unwilling to open up the Strait of Hormuz, then major combat is on the table.

Is that what he's going to do? I can't answer that because he is the only person elected and the only person who's authorized to make the decision and then to carry it out.

But I trust his instincts. He's had good instincts on this issue.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Türkiye:

Now, is Türkiye giving an imminent threat to Israel? Maybe not. Probably not.

But this is a tense region. Everybody is quite nervous, and so if anyone sees actions that they feel like could be a threat to them, there are reactions.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee:

There will be a deconfliction cell that will be created, and Ambassador Barrack and I talked about this yesterday.

We're working on it now so that all of the various parties—Syria, Türkiye, Israel—would be able to have a mechanism through which they can communicate and make sure that any intentions are clearly understood.

Nobody wants to see an escalation of the tension, an escalation of violence. So, every effort is being made to try to temper down any of the activity.

U.S. federal debt hit $40 trillion.

NOW: Massive Russian missile attack on Kyiv overnight with multiple waves of ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

Residents describe "endless" explosions among the loudest of the war.

At least 15-16 missiles tracked toward Kyiv in the first 20 minutes, including Iskander-M, North Korean KN-23, and 5-8 Zircon hypersonic missiles launched from multiple Russian regions simultaneously.

The attack exploits Ukraine's depleted Patriot interceptor stocks.

Former Israeli PM Ehud Barak called Netanyahu's escalation with Türkiye over the Syria airbase strike "reckless and stupid" with "a strong political smell of manufacturing security anxieties ahead of elections."

"Türkiye is not Iran or Assad's Syria.

There is no strategic problem with Türkiye that cannot be resolved through discreet contacts coordinated with the United States.

Netanyahu has completely gone off the rails."

Barak argued the issue should be postponed until after elections, saying Netanyahu is focused on survival maneuvers rather than Israel's security.

China Has Created a Man-Made Island for Its Largest Military Base

China has completed the construction of a massive man-made island on Antelope Reef, which will serve as the foundation for Beijing's largest military outpost in the South China Sea.

READ MORE

Trump:

No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a greater opportunity to make a Deal than me. TRAGICALLY, for them, they have failed to take it.

Therefore, today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY! This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale.

Their navy is gone, their air force is destroyed, their military factories are now rubble, their currency is worthless, and their country is hanging by a thread.

Today, I am also announcing that ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences. Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies — It all needs to stop NOW. You know who you are.

This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY, and we need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat.

These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani says Israel had no justification for bombing the Abu al-Duhur airbase, arguing Syria had already told Israel there was no planned Turkish base or permanent Turkish deployment there.

Israel says the strike was meant to prevent a Turkish military buildup. Al-Shaibani disputes that, saying the base was largely empty and was being rebuilt for Syria’s air force. Turkish officers had visited, he acknowledged, but as part of broader training cooperation.

Despite the strike, Syria remains open to talks with Israel. “De-escalation cannot be the responsibility of one side alone,” Al-Shaibani said, adding that Syria “does not close the door on negotiations.”

He also says a previous U.S.-mediated security deal had been agreed “on paper” before Israel “backed away from its commitments.”

Source: Axios

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz:

Erdogan is dragging Türkiye into dangerous adventures in Syria.

Israel will not allow any entity to threaten its security.

It is preferable for Erdogan to continue delivering empty, delusional speeches against Israel in the Turkish parliament rather than testing Israel's resolve to defend itself.

Senator Darline Graham:

I tripped up on one question last night regarding Taiwan. I don't speak politician. I was just honest.

Of course, Taiwan is our friend. But I think people in South Carolina are more worried about boys in girls' sports.

Senator Darline Graham:

Is national security important? Absolutely. Can I learn? I'm smart. Yes, I'll learn. I'll become informed.

Trump aide Natalie Harp worked in the White House for more than a year without a security clearance, despite unusually close access to the president and potentially sensitive information.

After repeated internal concerns and pressure—including intervention from Trump—she eventually completed the background-check process and received clearance.

Source: MS NOW

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

The so-called “Economic D-Day” is a diversion from America's own crisis: unprecedented debt & surging interest costs.

Doubling down on failed policies will only bring further defeat—and enmity of Iranians. US economic terrorism threatens global economy and sovereignty worldwide.

At least 12 people have been killed and 23 injured in a massive attack on Kyiv.

Residential buildings, warehouses, a medical facility and other sites were hit, with people trapped under rubble.

South Korea estimates North Korea has 80–120 nuclear warheads, far above Trump’s figure of 57.

Seoul says the estimate comes from private research and is not officially confirmed by its military.

The U.S. Army is phasing out a 600-soldier experimental drone-assault battalion in Europe, returning it to airborne infantry duties after upcoming exercises.

Acting Army chief Gen. Christopher LaNeve’s move reflects a broader “back-to-basics” shift and reverses an initiative designed to rapidly absorb lessons from Ukraine’s drone warfare.

Source: WSJ