Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

Anyone who calls Germany’s membership of the European Union into question, anyone who wants to leave the European Union, the euro and the Schengen area, is endangering a considerable part of our country’s prosperity.

I will do everything I can to further develop the European Union.

Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

I am and remain skeptical about whether a procedure to ban the AfD can be successful.

We can certainly examine this again and again, but from my point of view, this is a very high hurdle.

I also do not believe that banning this party would solve the problems that its voters in Germany are concerned about.

Marco Rubio on Mexico:

There are territories, vast territories in Mexico, that are not governed by the state.

They are controlled by narco-terrorist organizations.

Marco Rubio:

The left-wing destroyed Venezuela. The left-wing destroyed Cuba. The left-wing destroyed Nicaragua.

The left-wing has basically destroyed every country they've gotten ahold of in the hemisphere.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he currently has “no plans” to run for president in 2028, while leaving open the possibility of a future campaign.

Rubio said he is focused on his current roles as secretary of state and interim national security adviser.

People close to him say he enjoys the job and is keeping his options open.

One person familiar with his thinking said Rubio would likely be interested in a presidential run in 2032 or 2036.

Source: NBC News

Pakistan has conveyed a Saudi warning to Iran, urging it to rein in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia after the Yemeni group launched major strikes on the kingdom.

Islamabad delivered a message to Tehran calling on it to use its influence over the Houthis to prevent a wider regional crisis.

Iran responded that it “does not control the Houthis,” according to an Iranian official.

However, two Iranian sources told Reuters that Tehran had encouraged the Houthis to escalate attacks, promising additional funding and weapons.

Pakistan said any military role would remain defensive, focused on protecting Saudi territory rather than conducting operations in Yemen.

Source: Reuters

Anduril founder Palmer Luckey:

Everyone watching Iran's state-run TV news program probably noticed they picked up an Anduril Dive-LD, our mass-produced attritable submarine.

This particular vehicle has been swimming in CENTCOM for months, successfully operating in support of American forces for thousands of hours.

It was explicitly designed to operate in environments too dangerous for humans where capture is an expected possibility.

I can't get into the details, but it provided significant value for months before capture.

Rest in peace, little buddy.

Trump’s senior advisers have privately warned him that the war with Iran could continue through the rest of his presidency, potentially lasting until January 2029.

The administration appears to be preparing for a prolonged confrontation.

The U.S. is maintaining a naval blockade and sanctions campaign against Iran, while the Pentagon has extended some troop deployments, rotated fighter squadrons, and planned continued air-defense and Marine deployments across the Middle East.

Source: WSJ

Multiple U.S. military aircraft were damaged in last night’s strikes on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, CBS reported.

One A-10 lost a wing, while about eight F-15s sustained minor damage and returned to service.

Trump:

If the Republicans win the House and the Senate, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000.

Trump:

If the Republicans win, you win with us, and you get $5,000.

It will be called the Trump Dividend. Congratulations.

Trump on Iran:

We are more powerful now than OPEC.

The war will be over shortly after the election.

Trump on Iran:

Iran is going to be quitting or dropping out or who knows what the hell, whatever it is, right after Election Day because they desperately want a deal with Democrats like Obama.

Trump on Iran:

If Iran had a nuclear weapon, I would be calling the Supreme Leader.

I would be saying, "Mr. Supreme Leader, how are you, sir? Is there anything we can do for you?"

Trump:

You have a neighboring state, New Mexico. We think it should be called New America.

The people love the idea.

Trump:

I think we should call the Hormuz Strait—we should call it the Trump Strait.

I should get something out of this.

John Fetterman made a surprise virtual appearance at the Republican midterm convention, praising GOP Sen. Dave McCormick and pledging to work with him and Trump to defend Pennsylvania steel.

“Yes, I’m a Democrat,” Fetterman said, calling himself a “commonsense Democrat” who would reject “extremes and socialism.”

He described McCormick as a “great friend.”

Trump touted the new Venezuela oil deal at the Republican convention, declaring:

Venezuela, which we’ve just added to our little stockpile … 65 billion barrels are ours.

Hasan Piker appears on the big screen at the Republican convention in Dallas.

Trump on Iran:

There’s another place called Pickaxe Mountain, another nice place. We may have to give them a shot there too.

Bessent:

In 15 short months, we’ve gone from a president who couldn’t stay awake to a president who refuses to sleep.