Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif:

Even if there was no agreement, if Saudi Arabia is attacked — especially our holy places — we are bound by an eternal agreement that we will protect them.

The House of God and Medina al-Munawwarah — protecting them is our religious duty.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif:

My assessment is that Iran as a state is not supporting the Houthis.

I do not think Iran will open another front when it is already involved in a conflict in this region.

These informal arrangements — the way they operate — do not wait for any permission, support or approval. If the Houthis see a vulnerability, they push it.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif:

I think Israel has exposed itself too much. They cannot afford this kind of exposure.

It is a sorry state.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif:

Ultimately, I think Israel will be a big loser.

UN human rights experts said there are “reasonable grounds” to believe the U.S. committed war crimes in two strikes on Iran that killed at least 177 civilians.

A UN fact-finding report said February strikes on a primary school in Minab, which killed at least 156 people including 120 children, and a sports complex in Lamerd, which killed 21 civilians, appeared to be indiscriminate attacks on civilian sites.

The U.S. has denied targeting civilians, disputed responsibility for the Lamerd strike, and said it was investigating the Minab attack.

Trump told Axios he is approaching a critical decision on whether to resume major military action against Iran or pursue another path to end the conflict.

“I have a big decision coming up. Do I want to go in and annihilate them [the Iranian regime] or do I not? It’s a big decision. Anything could happen with me.”

Trump said he plans to use a meeting with leaders from six Gulf countries during the UN General Assembly to discuss the next steps.

“I want to find out where they are and how they are doing. We have been very protective of them.”

Source: Axios

Iranian forces have shot down at least two U.S. MQ-1 unmanned aircraft in recent days, according to U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News anonymously.

The locations and exact variants of the drones are unclear.

Italian PM Meloni:

I believe these provocations from Moscow are multiplying because Putin needs to shift attention by creating an escalation with Europe.

This comes from a situation on the battlefield in Ukraine that is not going as Putin had predicted, declared and promised to his people.

I think we should not respond to these provocations. Responding to these provocations would be more in the interest of Moscow than of Europe.

Italian PM Meloni:

I think that formalizing and identifying who speaks on behalf of Europe would strengthen the European position.

I believe that today, in good faith, we are multiplying formats, events and interlocutors.

Having a single interlocutor in a delicate phase would clarify, simplify and give strength to the European position.

Trump on Poland:

GREAT NEWS! Thanks to the bold leadership of my friend, Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, major progress is being made toward establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland.

If this happens, the location will be announced very soon. This will be a historic step for our Great U.S. / Polish Alliance. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

BREAKING: The US is selling Saudi Arabia 48 x F-35 fighter jets in a deal worth up to $24.3 billion, Saudi Arabia's first-ever F-35 purchase.

The State Department notified Congress today and called it essential for "improving the security of a major non-NATO ally."

Serbian President Vučić inaugurated a new Israeli-designed combat drone assembly factory today, a partnership between Israel's Elbit Systems and Serbia's Yugoimport SDPR.

The plant employs ~100 people and will produce drones for Serbia's army plus export.

Vučić said the drones "go through windows and chase the opponent" and announced plans for at least three more factories.

Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

It was overdue that we now take more responsibility for ourselves.

Let’s be honest with each other. We felt comfortable with this division of labor.

Cheap products from China, highly developed products to the whole world, cheap oil from Russia and gas, and security through the United States of America.

This time, this business model of the Federal Republic of Germany is over and it will not come back.

Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

We agreed at the NATO summit last year on 3.5% of GDP for our defense.

We will achieve this goal. The German federal government will achieve this goal earlier than many other countries in Europe.

We show that we are ready to defend our freedom.

Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

Two-thirds of young people in this country say yes to the Bundeswehr, say yes also to a social compulsory year.

We should actively lead this discussion in our society.

Let’s simply tell young people: this state offers you as much as no generation before.

But we also expect from you that you help ensure that our country remains free and peaceful.

So do something for it, participate on this path into the future.

Germany's defense minister Pistorius visited the Pentagon with a paradox.

Berlin wants European military self-reliance but keeps buying American.

Germany hiked defense spending to $147 billion this year, but most of it flows to US companies.

F-35 jets (35 ordered, possibly 15 more), Chinook helicopters, P-8 patrol aircraft, Patriot systems.

They signed a defense-industrial cooperation statement but with no concrete projects, timelines, or investment commitments.

Germany desperately wants Tomahawk cruise missiles for Russia deterrence — its first-ever deep-strike capability — but the US is prioritizing its own restocking after the Iran war, delaying German deliveries.

Pistorius said he made "very clear" the timelines are too slow.

Source: Politico

French Presidential Candidate Gabriel Attal:

I do not want my generation to see Europe become the 51st state of America or the 24th province of China.

The time of happy vassalization is over. We have a role to play, a destiny to accomplish.

I consider that the great mission of my generation is to accomplish the European dream and to bring about the birth of the United States of Europe.