NEW: Anonymous French Defense Ministry source says France is already conducting covert conventional military operations against Russia.

When asked if Paris could retaliate militarily without announcing it, the source replied:

It's already happening.

Source: Le Monde

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

We do not accept Saudi Arabia being made a part of the ongoing conflict between Iran and America.

Saudi Arabia should be kept outside this equation because they themselves are not seeking to become involved in it.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

As members of the Mecca Alliance, we are closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia.

They may have military needs, particularly in certain technical areas, and we would have no issue in helping meet those needs.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

We see that there have been very serious attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and infrastructure.

When we look at our agreement, there is a responsibility of alliance between the countries toward one another. Our President is truly a leader who stands by his word.

We are in a state of solidarity on this issue, and we are especially evaluating and analyzing the situation.

11% of French gas stations report fuel shortages, driven by high oil prices from Middle East tensions.

Diesel hit ~€2.41/L, near record highs.

Grand Est (16%) and Pays de la Loire (15%) are worst hit.

The government says strategic stocks are adequate and the problem is logistics, not supply.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

There are some initiatives regarding ending the war in Ukraine, but at this stage it appears somewhat difficult for them to produce lasting results.

The efforts need to continue, and we should not lose hope.

NEW: U.S. diesel hit an all-time record of $6.49/gallon today, smashing the previous $5.82 record from June 2022.

Prices have nearly doubled year-over-year.

$3.71 → $6.49

California is worst at $8.04/gal.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Greece:

There is a Türkiye factor in Greek domestic politics. If someone wants to gain political points in domestic politics, the card they will play is the Türkiye card.

Politics does not work like this in Türkiye. We have bigger, more global issues to deal with.

Greek politics has one single issue.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Greece:

We are not in favor of tensions in the Aegean. We absolutely do not accept the militarization of islands that have a demilitarized status, and we have made very persistent efforts on this issue.

This region needs peace, not militarization.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Both Ukraine and Russia are particularly targeting ports and all maritime activity.

We have now sent a proposal to both sides on this issue. We are working on it and waiting for their responses.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Greece:

Hopefully, some of the statements made by Greek politicians will remain only at the level of rhetoric.

But if they take this further and pursue irrational, adventurous steps, Türkiye’s seriousness and strength are known by everyone.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

There are some creative ideas for resolving the S-400 issue.

Hopefully, we will take positive steps on this matter.

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella issued a rare condemnation of Russia, warning against Moscow using intimidation, threats and destabilization to influence France.

“We will never tolerate a foreign power, in this case, Russia, seeking to dictate, directly or indirectly, the policy of our country through intimidation, threats, destabilization or psychological pressure.”

The statement condemned Russia’s seizure of assets belonging to French retailer Auchan and Swiss company Nestlé, calling it:

“A hostile act against the interests of France and the nations of Europe.”

Le Pen and Bardella also referenced Russia-linked hybrid threats, including the August drone attack at Leipzig airport, and said:

“No provocation, clandestine operation, or destabilization effort could lead France to facilitate Russia’s achievement of its war aims in Ukraine.”

Source: POLITICO

Zelensky:

Our enemy is Russia — for Ukraine, for independence, for democracy. And if this is about democracy, about Europe, then it is a common enemy for Poland as well.

In such cases, we need unity not only with Poland, but with all of Europe.

First of all with Poland, because we are big neighbors and we must be friends.

Zelensky:

The war will end, I am sure people will return. I do not know what percentage will return.

It will depend on what I said: education, on parents who did not allow their children to forget Ukraine — in their hearts, in their minds, in everything.

And it will certainly depend on the rebuilding of the state, the conditions for doing business, and jobs.

Zelensky:

People of different generations left. Many people took their children — small children. Elderly people of different ages left.

Many people did not leave and went to the front. Well, war is war. And everyone made their own choice.

In the same way, every person will make their own choice in the first days after the end of the war.

Iran's Security Council Secretary Rezaei:

Iran has announced 7 conditions for starting any negotiations to the US government.

Tehran's message is clear and unambiguous; if Washington wants to escape the quagmire it has created for itself and avoid getting further entangled in it, it has no choice but to accept Iran's rights and conditions.

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz:

Missiles are falling, drones are falling one kilometer from the Polish border.

If Ukraine does not have air defense systems, if it does not have ammunition to shoot down these drones, most of these drones will fly through Ukraine and reach Poland.

The state interest is supporting a Ukraine that is fighting, so that missiles are intercepted there and do not reach Poland.

Germany has begun mandatory medical examinations for 18-year-old men born in 2008 as part of the new military registration system.

Nearly 1,000 men who did not volunteer interest in joining the Bundeswehr have already been examined.

A nationwide screening system with 24 assessment centers is planned to begin in July 2027.

A UAE official source rejected a Haaretz report that Abu Dhabi had warned Israel of an imminent Hamas attack in the weeks before October 7.

The source said:

The UAE discusses security matters with other countries through the relevant entities, and does not discuss such details at the level of national leaders.

A major point of tension between the UK and Israel was a disputed conversation between British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar over the E1 settlement project in the West Bank.

British officials said they left an Aug. 11 phone call believing Gideon Sa’ar had indicated that Israel would not open construction bids for E1 before Israel’s October elections.

A week later, Israel published tenders for around 1,200 housing units in E1, which British officials viewed as a reversal of what they understood Gideon Sa’ar had promised.

The dispute became one of the factors behind Britain’s decision to impose sanctions targeting Israeli settlements.

Source: NYT