🇮🇷❌🇮🇱 BREAKING — Iran’s Army Air Defense Force says it has shot down an Orbiter reconnaissance UAV over the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the announcement, the UAV was likely operated by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and was downed approximately two hours ago.

🇩🇪⚡️ Germany’s Chancellor Merz: “We cannot talk up the result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; it is a disaster.”

Merz said the CDU fought hard but was ultimately “crushed” by the polarization between the SPD and AfD.

🇩🇪⚡️ Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

“We are experiencing a state that has become too complicated. Our economy is right in the middle of a deep upheaval.

The tone in our society has become harsher and less willing to compromise. At the same time, trust in Germany’s institutions is declining and is being actively undermined by radical parties on both the left and right.

In Germany and across Europe, we must fundamentally rethink freedom, everyday security, peace, and our own strengths and weaknesses.

We must do so in the face of very concrete threats.”

🇩🇪⚡️ Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

“I want to move our country forward.

I am firmly convinced that the success of our reforms will not only improve our coexistence, but also our self-image and Germany’s image in the world.

Germany is capable of reform.

What needs to be done now requires backbone, steadfastness, and patience.”

🇩🇪⚡️ German Chancellor Merz says he will not resign:

“What needs to be done now requires backbone, steadfastness and patience.

I will provide that — as chairman of the CDU and, above all, as Federal Chancellor of our country.”

🇩🇪⚡️ Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

“We need change. Change requires strength. Not everything will receive immediate applause.

I know these changes will also bring burdens and new uncertainties for many of you, with some effects becoming apparent only over time.

But that is precisely why we cannot postpone these decisions any longer.

The reforms must come.”

🇩🇪⚡️ Germany’s Chancellor Merz:

“The answer cannot be a return to the good old days. But the answer also cannot be to constantly talk down everything that is good.

The answer must be to make our country fit for the future.

I want our country to once again become a country of new beginnings.”

⚡️🇸🇾 Renewed explosions in Aleppo, Syria.

🇮🇷🚨 BREAKING: Explosions Reported Near Strait of Hormuz

▪️ Reports indicate explosions were heard from Qeshm Island and Sirik in Iran.

▪️ Initial reports suggest the explosions occurred in the Strait of Hormuz.

🇸🇾💥 More Footage: Weapons Depot of Jolani’s Groups Explodes in Aleppo

🇵🇰🇦🇫💥 BREAKING: Pakistani Airstrikes Reported in Eastern Afghanistan

▪️ Al Jazeera, citing a government source, reports Pakistani fighter jets carried out airstrikes in Kunar province, leaving several people killed and wounded.

📡 @multipolar_report

🇮🇷🇺🇸🛩️ IRGC Releases Footage of MQ-1 Drone Intercept and Shootdown

▪️ Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has released footage purportedly showing the interception and downing of an MQ-1 drone.

🇺🇸📺 BREAKING: Major U.S. Networks Suspend Trump Pool Coverage

▪️ ABC, CBS, Fox News, NBC and CNN have agreed to suspend pooled coverage of President Trump after the White House barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico. CNN had been scheduled to provide the pool feed for Trump’s UNGA trip today.

▪️ CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the White House ban.

🇺🇸🇮🇷💸 Trump’s Iran War Has Cost U.S. Households an Estimated $1,760 Each

▪️ Moody’s Analytics estimates the U.S.-Iran conflict has added about $1,760 to the average household’s costs since the war began: $930 from higher energy prices, $425 from higher interest rates and $405 from increased military spending.

▪️ U.S. consumers have spent more than $121 billion extra on energy, with higher fuel costs also feeding into transportation and other prices.

🇩🇪📉 CDU Suffers Major Setbacks in German State Elections

▪️ In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the CDU received just 4.9% and failed to enter the state parliament for the first time, while the AfD won 38.2%.

▪️ In Berlin, the CDU finished second with 18.8%, behind Die Linke at 25.7%. In Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month, the CDU won 17.2% versus 43.8% for the AfD.

📡 @multipolar_report

🇺🇦⚓️ Ukraine Recruiting Women for Marine Corps

▪️ Ukraine is actively recruiting women into its armed forces, including for naval service and Marine Corps units.

🇷🇺🇺🇦💥 Druzhkovka Direction: Russian Marines Strike Ukrainian Forces

▪️ Russian Navy Marine Corps UAV operators detected a group of Ukrainian forces moving along a route during reconnaissance.

▪️ The Marines then carried out a fire strike, preventing the group from completing its task.