U.S. sanctioned nine individuals for aiding Hezbollah. Targets include Iran's ambassador to Beirut Ali Reza Shibani - who refused expulsion - and Mohammad Fanish, designated head of Hezbollah's Executive Council despite the group officially assigning someone else. Two Amal Movement military officials, four Hezbollah MPs, and two Lebanese security figures also hit. Signals deep Hezbollah penetration across Lebanese institutions.

- U.S. State Department

NEW: Pakistan's army commander will not travel to Tehran tonight. -AI-Arabiya

Japan's KC-46A completed a simulated air-to-air refueling drill.

Via @BESTGUY0925

A senior White House official told Politico that nuclear weapons and the Strait of Hormuz are still the main obstacles in talks with Iran.

SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis Donovan is meeting with U.S. Secretary of War/Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon today at Hegseth’s request, a source tells MS NOW, as USS Nimitz arrived in the Caribbean this week amid heightened tensions with Cuba.

CENTCOM: U.S. Marines moving a HIMARS to refuel in the Middle East. The M142 is operated by both the Marine Corps and Army.

Francesca Albanese's removal from the U.S. sanctions list is temporary and does not signal a policy change, the State Department said.

U.S. President Donald Trump:

"Based on the successful Election of the now President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, who I was proud to Endorse, and our relationship with him, I am pleased to announce that the United States will be sending an additional 5,000 Troops to Poland. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

NASCAR champion Kyle Busch has passed away at age 41.

Several Honduran police officers are missing in Corinto after separate attacks in the country’s northern region left at least 24 dead, factal news reports, citing officials.

At least 9 students were hospitalized after a school bus and vehicle collided in Everett, Massachusetts.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio:

"Adys Lastres Morera is the sister of the Executive President of GAESA, the Cuban military-controlled financial conglomerate that steals millions in aid for the Cuban people at the behest of the regime.

Morera was managing real estate assets and living in Florida, while also aiding Havana's communist regime, until I terminated her permanent resident status.

I am pleased to announce that today, she was arrested and is now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

There will be nowhere on this Earth - much less in our country - where foreign nationals who threaten our national security can live lavishly."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio:

"Thanks to PM Andrej Babiš and all of the healthcare professionals in Prague who are taking care of the American evacuated from the Ebola outbreak. We are deeply appreciative for Czechia’s help."

Contributed by @AZ_Intel_.

(...Read more on X)

Tulsi Gabbard resigned as Director of National Intelligence, effective June 30, citing her husband’s diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer.

President Donald Trump said deputy Aaron Lukas will serve as acting DNI.

Axios Report: The Trump administration and Iran are reportedly close to reaching a deal to end the war, with outstanding gaps limited to wording on several points.

U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC):

"I’d love to see Pete Hegseth fired because he’s incompetent and doing a horrible job. That’s kind of on a Christmas wish list, but what I mainly want to do is get Republicans reelected in November, including bringing them back a majority in the House."

Senator Lindsey Graham:

If a deal is struck to end the Iranian conflict because it is believed that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be protected from Iranian terrorism and Iran still possesses the capability to destroy major Gulf oil infrastructure, then Iran will be perceived as being a dominate force requiring a diplomatic solution.

This combination of Iran being perceived as having the ability to terrorize the Strait in perpetuity and the ability the inflict massive damage to Gulf oil infrastructure is a major shift of the balance of power in the region and over time will be a nightmare for Israel.

Also, it makes one wonder why the war started to begin with if these perceptions are accurate. I personally am a skeptic of the idea that Iran cannot be denied the ability to terrorize the Strait and the region cannot protect itself against Iranian military capability.

It is important we get this right.

A three-phase framework is being proposed for U.S.-Iran talks: formally ending the war, resolving the Strait of Hormuz standoff, and opening a 30-day negotiation window for a wider agreement. An extension remains possible.

- Reuters

Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu are expected to speak Saturday about the emerging Iran deal, an Israeli official said.

Iran and Pakistan sent a revised proposal to Washington to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Bloomberg.