OT subject but worth a main-stream read- OT News Feeds...

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US-China Summit:

"President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized stability between the two nations on Friday, as they concluded the two-day summit in Beijing. The leaders made no specific announcements on trade, Taiwan, the war in Iran, or other points of contention. “We’ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to settle,” Trump told reporters, without elaborating. Luke Broadwater, Ana Swanson, David Pierson, and Anton Troianovski report for the New York Times. 

Trump told Fox News yesterday that China had agreed to order 200 Boeing Jets, which would be its first purchases of U.S.-made commercial jets in nearly a decade. This fell short of the roughly 500 expected by markets. China has not officially said whether it agreed to purchase the aircraft. Sarah Charlton, Deborah Kyvrikosaios, Farouq Suleiman, and Kylie MacLellan report for Reuters; Keith Bradsher, Qasim Nauman, and Niraj Chokshi report for the  New York Times.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said today that he expected China to agree to purchase more than $10 billion in U.S. agricultural products following the U.S.-China summit. Greer also confirmed that the United States and China would establish a “Board of Trade” to oversee a tariff reduction on about $30 billion in goods. Ana Swanson reports for the New York Times. "

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Friday Iran war update:

"The United Arab Emirates will accelerate construction of a new oil pipeline to double its export capacity through Fujairah by 2027, the government’s media office said today, vastly expanding its ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Yousef Saba reports for Reuters.  

House Republicans narrowly blocked a resolution that would have required Trump to seek congressional approval to continue military operations against Iran, with the vote ending in a 212–212 tie despite support from three Republicans and most Democrats. One Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (ME), opposed it. Robert Jimison reports for the New York Times.  

Republican senators are warning that any request from Trump for tens of billions of dollars to pay for the Iran war is unlikely to pass the Senate,unless Trump comes to Congress with a formal request for authorization or a clear plan to end the war soon. “I think the supplemental is in big trouble. I think that’s one of the reasons we haven’t seen a formal supplemental request. I think that’s going to be a very heavy lift,” a Republican senator said anonymously. Alexander Bolton reports for The Hill. "

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Some behind the scenes maneuvering regarding the World Cup:

“After two tournaments in autocratic countries (Russia and Qatar), where FIFA could order up stadiums à la carte, the coming 2026 iteration has required the messy work of dealmaking in democratic societies,” Grabar writes. That has included newly elected New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill calling out FIFA for expecting New Jersey commuters to suffer and the state to pay. Grabar continues: “As bad as these deals are, local officials do want to be seen as stewards of a successful mega-event. Most of the ugliness happens under the radar. The contracts between FIFA and the host committees or cities are secret; the politicians who signed or supervised them are gone; the local pro-sports elite who populate the host committees and brought the games to town are behind the scenes. Today’s mayors and governors will not reap substantial political benefit from a seamless tournament. But they will be the ones humiliated if a match does not start on time or England fans tear down the lampposts.”"

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Russia-Ukraine update;

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Monday US-China Summit follow-up:

The White House released additional details Sunday on trade understandings reached after Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi, saying China agreed to buy at least $17 billion per year in U.S. agricultural products in 2026, 2027, and 2028, with this year’s amount prorated. A White House fact sheet also said China approved an initial purchase of 200 Boeing aircraft and moved to expand market access for U.S. beef and poultry, though the New York Times reports that key details remain unclear, including what Washington offered Beijing in return. Tony Romm reports for the New York Times.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Sunday that China’s agreement to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft is “locked in,” while saying further details on aircraft, engine, and agricultural purchases would be released in the coming days. Greer’s comments came after China described the summit trade understandings as preliminary and amid continued questions over the concrete deliverables from Trump’s meetings with Xi. Tony Romm reports for the New York Times.

China’s Commerce Ministry said Saturday that tariff, agriculture, and aircraft agreements reached during Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi remain “preliminary,” with key details on timelines, volumes, and values still unresolved. The ministry confirmed talks on reciprocal product-specific tariff reductions, agricultural market access, Chinese purchases of U.S. aircraft, and U.S. assurances on aircraft-engine and parts supplies to China. Eduardo Baptista reports for Reuters.

Trump said Friday that Xi had agreed Iran should reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Beijing gave no indication it would publicly press Tehran to do so. Trevor Hunnicutt and Jana Choukeir report for Reuters.

Trump said Friday he was considering lifting U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies that buy Iranian oil, a potentially significant step given China’s role as Iran’s largest oil customer. Trevor Hunnicutt reports for Reuters."

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Monday Iran War update:

"Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced a new Persian Gulf Strait Authority to manage Strait of Hormuz operations, as Tehran prepares to release a traffic-management plan that may include tolls. The council shared a post saying the authority would provide “real-time updates on the Hormuz Strait operations and latest developments.” The Guardianreports; Al Jazeera reports; Al Jazeera reporting. 

Iran will no longer allow “enemy” military equipment to transit the Strait of Hormuz, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said Sunday, invoking what he described as Tehran’s sovereign rights over the waterway. Aref said Iran had previously allowed weapons “intended to be used against us” to pass through the strait but “will not permit that again.” Al Jazeerareports. 

Iraq exported 10 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in April, down from about 93 million barrels a month before the Iran war, Iraq’s new oil minister, Basim Mohammed, said Saturday. Mohammed said shipments remain constrained because tankers are avoiding the strait over insurance concerns. Muayad Hameed reports for Reuters. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on a “permanent and comprehensive ceasefire” between Washington and Tehran. Russia endorsed Beijing’s position, with Moscow’s Vienna-based envoy Mikhail Ulyanov saying Russia “fully shares” China’s view that a lasting ceasefire is the route to reopening the waterway. Al Jazeera reports; Al Jazeera reports. "

Edit to add:

President Trump threatened Iran on Sunday with consequences if its leaders do not move quickly toward a deal, writing on Truth Social that “the Clock is Ticking” and “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.” Trump said Iran should “get moving, FAST” or “there won’t be anything left of them.” Katharine Jackson reports for Reuters.

Trump separately posted an apparently AI-generated image on Truth Social reading “It Was The Calm Before The Storm,” showing him pointing at the camera amid warships and vessels flying Iranian flags. Al Jazeerareports.

Seventy-eight commercial ships have been redirected and four vessels disabled “to ensure compliance” during U.S. enforcement of the maritime blockade against Iran, U.S. Central Command said Saturday. The Trump administration imposed the blockade on Iranian ports to pressure Tehran in negotiations to end the war, while Iran has heavily restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera reports.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday he would urge G7 finance ministers to follow a sanctions regime aimed at cutting off financing to what he described as Iran’s “war machine.” Bessent made the comments as G7 finance chiefs met in Paris amid economic pressure from the Iran war and higher energy prices. Reuters reports.  

Pakistan has shared with the United States a revised Iranian proposal to end the Middle East conflict, a Pakistani source told Reuters on Monday, as negotiations remained stalled. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed Tehran’s views had been conveyed to Washington through Pakistan, while Reuters reported that unresolved issues include Iran’s nuclear program, its control of the Strait of Hormuz, demands for an end to the war on all fronts, compensation for war damage, an end to the U.S. naval blockade, guarantees against further attacks, and resumed Iranian oil sales. Saad Sayeed reports. "

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Posting note: I will be unable to provide any worthy articles on Tuesday until late in the day...

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Tuesday Iran war update:

Iran yesterday provided an updated proposal for a deal to end the war, but White House officials said it is not a meaningful improvement on past proposals and is insufficient for a deal, sources told Axios. Though neither side has publicly disclosed any concessions in negotiations, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that the United States was softening its stance, agreeing to release a quarter of  Iran’s frozen funds and showing greater flexibility in allowing Iran to continue some peaceful nuclear activity. Two sources said that Trump was expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room today to discuss military options. Barak Ravid reports for Axios; Reuters reports.

Trump said yesterday that he had authorized a new wave of attacks against Iran this week but that he was holding off as the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates requested more time to work out a nuclear deal. “We were getting ready to do a very major attack tomorrow, and I put it off for a little while, hopefully maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we’ve had very big discussions with Iran,” Trump told reporters. Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt report for the New York Times.

Iran has used the ceasefire with the United States to dig out multiple bombed ballistic missile sites, move mobile missile launchers, and adjust its tactics for any resumption of strikes, a U.S. official said. Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt report for the New York Times.'

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And this on Greenland:

For the past four months, negotiators from the United States, Greenland, and Denmark have been holding confidential talks in Washington. A New York Times investigation, based on interviews with officials, found that the United States is trying to modify a military arrangement to ensure U.S. troops can stay in Greenland indefinitely. Washington also wants effective veto power over any major investment deals in Greenland to box out China and Russia; cooperation on Greenland's natural resources; and military expansion on the island. Justus Hansen, a member of Greenland’s parliament, said that if Washington gets everything they want, “we might as well raise our own flag halfway.” Jeffrey Gettleman, Maya Tekeli, Anton Troianovski, and Eric Schmitt report.

Greenland’s government said yesterday that progress has been made in talks with the United States, while reiterating that the island will never be for sale. Reuters reports."

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Wednesday Iran war update:

"Two Chinese tankers exited the Strait of Hormuz today carrying 4 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil, according to shipping data. Florence Tan and Humeyra Pamuk report for Reuters.

President Trump convened a meeting on Iran with his top national security team on Monday evening that included a briefing on military options, two U.S. officials said. The officials added that Trump had not actually decided to strike Iran before announcing a pause earlier on Monday. On Tuesday, Trump said he had been “an hour away” from giving the order. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.

The Senate voted 50–47 yesterday to move forward with a resolution aimed at limiting Trump’s war powers in Iran. Four Republicans joined most Democrats in supporting the measure, while three Republicans did not vote. The vote marked only a first step in the Senate. Even if both chambers approved the resolution, the president would be expected to veto it. Kaia Hubbard reports for CBS News."

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Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss next week whether European Central Bank President Mario Draghi or ex-Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel could represent the bloc in potential negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sources said. Three sources added that the Trump administration recently informed EU counterparts that it is not opposed to Europe talking to Putin in parallel to U.S.-led peace talks. Henry Foy, Max Seddon, Christopher Miller, and Richard Milne report for the Financial Times."

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Thursday Iran war update:

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed a revised peace memo drafted by Qatar and Pakistan on Tuesday, three sources said. Two Israeli sources said the two leaders were at odds over the way forward, while a U.S. source said, “Bibi’s hair was on fire after the call.” Trump yesterday said Netanyahu “will do whatever I want him to do” on Iran, though he also said they had a good relationship. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.  

Iran has already restarted some of its drone production during the six-week ceasefire that began in early April, according to two sources. Four sources told CNN that U.S. intelligence indicates Iran’s military is reconstituting much faster than initially estimated. Some intelligence estimates suggest Iran could fully reconstitute its drone attack capability in as few as six months. Zachary Cohen and Natasha Bertrand report.

Iran is enforcing a multi-tiered system for clearing vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Reuters investigation. The system can involve government-to-government arrangements, intense vetting by the Iranian government, and sometimes fees in exchange for safe passage. Devjyot Ghoshal, Ahmed Rasheed, Parisa Hafezi, Gavin Finch, and Saurabh Sharma report.

Iran is enduring its longest, government-imposed, internet blackout, lasting nearly three months, with connectivity at 1% to 2% of total capacity. The blackout is “the most severe, by extent and duration, that we’ve tracked in the history of modern internet connectivity,” said Alp Toker, founder of digital watchdog group NetBlocks. Henna Moussavi reports for the Wall Street Journal. "

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Friday Iran war update:

"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi met Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran today to discuss proposals to end the war, Iranian media reported. A senior Iranian source told Reuters yesterday that gaps between Iran and the United States had narrowed, although uranium enrichment and the Strait of Hormuz remained sticking points. Two senior Iranian sources said yesterday that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had issued a directive that uranium should not be sent abroad. Hours later, Trump vowed that the United States would not allow Iran to keep its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Jacob Bogage and Parisa Hafezi report; Parisa Hafezi and Rami Ayyub report for Reuters.

Full oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz will not return before the first or second quarter of 2027, even if the Middle East conflict ends now, the head of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil firm ADNOC said on Wednesday. Reuters reports.

Amid discussions with Oman, Iran’s newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority said on social media that it had “defined the boundaries of the Strait of Hormuz management area” and that passage would require a permit from the authority. Iranian state media reported that Iran has created a new mechanism to control traffic through the route and to charge fees for “specialized services.” Two sources said Oman had initially rejected a joint partnership with Iran on the strait but is now in discussion over a share of the revenues. Ephrat Livni, Vivian Nereim, Erika Solomon, and Farnaz Fassihi report for the New York Times."

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Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants the EU to consider offering “associate membership” to Ukraine, according to a letter seen yesterday by AP News. Under Merz’s proposals, Ukraine would take part in EU meetings, but without voting rights, and would also have non-voting “associate members” of the European Commission and European Parliament. Merz wrote that his proposal “will help facilitate the ongoing peace talks as part of a negotiated peace solution. This is essential not only for Ukraine’s but for the entire continent’s security.” Lorne Cook and Geir Moulson report.

The EU can freeze assets linked to Russians sanctioned over the war in Ukraine, even if those assets are held by a trust, and there is no direct legal link to the persons involved, the EU’s Court of Justice ruled yesterday. Reuters reports."

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Tuesday Iran war update:

Several Senate Republicans cast doubt on the viability of a potential peace deal over the weekend. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote on social media that a “60-day ceasefire - with the belief that Iran will ever engage in good faith - would be a disaster.” Trump responded to criticism on Sunday, calling any deal he would negotiate “good and proper” and calling his critics “losers, who are critical about something they know nothing about.” Minho Kim reports for the New York Times. 

Trump yesterday called on leaders across the Arab world to sign the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel in a social media post, saying he is “mandatorily requesting” they sign on as part of the peace process. Jacob Wendler reports for POLITICO.

U.S. military forces conducted “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran yesterday, according to U.S. Central Command. The targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats trying to place mines, Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said, adding that the military “continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.” A senior military official said Iranian surface-to-air missiles had threatened U.S. Navy warships, adding that the U.S. strikes hit near Bandar Abbas, a major port and Iranian navy base. Eric Schmitt reports for the New York Times.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said today that a deal with Iran could “take a few days,” pulling back on earlier statements signalling an imminent end to the conflict and defending U.S. strikes yesterday in southern Iran. Reuters reports."

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Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

Russia attacked Kyiv with hundreds of drones and missiles on Sunday, in one of the heaviest bombardments of the city since the start of the war. The overnight campaign killed two people in Kyiv, two others in the surrounding area, and wounded nearly 100, according to Ukrainian officials. Britain and Germany described Russia’s use of the Oreshnik - an intermediate-range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads - as an “escalation” in the conflict. Juliia Dysa and Max Hunder report for Reuters.  

Russia yesterday announced that it intended to launch “systematic strikes” on targets in Kyiv linked to the Ukrainian military, as well as decision-making centers, and urged foreigners to leave. Reuters reports. "

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Wednesday Iran war update:

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said yesterday that it would launch a “decisive reciprocal response” to any attack that violated the ceasefire. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei also suggested that Iran would renew strikes on U.S. military installations in his statement commemorating the start of hajj. The Iranian warnings came after U.S. forces struck missile launch sites in southern Iran and destroyed two Revolutionary Guard speedboats on Monday. The U.S. said it acted with “restraint” in light of the weekslong ceasefire, while Iran decried the action as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability.”  Max Bearak, Erik Solomon, Euan Ward, and Michael Levenson report for the New York Times; Aamer Madhani reports for AP News.  

Officials from Gulf countries, who spoke with Trump on Saturday, responded to his push for their nations to join the Abraham Accords with “stunned silence,” according to a source. Another source disputed that characterization, saying that some regional allies responded positively to Trump’s call. Some Middle Eastern officials said they viewed the request merely as Trump’s attempt to appease hawkish Republicans who worry he will give away too much in talks with Iran. “He will keep bringing it up again and again. But it will not be part of the deal,” an official said. Aamer Madhani reports for AP News; Nahal Toosi reports for POLITICO. "

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Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

Ukraine has a six-month window in which to seize the battlefield initiative from Russia and strengthen its hand for peace talks, a senior Ukrainian commander told Reuters. Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky said he believes Russia’s army is exhausted and incapable of making major breakthroughs. If Ukraine's military can build and maintain momentum over several months, it can gain the initiative along the frontline and push Russia to abandon its designs on the last part of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine that it ​does not yet occupy, he said. Dan Peleschuk reports.

Latvia is increasing anti-drone defences on its borders with Russia and Belarus in response to drones flying across its borders, an army official said. “We plan to deploy (drone) interceptor teams over the next two weeks,” Modris Kairiss, head of the Latvian Army Autonomous Systems Competence Centre, told Reuters. The ​teams will consist of up to four soldiers operating killer drones, ​which can destroy incoming military drones in a 10-km (6-mile) radius, he said. Andrius Sytas reports.

NATO will strengthen the defense of its eastern flank by assigning the German-Netherlands corps to help defend Latvia and Estonia in the event of a war with Russia, two sources said. Assigning a second corps for the region will allow NATO to bring in “mass at speed,” according to one military official. Sabine Siebold and Polina Nikolskaya report for Reuters.  

As Russia fails to gain ground in the war in Ukraine, it is “scaling up its daily hybrid activity against the U.K. and Europe,” Director of GCHQ Anne Keast-Butler, the British electronic surveillance agency, is set to say today in her annual speech. Hybrid tactics, countered by GCHQ, have included cyberattacks, sabotage, assassination, and disinformation campaigns intended to destabilize countries’ economies and institutions, according to her remarks. Adam Goldman reports for the New York Times.  

The United Kingdom will sign a new defense and security treaty with Poland today. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said both nations saw “Russia as a strategic threat” and the two leaders are expected to discuss an increase in hybrid attacks. Reuters reports. "

Related:

The Pentagon is substantially scaling back U.S. forces planned for Europe in a crisis, reducing military capabilities by one-third to one-half, according to current and former defense officials. The officials said that NATO allies were notified of the planned cutbacks in a closed-door meeting last week in Brussels. Michael R. Gordon and Robbie Gramer report for the Wall Street Journal. "

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Thursday Iran War update:

President Trump said yesterday that he will not be rushed into a deal with Iran, adding that Iran’s efforts to outlast him will not work because he doesn’t “care about the midterms.” The White House dismissed Iranian state media reports that “an initial, unofficial document” outlining the framework for an agreement would lift the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while leaving it under joint Iranian-Omani control. CNN reports; Max Bearak, Erika Solomon, Euan Ward, Luke Broadwater, and Michael Levenson report for the New York Times.  

“Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up,” Trump told reporters yesterday following news of a plan that would see Oman and Iran jointly charge a toll for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. “They understand that. They’ll be fine.” Gregory Svirnovskiy reports for POLITICO.  

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said early this morning that they launched an attack targeting a U.S. air base near Bandar Abbas Airport, which they say was the source of U.S. strikes on Iran hours before. The U.S. military shot down four Iranian drones and struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas late on Wednesday, a U.S. official said. “These actions were measured, purely defensive and intended to maintain the ceasefire,” the official said. The IRGC said its response was “a serious warning” to the US, saying its “aggression will not go unanswered.” Kuwait’s army reported this morning that its air defenses were intercepting hostile drones and missiles, though it did not state the origin of the attacks. Kathleen Magramo reports for CNN; Qasim Nauman, Eric Schmitt, Luke Broadwater, Euan Ward, and Erika Solomon report for the New York Times; Jana Choukeir, Enas Alashray, and Phil Stewart report for Reuters. "

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Friday Iran War update:

Vice President JD Vance said yesterday that the United States and Iran are very close to a memorandum of understanding that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and launch talks on limiting Iran’s nuclear program. Sources told Reuters that the negotiators had reached an agreement, but President Trump had yet to give his final approval. U.S. officials told Axios that the Iranians said they had the necessary approvals for the deal and were prepared to sign. Iran’s Tasnim news agency, citing a source close to the negotiating team, said the text of the agreement had not been finalized or confirmed. Barak Ravid reports for Axios; Jonathan Landay, Steve Holland, and Yomna Ehab report. 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters yesterday that he had spoken with Oman’s ambassador, who said there were no plans for Oman to cooperate with Iran by imposing a toll in the Strait of Hormuz. Jonathan Landay, Steve Holland, and Yomna Ehab report for Reuters. 

(Personal observation-the purported deal would basically get the area back to where it was before this war started.  Art of the deal, my a$$!)

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Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

Romania and its NATO allies have reacted angrily after a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest on Friday labelled the crash of the drone, part of an overnight attack aimed at Ukraine, a serious violation of international law. The incident is just the latest incursion along the alliance’s eastern flank, raising concern that the risk of an open confrontation between Russia and NATO states is rising.

Romania said the overnight drone was tracked by radar in its airspace before crashing onto the roof of a residential building in the city of Galati.

Two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter were scrambled, as authorities issued emergency alerts to residents. Two people suffered minor injuries, and several residents were evacuated after a fire was triggered by the crash.

The incident is just the latest of several, as the war in Ukraine has spilled over into neighbouring NATO countries, raising fears of potential escalation.

Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as Finland, have reported repeated incursions into their airspace in recent months. Drone incursions led to a government collapse in Latvia earlier this month.

Shortly after the crash, Bucharest called for NATO to speed up the transfer of anti-drone capabilities. Outgoing Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also said Romania would, within hours, sign ⁠a contract which ⁠will give it anti-drone defences ‌under the European Union’s SAFE programme.

On Friday morning, Romania summoned the Russian ambassador.

“We will officially communicate the consequences that this lack of responsibility on the part of the Russian Federation will have for the diplomatic relations between our countries, as well as the next steps at the European level regarding sanctions packages,” Foreign Minister Oana Toiu wrote on social media.

President Nicusor Dan said Romania ⁠will ⁠not accept that the war of aggression ⁠waged by Russia against ⁠Ukraine be transferred to its citizens, and added that he had asked the Foreign Ministry ⁠to present without delay ⁠a series ⁠of measures regarding the country’s relationship with Russia, “proportionate to ‌this very serious situation”."

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Monday Iran war update:

"President Trump on Friday requested several changes to a proposed deal to extend the existing ceasefire with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz during a Situation Room meeting, sources said. The exact changes are unknown, but officials said Trump insisted on tougher language surrounding Iran’s nuclear commitments. Another source said Trump wanted some of the wording around reopening the Strait of Hormuz amended as well. One foreign official said the changes are not substantive and mostly center on the U.S. desire for assurances on key issues. Kevin Liptak, Logan Shiciano, and Kathleen Magramo report for CNN; Marck Caputo and Barak Ravid report for Axios.

The United States carried out further “self-defense” strikes in Iran over the weekend, targeting Iranian radar and command and control sites. U.S. Central Command said last night that the strikes were a response to “aggressive Iranian actions that included the shootdown of a US MQ-1 drone opening over international waters.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a U.S. air base, allegedly used to launch an attack on a telecommunications tower on Iran’s Sirik Island, according to Iranian state media outlets. The IRGC’s announcement came after Kuwait reported it repelled drone and missile attacks. Kevin Liptak, Logan Shiciano, and Kathleen Magramo report for CNN; Yan Zhuang reports for the New York Times.  

U.S. forces in recent weeks have helped coordinate the passage of around 70 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials. The officials said that most of the vessels had turned off their transponders to avoid detection when going through the narrow waterway. Peter Eavis and Eric Schmitt report for the New York Times. "

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Good article from the BBC today about the trick sack CHEETO is in:

Trump needs this war to end but Iran is not backing down

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedp3lee059o?at_campaign_type=owned&at_medium=emails&at_objective=awareness&at_ptr_type=email&at_ptr_name=salesforce&at_campaign=newsbriefingpm&at_email_send_date=20260601&at_send_id=4610715&at_link_title=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedp3lee059o&at_bbc_team=crm&at_audience_id=230102166

Gulfcoastguy

Iran is in a similar situation to Russia. If they are beaten or surrender the powers that be will face a very short lifespan. Add to that religious fervor and its equivalent communism inevitability. They are both riding the tiger. Some could say the same about DJT.

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Tuesday Iran war update:

Iranian state media reported yesterday that Tehran was halting peace negotiations with the United States and might end the ceasefire, citing ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon. There was no direct confirmation of the reports, and President Trump told an NBC reporter that he had not heard from Iran. Trump later said in a CNBC interview that the peace talks had “started to get very boring” and that he did not care if they were over. Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, and Hatem Maher report for Reuters.

U.N. Security Council members, except for the United States, yesterday called for Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon and refrain from threatened escalatory attacks. Farnaz Fassihi reports for the New York Times.  

Trump said yesterday that he had spoken with Hezbollah through intermediaries and secured a pledge that it would not attack Israel. Trump also said he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and they agreed that “Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel.” Two U.S. officials told Axios that Trump lashed out at Netanyahu over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon. One official summarised Trump’s remarks as, “You’re **** crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.” Reuters reports; Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, and Hatem Maher report for Reuters; Barak Ravid and Marc Caputo report. 

After Trump's announcement, Netanyahu said in a statement, “I told [Trump] that if Hezbollah doesn’t cease its attacks… Israel will strike terror targets in Beirut.” Netanyahu also said that Israel would continue military operations in southern Lebanon. Aaron Boxerman, Christina Goldbaum, Johnatan Reiss, and Richard Perez-Pena report for the New York Times. 

Hours later, Lebanon announced a partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. According to Lebanon’s embassy in Washington, the agreement would not end the conflict but calls for Israel to refrain from strikes on Beirut, while Hezbollah halts attacks on Israel. Hostilities in southern Lebanon continued yesterday evening. The Israeli military said today that it had intercepted two projectiles that crossed from Lebanon into northern Israel. Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, and Hatem Maher report for Reuters.

In recent days, the Trump administration has threatened to sanction and even bomb Oman, after a new intelligence assessment concluded that Muscat was planning to join Iran in tolling vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a U.S. official. Oman has repeatedly denied that it plans to do so. Washington has also pressed Oman to cut diplomatic ties with Iran, citing the intelligence assessment. Benoit Faucon, Summer Said, and Alexander Ward report for the Wall Street Journal. "

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Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia launched 656 drones and 73 missiles against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least 16 civilians and wounding more than 100 others, Ukrainian authorities said today. Maria Varenikova reports for the New York Times; Samya Kullab and Vasilia Stepanenko report for AP News.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, said yesterday that he believed a deal to end the war by winter was a “realistic” outcome. Budanov said he expected a U.S. delegation to visit Moscow and Kyiv in the near future, without providing details. Reutersreports.  "

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Wednesday Iran war update:

U.S Central Command said yesterday that Iran had launched missiles and drone strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain, and on civilian mariners near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed it had targeted the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and a U.S. vessel identified as the Panaya. U.S. forces conducted strikes on an Iranian military ground control station at Qeshm Island in retaliation, according to Centcom. Iran cited the Qeshm strikes as grounds for its own attacks. This recent round of strikes came after the U.S. military said it “disabled” an oil tanker heading for an Iranian port by striking it with a Hellfire missile. Aaron Boxerman, Christina Goldbaum, and Michael Crowley report for the New York Times; CNN reports; Rebecca Falconer reports for Axios.  

Iranian drones and missiles overnight caused injuries and severe damage to the T1 building at Kuwait International Airport, according to Kuwait’s General Civil Aviation Authority. The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said that the strikes killed one person. The U.S. military said the Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait were either thwarted or failed. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said today that Kuwait and Bahrain bore “direct and clear responsibility” for the attacks, alleging their territory and facilities had been used to support U.S. military operations against Iran. Estelle Shirbon, Christina Anagnostopoulous, and Farouq Suleiman report for Reuters.  

Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday outlined the Trump administration’s demands for a peace deal with Iran before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, saying Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz and commit to future talks curtailing its nuclear program before Washington will lift its blockade of Iranian ports or ease financial sanctions. “Any sanctions relief is conditions-based, which means it has to be in return for the reason why those sanctions were put in place in the first place, which is their nuclear program,” Rubio said. Noah Robertson and John Hudson report for the Washington Post; Felcia Schwartz reports for POLITICO.  

The Trump administration should not have been surprised by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran in February, because years of military war games and repeated Iranian warnings had consistently identified this as Tehran’s most likely response, according to several former U.S. officials. Michael C. Crowley reports for the New York Times. "