Trump on Democrats: "They want a lot of communists to come in... The people that they're pushing are communists - and this country is not going to have communists."

President Trump: "The war is going very well. As you know, we're winning by a lot. Iran is making very big concessions. We'll see what happens - but it has been very, very, very powerful."

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has said that the Iranians have communicated to the U.S. that they will not charge tolls or fees for safe commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This comes following the Omani announcement that the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) current transit framework, known as the Traffic Separation Scheme, is no longer viable. Per the Omani release, which we will cover in more detail in coming posts, they will work with the IMO to guide ships through the strait for no fees using an amended route framework.

This was the view of the Kerch Port from the Crimean Bridge this morning.

PM Netanyahu: "When I came to President Trump before the Am Kalavi operation (June 2025), I told him I was going to Iran, I didn't ask for permission, I simply notifed him, and fortunately, he also joined us towards the end"

Israel-Lebanon military talks in Washington stalled after the Lebanese Army delegation rejected proposed "pilot zones" for Israeli withdrawal. Yesterday's political-track discussions had been described as "positive."

Trump to "Fox News": There is no urgency in bringing the inspectors into Iran, the American inspectors will go in together with the IAEA inspectors to locate the enriched uranium

Trump to Fox News: $500M in U.S. goods purchases by Iran as an initial part of the deal.

Ukrainian attack drones successfully hit a major power substation outside of the Russian-occupied city of Sevastopol this morning, causing power cuts in the Crimean capital. Seen here, multiple parts of the Sevastopol 330/220 kV switching yards burn.

Ukrainian attack drones hit one of Sevastopol’s primary electric substations in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight, setting it ablaze. Locals report power outages in the Crimean capital.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the first milestone test of the Golden Dome for America (GDA) program achieved a full mission success. According to Hegseth, the test employed directed-energy technology alongside the Dynamic Defense Autonomous Defeat (DDAD) system, which autonomously detected, tracked, targeted, and destroyed multiple incoming threats. He said the test was completed on schedule and successfully defeated every target. Hegseth stated that U.S. warfighters integrated with next-generation technologies to intercept incoming drones and cruise missiles, adding that both established and emerging defense contractors are contributing to the program. He credited funding provided through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” for making the milestone possible and said the Golden Dome initiative is turning President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative vision into reality. “Golden Dome is real, powerful, and on track,” Hegseth said.

All candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have won their Democratic primary races, according to multiple projections.

Trump: "So, I have Iran on the “ropes,” ready to go down for the fall, willing to give us practically anything, and for the first time in decades, respecting the hell out of the United States and its President, ME, and the U.S. Senate decides to have a poorly timed and meaningless War Powers Act Vote, telling the Number One Sponser of Terror in the World that the United States doesn’t like what I am doing to them, and I must stop, and by so doing has provided aid and comfort the Enemy. Four Republican Losers voted with the Dumocrats, and Iran asked my people, “what does that all mean?” These Senators have just made my job more difficult, but I will get it done, one way or the other, because I always get it done!"

Iranian President Pezeshkian held talks with Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Since activity levels have fluctuated in recent days, this marks one of the largest concentrations of U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft observed over and around the Strait of Hormuz in recent memory. At least nine tankers are currently visible in the region, including six KC-135 Stratotankers and three KC-46A Pegasus aircraft.

Overnight, Ukrainian attack drones swarmed Russian-occupied Crimea, hitting numerous targets. Seen here, onboard footage as a group of FP-2s destroy a trio of Russian Orion long-range surveillance drones at Kerch Airfield, catching one as it was taxiing back from a mission.

Iranian lawmakers: A cyberattack on shared banking infrastructure has disrupted online services at four major banks for 10 days. Full restoration expected to take at least two more weeks.

GM NOSTR 🫡

U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced in a Truth Social post this morning that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and that no further naval blockade will be imposed. However, he said U.S. naval forces will remain in position “should it be necessary to reinstitute the blockade, which seems, at this point, highly unlikely.” The president also stated that funds and sanctions relief being provided to Iran by the U.S. Treasury, initially estimated at roughly $12 billion, will be used exclusively for the purchase of food and medical supplies from the United States, including corn, wheat, and soybeans produced by American farmers.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the United States appears to be moving away from its role as an objective mediator and instead is pursuing a course of increased sanctions pressure against Russia.