On a Russian supply route deep behind the southern frontline, a Ukrainian mid-range strike drone slams into a Russian fuel tanker.

According to Axios, citing a U.S. official, White House Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff is en route to Switzerland for the next round of U.S.-Qatar-Pakistan-Iran talks, which had previously been scheduled before being postponed due to Israeli escalations in Lebanon. The Qatari delegation reportedly arrived in Switzerland earlier and has already held meetings with Swiss officials. According to the Axios report, U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defence Force concluded the Kasangga 2026 bilateral exercises today. The latest iteration of the annual exercise series enhanced interoperability between the two militaries at both the operational and tactical levels, further strengthening defense cooperation between the Philippines and Australia.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has said that the VC-25B Bridge donated to the U.S. by Qatar will take part in a flyover during July 4th celebrations in Washington. Per President Trump, amongst other aircraft, F-22s and F-35s will also take part in the flyover.

Seemingly in response to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s comments on the U.S.-Iran MOU, U.S. President Donald J. Trump posted on his Truth Social app that the U.S. did not sign the deal out of desperation, something that Khamenei had alluded to.

During an interview with an Italian broadcaster, U.S. President Donald J. Trump claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” to take a photo with him during the G7 summit in France earlier this week. The comment has now sparked a new spate of political tension between the U.S. and Italy, as Prime Minister Meloni has publicly decried the comment, saying “neither I nor Italy ever beg.” Additionally, in response to the comment by President Trump, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that his planned trip to the U.S. between June 21-22 has now been canceled.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded to President Donald Trump, saying: “Some matters require an immediate response. President Trump’s statements are completely unfounded, and I am frankly appalled. I do not understand why the President of the United States continues to behave this way toward his allies, especially since this is not the first time. It is regrettable that he does not show the same resolve toward the enemies of the West and the enemies of the United States, leaders toward whom he often appears far more accommodating. But he must remember one thing: neither Italy nor I ever beg.”

The last non-Iranian linked vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz outbound is the Panamanian flagged container ship Muara that departed from Hamad, Qatar using the Iranian traffic separation scheme.

“How is your relationship with Netanyahu?” Trump: It's good, but we have to keep him a little bit... sane.

Reuters is reporting that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire that begins now (4p.m. local time), per a senior U.S. official on background. “Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” the official said on background, adding that negotiators for the U.S. and Qataris worked out the deal with help from Iran. “We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire.”

GM NOSTR 🫡

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N) has once again announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning vessels not to attempt a transit following Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Southern Lebanon and Israeli strikes conducted there earlier today. According to a message reportedly broadcast by the IRGC on maritime frequencies near the Strait, the closure will remain in effect until what it described as key conditions of the Iran–U.S. agreement are met, including Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Persian Gulf and the wider region. The broadcast further warned that all vessels should avoid approaching the Strait “for their security and safety,” adding that any ship that disregards the directive would be considered a target.

As Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue, Iran has reportedly asked for assurances that Israeli operations in Lebanon will cease before continuing with the negotiations process, according to CNN. Following the death of a number of Israel Defense Force soldiers, Israel’s security minister, Ben Gvir, has called for drastic escalation in Lebanon, further hampering an already tenuous U.S.-Iran peace process.

Another chaotic video from Thursday morning’s large-scale Ukrainian drone and missile attack against the Russian capital of Moscow, which shows several Arabic-speaking Russian soldiers attempting to shoot down drones using Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPAD) while civilians run for cover and black smoke rises from the Moscow Oil Refinery.

The White House has now confirmed that U.S. Vice President JD Vance will no longer be departing Washington tonight for technical talks Friday in Switzerland with Iran, citing “logistics” involving the delegation from Iran. This announcement follows Israel’s refusal to withdraw from large areas it currently occupies in Southern Lebanon, a stark challenge to the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States.

During an exclusive interview Thursday with The Axios Show, President Trump told Marc Caputo that he’d negotiated a deal to keep the Iran War from turning into a global economic depression, adding that yesterday’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) amounted to an “unconditional surrender” by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

300 people evacuated from elementary school fire in Tokyo, according to Japanese news network FNN. The fire is still spreading. It remains unclear if others remain trapped.

Moscow, a Russian soldier attempts to engage, and misses, an incoming Ukrainian attack drone with a MANPADS at near point blank range.

New footage confirms that an errant Russian surface to air missile was responsible for the tank roof toss at the Moscow Oil Refinery this morning.

According to the Associated Press, citing individuals familiar with the matter, White House Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff told congressional leaders that Iran is preparing to host inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to examine its nuclear facilities. Separate reports indicate that Iranian officials are expected to meet with IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi in Geneva, Switzerland. Per the AP report, Iran’s invitation to the IAEA could also permit U.S. nuclear inspectors to participate as part of the agency’s inspection team.