⚓ IRAN REPORTEDLY ATTACKS COMMERCIAL SHIPPING, U.S.-TURKEY F-35 DISPUTE GROWS

⚓ IRAN REPORTEDLY FIRES ON COMMERCIAL SHIPPING IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ: Axios, citing U.S. officials, reports that Iran's military fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night. Two ships reportedly sustained significant damage, though no casualties were reported.

The reported attacks threaten to unravel the Memorandum of Understanding signed less than three weeks ago under which Iran agreed to halt attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation follows the expiration of a separate one-week bilateral agreement and, according to Axios, is expected to trigger retaliatory U.S. strikes.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that a tanker was struck by an "unknown" projectile approximately 8 nautical miles east of Limah, Oman.

⚠️ IRAN LINKS NEGOTIATIONS TO AN END OF THREATS: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote that millions of Iranians rallied in support of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and that neither they nor Iran's armed forces would be intimidated by threats.

Araghchi stated: "Para 13 of the MoU is clear: Negotiations on final deal will not commence if threats continue. Honor your signature."

🔸 REPORTS OF U.S.-ISRAEL DISAGREEMENTS OVER IRAN AND TURKEY: Axios reports that a U.S. official criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of the Iran war, saying: "Netanyahu made a bunch of promises about the Iran war that didn't come to pass. But what can we do? He'll come. He'll make his promises and then we'll have to check everything out."

Axios also reports that Netanyahu asked President Trump during a phone call to block U.S. arms sales that would upgrade Turkey's air force and urged him to "rein in" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

✈️ TRUMP REPORTEDLY PREPARING TO RESTORE TURKEY'S F-35 ACCESS: According to The New York Times, President Trump is expected to inform Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Ankara that he is prepared to restore Turkey's participation in the F-35 program.

The move would reverse the ban imposed during Trump's first term after Turkey acquired Russian S-400 air defense systems, raising espionage and stealth technology concerns.

Administration officials are reportedly discussing ways to satisfy U.S. legal requirements, including rendering Turkey's S-400 systems inoperable or transferring them to a third party. The proposal faces potential legal hurdles and opposition in Congress.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly opposed providing Turkey with the advanced stealth aircraft, arguing it would upset the regional military balance. Aircraft originally purchased by Turkey remain stored in the United States after deliveries were halted following the 2019 suspension.

🇹🇷 TURKEY REJECTS ISRAELI ACCUSATIONS: Turkey's Foreign Ministry accused Israeli officials of conducting a coordinated and deliberate disinformation campaign.

The ministry said: "PM Netanyahu and his associates deliberately distort any criticism directed at them and seek to shift the agenda through a systematic propaganda effort. These attempts, however, are no longer convincing the international community. They have failed to conceal the Netanyahu government's genocide in Gaza, its policies of occupation and annexation in the region, and its destabilizing actions."

Turkey's Foreign Ministry added that Turkey's objective is for all countries and peoples in the region to live in peace, stability, and prosperity, called on Israel to pursue a constructive and peaceful policy, and said: "As Turkey, we will continue to speak the truth."

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