🇺🇸 TRUMP SAYS IRAN IS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND U.S. CONTROLS THE STRAIT: President Trump said the latest strikes were conducted in honor of American personnel recently killed in the conflict.
Trump argued that Iran had been severely damaged militarily and no longer posed the same level of threat. He said the United States controlled the Strait of Hormuz and reiterated that Iran could not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon.
The president said Iran retained some missile capabilities but had lost almost all of its broader military position. He added that the situation would continue to be closely monitored.
🌍 RUBIO SAYS DIPLOMACY REMAINS POSSIBLE DESPITE INTERNAL IRANIAN DIVISIONS: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States remained open to a diplomatic solution and was receiving signals through multiple channels indicating Iranian interest in negotiations.
Rubio said divisions were growing within the Iranian leadership and suggested that greater influence by officials willing to negotiate could represent a positive development. He emphasized that such a shift had not yet occurred.
He also said Iran had been expected to announce the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz but instead attacked ships.
🛰️ ISRAEL ASSESSES U.S. SEEKS NEGOTIATIONS AND AN OPEN STRAIT: Israeli officials assess that the U.S. campaign is intended to pressure Iran back into negotiations and restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, rather than immediately pursue regime overthrow or a wider war, according to Maariv.
Washington is seeking to prevent Tehran from gaining international acceptance for Iranian transit permits or control over regional shipping routes. Israeli officials said negotiations collapsed because of the Strait confrontation, rather than earlier demands such as an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
President Trump is reportedly seeking an interim “open strait” arrangement combining military pressure with negotiations. Disputes over control and payment mechanisms are nevertheless expected to continue.
Israel sees a strategic interest in targeting Iranian national infrastructure, particularly oil facilities and other significant assets, to create an economic and functional crisis. Sources said such attacks would not immediately collapse the regime but could alter the strategic environment over time.
Israel currently assesses that Washington opposes formal Israeli participation unless the campaign expands and requires additional assistance. Refueling aircraft arriving in Israel are reportedly intended solely for U.S. operational requirements caused by regional basing limitations, rather than joint air operations.
Sources also downplayed Ahmad Vahidi’s individual influence, describing Iran’s decision-making center as a broader collective of Revolutionary Guard, civilian and other hardline officials.
📈 OIL CLIMBS ABOVE $90 AS HORMUZ RISKS PERSIST: Brent crude rose slightly above $90 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate traded near $84.
The increase reflected concerns that disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could continue. The dollar remained stable ahead of the weekly market opening.
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