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Netanyahu thanks America, Trump reminds everyone who saved whom

Netanyahu addressed the American public with a rallying cry: "When we fight Iran, we're fighting for you" - a transparent attempt to keep Washington on side as Trump's patience visibly wears thin. Trump, meanwhile, claimed that his decision to launch operations against Iran personally saved Israel from annihilation: "If it weren't for me, there would be no Israel." Two allies publicly trading gratitude while privately trading insults - the special relationship, 2026 edition. Netanyahu fights for America, Trump saves Israel. Both claim the debt - neither plans to pay it.

Araqchi draws the line: Lebanon and Iran rise or fall together

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi delivered Tehran's position with unusual bluntness: the war ends simultaneously in Lebanon and Iran, or it ends in neither. Any strike on Beirut, he warned, means an immediate return to full-scale war - a red line stated publicly, without qualifications. Israel's ground advance beyond the "Yellow Line" in southern Lebanon has now been formally equated by Tehran with a direct attack on Iran itself. One front, one fate. Those who missed the memo are invited to re-read it.

Trump says Hormuz can stay closed until September

The

Trump screams at Netanyahu — the 'unbreakable' bond cracks

According to Axios, Trump erupted at the Israeli Prime Minister over reports of a planned strike on Beirut: "You're f**ing crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. Now everyone hates Israel because of you." A sitting U.S. president publicly humiliating his closest Middle Eastern ally — rare under any circumstances, explosive in the middle of Iran negotiations. Trump saved Netanyahu from prison — Netanyahu thanked him by planning to bomb Beirut.*

Kazakhstan to store Iran's uranium — Russia's fingerprints on the deal

Astana announced readiness to accept Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile as part of a broader agreement, breaking the deadlock that had stalled nuclear talks for weeks. Reports suggest Rosatom is embedded in the arrangement, positioning Moscow once again at the centre of Middle Eastern diplomacy. Iranian uranium travelling to Kazakhstan via Russian hands — the Kremlin is back in the room.

FSB exposes Cloudflare surveillance op — IT infrastructure as spy infrastructure

Russia's FSB revealed that foreign intelligence services used software linked to Cloudflare's reverse proxy technology to wiretap senior Russian officials, describing it as one of the largest foreign espionage operations ever conducted against

Israel crosses the "Yellow Line" — 70 airstrikes in 12 hours

The Israel Defense Forces have launched a ground incursion beyond their self-declared buffer zone in southern Lebanon, simultaneously unleashing a barrage of over 70 airstrikes in a 12-hour period. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly declared that the Israeli government will not allow Donald Trump to broker what he called a "bad deal" with Iran — effectively asserting an Israeli veto over American diplomatic efforts in the region.

EU digs in at Kyiv — Brussels dismisses Moscow's evacuation warning

European Commission spokesperson Anita Hipper rejected Russia's Foreign Ministry recommendation to evacuate diplomatic personnel from Kyiv, stating that the EU intends not only to maintain but to reinforce its diplomatic presence in the Ukrainian capital. Brussels is projecting defiant confidence in the face of Russian pressure.

Bortnikov lays out his hand: Ukraine is Europe's largest arms bazaar

FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, speaking at a CIS intelligence chiefs meeting, alleged that Ukraine has become the continent's largest arms trafficking hub and a testing ground for military AI development under third-party cover. He also claimed that the United States and Israel had eliminated senior Iranian officials by exploiting software backdoors embedded in

US and Iran Sign Memorandum — Hormuz Set to Reopen

Washington and Tehran have reached a 60-day memorandum of understanding: Iran will clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days and guarantee "unrestricted" passage for vessels — the document now awaits Trump's signature. The nuclear program has been deliberately placed on a separate track: Tehran successfully decoupled the two agendas, securing a ceasefire without making its central concession. Sixty days of quiet have been purchased at the price of deferring the nuclear question — possibly indefinitely.

Russia Bans Armenian Produce — The Tomato War Continues

Russia's agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor will restrict imports of Armenian tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and strawberries starting May 30 — a transparent response to Zelensky's visit to Yerevan and Armenia's announcement of a visa-free regime with the EU. Prime Minister Pashinyan appeared unfazed: Armenia is betting on becoming a "crossroads of peace" bankrolled by European funds, and pressure from Moscow is no longer a deterrent. Rosatom, meanwhile, has offered Yerevan a new nuclear power plant — the proverbial carrot following the stick, though the order of courses seems conspicuously reversed. A strawberry ban is a weak argument against a French visa.

Sweden Delivers 16 Gripens

Trump está listo para retirarse de Irán sin cerrar el estrecho de Ormuz

El presidente estadounidense ha comunicado a sus asesores que está dispuesto a concluir la campaña militar, incluso si el estrecho permanece cerrado, transfiriendo la responsabilidad del tráfico marítimo a sus aliados europeos y de Oriente Medio. Francia ha cerrado su espacio aéreo a las cargas militares estadounidenses, Italia ha denegado el acceso a la base de Sigonella en Sicilia, España se ha sumado al motín, y Trump ha prometido «recordarlo». Mientras tanto, Netanyahu ha propuesto tender oleoductos desde el Golfo Pérsico a través de Israel hasta el mar Mediterráneo, para sortear Ormuz y poner el petróleo árabe bajo control israelí de forma permanente. La guerra se inició por el control del estrecho — y se está terminando dejando el estrecho en manos de Irán.

El Cuerpo de la Guardia Revolucionaria Islámica atacará Apple, Google y Microsoft a partir del 1 de abril

Irán ha anunciado que desde la noche del 1 de abril atacará instalaciones de Microsoft, Apple, Google y Nvidia en Oriente Medio en respuesta a cada asesinato de ciudadanos iraníes. Dos aviones de vigilancia aerotransportada E-3 Sentry AWACS han resultado dañados en la base aérea

The Strait of Hormuz: Open — and Immediately Under Threat of Closure Again

Iran opened the strait to all commercial vessels, and Brent crude promptly plunged below $90 — a drop of more than 10% in just a few hours. Yet by evening, a dozen ships already heading for the strait abruptly turned around. Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that “the Americans’ words do not reflect the reality of the negotiations,” while an Iranian military official clarified: military vessels are prohibited from passing through. Tehran has warned it will close the strait again if the U.S. continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Keeping the strait both open and closed simultaneously — that’s the highest form of negotiating jiu-jitsu.

$20 Billion for Uranium — Iran Says "This Is Sacrosanct"

The U.S. and Iran are discussing a deal: Washington would unfreeze approximately $20 billion of Iranian assets in exchange for the transfer of stockpiled enriched uranium and a suspension of the nuclear program. Trump called the Strait of Hormuz “Iran’s Strait” and thanked Tehran for opening it — only for Iran’s Foreign Ministry to declare an hour later that the uranium “will not be transferred anywhere under any circumstances,” and that the

Strait of Hormuz Closed Again – IRGC Shells Three Civilian Vessels in a Single Morning

Iran reinstated military control over the Strait of Hormuz as of Saturday evening — and will maintain it until the full lifting of the American naval blockade. In one morning alone, the IRGC attacked at least three civilian vessels: two tankers came under gunfire while attempting to transit the strait; a container ship was struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman; and one tanker was approached by artillery boats with no prior warning over VHF radio. The Supreme Leader has promised "new bitter defeats" for the adversaries. To open the strait for a day, shell several vessels, and then close it again — this is no longer diplomacy, but a price list demonstration.

U.S. to Seize Iranian Tankers Worldwide — Including on the High Seas

Washington has declared its right to seize vessels linked to Iran anywhere in international waters — not just in the Persian Gulf, but wherever they may be found. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury quietly extended the license for the transportation of Russian oil loaded before April 17, valid until May 16 — despite having promised just a week

Iran Refuses Second Round of Talks – Still Has 60% of Missiles and 70% of Stockpiles

Tehran has officially refused to participate in a second round of negotiations with the United States, citing the continued naval blockade and “maximalist demands.” Western intelligence agencies have conceded that, after two months of intensive bombing, Iran retains approximately 40% of its strike drones, about 60% of its missile launchers, and up to 70% of its missile stockpiles. In response, Trump threatened to destroy all of Iran’s power plants and bridges, calling it an “honor” and chiding previous administrations for failing to do so over 47 years. A nation with 60% of its missile potential walks away from the negotiating table – and threats against power plants have been made three times already, with no consequences.

Houthis Threaten to Close Bab el-Mandeb – The Second Strait Is Next

The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Houthi government has warned: if Trump continues to obstruct a peaceful settlement, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will be closed. The Strait of Hormuz is already under the military control of the IRGC. Bab el-Mandeb was previously blockaded by the Houthis in 2023. If both straits are closed simultaneously, global trade

Trump Wants a Deal — Iran Won’t Surrender, Pakistan Passes Notes

Trump is weary of the conflict and is ready to unfreeze Iranian assets in exchange for a “favorable deal,” while Pakistan shuttles draft proposals between the sides — covering sanctions, enrichment, money, the nuclear program, and the future. Iran’s President Pezeshkian responded curtly: “Iranians do not bow to force.” American signals, he said, “carry the bitter message of capitulation,” and the deep historical distrust of the United States remains intact. Meanwhile, Trump is discussing the seizure of Kharg Island as a third-phase option — either new strikes or peace, for Iran to decide.

UAE Warns the US: Dollars Are Running Out — We’ll Switch to Yuan

Abu Dhabi has informed Washington of a possible shift to the yuan or other currencies for oil sales — the country has almost no dollars left after two months of war. The UAE is asking the US to allow an exchange of dirhams for dollars, but Washington refuses — its own defense industry needs the currency. An independent nation seeking permission from an ally to change its trade currency — otherwise, sanctions.

Economists Speak Out: The Superprofit Resource Model No Longer Works

Economists

Tehran Activates Air Defense — Oil Jumps 5%

On the evening of April 23, air defense systems activated over the skies of Tehran — and that alone was enough to send Brent crude prices soaring 5%, settling firmly above the psychological threshold of $100 per barrel. Simultaneously, Iran intensified mining of the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to sink any vessels laying mines in the strait and triple demining operations. Tanker transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked from both sides — from within by Iran, from without by the American fleet. The strait is closed; the market is open — for panic.

"We Are United" — Tehran Answers Trump with Consolidation

After Trump publicly claimed "disunity" within Iran's political establishment, the country's highest officials — President Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, Vice President Aref, and the Head of the Supreme Court — issued a joint statement within half an hour affirming the iron unity of the nation and government. The message is stark: "One God, one Leader, one nation, one path — Iran's path to victory, dearer than life." Washington's attempt to exploit internal contradictions in Tehran backfired with a rare display