Tense Trump-Netanyahu Call As US Presses Iran To 'Sign The Document' - But Israel Wants Military Greenlight

Tense Trump-Netanyahu Call As US Presses Iran To 'Sign The Document' - But Israel Wants Military Greenlight

TYLER DURDEN

Summary

• Axios: "Trump continues to say he thinks a deal can be reached, but that he's ready to resume the war if it isn't."

• US Marines board Iranian-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman, as it was accused of attempting to violate the US naval blockade.

• Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says that Tehran sees signs that the United States is seeking to restart the war

• Oil tumbles after Pakistan again touts final deal draft text imminent, followed by Trump claiming US in 'final stages' of peace talks with Iran, though Tehran hasn't budged on nuclear issue.

• Iran's IRGC Navy says 26 vessels, including oil tankers, container ships and other commercial vessels, transited in the prior 24 hours "in coordination" with Iranian authorities.

  
  

  Iran Issues its Strait Passage Protocol

  The following was issued from the Official Account of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority: 

  The Islamic Republic of Iran has defined the boundaries of the Strait of Hormuz management supervision area as follows: "The line connecting Kuh Mobarak in Iran and the south of Fujairah in the UAE in the east of the strait to the line connecting the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm al-Qaiwain in the UAE in the west of the strait."

  The statement adds: "Frequencies in this range for passing through the Strait of Hormuz require coordination with the Persian Gulf Waterway Management and a permit from this entity."

  Trump and Netanyahu had a reported tense phone call related to ongoing Iran talks, and a proposed peace deal on the table. Netanyahu is said to be seeking a greenlight for renewed military action against Tehran, at a moment the Iranians have not compromised on the nuclear issue.

  
  

  Per fresh reporting in Axios: "Trump continues to say he thinks a deal can be reached, but that he's ready to resume the war if it isn't":

  • "The only question is do we go and finish it up or are they gonna be signing a document. Let's see what happens," he said on Wednesday at the Coast Guard Academy.
  • Trump also said Netanyahu "will do whatever I want him to do" on Iran, though he also said they had a good relationship. The two leaders have had temporary disagreements on Iran before but have remained closely coordinated throughout the war.
  • Iran has confirmed it's reviewing an updated proposal, but has not yet shown any signs of flexibility.

  The same report says of Israel's position that "Netanyahu is highly skeptical about the negotiations and wants to resume the war to further degrade Iran's military capabilities and weaken the regime by destroying its critical infrastructure."

  
  

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Russia-China Alliance Grows Stronger Despite Western Pressure - Lavrov

Russia-China Alliance Grows Stronger Despite Western Pressure - Lavrov

Sputnik

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow and Beijing have built a strategic partnership strong enough to withstand Western pressure, pointing to expanding energy cooperation, growing technological coordination and a trade turnover exceeding $200 billion.

Relations between Moscow and Beijing "rest on a very solid material foundation," Lavrov said in an interview with Shanghai Media Group (SMG).

He said that trade between the two countries had topped $200 million per year for several years now, with energy supplies the "backbone" of their cooperation.

Lavrov noted that Russia was the biggest supplier of natural gas to China via pipelines, and also "among the main suppliers of liquefied natural gas and coal."

"Most recently, we reached a final agreement on the construction of the major ‘Power of Siberia 2’ gas pipeline," Lavrov pointed out. "The ‘Far Eastern route’ is also under discussion."

He also stressed that both countries are accelerating efforts to strengthen technological sovereignty and reduce dependence on the West, amid sanctions and growing geopolitical pressure.

"As recent events show, in which the West reveals the essence of its policy without attempting to hide it, both China and Russia must first and foremost rely on their own strength and on our fraternal solidarity," Lavrov said.

He argued that attempts by the West to isolate Russia and China economically have failed, pointing to the rapid rise of Chinese exports to Russia.

The foreign minister said the Russia-China partnership was increasingly rooted in self-reliance and long-term strategic solidarity.

"If the West, the capitalists, suddenly decided that they would impose sanctions, would not buy anything from China, would not sell anything to Russia, and the economies of China and the Russian Federation would face insurmountable problems, this is a delusion," Lavrov said.

Putin Leaves Beijing With 42 Deals and Stronger Russia-China Ties

Putin Leaves Beijing With 42 Deals and Stronger Russia-China Ties

SPUTNIK

Russian President Vladimir Putin ended a two-day visit to China, holding extensive talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping aimed at deepening strategic ties between Moscow and Beijing.

Putin and Xi issued a joint statement on deeper strategic partnershipand cooperation

Moscow and Beijing signed a declaration supporting a multipolar world order and a new system of international relations

Moscow and Beijing agreed to further expand trade in their national currencies

Officials discussed Russian supplies gas to China through Mongolia

The two countries stressed a greater role for the BRICS group and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in global affairs

Russian and Chinese universities signed many cooperation and cultural exchange agreements

Moscow and Beijing reiterated opposition to the deployment of weapons in space

More...

'The IDF is on the highest level of alert, prepared for any development' says Chief Zamir

'The IDF is on the highest level of alert, prepared for any development' says Chief Zamir

Henry Kirshner

On Wednesday, The Chief of the General Staff, Eyal Zamir held a discussion with all division commanders. As part of the discussion, Zamir conducted an operational situational assessment and addressed operational challenges across all sectors. 

According to his statement, Zamir remained confident in the IDF's ability to handle a potential resumption in fighting.

“At this moment, the IDF is on the highest level of alert and prepared for any development," he said, stressing the need to maintain a high standard of values, professionalism, and operational discipline. Zamir went on to praise the work the IDF soldiers have done over the past few years. "The IDF’s achievements are thanks to your unprecedented fighting and sacrifice," he said.

However, the Chief of the General Staff warned that reserve forces are facing an "unimaginable burden." He went on to say, "In order to meet all missions and reduce the unimaginable burden placed on reserve personnel, we need to expand the circle of those serving." These statements come amid ongoing political debate in the Knesset over the potential passing of a bill that could see ultra-orthodox communities in Israel face conscription. Something which they have been exempted from for decades.

Russia-China Summit Cements De-dollarization and Energy Alliance

Russia-China Summit Cements De-dollarization and Energy Alliance

Sputnik

Statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping confirmed the “unbreakable strategic partnership” between the two countries that cannot be undermined by outside pressure, Cairo Al-Farabi Center for Political and Strategic Studies secretary-general Dr Mokhtar Ghobashy told Sputnik.

The move toward Sino-Russian trade in their national currencies is “a very important step carrying strategic dimensions,” he said, adding thet the growing Moscow-Beijing partnership “cannot be influenced from the outside.”

Ghobashy said the shift away from the dollar sends “a powerful signal” that Russia-China economic relations have entered a new phase.

Stable Russian energy supplies guarantee China “will not suffer from any possible tensions in the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. 

Ghobashy said the alliance was a natural partnership between “the world’s strongest economic locomotive and a military power with the largest nuclear potential.”

He noted that the atmosphere of the Putin-Xi meeting reflected mutual trust “laying the foundation for a major strategic alliance.” 

The summit also sent “an extremely important signal to the United States,” coming only days after US President Donald Trump’s visit.