The files are now back.

Senior U.S. military officials have warned a key Middle East ally that Trump may authorize strikes on Iran as soon as this weekend.

The plan would target Iran’s military and nuclear sites and potentially senior leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, aiming to trigger regime change.

Source: Drop Site News

An FBI report referencing a confidential human source in the final batch of Epstein-related files alleges that Trump was “compromised by Israel.”

Kamala Harris:

Donald Trump continues to consolidate power and show a flagrant disregard for the rule of law.

CENTCOM:

Yesterday, Iran announced that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is conducting a two-day live-fire naval exercise in the Strait of Hormuz scheduled to begin on Sunday.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) urges the IRGC to conduct the announced naval exercise in a manner that is safe, professional and avoids unnecessary risk to freedom of navigation for international maritime traffic.

CENTCOM will ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, ships, and aircraft operating in the Middle East. We will not tolerate unsafe IRGC actions including overflight of U.S. military vessels engaged in flight operations, low-altitude or armed overflight of U.S. military assets when intentions are unclear, highspeed boat approaches on a collision course with U.S. military vessels, or weapons trained at U.S. forces.

The U.S. military has the most highly trained and lethal force in the world and will continue to operate with the highest levels of professionalism and adhere to international norms. Iran’s IRGC must do the same.

Don Lemon has been released without bail.

Newly released U.S. Justice Department files show Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick planned a 2012 lunch visit to Epstein’s private island, despite later saying he had cut ties with Epstein years earlier.

The U.S. State Department approved more than $6.5 billion in potential military sales to Israel.

The deals include $1.98 billion for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, $3.8 billion for AH-64E Apache helicopters, and a third contract worth $740 million.

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BIG: Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman privately told Donald Trump that backing down on Iran “would only make Tehran stronger,” marking a shift from Saudi Arabia’s public calls for restraint and from MbS’s earlier warning that helped delay a strike.

Source: Axios

The U.S. government began a partial shutdown early Saturday after the House failed to pass a funding deal before the midnight deadline.

The Senate approved the measure 71–29, but the House is not expected to vote until Monday.

The shutdown is expected to be short. Lawmakers agreed to keep most agencies funded while separately debating immigration enforcement policies.

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced a proposed amnesty law that could free hundreds of detainees and apply to cases dating back to 1999.

The law would exclude those accused of killings, serious human rights abuses, or drug trafficking.

Rodríguez also said the notorious El Helicoide prison in Caracas — long accused of torture and abuse — will be turned into a sports and social services center.

The United States approved a $9bn weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, covering 730 Patriot missile interceptors and related defence equipment.

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"Persona Non Grata" South Africa Expels Israeli Diplomat

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U.S. diplomats in Jerusalem blocked a February 2024 USAID cable warning northern Gaza had become an “Apocalyptic Wasteland” after Israel’s offensive.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

If we can resolve the issues surrounding the nuclear file and reach a new nuclear agreement based on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, and if sanctions are lifted, then cooperation in areas such as energy and other projects based on mutual interests could follow.

We have never excluded the United States from our economic projects.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

We have drawn important lessons and gained valuable experience from the previous war.

At present, our ballistic missiles are in place, our strength remains intact, we have reviewed our key capabilities, and we are even better prepared.

This is the clearest message we can deliver to the United States: if there is an attack, we will respond with a shocking, swift, and very powerful counterstrike.

Q: Will the Axis of Resistance — such as Hezbollah and the Houthis — be activated?

Iranian FM Araghchi: We have the capability to defend ourselves, and we do not need anyone else.

Q: Have you received military support from Russia and China, or are you receiving it?

Iranian FM Araghchi: Do you really expect me to answer that question?

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

Sometimes they claim 30,000, sometimes 50,000 people have died. All of this is false.

The death toll is 3,117, as announced by the official authorities.