Japan says the bar is “extremely high” for sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz, according to LDP policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi.

His comments came hours after Trump urged countries, including Japan, to help escort tankers.

Kobayashi said the option isn’t ruled out legally but must be considered very cautiously under current laws and the ongoing conflict.

The U.S. Department of Defense identified six Air Force members who died when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq earlier this week while supporting Operation Epic Fury.

Netanyahu has requested talks with Zelensky about Ukrainian interceptor drones.

The meeting is expected early next week.

Source: ynet

Zelensky:

Ukraine does not want to lose the support of the United States because of the war in Iran.

Zelensky:

Kyiv will work with any Hungarian leader who is not an ally of Putin.

Zelensky:

Ukraine will receive and “test” a new air defense system from France in 2026.

Iran’s Larijani:

I've heard that the remnants of Epstein's team have devised a conspiracy to create an incident similar to 9/11 and frame Iran for it.

Iran is fundamentally opposed to such terrorist programs and has no war with the American people.

Giorgia Meloni’s government is exploring a return to nuclear power nearly 40 years after Italy shut down its reactors, aiming to cut high energy costs.

Officials are studying U.S., French, South Korean, and Canadian nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs).

Source: Bloomberg

Belgium's PM Bart De Wever:

Since we cannot threaten Putin militarily or choke him economically without the U.S., there is only one method left:

Making a deal.

Airstrikes on oil depots near Tehran have released toxic pollutants that could harm millions for decades.

Burning fuel and exploding missiles sent heavy metals and chemicals into the air, mixing with rain and causing “black rain” over the city.

Experts warn the pollution may damage lungs and other organs and will be difficult and costly to clean up.

Source: Bloomberg

Ukraine peace talks are stalling as Trump shifts attention to the Middle East and conflict with Iran.

European officials say the U.S. is no longer prioritizing pressure on Putin, and Washington’s focus on Iran has delayed negotiations and reduced military support for Zelensky.

Recent U.S.–Russia–Ukraine peace talks have paused, with no new meeting scheduled.

European leaders fear the process is collapsing, while Russia shows little willingness to compromise.

Source: FT

Zelensky called efforts to tie Ukraine’s access to €90 billion in EU loans to the restoration of the Druzhba oil pipeline “blackmail.”

Speaking in Kyiv, he said, “If we have decided to restore Russian oil supplies, then I want them to know that I am against it.”

Zelensky added that conditioning support on the pipeline or weapons deliveries leaves him with little choice: “If I am given conditions that Ukraine will not receive weapons… this is called blackmail.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ignored warnings from senior U.S. military leaders and cut offices responsible for preventing and investigating civilian casualties, reducing staff from about 200 to fewer than 40.

Critics say the cuts weakened oversight just before a U.S. strike on an Iranian girls’ school that killed more than 170 students, an incident now under investigation.

Military officials argued the offices helped avoid mistakes and save resources, but Hegseth viewed them as unnecessary and part of “woke” policies.

Source: POLITICO

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy and lead negotiator with Iran, has drawn scrutiny for his unusually close ties to Israel while overseeing negotiations meant to prevent war.

A longtime supporter of Israel, Witkoff has close relationships with prominent pro-Israel figures. He counts megadonor Miriam Adelson as a “dear friend” and reportedly helped raise large sums from pro-Israel donors for Trump during the 2024 campaign.

He also carries a custom pager gifted by Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Mossad officials — a reference to an Israeli operation targeting Hezbollah.

Reports indicate Witkoff was in frequent contact with Israeli officials, including Netanyahu and the Mossad Chief, during the negotiations and in the lead-up to the conflict with Iran.

Source: Responsible Statecraft

The Finalissima between EURO 2024 winners Spain and Copa América 2024 champions Argentina has been officially cancelled.

The match was scheduled for 27 March in Doha, Qatar, but UEFA announced it cannot take place due to the current political situation in the region.

UEFA tried to find alternative solutions, but none were accepted by the Argentine Football Association.

A French delegation asked Russia to allow European countries to join the Ukraine peace talks. Russia rejected the idea and made clear that Europe would not be included.

As one senior European diplomat described Russia’s response:

“The Russian response from Ushakov was basically, ‘Sorry, actually, no we don’t, fuck you.’”

Source: FT

Netanyahu says he is still alive.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf:

He has claimed he 'defeated' us 9 times in the last two weeks. Hilarious!

US tech billionaire Peter Thiel is holding secret lectures in Rome about the antichrist and technology, in tension with Pope Leo XIV, who warns about AI risks.

Thiel says AI regulation could enable a global authoritarian system that halts scientific progress, while the Pope argues regulation is needed to manage AI’s dangers.

The private talks, organised by a conservative Catholic group linked to the far right, have been criticised by Vatican figures and Catholic media.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

We never asked for a ceasefire or negotiations.

We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes until Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war.

There are people being killed only because Trump wants to have fun.

The UK is considering sending naval ships and mine-hunting drones to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after the waterway was effectively closed during the conflict with Iran.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the government is discussing options with allies, including the US.