The Trump administration is promoting the Iran war using viral, TikTok-style videos mixing real strikes with movie and video game clips.

Officials say the strategy is working, citing massive reach: “over a four day period… over 3 billion impressions.”

They argue the goal is to engage younger audiences and highlight troops: “What we’re doing is not disrespecting the American troops… we’re highlighting… the heroic work… in a way that captivates an audience.”

Another official described the effort casually: “We’re over here just grinding away on banger memes, dude.”

Source: POLITICO

Joe Kent on Iran:

Ali Larijani was a negotiator who was eager to get us a deal.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Macron has not uttered one word of condemnation of the Israel-US war on Iran.

He did not condemn Israel when it blew up fuel storage in Tehran, exposing millions to toxins.

His current "concern" didn't follow Israel's attack on our gas facilities. It follows our retaliation. Sad!

China says peaceful reunification would solve Taiwan’s energy concerns by giving it access to mainland power and resources.

The comments come as Taiwan worries about fuel supplies due to Middle East tensions.

Source: SCMP

European gas surges more than 30% after Iran attacks a gas facility in Qatar.

China’s Foreign Ministry says Israel’s assassinations of Iranian leaders and officials are unacceptable.

Nigerian Army Says 80 Militants Killed in a Major Anti-Terror Operation

Nigerian Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Sani Uba announced troops repelled a militant attack in Borno near Niger, killing at least 80, in the aftermath of a string of civilian attacks by armed groups & bandits in the country.

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Spain plans to relocate its troops stationed in Iraq in the coming days due to escalating risks linked to the Iran conflict and wider Gulf tensions, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said.

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The military wing of Hamas, Al-Qassam, released a video expressing support for Hezbollah’s campaign against Israel:

“We are confident that you will complete the mission.”

China’s J-20 fighter jet designer Yang Wei has been quietly removed from an official academy website.

He’s been missing from public view for over a year.

Source: SCMP

A small French town’s mayoral race went viral because of the candidates’ names: Hittler vs Zielinski.

Mayor Charles Hittler says the attention spiraled—“it has gone completely crazy”.

His family is distressed, noting even headlines joking that locals are “Hitlerites.”

Senator Graham on Iran:

The idea that somehow Trump got hoodwinked by the Jews is — like, enough already.

If you know anything about Trump, nothing could be further from the truth.

And you’re just giving life to the idea that’s been around for like 2,000 years with the Jewish people. Enough!

Boys on a Taiwan beach suddenly startled as a low-flying cruise missile (likely a Hsiung Feng IIE / HF-2E) flies overhead during a test.

Senator Graham on Iran:

If you do not see this as an imminent threat, then you’re blind for your hatred of Trump.

There are people on the left and people in my own party that are more afraid of Trump being successful than the Ayatollah having a nuclear weapon.

That’s sick.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán:

Hungary will help Ukraine when we have our oil.

Rwanda, Congo Agree on Steps to De-escalate Tensions

U.S. State Department hosted DR Congo & Rwanda talks where both sides agreed on steps to de-escalate tensions in eastern Congo amid M23 conflict & recent US sanctions.

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Senator Graham on Iran:

To those who have lost their lives and been injured, you died in the service of your country making the world safer, and that’s what military people sign up for.

And to those who’ve been injured, you’ve been hurt trying to stop something that matters.

This is not a foolish endeavor. This is something that had to be done.

Senator Graham on Iran:

The worst thing you can do to a military unit is ask them to sacrifice and not finish the job.

You want to help the military? let them finish the job they believe in that is necessary.

And you get nothing for finishing second in a war with mad people, crazy people.

NEW: Saudi Defense Ministry says a drone crashed at the SAMREF refinery in Yanbu, with damage still being assessed.

SAMREF is a major oil refinery, jointly owned by Saudi Aramco & ExxonMobil, processing ~400,000 barrels/day.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever:

There is no desire in Belgium to be involved in the war against Iran. And I think that won't change.

I think it's a shared sentiment among European Union member countries that we didn't want this war, we didn't start this war.

Kuwait is battling fires at the ports of Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries after they were targeted by Iranian strikes.

Mina Al-Ahmadi & Mina Abdullah are Kuwait’s main oil refineries, run by KNPC, producing ~800,000 barrels/day combined.