The US Department of Defense, known as the Pentagon, has swiftly demanded the retraction of a “misleading” report published by a British newspaper about US Secretary of Defense Pat Hagerty. The Pentagon spokesperson, Shan Parnell, stated that the claims made in the report are not based on facts and have no relation to reality. The report by the Financial Times claimed that Hagerty’s broker had attempted to invest millions of dollars in a defense fund before the war began, but the deal ultimately fell through due to the unavailability of funds. The Pentagon has emphasized that such unsubstantiated reports can mislead the public and should be retracted immediately.
Meanwhile, the head of the French Navy stated that the number of Chinese ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz is not sufficient to restore normal traffic flow. Jordan has been assisting Israel in countering Iranian missiles and drones, and the country’s president, Mohammed Al-Masri, has stated that the United States has clearly changed its goals in the Iran war, citing its inability to achieve success on major fronts.
US President Donald Trump is set to address the nation on the Iran war at 6 am local time, and key leaders have reportedly discussed the conflict. A statement issued by a US government agency emphasized that the decision to retract the report was taken to protect banks and their customers.
The Kuwaiti Airport has been targeted seven times since the start of the war, and a drone was reportedly lost in the emirate of al-Qayyarah in the United Arab Emirates. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is in good health and has not appeared in public due to the ongoing conflict.
Additionally, a top US senator, Chris Coons, has criticized President Trump for his comments on the new Iranian president, stating that he is less radical but more intelligent than his predecessors. A rocket attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar resulted in no casualties, and an investigation has been launched by local authorities.
The Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has stated that the war is not the last conflict for Israel and that no promises can be made about its outcome.
