BREAKING: Trump:

The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait. The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World. The process and formation will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Trump:

In honor of Senator Lindsey Graham, a big supporter, the U.S. Senate should pass the Clarity Act.

China, and many other countries, would like to take complete and total control of this major financial “happening,” as well as A.I., where we are now leading, but where they are fighting hard.

Don’t let China win on either subject!!!

Marco Rubio:

The International Criminal Court seeks to become the unaccountable arbiter of a new global law — empowered to prosecute and arrest our citizens at will and existentially threaten American sovereignty.

We will teach the ICC the full meaning of American resolve.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Pentagon have created a joint task force to investigate and prosecute unauthorized leaks of sensitive information to the news media, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced.

Trump:

I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina.

This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!

U.S. forces used sea drones in combat for the first time, striking an Iranian naval maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas.

Vice President JD Vance is facing growing skepticism from some pro-Israel Republican donors after defending the Iran ceasefire and publicly criticizing Netanyahu.

Critics say his stance has weakened support within parts of the Jewish GOP community, raising concerns about his ability to inherit Trump’s donor coalition in a potential 2028 presidential run.

Some prominent Republican Jewish figures say there is widespread unease over Vance’s approach to Israel and Iran, while others—including major donors and White House allies—insist he remains strongly pro-Israel and aligned with Trump.

Source: POLITICO

Late Senator Lindsey Graham said that if he wanted Trump to support a foreign policy position, he'd tell him that Barack Obama would have done the exact opposite.

According to Graham, this was often effective because "Obama drives him nuts."

He also said that constantly flattering Trump didn't work; instead, appealing to Trump's desire to distinguish himself from Obama was a better way to persuade him.

Source: The Atlantic

Turkish President Erdogan on Srebrenica genocide:

In the heart of Europe, Western countries and institutions did little more than watch from a distance as an attempt at ethnic cleansing unfolded.

While the United Nations Protection Force, deployed to protect civilians, was unable even to protect itself, the cities that had been declared "safe areas" became the sites of massacres that are still remembered with shame today.

A total of 8,372 Bosniaks—including children, women, and the elderly—were murdered and buried in mass graves.

Even though 31 years have passed, the wounds left in our hearts by the Srebrenica genocide continue to bleed.

The Trump administration says it wants to weaken or dismantle the International Criminal Court, with Marco Rubio arguing the ICC threatens U.S. sovereignty and could prosecute American officials.

Turkish President Erdogan:

We welcomed President Trump's complimentary remarks about our country and the NATO Summit with great satisfaction.

We will continue to work with President Trump to strengthen Turkish-American relations, achieve our shared goal of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade, and promote peace and stability in our region.

The EU imported a record 9.89 million tons of LNG from Russia's Yamal LNG plant in the first half of 2026, buying nearly all of the facility's output before the bloc's ban on long-term Russian LNG imports takes effect in January 2027.

France, Belgium, and Spain were the largest buyers, highlighting Europe's continued reliance on Russian LNG despite sanctions and the war in Ukraine.

Source: FT

EXCLUSIVE: Sudan Army’s Bayraktar AKINCI drone shot down a Chinese-made CH-95 drone supplied by the UAE to the RSF terror group, using an air-to-air missile.

Hungary's parliament has approved the 17th Amendment to the Fundamental Law, removing President Tamás Sulyok from office.

The legislation passed with the ruling Tisza Party's two-thirds supermajority in the National Assembly.

EXCLUSIVE: A second Chinese-made CH-95 drone supplied by the UAE to the RSF terror group was destroyed on the ground by Sudan Army’s Bayraktar AKINCI drone.

A judge ruled Trump's IRS lawsuit was an abuse of the legal system, saying it was meant to justify a $1.8 billion fund for his allies and give Trump and his businesses immunity from past tax issues.

The judge said the case was an attempt to manipulate the courts, sanctioned the lawyers involved, referred some for disciplinary review, and criticized the Justice Department for supporting the settlement.

Source: CNN

The Houthis reportedly launched at least six missiles toward Saudi Arabia.

EU’s Kaja Kallas:

We are the largest donor and the strongest backer of the two-state solution. And this leads me to the West Bank. All the 27 member states agree that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law.

Currently, the EU applies a so-called differentiation policy under which products from the settlements are identified. However, this policy has not done much to limit trade with settlements because implementation is inconsistent.

Following a request of the European Council in June, the Commission presented options to further restrict trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

These include a full or partial ban on imports of settlement products, stricter export licensing requirements, and the possible use of tariffs.

These are not options against Israel. These are options against the illegal settlements that undermine the two-state solution.

French President Macron attends pre–Bastille Day ceremony.

NEW: Macron says Ukraine plans to acquire 16 Rafale jets and SAMP/T NG air defense systems.