Greece's Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis:

Greece has a strategic relationship with Israel. We have already developed multifaceted cooperation with Israel.

Our understanding of the issues of the Middle East is absolutely shared with the U.S. Secretary of State.

WSJ reports that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has consolidated power at the department while clashing with staff and overseeing unusually high turnover.

More than a dozen current and former officials described him as demanding and quick-tempered, with several senior officials leaving after disputes with him. Seven Senate-confirmed Treasury officials had departed by the end of August, far more than under recent administrations.

At the same time, Bessent is under pressure over unmet economic goals. His “3-3-3” plan has fallen short: growth is around 2%, the deficit remains above 6% of GDP, oil production has risen by less than 1 million barrels a day, and U.S. debt has passed $40 trillion.

Rising Treasury yields have also pushed borrowing costs higher, while Bessent is leading the administration’s economic pressure campaign against Iran.

Despite criticism from Wall Street and inside Treasury, Trump has drawn Bessent closer, speaks with him almost daily and increasingly relies on him to manage economic policy.

Source: WSJ

Netanyahu:

We have done a lot — enormous things — but we have to complete the job.

Netanyahu on Iran:

Countries, even those that attack us, quietly, quietly say: "They have to fall. They are choking all of us."

We will make sure they fall. They will fall.

Netanyahu:

Go out and bring everyone — the grandmother, the aunt, the cousin, everyone.

It is either the right or Palestine — and Palestine is the end of Israel.

Netanyahu on Iran:

If we had not acted, atomic bombs would destroy 10 million Israelis. We would go up in smoke.

Netanyahu:

Most of the opposition believes in this Palestinian thing.

They haven’t learned anything.

NEW: Iran’s army spokesperson says the military can carry out preemptive operations if necessary.

Kremlin:

Europe is obsessed with the idea of militarization.

This is a dead-end path, as history shows, and it leads to nothing good.

Russia is on guard, we are closely monitoring all of this.

Future U.S. Army tanks and combat vehicles could be equipped with voice controls that let crews operate sensors, radios, drones and other onboard systems using plain-English commands.

The technology is being developed for vehicles including the next-generation tank and XM30, and could be added through future upgrades after testing with soldiers.

The goal is to make crew tasks faster and reduce the workload inside the vehicle.

Source: Axios

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian:

We will undoubtedly resist and will disappoint and frustrate the enemy.

We are negotiating with neighboring countries to meet some of our current needs.

But the main issue is relying on domestic capabilities, solidarity and cooperation with one another.

Iran's Ghalibaf:

The enemy’s plan is focused on violent actions inside the country.

This plan and strategy by the enemy show that our main priority must also be to strengthen economic resilience and ensure internal security.

Iranian General Mohammad Reza Naqdi:

The Strait of Hormuz is closed, and the armed forces have full control over it.

The volume of smuggled oil is very small, and it cannot be said that the Strait of Hormuz is open for such activities.

However, some people are using small vessels to smuggle oil and transfer it to tankers.

Soon, a small number of routes created by violators through blasting and destroying parts of the rocky areas in the Strait of Hormuz will be blocked.

Iranian General Mohammad Reza Naqdi:

The limited range of our weapons is not due to technical reasons, but is a matter of policy.

The range of Iran’s weapons is determined by officials and the Supreme Leader, in accordance with our needs.

Iranian General Mohammad Reza Naqdi:

Whenever the Supreme Leader gives authorization, we will increase the range of our weapons in line with the needs of the battlefield.

Since our weapons are domestically produced, we can increase their range and power according to the necessities and needs of the battlefield.

Russia’s Military Spending Set to Reach Record $199 Billion in 2026

Russia is heading toward a record military bill of almost $200 billion in 2026, roughly 40% above its original plan, after Putin authorized nearly $60 billion in additional spending.

READ MORE

Kim Jong Un wished Putin “victory and glory” on his 74th birthday, reaffirming his “invariable support” for Putin and Russia and saying Russia would prevail in its “just and sacred war.”

Kim pledged to deepen North Korea’s strategic partnership with Russia and closed the message by saying, “I warmly embrace you, my dear comrade.”

Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton privately told donors that the Iran war and high gas and diesel prices are hurting his campaign, saying affordability is “by far our biggest problem.”

Paxton said diesel above $6 a gallon is driving up food and other costs, but stressed he has no control over the war or fuel prices.

Source: Axios

US Threatens UK and Europe With Sanctions Over Israeli Settlement Boycotts

US DoJ warned Britain, France, and Norway of possible retaliation over Israeli settlement boycotts, after Washington previously avoided condemning the measures.

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NEW: Türkiye is sending defensive military support to Saudi Arabia to fight the Houthis — including air defense systems, drone operators, intelligence sharing, and help fine-tuning defensive measures, according to Reuters citing Turkish and US officials.

The support is bilateral for now since Türkiye's parliament hasn't ratified the Mecca Pact yet.

Officials say it will expand after ratification.