Axios Report: IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned senior U.S. officials on Tuesday that resuming the war with Iran inside three weeks could force Israel to postpone its October 27 elections.
The warning came after the Americans briefed him on preparations for renewed military operations against Iran. Zamir flagged the likelihood of Iranian missile retaliation against Israel.
Trump has since ruled out U.S. strikes on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.
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US Measles Cases Worst Since 1991
Only five states have reported zero measles cases this year. Outbreaks are hitting Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Utah, and 2026 is now the worst U.S. measles year since 1991.
AP
Trump Rules Out Iran Strike Before Vote
President Donald Trump says the U.S. "will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd."
Contributed by @AZ_Intel_.
Oil Flow Through Hormuz Hits Prewar Level
Ships and tankers carrying 20 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday under CENTCOM escort, matching prewar levels. One day reached 22 million barrels. Iran has not managed to block the traffic despite repeated attempts, and U.S. gas prices are holding at reasonable levels.
i24NEWS.
Hormuz Commercial Traffic Rising
Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is rising, CENTCOM told international shipping partners in a virtual briefing. Adm. Brad Cooper credited industry and U.S. agencies for their support and acknowledged what civilian crews have endured under Iranian attacks.
Maduro Faces Torture Charges in U.S.
Nicolás Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, now faces torture charges along with other counts under a new U.S. indictment. The document was unsealed Thursday.
Iran Says IAEA Pressured on Inspections
Iran's Head of the Atomic Energy Organization: the IAEA is under pressure from the United States and Israel to carry out inspections at sites that were hit in the attacks, and to supply them with reports and observations gathered on the ground.
IRIB News.
Israel Warned of Iran Threat to US Bases
Israel warned U.S. and German counterparts roughly three weeks ago that Iranian intelligence services may be planning to target the American bases at Ramstein and Spangdahlem in Germany, Western intelligence officials told WirtschaftsWoche.
Rubio Urges Europe to Act as West
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: We want Europe to awake from its slumber and recognise who we are, we are the West.
Rubio Warns on Energy Reliance
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on global energy supply:
"We can't continue to rely on large percentages of the world's energy coming from a part of the world that often finds itself in conflict."
Rubio Calls Portugal Gateway to Europe
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
Portugal is the ideal gateway for American technology companies to enter Europe.
Araghchi: Talks With US Ongoing
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:
“The negotiations are still ongoing, and messages are being exchanged through intermediaries”
“We are currently studying the American response, and I believe we will provide our answer within a few days”
Iran Reviewing US Proposal: Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with the United States are continuing, with messages passed through mediators. He added that Tehran is reviewing an American proposal and will respond within days, according to Tasnim.
Rubio: US Law Blocks F-35s to Turkey
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Greek newspaper Kathimerini that U.S. law blocks the transfer of F-35 jets Turkey has already paid for until the dispute over Ankara's Russian S-400 air defense systems is settled. Rubio said Trump wants Turkey to receive the aircraft.
Trump Urged Xi to Ease Japan Curbs
Trump pushed Xi Jinping in September to patch up ties with Japan and lift export curbs on Tokyo, SCMP reports.
Trump called the curbs on Japan-bound goods, including rare earths, a threat to U.S. industries that rely on Japanese suppliers and an indirect violation of the October trade truce. He also asked Xi to meet PM Sanae Takaichi.
Xi was not receptive. He said the Japan dispute should stay out of the U.S.-China relationship and warned of growing Japanese militarism.
First U.S.-Made Iron Dome Interceptor
A Tamir interceptor for the Iron Dome system has been fully manufactured on U.S. soil for the first time. The East Camden, Arkansas plant was built by Rafael and Raytheon through their R2S joint venture, part of U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation aimed at expanding interceptor supply for Israel's Iron Dome.
Pentagon Orders CENTCOM Iran Prep
Channel 12 Report: The Pentagon has ordered U.S. Central Command to complete preparations for renewed large scale military operations against Iran.
Strikes could begin before the Israeli and U.S. elections, but Trump has made no final decision and no date has been set.
Treat the report with caution.
Trump Urges Texas Senate Debate
U.S. President Donald Trump:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, upon information and belief, James TalaFREAKo, who is running for the United States Senate in Texas, is MISSING IN ACTION! No one has seen him for an extended period of time. Where is he?...
U.S. President Donald Trump:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, upon information and belief, James TalaFREAKo, who is running for the United States Senate in Texas, is MISSING IN ACTION! No one has seen him for an extended period of time. Where is he? What is wrong with him? Bad rumors are coming out. He should immediately report to a Debate Stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing, and able, one of the best Attorney Generals in the Country, and will soon be, hopefully, a United States Senator representing the Great People of Texas! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP".
Trump Endorses Mike Rogers in Michigan
U.S. President Donald Trump:
"Mohammed El-Sayed is a terrible Candidate for the Dumocrats. While his opponent, Mike Rogers, is an extremely good one, Mohammed goes back to the days of the Jihad. He is a RADICAL Extremist, Terrorist Sympath...
U.S. President Donald Trump:
"Mohammed El-Sayed is a terrible Candidate for the Dumocrats. While his opponent, Mike Rogers, is an extremely good one, Mohammed goes back to the days of the Jihad. He is a RADICAL Extremist, Terrorist Sympathizer, and no different from his best friend, America Hating Hasan Piker. How’s France doing? Mohammed’s Values are not exactly those of Michiganders, or those of our Great United States of America! He is WRONG for Michigan, and WRONG for America. VOTE FOR MIKE ROGERS — HE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT, AND WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP".
Jamaal Howard Executed in Texas
Jamaal Howard was executed by lethal injection in Texas, the first execution in the U.S. following the failed execution attempt of Christa Pike, the Associated Press reported.
Contributed by @AZ_Intel_.
US Charges Expected Against Maduro
New U.S. criminal charges are expected against Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores over the alleged torture of Americans, per a U.S. official.
Syria Weighs Military Aid to Saudi Arabia
Syria is weighing military assistance to Saudi Arabia in its fight against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, U.S. and Syrian officials said.
Options under review include defensive support against missile and drone attacks, or deploying Syrian forces alongside Saudi-backed Yemeni troops. Damascus says its priority remains domestic recovery.
Reuters.
US Bombers Moved From RAF Fairford
Fears in London that Iran and Russia may lean on criminal proxies to disrupt Western military operations followed Trump's order moving U.S. bombers out of RAF Fairford over terror threats.
British officials put threat levels higher since t...
Fears in London that Iran and Russia may lean on criminal proxies to disrupt Western military operations followed Trump's order moving U.S. bombers out of RAF Fairford over terror threats.
British officials put threat levels higher since the start of the Iran war, while maintaining the base is highly secure and the odds of a successful attack are low.
Confusion came from limited U.S.-UK communication on the withdrawal. Former RAF commander Greg Bagwell: "very damaging" to perceptions of UK base security.
Bloomberg.
Trump Comments on Russia Lab Death
Trump on the lab worker death in Russia: not believed to be a bioweapon, but the U.S. will find out.
CDC: Plague Risk to U.S. Extremely Low
CDC Director Schwartz: the threat to the United States is "extremely low" following the death of a plague institute worker in Siberia. Schwartz added that the CDC is coordinating with other federal agencies to monitor anyone arriving in the U.S. from Siberia.
WSJ.