Sergey Shoigu has cautioned Finland and the Baltic states against allowing Kiev to use their airspace for attacks on Russia | Russia would have the right to retaliate if Finland and the Baltic states are deliberately allowing Ukrainian drones to pass through their airspace, Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said on Thursday.

Either Western air defenses are proving ineffective, or these four countries “deliberately provide their airspace, thereby becoming open accomplices in aggression against Russia,” he added. In the latter case, Moscow has the right to self-defense in response to an “armed attack” under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the security chief stressed. ● In recent weeks, Kiev has intensified drone strikes on Russia in what Moscow has characterized as “terrorist attacks,” with the Russian military regularly reporting hundreds of UAVs downed in a single night.

■ This is what we now know about the drones that fell in Finland (04/12/26)

Seyed Mohammad Marandi is a professor at Tehran University and a former advisor to Iran's Nuclear Negotiation Team. Prof. Marandi outlines the long history of US alignment with jihadist proxies and the ongoing destruction of Syria

Abu Alya | The failed 12-day war, Netanyahu's desperation, the renewed Abraham Accords, and the narrative war reshaping the region. | Israel's surprise attack on Iran was meant to collapse the Islamic Republic and reshape the region. Instead, it exposed Israeli vulnerabilities, failed to achieve its objectives, and ended in a hastily arranged ceasefire. ■ But this isn't a story about military failure—it's about how that failure gets spun into diplomatic triumph. Trump's renewed Abraham Accords represent imperial domination marketed as peace, designed to subjugate Palestinians and fracture Arab unity. ■ Israel's Failed Strategy: It wasn't supposed to happen this way. It was supposed to be quick. On June 13, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, with full military and political backing from the United States. The official justification was Iran's nuclear program—despite a lack of credible evidence that it posed any immediate threat or was being weaponized. The real objective was to collapse the Islamic Republic, fracture its leadership, and trigger regime change.

Evgeny Norin | The US-led military bloc’s illegal strikes on Belgrade in the spring of 1999 forever changed relations between the West and Moscow | On March 24, 1999, student Elena Milincic was at home with her sister and a friend in Belgrade. Suddenly, the quiet evening was interrupted by an air-raid siren. The girls quickly hid under a table. It wasn’t the safest place, but they had gotten lucky – their part of the city wasn’t attacked. ■ Over the next 77 days, these girls and other Belgrade residents became better at hiding from the bombs which threatened to kill them every day. The raids were part of NATO’s military operation against Yugoslavia – a campaign that shook up the world order, and not just in the Balkans. [...] The bombing of Belgrade destroyed the image of a new “rules-based international order.” Of course, it wasn’t the last time that the rule of law and the demands of justice were ignored by the Western countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union – in fact, the bloody Iraq war followed only four years later. However, the events in Yugoslavia had clearly demonstrated that a country that wants to protect its sovereignty from external threats can only rely on its own strength and on proven allies.

■ Under NATO’s shadow, Serbia is being targeted again (RT)

Nick Turse | An analysis by The Intercept reveals that the “peace” president has embroiled the U.S. in more than 20 military interventions, armed conflicts, and wars. | President Donald Trump talks endlessly of “peace.” He ran for office promising to keep the United States out of conflicts, claims to be a “peacemaker,” has campaigned for a Nobel Peace Prize, and founded a so-called Board of Peace. “Under Trump we will have no more wars,” he said on the campaign trail in 2024. Yet Trump has immersed the U.S. in constant conflict, outpacing even other presidential warmongers like Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. ■ The White House and Pentagon won’t tell the American people where the U.S. is at war, and Trump has never gone to Congress for war authorization. But an analysis by The Intercept reveals that Trump has embroiled the U.S. in more than 20 military interventions, armed conflicts, and wars during his five-plus years in the White House. Due to a lack of government transparency, obscure security cooperation, and carveouts baked into the U.S. Code — like the 127e authority enacted in the wake of the September 11 attacks, and the covert action statute that enables the CIA to conduct secret wars — the actual number could be markedly higher.

Peter Haenseler | War with Iran: The Outcome is Predictable—but It Remains to be Seen just How Deep the Blood Will be Through Which the World Will Be Wading | The consequences of the war with Iran will break Western hegemony and place significant resources and power into the hands of the Global South much more quickly than would have been the case under peaceful scenarios. Trump is merely deciding how deeply the world will be drenched in blood along the way. ■ It is truly staggering to realize that the Western media still have not recognized that this war against Iran—which Israel and the United States are waging in a manner that defies every legal and moral standard—is already lost, and that the consequences are already written in bold letters on the wall: Western hegemony is a thing of the past; the fate of the EU and NATO hangs by a thread; West Asia will have new masters; and Iran, as one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, will once again assume its rightful role in the future. ■ In this article, I will first examine the final outcome, which is already foreseeable, since the balance of power and the parties’ sustainability are obvious, and the fanatical aggressors’ capacity for escalation is far more limited than it appears at first glance. The war may come to an end in various ways, but the result will be the same in any scenario. The question is “only” how deep President Trump is willing to wade through blood. The death toll is directly proportional to the duration of the conflict.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has launched a scathing critique of the military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran, describing the offensive as an “absolute disaster” during a session of the Spanish Congress. | Defending his government’s “No to War” stance, Sánchez detailed the staggering toll of the conflict since February 28. He reported nearly 2,000 confirmed deaths and over four million people displaced across Iran and Lebanon. The Prime Minister noted that approximately €12 billion in public funds has already been spent on military operations, leading to a sharp decline in global tourism and maritime trade, while causing a dramatic spike in the prices of hydrocarbons and essential raw materials. ‘Worse Than the Iraq War’ -- Sánchez questioned the legitimacy of the “illegal and unjustifiable” aggression, arguing that the strikes serve only to undermine international law and destabilize the Middle East. He warned that the current crisis is “far worse” than the 2003 Iraq War, with a deeper and more extensive global impact. “All this for what?” Sánchez asked. “To destabilize the Middle East, reignite conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon, and bury Gaza under the rubble of oblivion and indifference.”

■ Spain's Sánchez urges Europe to 'dream big' and end 'Israel' alliance (04/12/26)

The assistance comes as the South Asian nation faces pressure to repay $3.5 billion to the UAE | Saudi Arabia has pledged $3 billion in financial aid to Pakistan, the South Asian country’s finance minister has said. ● Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has committed $3 billion in additional deposits, with disbursement expected in the coming week. He is currently in Washington attending the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings 2026. ● Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will head to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for an official visit.

✅ Saudi Arabia Didn’t Bail Pakistan Out For Nothing This Time (Andrew Korybko)
■ Leaked Documents Reveal Details of the Secret Saudi Arabia–Pakistan Mutual Defense Pact (04/14/26)

Larry C. Johnson/Sonar21: Nima conducted an excellent interview of Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi (University of Tehran), a prominent Iranian analyst and a personal friend of mine, who was part of the Iranian delegation in Islamabad. The good professor — in the video posted below — provided Nima with a sharp, critical assessment of the recent Iran-US negotiations. Here is my executive summary of what brother Marandi told Nima:

 ■ Marandi correctly portrayed the negotiations as a US concession forced by Iran’s battlefield successes during the recent conflict (including missile, drone, and defensive capabilities demonstrated over roughly 40 days of war against the “Trump-Netanyahu regimes”). He argued that Iran entered the talks from a position of strength—not weakness or desperation—and used “armed diplomacy” to document positions rather than out of trust in American promises. He emphasized that Iran did not waiver from its key preconditions for the talks, which included:

 ● A comprehensive ceasefire (particularly involving Lebanon and Gaza).
 ● US fulfillment of prior commitments and respect for Iranian security/assets.
 ● No negotiations under pressure or sanctions.

 ■ Marandi repeatedly stressed that progress depends entirely on the US abiding by its obligations. Without concrete action, “there is no reason for us to continue negotiating.” He expressed no fear of returning to war, stating Iran is fully prepared for any scenario, including escalation, and has no illusions about the hostile nature of the Trump administration. Marandi was blunt in describing the United States as the enemy of the Palestinian people, the region, and Iran itself, offering the following examples:

 ● Facilitating Israel’s slaughtering civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, and (via proxies) Iran.
 ● Being captive to the Zionist lobby, which prevents it from controlling Israel or delivering on ceasefires.
 ● Using talks hypocritically while maintaining aggression (e.g., sanctions, threats, and sudden moves like those attributed to JD Vance that abruptly ended sessions).

 ■ Marandi praised Pakistan (and Oman) as true friends of Iran with deep historic and people-to-people ties. He noted Pakistan’s behind-the-scenes support for the resistance and expressed appreciation for its hospitality during the talks. This contrasted sharply with his view of the US and its regional proxies.

 ■ He framed the broader context as part of the “axis of resistance” heroically defending Palestine. Iran’s steadfastness, despite decades of sanctions, wars, and terrorism, stems from its commitment to this cause—unlike other regional states aligned with Washington. He predicted long-term decline of US hegemony, accelerated by de-dollarization efforts (via BRICS, cooperation with Russia and China), and greater regional strength for the resistance.

 ■ The most surprising revelation from Professor Marandi was that Iran was prepared for a second day of negotiations but learned belatedly that the US decided, without informing the Iranian delegation, to end the talks and leave. Who does such a thing? It suggests to me that JD Vance was nothing more than an errand boy and that he was ordered by Susie Wiles to stop talking to Iran and leave, using so-called intransigence of Iran over the nuclear issue as an excuse.

Murtaza Hussain | The details of the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defense agreement have never been made public or even reviewed by Pakistan’s parliament. They are being reported here for the first time based on an archive of classified documents about the pact obtained by Drop Site. | On Saturday, as Pakistan was in the middle of mediating hard-won ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran, Saudi Arabia made a sudden revelation that appeared to undermine Pakistan’s status as a neutral host. In a statement posted on X, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced “the arrival of a military force from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector,” adding that the force would include a contingent of military aircraft and would improve “operational readiness between the armed forces of the two countries.” ■ Those deployments are the result of a defense pact signed last year between Riyadh and Islamabad that has now been activated amid an ongoing regional war and numerous Iranian attacks against military and energy targets in Saudi Arabia. ■ Ceasefire talks collapsed over the weekend in Pakistan, with the American delegation leaving without an agreement. But Pakistan is far from out of the picture; secret documents obtained by Drop Site News reveal the extent to which Pakistan is committed by treaty to potentially become a participant in the war it was attempting to mediate.

■ Saudi Arabia Urges US Back to Iran Talks as Other Oil Routes Face Risk (Sputnik)

■ Saudi Arabia pledges $3 billion in aid to Pakistan (RT)

China has now explicitly warned the United States, by name, "NOT to block/intercept Chinese ships/tankers, or face consequences that could potentially include military." | China's Minister of Defense Admiral Dong Jun said publicly today "We are committed for peace & stability in the world. We are monitoring the situation in the middle east. Our ships are moving in and out of the waters of Strait of Hormuz. We have trade & energy agreements with Iran. We will respect & honor them and expect others to not meddle in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz and it is open for us."

Seyed Mohammad Marandi is in Islamabad, where the negotiations between Iran and the US collapsed. Marandi explains why the negotiations failed and that there will likely be a return to war. In the US media, there are already threats to kill the Iranian leadership and delegation. Marandi is a professor at Tehran University and a former advisor to Iran's Nuclear Negotiation Team. (Recorded 12 April 2026)

■ Tehran vows ‘permanent’ control of Hormuz after US announces blockade of Iranian ports (The Cradle)

Instead of sacrificing young Turkish soldiers for the despot in Qatar who helps murder Iranian women and children, Erdogan should respect the demands of the Turkish people, stop the flow of oil to Netanyahu, shut down US and NATO bases, and break off ties with the Zionist regime. https://t.co/xq5BzF8SdA

— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) March 22, 2026

✅ Pezeshkian Put To Rest Speculation That Marandi’s Anti-Erdogan Posts Were State-Approved (A. Korybko)

Simplicius | As expected the Iran-US talks in Pakistan have led to a deadlock—or, in other words, failed. | The entire foundation on which the talks were premised was phony because the US is agreement-incapable and does nothing but lie at every stage of the process. ■ First, it had come out that the US had been begging Pakistan to intervene and force Iran into talks for weeks. Then when Iran finally agreed, it had come out that the US was involved in the drafting of the Pakistani announcement which specifically stated that Lebanon was to be included in the ceasefire. But as soon as the ceasefire took effect, and Israel brazenly ignored the new restrictions, the US immediately changed its tune and claimed that the Iranian side had “misunderstood” the agreement, and that Lebanon was never part of the equation.

Trump attacked the pope and then figured himself as Jesus--all in the same night.
This only a week after he spit on Christians for Easter.
Trump mocks Christians and Christianity at his masters' command. pic.twitter.com/yLprsQz2Ow

— Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D. (@RecTheRegime) April 13, 2026

On Orthodox Easter, President Trump attacked the Pope because the Pope is rightly against Trump’s war in Iran and then he posted this picture of himself as if he is replacing Jesus.
This comes after last week’s post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an… pic.twitter.com/mq27jxJEnt

— Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@FmrRepMTG) April 13, 2026

A massive firestorm of international condemnation erupted on Orthodox Easter Monday after President Donald Trump launched a vicious attack on Pope Leo XIV and shared an image of himself depicted as Jesus Christ. | People, cutting across the political and religious spectrum, labeled the remarks as “deranged,” “abhorrent,” and a dangerous display of a “messiah complex.” ● It came days after Pope Leo XIV strongly criticized Trump’s unprovoked war against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the threat to end the Iranian civilization, which the Pontiff called “truly unacceptable” on moral and international law grounds. ● In response, Trump lashed out at the spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

🚩 Trump attacks Pope (RT)

The negotiations between Iran and the United States have come to an end without striking a deal after 21 hours of discussions in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. | Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Sunday that the two sides reached a consensus on some issues, but they held different views regarding 2-3 important matters. “Finally, the talks did not reach an agreement,” he noted. ● He also described the fresh round of Iran-US negotiations, which lasted for 24 or 25 hours, as the longest over the past year.The discussions took place following the 40-day imposed war on Iran in an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion, he emphasized, adding, “Therefore, it was not expected that the talks would reach a consensus.” ● Meanwhile, Baqaei said that the talks covered some new issues with their own complexities, such as the Strait of Hormuz.

■ Trump says US Navy to blockade Strait of Hormuz after failed talks (USA Today)
■ Trump Says US Naval Blockade in Strait of Hormuz Will Begin Shortly (Sputnik)
■ Donald Trump Hints at Naval Blockade After US-Iran Talks Collapse (Times Now)
■ The US Knew Iran Ceasefire Deal Included Lebanon (Antiwar)
■ US Delegation Returns after Iran Rejects US-Proposed Agreement - Vance (Sputnik)
■ US and Iran end 21-hour ceasefire talks without agreement (itvNews)
✅ Trump Refuses Exit Ramp, War with Iran will Continue (Larry C. Johnson)

Prime Minister Viktor Orban is facing the most serious threat to his power in decades | Turnout in Hungary’s parliamentary election has surpassed a record 16% 54%, 74% 77.8% as polling stations opened nationwide on Sunday in one of Europe’s most consequential votes this year, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban facing his strongest challenge since returning to power in 2010. ● The vote could determine not only who governs Hungary next, but also how far Budapest continues to resist Brussels on issues ranging from Ukraine and sanctions to migration and rule-of-law disputes.

■ Orban concedes defeat after 16 years in power (RT)
■ Hungary's Orban Expects Ukraine to Reopen Druzhba Oil Pipeline Immediately After Elections (Sputnik)
✅ What’s At Stake In The “Battle For Hungary”? (Andrew Korybko)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called on Europe to become a moral leader as the US retreats from international cooperation, urging Brussels to suspend its agreement with "Israel", positioning Spain as a model for the rest of the EU. | Sánchez is one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon. He has also clashed with US President Donald Trump and vehemently opposed the US-Israeli war on Iran. ● Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday urged Europe to "dream big" and not only defend its interests but become the moral leader in an increasingly turbulent world, as he positioned Spain as the model for the rest of the EU to follow. ● "Europe's challenge is not only to rearm itself to address its security and defense problems, but to also rearm itself morally, so that it can contribute to stable and peaceful development throughout the world," Sánchez said at the European Pulse Forum, an initiative of POLITICO and beBartlet. ● The prime minister said that at a moment when the United States has given up on international cooperation, Europe has an obligation to step up and fill that gap.

The girl, Ritaj Rihan, was shot in the neck in front of other children while attending a class in a tent in northern Gaza | A nine-year-old girl was shot in the neck and killed by the IDF in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on Thursday while she was attending class in a tent, health and education officials in the Strip told Reuters. ● The girl, Ritaj Rihan, a third-grade student, was hit with the bullet in front of her classmates, causing a “strong psychological shock” to the other children, the report said. ● “She was sitting at her desk with 44 other students around her when she suddenly collapsed. It was later confirmed that she had been shot in the neck,” Mohamed al-Attar, the principal of the school, told the Quds News Network.

London police say they have arrested 523 people at ‌a protest opposing Britain's ban on Palestine Action. | In a post published on X on Saturday, London's Metropolitan Police said they had arrested people at ‌a protest in London's Trafalgar Square for ⁠showing support for a "proscribed organization." The gathering was the first since London's High Court ruled in February that a ban designating the pro-Palestinian group as a terrorist organization was unlawful.

Märta Nummenmaa, Carl Fahllund, Belén Weckström | One of the drones has been detonated in a controlled manner. The other may have exploded when it hit the ground.

What happened? | On Sunday morning, two drones fell near Kouvola. This caused a major security operation. The first drone fell north of Kouvola, the second in the terrain east of Kouvola. The Air Force did not shoot down the drones [emphasis this editor], but "they fell on their own." No one was injured.

The first drone has been defused through a controlled explosion. The explosion was carried out at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday evening, as the authorities assessed that there were explosives in it. The police and the Border Guard have examined the site where the second drone fell. Authorities are investigating whether the drone exploded upon impact with the ground. Scattered drone parts have been found east of Kouvola, and authorities are continuing to search for all remaining parts. The Central Criminal Police Office is investigating the case as a serious public danger, while the Border Guard is investigating a violation of territory.

🚩 Where did the drones come from? | At least one of the drones is a Ukrainian AN196 attack drone. Drones of this type have been used in several Ukrainian attacks on Russia. Ukrainian attacks on Russian targets in the Gulf of Finland have increased recently. The second drone has not yet been identified. The drones flew over the Gulf of Finland in Russian airspace along the Estonian border, Estonian defense authorities told Helsingin Sanomat.

🚩 Why weren't the drones shot down? | Many have questioned whether Finland's defense is capable of fending off drones at all, and why the two drones weren't shot down. Major General Timo Herranen of the Finnish Armed Forces says that Finland could have shot down the drones, but chose not to for security reasons. "We have the ability to react. But unfortunately, no one in the whole world has the ability to completely and comprehensively fend off everything, in all situations and at all altitudes. Not even the USA or Israel. That is a regrettable fact," says Herranen.

How are politicians reacting? | Politicians have emphasized that they are taking the situation seriously. According to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (Saml), all types of territorial violations are serious. President Alexander Stubb highlights that Finland is prepared to monitor and protect its territory. He says Finns need not worry. “I emphasize that Finland is not facing any military threat,” Stubb said in a statement. The Riksdag’s Defense Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee will convene for an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday.

What happens now? | The police investigation is ongoing. The blockades around the drone that fell in the west have been lifted, and residents can now move freely there. Part of the area around the eastern crash site remains blocked, but vehicles have been able to move freely on the roads since Monday evening. The National Criminal Police Office is investigating, among other things, how and why the two drones ended up in Finland. According to several security experts, Russia has been actively jamming Ukrainian drones, which could explain why drones have strayed into Finnish airspace. Finnish authorities have tightened drone surveillance. Anyone who sees any suspicious drones should contact the police. "The authorities are alert 24/7 on the ground, at sea, and in the air. There is preparedness, regardless of whether it is night or day, weekend or weekday. Anyone who sees suspicious drones should call 112," writes Police Chief Ilkka Koskimäki on X. (© Bild: Poliisi) (Translation + Copyread)

■ Polisen utreder kraschad drönare i Itis (YLE)

[Apr 10, 2026] Iran’s integrated air-defence and electronic warfare network has destroyed 24 American MQ-9 Reaper drones in six weeks, inflicting US$720 million (RM2.74 billion) in losses and exposing growing vulnerabilities in U.S. surveillance operations. | The loss of 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones worth approximately US$720 million (RM2.74 billion) in only six weeks marks the most severe American unmanned aircraft attrition event since large-scale drone warfare emerged. ● The accelerated losses, including eight additional Reapers destroyed since April 1 according to CBS, indicate that the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran is encountering an unexpectedly resilient and technologically adaptive defensive environment. ● Two American officials reportedly acknowledged that the expanding losses reflect the increasing difficulty of sustaining intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations inside heavily contested Iranian airspace. ● The officials reportedly stated that eight MQ-9 Reapers were lost during April alone, bringing total losses since February 28 to 24 aircraft from an estimated American fleet of roughly 300. ● That attrition rate means the United States has effectively lost approximately eight percent of its entire MQ-9 inventory during a single regional conflict lasting barely six weeks.

■ Trump Says US Military Will Stay Near Iran and Is Ready for ‘Next Conquest’ (Antiwar)
■ Iran’s FM Stresses Deep Distrust in US (Fars News)
■ Vance and Iranian officials arrive in Islamabad for high-stakes talks (RT)
■ LIVE UPDATES: US–Iran Peace Talks in Pakistan (Sputnik)
✅ Pentagon: Ceasefire with Iran is Just a Pause (Elena Panina

Elena Panina | Iran to America: First, fulfill our conditions, then negotiations | "Two of the measures mutually agreed upon by the parties remain to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the unblocking of Iran's assets before the start of negotiations. These two issues must be fulfilled before the negotiations begin," stated Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

❖ It appears the Trump administration has failed to convince the Iranian authorities. While the White House could theoretically fulfill the first condition on its own, the second is in the hands of Israel, which is not inclined to compromise on Lebanon.

The already difficult task of US Vice President J.D. Vance, head of the US negotiating team, is becoming even more difficult. The Iranian delegation is not yet planning to move to Islamabad without fulfilling its previously agreed-upon obligations.

Incidentally, Ghalibaf's position paints a somewhat different picture of the transition to a ceasefire. It turns out the Americans made all sorts of promises to the Iranians just to persuade them to agree to a ceasefire. And then, as usual, they reneged on their commitments. But it didn't work out that way. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed to ships from states unfriendly to Iran. And that was the main condition of Trump's ultimatum.

❖ True, American bases in the Middle East, US allies in the region, and Israel are not under attack. Moreover, Tel Aviv has been given the opportunity to put an end to Hezbollah and expand its territory at the expense of southern Lebanon.

We'll see what the further diplomatic tug-of-war between Iran and the US leads to. (Translation + Copyread)

With EU allies unwilling to commit to any direct military action, Washington and London are exploring alternative plans to secure the key waterway | British Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed on 10 April that he discussed military options, coalition-building, and shipping logistics in the Strait of Hormuz during a call with US President Donald Trump a day earlier, outlining a joint focus on securing navigation through the critical waterway. ● Speaking during a visit to the Gulf, Starmer said the UK is “pulling together a coalition of countries” while working on both diplomatic and military tracks tied to maritime movement. ● He added that discussions centered on “a political, diplomatic plan,” alongside “military capabilities” and “the logistics of actually moving vessels through the Strait,” framing the approach as both strategic and operational.

Netanyahu says that any country that opposes Israel diplomatically will pay a price | Israel will expel Spain from the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), established to oversee an internationalized, post-war occupation of Gaza, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on 10 April. ● Saar said the decision was based on what he claimed was the Spanish government's “anti-Israel bias” amid its criticism of Israel's wars on Lebanon and Iran. ● According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the move was taken “against the backdrop of the anti-Israel obsession of the Spanish government headed by [Pedro] Sanchez and serious harm to the interests of Israel and also the US.” ● Israeli officials said a formal notice was sent to Spain. The US, whose personnel lead the CMCC in the town of Kiryat Gat near the Gaza border, was informed in advance. [...] About 20 countries have troops or civilian staff stationed at the CMCC, alongside roughly 40 international organizations.

The Israelis will do whatever they can to reignite the war, Seyed Mohammad Marandi has told RT India | The Middle East ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz are based on extremely shaky ground, Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi has said, adding that Israel will do everything it can to reignite war in the region. ● Speaking to RT India on Thursday, Marandi, a political analyst and professor at the University of Tehran, said US President Donald Trump has been forced to accept Iran’s framework for negotiations.

Marandi accused Netanyahu and his allies of wanting the global economic crisis to continue. On the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, he said Iran would like energy flows to be back to normal.

Alexey Volodin | UAV MQ-9 Reaper of the British Air Force was over Lebanon at the time of the IDF air strikes | There is evidence that the British Air Force is involved in the operation in Lebanon in some capacity. This is confirmed by reports that, on the eve of a massive Israeli strike on targets in Lebanon, a British Armed Forces MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and strike UAV appeared there and then circled the area for 13 hours. ■ Initially, several Middle Eastern media outlets reported that it was a U.S. Air Force drone, but that is not the case. The drone belonged to Britain. Information has been confirmed that it took off toward Lebanon from the British Akrotiri Air Base in Cyprus. It operated over the Bekaa Valley. The central point of the British Air Force’s Reaper drone’s “circling” was the area around the Lebanese city of Baalbek. ■ Lebanese channels report that the airstrikes, which Israel called the most powerful since the start of the war, were carried out by the IDF Air Force precisely while the British drone was in Lebanese airspace.  ■ The Lebanese side is asking Britain what its drone was doing in Lebanese airspace the day before. So far, the UK Ministry of Defense has left the question unanswered. This has raised suspicions: was the MQ-9 sharing information with the IDF, or did it, together with the IDF Air Force, ultimately carry out strikes on targets that Israel claims belong to “Hezbollah”?