Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Türkiye–Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defence pact plans:

Any pact in the region should be more inclusive.

We don’t want to create another camp. We want to create a regional solidarity platform.

It can start with two or three countries, but in due course, if it evolves into something all-encompassing, that would be ideal.

We have to be able to sort out our own problems. We have to show regional ownership. That requires a certain degree of solidarity and institutionalization.

When you talk about institutionalization, it also dictates that you establish some pacts and platforms.

You shouldn’t be outsourcing your security.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

We can create our own center of gravity in this region.

If UK, Türkiye and France, Germany and major European countries can really make their own decisions, we don’t need to be drifted away to either transatlantic or China or Russia.

Either we will continue with and expect the American security umbrella protecting Europe and the EU forever, or you think that if it is gone, you need to come up with your own center of gravity.

Trump has pinned his Truth Social post threatening Iran.

Trump has been briefed on military options against Iran, including a “big” plan for large-scale airstrikes on regime and IRGC targets.

Other options range from limited symbolic strikes to cyberattacks on Iranian banks or tougher sanctions.

Source: WSJ

Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, is leading a Trump administration effort to re-investigate the 2020 election for possible fraud.

She has focused on voting machines, swing-state data and claims of foreign interference, and has regularly briefed Trump.

Her work included traveling to Georgia during an FBI search of Fulton County’s election office for 2020 records.

The administration says she will prepare a report and has discussed possible executive orders on voting ahead of the midterm elections.

Source: WSJ

Keir Starmer meets with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

UK is unlikely to join any US attack on Iran, but has sent RAF Typhoon jets to Qatar to help protect regional allies if Tehran retaliates.

UK officials say a first strike would probably not meet Britain’s legal standards, though British forces could act in self-defence to protect Qatar or other partners.

Source: The Guardian

EU’s Kaja Kallas:

My reading list is quite long. I’m not telling you what I’m reading right now, but it’s also about the history of different regions.

By the end, when I finish this job, I will be very smart.

Lockheed Martin will quadruple production of its Thaad missile-defense interceptors to about 400 per year under a new seven-year agreement with the Pentagon.

The company will build a new facility in Arkansas to support the expansion and has also agreed to sharply increase Patriot missile output.

Source: WSJ

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Azerbaijan says it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military action against Iran.

BREAKING: Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency over Cuba and authorizing new tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island.

The order allows the United States to impose additional tariffs on imports from nations that directly or indirectly provide oil to Cuba.

Trump:

Based on the fact that Canada has wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused to certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 Jets, one of the greatest, most technologically advanced airplanes ever made, we are hereby decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified, as it should have been many years ago.

Further, Canada is effectively prohibiting the sale of Gulfstream products in Canada through this very same certification process. If, for any reason, this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50% Tariff on any and all Aircraft sold into the United States of America.

Trump:

I will be announcing the Fed Chair tomorrow morning.

Reporter: Have you had any conversations with Iran in the last few days, and are you planning on it?

Trump: I have had, and I am planning on it.

We have a lot of very big, powerful ships sailing to Iran right now. It would be great if we didn’t have to use them.

Reporter: What message did you share with Iranians?

Trump: I told them two things: number one, no nuclear, and number two, stop killing protesters.

They are killing them by the thousands.

They are going to have to do something.

Trump on Cuba:

I think Cuba will not be able to survive.

Reporter: What do you think about the UK getting into business with China?

Trump: It’s very dangerous for them to do that, and it’s even more dangerous for Canada to get into business with China. Canada is not doing well.

They’re doing very poorly. And you can’t look at China as the answer.

The first thing they’re going to do is say you’re not allowed to play ice hockey anymore. Canada’s not going to like that.

READ MORE

Trump:

We have a group headed out to a place called Iran, and hopefully we won’t have to use them.

Trump is considering expanded military options against Iran, including strikes on nuclear and missile sites and possible raids inside the country.

The plans go beyond earlier proposals linked to Iran’s recent protests, which have now been crushed.

Options range from targeted airstrikes to covert operations and efforts to destabilize Iran’s leadership.

Source: NYT

Journalist Patrick Howley to Senator Graham:

“Hey Lindsey, why don’t you just admit that you’re gay, and then people won’t blackmail you anymore?”

Trump is expected to nominate former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair.

An announcement is planned for Friday. Warsh, who advised Trump and served on the Fed from 2006 to 2011, would replace Jerome Powell when his term ends in May.

Source: Bloomberg