Source: CNN reports that Donald Trump met earlier Friday with Cabinet and top advisors to discuss the possibility of escalation in case negotiations fail.
After the ceasefire broke down earlier in this month, US airstrikes against Iran have continued for thirteen consecutive nights. Trump said that Washington could choose to end the war either through diplomatic or military means.
* There are tensions on the sea. The US military claims to have disabled a ship that attempted to circumvent its ban of Iranian ports. Saudi Arabia also said that it had launched airstrikes against Yemeni Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. The militant group was responsible for an attack on another Saudi vessel at the Red Sea.
The US Central Command didn’t announce that it would launch strikes against Iran this Friday after pounding the country every day for nearly two weeks.
CENTCOM posted to X that it had been conducting strikes against military targets in Iran for the last 13 nights. No such announcement was made in Friday Eastern Time. CENTCOM’s headquarters is in Tampa, Florida which operates on Eastern Time.
This is because CENTCOM didn’t take any military action on Iran Friday.
CNN has reached out CENTCOM to get a comment.
Trump goes from making jokes to commenting on war in Iran
CNN, 1:04
Trump goes from making jokes to commenting on war in Iran
1:04
Donald Trump’s remarks Friday at the White House Correspondents Dinner saw him make a dramatic shift from jokes to addressing the Iranian war.
The war is going very well. Trump told the public to “not believe fake news” about the state of the war.
The US Navy and Air Force no longer exist, he said.
He said, “They are very few drones remaining, in spite of what you can see.”
Trump added that Iran “would love to make a trade deal,” but that “he does not think they are ready.”
The president stated, “I’m not sure it’s the right time but I am willing to listen.”
In his Friday speech to the White House Correspondents Association Dinner, Donald Trump announced that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister will be visiting the US in the next few days.
In a previous statement, the Israeli leader’s offices said that Netanyahu would meet Trump on Tuesday at the White House.
Netanyahu’s Office said that Trump invited Netanyahu to visit. CNN has reached out the White House to get a comment.
Netanyahu’s 7th visit to the US for a meeting with Trump follows two weeks of American daily strikes against Iran. Trump has also threatened to hit bridges and electricity plants every time Iran launches a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Netanyahu, who has been unconvinced by Iran’s nuclear intentions and is in favor of new strikes against Iran, has been holding out for years.
Netanyahu, who has described Sen. Lindsey Graham as “one [Israel’s] closest friends,” will attend his funeral during the US visit.
The post was updated to include additional information.
A US military official revealed to CNN that US forces had disabled a US tanker today in the Gulf of Oman after its crew tried at least four previous times to break through the US blockade.
Officially, US forces at the scene fired into the engine room of the ship to disable it after the crew repeatedly refused to comply. The ship has stopped transiting towards Iran.
It is the first time US forces disabled a ship of a commercial nature since the US reinstated its blockade in the beginning of this month. US Central Command had previously stated that it had redirected twelve commercial vessels since the US reimposed its blockade earlier this month.
Saudi Arabia launched strikes on what they said were Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen’s port city Hodeidah, after an attack was made against a Saudi ship in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia’s Coalition Joint Forces Command issued a press release describing the attacks as “a proportionate military response”.
Turki al-Malki (staff major general of the coalition) called the Houthi attack in the Red Sea “a cowardly, reckless act.”
Al-Malki stated that Hodeidah’s port was not targeted by the strike.
Al-Masirah, a Houthi-affiliated television station, reported earlier that an employee at a Hodeidah telecommunications facility was injured during the Saudi airstrike.
Today, President Donald Trump addressed reporters in the White House. He gave some insights into his views on the war against Iran and the developments of the region.
These are some of the most important lines that you should know.
Trump said that the US was actively in negotiations with Iran. He added, however, that there is a possibility of military continuing or escalating its bombing campaigns. President Trump said “there are a number of” possible exit strategies.
Sources familiar with the situation say that Trump made those comments after he met Friday with Cabinet members and top advisors to discuss the possibility of escalating the war.
The president stated that Iran appears to be “more serious” about ongoing negotiations. I think that they have been the most serious we’ve ever seen. “But that does not mean we reach there.”
When asked about the US-Saudi nuclear deal on Friday, Trump claimed that the two had not discussed the matter when asked whether he authorized Chris Wright sign the agreement. CNN reported on Thursday that Trump rescinded the deal, which had been negotiated for years. He was blindsided this week by an announcement from the Energy Department.
Report by CNN Kristen Holmes with Logan Schiciano Alejandra Jaramillo Adam Cancryn.
When asked Friday if President Donald Trump had authorized Chris Wright sign the US-Saudi nuclear deal, he said that neither he nor his Energy Secretary discussed it.
Trump said to reporters in his Oval Office that he and his Energy Secretary had never discussed the matter, but they both knew it. Chris also knew it.
CNN reported on Thursday that Trump had reneged on the nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, which he’d been blindsided to sign after the Energy Department announced the agreement Wednesday. This was as conservative allies began criticizing the deal.
When asked earlier in the Oval Office if he thought his Energy Secretary had announced the deal too soon, Trump changed the subject.
He said, “Nobody got ahead.” I just said that they had to be a part of the Abraham Accords in order to get it.
Trump surprised his nuclear negotiators by adding the condition that Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords in order to normalize relations with Israel.
Trump stated Friday that Saudi Arabia’s normalization of relations with Iran was a problem for them and other countries. You don’t need to worry about that anymore. There is no great power in Saudi Arabia anymore.
He added that this condition is “very important” for the future Middle East.
Trump stated that “they’ll eventually join”.
Donald Trump, President of the United States said on Friday that his administration could exit from Iran’s war through a combination of military and diplomatic action.
When asked about his exit plan, Trump replied to reporters in the Oval Office: “I believe there are a number of them.”
He said, “There is a military escape where we keep on going the same way, we can make it stronger and knock out everything.”
I think they’re not ready yet, but want to do a business deal. “I just don’t believe they are ready, but they want to make an agreement.”
After the thirteenth night of US airstrikes, President Obama said that negotiations are underway with Iran.
Trump added, “We’re currently talking with them.”
Donald Trump stated on Friday the US is talking to Iran and that, in his opinion, Tehran has become “more serious”.
We are speaking to them. “We are speaking to them now”, Trump said in an Oval Office press conference.
I think that they have been the worst we’ve ever seen. “But that does not mean we reach our goal,” he said.
The president responded that “we’re all involved” in the discussions. He added Vice President JDVance and Secretary Marco Rubio.
He said he is not in any hurry to come up with a solution before November’s midterm elections.
Trump stated, “We must do it correctly.”
CNN reported that President Donald Trump and top Cabinet members met at the White House on Friday, to discuss the possibility of escalation with Iran.
After the meeting Trump spoke to journalists and said that US officials are actively negotiating. He also stated it is possible for the military to continue their bombing campaign, or to “make it heavier”.
Trump stated, “I think we will see what happens while we are talking.”
The war in Iran is having a major impact on US allies, markets for oil and Middle East countries.
What you need to Know:
After reaching $100 per barrel this week, the global oil price has dropped below that level for the second time in two weeks.
Yemeni Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, targeted Saudi oil tankers this week in the Red Sea. This has added to the uncertainty surrounding global oil transportation already hindered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Gas prices remain high in the United States, with an average of $4 per gallon. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations said today that he was “deeply concerned” by Houthi attacks against commercial vessels. He called for a de-escalation.
The US Allies Bahrain Kuwait and Jordan have said that they intercepted Iranian missiles on Friday.
After the Defense Casualty Analysis System had listed correctly the number of US soldiers killed in war earlier that week, the Pentagon’s war casualty tracker is still incorrect.
Meanwhile, in diplomatic news:
US President Donald Trump has said that he doesn’t believe China and Russia provide weapons to Iran. He cites assurances from their leaders.
The Israeli Leader’s Office announced in a press release that Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Premier will be meeting Trump on Tuesday at the White House.
The report was contributed by CNN’s Alejandra Jaramillo and Ibrahim Dahman.
Donald Trump stated on Friday that, according to assurances from the leaders of both China and Russia, they do not provide weapons to Iran.
Trump posted on Truth Social that “President Xi told me at our meeting, in Beijing, China that he under no circumstances would give or sell weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran. This statement also included Chinese Companies.”
Trump continued, “Considering our relationship I am willing to take his word at face value and besides, it is a great favor that l do him.”
Trump said that Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, told him Moscow wouldn’t sell arms to Iran.
Trump said, “My opinion is that two of the most important countries in Iran, which are often mentioned, do not participate.” If they participated, this would not be in their interests.
In a Senate hearing earlier this week, Pete Hegseth said that China and Russia “at different level” are facilitating some Iran’s activities during the war.
Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee that “[t]here are many methods that we can use to deter this… but the extent and depth of the problem should remain classified.”
He said that both countries were facilitating some of what Iran was doing in different ways.
On Friday morning, two waves of sirens were heard in Bahrain as Iran took responsibility for the targeted attacks on US assets across several Arab nations.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior urged residents to remain calm after the alarms went off at 12:47 am. ET, and then again at 3:47 am. ET in posts at X before the Defense Ministry said that forces had “intercepted” and “disrupted” Iranian airstrikes.
According to the Jordanian Armed Forces, on Friday, seven Iranian missiles as well as six drones were shot down by Jordanian forces.
Kuwaiti Army said that the air defenses in Kuwait were intercepting “hostile targets” coming from Iran on Friday night local time.
According to Tasnim, a semi-official news agency, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has targeted three ammunition and equipment-storage facilities in Kuwait’s Al-Adairi Base. Tasnim reported that the IRGC targeted also the US Navy Fifth Fleet’s control tower in Bahrain.
Iran Press TV reported that earlier on Friday Tehran had fired drones towards Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base as well Jordan’s Al-Azraq Air Base.
CNN is unable to independently verify these claims.
After Washington launched a new attack on Iran mid-July, Tehran intensified its attacks against US-allied countries in the area. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan are among the countries that have been under Iranian attack.
Pentagon: At least four US military personnel have died in recent Iranian attacks. The Pentagon reports that four US service members were killed by the latest wave of Iranian attacks over the past week. Three died in Jordan and another was killed when an Iranian drone detonated in Iraq.
Iran’s most recent salvo has also led to travel restrictions as well as stark warnings by foreign consulates. The UK Foreign Office released travel advice on Kuwait and Bahrain just last Thursday.
Reporting by CNN’s Aleena F. Fayaz and Lex Harvey. Kareem El. Damanhoury, Eyad. Kourdi, Eyad.
The post was updated to include the most recent information.
The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed today his “deep alarm” at recent Houthi strikes on commercial ships in the Red Sea. He called for a de-escalation as the Iran War expands into new fronts.
Guterres called on “immediate deescalation”, and asked the Houthis – one of Iran’s main allies in this region – to stop further attacks, or any “other escalatory action.”
The Houthi Group in Yemen, which had warned for years that it would take steps to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, at the southernmost end of the Red Sea, declared earlier this week a naval blockade against Saudi shipping. This could be a further escalation, which could threaten the global supply of oil.
Iran has denied media reports claiming that US officials had rejected a ceasefire offer from Iraq this week. Instead, the Trump administration is being blamed for the recent increase in violence.
Officials criticized Washington for “breaching its promises,” as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding — which outlined a path to peace on a long-term basis — and criticised a New York Times report that described Tehran’s refusal of a temporary agreement. Baghdad rejected the report on Friday.
The human toll of the recent deadly attacks has risen dramatically, but neither the US or Iran have publicly signaled that they will return to diplomacy. Hossein Karmanpour, the spokesperson of Iran’s Ministry of Health, said that 59 Iranians have died and 666 more injured in recent months.
Pentagon: According to Pentagon, at least four US military personnel have died in recent Iranian attacks.
What you should know about:
Iranian attacks hit Gulf Countries: Bahraini military intercepted “a number of Iranian aerial attacks” Friday, according to a post by the Defense Forces on X. Late on Thursday, Kuwaiti air defenses also intercepted Iranian strikes, Kuwait’s army said.
Iran claims US attack on IRGC HQ: Iran’s IRNA state-run media reported Friday that a missile strike in northern Gilan Province damaged IRGC’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC’s) key facilities. CNN is unable to independently confirm the report. US Central Command claimed that it had targeted “Iranian command centers” on Thursday night.
According to MarineTraffic, two oil tankers carrying about 4,000,000 barrels of Saudi crude crossed the Gulf of Aden on Friday afternoon local. Yemen’s Iran supported Houthi rebels have declared a naval blockade against Saudi shipping and claim to have attacked Saudi oil tanks in the Red Sea on Friday.
Iran’s Fars News, a semi-official news outlet, reported Friday that the oil revenues in Tehran peaked last year. From late March to the end of April, officials had recorded $2.5 billion more than they did for 2025. This was after US sanctions were temporarily lifted.
Aida Karimi of CNN, Ibrahim Dahman and Lex Harvey, Aqeel Naajim, Billy Stockwell contributed to the reporting.
CNN reported that a US official denied a CNN report that Iran rejected a ceasefire offer. The account, he said, was “not true.”
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Iran had rejected the ceasefire offer from Donald Trump, which was sent to Tehran by Iraqi Prime Minster Ali al-Zaidi who met Trump recently in Washington.
Although the substance of this plan wasn’t clear, Iran was said to be not interested in any temporary agreement that didn’t resolve the outstanding issues surrounding control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian state-run media described the report on Friday as a “diversionary” and “misleading,” while Iraq’s prime minister’s office dismissed the claim as unfounded.
Tom Barrack, US ambassador to Turkey, re-posted Iraq’s social media post, saying, “Iraq is getting its facts straight.”

Charli XCX’s eighth album, “Music, Fashion, Film”, is a proudly prickly, pleasingly scuzzy piece of pop art that describes how to follow an unexpected cultural juggernaut which launched the creator into a higher level fame.
This was the 2024 album “Brat”, a bold, unapologetic LP which oscillated between self-mythologizing party girl lyrics (“I want to dance with me when I’m in the club”), and vulnerable, disarming confessions of insecurity. It reimagined pop lyrics as a mess of run-on sentences texted in the middle night to trusted group chats. She sang, “I am embarrassed that I have it, but need sympathy,” on an anthem of self-loathing and synth-pop about not being able to match up with a pop superstar from the A-list. She became one in a surprising twist when “Brat”. It also became a much bigger phenomenon than just music — endless memes about “Brat summer” with the accompanying goblin-mode and slime-green aesthetic — which could have turned Charli to a cartoon or worse into a traditional celebrity.
Charli Aitchison was a Brit who was born in England. Before she released “Brat,” Charli Aitchison had been as underground as you could get and still qualify as a star. Before “Brat,” Charli XCX, the Brit born Charlotte Aitchison was as close to the underground as one can get while still qualifying for a pop star. She wrote and sang on Icona Pop’s sugar rush “I Love It” in 2012 and Iggy Azalea’s playground taunt “Fancy” in 2014 before scoring a Top 10 solo hit with “Boom Clap.” But she quickly moved into an experimental lane and made edgy electro-pop
Charli has been busy in the past two years. She has starred in “The Moment,” a one-note but interesting mockumentary, and released an enchanting soundtrack to Emerald Fennell’s historical drama “Wuthering Heights.” This proved Charli’s versatility extended beyond the post-millennial party girl anthems. But the pressure for a “Brat,” follow-up, album loomed.
What does Charli Do on the “Music, Fashion, Film” after her album that changed her life? Make the most of her newfound mass-cultural capital by creating crowd-pleasing hits. What No. 1 hit will take her from arenas to stadiums and beyond? This short, barbed, and unrepentantly revealing new album says no. She’d prefer to use it for an uncompromising, uncompromising piece that puts her in dialogue with her heroes. Like the holy trio of elder white men she assembled on the striking cover of the album: art-rock veteran John Cale; former “guru” of grunge designer Marc Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese — the embodiment of absolute cinema. Vincent Cassel, the spiky French actor, also appears in Charli’s music video “Camera.” Lou Reed, Cale’s former Velvet Underground bandmate, is a constant touchstone.
Charli’s choice of old, white men to be her pantheon is a curious one. She is also a keen observer of the perception of fame, so she is aware of the transgression that comes with someone of her age, who is mixed race, cares for fashion, and makes supposedly lowbrow music.
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The relationship between Canada and Michigan was drastically different when they agreed to construct a bridge worth billions of dollars at the most busy border crossing between Canada and the United States.
The Canadians voted in 2012 that President Barack Obama is a great leader. They also agreed on many issues, such as border security, increased military co-operation, etc. The bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, named in honor of both countries’ hockey stars, Gordie Howe who spent 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings, was dedicated to the Canadian Gordie.
The Gordie Howe Bridge, worth $4.5 billion, will be opened, at the very least, ceremonially on Friday. This is despite the fact that the White House president has been a major factor in Canada’s economic downturn, suggesting annexation and even stalling its opening.
This week, Mr. Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on Canadian products valued at $20 billion. He is just as hated by Canadians as was Mr. Obama. All of it has been too much for Canada. The Canadian government rescinded invitations for American officials to open the bridge together. It moved the opening ceremony away from the borderline in the middle of the bridge, to an inspection area of Canada Border Services Agency.
In a press release, the Canadian Infrastructure Minister’s office said that it was inappropriate to hold a celebration between Canada and the United States in light of the trade actions threatened earlier this week by the United States. The Gordie Howe Bridge is a crucial infrastructure project, which reflects many years of work. It will also be an economic engine.
Two invitations to the opening ceremony have been pulled. A June opening was cancelled days in advance of its scheduled date, at the request of Trump’s administration.
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A French model agent who arranged, for more than a decade, for Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offenders, to meet with multiple models was found dead on Monday at his house near Paris.
Marie-Celine Lawrysz said in a statement released by CNN on Wednesday that Daniel Siad was discovered dead in Colombes.
To determine the cause and manner of death, an autopsy is performed.
Katie Polglase, a CNN reporter interviewed Siad recently. He said he did not believe that two women he recommended to Epstein – and who told CNN Epstein had abused – had actually been harmed.
After Epstein was convicted of sex crime in 2008, insiders from the modeling industry, like Siad, continued to seek business opportunities with him. They invited him to events and let him associate with their businesses.
Siad claimed that Epstein assured him that he paid for the crimes he committed and “this wouldn’t happen to anyone” Siad had referred him.
In an interview with CNN published in June, he said: “I believed this was a person of professionalism.” I never heard from someone who was introduced to him that they were in a bad position. “I thought this man was a professional.”
Siad claimed he believed Epstein to be a casting director at Victoria’s Secret, and for the modeling agency MC2. CNN did not find any evidence that supported this claim.
‘Too old’
The Department of Justice released documents that show Epstein spent tens of thousand dollars on Siad.
Siad sent a message saying: “Cute French Girl in Marrakesh… (She) said she would be happy to meet with you.”
Siad said separately that Epstein asked him to help find an assistant.
Siad stated in an email from 2018 that he wanted to find a “good-looking young assistant” who would work for Epstein.
Siad also sent Epstein a picture of a young woman who he described as being “very polite,” and as someone with “potential” to be a “model,” or an “assistant.”
“Too old,” Epstein replied.
According to DOJ documents, Siad sent Epstein numerous photos of women that he met during his travels. Some of the pictures showed them in provocative positions.
CNN affiliate BFMTV said that Siad’s name appeared more than 2,00 times in DOJ Epstein files.
Svetlana Pouzhidaeva is a Russian born model who told CNN previously that Siad had introduced her to Epstein and that he had abused her.
Pozhidaeva said to CNN on Wednesday that “my life would’ve unfolded in a completely different way if it weren’t for his presence.” Pozhidaeva said Siad was dead, so he couldn’t be held responsible. She said that she wanted justice served and for an investigation to take place.
Menya Arabic-Tigrine said that Siad was willing to be “challenged by the harsh media spotlight… to see the truth brought to light.”
Arab-Tigrine stated that the results of an autopsy would confirm whether or not his body had simply given out. He added that his client is innocent, and has never been charged with a crime.
According to Paris’ chief prosecutor, Epstein’s connections to the modeling business are part of the ongoing investigations. This includes a criminal investigation launched in Paris this year that examines information related to Siad.
Siad also faced abuse allegations. In 1990, a model who was working in France accused Siad of sexual abuse. Siad has denied the allegations.

A French professional model recruiter who for over a decade arranged for the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to meet multiple models, was found dead in his home near Paris on Monday.
Daniel Siad’s body was found in his house in Colombes, a suburb of the French capital, Marie-Céline Lawrysz, deputy public prosecutor at the Nanterre Judicial Court, told CNN in a Wednesday statement.
An autopsy will be performed on the body to determine the cause of death.
CNN’S Katie Polglase recently interviewed Siad, who said he had no reason to believe two women he had recommended to Epstein – and who had told CNN that Epstein had abused them – had been harmed by him.
Even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on sex crimes, modeling-industry insiders like Siad continued seeking business ventures with him, invited him to fashion events, and allowed him to associate with their companies.
Siad said Epstein had assured him he had paid for his crimes and that “this would never happen with anybody” that Siad referred to him.
“I trusted him and believed this guy was a professional person,” he told CNN. “I never heard anything from anyone I introduced to him who came back to me that they had a bad situation. I believed this guy is a professional person.”
Siad said he had believed Epstein was a casting director for Victoria’s Secret and the modeling agency MC2. CNN found no evidence to support that claim.
‘Too old’
Files released by the Department of Justice show Epstein paid tens of thousands of dollars to Siad.
In one message, Siad wrote: “Cute French girl in Marrakesh… She said that she will (be) happy to meet you.”
Siad separately said that Epstein had asked him for help finding an assistant.
In a 2018 email, Siad wrote that he was looking for a “good looking young assistant” for Epstein.
In another message, Siad sent a photo to Epstein of a woman, describing her as “very polite” and someone who has “potential” as a “model” or “assistant.”
“Too old,” Epstein replied.
Siad repeatedly sent Epstein photos of young women he encountered during his travels, some of them in provocative poses, according to the DOJ files.
Siad’s name appears more than 2,000 times in the DOJ’s Epstein files, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported.
Epstein’s ties to the modeling industry are part of ongoing investigations, which include a criminal probe launched this year in Paris that is reviewing information related to Siad, according to the city’s chief prosecutor.
Siad was also facing accusations of abuse. A model also accused him of rape when she was working in France in 1990. Siad denied the allegation.
CNN’s Katie Polglase, Barbara Arvanitidis, Elina Baudier Kim, Curt Devine and Isabelle Chapman contributed reporting