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Self-driving cars may be involved in more crashes than human drivers on a per-mile basis, but the evidence suggests those accidents are generally far less likely to result in serious injuries or fatalities, according to Aulsbrook Car & Truck Lawyers.

A review of autonomous vehicle safety data found self-driving vehicles are involved in about 9.1 crashes per million miles traveled, compared with roughly 4.1 for human-driven vehicles. However, the report found autonomous vehicle crashes are typically much less severe, with significantly fewer injuries and no recorded fatalities in several major datasets.

The contrast is especially clear in Austin, Texas, where about 12,000 traffic crashes occurred in 2025. Just 85 involved autonomous vehicles, resulting in eight injuries and no deaths. By comparison, crashes involving human drivers caused roughly 8,000 injuries and 99 fatalities.

Several studies cited in the report reached similar conclusions. One analysis covering more than 7 million autonomous miles found self-driving systems reduced injury-related crashes by 85% compared with human drivers. Waymo separately reported major reductions in injury crashes, airbag deployments, and collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists when compared with human-operated vehicles traveling the same roads.

The study says that autonomous vehicles are rarely blamed for the crashes they are involved in. According to NHTSA data, automated driving systems were considered at fault in only about 4% of reported incidents, with fewer than 8% of those cases attributed to software or hardware failures. Most crashes instead involved human-driven vehicles striking robotaxis.

Still, the technology is far from perfect. Tesla's driver-assistance systems have been linked to thousands of reported crashes and dozens of fatalities, while Waymo has faced regulatory scrutiny over incidents involving school buses, flooding, and other edge-case scenarios. The report also notes concerns about cybersecurity, battery fires, and the gap in safety performance between fully autonomous vehicles and partially automated driver-assistance systems.

Texas has become one of the nation's largest testing grounds for autonomous vehicles, ranking among the states with the highest number of reported AV crashes because of its rapid robotaxi expansion and permissive regulatory environment. As autonomous fleets continue to grow, regulators will face increasing pressure to refine liability rules, improve emergency response procedures, and ensure the technology can safely coexist with human drivers.

Via Middle East Eye

US President Donald Trump lavished rare praise on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, calling him "fantastic" and "highly respected", as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. 

The meeting itself is a win for Sharaa, who was first introduced to Trump a little over a year ago in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before finding himself in the Oval Office exchanging gifts with the US president by November. No Syrian leader - and certainly not one with Sharaa's past as a US-designated terrorist - had been in the White House in decades. 

Wednesday's opportunity arose because the Turks have been at the helm of Sharaa's rise to power since December 2024, as they are keen on a neighboring Syria that falls within their sphere of influence. 

Trump's swift embrace of Sharaa has been one of the standout foreign policy moves of the past year. "He's done a really fantastic job as president. He's unified the country in a very short period of time. I'd say like a year and a half, about a year and a half, and right from the beginning it was a real mess, very disjointed place, and he's brought it together," Trump told reporters as he sat next to Sharaa.

"He's a strong person. He's a great leader. He's respected by everybody, including me, and we're proud to have him," he added.

The sentiments are in stark contrast to how Trump has spoken about Washington's traditional allies, most of whom form the very defensive alliance that this summit is about. He has repeatedly berated the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Spain as being weak on defence and immigration, attacked Denmark for asserting its sovereignty over Greenland, and is currently in an open feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 

Since March, Trump has ramped up his rhetoric against those countries not joining his war on Iran.

Removing terror designation

Fourteen months ago, Sharaa, who previously had a $10m bounty on his head in the US, saw Trump announce the historic lifting of economic sanctions on Syria. The move was largely orchestrated by the Saudis, with much of the funding to rebuild Syria in a new image coming from Gulf nations. 

What remains now is to get Syria off the US State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list and allow for investment in the country, which is the key agenda item for Sharaa.

"Any problems with that?" Trump said, as he turned to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "I think we should. Yeah," the president added. "We're proud of the job he's doing. Syria has become very stable."

Trump Again Says Syria Could Help Israel Fight Hezbollah In Lebanon

This time he repeats the line in front of the new Syrian regime’s leader Ahmed al-Shara’a, who Trump brags about putting in power. pic.twitter.com/eckoW1KorA

— MintPress News (@MintPressNews) July 8, 2026

Trump was asked by a reporter about his highly contentious suggestion last month of having Syria take on the role of disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon. "They could help. We'll find out. I think we're making a lot of progress," he said.

Sharaa had previously indicated this was not a feasible option, but his foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, visited Lebanon last week and met with parliament speaker Nabih Berri, the leader of the Amal Movement and Hezbollah's closest political ally.

A senior Lebanese official who met Shaibani during the visit told Middle East Eye that the trip was coordinated with the Lebanese side to send a clear message about Syria's intentions.

Not if you were paying attention. pic.twitter.com/3z3q62Rr7s

— mark F (@mark_F3141) July 8, 2026

"The visit was very much needed to reassure Lebanon and ease concerns about the possibility of a military intervention pushed by the United States," the official said.

Tourists heading to the Mediterranean are being urged to watch out for an invasive species of toxic pufferfish that has spread across popular beach destinations in Greece and other coastal countries, according to the Daily Mail.

The silver-cheeked toadfish, originally native to the Indian Ocean, is believed to have entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal as rising sea temperatures expanded its range. Officials say the fish is now common in parts of Greece, including Rhodes, and has spread as far as Italy and Spain.

The species poses multiple hazards. It carries the potent neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, making its flesh and organs potentially fatal if consumed, and its powerful, beak-like teeth are capable of inflicting deep wounds. Greek authorities recently warned beachgoers to seek immediate medical attention after any bite, following reports of several encounters, including an elderly woman near Athens who required stitches after being attacked.

The Daily Mail writes that local fishermen say the fish have also become a costly nuisance, tearing through fishing nets and destroying catches. One fisherman described the species as devastating to marine life, warning that a bite could easily sever a finger.

In response, Greece has begun installing floating protective barriers at several beaches. About 2.5 kilometers of netting has already been deployed off the island of Evia, with another seven kilometers planned. The barriers were originally introduced to block jellyfish but are now also being used to keep the invasive fish away from swimmers.

Authorities are also trying to reduce the growing population through financial incentives. Cyprus launched a bounty program in 2024 that has removed more than 100 tons of the fish, while Greece recently introduced payments of about €5.33 ($6.25) per kilogram turned in by fishermen. Some regions are also receiving fuel subsidies to support the EU-backed removal effort.

Not everyone agrees with the eradication campaign, however. Some conservation advocates argue the fish should be managed rather than destroyed, while marine biologists have cautioned that reports of attacks may be overstated, saying the species generally bites only when threatened or handled.

Defense company AeroVironment has won an $80.5 million order from the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 for its Titan MS counter-drone system, expanding the Department of War's efforts to secure critical defense infrastructure and other homeland sites from AI drone swarm attacks.

The award falls under a previously announced $500 million sole-source IDIQ contract and will support the Air Force Global Strike Command's layered defenses against suicide drones attempting to breach airspace over strategic nuclear bases.

"This investment provides operators with the tools to detect, track, and defend against illicit drones," said Col. Jason Idleman, chief of the multi-domain operations division at JIATF-401.

The purchase follows an earlier JIATF-401 order for the Titan system, described as an AI-powered, multi-sensor fusion solution that detects, identifies, tracks, and defeats small drones.

The US-Iran conflict, which exposed U.S. bases in the Gulf to inexpensive drones targeting high-value aircraft, communications systems, and early-warning radar systems, served as a major wake-up call for the military.

Last month, we published a note to help readers understand the investment landscape and how to profit from the asymmetric warfare boom. Read it here.

Via Piper Sandler analyst Clarke Jeffries: 

The race to protect military bases from drone swarms is only one part of the effort. There will also be a massive push to secure critical infrastructure - from power substations and generation plants to data centers, and more. This will create a multi-year boom for companies operating in the counter-UAS space.

Just this week, DZYNE Technologies, a maker of drones, loitering munition-type systems, and counter-drone technology, was sold by its investors to Nasdaq-listed defense and industrial technology firm Ondas Holdings for a handsome profit.

Independent Cuban news outlet ADN Cuba has revealed that a US-based Cuba solidarity coalition circulated a memo instructing far-left activists to prepare rapid-response protests at US federal buildings, military bases, recruitment centers, and ICE facilities in the event of a military confrontation between the US military and the communist regime in Havana.

?? PRIMERO EN ADN | Documentos revisados por ADN Cuba revelan un plan nacional de “respuesta rápida” distribuido por la Red Nacional sobre Cuba (NNOC), una coalición con vínculos documentados con el ICAP, para coordinar protestas contra oficinas de ICE, bases militares y…

— ADNCuba - Noticias de Cuba (@CubaAdn) July 8, 2026

The National Network on Cuba (NNOC), a deliberately loose coalition that links 77 left-wing activist organizations, nonprofits, and campaigns while minimizing legal exposure and clear command structures, has recently begun distributing a document for far-left protesters described as a "National Rapid Response Plan."

The memo lays out a target list for NNOC's socialist- and communist aligned NGOs, directing organizers to mobilize against ICE facilities, US military bases, recruitment centers, and federal buildings within 24 hours of any US military escalation involving Cuba.

The document reads less like a typical protest statement and more like a pre-planned foreign subversion operation, with defined targets, response timelines, and coalition infrastructure designed to sow chaos deep within America.

Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sanctioned the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, or ICAP, a Castro-era organization used to spread Marxist ideology abroad.

As we've pointed out before (see the report), ICAP sits at the center, functioning as a partner to NNOC. Think of NNOC as a pathway for foreign subversion operations to infiltrate US NGOs.

Take a look at NNOC's member organizations, and you might notice several socialist and communist-linked NGOs, including the Democratic Socialists of America, whose members have actively promoted "destroying America from within."

Frank, Aaron, Hank and Sam are Communist insurgents, radicalized marxist revolutionaries hiding behind personal ideologies to justfy their 1A expressions of the right to promote the insurrection of the Constitutional Republic of the United States of America pic.twitter.com/XLzzjisOqd

— AnimalFarm1945 (Moshe) (@Farm1945A) July 6, 2026

Here's more from ADN Cuba's report, which may help readers understand that some protests and riots on American streets are not always organic.

In some cases, they appear to be highly organized, built through NGO networks, pre-planned mobilization frameworks, activist coalitions, and potentially foreign-linked influence operations designed for unrest, chaos, and the ultimate destruction of the US:

The document not only identifies ICE offices as one of the main protest targets but also explicitly explains why. According to the plan, demonstrations at these facilities would allow to "connect Cuba solidarity to anti-ICE/immigrant defense work happening nationwide."

This would not be the first time that organizations from the so-called "solidarity with Cuba" movement participate in such mobilizations. The No Kings protests, for example, is listed in the 2026 activity calendar of the Seattle Cuba Friendship Committee, one of the organizations linked to this network.

The National Network on Cuba (NNOC), a coalition based in the United States that groups more than 70 organizations, has documented ties with the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), a Cuban state body sanctioned by the United States in June 2026.

On July 1, Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized that organization as the main "influence and intelligence front" of the Cuban regime and warned that those who maintain ties or conduct transactions with it could face sanctions, legal proceedings, or deportation.

The document also recommends that organizers use a military facility locator developed by Black Alliance for Peace to identify bases and other military infrastructure targets in their respective communities.

It also includes a "power mapping" guide, a methodology for organizing aimed at identifying unions, community organizations, and potential allies in each locality to enhance the campaign's mobilization capacity.  As an additional objective, the NNOC plan recommends organizing actions in sports stadiums during high-visibility events, in order to maximize the public impact of the protests.

The strategy was publicly promoted by Onyesonwu Chatoyer, co-chair of the National Network on Cuba (NNOC), a member of the National Coordinating Committee of the Venceremos Brigade and a member of the Central Committee of the All-African People's Revolutionary Party (A-APRP).

In a video broadcast by the organization on June 12, Chatoyer stated that the network had approved the "national rapid response plan" during its spring meeting held in late May. "Across the United States, NNOC organizations are organizing rapid responses in the event of a military attack by the United States on Cuba," she noted.

Beyond defining the places of protest, the plan establishes a uniform timeline for the entire country. If a military action occurs before 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), demonstrations would begin that same day at 6:00 p.m. local time in each city. If the triggering incident occurs after that time, protests would be held the following day.

The objective, according to the document, is to facilitate simultaneous mobilization across multiple time zones.

The rapid response plan does not appear in isolation. It is part of the No War on Cuba Campaign Toolkit, a package of materials designed to coordinate communication, political training, and mobilization among organizations affiliated with the National Network on Cuba (NNOC).

The toolkit includes template resolutions for city councils and unions, signature gathering campaigns, graphics materials, "power mapping" guides to identify local allies, social media resources, and political training content.

It also promotes international days of action and support campaigns for Cuba. The materials present a narrative aligned with the official position of the Cuban government.

They include references to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), videos from Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and campaigns to promote the lifting of U.S. sanctions and the exclusion of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The call coincides with the anniversary of the 11J protests

While human rights organizations commemorate the fifth anniversary of the protests on July 11, 2021—the largest anti-government demonstrations recorded in Cuba since 1959 and after which more than a thousand people remain imprisoned for political reasons, according to human rights organizations—several groups affiliated with the National Network on Cuba (NNOC) are promoting activities in favor of the Cuban regime for the same date.

These include the event "No War on Cuba," organized by the Bay Area Cuba Solidarity Network in Berkeley, California, with the announced participation of Cuba's deputy ambassador to the United States, Tanieris Diéguez, and the embassy's second secretary, Gabriela González. The call is also promoted by the anti-imperialism committee of the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter.

Actions promoted by the National Network on Cuba (NNOC) occur in a context marked by the ongoing repression on the island. According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), the Cuban regime committed 1,949 repressive actions against citizens during the first half of 2026, while over 1,000 political prisoners remain incarcerated, according to human rights organizations.

. . . 

Together, the "Rapid Response" plan and the No War on Cuba Campaign Toolkit offer a rare glimpse into the organizational structure that the NNOC aims to activate to support the Cuban regime's position in the event of a potential U.S. military intervention in Cuba. The documents illustrate how the network seeks to coordinate protests, communication campaigns, coalition building, and synchronized actions in various U.S. cities.

Related:

• Feds Nab Alleged Member Of "Sprawling" Cuban Communist Subversion Network Linked To Hasan Piker's Havana Trip

With DSA connected to NNOC and ICAP, it only now makes sense why Mark Penn, the former chief White House pollster and strategic advisor to President Bill Clinton for six years, used a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled "The Socialist Threat Is Real" to warn that far-left radicals are hijacking the Democratic Party on Tuesday.

Penn called for "Lawmakers, law-enforcement agencies and journalists should investigate the DSA to see if it is being funded by foreign governments and interests."

In the DSA's own words, it is a "partner" of ICAP, a US-sanctioned Cuban state entity. 

That should help explain why the DSA's rhetoric so often veers from anti-Trump to outright anti-American.

Summary

• Iran retaliates: air defenses reportedly active over Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait.
• Trump threatens "it will get much worse" after Wednesday night US attack wave commences along Iran's coast.
• Trump tells NATO summit that Iran wants to assassinate him: "on every single one of their list."
• Iran threatens to reclose the Strait of Hormuz and suspended final talks with the US.
• The US earlier revoked an Iranian oil waiver & now signals readiness to restore a maritime blockade.
• Trump said the ceasefire is over and warned of fresh US strikes on Iran, probably "tonight".
• Oil jumps above $80 as fears of renewed conflict & return to Hormuz Strait closure intensifies.

*  *  *

Iranian Retaliation: Air Defenses Active Over Bahrain, Kuwait

Nearing 5am Tehran time, and there are incoming reports of Iranian retaliation against Gulf states, which it seems is set to become a predictable pattern - after hours ago the US launched fresh airstrikes on Iranian island and coastal areas near the Hormuz Strait. According to developing reports via AFP and other sources:

• Explosions heard in Bahrain after air raid sirens: AFP
• Kuwait says responding to 'hostile' missile, drone attacks
• U.S. forces struck two railway bridges in northern Iran with cruise missiles—the first U.S. attack on Iranian infrastructure since the April 8 ceasefire.

Reports (unconfirmed) also suggest that missiles are being fired on Qatar - which hasn't happened in quite a while. Iran has reportedly launched ballistic missiles at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, in a first since early March. 

??????????BREAKING: Iran has also launched ballistic missiles towards Qatar, for the first time in months. pic.twitter.com/h73hDqc6Ef

— MonitorX (@MonitorX99800) July 9, 2026

Meanwhile, the view from Russia on two war theatres escalating once again, and at the same time...

MoU is over. The new phase of the war begins. The escalation with Russia is going to grow.

— Alexander Dugin (@AGDugin) July 8, 2026

Trump Threatens "Much Worse" Bombing If Iran Doesn't Stop Attacks

Following the earlier (threatened) strikes. President Trump has taken to his Truth Social account to explain to Iran what happens next:

"This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!"

His post also included the following image of an alleged explosion in Chabahar (though it is unclear if this is a current photo)...

We suspect this will only serve to further bolster whatever group is actually attacking the tankers.

Another US Strike Wave On Iran Commences

After 11pm Tehran time, there are fresh reports of explosions across multiple locations along Iran's coast, coming from several regional sources:

• Explosions heard in Bandar Abbas and Sirik in the south of the country
• Explosions heard in several areas of Hormozgan, Al Jazeera reports;
• Air defenses activated on Sirik Island
• Explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, Iran, Jerusalem post reports

This has come within hours of Iran having announced the suspension of talks on a final settlement with the United States. Also, President Trump earlier during the NATO summit warned that more US strikes would be forthcoming tonight - it appears he's making good on this threat. "I'll give a little warning: We're going to hit them hard tonight," he told reporters just before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Reports of IRGC base targeted & struck:

U.S. strikes targeted a base operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Southern Iranian city of Bushehr, on the coast of the Persian Gulf. pic.twitter.com/Lt7wW6JAuL

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 8, 2026

More images emerging from the nighttime raids:

ARMAGEDDON-LIKE MOMENT in Iran's southern port city of Chabahar as Trump's DEVASTATING STRIKES LIGHT UP NIGHT SKY

Maritime traffic control tower REPORTEDLY DESTROYED

Reports of CITYWIDE POWER OUTAGES pic.twitter.com/dp7hush6dh

— RT (@RT_com) July 8, 2026

Like last night, Iran's military is expected to respond, after the following warning: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister says recent actions by US won't stay without response, IRIB reports. Below is confirmation that the attacks are indeed underway:

• The US has informed Tel Aviv that it will launch powerful strikes against Iran tonight, Al Arabiya reports citing an Israeli source
• Iranian opposition sources report that maritime industries, shipyards, and the Revolutionary Guards' naval base in Bandar Abbas were attacked, report Kan News
• Wednesday's strikes were broader in scope than the strikes the day before, targeting IRGC coastal radars, anti-ship missile sites and air defense systems, Axios' Ravid reports citing a senior US official

Trump Tells NATO Summit Iranians Want To Assassinate Him

President Trump while giving a closing address at the end of the NATO summit in Ankara repeatedly claimed that Iran was plotting to assassinate him, saying he was "on every single one of their list." He claimed: "They want to take out the US Leader. I'm on every single one of their list. So far, I've had a bit of luck, but maybe it won't last. They're evil and sick people, and we must get rid of this cancer."

He suggested that it's time to "finish the job" and yet at other times while fielding questions from reporters shied away from laying out anything that sounds like regime change. Instead he opted to again talk about how the US can never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. He again stressed that "lunatics" can never have a nuclear weapon.

On the claimed assassination plot, it's unclear whether he has something specific in mind, in terms of a recent statement from the Iranian government. He could be referencing media reports from earlier this week quoting mourners and speakers at Khamenei's funeral. For example the following was in a Tuesday Reuters report:

As they passed under a bridge, mourners hurled stones at a billboard hung from above ?showing U.S. President Donald Trump with a bullet aimed at his head.

"The U.S. killed our father," it read. "We won't let you go!"

As demonstrators set fire ?to U.S. and British flags, women in black chadors held aloft red placards with the English words "KILL TRUMP" in black letters.

Others held ?aloft posters with the faces of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, each depicted in the crosshairs of a ?gunsight, with the words "There will be blood".

Ahead of more potential renewed strikes on Iran tonight, CENTCOM is saying its forces are at the ready:

Today, more than 20 U.S. Navy warships are patrolling waters across the Middle East as CENTCOM forces continue promoting regional security and stability. Last month, U.S. naval warships and aircraft transited the Arabian Sea in close formation, demonstrating unmatched American… pic.twitter.com/gnfRIKAYJl

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 8, 2026

Iran Threatens To Reclose Strait, as US Military 'Ready' to Restart Blockade

Iran has once again threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, according to state broadcaster Press TV on Wednesday, citing an Iranian official. Iran is of course planning strait only under its own arrangements, or a protocol involving collection of fees and utilizing a designated route close to its coast, "as per the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)."

The Iranian official further warned the military stands ready to "strike at least twice the number of targets hit" in response to any strikes by the United States. "The developments of the past 48 hours show Iran won't back down from managing the Hormuz," the source noted.

• "The U.S. military stands ready to restart the blockade of ships to and from Iranian ports if ordered to do so, a U.S. official tells Fox News", Fox's Friden reports.
• "Iran suspends talks on a final settlement with the United States", TASS reports citing an Iranian source.

"Any threat will receive a powerful response," the official was quoted in Press TV as saying, and warned further that the Islamic Republic's armed forces do "not distinguish between the United States and its partners in the region." The official warned Trump that the US "will gain nothing" from making such threats.

"He (Trump) will certainly lose both the Strait of Hormuz and the negotiations over a final agreement," said the source. "The choice is now his." Meanwhile...

OIL EXTENDS GAINS, BRENT CRUDE RISES ABOVE $80 A BARREL

And WTI...

Trump: "Probably Hit Iran Tonight"

After earlier saying from the NATO summit in Ankara that the Iran ceasefire is "over" - and amid fears of renewal of full-scale war given that Tehran has launched drone and missile attacks on nearby American allies Kuwait and Bahrain once again, President Trump said on Wednesday that he would "probably hit Iran tonight".

He issued the major threat and warning during a press conference at the NATO summit: "I'll give a little warning: We're going to hit them hard tonight," he told reporters just before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He later lambasted Iran for "killing soldiers, killing people for 47 years," and that because of that, the US has "a score to settle." He added: "We may just do it without a deal." He also sought to once again explain his view that it's not about regime change, but about the nuclear issue.

Geopolitical news source DropSite is pushing back against some of Trump's newest claims, particularly that Iranians security services gunned down "54,000 protesters" during the January economic protests, commenting:

Trump today claimed Iran’s revolutionary regime killed 54,000 protesters at the start of the year, inflating the 40,000 figure he repeated through much of the US-Israeli war to justify and build support for U.S. action. There is no evidence for either figure.

HRANA, which has received U.S. funding, documented about 7,000 deaths, including many Iranian security and police. Iran puts the death toll just above 3,100 and says rioters killed civilians during protests that were overtaken by Israel- and U.S.-backed armed elements. Scores of videos from the January 2026 riots show armed men destroying mosques and government buildings and carrying out vigilante killings of security personnel.

Meanwhile, it's not a war, Trump has repeated... but what's next and what is the ultimate endgame here? Is there a coherent strategy yet? Trump further on Wednesday, while speaking alongside Zelensky and fielding questions, floated that "if we have to we will take out higher level targets" - and that "we may take over Kharg Island". He again admitted the Iran deal may not stick, after the US "knocked out 28 boats last night". He further warned that US forces will probably take out more boats tonight.

• TRUMP, ON ATTACKS TONIGHT: NOT A THING IRAN CAN DO ABOUT IT
• TRUMP:WOULD HATE TO STRIKE DESALINATION PLANTS, BUT MAY HAVE TO
• TRUMP: WE MAY PUT DOWN THE BLOCKADE ON IRAN
• TRUMP: BLOCKADE WOULD ONLY APPLY TO IRAN

Trump on Iran War:

This is not a war. It's the denuclearization of Iran. pic.twitter.com/k51XHDATXF

— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 8, 2026

Trump on Ceasefire, MoU Deal: "I think it's over; they're scum."

Brent crude futures jumped more than 6% in London after President Trump told reporters at a press conference in Ankara that the tentative ceasefire with Iran is over.

"To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore; they're scum," Trump told reporters. 

Trump says the ceasefire between U.S. and Iran is over.

"To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore; they're scum", the U.S. president says.

Live updates: https://t.co/l9KwsXPz0p pic.twitter.com/mqfE5qKOHe

— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 8, 2026

Trump's remarks came after Iran launched missiles and kamikaze drones at several merchant vessels in the Hormuz chokepoint on Tuesday. This was countered by overnight US strikes, as fears of conflict erupting once more are on the rise.

However, Trump stopped short of saying the U.S. would restart the war and said he would let talks continue if the parties were willing.

Crude Update

In European trade, front-month Brent crude futures jumped 6% to $78.63 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose 6.2% to $74.85 a barrel. Natural gas prices rose as well, with the benchmark Dutch TTF contract up 4.8% to 49.04 euros per megawatt-hour.

Hours before the strikes, the US Treasury revoked a sanctions waiver that had allowed Tehran to sell oil, reversing a key element of the interim deal.

Trump also told reporters that he would continue to let his negotiators talk to Tehran, though he thought "they're wasting their time."

Eroding Confidence in Strait's Reopening

On Tuesday afternoon, the Joint Maritime Information Center upgraded the Hormuz risk rating to "Severe" after three tankers were targeted by Iran. This renewed uncertainty in the critical waterway will only pressure the normalization of vessel flows.

"Every renewed attack on commercial shipping further erodes confidence in the Strait's reopening, making each future recovery more fragile than the last," said Michelle Brouhard, head of policy and geopolitical risk at Kpler. "If every reopening is assumed to be temporary, freight rates remain elevated, insurance costs remain high and fewer vessels are willing to re-enter the Gulf."

Dominic Ellis, UBS equity analyst covering oil and gas, wrote in a note:

The US carried out a new round of strikes against Iran in response to recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran in turn launched missile and drone attacks on US assets in Kuwait and Bahrain. While this latest escalation does not mean an end to the diplomatic progress made in recent weeks, it underscores the challenges of diplomacy when both sides believe they have the upper hand.

Markets were too quick to buy into the de-escalation narrative in my view, and while there has been evidence of progress and of a rebound in vessel flows via the Strait of Hormuz, the latest developments may lead to more realistic expectations on the return to normalcy and a slightly higher range for oil in the near term.

The likelihood of a spike above $100/b remains low, however, even in the event of further tit-for-tat strikes in the Middle East, given the surprise sustained drop in Chinese crude imports.

Latest Bloomberg data tracking ships transiting the Hormuz chokepoint with transponders on remain elevated, but the number of vessels making the East-West route has fallen dramatically, while West-East remains steady.

Also, note that the oil market's forward curve has shifted into backwardation. This occurs when near-term futures trade at a premium to longer-dated contracts. The shift shows traders are once again willing to pay up for immediate crude supplies.

More Geopolitical Headlines

via Newsquawk...

Iran Commentary

• Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said the US has violated major parts of the MoU, citing US attacks on southern Iran, reinstating oil sanctions and threats of further strikes as MoU violations.
• Iran's Foreign Ministry states that the US activity overnight has "rendered important and fundamental parts of the Memorandum of Understanding on the End of the War ineffective".
• Iranian President Pezeshkian said the US, whether as World Cup host or in its foreign policy, manipulates the rules and resorts to deception, and that Iran rejects such tactics.
• Iran's top joint miliary command said Iran will give a crushing response to America's aggression and terrorist action, and under no circumstances will they allow them to interfere in the affairs of the Strait of Hormuz and its management.
• Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader said US President Trump intends to attack again and we are fully prepared.
• Iran's Foreign Ministry condemns the US Treasury's move to revoke the temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil sales, will take any measure it deems necessary to safeguard its interests and national security. Iran holds the US government responsible for the consequences of the breach of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Overnight Attacks

• Several explosions have been heard in Bushehr, Iran, according to Mehr news; Mehr's journalist on Kharg Island denies reported of an attack on Kharg, despite some reported of an incident being published. Elsewhere, sirens were reported in Bahrain once again.
• Renewed explosions sounds heard around Iran's Qeshm and Sirik, Mehr reported.
• Iran's army said it targeted the Sheikh Isa Base in Bahrain and warns of more attacks if the US repeats strikes on Iran, Mehr reported.
• Iran's IRGC said that, in response to the US aggression, they hit 85 important US military installations in Port Salman, Bahrain's 5th Maritime Zone and Kuwait's Ali Salem Air Base.
• Iran's IRGC said they downed a US Mq9 drone in the south of Iran, Press TV reported.
• Iran fires several anti-ship missiles and drones towards US Navy warships in the Sea of Oman, Fars reported citing the Middle East Spectator.
• A US official said the strike on Iran was a punitive action, not a proportional response, and that the operation will not end in the short term, CNN reported.

US Commentary

• US President Trump said the Iran ceasefire is over "I think"; as far as I am concerned, it is a waste of time dealing with Iran. On the MoU, "think it is over". Adds, "I do not want to deal with Iran", they are a "bunch of liars".
• US President Trump said (on Iran) he will allow US negotiators to continue to talk if they want. But, "I think this is a waste of time".
• US President Trump said have had some great meetings; attacked very powerfully against Iran last night. Have wasted a lot of time with Iran. Iran does not know what it is doing. Iran shot rockets at the ships, which is why the US shot back. Iran is a "dirty" player, "are scum".
• US President Trump approved the Iran strike plan and ordered it while in Turkey, a US official tells Axios' Ravid; the official said it is still unclear how long the strikes are going to continue.
• US Secretary of Defence Hegseth has cancelled his visit to Israel, N12/Ynet report.

Others

• Turkish President Erdogan said Europe must take more responsibility when it comes to NATO.
• US President Trump said China is attempting to takeover the Panama Canal, will not let this happen. China has been treating the US right. Big fan of Chinese President Xi.
• Ukrainian Armed Forces said Kyiv is under missile attack.
• Israeli fighter jets carried out attacks in Barachit and Beit Yahoun in southern Lebanon.
• A Pakistani Boeing (BA) plane flying to Karachi has crashed, with sources stating the plane was mistakenly targeted by the US, IRIB reported.
• Chevron’s (CVX) Yasa Polaris oil tanker, used for CPC shipments, was attacked by drones off Russia’s Black Sea coast, according to sources.
• Russia’s Gazprom said Ukraine attacked facilities of gas exports to Turkey; supplies not affected.
• Ukraine's Military said it struck two oil refineries, six tankers, bridges and the Borisoglebsk airfield; AIF-NK oil refinery in Nizhny Kamsk was also damaged.