Epic Trump flip-flop: You can't call it war, but an operation to disarm Iran – We destroyed the new radar
The confrontation with Iran is not war, it is a disarmament operation, emphasized US President Trump in yet another epic reversal. In an interview with CNBC, Trump characterized the current confrontation as a "disarmament operation," claiming that he is not seeking regime change in Iran and that his only goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and he claimed that Washington destroyed Iran's advanced and new radars on July 1, 2026. He denied the allegation of an overthrow attempt, saying: "I am not seeking regime change in Iran, but my goal is only to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons." Emphasizing that it is impossible for Iran to acquire such a weapon, he claimed to have been leading efforts to disarm the country for four months. Trump continued his claims, adding: "Iran has agreed to almost everything we have asked of it. The reason for its 47 years of bullying in the Middle East and against the United States was the weakness of previous US presidents." He also claimed military victory over Iran, stating: "We destroyed Iran's radar. They had no radar and they still don't. We destroyed it again. They had a new, advanced radar and were ready to use it, but we destroyed it." In another part of this interview, the US President claimed, referring to Iran's governance status: "Iran's current leaders are more rational and we are getting along well with them, and this is the essence of our tactics: behavior change or regime change."
Wall Street Journal: The US proposed to control Hormuz in exchange for 100 billion in Iranian assets… but it was rejected
The US proposed to Iran to give up control of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the release of certain Iranian assets, reports the Wall Street Journal. "The US and Oman are looking for ways to overcome Iran's insistence on plans to impose taxes on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The main leverage in their indirect talks was the promise to release part of Iran's 100 billion dollars in assets abroad," reports the Wall Street Journal. However, Iran made it clear that the offered compensation was not enough to change its position. According to the Wall Street Journal, upon his return from Doha, Qatar, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Hormuz is under the control of Iran and not the US. Later that day, the Iranian military warned of an immediate and decisive reaction to any ships not sailing on the route approved by Iran. Iran had previously announced a plan for a new transit regime in Hormuz. This process is being coordinated with another coastal country, Oman. In June, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that the waters had remained open for the free transit of vessels for years, but the situation would no longer be the same following the US and Israeli attacks. The Iranian authorities have announced plans for the imposition of fees for services related to the safe passage of ships through the Hormuz waterway. However, they do not consider these charges to be customs duties. Following a memorandum with Washington on June 18, Iran committed not to demand fees from ships for 60 days.
Iran's military warns: We will hit the Americans hard if they interfere in Hormuz… it is not a playground
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned that any US intervention in the Strait of Hormuz will trigger a swift and decisive reaction from the armed forces, emphasizing that the strategic waterway falls under Iran's sovereignty and authority. In a statement, the operational headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran confirmed sovereignty over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, warning the United States against any attempt to interfere with its security. "The Strait of Hormuz is not a playground for the aggressive United States. Instead, it falls under the absolute sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The security and stability of this vital waterway constitute a red line for the powerful Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," stated the military command. The warning comes weeks after an aggressive US-Israeli war against Iran, during which the Iranian armed forces launched powerful retaliatory strikes and imposed restrictions on traffic through the strategic waterway, before a ceasefire and a fragile memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington reduced tensions. Out of the 14 articles of the Memorandum of Understanding, among other things, it requires the lifting of restrictions imposed during wartime on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor, provided that the US and its allies completely halt their military aggression against Iran and its regional allies, including Lebanon. "All oil tankers and commercial vessels are required to use the routes designated by Iran for any safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz," further warned Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. "Any non-compliance, any deviation from the designated routes, or any violation of the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with the immediate and powerful reaction of the Armed Forces and will jeopardize the safety of the vessels violating the regulations," the Headquarters warned. Iran's top operational command warned the US against any attempt to interfere in the security of the Strait of Hormuz, saying that such actions will be treated as an attack on Iran's sovereignty. "Any attempt by the United States to interfere in security matters or to undertake any disruptive action in the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a threat to Iran's national sovereignty and will be met with an immediate and decisive response," the statement further emphasized. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stressed that ongoing US military activity in the region threatens regional stability. "The continued presence of American aircraft, manned or unmanned, over the Strait of Hormuz undermines the security of this waterway and endangers the safety of the region."
New York Times: Israel's plan to assassinate Qalibaf and Araghchi while talks are underway is revealed
The New York Times reported that American officials believed Israel was planning or is planning to assassinate Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, and Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister, in the spring, concurrently with sensitive talks between the US and Iran. An action that was met with a reaction and clear warnings from the United States to avoid disrupting the diplomatic process. According to the publication, American officials, concerned that such an operation would disrupt the diplomatic process, asked several countries in the region to warn Iran that the two senior officials might be targeted. Washington also directly requested that Israel not carry out such attacks while negotiations are ongoing.
The funeral of the century – Crowds of believers in Tehran for the ceremonies for Ali Khamenei
Crowds of believers are flocking early today, Friday 3/7, to the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla prayer complex in Tehran, where the bodies of the assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several members of his family were transferred. Khamenei and his relatives were killed in the early stages of the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran in late February. According to Iranian state media, the coffins on display also contained the bodies of his son-in-law Mesbah-ol-Hoda Bagheri, his first-born daughter Seyyedeh Boshra Hosseini Khamenei, his daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad Adel, and his just 14-month-old granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpaygani. In front of a small child's coffin, a photograph of an infant was also placed, which the state news agency IRNA identified as Zahra Mohammadi Golpaygani.
All coffins were covered with the flag of Iran. Among the first to pay their respects at the Grand Mosalla were religious leaders from Afghanistan and Indonesia, according to the state network IRIB.
The schedule of the "funeral of the century" for Ali Khamenei
The six-day ceremonies begin in Tehran from Saturday, July 4, to Monday, July 6, with Khamenei's body lying in state at the Grand Mosalla prayer complex. On Monday, a major funeral procession will take place through the streets of the capital.
On Tuesday, July 7, the procession will be transferred from Tehran to the holy city of Qom. On Wednesday, July 8, the ceremonies will continue outside Iran, in the historic holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in neighboring Iraq. On Thursday, July 9, Khamenei's body will return to Iran for the final burial in his birthplace, Mashhad.
20 million expected to participate
The Iranian authorities expect massive participation, with 15 to 20 million mourners over a period of six days, which led the police to be placed on the highest state of alert.
The ceremonies are expected to be attended by leaders and representatives from more than 30 countries, including Pakistan, Russia, and China, as well as religious figures from 90 countries.
The speaker of the Iranian parliament has made a public appeal to Iranians to participate en masse in the state funeral. At the same time, American media report that the indirect Washington-Tehran negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan in Doha, have officially frozen so that diplomats and negotiators can attend the memorial ceremonies.
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