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According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi spoke separately with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Saturday evening, exchanging views and consulting on bilateral issues, the regional situation, and the latest developments in diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring regional stability and addressing the security threats posed by US aggression to the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy attacked a U.S. unmanned surface vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz protected area. The United States must understand that it has no choice but to withdraw from the area and cease its sabotage activities. We reiterate that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iranian control, and any actions by an adversary will be met with resolute retaliation.
TeslaAI: The training data for Tesla's (TSLA.O) Cyber self-driving electric vehicles exceeds the combined driving experience of 16,000 human drivers over their entire lives. It is now providing a safe, easy, and affordable shared mobility experience to the public in Austin, Texas.
A White House official stated that U.S. and Russian officials discussed the next substantive steps in negotiations regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and that the plans will be released in the coming weeks.
According to Axios: Gene Langer, acting head of sanctions at the U.S. Treasury Department, accompanied Witkov and Kushner on their trip. Langer attended a preparatory meeting with Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, but did not attend the meeting with Putin. Langer's participation indicates that U.S. sanctions against Russia were among the topics discussed.
According to US sources, the oil tanker "Kailo" sank in the Gulf of Oman today.
US President Trump: What is happening in Spain is heartbreaking. The country has completely lost control of its borders.
Former U.S. diplomat Joey Hood stated that the Trump administration's sanctions against Iran were designed to gradually exert pressure over several months, although U.S. officials sometimes viewed it as an immediate measure. Hood said, "When the Treasury Secretary talks about economic sanctions, it's as if they'll be implemented and effective in a day, but that's not the case. The sanctions he described will take months to take effect." Hood indicated that U.S. diplomats are engaging with businesses and governments, warning them of the consequences of doing business with Iran. Washington needs time to implement sanctions before taking coercive measures. He compared this timeline to the urgency of military action in the Gulf region. Hood said, "It doesn't take time to fire on oil tankers in the Gulf right now; it only takes minutes." He described the U.S. approach as "imposing long-term sanctions on Iran's financial, monetary, and material aspects, supplemented by military measures aimed at weakening the Iranian economy."
Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov: Putin is prepared to cooperate with the United States to seek a diplomatic solution to the Russia-Ukraine issue.
According to TASS: US Presidential Envoy Witkov and Trump's son-in-law Kushner have left Moscow.
Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov: The meeting between Russian President Putin and Trump's special envoy was substantive, very frank and constructive.
Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov: A series of plans have been developed for a peaceful resolution.
Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov: Russia has assessed the situation on the front lines. The Americans have pledged to bring the assessment to talks in Kyiv in an effort to reach a lasting agreement to end the war.
Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov: Both sides have reached an agreement that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will maintain contact.
Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov: Economic issues were also discussed.
Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov: Putin told the US President's special envoy that Russia will achieve its goals and that the root causes of the conflict need to be addressed.
Russian Presidential Aide Ushakov: The talks were productive.
Former U.S. diplomat Joey Hood said the escalating U.S. pressure on Iran could come at an economic cost, especially during the peak winter heating fuel season, with increased uncertainty in market supply if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. Hood also responded to comments from Iranian parliamentary speaker Hassan Gashgavi, who stated Tehran remains committed to fulfilling the memorandum of understanding while accusing Washington of attempting to escalate the situation. Hood said this reminded him of a saying by the Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu: "When you surround an enemy, you must leave him an escape route, otherwise he will fight to the death until the very last moment" (i.e., "Leave an opening when besieging an army, do not press a desperate enemy"). He said, "What we lack now is an escape route." Hood stated that he doesn't believe Trump currently sees such a way out. "Trump certainly doesn't know what an exit strategy is, but I believe mediators can find one," he said. "They need to come up with some innovative, bold, and unconventional solutions."
Russian Presidential Aide Dmitriev: (Regarding the US Special Envoy's visit to Moscow) An important peace mediation visit.
German startup Isar: Our unmanned space rocket successfully entered orbit after launch in Norway.