US President Donald Trump disclosed that he asked South Korea's president to participate in US-led efforts to denuclearize Iran, but Seoul declined. The exchange, revealed via Trump's Truth Social platform, underscores the limits of allied cooperation on the Iran nuclear issue and highlights South Korea's cautious stance amid regional security concerns. The request was made in the context of ongoing US-Iran nuclear tensions, and South Korea's refusal marks a notable divergence from its usual alignment with US foreign policy initiatives.

Background: After a Beijing summit, Trump signaled uncertainty on Taiwan arms sales and warned against independence. Today: Taiwan is increasingly concerned about the reliability of its American protector under the second Trump administration. A $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan is uncertain as the US, engaged in a conflict with Iran, faces depleted weapons stockpiles and may delay deliveries. Trump's previous remarks about not wanting to go to war over Taiwan have further fueled anxieties in Taipei, especially ahead of a planned meeting with Xi Jinping in September.

Background: IATA had already slashed its 2026 global airline profit forecast to $23 billion due to the Iran conflict driving up jet fuel prices and disrupting Gulf air corridors. Today's development: IATA's June outlook now projects Middle East airlines will swing from a $7.2bn net profit in 2025 to a $4.3bn net loss in 2026, as the war's impact on regional aviation deepens. The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, leading to Iranian retaliation near US military installations in Qatar and the UAE, with strikes hitting international airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait closed their airspaces for about a week, gradually reopening as hostilities lessened. Falling passenger and cargo demand, fewer private jet flights, and high jet fuel prices are driving the losses.

Analysis of ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations highlights that internal factional struggles within Iran's dual power structure (Supreme Leader vs. elected president) are complicating talks. The article draws parallels to the 2015 JCPOA negotiations under Obama, noting that the multilateral framework then helped Iranian moderates counter hardliner criticism, whereas current US amateurism and lack of trust hamper progress.

Background: Iran's parliament spokesperson Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf previously accused the US of claiming to seek an end to the war while deploying new military equipment to the region. Today, Ghalibaf escalated rhetoric, stating that the US has used more firepower against Iran than during the Vietnam War, and emphasized that Tehran must reach a 'point of deterrence' to avoid being trapped in a cycle of war and peace. In a new statement broadcast by state broadcaster IRIB, Ghalibaf reiterated these claims, stressing that Tehran must reach a 'point of deterrence' to avoid being trapped in a cycle of war and peace.

The Trump administration established a secret backchannel to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani, after U.S. negotiators doubted whether Iranian officials spoke for the IRGC. The backchannel aimed to clarify IRGC support for ongoing negotiations to end the war, but a proposed secret meeting in Erbil never materialized due to Iranian security concerns. The episode highlights challenges in U.S.-Iran negotiations amid IRGC's strengthened grip on power.

Background: Israeli settlers have besieged three Palestinian homes in Qusra, West Bank, since Sunday, cutting off utilities and trapping families, including a Palestinian-American, prompting Israeli military intervention and U.S. condemnation. Today: Palestinian-American Loui Ridi is flying from the US to Qusra to reach his 83-year-old mother, who is among 15 Palestinians still trapped in the homes after more than a week of siege. The siege continues, with settlers maintaining their encirclement despite Israeli military presence and international condemnation, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian situation and settler activity.

Background: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been reshaping U.S. vaccine policy, facing legal challenges and political backlash. Today: Republican Senator Bill Cassidy publicly accused Kennedy of breaking a pledge not to alter the childhood vaccine schedule, citing President Trump's executive order. Cassidy's remarks on ABC News's 'This Week' highlight growing bipartisan concern over the administration's vaccine policy direction. Cassidy (R-La.) specifically cited 'guarantees' from Kennedy and the White House, marking a notable Republican criticism of the administration's vaccine policy direction.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, publicly criticized President Donald Trump's comments questioning the safety of the combined MMR vaccine, calling them 'crazy, stupid' and warning they undermine public trust in immunization. This comes amid broader controversy over the administration's changes to childhood vaccination schedules and alterations to CDC guidance on vaccines and autism, which critics say appease vaccine skeptics.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei criticized Canada for participating in the US-led military action against Iran, accusing Ottawa of subservience to Washington. In a statement on X, Baqaei mocked Canada's compliance with US policies, including tariffs and insults, while joining the 'unlawful war of choice' against Iran. The remarks underscore growing tensions between Iran and Western nations amid the ongoing conflict.

Russia is leveraging the Sudanese civil war between the Sudanese National Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to expand its influence, supplying weapons and supporting gold smuggling operations. The US Congress is considering bills to investigate Russian activities, including potential naval base establishment and Wagner Group involvement. Experts suggest the US should pressure the UAE, the main sponsor of the RSF, to cease funding to end the conflict and reduce Russian leverage.

Ferrari's first all-electric car, the Luce, sold for $40 million at a charity auction in California, setting a record for a new car. The car, designed by Sir Jony Ive, faced backlash for deviating from traditional designs. Proceeds will go to the Ferrari Foundation's educational programs.

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed acceptance sea trials for the Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). The trials tested ship systems and components at sea, marking a step toward preliminary acceptance and eventual delivery to the U.S. Navy. This progress underscores advancements in U.S. naval shipbuilding and carrier capabilities.

Hurricane Lala, which struck Hawaii's Big Island as a Category 1 storm, weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after passing near the island without making landfall. The storm caused at least one death, destroyed over 100 homes, and left more than 200,000 customers without power across the three largest islands. Heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds continue to threaten the island chain with flooding and mudslides. Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency, and search-and-rescue operations are underway after flash floods swept homes off foundations in coastal communities. The storm is the first to directly threaten the Big Island in 155 years, and its impacts are being felt as it moves westward toward Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.

Severe storms and historic flooding in Indiana have killed at least five people, including a woman who drove into floodwaters and a child killed by a fallen tree. Governor Mike Braun requested a presidential emergency declaration, and President Trump indicated he would approve it. The White River overflowed, causing the worst flooding in Indianapolis in over 30 years, with over 11 inches of rain in some areas. Rescue workers are using boats to reach stranded residents.

Background: The U.S. Army's 155mm shell production goal of 100,000 rounds per month is failing due to manufacturing issues at a General Dynamics plant in Mesquite, Texas, which has not produced any acceptable shells despite nearly $500 million in investment. Today: A ProPublica investigation reveals the plant, funded with $533 million, produced no usable shells due to malfunctioning robots, fires, and equipment failures. The Army halted work on two of three production lines in August 2025, but General Dynamics has not been held financially accountable and has received $2.5 billion in new contracts. The company plans to fix the plant with AI technology from a startup with no defense experience, while the Army expects production of 20,000 shells per month next year. The report also notes that the government paid $26.3 million in progress payments for non-functional lines, and that a Turkish subcontractor, Repkon, has received a separate $435 million no-bid contract for a TNT factory. General Dynamics plans to replace most Repkon equipment with traditional machines and partner with Deterrence, a startup with no defense experience, to add AI capabilities.