Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Iranian regime has "never faced a president like President Trump." Tensions remain high as Kuwait intercepted Iranian drone attacks. President Trump said the U.S. will halt a planned strike on Iran while negotiations continue, writing that the country is "locked and loaded" but agreed to suspend operations. He demanded the Hormuz Strait be fully opened and Iran's nuclear threat end.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned Iran remains a major threat to U.S. interests, saying the regime spends its people's resources on terror worldwide. Meanwhile, Reuters detailed exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi's bid to lead a post-regime Iran, describing himself as "a bridge to the destination" for a democratic transition. A BBC investigation revealed an Iran-linked network called the "Foxtrot Network" recruiting teens for contract killings across Europe, with Europol making over 280 arrests.

A former Trump NSC official said Trump is nearing a decision on a large-scale military strike, while the UK maritime agency reported a tanker struck near the Strait of Hormuz.