Originally published at: Iran Warns of Nuclear Shift & Bab el-Mandeb Closure, Russia Bans Diesel Exports, Kirk Evidence Drops – Peak Prosperity
Iran War
Hostilities between the US and Iran continue to escalate, as the US executed another strike against Iran. CENTCOM reported strikes on 90 Iranian targets in one night, including air defenses, missile storage, and naval assets, as well as two railway bridges. Iran’s Parliament National Security Commission stated that another US attack would prompt withdrawal from the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, a change in nuclear doctrine, and closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
Trump stated Tehran contacted the United States about a deal following the attacks, although other US officials stated the new escalation could last days, weeks, or even longer.
Energy
Ukrainian forces reported that loitering munitions struck eight tankers in the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian officials stated the strikes targeted fuel and ammunition supplies for Russian forces in Crimea. Rochan Consulting data showed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries reached 16 in May, for a total of 194 strikes this year. Russia reported intercepting about 600 drones per day, and officials claimed the targeted tankers were empty and caused no petroleum spills.
Relatedly, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced a ban on diesel exports. Vortexa data indicated Russia supplied about 11 percent of global diesel last year. Russian diesel and gasoil exports fell to roughly 490,000 barrels per day in early June. Meanwhile, US refined product exports reached a record high.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg estimated that as many as 63 million barrels of Iranian crude are now stranded in transit or idling in tankers, following Washington’s rescinding of Iran’s sanction waiver. Bloomberg also notes that floating storage in the Gulf has doubled in the past week to over 41 million barrels.
Kirk Assassination
At Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing for the alleged murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, several key pieces of evidence and testimony emerged.
- Never-before-seen footage showed Robinson on campus four times on September 10 and into early September 11, including scouting, changing clothes, and being present on the Losee Center roof. His car was also reportedly seen on campus.
- FBI analyst Amanda Bakker testified that Robinson’s DNA comprised 95% of the profile on the towel wrapping the firearm and 89% on the screwdriver left on the roof, with his roommate’s DNA making up the remainder (5% and 11%, respectively).
- An unfired rifle bullet found on a separate building was attributed by an agent to an officer who had cycled his rifle. The scene was not preserved.
- Surveillance video showed a man prosecutors identified as Robinson limping across campus toward the Losee Center roof, which they suggested was due to concealing a rifle in his pant leg.
- UVU Officer Chris Bagley, the first to reach the roof, testified that his body camera battery died upon arrival, and he did not recharge it amid the chaos. It provided the only footage from that day.
- The judge visibly flinched when viewing (but not publicly showing) graphic video footage of Kirk being shot.
Defense teams raised concerns over DNA analysis methods and video clarity.
Other Geopolitics
President Trump said Ukrainian strikes into Russia could help end the conflict and indicated willingness to license Patriot missile production in Ukraine, stating US firms are building four plants that could become operational in two to three months.
Trump also stated he was considering selling F-35s to Turkey and described President Erdogan as a loyal partner. Erdogan said Ankara had been promised five jets and that a $700 million fighter-engine deal was under discussion. Prime Minister Netanyahu urged Trump to block the transfer. A congressional ban on such sales, enacted after Turkey’s 2019 S-400 purchase, remains in place. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias stated Greece would try hard to prevent any such sale.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced procurement of five MQ-4C Triton drones, $40 billion over five years for counter-drone systems, and a target to train five times as many drone operators by the end of 2027. He also described plans for a counter-drone marketplace. Some observers described the moves as accelerating preparations for broader conflict.
A shouting match broke out at the UN General Assembly after US Ambassador Mike Waltz stated there is no American naval blockade of Cuba. Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called him a liar. The special session had been approved despite US efforts to block or disrupt it by a vote of 136–9 with 30 abstentions.
In the battle to secure rare earths, a recent report indicates that critical materials are flowing to South Korea and Japan despite efforts by the Trump administration to develop domestic supply chains. For example, MP Materials stopped sales to Shenghe Resources but maintains agreements with GM and Apple. Energy Fuels, which received $725 million in conditional federal funding, plans oxide exports to Korea and is acquiring a South Korean metal plant and Vacuumschmelze in a $1.9 billion deal. Phoenix received $500 million in conditional funding.
US Politics
ADN Cuba reported a leaked “National Rapid Response Plan” from the National Network on Cuba directing activists to mobilize at ICE facilities, military bases, and federal buildings if the United States strikes Cuba. The National Network on Cuba has documented ties to Cuba’s ICAP, which was sanctioned by Secretary Rubio in June. Pro-Cuba networks framed such activities as defensive solidarity against US sanctions and potential aggression.
Canadian Politics
Blacklock’s Reporter obtained a 35-page memo from Canada’s Department of Industry dated March 31 that outlined consideration of lawsuits against individuals for social media posts deemed false or misleading. The document placed the department as arbiter of factual accuracy and described penalties as proportionate and subject to senior approval. The department’s research noted Canadians oppose government declarations of truth.
British Politics
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell proposed extending Ofcom-style rules (those that govern news organizations such as the BBC) to social media through amendments to the Representation of the People Bill. She called for restrictions on information shared during elections if it has not been checked for accuracy or balance. The Electoral Commission has recommended an overarching duty on platforms.
Sources
Ukraine Drone Swarms Strike Eight Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers
The takeaway here is very clear as both sides are moving deeper into massive drone warfare, and neither appears prepared to de-escalate.
Trump Eyes F-35 Sales to Turkey Despite Netanyahu Pushback
Trump said he would soon decide whether to sell Turkey F-35 fighter jets despite a Congressional ban as he praised the country as more loyal than other recipients of the plane.
NATO’s Drone Bonanza: Billions Pledged as Ukraine War Lessons Fuel Escalation
Drones have fundamentally altered the character of modern warfare and become a decisive factor on the battlefield,
US Rare Earth Exports to Asia Persist Despite Taxpayer Backing
US rare earths flow to Asia as domestic demand is slow to emerge
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Leaked Memo Exposes Cuba-Backed NGOs Prepping Protests at US Bases and ICE
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.
Ottawa’s Redacted Memo: Suing Citizens Over “Misinformation” Posts
The Canadian government drew up a plan to take individual citizens to court over what they post online.
Cuba’s UN Meltdown: FM Brands US Envoy ‘Liar’ Over Self-Imposed Embargo
You’re a liar, Mr. Waltz.
Russia’s Diesel Export Ban to Worsen Global Price Spike
Russia banned exports of diesel in order to avoid domestic shortages after a flurry of attacks by Ukrainian drones on the nation’s refineries.
63 Million Barrels of Iranian Oil Adrift After US Scraps Sanction Waiver
As many as 63 million barrels of Iranian oil are either in transit or idling in tankers, per Bloomberg’s estimates based on data from Vortexa.
Trump’s ‘Peace’ Pivot: Patriots for Ukraine’s Russia Strikes
It’s an escalation but it’s also an escalation that can help lead to an end [of the war]
Labour Seeks Broadcast-Style Censorship for Social Media at Election Time
We absolutely need to strengthen regulation in the social media space
Surveillance, DNA, and Dead Bodycam: Kirk Hearing Revelations
A preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, began Monday in a Provo, Utah, courtroom.
White House Braces for Weeks-Long Hormuz Clash With Iran
the administration is preparing for a potentially prolonged exchange of fire with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz
US Strikes 90 Iranian Targets, Readies for Hormuz Firefight
US announces it has hit 90 Iranian military targets in tonight’s strikes on Iran, per CENTCOM.
US Strikes Iranian Railways as Trump Says Tehran Wants a Deal
The U.S. bombed Iranian railway bridges and Trump says Tehran just called wanting a deal.
Iran Threatens NPT Exit, Nuclear Shift, and Hormuz Closure if US Attacks Again
Iran says if the US attacks again, it would withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, completely change its nuclear doctrine, and fully close both the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz, per an Iranian Parliament National Security Commission spokesperson.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, Ted Smyth, Canadian Network on Cuba, defense teams (via court reporting), and US Vice President JD Vance.
