Pointer to Eternity with Dr. Georgy

A careful review of President Trump’s public statements over the past several months reveals an unprecedented pattern: on no fewer than 37 different occasions, he claimed that a deal with Iran was essentially complete and ready to be signed—what now appears to have been a messaging campaign largely disconnected from developments on the ground. Trump’s virtual diplomatic campaign began as early as March 23, less than a month after the war began. Speaking to reporters outside Air Force One, he claimed that major points of agreement had already been reached: “There are major points of agreement—I would say almost all the points of agreement.” The following day, the president began repeating a familiar theme: that Iran was desperate for a deal. On March 25, he said Iran wanted “to make a deal so badly,” and a day later, during a Cabinet meeting, he escalated the rhetoric, claiming that Iran was “begging to make a deal.” When asked aboard Air Force One on March 29 whether he expected an agreement within the coming week, he replied confidently: “I do see a deal with Iran, yes.” As time passed, Trump’s predictions became even more emphatic. On April 6, he said the parties had been “very close to a deal” before a minor delay. The next day, April 7, he announced on social media that negotiations were in a highly advanced stage: “We’re at a very advanced stage, but we need two weeks for the agreement to be completed and implemented. It’s a great honor to see this long-standing problem so close to being solved.” When those two weeks passed without an agreement, Trump continued making optimistic declarations. On April 15, he told CNN: “I think it’s close to being finished. I see it as very close to being finished. We’ll see what happens. I think they desperately want to make a deal.” On April 17, during three separate public appearances, he claimed that Iran had “agreed to everything” and that the deal would be signed “within a day or two.” On April 20, he posted on Truth Social: “Everything will happen relatively quickly!” On April 30, he again insisted that Iran was “dying to make a deal.” On May 18, when announcing a postponement of military strikes at the request of regional countries, Trump partially acknowledged that his earlier predictions had failed, but immediately qualified the admission: “There were times when we thought we were very close to a deal and it didn’t work out, but this time it’s a little different.” It wasn’t. On May 23, he again claimed that the agreement was “mostly negotiated and drafted, pending final approval.” More recently, in an interview with Axios, Trump blamed both Israel and Iran for undermining his efforts because of what he called a “side fight,” declaring: “We’re very close to a final deal with Iran. It’s going to be a good deal. I don’t want it to blow up because of what’s happening now.” The latest installment came last night during a conference call held on behalf of Senator Lindsey Graham, where Trump repeated the promise for the 37th time: “We’re negotiating right now. They want to make a very good deal. They’re willing to give us everything.” According to this analysis, Trump’s determination to sell the public on an agreement that has yet to materialize appears to stem from two primary motivations. First, he is attempting to prevent a sharp spike in global oil prices and major turbulence in financial markets, especially in light of Iran’s official threats to target regional energy infrastructure belonging to the United States and its allies. Second, Trump appears to believe that by repeatedly declaring in public that Iran is “desperate” and “ready to give us everything,” he can pressure the parties back to the negotiating table and, in effect, create a diplomatic reality through persistent messaging. (C14)

Hezbollah is getting destroyed near the city of Tyre, southern Lebanon.

IDF struck Hamas' Naval Police Headquarters in Khan Yunis, a facility used by its military wing to plan attacks. Operatives, including cell commander Ismail al-Lahham, were eliminated. This unit operates under the military wing, planning and executing attacks while exploiting civilian cover to rebuild capabilities in violation of the ceasefire. Additionally, the IDF dismantled three Hamas weapons storage sites in southern Gaza. After issuing advance warnings, the IDF targeted operatives attempting to move weapons by vehicle. Secondary explosions confirmed the presence of arms. Civilian harm was mitigated through advance warnings, precise munitions, and aerial surveillance.

A US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter has crashed near the coast of the Strait of Hormuz during a routine maritime patrol. US Central Command confirms that both crew members were successfully rescued from the water and remain in stable condition.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan has been suspended pending a vote by member states after a probe found he committed serious misconduct.

Exclusive: US Probe Finds 101 More Staffers for UNRWA ‘Gaza Relief Organization’ Are Hamas Soldiers From October 7: Schoolteachers, Principals Exposed as Terrorists The chief oversight body responsible for monitoring American foreign assistance has unearthed evidence that an additional 101 staffers at the embattled United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) participated in the Oct. 7 terror attacks and are affiliated with Hamas’s military wing, according to an investigatory report transmitted to the State Department (Washington Free Beacon)

While Israel demolishes the near border Lebanese Shiite villages used by Hezbollah as their front outposts - the Christian villages are left untouched. Why? Because they aren’t Israel's enemies. Take a look at this note they left for the IDF soldiers.

Senior Israeli official confirms: At Trump's request - Israel is stopping attacks in Iran. However, attacks in southern Lebanon will continue as usual.

Iran announces an end to operations against Israel, warns of additional attacks if strikes are conducted against Lebanon.

The Israeli war cabinet is scheduled to convene tonight at nine o'clock.

If Iran laid down its weapons tomorrow, there would be peace. If Israel laid down its weapons tomorrow, there would be no Israel. That's the difference.

Trump: Israel and Iran must immediately stop “shooting”

Documentation from the attacks in Isfahan

The IDF briefs military correspondents: - Preparing for at least several days of fighting - The Americans are assisting in intercepting the missiles - So far, Iran has launched 22–24 missiles, and the Houthis have fired two - From the IDF’s perspective, this is not a new operation but a continuation of “Roaring Lion”

The Indian Embassy in Tehran is calling on its citizens to depart Iran immediately.

Tehran now

Unverified reports claim that the Israeli Air Force attacked the Aerospace University "Ashura" of the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran. According to the reports, it is a military-academic institution used for training personnel in the fields of missiles, space, and the defense industries of the IRGC

Iranian Foreign Ministry: "We have information indicating that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) is involved both in defending Israel and in attacks against Iran."

Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry: The US bears direct responsibility for the recent ceasefire violations. It is impossible to separate Israel's actions from Washington's policy.

Israel’s finance minister Smotrich intends to demand in this morning's security cabinet meeting to turn the equation that Iran tried to create between itself and Lebanon on its head and focus mainly on a strong response in Lebanon. For every Iranian missile, dozens of buildings in Dahieh should be taken down. According to his equation, two or three hundred buildings in Beirut should have fallen last night. This is much easier, more accessible, and more effective than a response in Iran, including taking advantage of the opportunity with long-term gains for the security of northern residents, like the "money plow" under which the IDF destroys the contact villages in southern Lebanon, so that Hezbollah will beg the Iranians to stop. Conversely, this could also bring the Iranians to be flexible in negotiations with the Americans, after a month and a half of their insistence and American backing down. In such a case, Trump would also appreciate it, and Israel would again earn points with him for initiative and boldness that change reality. Trump always likes to take credit for others' successes, and this is not bad for Israel. Smotrich suggests saving the armaments and efforts against Iran for the moment when we decide to go after the energy infrastructures that will paralyze Iran and cripple its economy. In his opinion, it is a shame to waste capabilities on exchanges of blows within standard equations. In cost-benefit tests, strikes in nearby Lebanon are much more efficient than strikes in distant Iran that are not part of a comprehensive move where you go all the way without limitations. An interesting thesis. Even more interesting if Netanyahu adopts it or if he has another ace up his sleeve. (Amit Segal)