Initial reports indicate an Iranian one-way drone strike in northern Kuwait near the Iraq border, with explosions reported again in the area and a U.S. base suffering a direct impact, according to Tasnim news.
The U.S. Pentagon has announced a more than $3 billion framework deal with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to triple Patriot and quadruple THAAD interceptor production by ramping up key parts.
The deal includes a second source for PAC-3 solid rocket motors and more ignition safety devices.
The move addresses stockpile strain from conflicts in Iran and Ukraine and follows last week’s up to $58.6 billion Lockheed contract for Patriot missiles.
Ukrainian drones attacked the Ro-Ro cargo ship NADEZHDA today roughly 30 nautical miles off the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
The vessel was sailing from Samsun, Turkey, to Novorossiysk.
Critics are bashing these rusty-looking US Marine Corps F-35Cs on the carrier deck.
The “rust” does not affect the jet’s structure or operations.
It is not structural corrosion. The airframe is aluminum, titanium, and carbon composites — none of which rust. The brown streaks are surface oxidation of iron ferrite particles in the outermost radar-absorbent material (RAM) coating, caused by salt air, humidity, jet blast, and carrier conditions.
Official assessments from the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin confirm the discoloration stays limited to the coating surface and does not compromise integrity or performance.
Pre-service testing showed radar signature remained essentially unchanged after heavy simulated wear. A revised top-coat formula now prevents the discoloration on new jets and is applied to existing ones during maintenance.
The aircraft stays fully operational.
Iran denies any talks with the US.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry states that no negotiations with the U.S are underway and no meetings are scheduled, directly contradicting President Trump’s claim that talks would occur Monday afternoon, which he cited as the reason for calling off attacks.
Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated Iran has no plans to host foreign delegations or send negotiators abroad in the coming days.
All Iranian negotiators are currently in the country except Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who is on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq.
The only talks taking place are with Oman over management of the Strait of Hormuz.