The Letter

Geopolitics and global news, as it breaks. Follow before markets close.

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BREAKING: The US and Israel are reportedly preparing for major joint strikes on Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, with Trump weighing attacks on nuclear and infrastructure targets, according to the WSJ.

Netanyahu said moments ago: “We will remove the Iranian threat forever in cooperation with President Trump.”

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BREAKING: Likud is seeking to keep polling stations open past 10 PM as Israeli election turnout reaches 55.7% by 4 PM, according to Channel 12.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Trump allies are exploring a unity government that could keep Netanyahu in office even if Likud loses.

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BREAKING: Allies of Trump are reportedly exploring options to prevent Netanyahu from leaving office if he loses Israel’s next election.

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BREAKING: Trump threatens another round of “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran if Tehran refuses to reach an agreement with Washington.

“If they’re smart, they will just say, ‘Let’s get down to business,’” Trump said, adding that he doubts Iran will take that route.

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BREAKING: Netanyahu reportedly planned a massive, multi-day military campaign against Iran on October 10, but Trump blocked the operation over fears of reigniting the war ahead of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, according to the Financial Times.

The planned strikes reportedly targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, government sites, power plants and other civilian infrastructure, with an intensity expected to exceed the U.S.-Israeli attacks in February.

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BREAKING: Iran’s IRGC Aerospace Force claims to have shot down its 54th U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz early this morning, according to Iranian media.

The reported interception comes amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and renewed allegations of military activity across the region. The U.S. has not independently confirmed the claimed shootdown or the reported total of 54 drones.

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BREAKING: Tensions between Washington and Tehran are rising after reports that a U.S. attack damaged a naval weapon at Iran’s Konarak base and left two Iranian sailors injured.

An Iranian Navy spokesman told Al Jazeera that American forces fired the projectiles, while CENTCOM has not publicly taken responsibility. With the incident potentially marking the first U.S. strike inside Iran since September 1, attention is now turning to whether Tehran or the IRGC will launch a response. No retaliation has been confirmed.

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BREAKING: Iran’s military chief Major General Abdollahi warns that Tehran will not allow any adversary to threaten the country or violate its sovereignty.

He also claims the United States has lost the superpower status it once projected, saying Trump has failed to break Iran because its government and people remain united.

— Press TV

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BREAKING: France is preparing for a possible state of emergency as nationwide unrest threatens to spiral further out of control.

The measure could grant authorities sweeping emergency powers, including curfews, movement restrictions and bans on public demonstrations as tensions escalate across the country.

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BREAKING: A major fire has engulfed Limoges City Hall, with reports that the roof is collapsing as flames spread through the building.

The blaze comes amid nationwide unrest over the cost of living, inequality and public services. Clashes, fires and looting have been reported across several cities, with at least 272 arrests nationwide, according to reports. — Reuters, AFP

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President Trump via Truth Social:
Best in History!

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BREAKING: Iran reportedly rejected a U.S. request to strike its underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility without triggering an Iranian response, according to IRIB correspondent Morteza Ghoroghi.

Ghoroghi warned that Trump’s latest remarks signal a possible war within 24 hours, adding that Iran’s armed forces are on full alert.

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BREAKING: Israel is ramping up defensive measures, with mobile bomb shelters being rapidly deployed in Tel Aviv and reports of Iron Dome, David’s Sling and U.S. THAAD batteries moving into position.

These developments come as tensions rise, with comparable military preparations reported in the days leading up to the outbreak of war on February 28.

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BREAKING: Trump signals that Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility could face a new U.S. strike, saying Washington may have to target the deeply buried complex and promising to “knock it out fast.”

In a Newsmax interview, Trump ruled out the prospect of sending U.S. ground troops into Iran, while claiming earlier B-2 bomber attacks stopped Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He also stressed that the “Mother of All Bombs” is a conventional weapon, as further U.S. military options reportedly include Iranian nuclear sites and energy infrastructure.

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BREAKING: Multiple initial reports indicate Iranian missiles and Shahed drones are targeting maritime areas near key UAE ports, including Jebel Ali, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, with activity also reported around the Strait of Hormuz.

Air traffic across Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah is facing major disruption amid the reported attacks.

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BREAKING: A NEW U.S.-IRAN CONFRONTATION COULD BE APPROACHING AS IRAN REPORTEDLY CONDUCTS BALLISTIC MISSILE EXERCISES AND NETANYAHU CONVENES A RESTRICTED SECURITY MEETING ON IRAN, ISRAELI CHANNEL 12 REPORTS.

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BREAKING: WESTERN INTELLIGENCE REPORTEDLY DETECTS NEW IRANIAN MILITARY MOVEMENTS AS NETANYAHU CONVENES A RESTRICTED SECURITY MEETING TONIGHT, ISRAELI CHANNEL 12 REPORTS.

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BREAKING: THE US IS EXPANDING PLANS FOR POTENTIAL STRIKES ON IRAN, INCLUDING THE USE OF ITS LARGEST NON-NUCLEAR BOMB AGAINST NUCLEAR AND ENERGY FACILITIES, CNN REPORTS.

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BREAKING: QATAR’S EMIR WARNS CITIZENS AND STATE INSTITUTIONS TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST-CASE SCENARIOS AS REGIONAL TENSIONS RISE.

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BREAKING: WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KATIE ZACHARIA FACES QUESTIONS OVER HER LEGAL CREDENTIALS AFTER WORKING AT A MAJOR CHINESE LAW FIRM IN BEIJING FOR SEVERAL YEARS.