Ghalibaf tells senior Hezbollah official he is ‘a fighter’ before diplomat

Security in the Strait of Hormuz is expected to be among the topics discussed by NATO leaders at a summit in Ankara this week, CNN reported, citing a senior US official.

“I certainly believe that the Strait of Hormuz and the protection of the maritime traffic going through there is going to be a subject that comes up,” the unnamed US official said.

The official said several NATO allies had expressed willingness to contribute to maritime security efforts, but many lacked the ships or assets needed for a meaningful maritime mission.

President Donald Trump is expected to depart Monday night for the summit.

The commander of Iran’s navy said the enemy must prepare to confront “Muslim fighters” seeking justice for the blood of their dead, in remarks about the funeral of slain former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Rear Admiral Shahram Irani told Yemen’s Houthi-run Al-Masirah network that the “children” of Iran’s “great leader and martyred imam” had gathered to renew the pact of brotherhood they learned from him.

Irani said “resistance is no longer limited to a specific geography” and that the enemy was now facing “greater Islam and Islamic resistance.”

“The enemies today must know that they will receive a crushing blow and a firm claw that will smash their faces,” Irani said.

The US Navy suspended its search for a sailor reported missing after an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter went down in the Arabian Sea on July 1, the Navy’s 5th Fleet said.

The search lasted more than 102 hours and covered 14,000 square miles, the fleet said. Three others were wounded when the helicopter made an emergency landing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was too early to judge the outcome of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Asked about the memorandum and the concessions it makes to Iran, Netanyahu told Fox News: “I would say it’s not over. I would judge it when it’s over.”

“The most important thing is that we have a common goal,” he said. “And that means Iran cannot have nuclear weapons or the capacity to make nuclear weapons.”

A military option against Iran is still “on the table” as senior Israeli officials are expected to travel to Washington for high-level meetings in the coming days and weeks, Israeli outlet i24NEWS reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The expected visits come as concerns grow over US-Iran negotiations and against the backdrop of reported difficulties in the talks, the report said.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar is expected to travel to Washington in about a week and a half for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to sources familiar with the plans.

Sa’ar’s office confirmed an official invitation had been received but said he had not yet given final confirmation that he would attend.

Negotiations are also underway over a possible visit by Defense Minister Israel Katz, with senior Israeli defense officials also expected to travel to Washington as part of what sources described as an “air bridge” of diplomatic and security consultations.

The planned ministerial visits could be canceled if a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump is scheduled in the near future, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.