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A congressional candidate in New Mexico is betting that his Hispanic ties — and military background — are just the thing historically Democratic voters will need to go Republican in the fall.”I connect with them on that level. They wanted somebody with law enforcement or military experience, which, you now know, I have both,” Greg Cunningham said, referring to the Hispanic community in the state’s 2nd Congressional District.”One of the reasons that I decided to run — that I feel so strongly about this is, you know, Hispanic culture is at its core a conservative culture.”Cunningham’s hope that the GOP can win over the Hispanic vote, a historically Democratic voting bloc, continues longstanding efforts from Republicans to flip the script among minorities, especially in fringe districts that could decide the balance of power in 2026.That’s especially true in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District — currently held by Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M.It’s one of thirteen that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024, but that sent a Democratic representative to Congress anyway. The Cook Political Report indicates the district “leans” Democratic, despite a D+0 rating.Cunningham, who became the default GOP candidate after a lone primary challenger dropped out in April, will be the first new GOP candidate voters will consider since 2018. Former Rep. Yvette Herrell, who has been the candidate since then, last lost in 2024 by 4.2% to Vasquez.Cunningham believes his background is uniquely suited to the challenges of the district.A Marine reconnaissance veteran who served in combat, Cunningham joined the Albuquerque Police Department, spent years on patrol and narcotics, worked as a DEA task force officer on federal drug and cartel cases and later operated in undercover roles before transitioning into private security.TRUMP MAKES PLAY FOR BLUE-LEANING STATE AS HE BRIEFLY DETOURS FROM THE BATTLEGROUNDS”I love Yvette Herrell, but I am a different person in every way, shape, and form. And what I bring to CD2 and to this race is exactly what we need,” Cunningham said.Specifically, Cunningham believes that his background will help address high levels of crime and narcotics that have persisted despite lowered levels of illegal immigration.”The human invasion portion of that equation is solved. The law enforcement, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, all of those challenges are the same exact challenges that I faced when I worked down there 20 years ago. Nothing has changed,” Cunningham said.But more than his practical knowledge and experience, Cunningham said he hopes to appeal to values central to the Hispanic community.”We value our families, we value our culture, we value our faith. And so, I think when you take Republican or Democrat, take the donkey or the elephant out of it, and you start speaking to people on a core level, who are you?” Cunningham said.HOUSE GOP RUSHES TO COURT CRITICAL VOTING BLOC WHILE FACING UPHILL MIDTERM BATTLE”We all want the very same things,” he added.New Mexico is roughly 50% Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.Like all Democratic strongholds and competitive districts, Cunningham believes half the battle will be convincing voters that Republicans can secure the seat in the first place.”I just have to convince [New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District] why we can win this,” Cunningham said.

One of the bodies of the 11 mysteriously missing persons that had potential ties to U.S. nuclear secrets or rocket technology has been discovered by a hiker in a New Mexico national forest.Police have identified the remains of Melissa Casias, 54, a missing Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) worker. Her disappearance became part of a wider swirl of speculation over scientists and lab-linked employees who vanished or died under unclear circumstances that spurred President Donald Trump’s attention and a House Oversight Committee investigation.The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was informed Thursday that the hiker found Casias in the McGaffey Ridge area of the Carson National Forest with a handgun alongside her remains, according to a NMSPBI Facebook post late Saturday night.”The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined,” according to police, which noted the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) identified the remains as those of Casias and are conducting “further anthropological examination.”WHITE HOUSE REVIEWING CASES OF MISSING, DEAD SCIENTISTS FOR POSSIBLE LINKS AS 11TH PERSON IDENTIFIEDCasias, from Taos, New Mexico, and Anthony Chavez worked at LANL, a leading nuclear research facility in New Mexico, and both were among those marked as suspiciously missing by FBI and House Oversight investigations.”The New Mexico State Police extend their deepest condolences to the Casias and Mondragon families during this difficult time,” the agency wrote in its release.Casias was reported missing June 25, 2025, after she failed to arrive at work and did not return home after visiting her daughter at work, police said. Her family later found that her purse, identification and cellphones had been left behind, prompting concern for her welfare and a missing person investigation.DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SCIENTIST’S ACCIDENTAL DEATH RAISES QUESTIONS AS PROBE INTO MISSING SCIENTISTS GROWSState police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.In an April 20 letter to FBI Direct Kash Patel, the House Oversight Committee said it was investigating “recent unconfirmed public reporting” alleging that people connected to “U.S. nuclear secrets or rocket technology” had died or vanished in recent years.MISSING GENERAL, SCIENTIST DEATHS TIED TO SECRET US WORK PROMPT WHITE HOUSE PROBE”Public reports raise questions about a possible sinister connection between a string of mysterious deaths and disappearances which began in 2023,” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., wrote in a release seeking information from federal agencies.The committee’s release said the reported cases included the two LANL, two affiliated with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, an MIT scientist who worked on nuclear fusion – shot by the Brown University mass shooter – a pharmaceutical researcher and a government contractor who worked at a nuclear weapons component production facility.Authorities have not announced any link between Casias’ death and the other cases and speculated they were not linked. The House letters also described the reporting under review as unconfirmed.REP BURLISON DEMANDS FBI PROBE AFTER TOP US SCIENTISTS VANISH OR TURN UP DEADCasias’ disappearance had prompted a Missing Endangered Advisory from New Mexico authorities after she was last seen in the Taos area. She was 53 years old at the time.The discovery in Carson National Forest now closes the search for Casias, but not the investigation into how she died and whose handgun was found beside her.

The fight was brief and it was violent. Two large and in charge ladies were involved in a street fight in West Hollywood early Saturday morning that left one of the big-boned women bleeding from her face.The video of the two, which captures punches, hair pulling, one of them being thrown onto the sidewalk and kicked in the face, was round three according to the person who recorded the action.Musician Tyler Garrett, who captured the fight’s bloody ending, told The California Post that witnesses had gotten “tired of separating them and let them go at it.” They had stepped in twice prior and weren’t going to do it again. These ladies had to settle their differences.ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!The third time these two went at it was enough to declare a winner. As the two squared off and punched each other on a crowded sidewalk, the shoeless woman in what appeared to be a headlock pulled off an incredible move. A move I would have bet neither of them had the ability to execute.She drops her hips, grabs hold of the other woman’s hair, then slings her opponent to the concrete below. Whatever chance of her being controlled in what turned out to be, at best, a loose headlock was gone.A HEATED HOT DOG VENDOR TURF WAR LEADS TO A SIDEWALK BRAWL BETWEEN TWO FEMALE WIENER SLINGERSAs the only one of the two still standing, she now had the advantage. She delivered a few punches to her downed opponent, avoided a desperate kick before using her shoeless right foot to land a couple of kicks to the face of the downed woman she can be heard calling a “hoe.”The fight was over.The woman on the sidewalk got up, staggered around and revealed that she was bleeding from the face. Whatever they were fighting over no longer mattered. The streets of West Hollywood had declared a winner and she was a feisty above-average size woman who wasn’t wearing any shoes.Early Saturday morning, that corner belonged to her. She let everyone know that you didn’t want to mess with her, because no matter the size, she could ragdoll you.

With nearly all votes counted, right-wing outsider Abelardo de la Espriella and left-wing senator Iván Cepeda emerged as the two finalists, setting up a stark ideological confrontation between a hardline security agenda and a continued peace-and-reform strategy.

#ColombiaElections Right-wing presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella outperformed expectations in Colombia’s first-round election, finishing ahead of the left-wing candidate despite polling deficits leading up to the vote. He has campaigned on a tough anti-crime platform… pic.twitter.com/qeSBAg0tOi
— Gateway Hispanic (@GatewayHispanic) June 1, 2026

Colombia is heading into a decisive presidential runoff on June 21 after a tightly contested first round that highlighted deep political polarization, rising insecurity, and growing debate over the direction of the country under outgoing President Gustavo Petro.
Violence Shadows the Campaign
The electoral season has unfolded under unusual levels of political tension and violence.
According to Colombia’s electoral observation authorities, at least 63 incidents of violence—including threats, attacks on campaign offices, vandalism of political materials, and targeted intimidation—were recorded across 21 departments during the campaign period affecting multiple presidential teams, including those of De la Espriella and Cepeda.
In addition, reports from regional media indicate that members of campaign teams have been killed or threatened in separate incidents, prompting increased security measures for candidates and forcing several rallies to be held under heavy protection.
The wave of violence has reinforced concerns that armed groups and criminal organizations are attempting to influence or destabilize the electoral process, a recurring issue in Colombia’s modern democratic history.
Abelardo de la Espriella: Hardline Security Outsider
Abelardo de la Espriella, a 47-year-old lawyer and businessman, enters the runoff as one of the most unconventional candidates in recent Colombian politics.
With no prior elected experience, he built his public profile as a high-profile criminal defense attorney and media personality before entering politics. His campaign has surged on a platform centered almost exclusively on security.

¡Vamos a derrotar la tiranía y el absolutismo!
Pasamos a segunda vuelta gracias a los más de 10 millones de colombianos que respondieron al rugido.
¡En 21 días haremos historia!
Los espero en el cubo de cristal del Malecón del Río, para celebrar juntos esta victoria.
Hoy más… pic.twitter.com/wf7ANOusVZ
— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) May 31, 2026

De la Espriella proposes a major expansion of state coercive power, including the construction of large-scale prisons, intensified military operations against armed groups, and an end to ongoing peace negotiations with criminal organizations.

Enhorabuena, amigo Abelardo @ABDELAESPRIELLA, por tu gran victoria en primera vuelta de las elecciones presidenciales en Colombia.
Los colombianos tienen en la firmeza y valentía del tigre una oportunidad histórica para que su nación recupere la libertad, la prosperidad y la… pic.twitter.com/mwNsQsqlwc
— Santiago Abascal (@Santi_ABASCAL) May 31, 2026

He has also framed his campaign as a response to what he describes as institutional weakness and policy failures in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal armed groups. His rhetoric has drawn strong support from voters frustrated by persistent violence, but also criticism from human rights advocates who warn of potential democratic and civil liberties risks.
During the campaign, De la Espriella also claimed to have received intelligence warnings about potential assassination attempts, underscoring the heightened security climate surrounding the election.
Iván Cepeda: Continuity of Peace and Reform
Iván Cepeda, a longtime senator and «human-rights advocate», represents the continuity wing of Colombia’s current governing coalition.
Closely aligned with President Gustavo Petro, Cepeda supports ongoing negotiations with armed groups as part of a broader “total peace” strategy aimed at reducing conflict through dialogue and reintegration rather than purely military solutions.
His platform emphasizes structural reforms, including expanded social programs, rural development, and efforts to reduce inequality—issues he argues are the root causes of Colombia’s decades-long internal conflict.

Supporters see him as a defender of long-term peacebuilding and institutional reform. Critics argue that previous negotiation efforts have failed to significantly reduce violence and have allowed armed groups to reorganize and expand.
Petro’s Legacy at the Center of the Election
The election was further overshadowed by controversy after President Gustavo Petro wrote on social media that he did not accept the preliminary vote count (preconteo), arguing that only the official scrutiny process conducted by electoral authorities would determine the final result.

El llamado conteo transmitido no tiene fuerza vinculante. sus datos no son norma pública. Como presidente no acepto los resultados del preconteo de la firma privada de los hermanos Bautista, porque debiendo estar quietos los algoritmos del software de conteo y escrutinios, en la…
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) June 1, 2026

Although President Gustavo Petro is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, his administration remains central to the political debate shaping the runoff.
Petro’s government pursued ambitious reforms in healthcare, labor policy, and environmental regulation, while also prioritizing «peace negotiations» with multiple armed groups. However, his tenure has been marked by persistent security challenges, political polarization, and criticism over the effectiveness of his “total peace” strategy.
The election is widely interpreted as a referendum on whether Colombia should continue Petro’s reform-oriented approach or shift toward a more forceful security-first model.
A Battle for the Political Center
With both candidates mobilizing their bases, the outcome is likely to depend on centrist and undecided voters who did not strongly align with either camp in the first round.
Turnout is expected to play a decisive role, especially given that participation in the first round was lower than anticipated for an election of this magnitude.
Economic concerns, security conditions, corruption, and trust in state institutions are expected to dominate the final weeks of campaigning.
A Defining Moment for Colombia
The runoff between De la Espriella and Cepeda reflects a broader struggle over how Colombia should confront long-standing challenges: armed conflict, inequality, and institutional weakness.
The result will determine not only the country’s political direction but also its approach to peace and security at a time when violence continues to shape public life.
For many voters, the choice is not simply ideological—but a question of which path offers greater stability in an uncertain moment.
The post Colombia Enters High-Stakes Runoff Between Hardline Security Candidate and Petro-Aligned Left appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

French Commandos Board & Seize 4th Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessel Since September

France announced Monday another weekend interdiction of a Russian “shadow fleet” vessel in international waters near its coast. The French Navy boarded and detained a sanctioned oil tanker, President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday, in an operation which had the assistance from the UK Royal Navy and other allies.

This marks the fourth time since September that French commandoes have intercepted a boarded a sanctioned Russian vessel in regional waters.
via AFP/French military

The vessel, identified as the Tagor, originated from Murmansk, Russia, and was taken by French authorities while it traversed around 400 nautical miles (740 km) west of the tip of Brittany.

“It is unacceptable for ships to circumvent international sanctions, violate the law of the sea and fund the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine for more than 4 years,” Macron wrote in a post on X.

The apparent legal justification France’s navy has relied on for such actions is the practice of “flag-hopping” – which involves a crew repeatedly changing displayed flags, along with often invalid registrations to thwart international tracking monitors.

At the time of boarding, via soldiers rappelling from helicopter, the ship was falsely flying a Cameroonian flag while reportedly en route to the coastal African city of Limbe, Cameroon.

Macron confirmed further on X: “This operation took place in the Atlantic Ocean, on the high seas, with the support of several partners, including the United Kingdom, in strict compliance with the law of the sea.”

The Kremlin again condemned such ‘unlawful’ seizures in international waters, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying, “We consider these acts as illegal, they border on international piracy … Russia is taking measures to ensure the safety of its cargo.”

The vessel’s captain is a Russian citizen, according to an embassy disclosure from Paris. According to more:

Guillaume Le Rasle, a spokesperson for the prefecture, said the tanker was under EU and US sanctions. “It is a vessel that was known and tracked,” he told AFP.

“The decision to divert it was taken Sunday evening. The objective of the diversion is to verify the validity of its flag,” Le Rasle said, adding that the tanker, which has frequently changed flags, was “almost empty” at the time of boarding.

La Marine nationale a arraisonné hier matin un nouveau pétrolier sous sanctions internationales en provenance de Russie : le Tagor. Notre détermination est constante et totale.
Cette intervention a été effectuée en Atlantique, en haute mer,… pic.twitter.com/zxEslYjbUE
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 1, 2026
The last several seized tankers were also flying flags of African nations, and these interdictions have stretched back through last year. In some instances, Russia has been sending military escorts – which of course has seen French and European militaries hold off executing any action.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/01/2026 – 12:50

Former first lady Jill Biden was confronted during a Monday interview on why she touted her husband’s debate performance immediately after his disatrous 2024 showdown with President Donald Trump, despite her worrying at the time that former President Joe Biden had a stroke.On NBC’s “Today,” co-host Craig Melvin confronted Jill Biden with a clip from after the debate in which she praised her husband in front of a group of supporters for answering all the debate questions.”And in the days and weeks after that, you continued to insist that the president was fine,” Melvin said. “How — how do you square thinking that he may have had a stroke with what you were saying in the days and weeks after? How do you square those two?”Biden said she saw that Joe appeared to be OK and noted that he acknowledged he had messed up as they prepared to go to another event.FORMER JILL BIDEN SPOKESMAN CLAIMS EX-FIRST LADY IS TRYING TO ‘CHANGE THE TAPE’ AFTER 2024 DEBATE ADMISSION”I know we’re going into another event, or we have two more to do, and I’m, my mind is racing,” Biden said. “What do I say to him? What do I say to him? I’m his wife, I’ve got to lift him up. So, we go to the next event and I’m thinking, ‘What do I say that will lift him up that is true?’ I want to say the things that are true. And so I said, you know, ‘You answered every question.'”Melvin noted, “That’s a pretty low bar.””Well, and so, you know, I had to sort of lift him up,” Biden continued. “I mean, I’m his wife. I’m not going to get out on the stage there and say, ‘Joe, you really screwed that up.’ I mean, and we have all our supporters there. So, you know, that was my, that’s who we are. I mean, I had to support him. I couldn’t come out and I mean, really, publicly say, ‘Joe, you did a terrible job in that debate.'”WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS HAVING A STROKE, AFTER JILL BIDEN REVEALED DEBATE-NIGHT FEARSDuring an interview that aired last week, the former first lady revealed that she thought her husband was having a stroke during the debate in 2024.”I wasn’t horrified, I was frightened,” Biden recalled in a recent interview.”I had never, ever seen Joe like that before or since. I don’t know what happened. As I watched it, I said, ‘Oh my God, he’s having a stroke.’ It scared me to death,” she said.The former president’s debate performance ultimately led to his decision to drop out of the race. Melvin also confronted Jill Biden on whether she wished she would have encouraged him to just serve one term as president.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE”You’re his closest confidant. You’re described as Joe’s gut check. If you could go back in a time machine and do it all over again, would you have encouraged him, maybe, to not run again?” Melvin asked.Jill responded, “You know, as I look back, would I want to put Joe through the hurt and the pain that we felt during that time? Never.””But it had to be his decision, Craig,” she said. “It had to be his decision alone, because he had to live with that decision the rest of his life. I couldn’t say, ‘Joe, do this’ or ‘Joe, do that.’ It was his decision to run in the first place — only his — even though the family had their input, especially the grandchildren. But, you know, it was his decision to get out.”

Missing nuclear scientist Melissa Casias was discovered dead last week after disappearing almost a year ago in mysterious circumstances. Credit: Melissa Casias Facebook
A missing scientist has been discovered dead in a New Mexico forest, but that is just the beginning of a more harrowing and stunning story.
As The Daily Mail reported on Monday, New Mexico State Police announced that they identified the remains of 54-year-old Melissa Casias, a scientist and nuclear lab employee, who worked as an administrative assistant at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico has not yet determined the cause of her death.
Casias was last seen alive on June 26, 2025. Her body was found in the McGaffey Ridge area of the Carson National Forest.
This is about six miles from the last place Casias was seen walking before being declared missing.
It’s unknown how long Casias’s body was in the forest before it was found. But it’s surprising it took this long because this is a part of a US Forest Service restoration project where crews have been working consistently since December 2025.
Casia’s disappearance and death are also quite alarming. The Mail notes that she previously left ALL RECORDS from her phones (she had more than one), left her identification behind, and vanished last June.
Sounds like something straight out of a spy thriller. What was going on?
From the Daily Mail:
Casias vanished after dropping off her husband, another LANL employee, at the facility that June morning, approximately 70 miles from their home. That was when Casias’s behavior allegedly became unusual, as she claimed she would need to return home after forgetting the badge needed to access the nuclear lab.
According to her husband, Mark, a superintendent at the lab, Casias had the security badge with her when she dropped him off that morning, as she would have needed the badge to get past the security checkpoints.
When Casias arrived in Ranchos de Taos, the couple’s daughter, Sierra, reportedly told investigators that her mother visited the teen’s place of work to drop off a sandwich and then said she planned to work from home after forgetting the badge needed to access the nuclear lab.
The wife and mother then wiped all records from her phones before leaving them and her identification behind and walking out of her home in Ranchos de Taos.
Here is a surveillance screenshot of Casias walking alone in New Mexico after dropping off her husband at work at the Los Alamos National Laboratory:
Melissa Casias Credit: GoFundMe
Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker told the Daily Mail in March that he thought Casia’s disappearance was part of a bigger pattern involving individuals who had access to top-secret government research.
Swecker theorized that Casias’s work at LANL made her a target for abduction. The reason is that an administrative assistant often has access to the same sensitive files as their superiors.
“In a classified lab, or just a high clearance lab, they would basically be in the know on what’s going on,” Swecker explained. “And it wouldn’t be the first time their administrative assistant has been targeted.”
As The Gateway Pundit has reported, a troubling pattern drew scrutiny after the mysterious deaths of scientists tied to America’s most sensitive space and defense programs. Up to 11 have been discovered missing or dead.
In fact, prominent UFO researcher, Ancient Aliens personality, and bestselling author David Wilcock was found dead last month in an apparent suicide outside his home in Boulder County, Colorado.
He had just TWO DAYS earlier posted a video, warning about how it’s ‘scary’ that ‘scientists are going missing,’ and that he was not suicidal.
The FBI under Director Kash Patel has launched a major investigation into the mysterious deaths and disappearances of at least 11 high-level U.S. scientists with access to classified information in nuclear, aerospace, propulsion, missile technology, and UAP-related programs.
President Donald Trump has publicly stated the White House is looking into the cases, describing the string of incidents as highly suspicious.
The post Missing Scientist and Nuclear Lab Employee Found DEAD in New Mexico Forest as the Shocking Circumstances Surrounding Her Disappearance are Revealed appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Anthropic Confidentially Files For IPO As Frontier AI Labs Race To Go Public

Four days after releasing its latest Claude Opus 4.8 model and raising $65 billion at a $900 billion valuation, Anthropic confidentially filed a draft Form S-1 with the SEC late Monday morning for a proposed IPO of its common stock.

“This gives us the option to go public after the SEC completes its review. The proposed initial public offering will depend on market conditions and other factors,” the maker of the Claude chatbot wrote in a press release.

The move puts Anthropic and OpenAI in a race to become the first major frontier AI lab to tap public markets, as investor appetite for AI infrastructure and all things SpaceX remains hot into early June.

It’s “worth noting: filing first ≠ pricing first a confidential draft S-1 starts the SEC clock but sets no date,” CNBC reporter Deirdre Bosa pointed out on X.

worth noting: filing first ≠ pricing first
a confidential draft S-1 starts the SEC clock but sets no date https://t.co/EY8X4Q4y8N
— Deirdre Bosa (@dee_bosa) June 1, 2026
The Polymarket bet “Will Anthropic or OpenAI IPO first?” shows that the confidential S-1 filing was a surprise to prediction markets.

Anthropic’s confidential S-1 filing was a surprise to prediction markets https://t.co/08PxrLSOXG pic.twitter.com/TivykIBSZb
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 1, 2026
The surprise news comes four days after Anthropic raised $65 billion at a $900 billion valuation, nearly tripling its prior valuation and potentially surpassing OpenAI as the most valuable frontier AI lab.

That round was led by Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, and Sequoia, with additional participation from major investors including Baillie Gifford, Blackstone, Brookfield, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and Singapore’s Temasek.

The funding comes shortly after Anthropic released Claude Opus 4.8 and follows a prior $30 billion raise at a $350 billion valuation just three months earlier.

The Anthropic-OpenAI race to IPO comes as SpaceX is targeting an IPO for June 12, or next Friday, with shares expected to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol SPCX.

Just last month. 

OpenAI plans to file for IPO confidentially as soon as Friday: CNBC pic.twitter.com/mlSdYl05XG
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) May 21, 2026
With the flurry of mega IPOs on deck, Goldman has the answer to whether markets can absorb all the incoming supply (read report).

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/01/2026 – 12:40

Trump On Iran Halting Talks: “We’ll Keep Blockade” – Signals Tehran Can’t Outlast US

Summary

Iran announces halt to all exchanges with US, citing Israeli aggression in Lebanon. Trump says ‘haven’t heard’ this from Tehran, vows to keep US naval blockade in place.
Iran overnight initiated fresh attacks on neighboring Kuwait and even released video showing footage of a ballistic missile launch.
The US bombed radar & drone sites in Iran in response to the Iranians having shot down a US drone over the weekend. Reports of foreign jets over Iranian airspace.
Iran negotiator Ghalibaf charges US with breaking the ceasefire: “the naval blockade and escalation of war crimes in Lebanon” were “clear evidence of US noncompliance with the ceasefire.”
Yemen’s Houthis warn they are ready to join Hezbollah’s military efforts against Israel.
Trump Truth Social: “Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end – it always does!”

US x Iran permanent peace deal by July 31, 2026?
Yes 39% · No 62%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

Trump Reacts

President Trump tells NBC News that he’s not heard from Iran on reports they’re suspending talks, and on Iran, “I think we’ve been talking too much if you want to know the truth, going silent would be very good”

We’ll keep the blockade in Hormuz.
I think I can wait as long as they want. They’re losing a fortune.

His comments to NBC:

“It’s an appropriate thing to say, because they’re better negotiators than they are fighters,” he said in a brief phone call. “But they haven’t informed us of that.”

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to go and start dropping bombs all over there,” added Trump, who said Friday he would soon decide on a proposed deal to extend an ostensible ceasefire agreed to in early April. “We’ll keep the blockade.”

State Media: Iran Stops Exchanging Messages with US

Merely last week, Western MSM press reports were touting the usual ‘close to a deal’ headlines, but this morning demonstrates how illusory such claims were and are, as Iranian state media now suggests a total halt in communications between the sides.

Per state Tasnim, “Iran stops exchanging messages with the US in protest against Zionist crimes.” This as the IDF has sent ground forces deep into Lebanon, past the Litani River – in the deepest operation in decades. Tehran has insisted on linking up any US-Iran deal with a Israel-Lebanon peace. Tehran is now warning to “completely block the Strait of Hormuz, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait” – the latter with the cooperation of Yemen’s Houthis. All of this has direct impact on the US-Iran ceasefire:

IRAN’S STATE TV SAYS PROBABILITY OF CEASEFIRE BETWEEN IRAN AND U.S. ENDING IS HIGH IF ATTACKS ON LEBANON DO NOT STOP

Below is the full translated statement:

• “The determination of the Iranian armed forces and all axes of the resistance front to respond to Zionist crimes and open new fronts”.

• “Tasnim has obtained information indicating that, given the continuation of the Zionist regime’s crimes in Lebanon and considering that Lebanon was one of the preconditions for the ceasefire and that this ceasefire has now been violated on all fronts, including Lebanon, the Iranian negotiating team is stopping “talks and exchange of texts through a mediator”.”

• “The immediate cessation of the Zionist regime’s aggressive and brutal army operations in Gaza and Lebanon and the necessity of the regime’s complete withdrawal from the occupied areas in Lebanon have been emphasized by Iranian officials and negotiators, and there will be no talks until Iran and the resistance’s views on this matter are met”.

• “Also, the Resistance Front and Iran have set their agenda to completely block the Strait of Hormuz, and activate other fronts, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in order to punish the Zionists and their supporters”.

Oil jumps on the headline of halted talks…

Futures slide…

Author and University of Chicago professor of the ‘realist’ school Robert Pape says the following on Monday published report: “We will run out of our cushion of oil inventories in July, whether it’s the middle or end of July,” he said. “And Iran knows that. So what Iran is doing is just stringing out the clock to get a better deal.”

“What that tells me is they’re not interested in returning the price of oil back to where it was before the war,” he said. “I think what we need to understand is Iran’s goal is to continue instability, continue elevated price of the world’s oil because it gains from that.”

For more, read our:

“Approaching Unheard Of Inventory Levels”: Exxon, Chevron Issue Apocalyptic Warning About What Happens Next To Oil

CENTCOM: Intercepted Pair of Ballistic Missiles on Base

On Monday morning US Central Command issued its official statement and explanation over the earlier tit-for-tat brief flare-up in fighting, which appears to have ended…

“Last night at 11 p.m. ET, U.S. forces successfully intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting American forces based in Kuwait. These missiles were immediately defeated and no American personnel were harmed,” it said. “U.S. Central Command remains vigilant and will continue to protect our forces from Iranian aggression while supporting the ongoing ceasefire.”

Fresh Missiles on Kuwait

The extended US-Iran ceasefire is once again being severely tested, after Iran earlier in the daylight hours of Monday initiated fresh attacks on neighboring Kuwait and even released video showing footage of a ballistic missile launch. Kuwait in turn confirmed that has been intercepting inbound drone and missile fire.

It hosts a major American base, which is again being targeted, though it’s unclear if anything has been hit. The IRGC subsequently identified that it targeted the US base in response to weekend US strikes on Iranian sites. According to a description of the released propaganda video:

The start of the video includes a close-up of what looks to be a sticker on the body of a missile depicting a bruised US president Donald Trump, on the phone asking for help, and overlaid on a “closed” Strait of Hormuz. The caption reads: “Until the last American soldier leaves the region.”

Iran’s IRGC released footage showing the moment it launched missile attacks on what it claimed to be US airbases in Kuwait early Monday.
READ MORE: https://t.co/yRpPilUQ9S pic.twitter.com/f1Q2l5OnMu
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) June 1, 2026
All sides, including the Iranians and Kuwaitis, are saying they have a right to defend themselves. The United States, for its part, has said that it bombed radar and drone sites in Iran in response to the Iranians having shot down a US drone over the weekend.

Kuwait, GCC Condemnation

After the US base in Kuwait was freshly targeted, Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Kuwait’s condemnation and denunciation, in the strongest terms, of the heinous and repeated Iranian attacks, which represent a dangerous escalation and a direct assault on the security and stability of the State of Kuwait, as well as a flagrant violation of the rules of international law, the United Nations Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026, not to mention the grave threat they pose to the safety of civilians and vital facilities in the country,” it said in a post on X.

“The continuation and repetition of these aggressions undermine efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and threaten security and stability in the region, emphasizing the State of Kuwait’s categorical rejection of these aggressive practices,” it added.

Also, a swift reaction was issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It expressed its “strongest condemnation” of Iran for its attack on Kuwait, blasting it as a “dangerous and irresponsible escalation”. Saying Kuwait remains a crucial part of the GCC, the bloc stated it stands “united and firm” and they fully support “all the measures and procedures it [Kuwait] takes to protect its security, preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maintain the security of its citizens and residents.”

IRGC Navy seeks to flex with increasing fast boat patrols of Strait of Hormuz:

IRGC fast boats running 24/7 patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, per new footage from Iran’s navy. The boats are steering commercial vessels through the waterway and intercepting any that don’t follow orders. pic.twitter.com/tG5Vh71DMK
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 1, 2026
Iran Latest Warnings: “The Bill Comes Due”; Ceasefire Breached

Top Iranian negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that the continued American naval blockade of Iran’s ports and Israel’s intensifying offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon illustrate that the US is not truly complying with the ceasefire.

He wrote on X that “the naval blockade and escalation of war crimes in Lebanon” were “clear evidence of US noncompliance with the ceasefire.” He stressed by way of warning: “Every choice has a price, and the bill comes due. It will all fall into place.”

As things in Lebanon intensify, given the IDF has plunged past the Litani River and plans to expand its ground force occupation. Yemen’s Houthis say they are ready to join Hezbollah’s efforts against Israel, per Tasnim. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has also freshly addressed the Lebanon crisis:

For immediate attention:
The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Its violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts.
The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 1, 2026
More…

Iran’s FM Spokesperson Baghaei: The other side keeps shifting its demands and sending contradictory messages, which is dragging out negotiations. Israel’s escalation in Lebanon is aimed at destroying any chance diplomacy could work. The U.S. and Israel cannot be seen as separate.… pic.twitter.com/VFbOUwX9V2
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 1, 2026
Trump: “Sit Back & Relax”

Trump’s latest Truth Social: “Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end – it always does!”

And here’s pushback from Stephen Walt in Foreign Policy magazine:

Although we don’t know the details of the rumored agreement between the United States and Iran—or even if one will eventually be reached—anyone with a triple-digit IQ understands that Israel and the United States made a colossal blunder when they started the war. None of their stated goals have been achieved: The Iranian regime did not collapse, it did not surrender its nuclear stockpile, and its missile and drone capabilities are intact. It has demonstrated that it can shut down the Strait of Hormuz anytime it wants to inflict significant damage on its neighbors. All of U.S. President Donald Trump’s and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s bragging and bluster over the past three months has been exposed as a lot of hot air.

Iran Touts More Breaches of US Blockade

A total of 15 vessels, including four oil tankers, have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz over the last 24 hours, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The IRGC navy confirmed that the ships only completed their passage after receiving explicit permission and coordinating directly with its command structure. Washington and its Gulf allies (with the exception of Oman) have repeatedly condemned any attempt to impose an ‘Iranian protocol’ involving the extraction of tolls.

In an official statement carried by Fars News, the IRGC issued a stark warning to the region, declaring that any cooperation with “hostile forces” would be viewed by Tehran as an “imminent security threat” that will be “dealt with accordingly”. This is tantamount to warning foreign vessels they could come under direct attack if they don’t comply.

More Latest Developments

via Newsquawk…

Iran may propose changes to the US peace draft memorandum of understanding, according to Tasnim. This follows a report that President Trump proposed further changes to the existing text, while a source stated that text exchanges continue and that Iran may submit its own edits.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi told state media that talks and message exchanges with the US are ongoing, and that the talks cannot be judged until a clear result is reached.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said the negotiation team’s visit to Qatar was positive.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that they have a legal obligation to prevent aggressors from using their territory and facilities to attack another country.
Iran’s Presidential Office denied reports that Iranian President Pezeshkian submitted his resignation to the Supreme Leader, and stated that the stories were spread by some foreign media.
Iranian Supreme Leader’s military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said Iran has no intention of yielding or compromising with the US and will not place itself in a weak position, while he also stated that US President Trump is betraying diplomacy for the third time by continuing a naval blockade on Iran and making excessive demands.
IRGC said following aggression of US Army on a communication tower on Sirik Island, located in the Homozgan province an hour ago, fighters of the IRGC Aerospace Force targeted airbase where aggression originated and predicted targets were destroyed.
Iran’s top negotiator said “The naval blockade and escalation of war crimes in Lebanon by the genocidal Zionist regime are clear evidence of US noncompliance with the ceasefire”.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said at this moment they do not believe that the US has good intentions towards Iran.
Iran’s FM Baghaei said “No negotiations have taken place on the details of the nuclear issue at this stage”. One point being discussed is the allocation of funds for reconstruction. We are considering options for responding to the escalation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
Iran’s Baghaei said a ceasefire in Lebanon is an integral part of any agreement and end to the war; lack of trust and constant change in US and Israeli positions in Lebanon are causing a delay on the diplomatic process. The continuation of maritime piracy and attacks on Iranian shipping is an example of a violation of the ceasefire. The diplomatic apparatus is closely following developments and we will take every measure to defend Iran’s sovereignty. The exchange of messages is still ongoing.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi said Iran’s goal is not to hold ships in the Strait, but to declare a procedure that is not contrary to international law; these arrangements are not temporary and Iran will not back down. Stopping ships behind the Strait of Hormuz incurs storage and delay costs, and war insurance has increased by up to 500%. Accompanying Iranian forces costs less than war insurance and eliminates the risk of stoppage, inspection, and seizure. Iran’s goal is not to hold the ships, but to declare a procedure that is not contrary to international law; these arrangements are not temporary and Iran will not back down.
“Three consecutive explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas”, Iran International reported.
US President Trump reportedly sent tougher terms to Iran regarding the peace framework, according to officials cited by The New York Times.
US President Trump posted “Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us”. Full post “Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us. But don’t the Dumocrats, and various seemingly unpatriotic Republicans, understand that it is MUCH tougher for me to properly do my job and negotiate, when political hacks keep negatively “chirping,” at levels never seen before, over and over again, that I should move faster, or move slower, or go to war, or not go to war, or whatever. Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end – It always does! President DJT”.
US President Trump posted “Fake News CNN said today, routinely, that my Iran Nuclear Deal doesn’t talk about Nuclear, when actually it states, very clearly, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon”. Full post “ScraperFake News CNN said today, routinely, that my Iran Nuclear Deal doesn’t talk about Nuclear, when actually it states, very clearly, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon. It then goes on, in very strong and lengthy detail, to discuss various other aspects of Nuclear. In fact, that’s what most of the agreement is about. CNN, and so many others in the Fake News Media, is a Low Ratings disaster. Even with new ownership, it is unlikely to ever get better!!! President DJT”.
US Secretary of State Rubio spoke in the last 48 hours with Lebanon’s President and Israel’s PM to try and promote a new ceasefire initiative, according to a senior US official cited by Axios’s Ravid. said:. US senior official said that the new initiative was proposed as part of the negotiations taking place between Israel and Lebanon, as another round of talks between diplomats from both sides is scheduled to take place this week in Washington. In order to advance the talks, US proposed that as a first step, Hezbollah stop all attacks on Israel, and in return, Israel will refrain from escalation in Beirut.
US Central Command confirmed military forces conducted strikes against Iranian radar at command and control sites located in Goruk and Qeshm Island over the weekend.
Kuwait Army said air defences are intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/01/2026 – 12:45

Netflix’s new thriller “I Will Find You” looks very intriguing.Basic info:’DUTTON RANCH’ STAR NATALIE ALYN LIND STIRS UP SPECULATION ABOUT SHOW’S FUTURE WITH SIMPLE COMMENTSThere’s nothing that gets the blood pumping like a great thriller-mystery, and it appears that’s exactly what Netflix has cooked up.‘REMINDERS OF HIM’ DIRECTOR SAYS PRISON DOESN’T DEFINE A PERSON’S WORTHThe preview paints a very dark journey as the hunt for the truth about a young boy and a man wrongly convicted of murder unfolds.Give the preview a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.That preview is a shot of adrenaline straight to the chest. Something tells me that Netflix is about to have a massive hit on its hands.Plus, the cast is stacked with Sam Worthington and Britt Lower leading the way. Both are extremely talented, and both command the screen whenever they’re on it.Now, they’re linking up for a very dark and fast-paced mystery on Netflix.What do you think of the preview? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com, and you can check out “I Will Find You” starting July 18 on Netflix.