“The Straits are in great shape!”

— President Trump, speaking to reporters.

“Explosive-laden Iranian boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them ablaze and killing one crew member on Wednesday, after projectiles struck four vessels in Gulf waters, said port, maritime ​security and risk firms,” Reuters reports.

“The latest attacks on ships linked to the U.S. and Europe mark an escalation in the conflict between Iran and U.S.-Israeli forces, raising the number of ships struck in the region since fighting began ‌to at least 16.”

“China sent more military aircraft into a sensitive area off Taiwan following a brief period that saw it hold off on the flights without explanation,” Bloomberg reports.

Jonathan Lemire: “He has now made one of the most consequential decisions of his presidency: launching a war against Iran. The conflict, which is well into its second week, has widened throughout the Middle East, sent oil prices skyrocketing, and caused tumult in the financial markets. Yet Trump has not sold the war. In many ways, he hasn’t even tried.”

“The absence of a sales strategy is all the more confounding when you consider the political stakes.”

Wall Street Journal: “If Trump proclaims victory, stops the bombing and begins to withdraw the huge air and naval assets he assembled in the Middle East, it could soothe global markets, at least in the short term, and reassure American voters uneasy about the prospect of another forever war.”

“But leaving in place Iran’s theocratic regime—angry, defiant and in possession of its nuclear stockpile and what remains of its arsenal of missiles and drones—would essentially grant Tehran control over the world’s energy markets. It would also sacrifice the security of America’s partners and allies, and possibly make another, more devastating, regional war likely.”

“After a video call with G7 leaders Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron declared publicly what others had said privately: no one can tell what Donald Trump wants from this war,” Axios reports.

“Nearly two weeks in, Trump continues to send conflicting signals about how and when the fighting ends. The confusion has left both allies and adversaries struggling to plan for what comes next.”

“Sea mines are simple weapons that could give Iran outsize power to wreak havoc with the global economy,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“U.S. officials said Wednesday that Iran had laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries 20% of the world’s oil exports from the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world. The U.S. Institute for the Study of War estimated that 10 mines had been laid, though President Trump cast doubt on such reports and encouraged shippers to traverse the strait.”

“Iran has told regional intermediaries that for a ceasefire, the US must guarantee that neither it nor Israel will strike the country in the future…Iran is particularly concerned Israel will attack again after the current war ends,” Bloomberg reports.

“The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has engulfed Lebanon, pushing the beleaguered country to a new precipice after retaliatory rocket and drone strikes on Israel by Hezbollah, Tehran’s longtime proxy, drew a ferocious bombing campaign and further incursions by Israeli ground forces into border areas of south Lebanon,” the Washington Post reports.