Iran’s new toll entity claims 300 ships have signed up for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz

Ronny Reyes / NEW YORK POST  

At least 300 non-Iranian ships have applied for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz with Tehran’s new authority seeking to create a permanent toll system along the vital passageway.

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) said the majority of the ships applying were oil tankers, with at least 77% of the applicants looking to exit the Persian Gulf to reach Asia, particularly China and India, two of the Middle East’s largest fuel buyers.

The PGSA, which is under US sanctions, noted that the permits would not be given to “hostile countries,” a term it has used to describe America and Israel, along with their allies. 

“In accordance with the declared policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the PGSA does not have the authority to issue permits for the passage of ships from hostile countries, and in conditions of restrictions arising from war, it prioritizes the passage of ships associated with aligned governments,” the agency added. Read more, and see photos here. 

Vandals sabotage Trump’s Freedom 250 event on National Mall — contaminating underground water with fuel: spokeswoman 

Anthony Blair / NEW YORK POST 

Vandals sabotaged generators at President Trump’s Freedom 250 event, according to a spokeswoman — and fuel leached into underground water tanks, contaminating them.

A generator fuel line set up for temporary lights for a May 17 event was cut, causing fuel to seep into underground cisterns that collect rainwater under the Washington, DC, landmark, Freedom 250 spokeswoman Rachel Reisner told NBC News.

“Following the Freedom 250 team’s installation of temporary lighting on the National Mall, our equipment has been repeatedly targeted by vandals. The recent fuel leak was the direct result of that tampering,” she said.

“Upon discovering damage to a generator fuel line, Freedom 250 and our vendors mobilized within minutes, coordinated an immediate cleanup response, and fully remediated the site in close partnership with the National Park Service,” Reisner went on.

“We take our responsibility as stewards of the National Mall seriously and are working closely with the appropriate law enforcement authorities regarding these acts of vandalism.” Read more, see photos, and video here. 

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...Podcast 

Here's the podcast of last nights LIVE radio broadcast where RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discussed  'Diplomatic Ping-Pong Run Amok'; 'The Forensic Flagging of a Dead Horse'; the latest on Iran; Europe's nuclear umbrella; and Mamdani's pick for NYC sheriff. Listen to it on https://rspradio1.podbean.com or on our RSP website at https://rspradio1.com/?page_id=39 

Op-ed: 

Diplomatic Ping-Pong Run Amok 

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

This opinion piece is my opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com.   

...And the second difference as I see it being, is the fact that during World War II surrender...“unconditional surrender”...was the only way the war would be allowed to end...after the military might of the United States rightfully gave both Germany and Japan no other choice. Remember, Trump originally gave that very option to Iran, and then basically took it back, choosing instead to go the diplomatic route coupled with extension after extension, which knowingly or not, has allowed the enemy time to regroup and rearm to some degree...as well as to play the victim game.

Simply, Trump's negotiating with terrorists for a deal... which includes his current so-called “Memorandum of Understanding”...is not now nor will it ever be a victory, and in my opinion even his willingness to negotiate with terrorists... with the enemy...is a sure sign of subliminal weakness. And with Trump's continuing to negotiate for a deal instead of going for an outright victory, is what has allowed Iran to do what Germany and Japan could not do...as in make our beloved America...the world's number one “super power”...look both weak and indecisive, in certain so-called courts of “public opinion.” Read entire article here.

Trump reportedly tears into Netanyahu over Hezbollah strikes: ‘What the f–k are you doing?"

Caitlin Doornbos and Victor Nava / NEW YORK POST

President Trump reportedly tore into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, demanding the leader resist strikes on Hezbollah in an expletive-laden phone call.

The tense call came after Iran threatened to withdraw from negotiations with the US after Israel ordered strikes on terrorists in southern Beirut — with Axios reporting the president at one point asking, “What the f–k are you doing?”

“You’re f–king crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this,” a US official told Axios, summarizing Trump’s comments.

Another source described Trump as sounding “pissed,” and claimed the president “steamrolled” the Israeli prime minister on the call. 

“Bibi said, ‘OK, OK, just make sure everything is taken care of,'” the second official said.

Trump claims ‘I really don’t care’ if ‘very boring’ Iran talks break down before telling Netanyahu to keep Israelis out of Lebanon

Caitlin Doornbos / NEW YORK POST 

WASHINGTON — President Trump claimed Monday that “I really don’t care” if talks between the US and Iran break down after Iran threatened to cut off indirect communication in response to Israeli airstrikes on Beirut.

“I really don’t care. I couldn’t care less,” Trump told CNBC in a phone interview. “If they’re over, they’re over. If they’re not, you know, I think they took too much time. Frankly, I thought they started to get very boring.”

A few moments later, Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social: “I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back.

“Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel.“

Another NATO ally signs onto European nuclear umbrella as continent boosts self-defense

Trump has warned 'if they don't pay, I'm not going to defend them' as NATO allies agreed to spend 5% of GDP by 2035

Morgan Phillips / Fox News 

France has added a ninth European country to President Emmanuel Macron's growing nuclear deterrence initiative as European governments move to take on a larger role in its own defense following years of pressure from President Donald Trump to shoulder more of NATO's security burden.

Norway announced Wednesday that it will join France's so-called "forward deterrence" initiative, becoming the latest country to participate in discussions over how France's nuclear arsenal could contribute to European security. The effort also includes Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Greece and the United Kingdom.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stressed that "our deterrence will continue to be provided by NATO" and said France had consulted both NATO and the U.S. as the initiative expanded.