Iran Pressure & Diplomacy: CENTCOM asked analysts for “creative and unconventional” ways to pressure Iran as Trump weighs escalation versus talks, while Trump says negotiations will start Monday with no set deadline. Hormuz Flashpoints: Iran’s IRGC claims it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper over the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring rising drone losses and air-defense contest in the chokepoint. US Legal/Policy Shift: Acting AG Todd Blanche rescinded the $1.8bn “anti-weaponization” fund, removing a key hurdle for his confirmation. Ukraine Drone War: Ukrainian forces used Magura sea platforms to strike Russian radar systems in Crimea, while drone attacks continue to hit logistics and infrastructure, including Wildberries warehouses. Sudan Civilian Toll: A Sudanese army drone strike hit a Darfur court session, killing at least 35, as drones increasingly drive civilian casualties. Defense Industry & Space: Airbus won a contract to build SpainSat NG-III for secure military communications; Jaunt Air Mobility selected Calogy Solutions for battery design for next-gen hybrid-electric VTOL drones. Procurement & Production: The US is backing domestic drone component capacity with an $820m commitment, aiming to ease bottlenecks across the uncrewed aircraft supply chain. Recruitment Pressure (Russia): WSJ reports coercive tactics to force men into military contracts as voluntary recruitment slows.