BREAKING: Iran responded defiantly to President Trump’s threat that he would “obliterate” Iran’s electricity plants if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz by Monday night, saying the strait would be “completely closed” if its energy infrastructure were attacked, as it launched new missile attacks on Israeli cities. (New York Times)

Mossad Flop: Israeli spy boss David Barnea thought sure his agency could spur a popular revolt and overthrow the Iranian regime and sold the idea to PM Bibi Netanyahu, who in turn sold it to Trump. Both urged Iranians to take to the streets, while intelligence told both they’d be slaughtered. (New York Times)

Intelligence Gap: President Trump claimed “nobody expected” Iran would strike the Gulf States or choke off the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the U.S. and Israeli air campaign, despite multiple intelligence warnings, expert analyses and war games over the decades. “We were shocked. They fought back!” Trump told reporters at the White House last Monday. The president was also miffed that NATO allies he’d been trashing for years didn’t come to his aid on Iran. Said French Gen. Nicholas Richoux: “He can go fuck himself.”