Somaiyah Hafeez

Donald Trump faced criticism after saluting during the national anthem at the Patriot Games in Northeast Ohio, with commentators arguing that civilian leaders traditionally place a hand over the heart instead. The youth athletic competition, hosted at SPIRE Academy and organized by Freedom 250, brings together teenage athletes from across the United States in multiple sports and military-style challenges. The two winners are set to receive $125,000 in college scholarship funding.

Iranian media rejected Donald Trump's claim that Tehran had requested a delay to US strikes and that an agreement was emerging to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Fars News Agency called the assertion a lie, while Mehr and Kayhan accused Trump of retreating from earlier threats. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the strait would not return to its pre-conflict status and that Iran was discussing shipping arrangements with Oman, but not negotiating an immediate reopening. Iran's defence minister also said the country remained vigilant as US and Israeli attacks and threats continued.