Polly Toynbee meets Donald Trump: the 1988 interview (2017)
www.theguardian.com

... the Guardian writer reflected on her interview nearly 30 years ago. Here it is in full ...

Donald Trump is New York. Glitz, greed, glamour and an ambition so colossal that it will probably not rest until he rules the world -- which one day he just might. At 41 he owns vast chunks of Manhattan's prime real estate, the best hotels, the biggest casinos in Atlantic City, huge realms in Palm Beach and much more. He is the toughest, the fastest, operator in the city, and probably, says his biography, the world. He's as sharp as a gold-plated razor-blade.

He sells himself, like everything belonging to him, very big indeed. ...

What would he do about Iran, for instance? I'd be harsh on Iran. They've been beating us psychologically, making us look a bunch of fools.

One bullet shot at one of our men or ships and I'd do a number on Kharg Island. I'd go in and take it. Iran can't even beat Iraq, yet they push the United States around. It'd be good for the world to take them on.' ...

Iranian Navy Guided Indian Tanker Through Hormuz, Crew Member Says
gcaptain.com

... The Iranian Navy guided an Indian liquefied petroleum gas tanker through the Strait of Hormuz last week, allowing the ship to pass on a pre-approved route following diplomatic engagement by New Delhi, according to a senior officer onboard the vessel.

The officer asked for anonymity, as the crew of his vessel -- one of two Indian ships that made the crossing -- were not permitted to talk to the media. His account appears to confirm analysts' views that Tehran is trying to impose a traffic control system through the strait, permitting safe passage for friendly vessels while leaving others fearful of attack.

During the crossing, the officer's ship was in contact with the Iranian navy by radio, he said. The Iranians took details of the ship's flag, name, origin and destination ports, and the nationality of the crew members -- all of whom were Indian " and guided them on an agreed course.

"It seems that Iran is allowing select vessels to transit Hormuz after verification which takes place during the ships' transit inside Iranian waters," said Martin Kelly, head of advisory at EOS Risk Group. "While ships are being allowed to transit, it is mostly only to the benefit of Iran." ...

Trump Has New Plan for the Strait of Hormuz: It'll Open Itself'
www.mediaite.com

... President Donald Trump predicted that the Strait of Hormuz would "open itself" once Iran stopped "clogging up" the narrow passage, even as he appealed that it would "be nice" if allied nations, and China, would help police it.

Iranian regime attacks against energy-producing Gulf nations following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes have effectively shuttered the vital transportation route, which carries a major portion of the world's supply of oil and natural gas. The move has become a key pressure point to Iranian pushback against U.S. operations, elevating oil prices on global markets.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House as he prepared to board Marine One, the president said that Iran's military capability had been "obliterated" and floated that the strait might "open itself." ...

Iran unsuccessfully targets UK-US Diego Garcia base, shows its missiles can reach Western Europe
www.timesofisrael.com

...Iran was "unsuccessful" in targeting the joint UK-US Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia, a UK official source confirmed on Saturday, a day after the Wall Street Journal reported Tehran fired two ballistic missiles at the base but failed to hit it.

The source said the "unsuccessful targeting of Diego Garcia" took place before the UK government announced Friday that it would allow the United States to use some of its bases to target Iranian sites being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz. CNN reported that the attack took place on Friday morning.

The Iranian attack on the Diego Garcia air base " located about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iran " indicated Tehran has in its stockpile missiles that can travel much further than it had previously acknowledged. ...

Israel says strikes to ramp up after Trump remarks
www.dw.com

... Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said US and Israeli strikes on Iran will "increase significantly" in the coming week. Katz's comments come after President Donald Trump said he was considering "winding down" the war. ...

Three San Diego warships carrying 2,500 Camp Pendleton Marines en route to Middle East
www.sandiegouniontribune.com

... The amphibious ready group is being led by the USS Boxer, an 844-foot ship that's known as a mini-carrier because of its array of air assets, which include F-35B stealth fighter jets. Boxer is traveling with the amphibious warships USS Portland and USS Comstock.

The ships are carrying elements of Camp Pendleton's 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, an air-and-ground attack force that specializes in rapid response missions, particularly amphibious assaults. Pendleton-based MEUs helped put Marines ashore during the Iraq War in 2003. ...