Iran commander killed amid explosions and missile launches while Saudis privately push Trump to act

Axios reports Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman told Washington think tanks that if Trump does not follow through on his Iran threats, the regime ends up stronger, a clear reversal from earlier Saudi warnings against escalation. Within hours, the US approved a $9 billion sale of Patriot missile defense interceptors to Saudi Arabia, which is not a coincidence no matter how much officials pretend otherwise. Add reports of a drone strike killing an Iranian navy commander and ballistic missile launches, and the real story is obvious: the calm talk is for cameras, while allies and arms deals are lining up for a much bigger confrontation.