Israel & Syria Hold Talks on Security Matters + Iranian Foreign Minister: Diplomacy Not Off the Table + Australia & UK Conduct Freedom of Navigation Patrol Around Spratly Islands + More

For review:

1. Iranian Foreign Minister: Diplomacy Not Off the Table.  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it will take time and assurances from the US before Tehran is ready to re-engage in talks on its nuclear program.

2.  US President Donald Trump said Monday he is not holding discussions with Iranian leaders and not offering them anything.

3. Israel & Syria Hold Talks on Security Matters.  The neighboring states have been opposing sides of conflict in the Middle East for decades, including from the 1948 War of Independence through the 1982 First Lebanon War. 

4.  After months of diplomatic stalling, the Kremlin on June 29 blamed Kyiv and Washington for the lack of progress in peace talks.

5. Australia & UK Conduct Freedom of Navigation Patrol Around Spratly Islands.

6. USAF plans to use leftover funds from the LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile program to help pay for refurbishing the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 into a new Presidential transport aircraft. 

7.  US Army is considering scrapping General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) management of the three new 155mm artillery production lines in Mesquite, Texas, according to a “show cause” letter obtained by Breaking Defense. 

8.  US Senate passed a massive party-line spending package Tuesday ("One Big Beautiful Bill Act"), by a vote of 51-50.  Next, the bill goes back to the House for final consideration.