Italian media tracked Trump's evolving stance throughout the day as he moved from uncertainty to military preparation. Morning headlines emphasized his wavering position - "I could attack or not, I won't say publicly" - while Khamenei declared from what appeared to be a bunker that Iran would "never surrender."
The narrative shifted dramatically by evening when the Wall Street Journal reported Trump had approved attack plans against Iran, though he maintained he had "not yet decided" on execution. Iranian state television claimed launches of "hypersonic missiles" against Israel as air raid sirens continued in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The IAEA contradicted earlier reports, clarifying it "never said Iran is building nuclear weapons," while Putin suggested diplomatic solutions remained possible. Domestically, over 500,000 Italian students began their maturità exams with topics including anti-mafia judge Borsellino and Pasolini poetry. The Federal Reserve defied Trump's pressure by keeping interest rates unchanged, prompting his criticism of Chair Powell as "stupid."