‘Papa Johns still reporting...'; Pentagon Pizza tracker drops new hint as Iran's bombs US airbases in Qatar
As Middle East tensions increase, an intriguing crowdsourced theory called the 'Pentagon Pizza Index' has gained popularity on the internet. Some even speculated that the US could be discreetly going into crisis mode behind closed doors when users on X (previously Twitter) reported an unexpected increase of pizza delivery near the Pentagon and Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., on June 12 and 13. Pentagon Pizza Report, a well-known X account with the handle @PenPizzaReport, claims to offer 'open-source tracking of pizza spot activity around the Pentagon (and other places).'
Despite being around for decades, the theory has just now found its way into social media.
Pentagon Pizza Report, a well-known X account with the handle @PenPizzaReport, claims to offer 'open-source tracking of pizza spot activity around the Pentagon (and other places).'
On June 12, Pentagon Pizza Report stated in an update on X, 'nearly all pizza establishments nearby the Pentagon have experienced a HUGE surge in activity' at approximately 7 p.m. local time.
Using a search engine's 'Popular Times' function, the post displayed what looked to be screen shots of four distinct pizza places that were busier than normal: We, The Pizza, Domino's Pizza, District Pizza Palace, and Extreme Pizza.
The latest resurgence of the hypothesis between pizza activity and the Pentagon occurred the night when Israel's military launched a series of attacks to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities and missile infrastructure. Pentagon reacts to Pentagon Pizza Report
A Pentagon spokesman told Newsweek that the tweets from the Pentagon Pizza Report 'did not align with the events.'
The spokesperson told Newsweek that there 'are many pizza options available inside the Pentagon, also sushi, sandwiches, donuts, coffee, etc,' indicating that the Pentagon does not appear to be short on pizza options inside its headquarters.
Also Read: Israel issues chilling '12 hours' warning to top Iranian General amid war; 'Otherwise, you're on…' Pizza tracker reports high activity at Papa John's near Pentagon
Pizza tracker detected 'HIGH activity' at Papa John's near the Pentagon before US President Donald Trump confirmed that American airplanes had hit three nuclear sites in Iran.
Just 30 minutes after the pizza traffic alarm, Trump declared on his Truth Social account that the US military had successfully attacked three important sites connected to Iran's nuclear enrichment program—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
'A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. Thank you for your attention to this matter,' Trump wrote.
Pentagon Pizza Index later reiterated Trump's statement, 'Thank you for your attention to this matter.'
The same account also mentioned 'abnormally low activity levels' at Freddie's Beach Bar, a popular spot close to the Pentagon. The account described the calm night as a 'classic indicator for potential overtime at the Pentagon,' implying that either something significant was happening or people were working late.
Approximately 30 minutes prior to Trump's national address, at approximately 9:36 p.m. Eastern Time, the account also reported a 'HUGE traffic surge' at the Domino's near MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
On April 23, Pentagon Pizza Tracker wrote: 'The Papa Johns closest to the Pentagon is reporting high traffic, well above the average for a Monday at about 12:10pm ET.'
In retaliation for the American assault of its nuclear installations, Iran began missile attacks on US military airbases in Qatar and Iraq on Monday.
Meanwhile, Iran claimed to have targeted US soldiers based at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base on state television. 'A mighty response to America's aggression'
As martial music played, a caption on the screen described it as 'a mighty and successful response' to 'America's aggression.'
According to an Iraqi security officer who spoke to The Associated Press, Iran also attacked the Ain al-Assad facility in western Iraq that houses American forces. Since the official was not permitted to make public comments, they talked on condition of anonymity.
The strikes happened soon after Qatar closed its airspace in response to Iranian threats.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on the social media site X just before the explosions: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
25 minutes ago
- Mint
India must watch out as the world's security architecture shudders and shifts
Gift this article The annual meeting of Nato, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, took place in The Hague last week against the backdrop of a world moving towards a new and fluid security architecture. Thirty of Nato's 32 current members are European, with the US and Canada being its two North American members. The annual meeting of Nato, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, took place in The Hague last week against the backdrop of a world moving towards a new and fluid security architecture. Thirty of Nato's 32 current members are European, with the US and Canada being its two North American members. Born in 1949 soon after World War II, the original raison d'être of Nato was containment of the Soviet Union and its role as a hedge against the remilitarization of Germany. Once West Germany joined in 1955, the second objective was dropped. After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Germany was reunited in 1990 and the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Nato's purpose was lost for nearly two decades. With Vladimir Putin's rise in Russia at the beginning of the 21st century and particularly after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, Nato members found common cause again, and the alliance regained some of its mojo. The Ukrainian conflict that began in 2022 united Nato again. Finland and Sweden, which had remained outside for seven decades, have joined the alliance since. Also Read: Geopolitics: Brace for a global shake-up now that Trump has rattled Nato Beginning with Donald Trump's first US presidency in 2017 and continuing into his second one now, Washington has been indifferent towards Ukraine and shown an unexplained sympathy for Russia's position. President Trump has also publicly declared his ambivalence towards Article 5 of Nato, its 'collective defense" clause that states that an attack against any member requires all members to come to its aid. Whether Trump's disposition is just a threat aimed at making European members increase their contributions to Nato remains unclear. Nato is resourced through the direct and indirect national contributions of its members. Nato's common funds are composed of direct contributions to collective budgets and programmes. National contributions, the largest component of Nato funding, include the forces and capabilities held by each member country that can be provided to Nato for deterrence and defence activities and military operations. Direct funds enable Nato to maintain its capabilities and run the entirety of the organization and its military commands. Nato has three principal common-funded budgets: the civil budget (funding the Nato headquarters), military budget (funding the Nato Command Structure) and the Nato Security Investment Programme (funding military infrastructure and capabilities). For 2025, its direct funds amount to about $5.4 billion, of which the US contributes about 16% (an identical amount is contributed by Germany). If all 30 European countries were to do it, annual defence spending would double from $380 billion today to about $750 billion. The latter number is just a bit lower than the current US defence spending and comparable to China's unofficial level. The summit ended with a firm commitment from Nato allies to spend 5% of GDP, up from today's 2% floor. Whether or not America officially quits Nato, even if it psychologically 'checks out,' the security architecture of Europe would change dramatically without an assured American backstop. At the same time, there are tensions among European Nato members, with Hungary publicly supporting Russia and Turkey playing a nuanced ménage-à-trois game. The new nationalist president of Poland is also likely to hold a more matrix-determined position than his predecessor. Also Read: Nato's endgame on Ukraine will need regime change in Moscow While there are other multi-country strategic groupings like the Quad, made up of the US, India, Japan and Australia, and Aukus, made up of Australia, the US and UK, no other multi-country alliance has shown the commitment and staying power of Nato (till Trump came along). Even traditional alliances have become more situation-dependent in recent times. China has generally supported Pakistan and Russia has supported India since Cold War times. At the same time, China has supported Russia on the Ukraine War. During the recent Operation Sindoor, both Russia and the US were ambivalent in their support of India. Turkey, while pursuing its own calculus, has held positions that are inimical to Indian interests in recent years. Even more recently, Iran must have been surprised that Russia did not come to its defence more publicly during its 12-day conflict with Israel. Also Read: Mint Explainer: Sweden set to join NATO after Turkey backs off Alert to the possibility that a US commitment to their security is no longer reliable (and that the US may even turn hostile), countries from Japan and South Korea to Germany are re-arming themselves. In addition to nuclear-equipped France and the UK, Nato's nuclear sharing arrangements extend to Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Beyond Nato, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) promulgated in 1969, with 191 current members, is likely to lose some members over the coming years. India is entering a phase where it will have to become far more self-reliant, even as it partners with Russia, the US and others on a context-specific basis. When India purchases defence systems, it will have to insist on technology transfers, source-code access and the interoperability of these platforms with locally developed missile systems. P.S: 'If you have one true friend, then you have more than your share," said clergyman Thomas Fuller. The author is chairman, InKlude Labs. Read Narayan's Mint columns at Topics You May Be Interested In
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
India hardens stance on farm sector concessions as India-US trade talks stretch
India-US trade deal (Representative AI image) NEW DELHI: As India-US trade talks stretch into a new week with both sides chasing the July 9 deadline, government has hardened its stance on offering concessions in the farm sector. 'The Indian team may stay longer as crucial talks are continuing, but we don't just want to open up whatever is the demand (from the US) on agriculture as lives of millions of farmers are involved,' said a government source. Last week, India's chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal and other officials had gone to the US on a two-day visit, but the talks have stretched as the US is also keen to conclude some deals before the pause on reciprocal tariffs – 26% in India's case -- ends in. In fact, on Thursday, US president Donald Trump had announced that a 'very big deal' with India is likely – the seventh time that he had announced an agreement. The Indian industry is also being prepared for dealing with reciprocal tariffs, in case the early tranche of the proposed bilateral trade deal does not work out. For India, a key concern is allowing lower duty import on agricultural products like maize, soybean and dairy products, which is being demanded by the US side. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo Privately, several industry representatives have met commerce department brass and suggested that India should agree to the demands from the Trump administration, but government is keen to ensure that it is not a one-sided deal. Officials also conveyed to exporters on Monday that the limited deal, if it works out, will cover only a limited set of products with more tranches likely in the coming months. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
27 minutes ago
- Mint
Gold Edges Up as Traders Weigh Trump Tax Bill, US Trade Talks
Gold rose slightly, supported by a dip in the dollar, as Senate negotiations continued over President Donald Trump's $4.5 trillion tax package and US trade talks progressed ahead of a July 9 deadline. Bullion rose 0.3% on Monday, following two consecutive weekly declines. Republicans are seeking to convince holdouts to support the tax bill for final passage, with a vote set to spill into Monday. The bill's cost has been a big problem for fiscal conservatives amid concerns that it will further swell the deficit. Meanwhile, with just 10 days to go until Trump's country-specific tariffs are set to resume, investors were weighing signs of potential progress following recent comments from top White House advisers that indicated the US is nearing trade agreements with several nations. There's still plenty of uncertainty over the scope of the deals currently being discussed. If Trump's only two other accords — with China and the UK — offer any indication, the pacts likely won't be fulsome deals that resolve core issues and may leave many specifics to be negotiated later. Gold is up by about a quarter this year and is trading around $210 short of April's record, supported by demand for havens as investors grappled with elevated geopolitical and trade tensions. Still, the metal is on track for its first monthly decline this year as concerns about the Middle East conflict ease, and the US economy shows an improvement in consumer sentiment and inflation expectations. Spot gold was up 0.3% to $3,284.98 an ounce as of 10:41 a.m. in London. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index slipped 0.2%. Silver, platinum and palladium all climbed. With assistance from Jack Ryan.
