Secretive Dolphin Submarine in Plain Sight: Israel's Silent Warning to Tehran | WATCH

An Israeli Navy submarine was filmed in an unusually rare, censor-approved public appearance near Eilat, on the same day Iranian missile debris landed in Israeli territory. An Israeli Navy submarine was filmed this week sailing openly out of its base in the Gulf of Eilat, in what analysts and Israeli commentators describe as an unusually rare public appearance for one of the country's most closely guarded military assets. The vessel, believed to be heading toward the Straits of Tiran and potentially into the Red Sea, was captured moving visibly above the surface of the water, a departure from the near-total secrecy that typically surrounds the location and movement of Israel's submarine fleet. Israel, like most naval powers, treats the whereabouts of its submarines as among its most sensitive military information, rarely if ever confirmed or shown publicly.

What made the episode more notable, according to a report by Srugim News, was that Israeli military censors approved the footage for public release, a decision that departs sharply from standard practice. The footage's approval came shortly after debris from intercepted Iranian missiles, fired from Jordanian territory toward the nearby city of Aqaba, spilled over into the Eilat area, prompting alarm sirens and interceptions over the Israeli resort city. The timing has led to speculation, though not official confirmation, that the release was intended as a deliberate signal to Tehran. Under this reading, the visible submarine activity would serve as a pointed reminder of Israeli military capability and resolve at a moment when spillover from the wider US-Iran conflict has begun to reach Israeli territory directly, rather than remaining confined to Jordan and other neighboring states.

Israeli officials have not publicly commented on the purpose of the submarine's movement or the decision to allow its release, and the interpretation of the footage as a warning to Iran remains speculative, based on the analysis of Israeli commentators rather than any official statement. The episode nonetheless comes at a moment of heightened tension along Israel's southern border, with the IDF warning residents of Eilat and the Arava region of possible further spillover from Iranian strikes on Jordan, and with Israel's broader defense establishment on alert across multiple fronts as the war between the United States and Iran continues. (Ed note: The Israeli submarine, while being a diesel-electric boat, is said to carry aboard nuclear tipped cruise missiles that can be launched while submerged. Definitely a calling card to Iran and the Middle East. Eilat is an Israeli resort town on the Red Sea. Yes, the same Red Sea that Moses crossed. Hey, want to go dive for some Egyptian iron chariot wheels?) (Source)

IDF fires interceptors over Eilat as Iranian missiles target nearby Aqaba in Jordan

Military says it shot down missile debris, while its interceptor fragments landed in open area near Eilat; Israeli source tells Saudi outlet that Mojtaba Khamenei is ‘not in Iran.’

Israel launched interceptors on Sunday after fragments from Iranian missiles fired at Jordan’s southern city of Aqaba potentially threatened the nearby city of Eilat, as the escalation in US-Iran fighting showed no signs of abating. The missiles were intercepted by American air defense systems, according to initial Israel Defense Forces assessments, while the military said it also launched Iron Dome interceptors amid the missile attack to shoot down fragments. No sirens sounded in Eilat, as the fragments were shot down. Interceptor fragments fell in an open area near the city, without causing any damage or injuries, the IDF said.

The Jordanian military said three Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted while a fourth hit an open area, according to a statement carried by the official Petra news agency. There were no reports of injuries in the attack. Iran launched fresh missile attacks against nations allied with Washington as the US has struck Iran for eight consecutive nights and has expanded its airstrike campaign by increasingly hitting civilian infrastructure. The operations followed US President Donald Trump’s threats to start striking infrastructure to pressure Tehran to ease its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway for the global energy supply.

So far, Israel has not been involved in the latest escalation, and Tehran has not directly targeted the Jewish state. Echoing similar comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel would respond powerfully to any attack by Iran. “If Iran fires missiles at Israel, we will attack them with full force,” Katz said during a visit to a rescue service facility. “If the United States changes its policy, which is also something that could happen, we are prepared for both defensive and offensive” action against Tehran, he added. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the military is “closely monitoring the developments in Iran and maintaining a high level of readiness.”

“We monitored the launch toward the Aqaba area today, and our air defense array is on alert to protect the citizens of Israel,” Zamir said during a visit to the West Bank today, according to remarks provided by the military. “We are prepared to immediately resume fighting and will act with great force against anyone who harms us,” he added. The US said strikes overnight Saturday-Sunday were intended to “punish” the IRGC for a deadly strike that killed two US military personnel in Jordanand left another missing. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization on Sunday condemned a US attack on the site of the nuclear power plant under construction in Darkhovin, saying the strike violated international law, Mehr news agency reported. It did not say when the strike occurred. Construction of the plant in southwestern Iran’s Khuzestan province began in 2022. (Read More)

US unleashes ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military assets

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Monday morning that it began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran for the ninth consecutive night. The statement said the strikes were launched at 7:00 p.m. ET (2:00 a.m. Israel time). "The strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz," said CENTCOM.

Iranian media outlets reported a wave of American strikes in the city of Tabriz, located in the northwestern part of the country. Concurrently, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that powerful blasts and multiple explosions were heard in Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini - two major, strategic port cities situated along the coast of the Persian Gulf in southwestern Iran.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced later that it attacked two oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Iranian claims, the strike was executed after the vessels veered off course and failed to stick to the agreed-upon route set by Iranian authorities in the strait. In its statement, the IRGC issued a direct threat toward Washington, warning that the United States should expect "punishment" in response to its actions in the region. In an earlier statement, CENTCOM said that as of Sunday, it has redirected six commercial vessels and disabled one to ensure full compliance with the naval blockade against Iran. (Read more)

The Chabahar Port Surgical Strike: United States Central Command Destroys Strategic Revolutionary Guard Spy Tower in Coastal Raid

United States Central Command has executed a highly precise surgical strike destroying a vital Iranian intelligence tower at Chabahar Port, effectively blinding the Revolutionary Guards maritime spy network. United States Central Command forces have launched a highly precise surgical operation to destroy one of the most critical maritime intelligence assets belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The targeted aerial strike completely neutralized a strategic naval observation and control tower located at the Shahid Kalantari facility within the port city of Chabahar. This decisive military action represents a major operational setback for Iran's regional surveillance capabilities during the rapidly expanding war.

The specialized installation had functioned for decades as the primary eyes and ears of the Iranian regime throughout the Gulf of Oman and the critical approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. The elimination of the site is part of a significantly broader offensive campaign executed by American forces over the past several days. Washington finalized plans to expand the scope of its air campaign and increase its target matrix following the recent deaths of American service members stationed at a base in Jordan. For multiple years, the surveillance tower operated under a strict doctrine of operational duality to mask its true military purposes. During periods of relative calm, the facility portrayed itself as an innocent administrative outpost managed by the Iranian Ports Authority to oversee commercial shipping lanes and coordinate maritime search and rescue missions. Behind this civilian facade lay an advanced military infrastructure that provided the Revolutionary Guards with deep electronic espionage capabilities.

The physical facility was heavily integrated with state of the art espionage technologies hidden beneath its standard port infrastructure. The site utilized long range surface scanning radars to identify and track international transit vessels at extreme distances. It also housed advanced electro optical arrays, thermal imaging systems, and night vision hardware to maintain continuous live visual monitoring of the surrounding waters. The technical capabilities of the hub extended to advanced electronic warfare suites designed to intercept foreign naval communications and jam critical frequencies used by Western warships. The base also utilized Automated Identification System monitoring platforms to actively track the precise movements of all vessels traversing the region, including American and allied military assets. (Read More)

Trump leaning towards escalation with Iran, source tells 'Post'

US President Donald Trump is leaning toward further escalation with Iran, according to statements by several Israeli and American officials on Sunday. "It appears President Trump is preparing to expand the campaign against Iran," one official told The Jerusalem Post. "The remaining questions are 'how much' and 'when.' He understands that, barring an unexpected development, the chances of a diplomatic solution is now virtually nonexistent." However, another official cautioned that Trump has changed course "at the last minute" before, noting that his position could still shift.

Israel's current assessment is that Iran will refrain from launching attacks against Israel as long as the United States does not significantly escalate its military campaign against Tehran. Regarding the possibility of Israel joining the strikes on Iran, two Israeli officials told the Post that it could happen under three scenarios: if Iran launches attacks against Israel, if Israeli intelligence detects that Iran is preparing to launch missiles or drones at Israel, or if Trump formally requests Israeli participation in the operation.

During a meeting of the Likud Constitution Committee, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted that an escalation could occur in the coming days. "I support holding the primaries, but there is a possibility that we could face an exceptional security situation that would make it difficult to hold campaign events," said Netanyahu. "It could coincide with election day or occur beforehand, making it difficult to conduct the vote." (Read more)

FNC’s Kilmeade: Vance’s Israel Comments Sound Like the Squad

On Friday’s broadcast of Fox News Radio’s “Brian Kilmeade Show,” host Brian Kilmeade criticized Vice President JD Vance’s comments on Israel by saying, “That’s stuff that you would expect extremists, extreme Squad members to say” and maybe “he wants to kiss up to the podcast class, who seemingly jumped off support for Israel.”

Kilmeade played a clip of Vance saying, “[I know,] beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there have been people within the Israeli government who are trying to, like, actually, shift us away from that policy, because they want to continue the military campaign. … [T]here are some people within their system we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely. Again, not towards any objective. But just indefinitely.” Kilmeade responded, “That is not true. Now, are there people within the Knesset that are AOC or Squad-like characters on the fringe? Sure, I guess, I don’t know.

But what JD Vance and every Democrat — the 103 Democrats that voted not to fund — give funds to Israel should understand is, if their enemies were not rocketing them, making Israel an enemy…Israel would not be looking to stay on the war footing. Nobody wants war in Israel, nobody. They’re looking to survive, and they’re not going to be victims. If you’re going to send rockets into the northern part of their country, like Hezbollah, and Hamas into the southern part of their country, from Gaza, and if you’re going to do long-range missiles from — and other things in drones from Iran, you’re going to get attacked back, you’re going to get preemptive strikes.

They’re not interested in fighting. Why would he, as Vice President of the United States, say there are people who just want perpetual war? Who? Who are these people? Are you saying the prime minister wants perpetual war? That’s stuff that you would expect extremists, extreme Squad members to say. And I wonder if he even pre-thinks his stuff. I think it’s really detrimental for the Vice President to be saying stuff that’s so erroneous, maybe because he wants to kiss up to the podcast class, who seemingly jumped off support for Israel.” (Source)

Iran Claims US Struck Darkhovin Nuclear Plant Site Under Construction in Khuzestan

Iran's Atomic Energy Organization says US jets struck the Darkhovin nuclear power plant site under construction in Khuzestan province. The claim is not yet independently confirmed. Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said Sunday morning that American fighter jets fired several missiles at the Darkhovin nuclear power plant site in Khuzestan province, a facility still under construction, according to the Iranian body's own statement. No information on the extent of any damage or on casualties has been released so far.

Darkhovin, also known as the Karun or IR-360 site, is a domestically designed reactor project in Khuzestan province that Iran has been building since construction first broke ground in 2022, and it has never become operational.The claim comes amid weeks of US and Israeli strikes across Iran targeting military, energy and nuclear-linked infrastructure, including repeated strikes on the perimeter of Iran's operational Bushehr nuclear power plant and on petrochemical and energy sites in Khuzestan province itself.

The claim has not yet been confirmed by US Central Command, Israeli officials, or independent wire services, and JFeed has not been able to verify it beyond the Iranian government's own reporting at this stage. (Ed note: The Darkhovin site is located about 180 miles north of Bushehr nuclear site, and is within the ancient area once known as Elam.) (Source)

Iranian strike kills 2 US troops in Jordan, 3rd is MIA, as Tehran vows ‘unforgettable lessons’

CENTCOM says another four service members injured; Iran says it has suspended implementation of MOU; Washington said sending warplanes to Mideast.

The US military said on Saturday that two of its personnel were killed in Jordan and another was missing after an Iranian attack, while Tehran said it had suspended adherence to the memorandum of understanding with Washington and published a message, purportedly from its supreme leader, saying the US would pay an “unforgettable” price for “seeking to incite war” amid daily tit-for-tat attacks.

The US and Iran have intensified attacks since the interim ceasefire deal signed a month ago fell apart, raising the possibility of a return to all-out war. The US has struck Iran for seven consecutive nights now, and the Islamic Republic has responded each time with attacks it said targeted American bases in several Middle East countries, though it has thus far avoided firing at Israel. 

  

US Central Command said the two service members were killed in an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Jordan on Friday. It said a third US service member was missing in action and four others were wounded.CENTCOM said the wounded soldiers were taken to Jordanian hospitals and later discharged, and “other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.”“Out of respect for the families, CENTCOM will withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified,” the statement added. (Read More)

US strikes hit southern Iran as IRGC reports Strait of Hormuz vessel 'accidents' amid tensions

During the strikes overnight on Saturday into the early hours of Sunday, explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, Iranian state-affiliated media reported.

US warplanes reportedly struck near the city of Shadagan in southern Iran on Sunday, state TV reported. Earlier on Sunday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that it had completed its eighth consecutive night of strikes against Iran and hit Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities. It also targeted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against US service members in Jordan on Friday.

During the strikes overnight on Saturday into the early hours of Sunday, explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, Iranian state-affiliated media reported. Several locations were reportedly struck on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, which has had parts of its infrastructure targeted by US strikes, according to regime-affiliated outlet Tasnim. The US military also hit a water desalination plant, disrupting the water supply to 20 villages with a combined population of approximately 10,000 people, Tasnim reported. 

“As a result of the attack, the supply of drinking water to several villages in western Jask County has been disrupted,” the Iranian Embassy in India said in a statement on X/Twitter. Later on Sunday, the IRGC Navy claimed that two ships that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz had an "accident" while transiting and were on an "unsafe route" in the waterway. Two other vessels reportedly abandoned plans to continue along the unsafe route, the IRGC added. (Source)

Eighth Consecutive Day: U.S. Launches New Wave of Airstrikes Against Iran

The United States launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iran for the eighth consecutive day, targeting Tehran's military capabilities following attacks on American service members in Jordan.

The United States has intensified its military campaign against Iran, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announcing a new wave of airstrikes targeting sites in Iran as the operation entered its eighth consecutive day. According to CENTCOM, the strikes were carried out under the direction of U.S. President Donald Trump and are intended to degrade Iran's military capabilities while reducing its ability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime trade routes.

The U.S. military said the operation also serves as a direct response to attacks against American service members in Jordan, which Washington attributes to Iranian-backed forces. U.S. officials stated that the strikes are meant to send a clear message that attacks on American personnel will be met with a swift and decisive military response. So far, U.S. officials have not disclosed additional details regarding the scale of the operation, the specific targets that were struck, or the extent of the damage inflicted. However, the latest strikes represent a continuation of Washington's ongoing campaign against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the country's broader military infrastructure.

The latest developments underscore the growing confrontation between the United States and Iran, raising concerns that the conflict could expand across multiple fronts in the Middle East. Security analysts note that any further escalation could affect regional stability and increase tensions involving Iranian-backed proxy groups operating in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. (Read More)

US sends dozens of refueling aircraft to Israel as attacks across Mideast intensify

The U.S. is sending dozens of refueling planes to Israel ahead of a possible expansion of military operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In coordination with the Israel Defense Forces, the U.S. has decided to reinforce the “existing fleet of aerial refueling aircraft stationed in Israel with additional refueling aircraft,” an IDF official told JNS on Saturday. The move is a part of a U.S. adjustment to its “force posture in the region,” the official continued. The refueling aircraft will land at Israeli Air Force bases to “minimize disruptions to civilian air traffic,” as well as due to “operational and logistical considerations.

“The preparations at the Israeli Air Force bases were made possible through advance planning conducted jointly by the IDF and the U.S. The IDF is making every effort to facilitate the deployment of U.S. forces in Israel while safeguarding the State of Israel’s international civil aviation needs,” the official added. U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing a massive offensive in Iran, after tit-for-tat strikes that have reemerged in the region in light of disputes regarding the free and safe transit of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported. Among the targets being considered are Iranian infrastructure facilities such as power plants and additional strikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, the report continued.

The president has not made a final decision yet but could order wider military acts in the coming days, according to Axios. The U.S. currently has some 60 refueling aircraft in Israel, about half at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv and the other half at Ramon Airport in southern Israel, the report read. The U.S. wants to send several dozen more, matching the total number of refueling aircraft stationed in Israel at the beginning of the war on Feb. 28. (Read More)

Tehran demands media limit strike damage coverage as US widens war

A confidential directive from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, obtained by Iran International on Friday, instructed media publishers and editors to limit reporting on damage to civilian infrastructure as the United States reportedly prepares to widen the Iran war. The directive came a week after the collapse of a ceasefire with the United States and the resumption of fighting in southern Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. It told media outlets covering attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure to “refrain from publishing vital information,” avoid creating “fear and alarm among the public,” and withhold details about the extent of destruction or its impact on the delivery of public services. The council said such information could be used “by the enemy to assess the effectiveness of its attacks.” It instructed media outlets to obtain information through the most senior provincial official responsible for any institution or facility that had been hit.

The directive also ordered media outlets to describe disruptions to public services using phrases such as “the issue is under review and being resolved,” rather than report the extent of the damage or provide specific details about its effect on services. It said the Health Ministry and emergency services remained the only official and authoritative sources for civilian casualty figures. The order followed a sixth consecutive night of US strikes on Iran. US Central Command said fighter jets, drones and warships had used precision weapons against dozens of military targets, including coastal surveillance and air-defense sites, military logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities on Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas.

The strikes could expand further. Axios reported on Friday that the Trump administration plans to send dozens more aerial refueling planes to Israel as the US president considers a broader offensive against Iran, potentially targeting power plants, other infrastructure and additional nuclear facilities. Iranian media reported that five bridges in Hormozgan province were hit, along with the railway station in the coastal city of Bandar Khamir and Iranshahr airport in southeastern Iran. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency said seven people were killed in strikes on bridges in Bandar Khamir.

The attacks also damaged power lines in Bandar Abbas and surrounding areas, causing outages, while a tower at the port of Chabahar was brought down. Iran said the tower monitored commercial traffic, while the United States described it as part of an IRGC surveillance network used to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. With major international news organizations lacking permanent bureaus inside Iran, the directive further concentrates wartime reporting in the hands of state-controlled institutions and makes independent verification of attacks, casualties and infrastructure damage more difficult. (Source)

Dear President Trump: Handing Hezbollah to a Former Jihadist Is a Stupid and Dangerous Plan

Trump wants al-Sharaa's forces to handle Hezbollah in Lebanon. It's not a solution, it's a sectarian gamble Israel shouldn't accept. Here's why:

There is a version of the Trump doctrine on the Middle East that has genuinely reshaped the region for the better. And then there is this: the idea, floated by the president himself on more than one occasion now, that the answer to Hezbollah is to hand the problem to Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has bought a suit and re-made himself as Al-Julani. Let's be clear about who we're talking about. Al-Sharaa is not a blank slate. He built his career as a jihadist commander under the al-Qaeda banner before rebranding under Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and eventually inheriting Damascus after Assad's fall. Trump has called him a "tough guy" and praised the "amazing job" he's done consolidating Syria. Maybe so. But consolidating power and being trustworthy with a multi-sectarian neighbor's security are not the same achievement, and the record on the former should give any serious observer real pause about the latter.

I don't need to remind readers what forces drawn from that background have done to religious minorities inside Syria's own borders. The reports out of Alawite and Druze communities over the past year and a half haven't been ambiguous. Say what you want about the intentions of the man at the top, and I have real doubts about those too, but intentions matter less than what fighters raised on jihadist doctrine actually do once they're given a green light and a border to cross.

Lebanon is not a monolith. It has one of the largest Christian populations left in the region, a fractured Sunni community, Druze villages, and a Shiite population that Hezbollah, for all its sins, actually represents to a meaningful degree. Sending Sunni Islamist forces across that border in the name of fighting Hezbollah is not a surgical strike. It's an invitation to exactly the kind of sectarian bloodletting the region has spent the last two years trying to put behind it.

To his credit, al-Sharaa himself seems to understand this better than Washington does. He has said no, repeatedly and in plain language, to any military role in Lebanon, favoring economic and political channels instead. That should tell us something. When the man being handed the assignment keeps declining it because even he can see the sectarian tinderbox it would light, perhaps the idea deserves more scrutiny than it's gotten from the Oval Office. (Read More)

Seventh consecutive night: US launches strikes targeting Iranian military assets (BUSHEHR)

CENTCOM conducting seventh straight night of precision strikes against Iranian military targets, with explosions reported in Bandar Abbas.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday that its forces launched a round of strikes against Iran for the seventh consecutive night. "The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities at the Commander in Chief's direction," it stated .About two hours before CENTCOM’s official announcement, Iranian media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas. Residents also reported hearing explosions in Bushehr province and Sirik, with additional reports of blasts on Qeshm Island.

On Thursday night, CENTCOM completed a major wave of strikes against Iran for the sixth night in a row, noting that fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities. Iranian media reported that the US strikes targeted a wide range of objectives, including Iranshahr Airport. Further reports indicated that the bridge connecting Bandar Abbas and Shiraz was attacked, as was a railway station in Bandar Abbas. CENTCOM later stated that US forces destroyed a surveillance tower at the Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari Port in Iran.

The tower was part of a maritime surveillance network along Iran’s Gulf of Oman coastline that was used for decades by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, the statement said. The strike has reduced the IRGC’s ability to coordinate attacks against civilian maritime crews and was carried out to protect freedom of navigation in regional waters, according to US forces. (Source)

The Ground Invasion Option: Trump Weighs Boot Invasions of Iranian Oil Islands and Fortified Nuclear Bunkers

United States President Donald Trump has revealed that the military is actively reviewing plans for ground operations to seize Iranian oil islands and launch devastating strikes on the fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear complex, warning Tehran that Washington is prepared to end the crisis once and for all.

The United States government is actively considering an unprecedented expansion of its military operations against Iran, shifting focus from aerial bombardment to potential ground warfare. American officials confirmed that President Donald Trump has spent recent days reviewing detailed defense briefings regarding high-stakes operational choices. The strategic alternatives currently being evaluated include deploying ground forces to capture critical Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, widening the existing air campaign to obliterate domestic energy grids, and launch targeted strikes against a heavily fortified underground facility linked to secret nuclear development.

The commander in chief openly detailed the critical geopolitical situation during a prominent defense and innovation summit in Pennsylvania, making it clear that the pressure on the Islamic Republic has reached historic heights. "The country is hot like it has never been before, and we are also doing very well against Iran," Trump stated during his address, adding that the regime is deeply unhappy with the ongoing destruction. When specifically questioned if the military would completely eliminate the Revolutionary Guard Corps in the same manner as the total destruction of ISIS, the president replied, "Yes, it definitely means that. We will see what happens."

The immense military pressure appears to be forcing panic within the political leadership of Tehran, which is now desperately scrambling to initiate communication channels. The president revealed to the audience that the regime attempted to initiate direct contact just moments before he stepped onto the stage. "We received a phone call exactly when I was on my way here," Trump told the crowd. "They want to meet. They always want to meet." The administration is maintaining a highly aggressive posture, signaling that the historical strategy for handling the Islamic Republic required a total overhaul after decades of perceived diplomatic weakness. "This should have been done by other presidents for many years, for 47 years, and to be honest even much more than that," Trump insisted. He noted that prior attempts to appease the regime failed entirely, stating, "If you do not act the way I am acting, you will never succeed in reaching an agreement with them. They were very tough. They are good negotiators. For 47 years they simply pulled everyone by the nose."

...The military operations have triggered defensive alerts across the region, with the interior ministry of neighboring Bahrain activating public sirens while heavy explosions echoed across Kharg Island. Pentagon planners confirmed that current strikes are intentionally designed to erode coastal defenses and clear the path for a wider invasion if necessary. Specific ground targets under review include a direct amphibious takeover of Kharg Island, the country's primary oil export hub, and a massive assault on "Pickaxe Mountain," a deeply buried tunnel complex associated with suspected nuclear enrichment. (Read more)

Israel shifts toward ‘Defense-Tech Nation’ as start-ups surge to $3b. in funding

New data shows defense-tech firms dominating Israel’s hi-tech investment, with start-up funding tripling year-on-year.

Israeli defense-tech start-ups working with the Defense Ministry raised nearly $3 billion in the first six months of 2026, according to figures presented at the Haifa DefenseTech Start-ups and Investors Forum. The amount is three times the $1b. raised during 2025. During the same period, defense-tech and dual-use companies accounted for almost 30% of the $8.4b. in private investment in Israel’s hi-tech sector. Approximately 800 start-ups are currently fulfilling direct procurement orders for the ministry.

The forum, held this week at EY’s Haifa office and organized by HiCenter Ventures, Gornitzky GNY, and EY, brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and officials from the defense industry and security establishment. “Israel is rapidly transforming from a ‘Cyber Nation’ to a ‘Defense-Tech Nation,’” Ilana Averkin, head of Defense-Tech at HiCenter Ventures, was quoted as saying.

Nevertheless, she warned that start-ups should not try to build full end-to-end systems and compete with the primes, but rather “design the product as an independent, flexible, and agnostic component” that can be easily integrated into the platforms of defense giants like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, or local players such as Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Global conflicts in Ukraine, the Persian Gulf, Lebanon, and Gaza have contributed to increased demand for defense technologies, including from Israel. Participants at the event cited the ability of Israeli companies to upgrade systems during active combat as a factor drawing interest from foreign customers. Lior Hanuka, CEO of HiCenter Ventures, told the crowd that “following lessons from fighting in the Gaza Strip, in Lebanon, and in Ukraine, control of frequencies and the ability to disrupt GPS systems and drones has become a top investment priority.” (Read more)

Lebanon’s Aoun takes off to US for meeting with Trump

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun leaves Beirut for Washington, where he is expected to meet Donald Trump, the Lebanese presidency says, after talks between Lebanon and Israel wrapped up in Italy.

Aoun will hold discussions “with several American officials on the situation in Lebanon and ways to strengthen the ceasefire,” particularly in Lebanon’s south, as well as on “the withdrawal of Israel from the Lebanese regions it occupies,” the presidency says. (Ed note: And not a word about his Hezbollah leaving Israel alone? That's pretty bad! Come on, President Aoun!)  (Source)

What is Iran’s secretive Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site?

The Pickaxe facility, located near the Natanz enrichment complex, is believed to be buried deeper than Fordow and was not attacked during the 12-day war or the current round of fighting.

July 17, 2026 / Israel Hayom)

The United States will attack the Iranian nuclear facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, located near the Natanz enrichment complex in the central Isfahan Province, President Donald Trump said on Monday. “We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to get ready. Tell them we’re coming, and there’s nothing they can do about it,” Trump said in an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt. It is one of the most mysterious sites associated with Iran’s nuclear program. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have never been allowed inside, and the facility is believed to be so deep, and protected by such dense rock, that it could be even more difficult to strike from the air than Fordow.

Pickaxe Mountain, known in Persian as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is located about 0.9 miles south of the Natanz Nuclear Facility. The compound covers roughly one square kilometer (0.4 square miles) of mountainside in the Zagros range. Iran has built a security fence several kilometers long around the mountain, connecting it to the perimeter fence surrounding the Natanz enrichment complex. Two paved access roads climb the mountain toward an area containing two tunnel entrances. The mountain itself, which is considerably taller than the one above Fordow, rises 1,608 meters (5,276 feet) above sea level.

Hewitt asked Trump whether he would insist that International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors be allowed into Pickaxe Mountain’s deep tunnels before a new agreement with Iran was signed, to ensure that no “doomsday machine” was being concealed there. “Absolutely,” Trump replied. “They don’t have it, because we have eyes, with Space Force and everything else. We have a lot of eyes on it. But Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice, big, fat shot right in the front door. I think you may see that. I’m telling them that right now.”

The president later added, “We’re watching it very closely, and we don’t see any activity there. They’re not in good shape with their nuclear situation. Every time we hear about something, we blow it up. That’s why they don’t like talking about it. But we’re probably going to give the mountain a shot relatively soon.” Trump’s claim that the U.S. was not seeing any activity at the site appears to contradict a report published recently by the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security. (Read More)

Iran said to tell Hezbollah, allies to prepare for wider conflict, which could rope in Israel

8 reported killed in overnight US strikes on Iran; IRGC says it targeted US aircraft, radar systems in Jordan, Qatar; Kuwait says water plant hit, troops hurt in drone attacks.

Iran has reportedly told its regional allies, including Hezbollah, to prepare for the possibility of a broader conflict amid military escalations with the United States, raising the prospect of Israel becoming directly involved in the fighting. Leaders of the Iran-backed regional “Axis of Resistance” told allies that the current period of waiting is nearing an end and that preparations for military scenarios have become a priority, Lebanon’s Nidaa Al Watan newspaper reported on Friday, citing information obtained from meetings held in Tehran on the sidelines of the recent funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed when the US and Israel launched the war with Iran at the end of February. 

Friday’s report came as fighting between the US and Iran has renewed a month after the signing of a preliminary deal that aimed to end the conflict. So far, Israel has not been involved in the latest escalation, and Tehran has not directly targeted the Jewish state. But that could change if Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanese terror proxy, gets involved and resumes its attacks on Israeli territory. Hezbollah was reportedly instructed to be fully prepared for any escalation, with Iranian officials warning that any future conflict could be broader and more severe than previous fighting.

Nidaa Al Watan also reported that Tehran still views Hezbollah as its most important regional asset following setbacks suffered by Iranian terror proxies in recent months. The terror group joined the wider regional conflict on March 2 by attacking Israel, and has objected to US-led diplomacy between Jerusalem and Beirut to solve the countries’ disputes. In response to the Hezbollah attacks, Israel hit Hezbollah with heavy airstrikes and took control of a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, meant to distance Hezbollah from the border. Israel also decimated Hezbollah’s leadership in a previous round of fighting in 2024. Another Iran?-backed terror group, the Houthis in Yemen, has also previously attacked Israel. (Ed note: It appears that the IRGC doesn't know that they have been defeated. Are you thinking that perhaps Iran is working Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis all together for a same time attack)   (Read More)

IRGC strikes Thai vessel attempting Hormuz transit

Iranian media report that the IRGC targeted a Thai-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz after it allegedly ignored warnings and transited without authorization.

Iran said on Friday that the navy of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a Thai-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports in Iranian media claimed that the vessel was targeted after it "ignored warnings and attempted to transit without obtaining permission." A video published by IRGC-affiliated media appeared to show damage to the vessel.

Later, after the US launched strikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive day, the Iranian army’s public relations office said that the navy fired a shore-to-sea cruise missile toward a US vessel in the northern Indian Ocean. On Tuesday, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, said thatIran intentionally attacked seven commercial ships over the past seven days, resulting in “nearly a dozen" civilian crew members being killed, injured or going missing.

“Iranian forces have also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries," Cooper said in a statement posted on social media. He stressed that “US forces are holding Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression that continues to endanger innocent lives." CENTCOM resumed the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas on Tuesday. This occurred hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz is open to international shipping but that a full blockade will be imposed on vessels connected to Iranian ports or Iranian cargo. (Source)

The Islamabad Ultimatum: Pakistan Warns Iran of Direct Military Intervention Over Regional Escalation

Pakistani government officials have issued an explicit warning to Tehran regarding a total breakdown in Iranian leadership structures, while declaring that any proxy attacks on Saudi Arabia constitute a red line that will draw Islamabad into open war. Government officials in Islamabad are tracking the deepening ideological rifts within the highest echelons of the Iranian regime with growing concern. Senior political figures have confirmed that the elected government in Tehran is drifting entirely away from the hardline military factions running the state. This domestic instability comes as regional defense pacts threaten to drag neighboring nuclear powers into the expanding theater of war.

The political leadership in Iran, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, is experiencing a severe disconnect from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Pakistani authorities have expressed deep anxiety that this internal chaos is driving a renewal of active warfare between Houthi rebels in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The escalation threatens to collapse ongoing diplomatic mediation efforts while triggering binding mutual defense treaties across the subcontinent.

The strategic alignment between Islamabad and Riyadh has placed external military forces on high alert to deter further provocations. "Our senior civilian and military leadership made it clear to the highest levels in Iran that attacks on Saudi Arabia are attacks on Pakistan," an official stated. The diplomat emphasized the severity of the geopolitical situation, declaring that "this is a red line for us."

This warning is backed by a massive, prior military deployment designed to reinforce the territorial integrity of the kingdom. Pakistan secretly stationed a significant military contingent inside Saudi Arabia during the height of the recent war with Iran. This specialized force includes thousands of active ground troops, a full squadron of advanced fighter jets, and sophisticated air defense systems. (Read More)

US-Iran Conflict Pushes Pakistan to Brink of Direct Confrontation

The US-Iran conflict is pushing Pakistan toward direct confrontation due to its mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has deployed thousands of troops and advanced jets to Saudi Arabia, risking involvement in the war. Tehran's retaliatory strikes could target Saudi installations where Pakistani personnel are stationed. Islamabad faces an existential dilemma between honoring treaty obligations and maintaining domestic stability.

As the United States continues to hit Iran, and Tehran keeps up its retaliatory actions across the Persian Gulf on Washington's installations, Pakistan finds itself poised precariously on an agonising geopolitical precipice. Islamabad's immediate priorities go beyond an effective bulwark against collateral damage. While prioritising energy imports and remittances, border security along the 900 km Iran frontier, sectarian tensions at home, and playing the potential mediator, Islamabad is getting closer to being a direct party in the war.

Such a situation upsets its stand as a neutral negotiator between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan's Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia has already resulted in the deployment of thousands of Pakistani troops and advanced fighter jets to the Kingdom. That presence threatens to pull Islamabad directly into the crossfire as the Middle East is careening toward an all-out war. Historically, Pakistan has gone to great lengths to play the role of the regional tightrope walker, despite the political and economic volatility back home.

Sharing its western border with Iran, possessing the world's second-largest Shi'ite population, and maintaining deep, foundational ties with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan's survival depends on avoiding regional entanglements. However, the realities of modern warfare and binding security alliances have fundamentally altered this calculus. Following the American and allied strikes targeting Iranian coastal defences, alleged missile sites, and other infrastructure, Tehran and its proxy networks have increasingly struck back on nearby US installations. (Ed note: And don't forget that Pakistan has long possessed nuclear weapons in their arsenal.) (Read more)

Bridges, Railways, and Airports: US Precision Strikes Devastate Strategic Infrastructure Across Iran

American forces have executed their most damaging round of airstrikes yet, dismantling critical southern Iranian bridges, railway junctions, and airports to completely paralyze the regime's military supply lines toward the Gulf. The United States military has escalated its ongoing air campaign by targeting critical transportation infrastructure deep inside southern and southeastern Iran. These latest strikes represent the most significant wave of attacks since the current military operations began. The high-impact raids have heavily disrupted the logistics capabilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

A key target during the bombardment was a strategic bridge near Kahurstan in Khamir County. This targeted attack has forced local authorities to completely close the main road connecting Bandar Abbas to Lar in both directions. Local witnesses captured the immediate destruction of the transport link, noting the severe civilian toll on the ground. One witness at the scene described the aftermath of the explosion in detail, saying, "A missile hit the middle of the bridge.

A fuel tanker was destroyed. The driver was killed. Part of the bridge is gone. Nobody should come from this side." This precision hit successfully severed a major artery used for military transit. In another major operation, American forces targeted the railway junction station in Bandar Abbas. This vital freight hub connects Iran's largest commercial port directly to the national rail network. Local reports confirmed that the strike left 2 people wounded and severely damaged the rail lines.  The air campaign also reached other major transit nodes across the country. Media outlets close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that an explosion hit a railway station in the city of Ahvaz. Simultaneously, an airport in southeastern Iran was struck, further degrading the regional aviation and transport capacity of the regime. 

Military analysts believe these systematic strikes are designed to cripple the domestic logistics network of the Iranian military. By destroying bridges, rail lines, and airports, the United States is preventing the rapid movement of troops, heavy equipment, and supplies toward the southern coast. This makes it incredibly difficult for the regime to reinforce or resupply its forces on strategic islands like Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb during the ongoing war. (Ed note: Does this article suggest to you that the US is setting the stage to make a sea invasion from the west?)  (Source)

Zero to One Hundred: Israel Outlines Three Triggers for Unprecedented Air Campaign Inside Mainland Iran

The Israeli defense establishment has finalized comprehensive war plans for an unprecedented aerial campaign inside Iran, establishing specific operational triggers to transition the military from zero to a hundred in the event of an imminent threat. The Israeli defense establishment is currently maintaining a state of maximum vigilance, actively preparing for a rapid military escalation against Iran and its regional proxies. National security forces are finalizing operational designs to transition the entire military apparatus immediately to an active state of war. This strategic framework is designed to bypass bureaucratic delays, ensuring that the air force can respond to hostile threats without losing vital operational time.

Current intelligence assessments indicate that the leadership in Tehran is highly hesitant to initiate a direct war against the Israeli home front. This strategic reluctance stems primarily from the clear understanding that the Israeli Air Force possesses a fully prepared, highly destructive plan to neutralize national infrastructure across the Islamic Republic. Despite the absence of immediate, concrete indicators of a coordinated attack from Iran, Hezbollah, or the Houthi forces in Yemen, national commanders are keeping defense assets positioned for immediate deployment.

Senior defense authorities have outlined three highly specific, distinct scenarios that would trigger active, direct military intervention inside Iranian territory. The primary scenario involves an explicit, direct request from the United States asking its regional ally to join a series of intensive, coordinated airstrikes against high value assets. The secondary trigger depends heavily on intelligence services identifying definitive preparations by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to target the country, which would immediately necessitate a rapid preemptive strike to neutralize the threat. (Ed note: One can ask why Iran hasn't hit Israel during this current round. After screaming, "Death to Israel" for such a long time, and claiming the annihilation of the Jewish race, your darn right Israel wants a piece of Iran.) (Read More)

Israel to produce its own JDAM bombs en masse within two years, in bid for arms independence

Move is part of broader push to reduce Israel's reliance on foreign munitions, expand domestic weapons production • Germany deals lead to quadrupled Arrow production.

Israel should be able to produce its own JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bombs en masse within two years, The Jerusalem Post has learned. The development serves to revolutionize Israel’s warfare capabilities. Under orders from then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, and with recommendations from the commission of former justice Jacob Turkel, Israel started producing more of its own bombs in late 2024. Israel has relied far more on the US for such weapons during crises for decades.

In May 2024, the Biden administration imposed a partial arms freeze on certain bombs to Israel over differences related to the IDF’s invasion of Rafah. Initially, the idea was for Israel to become more independent in producing “dumb” bombs. But that was only the beginning of the process of making Israel more independent in weapons production, particularly regarding munitions. This process accelerated and expanded significantly in 2025-2026, eventually focusing on producing JDAMs and smarter bombs.

Israel already produces its own kits that convert “dumb bombs” into precision weapons, but it is not anywhere close to the necessary volume that it needs to be considered independent. The JDAM is a guidance kit that converts unguided, or “dumb,” bombs into precision-guided munitions (PGMs) that can be used in all weather conditions, including those that would render dumb bombs ineffective. On January 7, 2025, the Defense Ministry signed two major agreements with Elbit Systems, totaling about NIS 1 billion, as part of a strategic effort to strengthen the IDF’s self-sufficiency and operational readiness both in munitions and in raw materials.

In November, the Defense Ministry said more than 120,000 tons of military equipment, munitions, weapons systems, and protective gear had been transferred to Israel via 1,000 aircraft and about 150 maritime vessels, mostly from the US. Amir Baram, who had served as the IDF’s deputy chief of staff, became director-general of the Defense Ministry in March 2025. Over the past two years, he said, the ministry “has led a tremendous effort to ensure the supply of weapons, equipment, technology, and everything required to enable the IDF to fight and prevail. The 1,000th aircraft that landed today represents another crucial link in the strategic supply chain for the State of Israel.” (Ed note: Did you know that the Biden administration also refused to release an order of munitions to Israel that they had already paid for? Israel must free herself from the US Presidents that don't like Israel, know their Bible, or Bible prophecy.)  (Read More)

Arab leaders tell Trump that Netanyahu is an 'obstacle' to the president's Mideast plans - report

Several Arab leaders have privately urged US President Donald Trump to reconsider his support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the leaders described Netanyahu and his government as “an obstacle to realizing his vision in the region.” Additionally, Arab diplomats familiar with the discussions said regional governments increasingly view Netanyahu as an impediment to Trump’s diplomatic ambitions in the Middle East, left-leaning Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Sources told Haaretz that several Arab leaders believe that Trump "is beginning to see Netanyahu as an obstacle to realizing his vision in the region and to advancing regional arrangements." They also reportedly told the president that they lack confidence in both Netanyahu’s leadership and the current Israeli government. The reports come as Israel prepares for elections in late October, with governments across the region closely watching how the political race develops.

KAN reported that Arab officials are seeking to shape Trump’s assessment of Israel’s leadership as he considers the future of his regional policies. The president has continued to highlight his longstanding relationship with Netanyahu, even as he has publicly criticized the prime minister. Trump has suggested that he has not yet decided how to approach the Israeli election and is examining the broader field of candidates.

Last month, he said that he was “very likely” to support Netanyahu. However, he followed his purported comment of support by saying that he would "need to see who is running." "I have a good relationship with Bibi, but he needs to be more rational," he said. (Ed note: Well, Dah! Of course the Arab hate both Netanyahu and Israel, and want both gone. After all, the IDF (Israel) is taking on all comers and defeating them. The Arabs don't like Israel defending herself. "Advancing regional arrangements" means President Trump is looking for the Arab petrodollar, and if he wants it bad enough, he will get rid of BiBi. If Trump takes down Netanyahu, will God then take down the USA?)  (Source)

Iran tells Houthis to close Red Sea oil route if US hits power network, sources say

Source close to the Yemeni group says it is ready to launch missile and drone attacks on shipping near Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a move that would exacerbate the global energy crisis.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) — Iran has asked Yemen’s Houthi rebels to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure, three sources told Reuters on Thursday, posing a potent new threat to global energy supplies. The idea has been discussed within the Islamic Republic’s leadership, and the message has been conveyed to Iran’s Houthi allies, two senior Iranian sources and a regional source familiar with the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The sources said the Houthis had been informed recently of Tehran’s request, which has not been previously reported.

They did not give further details on how it had been conveyed or whether it was after US President Donald Trump’s threat to attack Iranian power infrastructure on Tuesday. Iran’s foreign ministry and a spokesperson for the Houthis were not immediately available to respond to Reuters’ request. A source close to the Houthis said the group had completed preparations to attack shipping by deploying missiles and drones near Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the gateway to the Red Sea, in Yemen’s highlands overlooking Hodeidah and the Gulf of Aden and was awaiting the order to begin.

Any threat to the Red Sea and its Bab el-Mandeb gateway risks hugely exacerbating the global energy crisis triggered by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and underscores the explosive risks stemming from a new round of warfare. With the Strait of Hormuz already shut, any Houthi attacks on vessels or ports in the Red Sea would leave the Middle East’s two main oil export routes disrupted simultaneously, opening a new front in both the energy crisis and Iran’s wider conflict with the United States. (Read More)

Live Updates: Iranian attack damages power generation, water plant in Kuwait, as conflict enters sixth day

US forces keeping Strait of Hormuz ‘free and open,’ CENTCOM says • Herzog: Renewed Iranian attacks are 'unsurprising' • US House Republicans push forward on Trump funding plan for Iran war. 

 
Kuwait says Iranian attack damages power generation, water desalination station

One of Kuwait's power generation and water desalination stations was hit in an Iranian attack, causing damage to facilities, a fire, and the disruption of a large number of electricity generation units, Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said on Friday. 

 
CENTCOM 'holding Iran accountable,' completes sixth night of strikes against military targets

CENTCOM added that over 50,000 US service members stationed in the Middle East remain "vigilant, lethal, and ready."The latest wave of American strikes against Iran has been completed, US Central  

Command (CENTCOM) announced on X/Twitter on Thursday night. 

"US forces, including fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships, launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities," CENTCOM said. "This was the sixth consecutive night of US strikes against Iran." (Read more)

LIVE: Iran says US airstrikes hit key bridges, airport in southern provinces (BUSHEHR)

NOTE: THESE ARE LIVE UPDATES FROM IRAN INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE, 

as of 3:30pm Pacific Time on Thursday 7-16-26.

7 minutes ago
US strikes hit Lorestan, Bushehr targeted again-IRNA

US attacks struck an area in Veysian district of Iran’s western Lorestan province on Thursday, while the southern city of Bushehr was targeted for the second time in several hours, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.

47 minutes ago
Iraqi militias offer $10 million bounty for Trump’s killing

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced Thursday night that it was offering a $10 million reward for the killing of US President Donald Trump, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency and Russia’s state-run RT, formerly Russia Today, reported. The group said the reward followed what it described as Trump’s “audacious and offensive statements” against commanders killed while fighting ISIS. Conservative activist Laura Loomer said Russian state media was “promoting the Iraqi Islamic Resistance’s $10 million bounty for the assassination of President Trump,” adding: “Every day, Russia proves more and more why they aren’t an ally.”

1 hour ago
Multiple explosions heard in Hamidieh in southwestern Iran - state media

Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency is reporting multiple explosions near the city of Hamidieh in Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran. (Ed note: Hamidiyeh is a city located in Khuzestan Province, Iran. Geographically and historically, it sits directly in the heart of the territory that formed the lowlands of Ancient Elam.) (Read More)

US completes seven-hour strike wave in Iran, dozens of targets hit

CENTCOM completes a seven-hour wave of strikes on Iranian military sites while resuming its naval blockade.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Wednesday morning that it had completed an additional round of strikes against Iran, hitting dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas. "US fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels launched precision munitions against Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, and coastal defense systems during the seven-hour wave to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian crews," said CENTCOM.

It noted that the strikes took place the same day US forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The blockade went into effect at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday. "US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execut operations directed by the Commander in Chief," the CENTCOM statement concluded. Earlier, CENTCOM confirmed that its forces have begun launching an additional round of strikes against Iran to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

At 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (11:00 p.m. Israel time), CENTCOM officially announced that "US forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas." It added, "There are currently more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East. American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready."

Iranian state media reported strikes on Qeshm Island, as well as sounds of explosions in Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas. At the same time, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it destroyed multiple warehouses containing weapons, vessel parts, and aircraft components at the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain and struck the MQ9 drone deployment ramp at the Ali Al-Salem base in Kuwait, destroying or damaging several US drones. (Read more)