The U.S. State Department has released a report, titled “Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism,” with a commensurate statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This comes against the backdrop of increased diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, as export controls, sanctions, and de-facto blockades of energy imports have severely beggared Cuba’s economy.
US officials detail three separate missile strikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, first hit the base’s gym wounding some troops en route to bunkers, second hit an empty aircraft hangar, third hit containerized housing where soldiers were sleeping - WSJ
This evening, missile launches were documented near the Zarqa government hospital in Jordan. It is possible the missiles were attempting to intercept Iranian projectiles fired at the kingdom.
Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega says the country will no longer hold elections, ruling out any future electoral challenge and further entrenching the government he shares with his wife and “co-president” Rosario Murillo.
Israeli security source tells i24NEWS the US is preparing the next phase of its military campaign against Iran in coming days, says operational plans are ready pending Trump’s decision
Ballistic missile launches earlier today against Bahrain, by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force (IRGC-AF), from the Lar Missile Field in the Fars Province of Southern Iran.
American operations [in Iran] will be limited by dwindling air defense and long-range munition stockpiles, White House may not be aware, US official warns - WaPo
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding security consultations as the U.S.-Iran conflict escalates, with officials discussing scenarios including potential Iranian attacks on Israel, Channel 12 reports.
According to the report, Israel is closely coordinating with U.S. Central Command and has taken steps to prepare for a possible widening of the conflict.
UKMTO has provided an update on the Maltese flagged vessel, Kavomaleas, that was struck by an Iranian projectile and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Per the report, as the fire is still raging, the crew has abandoned the vessel and has been picked up by a tug boat. The vessel is currently without power and adrift.
The UK Office of Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) is reporting that an unknown vessel is actively on fire in the Strait of Hormuz, roughly 8NM off the coast of Kumzar, Oman.
🇺🇸 🇮🇱 | "Benjamin Netanyahu no será arrestado, de ninguna manera, forma o figura, mientras esté en los Estados Unidos de América", afirmó el presidente electo Donald Trump a través de sus redes sociales ante la orden de detención emitida por la Corte Penal Internacional.
Trump says Netanyahu will not be arrested “in any way, shape, or form” while in the U.S., defending the Israeli prime minister and accusing Iran’s leadership of decades of violence against protesters and U.S. forces.
TRUMP: "Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over! This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military."
UKMTO reports incident 17nm east of UAE’s Dibba, says master of a vessel reported being struck by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the steering gear