Real alarm has been triggered in Iran and the US... yet for different reasons.
The Israeli Secret Services, Mossad, provided the CIA with classified intelligence regarding an alleged Iranian plot targeting US President Trump and senior officials of his administration using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
At the same time, for the first time on such a scale, Iran has launched aerial surveillance drones in three directions: toward Azerbaijan, to the north, and toward the Persian Gulf...
There is concern that the Americans might not strike from the classic direction, but rather from the border with Azerbaijan...
Simultaneously, a barrage of explosions occurred in Hormuz as two tankers struck mines and exploded.
Meanwhile, explosions also occurred in other regions of Iran, and Iran's air defense likely shot down American spy drones...
According to the IRGC, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, they have shot down 17 American MQ-1 drones and 56 MQ-9 drones.
In any case, a delegation from Qatar visited Tehran, the capital of Iran, once again... for talks...
Alert: Iran launches surveillance drones in Persian Gulf and Azerbaijan, fires missiles, 2 tankers ablaze from mines
A significant increase in military activity is being recorded in various parts of Iran.
The sequence of events began with drone flights over Jolfa and Hadishahr in the northwest, continued with the launch of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Omidieh Air Base in Khuzestan, and culminated with the launch of missiles toward the Strait of Hormuz.
The Revolutionary Guards Navy (IRGC) stated: "Two illegal oil tankers, which were attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorized route with their navigation and automatic identification systems deactivated, struck sea mines, resulting in explosions and large fires."
Following the explosions, two other oil tankers, which were also attempting a covert passage, complied with the warnings of the Revolutionary Guards Navy traffic control center in the Strait of Hormuz and returned toward the waters of the Persian Gulf.
In recent hours, extensive military and operational activity has been observed in various parts of Iran's airspace, movements covering a geographical range from the northwestern border regions to the strategically important waters of Hormuz, attracting the attention of observers.
According to reports and observations, intense flight activity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones) is being recorded in the skies over the Jolfa and Hadishahr areas in East Azerbaijan province.
Alongside these movements in the north, similar reports are coming from southwestern Iran.
Information indicates that takeoffs and deployments of military drones also took place from Omidiyeh Air Base in Khuzestan province.
This simultaneous action and operational scope across various border regions indicate a coordinated plan or a high level of readiness of the air units.
However, developments on the ground are not limited solely to drone activity.
The latest and most critical reports speak of missile launches directed toward the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, in the southern waters of Iran.
Reports from the ground in southern Iran indicate critical incidents unfolding along the coast of Hormuzgan province.
According to initial reports, a powerful explosion occurred in the "Bandar Kong" area.
The severity of the explosion was such that the shockwave caused great commotion among residents; the tremors were felt even at a distance, in the neighboring city of "Bandar Lengeh."
Israel Hayom: Alert in US, Mossad warns Iran plans to assassinate Trump and American officials
The intelligence agency Mossad provided the CIA with classified intelligence regarding an alleged Iranian plot targeting US President Trump and senior officials of his administration using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
This warning led to the restriction of Trump's public appearances, as well as the relocation of government officials to secure locations.
Security measures in the United States have been placed at the highest level.
Citing authoritative sources, the newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Mossad shared a classified dossier with the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), outlining Iran's alleged intention to launch drone attacks against the President himself and senior officials of his administration.
According to the report, the transmission of this intelligence from Israel to the US triggered an immediate reaction from American security agencies.
Axios: Mossad chief tries to convince Americans to strike Iran again
Axios reports that the head of Mossad is attempting to convince the US to launch a new round of strikes against Iran. He recently traveled to the United States to discuss the Iran issue with American officials.
Additionally, Israeli Channel 15 reported that serious warnings have been issued regarding the ongoing progress of Iran's nuclear and military programs.
In this context, there are intense disagreements in Washington regarding the exact timing for taking action against Iran.
Security sources emphasized that mounting pressure is being exerted on American officials to adopt a decisive and deterrent stance before the "window of opportunity" closes permanently.
The IRGC shot down the 17th American MQ-1 drone and the 56th MQ-9 drone
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reports that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-1 drone in the Persian Gulf.
The statement described the aircraft as a reconnaissance and combat drone belonging to the US military's MQ-1 family, characterizing the interception as yet another failure of enemy reconnaissance missions.
According to the IRGC, this brings the number of American MQ-1 drones they have destroyed to 17.
The IRGC also stated that its forces have so far shot down 56 MQ-9 drones.
The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft developed by General Atomics and operated primarily by the US Air Force.
New York Times: "The waiting game" is Trump's new strategy for Iran, which holds 970 kg of uranium
Trump and his team have long argued that Iran is right where the United States wants it.
They say there is no need for a new nuclear deal that would remove bomb-grade material from Iran, nor is there a need to curb Iran's missile capabilities.
Those were two of the main reasons the president cited for going to war 10 months ago.
However, the New York Times reports that the US administration appears to be shifting toward a long-term campaign of economic pressure, while Trump feels little urgency to reach a deal with Iran.
Trump says it is more important for Vice President J.D. Vance to investigate cities and states controlled by Democrats than to negotiate an end to the war with Iran.
Trump appears to have ruled out, at least for now, a range of military options that would include extensive yet time-limited strikes on Iranian military facilities, nuclear sites, and even certain energy infrastructure.
All plans to dispatch special forces to seize Iran's roughly 970 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, near bomb-grade level, have also been shelved for the time being.
Detailed analyses regarding the ability of America's largest bunker-buster bombs to penetrate deep into Mount Pickaxe have also been halted.
American intelligence agencies believe, though are not certain, that advanced centrifuges capable of converting the uranium into weapons-grade material are housed there.
Meanwhile, Trump claimed he held all the leverage necessary to exert influence over Iran.
"We have their money, hundreds of billions of dollars, and we have their straits!"
This claim regarding the amount of Iranian assets held by the US and its allies is exaggerated.
Although estimates vary widely, more than $100 billion in Iranian funds are likely frozen in accounts around the world, yet only about $2 billion of that is located in the United States.
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