The Justice Department has charged a man with plotting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump at the behest of an Iranian government official. The alleged plot, which was revealed just days after Trump’s election victory, involved a plan to surveil and ultimately kill Trump. The official reportedly told the accused plotter that they had already spent a lot of money and that money was not an issue. This incident is just the latest in a series of alleged efforts by Iran to target U.S. government officials, including Trump, on U.S. soil, and underscores the ongoing threat Iran poses to U.S. national security.
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Former CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta predicts that President-elect Donald Trump will give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “blank check” in the Middle East, potentially leading to an escalated conflict with Iran. Panetta expresses concern that Trump’s approach could further destabilize the region. He believes that Trump’s foreign policy will favor appeasement of adversaries like Russia, potentially allowing them to retain control of occupied Ukrainian territory. However, Panetta remains optimistic that a more experienced administration could negotiate a fair resolution to the Ukraine conflict. He highlights the complex challenges facing the US in a dangerous world, emphasizing the need for cautious and strategic diplomacy.
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Ukrainian forces, potentially utilizing A-22 Flying Fox drones, reportedly struck a naval base in Dagestan, Russia, damaging at least two vessels and possibly several smaller ships. This incident marks the first Ukrainian attack on a naval base in Dagestan, a region crucial for Iranian weapons supply to Russia. The attack, which occurred near a local airport, is significant as it demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to target Russian infrastructure far beyond the frontline and challenges the perceived safety of Iranian supply routes. While Russian authorities claim to have intercepted only one drone, evidence suggests a second drone successfully struck its target, causing a substantial explosion.
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Iran’s currency, the rial, has plummeted to an all-time low against the US dollar following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election. This dramatic drop, from a rate of roughly 17,000 rials to the dollar in 2012 to a staggering 700,000 rials today, has sent shockwaves through the Iranian economy.
While some see this as a positive development, arguing that it might weaken the Iranian regime and potentially lead to the downfall of its “morality police,” others express concern for the Iranian people who are now bearing the brunt of the economic turmoil. The impact on everyday lives is significant, with rising prices for essential goods and services, making it increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to make ends meet.… Continue reading
Iranian officials plan to employ more powerful warheads for the next attack against Israel, even in the face of American preventative attempts. This comes in retaliation against Israel’s October 26 strike on Iran’s military infrastructure, after Iran directed around 200 missiles into Israel earlier that month. Iran’s traditional military forces could be involved in the future attacks, differing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s exclusive handling of Israel-related security activity. Iranian officials have articulated a plan to use more than drones and missiles in the oncoming strike; any missiles would have enhanced warheads. The attack will follow the US Election Day but will be before the new president’s inauguration in January.
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A female student in Iran stripped to her underwear and left her hair uncovered outside a university in Tehran as a protest against the country’s strict Islamic dress code. Amnesty International, which shared the video on social media, claimed the woman was “violently arrested” after protesting the forced compliance to the country’s dress code at the Islamic Azad University. The woman had previously been harassed by an Iranian paramilitary group, the Basij, who according to reports had torn her headscarf and clothes. The university’s PR director responded, calling her act indecent and suggesting she was suffering from mental health issues. This unconventional protest comes after the death of a 22-year-old woman in the custody of the morality police for allegedly not wearing her headscarf correctly, which sparked widespread protests across Iran.
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Iran is reportedly preparing to launch a third direct attack on Israel in response to Israel’s retaliatory strikes last month, according to Al Arabiya. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has threatened a “crushing response” to the Israeli retaliation. There are indications that the attack may be launched from Iraq, possibly involving Tehran’s proxy groups, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi militias. The US has prepared for this possible strike by positioning B-52 strategic bombers in the region. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has warned Iran that it won’t restrain any future Israeli responses if provoked.
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The US has deployed B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to the Middle East, according to a Twitter post by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). The bombers were dispatched from the Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing. The B-52 is a long-range heavy bomber capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and carrying nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance. The deployment comes as Israel braces for a potential Iranian attack in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iranian missile production facilities. The US has warned that it will take necessary measures to defend American personnel or interests should they be targeted by Iran, its partners, or its proxies.
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The Biden administration has reportedly urged Iran not to launch another attack on Israel, noting that it would not be able to limit Israel’s response. The warning comes after Iran’s attack on October 1, to which Israel responded with military strikes. The US has warned Iran that it may not be able to ensure that Israel’s response remains as limited and precise as it was previously. Recent intelligence indicates that Iran may be planning an attack on Israel from Iraqi territory within days. US and Israeli officials have stated that Israel’s response would depend on the scale and impact of such an attack.
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A female Iranian student was arrested after stripping off her clothes at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran. The act was a protest against an alleged assault by security forces over her improper hijab. The student was said to be further assaulted during arrest, and the incident has since gone viral on social media. The arrest comes in a context of increased enforcement of strict dress codes for women. Despite Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denouncing such policies during his campaign, ongoing measures such as facial recognition systems at university entry gates reinforce the wearing of hijabs.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood