According to activists, Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests has resulted in at least 6,221 deaths, as a U.S. aircraft carrier group arrives in the Middle East. The arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln provides the U.S. with the ability to strike Iran, with Iranian-backed militias signaling their willingness to retaliate. The protests were initially triggered by the falling value of the Iranian rial. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the death toll given authorities cutting off the internet and disrupting calls into the Islamic Republic.
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Amidst escalating tensions with the United States and warnings of a potential attack, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly moved into a fortified underground shelter in Tehran, according to sources. This relocation comes in response to the deployment of a US naval armada to the Middle East and increased military readiness by Iranian forces, including a warning of an all-out war in response to any attack. The move also follows weeks of unrest inside Iran, with widespread protests and a severe crackdown by authorities resulting in thousands of deaths and arrests. The international community, including the UN, has condemned the human rights situation in Iran and called for an end to the repression.
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President Trump announced a significant naval presence is being positioned near Iran, describing it as a “massive armada.” This deployment includes a carrier strike group, warships, destroyers, and fighter aircraft, with the USS Abraham Lincoln among those en route. The US is closely monitoring Tehran, and additional air defense systems are under consideration for deployment to the region. Trump stated the US aims to avoid further conflict, emphasizing the buildup is in anticipation of potential events.
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In response to President Trump’s declared maritime blockade targeting its oil exports, Venezuela has initiated naval escorts for its oil tankers departing from its ports. These escorted sailings have prompted consideration of potential responses from Washington, raising the risk of a confrontation at sea. The US has already increased its military presence in the Caribbean, while also seizing a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude, further escalating tensions. This situation is unsettling, as it pushes the limits of nonviolent sanctions and raises concerns about potential military intervention, with the Venezuelan leader testing the boundaries of the US blockade.
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The recent seizure of an oil tanker in the Caribbean by US forces, sanctioned since 2022 for allegedly smuggling Iranian oil, has sparked controversy. The US Treasury has linked the vessel to a network led by Viktor Artemov, with connections to Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC-QF, and implicated in transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil. This seizure, occurring amidst increased US naval presence in the region, has been condemned by Venezuela and prompted a show of solidarity from Russia. The tanker’s operation is characteristic of shadow fleets, employing tactics like shell companies and flag changes to evade sanctions, with Iran relying on such vessels to generate oil revenue.
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Newly revealed data indicates the U.S. Navy was aware of potentially dangerous levels of airborne plutonium at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco for nearly a year before alerting city officials. The plutonium levels, detected in November, exceeded federal action thresholds near a residential area slated for redevelopment. This discovery adds to a series of controversies concerning radioactive material at the former nuclear weapons testing site, with advocates raising concerns about the navy’s transparency and clean-up efforts, citing a history of cover-ups.
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Navy helicopter, fighter jet both go down in South China Sea: US Navy – This is the headline, and it’s a stark one. Two aircraft, a helicopter and a fighter jet, are down. The US Navy reported it, and that immediately sets a tone of official confirmation, yet the details are undeniably vague. “Went down” – what does that precisely mean? Did they crash? Were they shot down? Did they experience mechanical failure? These are the immediate questions that spring to mind. And, of course, the big relief is knowing that everyone is reportedly safe. That’s paramount. But even with that good news, the circumstances demand a closer look.… Continue reading
The Trump administration is channeling $10 billion from the Department of Homeland Security through the U.S. Navy to expedite the construction of migrant detention centers across the country. These facilities, potentially holding up to 10,000 migrants each, could see construction beginning soon, with locations planned in Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. Contracts with the Navy may require providing infrastructure and services for detainee confinement. These plans are part of a broader effort to expand detention capacity and are backed by significant financial allocations.
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On Friday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Navy Chief of Staff Jon Harrison, who had been instrumental in the Trump administration’s efforts to restructure the Pentagon. Harrison, appointed in January, worked alongside Navy Secretary John Phelan to limit the influence of the navy under secretary. Harrison’s firing occurred shortly after Hung Cao was confirmed as navy under secretary, amidst reports of efforts to diminish Cao’s role. This dismissal continues months of personnel changes and policy shifts under Hegseth’s leadership, including cuts to top military personnel and a controversial speech criticizing diversity initiatives.
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Following a U.S. strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug-trafficking boat, which resulted in casualties, Venezuela has flown military aircraft near the USS Jason Dunham in international waters. These flights, described as “highly provocative,” occurred on Thursday and again overnight, with the aircraft operating within weapons range. The Pentagon stated these actions are interfering with counter-narcoterrorism operations, a mission for which the Dunham and other U.S. warships were deployed. In response, the U.S. is sending F-35 fighter jets to the Caribbean to further target drug cartels.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood