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CENTCOM Reports Sinking 16 Iranian Ships & 1 Submarine in a Single Day

Published 8 days ago • 5 min read

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Major Developments

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

 

U.S. Destroys 16 Iranian Vessels Amid Mine-Laying Threat in Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels on Tuesday, responding to intelligence that Tehran began laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments.

A senior U.S. official told Axios that the strike targeted inactive ships as a preemptive measure. Sources cited by CNN said that Iran’s mine-laying activity so far appears limited, with only a few dozen mines reportedly deployed in recent days. (Read More)​

About 140 U.S. Troops Wounded in Ongoing War with Iran, Pentagon Says

About 140 U.S. service members have been injured during the ongoing war with Iran, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the majority of the injuries were minor and 108 service members have already returned to duty. He added that eight service members are still listed as severely injured and are “receiving the highest level of medical care.” The Pentagon earlier said that eight U.S. service members have died since the war started on Feb. 28. (Read More)​

U.S. Army Unveils M111, Its First New Lethal Hand Grenade in Six Decades

The U.S. Army said it approved the M111 Offensive Hand Grenade for full material release, marking the first new lethal hand grenade cleared for service since 1968.

Developed by the Capabilities Program Executive Office Ammunition and Energetics (CPE A&E) in partnership with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal, the M111 replaces the aging Mk3A2 series. (Read More)​

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The Tear Line

QUICK UPDATES

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ At least six people were killed and 37 others hospitalized following a Ukrainian missile attack on the western Russian city of Bryansk on Tuesday night, local authorities reported. Ukraine’s military claimed responsibility for the strike, saying it hit the Kremniy El microchip plant, one of Russia’s largest microelectronics manufacturers. (Read More)​

➤ The United States is transferring components of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from South Korea to the Middle East, two U.S. officials told The Washington Post. (Read More)​

➤ The United States has positioned 11 heavy bombers at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom, assembling its largest forward-deployed strike package in Europe as Operation Epic Fury enters its second week. (Read More)​

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ The Trump administration designated Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention on Monday, accusing the Taliban of holding American citizens as bargaining chips. Afghanistan became only the second country to receive the designation, following Iran. (Read More)​

➤ Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who refused to sing their national anthem during a recent tournament in Australia. The players were relocated to a secure site in Gold Coast as their humanitarian visas were finalized. (Read More)​

➤ Salt Typhoon, a China-linked hacking group, has targeted at least 200 phone and internet companies worldwide, stealing tens of millions of records, including calls and messages of senior U.S. officials. (Read More)​

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ North Korea’s Navy conducted operational tests of its new 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon, which sailed under its own power for the first time. The tests, observed by Kim Jong Un, included evaluations of the ship’s advanced vertical launch system and weapons capabilities. (Read More)​

➤ The U.S. Air Force is seeking industry sources to produce a Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) or equivalent system for the future F-47 fighter and B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The SiAW is a supersonic air-to-ground missile designed to rapidly strike mobile targets such as integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile launchers and GPS jammers. (Read More)​

➤ Australia is deploying an E-7A Wedgetail to the Persian Gulf to detect low-flying Iranian drones and cruise missiles, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced. The deployment comes as Gulf Arab states continue to face Iranian attacks in response to ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes. (Read More)​

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Special Interest

SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ U.S. military contractor L3Harris likely developed the iPhone hacking tools used by Russian spies in Ukraine, according to TechCrunch. The toolkit, dubbed Coruna, was originally intended for Western intelligence operations.

➤ Saudi Arabia is scaling back construction of The Line, its planned 170-kilometer mirrored megacity within the NEOM development, with reports indicating only a few miles may be built initially as rising costs force a reassessment of the kingdom’s massive Vision 2030 megaprojects.

➤ The U.S. Space Command is offering significant bonuses to civilian employees who agree to relocate from Colorado Springs to its future headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama. The relocation follows an order by President Donald Trump last September to move the command to Huntsville after years of debate over its permanent location.

On this day in history: On March 11th, 1941, Franklin Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease Act, allowing the U.S. to supply weapons and war materials to Allied nations fighting the Axis powers. The program shipped over $50 billion in equipment by 1945 and ended any pretense of American neutrality.
Special Interest

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you noticed an increase in gas prices since the start of the Iran conflict?

  1. Yes (88.8%)
  2. No (10%)
  3. Unsure (1.2%)

Have a question you would like polled? Email us at editor@sofx.com​
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About SOFX: We are an independent media and communications technology company reporting on the conflicts, security, and technology issues impacting your lives and businesses. SOFX was founded by former special operations & intelligence professionals, not career journalists or Big Tech / Big Media.

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