Middle East OSINT

Via "Ynet" (Israel) Earlier today, the IDF neutralized a Hezbollah cell that was operating near Israel's front-line defense zone to prevent a direct threat to northern Israeli communities. This was reported by the IDF Spokesman, who stated that “forces from the 401st Brigade Combat Team identified a terrorist cell that violated the ceasefire understandings and approached the forces in a manner constituting an immediate threat. In a swift response to neutralize the threat, the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated the terrorists. Additionally, south of the front line, the IDF struck an underground tunnel and terrorists from the Hezbollah terrorist organization as they were identified entering the tunnel; a hit was confirmed. The IDF operates in accordance with political directives and is authorized to take the necessary measures for self-defense against threats.”

@Defence_Index Macron blamed Hezbollah.

🇫🇷 French President Emmanuel Macron says one French soldier was killed and three others wounded after an attack targeting UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

The bold white line marks the international boundary between Israel and Lebanon. The blue region represents the Security Zone established during Israel's occupation of Southern Lebanon during the 1990s. The bright yellow line along the northern periphery of the yellowish-brown region marks the "Yellow Line" often mentioned in Israeli reports, to denote the new front line established during the ongoing Israeli incursion into Lebanon. Via "Channel 13 News" (Israel)

@i24NEWS_HE @YehoshuaYosi Let there be no doubt about THAT.

"הסבירות לחזרה ללחימה באיראן עולה ככל שחולפים הימים" | @YehoshuaYosi bit.ly/3OaPhoL

Displaced Lebanese heading north, towards Beirut from Al-Ghazieh.

@shelbyholliday @mgordonwsj @CostasParis I hope no one was counting on a quick reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

NEW: The U.S. military is preparing to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in the coming days, according to U.S. officials. W ⁦@mgordonwsj⁩ ⁦@CostasParis⁩ wsj.com/world/middle-e…

@gCaptain That is one effective way to deny claims made by Trump.

Fresh Attacks Shatter ‘Open Hormuz’ Narrative as Iran Pushes New Maritime Regime gcaptain.com/fresh-attacks-…

@Hassan73525137 @HormuzLetter That would make a lot more sense, yes.

@HormuzLetter They're referring to the tweets of trump, idiot.

BREAKING: The IRGC Navy is publicly calling Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi an "idiot" on international maritime Channel 16, broadcasting that the Strait of Hormuz "is still closed" and "we will open it by the order of our leader Imam Khamenei, not by the tweets of some idiot." He added "All vessels that have a connection with our enemies will be targeted if they try to pass."

This is not a "denial". Hezbollah has not "denied" a single accusation. | Screenshot via @AP

@Amena__Bakr OK, but now they are actively shooting at vessels.

Despite all the grand headlines… it was never opened.

@phildstewart The ceasefire in Lebanon is not going well, either.

Reuters is reporting that Iran is broadcasting this VHF message: "Attention all ships, ​regarding the failure ⁠of the U.S. government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely ​closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality ​is allowed ⁠to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

@flightradar24 For anyone who wants to feel stressed, watching this video is a great opportunity.

Chicago-O’Hare was brought to a standstill for a short while last night due to severe weather, but here’s what a normal afternoon looks like at the world’s busiest airport compressed into ~90 seconds.

The latest updates, from Israeli media: ● Less than a day after Trump announced that he was “banning” Israel from bombing Lebanon, the IDF, responding to the violations, stated: “We are not restricted in our right to self-defense.” ● A Hezbollah MP: “We have contacted the leadership in Tehran.” A senior Hezbollah official: “We will not return to March 2.” ● A French soldier from the UNIFIL force was killed by gunfire in southern Lebanon; Macron: “The evidence indicates that Hezbollah is responsible.”

@infraa_ @BarakRavid The two sides are definitely heading straight for a collision.

@BarakRavid I guess we're going back to war Was a nice break while it lasted x.com/infraa_/status…

A U.S. defense official claims the IRGC has conducted at least three attacks on commercial ships in the strait of Hormuz since Saturday morning

@danielaatomica @BarakRavid We all are.

@BarakRavid Iran playing with fire

@HTWardish @phildstewart The practical situation is that the Strait remains closed.

@phildstewart “Iran’s navy.” Lmfao, you’re a funny one Stewart.

!! (Reuters) - Merchant vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday received radio ​messages from Iran's navy telling them they were not allowed ‌to pass, while two ships reported being hit by gunfire, shipping sources said.

@pforce810 @DeItaone Statements from both sides have to be "understood".

@DeItaone If you believe Iran over Trump then you are fucking retarded. This is just Iran going long/short on oil.

NO DATE SET FOR NEXT ROUND OF IRAN-US TALKS: IRAN DEPUTY FM TRUMP 'TWEETS A LOT, TALKS A LOT', IRAN'S DEPUTY FM SAYS

@ms_xph @DeItaone On both sides, yes.

@DeItaone They’re saying it’s ‘shut again’… so they did open it, and now they’re closing it? Reeks of market manipulation

MERCHANT VESSELS RECEIVE RADIO MESSAGE FROM IRANIAN NAVY SAYING STRAIT OF HORMUZ SHUT AGAIN, NO SHIPS ARE ALLOWED TO PASS THROUGH, SHIPPING SOURCES SAY

@researcher93986 @DeItaone So we are locked in a stalemate.

@DeItaone Given that the United States has resorted to military action against Iran by blockading the Strait of Hormuz, it cannot be expected that Iran would keep the strait open.