Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸

For the inbox folks who asked PSYOP but not a Green Beret Combat veteran but nothing valorous Worked intel programs but not James Bond Iraq X 2 (uniform & civilian) Afghanistan X 1 (DoD civilian) Just an average guy with cool photos

@reparkable They’re just sailors operating the ships. If stories are going to frame it in a way meant to convey firepower then it should be planes on carriers, missiles on boats, and any infantry deployed. Otherwise it sounds like 10,000 more infantry showed up to the average reader.

@alexplitsas What is the reality then? What are the additional troops for?

Headlines about the number of troops now in theater after the arrival of additional ships are framed in a way that gives the average reader the false impression that an invasion of Iran is imminent or likely. It’s sensational and fails to point out that it’s not an invasion force

Saudi PIF unveils new 5-year investment strategy that will narrow its focus to 6 areas, including tourism and manufacturing, as it reprioritises spending ft.com/content/9fea25…

حاولت أمس سفينة شحن ترفع العلم الإيراني الالتفاف على الحصار الأمريكي، وذلك بعد مغادرتها ميناء بندر عباس، وخروجها من مضيق هرمز، ومضيها بمحاذاة الساحل الإيراني. وقد نجحت المدمرة الأمريكية المزودة بصواريخ موجهة يو أس أس سبروانس (DDG 111) في تغيير مسار السفينة، والتي توجهت عائدة إلى إيران. تم حتى الآن إجبار عشر سفن على العودة أدراجها، بينما لم تنجح أي سفينة في اختراق الحصار منذ بدء تطبيقه من قِبَل الولايات المتحدة يوم الاثنين الماضي.

Exclusive: The Pentagon has approached automakers and other American manufacturers about playing a larger role in weapons production on.wsj.com/4ep12SY

Today, Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, completed his second trip to the Middle East in the last 15 days. He engaged regional partners in six different countries and visited with U.S. troops.

EXCLUSIVE: Pentagon Approaches Automakers, Manufacturers to Boost Weapons Production wsj.com/politics/natio… @sharonterlep @MarcusReports

US CENTCOM: IRANIAN-FLAGGED CARGO VESSEL ATTEMPTED TO EVADE BLOCKADE AFTER LEAVING BANDAR ABBAS; USS SPRUANCE SUCCESSFULLY REDIRECTED VESSEL BACK TO IRAN; 10 VESSELS NOW TURNED AROUND & ZERO SHIPS HAVE BROKEN THROUGH SINCE BLOCKADE BEGAN MONDAY

Today, as part of Economic Fury, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned an oil smuggling network run by Iranian shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of now-deceased senior Iranian security official Ali Shamkhani. OFAC today also sanctioned targets related to a complex Hizballah gold scheme that ultimately benefits Iran’s military. home.treasury.gov/news/press-rel…

🚨🇺🇸🇮🇱🇱🇧Senior U.S. official tells me: The U.S. haven't asked Israel for a ceasefire in Lebanon and it's not part of the peace negotiations with Iran. BUT, the President would welcome and be happy with an end of hostilities as part of an agreement between Israel and Lebanon

April 15 (Reuters) - The United States issued new Iran-related and counterterrorism sanctions on Wednesday, targeting three individuals, 17 entities, and nine vessels, according to a notice posted to the U.S. Treasury Department's website.

Bessent says U.S. won't be renewing waivers for Iranian and Russian oil

White House confirms that the next round of talks of US-Iran is to be in Islamabad

بحسب مصدر مطلع، حمل قائد الجيش الباكستاني إلى طهران خبر نجاح المساعي لضمان وقف إطلاق نار في لبنان. وتنتظر إيران إعلاناً إسرائيلياً لاتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة.

SCOOP: The US and #Iran are considering a two-week EXTENSION to their ceasefire, which currently ends next Tuesday. From @S_Elwardany and me bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

U.S. naval vessels are on patrol in the Gulf of Oman as CENTCOM continues to execute a U.S. blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports. U.S. forces are present, vigilant, and ready to ensure compliance.

Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has arrived in Tehran as part of Pakistan's mediatory role following Islamabad holding the first round of direct US - Iran talks dubbed as #IslamabadTalks -- He was received by Iran's Foreign Minister @araghchi upon arrival in Tehran

BREAKING: Hezbollah spokesman says Lebanon ceasefire could take place ‘soon’ 🔴 LIVE updates: aje.news/lxeq57?update=…

We're extending the role of the Black Hawk into new mission sets including airmobile assault, close support, medical evacuation, ISR and tactical lift, in a single, battle-tested airframe.

A Pakistani delegation is heading to Iran to deliver U.S. messages and discuss plans for a second round of talks, Iranian state media said.