Global Security Situation Brief

Iran

• An Iranian official told Reuters today that approximately people have died in Iran's protests. The Iranian official stated that "terrorists" were behind the deaths of protesters and security personnel. The official did not provide specific information about the deceased. The U.S.-based "Activist News Agency" reported last night that people have been arrested and identified the names of hundreds of individuals killed in anti-government protests.
• According to sources in Tehran, Iran eased some restrictions on the public today, allowing them to make international long-distance calls via mobile phones. However, internet restrictions have not been lifted, and SMS services have not been restored. (Associated Press)
• Reuters reported yesterday, citing three Iranian sources, that despite nationwide communication disruptions in Iran, some Iranians are still using Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service.
• U.S. officials said yesterday that President Trump is exploring various diplomatic options with Iran while also weighing whether to launch an attack on Iran in response to ongoing violence against anti-government protesters. One official stated that the range of strike options presented to Trump by the Pentagon is broader than previously reported, including targets such as Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile bases. However, more specific options such as cyberattacks or strikes on Iran’s domestic security agencies remain more likely, adding that any attack would still take at least several days. Trump is expected to meet with his senior national security team today to discuss these options. (The New York Times)
• Trump stated yesterday that countries trading with Iran could immediately face penalties of additional % tariffs on the United States. According to data from the trade monitoring agency ( ), , Turkey, Pakistan, and India are Iran's largest trading partners. (Financial Times)

U.S. Caribbean and Pacific Operations

• According to officials, in a certain month last year, the Pentagon first used a secret aircraft disguised as a civilian plane to attack a vessel accused by the Trump administration of drug smuggling, resulting in several deaths. Since then, the U.S. military has shifted to using visibly military aircraft for maritime strikes, including MQ-9 Reaper drones. (The New York Times)
• According to U.S. government officials, Trump will meet with Venezuelan opposition activist María Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday. (The Wall Street Journal)
• The Venezuelan government stated yesterday that a number of prisoners have been released, but opposition groups and organizations report significantly lower figures. The opposition coalition "Venezuelan Unity" ( ) claimed that only a certain number of individuals have been released so far. The legal advocacy organization "Criminal Forum" ( ) reported the number of released individuals as a specific figure. Reuters reported that the Venezuelan prison administration stated that the released individuals had been involved in "activities disrupting constitutional order and destabilizing the country."
• According to shipping data released by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) yesterday, two supertankers flying the Chinese flag, which were originally scheduled to sail to Venezuela to transport oil in repayment of debts, have now returned to Asia. The two very large crude carriers (VLCCs), "Xingye" and "Qianyang," are not subject to sanctions. Amid the U.S. blockade and Venezuela’s political crisis, they had been anchored in the Atlantic for several weeks awaiting instructions. (Reuters)

Developments in the Russia-Ukraine situation

• Officials said today that Russia launched its second large-scale drone and missile bombardment against Ukraine in four days, killing four people and injuring many others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on social media that Russia fired nearly drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles overnight at eight regions of Ukraine. U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Tammy Bruce accused Russia yesterday of "dangerously and inexplicably escalating" the war, noting that Russia launched a nuclear-capable "Oleshnyk" ballistic missile last week, along with "shocking casualty figures." (AP)

Israel-Hamas war

• According to an analysis of satellite imagery by The New York Times, since the ceasefire in October, Israel has demolished over 1,000 buildings in the Gaza Strip. Most of the demolitions occurred in areas of Gaza controlled by Israel, but dozens of buildings were also destroyed in areas under Hamas’s actual control, beyond the Yellow Line. (The New York Times)
• Hospital officials said three Palestinians were killed yesterday by an Israeli drone strike after they crossed the ceasefire line near the Morag corridor in central Gaza. The Israeli military stated that the three individuals had approached Israeli forces, posing an immediate threat. (AP)
• A Palestinian militia group supported by Israel claimed yesterday that they killed a senior Hamas police officer in southern Gaza. Hamas stated that the gunmen fired from a passing car, resulting in the death of Mahmoud Astal, and referred to the attackers as "accomplices of the occupiers." Reuters could not independently verify the specifics of the attack. An Israeli military official said the army was not aware of any military operations in the area. (Reuters)

American relations

• EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Affairs, Andrius Kubilius, stated yesterday that the European Union could help Greenland ensure its security if Denmark makes a request. He also warned that if the United States were to militarily take over Greenland, NATO would cease to exist. Kubilius expressed his belief that the United States would not launch a military invasion, but Article of the EU Treaty stipulates that if Denmark faces military aggression, EU member states are obligated to provide assistance to Denmark. (Reuters)
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated yesterday that NATO member states are discussing the next steps to ensure Arctic security. Rutte told reporters in Croatia, "All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and its security. With the opening of maritime routes, Russia may become more active." (Reuters)
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said yesterday that she had a "very good conversation" with Trump, and that the two governments will continue to cooperate on security issues without the need for U.S. intervention in combating drug cartels. Sheinbaum stated: "(Trump) asked me what I thought about what they were doing in Venezuela, and I told him very clearly that our constitution is very clear, we do not agree with any intervention, and that was it." Trump "still insisted that if we made a request, they could provide military assistance," Sheinbaum said she declined the offer again. (AP)
• The U.S. State Department said yesterday that more than 10,000 visas have been revoked since Trump took office last year, setting a new record. (Reuters)
• A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, said yesterday that the Trump administration will send approximately Customs and Border Protection officers to Minnesota to join the Department of Homeland Security officials and agents already deployed there. (The New York Times)
• According to three sources, at least four heads of the Justice Department's unit investigating police killings have resigned in protest of the Trump administration's handling of last week's shooting of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis. The sources stated that this followed the decision by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Hamid Dilan, not to open an investigation into the incident, despite the fact that the unit's criminal section typically handles investigations into any fatal shootings by law enforcement officers.
• According to sources, federal investigators looking into the shooting death of a woman by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are examining whether she was connected to activist groups protesting the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies. Sources also indicated that the likelihood of criminal charges being filed against the law enforcement officer who fired three shots at the unarmed woman appears to be diminishing. (The New York Times)
• The U.S. Department of Justice announced yesterday that the man who was shot by Customs and Border Protection agents in East Portland last week has been charged with the serious assault of a federal officer. ()
• New Jersey lawmakers yesterday submitted a series of immigration-supportive bills to Governor Phil Murphy (Democrat), including legislation that restricts state and local governments from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. This is similar to the Murphy administration's "Immigrant Trust Directive," so it remains unclear whether Murphy will sign it. Murphy said yesterday, "This directive works. It really works, even for judges appointed by Trump. So, initially—without commenting on the final outcome—my thought was, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'" ()
• According to multiple sources, the Department of Justice has dismissed senior prosecutor Robert McBride due to his refusal to work on the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey. McBride was previously transferred to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, where he served as the first assistant to U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan and took on a more significant role after Halligan's position was questioned last year. Sources stated that McBride had informed senior officials at the Department of Justice that he believed it would be challenging to simultaneously handle the Comey case and the day-to-day operations of the office.
• According to Representative Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, former Special Counsel Jack Smith will attend a public hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on [date]. (Reuters)
• Former U.S. Navy sailor Wei Jinchao was sentenced to several years in prison yesterday on charges of engaging in espionage and using his security clearance to sell confidential information about the performance of U.S. warships. (The New York Times)

Actions of the Trump administration

• According to government officials and other sources, Trump has repeatedly complained to his aides in recent weeks about Attorney General Pam Bondi, calling her weak and ineffective in enforcing his policies. Some officials noted that these criticisms appear to be part of Trump's efforts to pressure the Justice Department into more aggressively advancing his agenda. Sources said Trump is most dissatisfied with Bondi's failure to prosecute Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. (The Wall Street Journal)
• According to reports, two sources revealed that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Trump on Sunday evening that the federal government’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was "a mess" and could adversely affect financial markets. "The Secretary was very unhappy and has informed the President of the situation," one of the sources said. The sources also added that the office of Washington D.C. federal prosecutor Jeannie Pirro initiated the investigation without prior notice to the Treasury Department, senior White House officials, or the Justice Department. One of the sources said, "Trump did not instruct Pirro to do this. But I cannot say he would instruct her to withdraw the investigation." Mark Caputo reported, "The President is angry at Powell. What more can I say?"
• According to four sources, the U.S. Department of Defense has spent over a year testing a device acquired during a covert operation. Some investigators believe the device may be linked to "Havana Syndrome," a series of unexplained illnesses affecting American spies, diplomats, and soldiers. The syndrome first emerged among U.S. diplomats in Cuba in 2016 and has since been reported worldwide, with symptoms resembling head trauma, such as dizziness, headaches, and cognitive impairment. One source stated that the device, purchased by Homeland Security Investigations, emits pulsed radio waves, contains some Russian components, and is compact enough to fit into a backpack. The device remains under study, and whether it is connected to dozens of anomalous health incidents remains a matter of debate.

Trump Administration Lawsuit

• Yesterday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction allowing the Revolution Wind project to resume construction off the coast of Rhode Island. The judge stated that Revolution Wind had "demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits" and would "likely suffer irreparable harm without the injunction."
• Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Haghes yesterday, alleging that the Pentagon's process of demoting him from retired Navy captain violated his freedom of speech because he had urged U.S. military personnel to refuse to carry out illegal orders. (Reuters)
• Minnesota and Illinois filed separate lawsuits against the Trump administration yesterday, alleging that the administration is carrying out coercive immigration enforcement operations that ultimately lead to the militarization and unlawful deployment of federal immigration enforcement personnel. Illinois requested that a judge block U.S. Customs and Border Protection from "conducting civil immigration enforcement operations" in the state without "explicit authorization from Congress." Minnesota’s lawsuit asked a judge to prevent the federal government from "implementing an unprecedented troop surge in Minnesota." (The New York Times)