Several hours ago the M/S ‘Magic Seas‘ a Greek-flagged and Liberian registered cargo carrier traveling through the Red Sea was attacked by multiple Houthie boats who exchanged small arms fire at the ship in an attempt to hijack the vessel. The ships security team returned fire. During the course of the firefight the vessel was struck with an unknown (at the time) projectile which started a fire. The ships crew ultimately had to abandon their ship as its condition became dire.
Magic Seas set ablaze after an attack carried out by Houthi fighters.
This is the first attack from the Houthi rebels of Yemen since December of last year. They took credit shortly after the attack occurred,claiming it was in support of Palestinians in the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.
When the attack occurred the ship was about nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodiedah. The report from the UKMTO says that at 1125 UTC the ahip came under attack from 8 skiffs carrying multiple fighters apiece that opened up with small arms fire and RPG’s, and also attacked with unscrewed drone boats.
Magic Seas.The first update from the UK Maritime Trade Operations informing of the attacks. An update from several hours later confirming that the ship was taking on water and the crew was abandoning ship.
In their statement, published on the Al Ansar Telegram channel, the Houthis claimed that the ship for the profile for ships that should be targeted. They also stated that four navel drones took part in the attack on the Magic Seas. They indicated that two of the drones collided with the port side of the ship which caused the fire.
Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea started in November 2023, In support of Hamas and their war against Israel in Gaza. Since then dozens of vessels have been attacked, most with Iranian supplied ballistic missiles fired from Yemen. Shipping company’s from most of the worlds nations have all had to weigh the options of a faster trip through the Red Sea and the danger of a Houthi missile attack, or a safer but much longer and more costly trip around the Horn of Africa. In total the Houthis managed to sink two ships- the M/S Tutor and M/S Rubymar and damaged many more. Four mariners have been killed total with many more being held hostage.
(By my memory over 30 ships were attack,possibly more.)
In 2024 the Biden administration started up near daily airstrikes against the Houthis targeting missiles and drone production sites, their launching infrastructure and military infrastructure, radar, and air defense. The changing of the US administration seen a change to the policy against the Houthis with a monthlong campaign of airstrikes being carried out in March.
A recent report released by the DoD has annonced that the U.S. has burned through around 15-20% of its global stockpile of interceptor missiles used in the THAAD system, while shooting down Iranian ballistic missiles, defending Israel from attack. THAAD only had its first combat interception last year but its effectiveness has already been well proven and with the data from its recent interceptions its performance will only improve.
THAAD, or the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense is a U.S. air defense system that can engage and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate- range ballistic missiles, inside the earths atmosphere or outside of it.
The U.S. currently has Seven THAAD batteries. Each are made up of at least six truck-mounted launchers with eight interceptor missiles each. The launcher can be reloaded once every half hour. The system is capable of supporting up to 9 launchers.
THAAD mounted on a 4 axle heavy expanded mobility tactical truck (HEMTT)
The battery also consist of a ground based radar. The Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance or AN/TPY-2. The AN/TPY-2 consist of 4 elements: an antenna unit, electronics unit, power and cooling, all on independent trailers. The X-band radar is capable of tracking targets out to between 500 and 1900 miles depending on mode and conditions. The radar is what gives THAAD its impressive accuracy. Note that the launchers can also utilize other radar if problems arise, such as any of the ship based Agis platforms.
THAAD AN/TPY-2 and supporting systems..
There is also the THAAD Fire Control and Communications (TFCC) which controls the overall operation of the system and also relays fire control informations to other systems like Patriot and other elements in the joint force. The TFCC includes two main stations: the Tactical Operation Station (TOS) and the Launch Control Station (LCS) . TOS and LCS incorporate wireless datalinks, networking equipment, and fiber optic cable interfaces.
With near permanent THAAD batteries deployed to South Korea, Israel, and Guam, one can see its importance on some of the most high stress potential future and current conflicts. Finding a solution to a munition shortage problem in this area should become a high priority for the US as well as some of its partners who have bought the system. Defending the airspace during any conflict is paramount and could mean the difference between victory or defeat especially for the U.S. who doctrinally, look to maintain control of the airspace they are operating in.
With near-permanent US operated THAAD batteries deployed to South Korea, Israel, and Guam, one can see its importance in some of the most high-stress potential future and current conflict zones. Finding a solution to the munition shortage problem in this area should become a high priority for the US and its partners who have purchased the system. Defending airspace during any conflict is paramount and could mean the difference between victory and defeat, especially for the US, which doctrinally aims to maintain control of the airspace it operates in.
To combat the shortage in the weapon systems munitions Lockheed Martin has invested in streamlining the process for the production of these highly technical missiles, up to 500 missiles a year for the U.S. ,instead of the current number that hovers around 300. South Korea has chosen to invest more in its own domestic systems hoping to be able to reduce the reliance on the system. The UAE will likely be getting a replenishment of their stock from the U.S.’s stockpile. Overall the U.S. is pushing its NATO allies to develop their own domestic systems as to take some of the pressure off of the THAAD system, and create a more multi-layered threat protection. THAAD works best when supported by other counters to different types of air threats. One example of this is the MIM-104 Patriot system.
Diagram showing a layered air defense plan where each system complements and enhances the other’s abilities.
THAAD will continue to be an important part of the United States overall missile defense strategy.
As the US president Donald Trump is set to meet with his NSC National Security Council tonight (Saturday) Six US long range strategic stealth bombers, the B-2 spirit are being moved to a U.S. base in the Pacific. At least 6 of them were spotted by flight tracking software along with their refueling planes. They took off from Whiteman AFB in Missouri and refueled soon after leading some to believe that the planes were carrying a considerable amount of weight at takeoff.
Reuters spoke to several unnamed officials who said that no forward orders beyond Guam had been given yet.
These bombers were recently positioned at the joint British/US base in the Indian Ocean, Diego Garcia. That location is the likely destination if these assets are to be moved closer to Iran. Currently at least two B-52’s are located at Diego Garcia.
Assets like this are put in place ahead of time, even if they aren’t ultimately utilized to give the President options in case he decides to go forward, joining Israel and carrying out US offensive actions on Iran.
The B-2 Spirit is a stealth, long-range bomber that can carry an assortment of munitions. For its likely intended purpose in destroying underground nuclear sites in Iran the B-2 is suspected to deploy one or more of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP. The GBU-57 is a 30,000 pound, GPS guided, bunker busting bomb capable of penetrating deep into the earth before exploding. The GBU-57 can penetrate up to 200ft of earth or 59ft of reinforced concrete. No there is some debate on whether or not the bomb could penetrate far enough down to destroy Iran’s site at Fordow.
A mock-up of the GBU-57, shown in a B-2 Spirit simulator weapons loading training station At Whiteman AFB.
The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) also known as Shahid Ali Mohammadi Nuclear Facility is a partially underground, uranium enrichment facility that is located twenty miles North of the city of Qom. The base is mostly buried under a mountain making attacking the target difficult, maybe even impossible, even for the always impressive B-2 Spirit. It’s possible that cracking this nut could require the use of something less stealthy and more conventional. Possibly ground forces sent in to plant explosives. Either way the task of destroying the site gets harder every day that Israel (and the U.S.) wait. Iran has a chance to move the valuable scientists and equipment to another base, possibly the nuclear base Israel has an agreement with Russia not to attack because of a reported number of Russian scientists.
What are your thoughts? How should the Iranian nuclear base be handled?
Update.
Instead of being moved to a preposition thr B-2’s bombed three of Irans nuclear sites. Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan were all struck.
In connection to the sudden large wave of aerial refueling tankers spotted leaving the continental US and heading East over the Atlantic and into Europe, the US has announced it is deploying several fighter squads into the Middle East.
According to reports the fighters have already left and likely have already arrived.
Statement released on social media from SECDEF Pete HegsethThe tankers as they left the US and headed across the Atlantic. Final landing position.
The tankers were previously spotted on the publicly available ADS-B where their location can be tracked so long as the military pilots leave it on. The capability to turn it off is included for missions of a more secret nature. The fact that the locations are turned on is an indication that US military leadership knows people are watching and is attempting to deter any potential enemy’s (Iran). Around 39 tankers total have left from the U.S. since July 15th.
Tankers location as of an hour ago.
The F-22 are reported to have been launched or are preparing to launch from Langley AOR force base in Virginia. Langley houses 3 F-22 squadrons, the 1st Fighter Wing and 192nd Fighter Wing. We don’t yet know if the F-22s have left yet but we do know that a l C-17 Globemaster III landed at RAF Mildenhall rhat had departed from Langley.
The C-17 Globemaster III that landed at RAF Mildenhall on Jun. 17, 2025
While the C-17 isnt a tanker these massive general cargo planes are used when a squadron or similar moves to a new location. It would be hauling weapons and some of the other administrative equipment needed. More of these flights are likely on the way.
The F-35’s are believed to be either the Vermont Air National Guard or the 48th FW at RAF Lakenheath, in the UK. The 48th is the only F-35 squadron currently foward deployed so their proximity means they would arrive much sooner and be available for mission tasking as soon as you can load them up.
I don’t have much more than that for now but it looking more likely that the U.S. is going to get involved in Israel and Irans fighting. Well more so than they already are. It’s a fact that Israel has already had US military support in this conflict but up until this point that support has been purely defensive. U.S. assets have assisted in downing drones and missiles coming from Iran.
Reuters put out an article about this as well, their writer claimed to have talked to 3 defense department officials, 2 of them stresses the defensive nature of sending these fighters.
I’ve reached out to several of the squadrons mentioned as well as the pentagon for a statement, however nobody has got back to me, I’ll update if they do.
One other thing I’ll mention is the rumor of f-16s also being moved to the Middle East out of Italy but I have less info on that.
The U.S. currently has around 40,000 soldiers in the Middle East. That’s combined everybody from air force to infantry and all the logistics and support crew jn between .
Thank you for reading! I’m always available for questions or comments and can be reached by email or through any of my social media pages. Your support helps grow this page as well as supports independent journalism and reporting. I’d also like to thank the people who send me tips and heads ups, as well as other reporters who I sourced to help write this any many other articles. Journalism is a team effort in the end. I’ve always felt it’s not about being first it’s about being right. Any spelling mistakes are there to give the article character.
(Buckle up folks, this is going to be a lengthy one. part two tomorrow. -Scott)
As reported last night Israel, early on Friday morning (local time), launched a series of strikes all across Iran with a focus on targets across thr capital of Tehran as well as a number of Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. Surprisingly some of the strikes were confirmed to have been launched by Mossad agents operating inside of Iran, a tactic Israel has used in the past for smaller scale operations. As the operation began this was the first video I noticed being circulated around.
#BREAKING: Unconfirmed reports of explosions heard in Tehran, #Iran. Unconfirmed video circulating on Telegram below. #Israel has declared an emergency situation, with the defense minister saying that Israel conducted a preemptive strike in Iran. pic.twitter.com/oZDsqbztWX
Even now, almost a full 24 hours after this strike we don’t know Israel’s full intentions in this operation however we have a better idea of what they managed to hit. Israel conducted heavy SEAD and DEAD missions striking this radar station located in the Hamadan province.
Iranian Early warning Radar struck in the Hamadan providence. Shown several hours after it was struck when the sun came up. A majority of the strikes happened in the early morning. 35.185878°N 48.271270°E
Following the path back from Tehran over the radar site and past Iraq puts us in Deir ez-Zor,Syria where Israeli jets were filmed refueling from their Boeing 707 tanker jets.
At this point I’d like to include a statement put out by the IDF.
“A short while ago, following the directive of the political echelon, the IDF launched a preemptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence to strike Iran’s nuclear program, and in response to the Iranian regime’s ongoing aggression against Israel. A short while, dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.
The public is requested to follow the instructions of the IDF Home Front Command, which will be updated as necessary, and act calmly and responsibly. The IDF and the relevant authorities are prepared for a wide range of scenarios in defense and offense that may be needed.
For years, the Iranian regime has been waging a direct and indirect campaign of terror against the State of Israel, by funding and directing terrorist activities via its proxies across the Middle East, while advancing toward obtaining a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime is at the head of the axis responsible for all terrorist attacks against the State of Israel since the beginning of the “Swords of Iron” War, including by arming and funding the Hamas terror organization which was responsible for the October 7th Massacre. During the “Swords of Iron” War, Iran even directly attacked Israel twice, firing hundreds of missiles toward the State of Israel.
The Iranian regime has proclaimed that its objective is to destroy the State of Israel. Senior officials in the Iranian regime have publicly declared their intent to destroy Israel, and are operating to achieve this together with their proxies in the Middle East. Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and a significant threat to the wider world. The State of Israel will not allow a regime whose objective is to destroy the State of Israel to obtain weapons of mass destruction.
The IDF has conducted a process of preparations for a campaign on the frontline and on the home front. The resilience of Israel’s citizens will be an important factor of the campaign.
The IDF is ready to continue to act as required. The State of Israel has the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past.
The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment and will update on any developments.”
-Statement released to the people of Israel frim the IDF.
It was around this point that AIs Senator Marco Rubio put out his statement. The most important part from that was that Israel had taken unilateral action and that the U.S. was not involved, but that the U.S. was advised that Israel viewed it as necessary for their self defense.
Around 9:00 pm (Eastern Standard time) Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin put out a statement saying that Irans nuclear program had been attacked but that the IDF had also focused on targeting Irans nuclear scientist and ballistic missile program. That fit with videos we were already seeing showing strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile storage bases, showing probably the most secondary explosions I’ve ever seen at once as hundreds of ballistic missiles and other munitions cook off after the strike.
Ballistic missile base in Piranshahr,.
At around 9:30Pm (5:00AM in Iran) Iranian media announced that their enormous nuclear site at Natanz was struck overnight. Around this same time I was seeing videos coming in from the capital, Tehran. Israel has multitasked this operation, striking at Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp, IRGC, leadership. Multiple videos and images showed penthouse and high level apartments that were struck with precision munitions, killing Hossein Salami Iran Revolutionary Guards chief, Hossein Salami, along with Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri chief of staff of the Iranian armed Forces. Both were killed along with others in the first wave of strikes.
After this was announced Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said this,
(Israel)…should anticipate a harsh punishment. The strong hand of the Islamic Republic will not let them go.” He added “ The Zionist regime with this crime has created a dark and painful fate for itself, and it will definitely receive it.”
Thanks to Planet Labs we have some amazing satellite images of some of the strikes. The first set is from the Tabriz missile base.
This one is the massive nuclear facility Natanz from last month. According to reports coming out of Iran this one is completely destroyed. I’m hoping to get some more images tomorrow.
A couple unconfirmed things I’ve heard. It appears that the F-14 Tomcats, the only combat F-14s left in the world might have been targeted. Also have reports that Iran lost many of its remaining F-4 phantoms.
This was a large strike and we’ve only scratched the surface here. I’ll have more as information is discovered.
I would like to split Iran’s response into a separate article just for the sake of making it easier for people to read and also because I believe it is still ongoing as I write this. So consider this Part One.
Image shows North Korean Choi-Hyun class guided missile destroyer on its side after a disastrous first launch.
By. Scott Jackson
06/11/2025
After last months disaster of a launch North Korea seems to have quickly managed to repair their new Choi-Hyun class guided missile destroyer. Images from Maxar show it during its relaunching ceremony.
Choi-Hyon class destroyer, this time launched now first instead of sideways. A look at the road near the shipyard showing bud loads of people coming to watch the launching of the ship.
The shipyard where the first launch first took place in the city of Chongjin has a rather narrow harbor area blocking ships from being launched bow first, leaving them with only side launching which is a much harder procedure.
The ship was first launched on may 21st when the accident occurred but was righted by June 2nd after which it was towed to a dry dock in port city of Rajin to the northeast of Chongjin.
This yet to be publicly named ship is second of its class with two more being planned for the future. North Korea plans to utilize these specific vessels as Anti-Air destroyers however we don’t have a full picture of their capabilities.
Image of the ship in dry dock.
The black and white images were taken and released today by the awesome guys over at Maxar. They do amazing things with satellite imagery.
According to video evidence as well as Russian and Ukrainian sources, Ukraine has downed a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 this morning.
“This morning, on June 7, 2025, as a result of a successful Air Force operation in the Kursk direction, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet was shot down,”
Statement made on telegram from the Ukrainian military.
The Russian army hasn’t yet responded to this claim however sources claiming to be Russian soldiers have chimed in. They say the plane was shot down but that the pilot had ejected.
Video showing the wreckage of the Su-35 after being shot down.
Claims have appeared online saying that a Dutch supplied F-16 using an AMRAAM was responsible for the downing.
The crash is near Yurasovo village in the Kursk direction.
Global Conflict Reporting 
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