Alex Plitsas
@alexplitsas · Israeli security analysts & ex-officials
Alex Plitsas is a CNN national-security analyst and US Army veteran.
Yemen: Houthi ground forces are close to taking Mokah near the Bab el Mandeb. If there are not serious airstrikes support in the next day or so this is going to be a big problem.
Update: I’m told that it was U.S. Navy EOD and SWCC who were responsible for helping to clear the mines in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran has effectively called Pakistan and Turkey’s bluff in their new defense alliance with Saudi Arabia after the Houthi’s launched a large scale attack on Saudi Arabia
Tonight on @TheLeadCNN with host @CNN’s @jaketapper discussing the latest round of escalation between the U.S. and Iran after Iran fired on U.S. Navy warships twice over the past few days prompting the U.S. to strike tankers near Irans Kharg Island https://t.co/vZ87C1JGLJ
Earlier tonight on @CNN discussing the latest on Iran and Russia & Ukraine on the eve of the Special Envoy’s first trip to Kyiv following his 9th visit to Moscow https://t.co/RZTXLN3Nuv
Putin has killed hundreds of thousands while his troops rape and pillage their way across Ukraine. Heinous war crimes. Americans wrongfully detained in Russia. Putin providing support to Iran. This is a terrible message and signal. It will be read as weakness. This must end.
This tracks with what I’ve heard as the negotiations started in that Iran had promised a tranche of cash to Hezbollah once the frozen funds are released but with the blockade on top of the damage from the war and legacy sanctions, Iran is feeling it financially.
First I got to meet “John,” CIA tech ops officer who identified the circuit board as belonging to Libyan intelligence. He taught at the CIA target analysis course I attended many years ago. Was incredible to get to thank him on behalf of the family.
Coming up live on @CNN at 7:15 PM EST with host @BrianAbelTV to discuss breaking news out of the Middle East
Almost a year ago to the day I was in Damascus and had to walk around with large sums of cash because the banking system was still disconnected and the country was divided. A year later the country has unified, terror designation lifted, and banking is back online. Big progress.
Iraq is a sovereign country. The mission to defeat ISIS ends at the end of September. U.S. forces are leaving. There is no reason for any foreign country to have an armed militia inside somebody else’s country. They need to be disarmed, integrated or destroyed.
As I said earlier, if the sanctions hold and the pressure builds, Iran will likely target oil and gas in the region
Iran appears to be responding to public pronouncements from the U.S. about the volume of oil that the U.S. has helped get out of the Strait of Hormuz ahead of an expected announcement tomorrow morning regarding additional sanctions meant to squeeze Iran and force negotiations
The Obama administration finally pushed the JCPOA through when it determined that it had reached maximum pressure and China and other swould not hold. We are in a different geopolitical environment and China has already stated it does not support the use of them as tool.
The Iranian and Chinese deputy foreign ministers met on August 17 as reports that China will begin to feel the LNG shortage in September approaches. China’s response to U.S. secondary sanctions will also be incredibly important to whether or not it will work.
Iranian President Pezeshkian’s focus and mandate is somatic affairs. His voice will be importantly when weighing the impact of the sanctions following sustained U.S. and Israeli bombardment but the security apparatus and supreme leader will make foreign and security decisions.
U.S. is trying to pressure Iran into a diplomatic resolution. Iran may do so, drag it out again, or respond asymmetrically abroad or against oil & gas targets in the region if the pressure builds. Pain tolerance threshold between civilian leaders and security aparatus may differ
Sanctions package to be unveiled tomorrow Iran feeling the economic pressure No cracks in the security apparatus Internal voices recognize growing problem Secondary sanctions require cooperation, especially from China who has decried the use of them Iran may act if sanctions hold
Earlier on @CNNTheStoryIs with host @CNN’s @Elex_Michaelson discussing the expected announcement of secondary sanctions focused on choking off the Iranian economy as the administration changes it strategy to force an end to the conflict. https://t.co/yA0PwduAyM
Iran has targeted Kuwait hard as part of its strategy to pressure GCC states to get Washington to end the conflict. Instead, Kuwait is deepening its alliance with the U.S. following a joint military commission meeting with DASW ME & CA @mpdimino https://t.co/N4WBBvO2gn
Iranian President Pezeshkian was reluctant to take the job. His portfolio and focus is domestic inside Iran. His voice will matter for state of the economy and services but the security apparatus still calls the shots on security and foreign policy. Pain tolerance may differ.
Connected stories
- U.S. Strikes Iranian Tankers After New Missile Attempt on Navy Warship
- White House Says Iran Naval Blockade and Economic Pressure Remain in Force
- U.S. Rescinds Syria’s State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation
- Iran’s Military Chief Threatens Devastating Response to Planned U.S. Sanctions
- U.S. Runs Covert Hormuz Tanker Corridor Moving 10 Million Barrels of Oil a Day
- Pezeshkian Calls for Ending Iran War While Claiming Victory
- Iran's Armed Forces Chief Says Aiding U.S. Forces Makes Gulf States Participants