OSINTdefender
@sentdefender · OSINT & conflict tracking
OSINTdefender is a pseudonymous conflict-monitoring account with one of the largest reaches in open-source war coverage.
Despite loss of ground to Yemeni government forces along their northern axis of advance, in a notable move, the Houthis have taken the coastal Yemeni city of Mocha overnight, as reports indicate they are now closing in on key island holdouts that put control of the strategic maritime choke point, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in question.
According to @JenniferJJacobs and @JimLaPorta of CBS News, a number of U.S. aircraft were damaged in last night’s Iranian strikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Per the report, an A-10 “Warthog” was damaged, leaving it with a missing wing, and approximately 8 F-15s were damaged but returned to service. Additionally, over 30 Patriot missile interceptors were used during the inundation of Iranian fires overnight.
More information has come out regarding Pakistan’s involvement in the ongoing escalation in Yemen between the Houthis, Saudi Arabia, and the Internationally Recognized Government. According to Reuters, citing sources from all three countries, Pakistan has relayed to Iran Saudi warnings to pressure the Houthis to deescalate, with the hopes that the possibility of the trilateral Mecca Joint Defense Agreement being triggered might weigh heavily on the minds of Iranian decision-makers. This comes following reports from earlier today that Pakistan was mulling strikes against the Houthis at the request of Saudi Arabia.
Explosions have also been reported in Bandar Abbas, Iran. More to come.
Additional reports now of possible strikes in the vicinity of Iran’s Qeshm Island. At the time of writing, no confirmation on reported strikes earlier in Jask and just now in Qeshm from U.S. Central Command. https://t.co/FOdGUu08tK
Reports of strikes now, likely U.S., in Iran against targets adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz. https://t.co/PdDIJibXAC
Traders on Polymarket are increasingly pricing in a major political shift in Israel ahead of the October 27 election. Gadi Eisenkot has surged to roughly 58% in the market to become Israel’s next prime minister, compared with 28% for Benjamin Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett is at 7% and Avigdor Lieberman at about 4%. The market has traded more than $36 million in volume. The move comes as Eisenkot’s Yashar party has gained ground in recent polling, while Netanyahu faces growing problems consolidating Israel’s right wing ahead of the election. Reuters reports that Netanyahu is working urgently to prevent competing right wing parties from splitting his coalition’s vote. For Netanyahu, the numbers represent a striking change from the political landscape he has dominated for much of the past two decades.
The Houthi military spokesperson has confirmed airstrikes reported earlier in Marib, Yemen, as Saudi strikes continue to be persistent across the line of contact with government forces. Per the Houthi spokesperson, 48 airstrikes have been carried out across the line of contact in Marib, Al-Jawf, Saada, and other locations.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued a “Fact Check” rejecting Iranian claims that two U.S. Navy destroyers operating in the Middle East were struck by Iranian weapons. CENTCOM says all Iranian attacks against U.S. Navy warships have failed. The command also says U.S. forces have destroyed 10 Iranian crude oil tankers since September 5, including five struck on September 8. CENTCOM has released video of the tanker strikes. Based on the footage released so far, two vessels appear to have been completely destroyed or sunk, while several others appear to have been disabled through strikes against critical areas of the ships, including their propulsion or steering systems.
Following unsubstantiated reports that the U.S. suffered serious casualties as a result of Iran’s recent ballistic missile strikes against Jordan, a U.S. official has told Reuters that ‘all American troops in Jordan are accounted for.’ https://t.co/XzP0ev9y5A
According to a statement from the Jordanian Armed Forces to Petra, during Iran’s most recent attack against U.S. bases and infrastructure in the country, 20 ballistic missile were intercepted by Jordanian air defense systems, 18 of which were successful interceptions and 2 of which fell in unpopulated areas. Per the statement, no loss of life was reported. Assessments are still ongoing, per the statement.
According to a release from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the U.S. destroyed 5 Iranian crude oil tankers, 4 in the Gulf of Oman, M/T Kaviz, M/T Charminar, M/T Horizon 1, and M/T Riesco, and 1 near Kharg Island, M/T Derya. The targeting of the tankers was in response to Iran’s unsuccessful targeting of a U.S. warship twice in just as many days. Prior to the targeting of the crude oil tankers, according to the CENTCOM release and commensurate with reporting prior to the strikes, Iranian mariners were warned to evacuate the vessels beforehand. Per previous statements, the U.S. will continue to target Iranian tankers if they continue to target commercial shipping and U.S. warships in the region.
An insane amount of Jordanian interceptors being seen used here. Dozens being used, as Iranian fires inundate the local area. So far no visible impacts have been viewed. https://t.co/cyZtoojZ9G
The U.S. Embassy in Yemen has commented on the recent operations against the Iranian-back Houthis in Yemen, saying “The Houthis started this conflict and must bear the consequences of their aggression. The Republic of Yemen is the sole legitimate government and has every right to defend its people and end the Houthis' ability to inflict terror.” They also supported Saudi Arabia’s right to respond to Houthi aggression against them.
More information from Fox News’ @JenGriffinFN on ongoing U.S. strikes, again confirming that Iranian tankers are being targeted. Per a senior U.S. official, via Griffin, said strikes are subordinate to upscaled U.S. efforts to beggar Iran’s economy. https://t.co/vzzWfZ61ky
Reports are emerging from Iranian state media that U.S. forces have struck three Iranian oil tankers, following the earlier U.S. announcement that three Iranian crude carriers were disabled or destroyed on September 5. CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out after Iran launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships. Just over 30 minutes ago, Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces reportedly warned that U.S. forces had ordered crews aboard Iranian tankers to evacuate ahead of additional attacks. He also warned that any further attacks on Iranian tankers would result in Iranian attacks against U.S. bases across the region. More to come on this situation.
A U.S. official has now confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that airstrikes are currently underway against Iranian oil tankers. More to come. https://t.co/rQIdpaT7Yl
Several explosions have been heard in the vicinity of Iran’s Kharg Island, amidst reports of U.S. airstrikes along the coast of Iran. https://t.co/O7GRgVJXon
According to Iranian news outlets, the IRGC is now claiming to have shot down a U.S. MQ-9 “Reaper” Medium-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle over Bandar Abbas, Iran. https://t.co/WAvgSGoLVi
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced sanctions today against Israeli settlers, following a rash of attacks and actions fomented by the settlers in recent weeks in the West Bank. Export and import controls will be placed on goods originating from Israeli settlements that they deem to be illegal. Companies that supply and aid in the construction of settlements will also fall under these sanctions.
President Donald J. Trump has announced on Truth Social declaring that "Oil prices will drop precipitously..when we WIN the war with Iran." https://t.co/gqY3XBEOL2
According to a release from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), since the resumption of the U.S. blockade of vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports, 94 vessels have been redirected, 3 disabled to ensure compliance, and 2 have been boarded. https://t.co/NNLktp6azO
Consistent with reports that Saudi Aramco’s Jizan refinery was targeted in a strike earlier today, NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) detected three thermal anomalies in the facility’s storage and distribution area. The three heat signatures were detected at approximately 4:40 a.m. UTC. FIRMS detects thermal anomalies from satellite observations, but the data does not by itself establish what caused them. Today’s incident would mark the second reported attack on the Jizan facility in just over a month. The refinery, which has a capacity of approximately 400,000 barrels per day, was also targeted by the Houthis in August. The repeated targeting comes amid a broader escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with attacks increasingly affecting Saudi energy infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis have not yet publicly claimed responsibility for today’s strike, according to the Financial Times.
As the conflict in Yemen between Saudi Arabia, the Internationally Recognized Government, and the Houthis continues to escalate, the Houthis are now claiming to have shot down a Saudi Wing Loong II drone northwest of Sanaa. https://t.co/A31LGJiVpv
According to a release from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), since the renewed blockade of vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports, 92 vessels have been redirected, 3 vessels have been disabled to ensure compliance, and 2 have been boarded. https://t.co/rbq1eRrwFq
Connected stories
- Jordan Intercepts 18 of 20 Iranian Missiles in Renewed Attack
- U.S. Strikes Iranian Tankers After New Missile Attempt on Navy Warship
- Poll Puts Eisenkot at 24 Seats, Likud at 21 and Winter at Four
- Poll Puts Netanyahu Bloc at 51 Seats, Yashar at 23 and Likud at 20
- Poll Puts Eisenkot at 25 Seats and Likud at 21 as Coalition Bloc Gains Two
- Poll Gives Eisenkot-Led Opposition Path to 61 Seats Without Arab Parties
- Iran Claims It Targeted Six Vessels After U.S. Tanker Strikes
- U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers After IRGC Targets Navy Warships
- IRGC Claims U.S. Warships Were Damaged; CENTCOM Says They Evaded Attack
- Iranian Media Report Four Projectiles Hit Tanker Near Kharg Island
- UK Announces Import Ban and Sanctions Regime Targeting Settlement Trade
- Brent Crude Rises 1.3% to $95.91 as U.S.-Iran Fighting Intensifies