New plans developed to target Iran
U.S. military officials are developing new plans to target Iran’s capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz in the event the current ceasefire with Iran falls apart, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. Iran also has numerous small boats that could be used as platforms to launch attacks on ships, complicating U.S. efforts to open the strait. Military strikes around the strait, on their own, are unlikely to immediately re-open the waterway, multiple sources, including a senior shipping broker, told CNN. Another option developed by military planners is to target individual Iranian military leaders and other “obstructionists” within the regime who U.S. officials have recently suggested are actively undermining negotiations, one of the sources noted. Additional U.S. strikes would likely also target Iran’s remaining military capabilities, including missiles, launchers and production facilities that were not destroyed in the initial wave of U.S.-Israeli attacks or may have been moved to new strategic positions since the ceasefire started, the sources added.
Hegseth targets European allies
Secretary of Defense Hegseth blasted European allies on Friday morning for not helping the U.S. enough in its war against Iran, saying the U.S. “barely” uses the Strait of Hormuz and that the situation “is much more their fight than ours.” He said that Europeans should “start doing less talking and having less fancy conferences in Europe and get in a boat. This is much more their fight than ours.” Hegseth and Donald Trump have repeatedly bashed U.S. allies, particularly those in NATO, for not joining the war Trump started on Feb. 28.
Negotiations may resume
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, tonight with a small delegation, Pakistani government sources and an Iranian source told CNN. Pakistani mediators expect there will be a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran, the government sources said. Neither the U.S. nor Iran have publicly commented. Iran has said it won’t resume talks unless the U.S. ends its blockade on Iranian ports. Defense Secretary Hegseth said Friday the blockade “is growing and going global.” Trump has said that any deal would require Iran to hand over its stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium. During the first round of talks, U.S. negotiators proposed a 20-year pause on Iran enriching uranium. Iran responded with a proposal for a five-year suspension, which the U.S. rejected.
DOJ Inspector General to investigate handling of Epstein files
The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Inspector General is launching a review into the department’s release of the Epstein files as the department continues to block an estimated two million documents from public release. The Inspector General will focus on “the DOJ’s identification, collection, and production of responsive material,” it said in a statement Thursday, as well as “processes for redacting and withholding material” and how the Justice Department addressed issues following the release of Epstein documents. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, in his new role leading the department after the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi, argued that the new DOJ under Trump’s second term “has been a lot more transparent” than past administrations about the sex trafficker. “I think that to the extent that the Epstein files was a part of the past year of this Justice Department, it should not be a part of anything going forward,” Blanche said in an interview with Fox News.
Soldier arrested for betting on Maduro’s removal
A U.S. special forces soldier involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was arrested and charged for allegedly betting on that operation, netting him $400,000 in profits. According to an indictment unsealed Thursday, Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke opened an account in late December on Polymarket, one of the best-known prediction markets. He wagered about $32,000 that Maduro would be “out” by January. The bet was a long-shot. But Van Dyke was involved in the planning and execution of Operation Absolute Resolve, prosecutors allege, and had access to classified information before he placed the bet. Van Dyke faces five criminal charges for stealing and misusing confidential government information, theft and fraud. He allegedly made 13 bets from Dec. 27 to Jan. 2, the last being hours before the overnight capture.
Netanyahu treated for prostate cancer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly underwent treatment for prostate cancer, he said Friday as he publicized the results of his annual medical examination. Netanyahu, 76, said he delayed the release of his annual medical report by two months so that it wouldn’t be used as propaganda by Iran. He had surgery for an enlarged prostate in Dec. 2024, which was disclosed publicly at the time. In the latest check-up following the surgery, doctors discovered a malignant tumor in his prostate. Netanyahu said he made a decision to undergo targeted radiation therapy about two-and-a-half months ago and “the spot disappeared completely.”
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