…WAR IN LEBANON INTENSIFIES OVERNIGHT, IRANIAN DELEGATION DEPARTS SWITZERLAND AS STATUS OF PEACE TALKS REMAINS UNCERTAIN. UNIDENTIFIED MAN THROWS CHILD IN CROCODILE PIT IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE BEFORE BEING IMMEDIATELY RELEASED BY POLICE.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle…

…DIPLOMATIC MOVES. UNITED STATES DEPLOYS SECOND MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT TO CENTCOM.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----   -International Events- Middle East: Iranian forces successfully engaged an American F-35 aircraft during a strike mission within Iran. IRGC officials initially released…

…So, if we want to understand how this war is going, we really have to be realistic in what is happening and the threats that the Iranians pose because it is not a straightforward fight, and…

…Last night, an Iranian strike was reported at the Samarra Oil Refinery complex in Yanbu, on the Red Sea coast. This strike resulted in unknown damage, but the fires started by the strike were detected via…

…Last night the Abdali Border Checkpoint crossing with Iraq was struck by an unidentified Iranian munition. This morning, satellite imagery became available for the first time in a few days over Ali Al Salem Airbase. At…

…Last night the Abdali Border Checkpoint crossing with Iraq was struck by an unidentified Iranian munition. This morning, satellite imagery became available for the first time in a few days over Ali Al Salem Airbase. At…

…Wire//2300Z February 18, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: SURGE OF AMERICAN MILITARY FORCES CONTINUES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. IRANIAN FORCES DIG IN BY REINFORCING KEY SITES AND MILITARY FACILITIES.//  -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----   -International Events- Middle East: The surge…

…the increase in cargo aircraft heading to the Middle East over the past few days. Middle East: Iranian attacks on commercial shipping continue, as another vessel (M/T AQUA 1) was struck by two projectiles off…

…Despite this assurance (and highlighting that sentence in red in their notice), most of the maritime community is no longer trusting this route at the moment due to Iranian targeting which kicked off the war again…

…Despite this assurance (and highlighting that sentence in red in their notice), most of the maritime community is no longer trusting this route at the moment due to Iranian targeting which kicked off the war again…

…The MOU has been published to much outrage all around because even though it's written rather vaguely, the vast majority of the points favor the Iranians very heavily. Immediately after this was signed, the Israelis…

…So, the United States has hit everything from the South Pars gas field to a dozen different military targets up and down the Iranian coastline, mostly centering around the major port of Bandar Abbas in the…

…In Kuwait, Iranian forces have conducted counter-battery fire on American HIMARS missile launcher sites, with multiple ballistic missile strikes taking place at most of the US bases and missile launch sites all day. Analyst Comment…

…In Kuwait, Iranian forces have conducted counter-battery fire on American HIMARS missile launcher sites, with multiple ballistic missile strikes taking place at most of the US bases and missile launch sites all day. Analyst Comment…

…This afternoon several hotels were struck by Iranian drones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which has served to remind everyone involved that the threats are real and persistent. Either way, drone sightings and close-in interceptions…

…Both the Iranians and the United States have conducted substantial resupply and rearming campaigns during the ceasefire, and the Israelis have reached a point of semi-stability regarding their ground invasion of Lebanon. The Emirates and…

Kuwait claimed to have foiled an infiltration attempt by IRGC forces into their country, allegedly detaining a fireteam of four Iranian soldiers who were attempting to cross onto Bubiyan Island. Analyst Comment: Not many details have…

…Two vessels, the M/V *MSC-FRANCESCA* and the M/V *EPAMINONDAS* were fired upon by Iranian gunboats before being boarded and seized. Analyst Comment: A third vessel, the M/V *EUPHORIA* also attempted to run…

…Statements of condemnation were issued by government officials attributing the attacks to Iran, however the Iranians claim that they haven't conducted any attack. Separately, American logistical resupply efforts continue, with a notable increase in military…

…Another ballistic missile was intercepted overnight, as Iranian forces continue to target Incirlik Airbase. This is the third such interception since the war began. UAE: