Gaza - Israel Conflict ~ Naval Aspects

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OSINTdefender
The Acting Foreign Minister of Iran, Ali Bagheri is currently on his way to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the Emergency Meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which was called by both Iran and Pakistan to discuss the Israeli Assassination of Hamas Chief Political Leader, Ismail Haniyeh last week in Tehran.


OSINTdefender
As a Fears continue to rise of a War between Iran and Israel; the Iranian Government has requested Advanced Radars and Air Defense Systems from Russia, with both having begun to now be Delivered to Tehran by Russian Aircraft. What Systems these are is Unknown, though it is believed to likely include the S-400 Surface-to-Air Missile System which Iran has been requesting for Years.

[Pelican]

OSINTdefender
A MQ-4C “Triton” Surveillance Drone with the U.S. Navy is currently operating over the Eastern Mediterranean, off the Coast of Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and Syria.

[Note altitude]

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OSINTdefender
The Squadron of F/A-18E “Super Hornet” Multirole Fighters that were Relocated from the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) to a “Unnamed Partner-Airbase” in the Middle East is now Confirmed to have been Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) also known as the “Fist of the Fleet” from Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. While the Aircraft were initially at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, these Photos from DVIDS on August 3rd show them landing at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

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OSINTdefender 1h
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency has issued a Notice to Air Missions or NOTAM for the Airpace over Israel, stating that all Flights going to and coming from Airports in Russia should Avoid entering Israeli Airspace tonight and until August 16th between 0100-0700 (GMT+3).

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OSINTdefender 3h
The Government of Cyprus has announced the Activation of Special National Plan ESTIA, to assist the Diplomatic Missions and Embassies of Countries with the Evacuation of their Citizens from the “Crisis Area” in the Middle East, to the Island of Cyprus by Air and Sea.

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American assault ship in Eastern Mediterranean
Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) has docked in Limassol, Cyprus, as part of its ongoing deployment in the Mediterranean.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/america ... terranean/

[Pelican]

OSINTdefender
The Kuwaiti Newspaper, Al-Jarida is reporting that on Friday the First Hotline ever between Washington and Tehran was established to allow Direct Communication between the United States and Iran in order to prevent a Full-Scale Regional War and to allow for De-Escalation; with Senior U.S. Officials claimed to have already used the Line to Demand that any kind of Iranian Retaliatory Strike against Israel be Postponed by at least Two Weeks, which is said to have been Agreed to by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Senior Officials of the Biden Administration have Briefed several Key Congressional Lawmakers on their decision to Lift a 2016 Ban set by then President Barack Obama on Offensive Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia. The Ban was intended to Limit U.S. Support for the Saudi-Led Intervention against the Houthis in Yemen, due to Major Concerns of Widespread Civilian Casualties caused by the Saudi Bombing Campaign against several Western Yemeni Cities.

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Navy Lookout 2h
SSGN USS Georgia deployed to the Middle East and transit of USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the region accelerated.
Phootos attached.

US deploys guided missile submarine to Middle East as Iran holds military drills following death of Hamas leader

The move comes as sources told US media that the Israeli intelligence community believes Iran has decided to launch a direct attack and will do so within days.

https://news.sky.com/story/iran-holds-m ... r-13195714

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U.S. Central Command
Secretary of Defense Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group.
In addition, the Secretary has ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) to the Central Command region.
Read full readout here: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/R ... -minister/

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Ministry of Defence
RFAMountsBay has replaced RFACardiganBay in the Mediterranean as part of routine ship and crew rotation.
It will continue to support humanitarian requirements in the region.
Read more here about the UK's support to British nationals in Lebanon:

Press release
UK bolsters support to British nationals in Lebanon as Foreign Secretary says "leave now"
Ministers call for British nationals in Lebanon to leave now “as situation could deteriorate rapidly".
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-b ... -leave-now