U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is set to visit Israel tomorrow, against the backdrop of ramped-up U.S.-brokered Israel-Lebanon negotiations.

Additionally, Admiral Cooper’s visit also comes after CENTCOM proposed a deconfliction framework to monitor and report ceasefire violations paired with increased interoperability with the Lebanese Armed Forces.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Northern Venezuela earlier, causing numerous building collapses and extensive damage, including in the capital of Caracas. More to come.

Extensive damage seen in Caracas, Venezuela, following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake to the east of the capital.

A fire aboard the freedom variant of the littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis (LCS-17) sent six sailors to the hospital while pierside at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, FL earlier today. All personnel were treated and released. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Top Republicans appeared skeptical Wednesday of the Pentagon’s record-breaking budget request, despite their desire to increase defense spending and a personal plea from Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is calling for a $1.5 trillion defense budget in 2026, combining $350 billion in reconciliation funds with a $1.1 trillion base defense budget, an increase of 42%.

Members of the Republican Study Committee - the House conservative caucus that includes some of President Trump’s fiercest advocates on Capitol Hill - expressed concerns after a meeting this week with Defense Secretary Hegseth, according to POLITICO. “I get the need, but what are the pay-fors?” said Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas). “That’s my big question in all of this.”

Passengers panic and run for cover at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela, as the terminal shakes and power flickers, resulting from a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Caracas.

Accord to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) the massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Venezuela was felt by millions and across a wide range of Venezuelan territory. Projected injuries and deaths are in the thousands, per USGS updates. Landslides have also been triggered by the earthquake.

Severe disruptions and damage has now been reported at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Venezuela, following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

Utter devastation seen across the Northern Venezuelan coastal city of La Guaira, following tonight’s pair of major earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude with an epicenter just to the west of Caracas.

Search-and-rescue operations are fully underway across the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, with dozens of collapsed buildings from tonight’s twin earthquakes being reported throughout the city and across areas of Northern Venezuela.

Iran’s IRGC-N has rejected the Omani-International Maritime Organization transit framework announced earlier. Per the release, in what is seemingly a veiled threat to resume the targeting of commercial shipping and/or limit mine clearance efforts, the IRGC-N said “The proposed route is unacceptable and poses serious safety risks.”

Following the twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that rocked Venezuela today, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency and announced the full mobilization of emergency services and medical personnel. Additionally, President Rodríguez announced that Simón Bolívar International Airport will remain closed due to the damages caused.

According to a release from the U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the U.S. is “closely monitoring” the k going situation in Venezuela, following twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that devastated Northern Venezuela.

Following the twin earthquakes that devastated Northern Venezuela, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs & Religious Freedoms Jeremy Lewin has said that State Department disaster assistance teams, search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian assistance, and additional recourses and enablers are in the process of being sent to Venezuela.

The death toll from Wednesday’s “double-event” major earthquake in Northern Venezuela has risen to 164, according to the Associated Press.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the French military intercepted the Russian "shadow fleet" tanker 'Deliver' on Tuesday as it transited off the coast of Sicily in violation of maritime law.

According to new video of communications on Marine VHF channel 16 (the international hailing/calling channel for ships) from @_MartinKelly_, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Navy (IRGC-N), also known as the 'Sepah Navy' has announced:

"Transiting the Strait of Hormuz is only possible with Sepah Navy permission and on designated route. If any vessel attempts to transit with out permission, with AIS off or outside of designated route, it is responsible for any consequences of any danger."

Source: https://x.com/_MartinKelly_/status/2070084396418248728?s=20

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz appears to be increasing despite Iranian announcements attempting to regulate passage.

MarineTraffic data shows at least 50 vessels transited the strait over the past 24 hours, with 39 utilizing the U.S.-recommended traffic separation scheme through Omani waters.

The actual number is likely higher, as some vessels continue to transit with their AIS transponders switched off and are not publicly visible.

For comparison, 130+ vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on an average day before the conflict.

The Pentagon announced Wednesday that basic trainings for all military services will once again require the flu vaccination for all recruits after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the shot optional for the military at the end of April, this follows a several weekslong flu outbreak at the basic training base for the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.