According to a report from CBS, citing a number of U.S. officials, U.S. military decision-makers are continuing to plan for the possibility of military escalation with Cuba should diplomatic efforts fail to merit the desired results. Per the reports, last month, a concept of operations (CONOP) briefing was held where the possibility of using the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division in an air assault was discussed. However, given escalation in the Middle East with Iran, and the reposed key offensive assets to that theater of competition. U.S. officials told CBS that such an operation is not likely at this time.

According to Axios, citing both U.S. and Israeli official, the U.S. has asked Israel to receive ‘dozens’ of additional refueling aircraft to Ben Gurion Airport in preparation for a potential significantly expanded strike campaign on Iran. However, as reported before, some Israeli decision-makers have advised against such a move, as the airport has suffered from the congestion added by the 30 some-odd refueling aircraft already at the airport. In addition to this, it is understood that Iran may directly strike Israel, should an expanded campaign utilize even more U.S. resources based in Israel, a move that would almost certainly prompt Israel to retaliate with widespread direct strikes on Iran.

Renewed U.S. strikes are likely underway, as explosions have now been reported in Iran’s port city of Bandar Abbas. We’ll likely see strikes in other key areas, such as Sirik, Qeshm, Chabahar, and other areas adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC is now claiming that they shot down a U.S. RQ-11 small-UAS system in the Ramshir area of Khuzestan Province, Iran. However, given Iraq’s known use of the system for short-range reconnaissance missions and the distance from the closest alleged U.S. military presence on Bubiyan Island, Kuwait, at the time of writing, it’s yet unclear whether or not it was a U.S. system that was shot down. It’s important to remember that barring a not yet publicly declared deployment of U.S. forces to Southern Iraq, U.S. forces remain sequestered far to the north in Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to a release from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the 7th consecutive round of U.S. strikes against Iran has begun, as CENTCOM has also said that at the time of writing, 4 vessels have been redirected, 1 vessel has been subjected to disabling fire to ensure compliance, and 1 vessel has been boarded during the renewed U.S. blockade of vessels traveling to and from Iran.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the “experimental explosion” yesterday off coast of Ponce Inlet, Florida, measured at a magnitude of 3.9, with a spokesman for the U.S. Navy reporting that the explosion was the first of two scheduled test events for Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST) as part of the certification process for the Future USS Ted Stevens (DDG-128) under the DDG 51 Flight III Program.

Two U.S. Forest Service employees who were taken hostage Wednesday near Gumboot Lake in California's Shasta-Trinity National Forest have been safely rescued.

The FBI's Hostage Rescue Team responded to the scene yesterday, securing the release of both hostages early this morning before the suspects surrendered several hours later.

In a statement, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz thanked Forest Service law enforcement, the FBI, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office, and other first responders for their coordinated efforts in bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.

According to CBS, citing U.S. officials, Iranian attacks against bases in Jordan, likely Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and King Faisal Air Base, resulted in the injury of several U.S. servicemembers, with no fatalities being reported at the time of writing.

Following a number of alerts in Saudi Arabia, Saudi authorities have said the May the danger has passed in the al Kharg Governorate and other areas.

A U.S. official has confirmed to @BarakRavid that the first Iranian attacks against U.S. bases and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia in four months just took place earlier.

Air raid sirens are sounding across Bahrain as authorities warn of an incoming aerial threat, likely from Iran.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied an earlier claim by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that two tankers struck naval mines and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the report "false."

Following Iranian attacks on both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the Kuwaiti Army is now saying that air defenses are dealing with yet another Iranian drone and missile attack.

Sirens are sounding once again across Bahrain as another wave of Iranian missiles and/or drones are inbound.

Sirens are sounding in Bahrain as another Iranian attack wave is inbound.

Kuwaiti air defenses are engaging another wave of Iranian missile and drone threats.

Kuwait's Ministry of Defense says its armed forces have intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones over Kuwaiti airspace since early this morning.

According to the ministry, Iranian strikes targeted military, security, civilian, oil, electricity, and water infrastructure, causing fires and significant damage. Several firefighters and oil sector workers were injured while responding, while falling debris caused damage in residential areas. No civilian fatalities or injuries from the debris have been reported.

The ministry says Kuwaiti forces remain on high alert and continue to conduct air defense operations in coordination with other government agencies.

Bahrain is under air raid alert once again.

For at least the fifth time in the past 24 hours, sirens are sounding across the island as another wave of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones heads toward the Gulf region.