🛡️ IRAN PREPARES FOR POSSIBLE NATIONWIDE PROTESTS AS U.S. AND ISRAEL EXPAND REGIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE NETWORK AND IAF LEADERSHIP JOINS WASHINGTON STRATEGIC TALKS
⚠️ Potential Nationwide Protests in Iran: The Wall Street Journal reports that a new wave of social unrest in Iran could be imminent. Merchants at Tehran's Grand Bazaar are calling for nationwide protests on February 17–18, marking the end of the traditional 40-day mourning period for those killed during the January 8–9 IRGC crackdowns.
Iranian authorities appear to be preparing for possible escalation. In several provinces, police command headquarters from both the Law Enforcement Command and the IRGC have reportedly been relocated from primary buildings to schools, mosques, and similar locations to protect senior leadership in the chain of command.
"A second wave of popular anger is building in Iran. Medical students in Shiraz held a sit-in for several days this week, chanting slogans in support of protesters who had been killed and doctors who were arrested for treating the injured. High-school students are also engaging in collective acts of protest. Students at their school are refusing to sing the national anthem in the morning," – The Wall Street Journal.
🛡️ U.S. Regional Military Defense Preparations: A regional military analysis by Shahin Modarres states that the United States, together with Israel, is planning a long-term military campaign framework against Iran, based on the assumption that the Iranian regime would respond by targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East.
The analysis notes at least 19 major U.S. bases and strategic command centers in the region, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, and additional bases in Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and various Gulf countries. It adds that not all of these bases are equipped with permanent air defense systems, and that some rely on short-range defenses that are limited against ballistic missiles.
The analysis says the large-scale deployment of THAAD and Patriot systems indicates preparations to provide missile defense coverage for nearly all of these bases. It also expects the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to be positioned off the coast of Oman, and states that air defense systems have been deployed in the United Arab Emirates as part of protection measures.
The analysis states that F-15 fighters stationed in Jordan and British F-35s in Cyprus are not configured for offensive operations, and that their primary mission is to defend Israel against Iranian loitering munitions such as the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136. It adds that logistics, coordination, and integration of this network take considerable time and are still ongoing.
🇮🇱 Israeli Leadership Visit to Washington: Incoming Israeli Air Force chief Brig. Gen. Omer Tischler will accompany Prime Minister Netanyahu on his visit to Washington.
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