⚠️ IRAN THREATENS STRONGER STRIKES AGAINST U.S. WARSHIPS: Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned that continued U.S. military action, interference with Iranian vessels or maintenance of what Tehran describes as a naval blockade could trigger more severe attacks against U.S. military vessels, with strikes potentially expanding in scope.
🛡️ IDF TESTS SURPRISE MULTI-FRONT WAR READINESS: Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir launched “Breaking Dawn 2.0,” a surprise General Staff exercise assessing readiness for a sudden, complex and large-scale multi-front scenario ahead of the Jewish holiday period.
The drill is testing decision-making across the General Staff, regional commands, branches and directorates, activation of standby and reserve forces, operational plans and the ability to respond rapidly across several arenas. Commanders and forces have been mobilized, reserve readiness is being assessed and IDF Comptroller officers are inspecting headquarters and units.
The exercise forms part of the Operations Directorate’s 2026 training program and incorporates lessons from October 7 and subsequent multi-front combat. The IDF stressed that increased troop and aircraft movement is exercise-related and does not indicate an actual security incident.
Zamir described the current period as “tense and volatile” across all arenas and said the IDF’s baseline posture is “readiness for a surprise attack.”
⚓ EILAT TO HOLD LARGE-SCALE AIR, SEA AND LAND SECURITY DRILL: The IDF and Israel Police will conduct a pre-planned exercise in Eilat and the surrounding area, with increased activity by security forces, aircraft and vessels.
The exercise will rehearse complex scenarios in the air, at sea and on land, with an emphasis on protecting communities and the Eilat urban area.
🏭 RAFAEL REPORTEDLY PREPARING IRON DOME PRODUCTION IN GERMANY
Globes, citing WirtschaftsWoche, reported that Rafael could begin producing Iron Dome components as early as next year at Volkswagen’s Osnabrück plant. Production would reportedly include launchers, trucks, generators and other components, but not interceptors, with other weapons-system components potentially added later.
Volkswagen would reportedly sell the plant to a consortium involving Lower Saxony, Aurelius Capital and Rafael rather than enter defense production itself. The structure reportedly bypasses opposition from Qatar’s investment fund, which holds 10% of Volkswagen shares and 17% of its voting rights.
Lower Saxony has previously been reported as considering an approximately €200 million contribution, although the total transaction value remains unclear and Germany’s federal government is not expected to participate.
The plant employs about 2,300 people and is scheduled to end Volkswagen T-Roc convertible production in mid-2027. Lower Saxony Premier Olaf Lies is reportedly expected to announce the partnership and say that no jobs will be lost. The plant’s works council has not yet unequivocally endorsed the shift, and Rafael has not commented.
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