Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a written Hajj message yesterday (May 26), pushed through state media and his Telegram channel. No video. No public appearance. The pattern has held since he took power. He called for "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" to become the common rallying cries of the Islamic ummah, the oppressed worldwide, and especially the youth. He urged Muslims to make "disavowal of the polytheists" (his term for the U.S. and Israel) a permanent part of individual, social, and political life, not just a Hajj ritual. Khamenei said "the hands of time will not turn backwards." Gulf powers and regional nations will no longer serve as a shield for American military bases. The U.S. will lose its "safe haven" for "mischief" in the region. He framed the recent war with the U.S. and Israel as a humiliating defeat for America, opening a new chapter for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz free of U.S. influence. Iran and its neighbors share a common destiny without foreign interference. Khamenei praised the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), Iran's missile and drone capabilities, and the Resistance Front for striking the "Great Satan" and Israel. He called for Muslim unity, deeper cooperation with Iran, prayers for Palestine's liberation, and resistance against "global arrogance." He described Israel as a "cancerous tumor" in its "final stages." The domestic frame: build a "New Islamic Civilization," guard Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities, avenge the losses from the war. The tone is defiant and escalatory even as indirect U.S.-Iran talks continue. Tehran is not signaling retreat. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Armenia: "Our position is well stated. It's either going to be a good deal or there isn't going to be one." Iran's deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Bagheri Kani, said this morning (May 27): "Until we have agreed on all issues, we consider that we have agreed on nothing." The IRGC said the likelihood of war is low but its forces are ready. Advisor to the Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Valiati said the Strait of Hormuz is the real guarantee for the survival of any agreement. Israel's political cabinet met yesterday (May 26). A senior American official updated Israeli counterparts on the deal effort, telling them there is no certainty an agreement will be reached. Netanyahu spoke with Trump after the cabinet wrapped. U.S. aircraft in Israel are set to redeploy to bases in Europe within 72 hours, with standby orders to return if the Iran conflict resumes. The IDF and CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command) remain on high readiness. IDF Chief of Staff Zamir and CENTCOM Commander Cooper are in continuous contact. |
IDF Crosses the Yellow Line, Strikes 150 Hezbollah Targets in 24 Hours
Israel cleared the censor yesterday (May 26) and confirmed IDF (Israel Defense Forces) ground forces have crossed the Yellow Line into Lebanon. Hezbollah's Al-Manar reported the IDF pushing north of the Litani River into the Beaufort Ridge area, with activity near the village of Zoter al-Sharqiya. Prime Minister Netanyahu said the IDF is operating with large forces on the ground and seizing strategic areas to fortify the security zone. The IDF struck more than 150 Hezbollah targets in Tyre, Nabatieh, and the Bekaa over the last 24 hours. Bir al-Salesel took 10 airstrikes. Yohmor al-Shqeef took 19. Strikes landed near the Qaraoun dam in the Bekaa Valley, about 500 meters from a previous one, and deep inside the Baalbek area. The IDF ordered immediate evacuation of 13 southern Lebanese towns north of the Zahrani River yesterday, then renewed the warning for Nabatieh this morning (May 27) and added five more villages. Residents were told to move at least 1,000 meters to open ground. Beirut's Dahiyeh stays off the target list. The U.S. told Israel not to carry out large-scale strikes there, citing ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations. Targeted eliminations remain authorized when the operative is significant. Defense Minister Katz told the security cabinet there is a complex situation with the United States over Dahiyeh. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spent the past 48 hours in diplomatic contacts inside and outside Lebanon trying to stop the strikes. He met with Lebanon's military delegation before it left for Pentagon meetings on Friday. |
Israel Eliminates Hamas Military Chief Two Weeks Into the Job
The IDF eliminated Muhammad Odeh in a strike on northern Gaza yesterday evening (May 26). Odeh was Hamas's newly appointed military wing commander, elevated to the role after the elimination of Izz al-Din al-Haddad. He also ran Hamas's Intelligence Headquarters. @osint613 had flagged the target a week earlier: "Last week we placed a target on Odeh. This week, it appears he has been eliminated." Footage of the strike surfaced overnight. The IDF released its own footage this morning (May 27). Netanyahu announced it during the security cabinet session: "Israel struck Hamas's new armed wing chief in Gaza." Israeli security officials moved from initial assessment to growing assessment within hours of the strike. Only one of Hamas's senior military wing commanders from October 7 remains in Gaza: Imad Aqel, head of the Home Front Headquarters. He is the likely pick to be appointed next. |
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"The hands of time will not turn backwards. Regional lands will no longer host U.S. bases." Mojtaba Khamenei · Supreme Leader of Iran |
OSINT613 Intelligence Briefing | ||||||||
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