COMBATE | Uphold Reality

🇮🇷Senior Iranian source: For the first time in this conflict [40-Day War], Iran has used underwater drones in the attack on two Emirati oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. (Image as guide only) @SimurghRes

🌆 COMBATE Evening Roundup | August 16, 2026 • Trump vows to claim Strait of Hormuz as US territory — US President Donald Trump stated he will declare the strategic waterway a US territory after "defeating Iran." Tehran dismissed the threat as a "fanciful delusion," asserting the strait will remain under Iranian control as reports emerged of Iranian warning shots in the area. • Iran and Oman finalize Hormuz transit agreement — The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced a new shipping transit plan for the Strait of Hormuz, developed in coordination with Muscat. Tehran stated the agreement was reached despite ongoing US diplomatic obstruction. • Hezbollah forces besieged at strategic Ali al-Taher heights — Israeli forces reportedly surrounded hundreds of Hezbollah fighters at the Ali al-Taher base in southern Lebanon following an airstrike that killed a senior Radwan unit commander. Separately, Hezbollah vowed retaliation after Israeli strikes on Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani killed 11 civilians. • Iranian and Russian satellites guiding Yemeni missiles — Tehran has reportedly equipped Yemeni forces with GNSS guidance modules and anti-jamming capabilities. The systems utilize a combination of Russian and Iranian satellites to provide terminal guidance for ballistic missiles targeting Saudi-backed positions. • Washington abandons military option against Cuba — The Trump administration has reportedly shelved plans for military action against Havana, shifting exclusively to economic pressure. Reports indicate the policy change stems from the depletion of US military and logistical capabilities during the ongoing conflict with Iran. • Moscow demands answers on US-Turkish arms transfers to Ukraine — The Russian Foreign Ministry formally requested clarification from Washington and Ankara regarding US congressional reports of planned weapons deliveries to Kiev via Turkey, warning the move actively undermines mutual trust. • Kiev censors intercept data amid Patriot missile shortage — The Ukrainian Air Force has reportedly stopped publishing statistics on intercepted Russian missiles. Officials indicate the censorship is due to depleted stocks of Patriot interceptors, severely limiting Ukraine's ability to down incoming projectiles. 📖 Full report: https://telegra.ph/COMBATE-Digest---combate-20260816-0000Z-08-16 📡 @uphold_reality

🇺🇸⚔️🇮🇷 The Cheeto-in-Chief says he'll declare the Strait of Hormuz as "territory of the United States." 🔴 @DDGeopolitics | Socials | Donate | Advertising

"That little [Israeli] flag the Protestants carry around everywhere is going to drag them straight to hell" Catholic sermon in Guatemala sparks controversy 🔗 https://x.com/upholdreality/status/2088669141121060972

The Pentagon named its drone the Reaper and is finding out which side of the harvest it's on. 🔗 https://x.com/upholdreality/status/2088639063884771612

🌅 COMBATE Morning Roundup | August 15, 2026 • USS Abraham Lincoln logistics crippled by Iranian strike on Bahrain — The US Navy was forced to shift its primary regional supply hub to Diego Garcia after Iranian missiles and drones destroyed a major naval logistics center in Bahrain at the start of the war. • Qatar holding three Iranian fighter pilots captured after US base strike — Three Iranian Su-24 pilots who successfully ejected after bombing a US base in March are being held captive by Qatari forces. Tehran stated Doha has denied the Red Cross and Iranian officials access to the prisoners for the past six months. • Strait of Hormuz commercial traffic plummets to 17% of normal levels — British maritime authorities reported a massive drop in transits through the strategic waterway over the past week, while shipping tracker Kpler confirmed zero crude oil shipments passed through the strait on Friday. • Iran detains French diplomats over alleged espionage and interference — The Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced the detention of two French diplomats discovered at a secret meeting location. Authorities claimed the diplomats possessed documents related to a spying project signed by the former French ambassador. • US replaces CENTCOM special operations commander — The US Central Command announced that Rear Admiral Thomas Donovan has succeeded Major General Jasper Jeffers as commander of its special operations forces in the Middle East. • European powers draft independent Ukraine negotiation format — France, Germany, and the UK are reportedly working on their own framework for resolving the Ukrainian crisis, driven by fears that US President Donald Trump will exclude them from future peace negotiations. • Washington prepares ultimatum over Chinese tech alliance — The United States is reportedly drafting warnings for 35 countries, threatening exclusion from US initiatives if they cooperate with Beijing's "Pax Silica" artificial intelligence and technology development program. • Trump-linked oil firm lands drilling gear in Greenland without permits — A Texas-based oil company with close ties to Donald Trump delivered drilling equipment to the east coast of Greenland, prompting authorities in Nuuk to state the operation lacked necessary authorization. 📖 Full report: https://telegra.ph/COMBATE-Digest---combate-20260815-1200Z-08-15 📡 @uphold_reality

⚡️Two Majors #Сводка for the morning of August 15, 2026 ▪️During the night, a massive attack was repelled in Sevastopol, Novorossiysk, Yaroslavl Oblast, and other regions. The enemy is spreading footage of the aftermath of a powerful strike on our facility in Samara. ▪️Throughout the day, a fuel storage tank was hit in the port of Odessa, and a warehouse containing weapons, military equipment, and property of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was hit in the port of Yuzhny. ▪️In Bryansk, Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked a residential building with missiles yesterday. One person was killed, and three were hospitalized. ▪️In the Kursk Oblast, a 47-year-old woman was injured in the village of Reutchansky. ▪️On the Kharkov front, fighting continues along the same lines. The "North" group requests that announcements regarding the situation in Kudiivka not be rushed. ▪️In the Belgorod Oblast, civilians were injured in Nikolayevka, Rakitnoye, Oktyabrskoye, and in the area of the village of Semeynoye and Russkoye Berezovka. A cyclist was killed by a drone strike in the village of Zamostye. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are targeting agricultural equipment and personal vehicles. ▪️On the Druzhkovka front, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the capture of Novonikolaevka. ▪️In the DPR, one person was killed, and ten more civilians were injured when the enemy shelled a market in Gorlovka. ▪️On the Dnepropetrovsk front, the enemy launched a disinformation campaign about their alleged successes in a number of villages, which are being monitored by our drones and satellite reconnaissance. In reality, this is another attempt by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to plant flags and present it as a victory. ▪️In the Zaporozhye Oblast, three people were injured yesterday as a result of an attack by an enemy drone on the city of Melitopol. In the village of Molochansk, Tokmak district, a woman was killed, and five civilians were injured in the previous 24 hours. ▪️In the Kherson Oblast, it is reported that five civilians were killed and 31 were injured as a result of enemy attacks and explosions involving explosive ordnance. The Russian Armed Forces are carrying out combined strikes on the northern part of Kherson. Summary compiled by: ⚡️Two Majors

🇾🇪❌️🇸🇦 Yemen's Ansarullah forces have captured the settlements of Al-Arish and Mafraq Al-Mukha, located along Route 423 leading to the port city of Al-Mukha. -These settlements had been under the occupation of forces aligned with Saudi Arabia. -On the northern front, Ansarullah forces have also cut off the Taiz–Al-Hudaydah road south of Hays, in the Al-Khawkhah area. @SimurghRes

🌆 COMBATE Evening Roundup | August 15, 2026 • UAE offers to bankroll Syrian military intervention in Lebanon — Abu Dhabi reportedly expressed readiness to fully finance a potential Syrian military operation targeting Hezbollah. The UAE offered to pay fighter salaries and combat costs for an intervention by Syria's new government. • UAE state oil tanker attacked in Strait of Hormuz — The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) reported that one of its vessels was targeted while transiting the strategic waterway. The company stated the situation is under control with no injuries reported. • Yemeni forces strike Saudi military gathering and Aramco facility — Ansarallah launched ballistic missiles at Saudi-backed forces and naval vessels in Al-Mukha, causing dozens of casualties and destroying boats. Separately, Yemeni forces conducted a drone strike on an Aramco facility in Najran, Saudi Arabia, retaliating against Saudi airspace violations. • Iran rules out immediate US talks and displays captured Starlink tech — Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Tehran has made no decision to resume negotiations with Washington, accusing the US of violating the Islamabad memorandum. Concurrently, the IRGC displayed Starlink terminals recovered from downed US and Israeli drones. • US demands loyalty pledges from NATO allies on Trump policies — Washington circulated a questionnaire to NATO members assessing their support for Donald Trump's political trajectory. The loyalty check precedes a potential reduction of the US military presence in Europe. • Germany expands intelligence mandate for foreign sabotage — Berlin approved a reform granting its intelligence services expanded capabilities to conduct offensive cyber operations and sabotage abroad. The move aims to counter hybrid threats and reduce reliance on US intelligence. • Dominican Republic expels Cuban diplomatic staff — Santo Domingo ordered the expulsion of 10 Cuban diplomats and their families. The Cuban Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the decision. • Massive power blackout strikes four Central Asian nations — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan reported simultaneous power outages. The Kazakh Energy Ministry attributed the regional blackout to a sudden change in electricity flow from the Central Asian grid. 📖 Full report: https://telegra.ph/COMBATE-Digest---combate-20260815-0000Z-08-15 📡 @uphold_reality

🇫🇷☠️Olivier Lebas, the French vice admiral of the squadron, died on August 12, 2026, as a result of a falling accident while climbing in the Pyrenees. We didn't know the Pyrenees were in Odessa. https://www.cnews.fr/france/2026-08-13/trois-ans-apres-le-general-georgelin-le-vice-amiral-lebas-meurt-son-tour-dans-les 🔴 @DDGeopolitics | Socials | Donate | Advertising

🌅 COMBATE Morning Roundup | August 14, 2026 • Iran advances bill to ban hostile military vessels from Strait of Hormuz — The Iranian Parliament approved the general outlines of a bill to safeguard the strategic waterway. The legislation prohibits military and commercial vessels from countries deemed hostile by Tehran from entering the Persian Gulf without prior Iranian authorization. • US Treasury prepares unprecedented economic isolation and naval blockade of Iran — US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Washington will unveil new measures next week as part of an "economic fury" strategy. Bessent stated the actions will combine a naval blockade with a level of economic isolation the world has never seen. • US loses quarter of MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet in Iran conflict — The US military has reportedly lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during its war on Iran, representing roughly 25% of its total fleet. Separately, the IRGC announced the interception and destruction of another MQ-9 drone over Hormozgan province using an advanced air defense system. • Trump orders 100% drone tariffs and steam catapults for US carriers — US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 100% tariff on imports of specific drones critical to national security. In a separate directive, Trump ordered the US Navy to remove complex electromagnetic launch systems from aircraft carriers and return to traditional steam catapults. • Russia strikes vessels escorting Western arms in Black Sea — The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its forces struck two vessels in the Black Sea that were allegedly escorting cargo ships carrying Western weapons to Ukrainian ports. Russian forces also targeted a railway station in Izmail used for military logistics. • US plans ground operations against Latin American cartels — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in Panama that Washington is planning ground attacks against drug trafficking networks in Latin America. The strategy equates the cartels to terrorist organizations like ISIS and involves joint operations with allied nations. • Death toll from Colombia earthquake climbs to 281 — Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed that the death toll from the 7.4-magnitude earthquake has reached 281, with 3,971 people injured and 379 still missing. 📖 Full report: https://telegra.ph/COMBATE-Digest---combate-20260814-1200Z-08-14 📡 @uphold_reality

⚡️Two Majors #Summary for the morning of August 14, 2026 ▪️During the night, drone attacks were repelled in the Leningrad region; fighting continued into the morning, with at least 51 drones shot down. There is a fire in the area of the Ust-Luga port. A dozen drones were shot down approaching Moscow. Sevastopol also engaged in combat with aerial targets (the governor reported 6 drones shot down), but the enemy used the territory of Crimea to fly their drones at high altitudes. ▪️The Russian Armed Forces struck Zhytomyr and Odessa region, hitting locomotives. ▪️In the Kursk region, a 47-year-old woman was injured when debris from a drone fell in the village of Reutchansky, according to the governor. ▪️In the Belgorod region, three men were injured by shrapnel from the detonation of an FPV drone in the village of Krasnaya Yaruga. Two people were injured when a second drone attacked a car. In the village of Varvarovka, an FPV drone hit a private house, and a man was killed. In Grayvoron, a drone attacked a cyclist, and her condition is critical. In the village of Trefilovka, a drone attacked a truck, and the driver was seriously injured. Another driver was injured in Shebekino. ▪️On the Kharkov front, assault units of the "Sever" GRV (Ground Reconnaissance Unit) continue offensive operations in the village of Kazachya Lopan. Firefights are also taking place in Kudiivka and near Goptovka. On the Volchansk section, there are battles in the village of Vasylivka, near Shevchenkove and Petropavlivka. Between the villages of Ternova and Rubizhne, an assault group of the Ukrainian National Guard unsuccessfully attempted to break through in the direction of our positions. On the Velikoburluk section, our forces continue to engage in firefights in the area of the village of Olkhovátka, as well as west of Ustinovka. ▪️Fighting continues in Kupyansk; our troops are breaking through the built-up area towards the southeastern part of the city. ▪️In the LPR, 11 civilians, including a teenager, were injured. Residential buildings, infrastructure, and utility companies in several districts were hit. ▪️On the Druzhkivka axis, our troops liberated the settlement of Petrovka. Photo Petrovka ▪️On the Dobropillya axis, the Russian Armed Forces are advancing in the direction of Mezhovaya. ▪️In the DPR, 6 people were injured in an attack on a passenger electric train "Yasinovataya - Uspenskaya" at the "Kuteinikovo" railway station in the city district of Ilovaysk. In total, 17 people were injured during the day in the republic, including two minors, due to attacks by Ukrainian Armed Forces strike drones and as a result of mines being detonated. This summary was compiled by: ⚡️Two Majors

Iran is reshaping its military leadership, with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointing six senior military and security figures as Tehran shifts towards a more “offensive doctrine”. IRGC General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said the new approach would move Iran away from a primarily defensive posture towards faster decision-making, unified command and direct action against perceived enemies. Among the key appointments, Ahmad Vahidi was named commander-in-chief of the IRGC and ordered to carry out “powerful offensive operations against the enemy”. Mohsen Rezaei, a former IRGC commander who supports Iran’s position over the Strait of Hormuz, was appointed head of the Supreme National Security Council, potentially strengthening the influence of hardliners who favour continuing confrontation with the US. The reshuffle also strengthens Iran’s internal security apparatus, with Hossein Taeb returning as head of the Basij paramilitary force. The appointments come as Iran faces continued military pressure, economic difficulties and internal dissent, while the new leadership is described as taking a harder line on the war, the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme. 一 NYP @SimurghRes

Yemenis call America "the Mother of Terrorism" 🔗 https://x.com/upholdreality/status/2088060787147563244

🌆 COMBATE Evening Roundup | August 14, 2026 • CENTCOM commander pushes for renewed strikes on Iran — US Admiral Brad Cooper reportedly urged Israeli officials to support new attacks on Iranian oil, gas, and electricity infrastructure. Cooper argued that further military pressure is necessary to force Tehran's hand in negotiations, adding that the US may have "no choice" but to act. • US forms new multi-domain attack drone force — Central Command announced the creation of Task Force Falcon Strike, a multinational unit designed to operate one-way attack systems across air, surface, and underwater domains. The task force will build upon previous drone operations conducted against Iran. • USS George Washington deploys to Middle East — The US Navy is dispatching the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the region to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln. The deployment comes amid heightened tensions and a continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. • Pentagon admits to civilian casualties in Yemen — A new US Defense Department report confirmed that American airstrikes in Yemen have killed 153 civilians and injured 243 others. The casualties were attributed to three specific US bombing operations. • Russia and Ukraine conduct civilian exchange — Moscow and Kyiv successfully exchanged detained civilians on Belarusian territory. Separately, Russian forces intensified strikes against the Ukrainian ports of Reni and Izmail to disrupt NATO logistics along the Danube River. • Poland threatens Starlink funding over roaming exclusion — Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned that Warsaw might reconsider its $50 million annual payment for Starlink services after the company excluded Poland from its European roaming zone. • US accuses Brazil of aiding Chinese tariff evasion — Washington added Brazil to a list of nations allegedly facilitating illegal transshipments of Chinese goods to bypass US tariffs. In response, the Brazilian government initiated a reciprocity process regarding US tariffs on Brazilian exports. • Mali pardons convicted French intelligence agent — Malian Transition President Assimi Goïta granted a presidential pardon to Yann Vézilier, a French DGSE agent who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June. Vézilier had been detained since August 2025. 📖 Full report: https://telegra.ph/COMBATE-Digest---combate-20260814-0000Z-08-14 📡 @uphold_reality

🔗 https://x.com/upholdreality/status/2088044493060612276

🔗 https://x.com/upholdreality/status/2088044493060612276

"The US and Israel collectively attacked Iran around 30,000 times... Yet, once again, somehow, Iran figured out ways to recover high-speed missile production, stunning the IDF" 🔗 https://x.com/upholdreality/status/2087995324887355788

⚫️🇪🇸 ISIS intensifies Spanish-language jihadist propaganda and threats against Spain ISIS increased its Spanish-language propaganda channels in 2025, with at least eight distinct channels used by the network's various franchises to spread threats of attacks against Spain, per the Terrorism Victims Memorial Center's 2025 report. Al-Qaeda, though weakened, still runs two propaganda channels targeting Spain as well. A new production outlet, Ansar Al-Ándalus, emerged in 2025 and put out around 30 Spanish-language messages in its first six months before going quiet in June for unknown reasons. Longer-running channels — Mathani, La Voz de Al-Ándalus, Al Khayr Media, Halummu Media, Al Faruk, Al Fursan, and Tech Haven — continue to carry the bulk of the propaganda and threats, invoking the 2017 Barcelona/Cambrils attacks and demanding Spain withdraw from the anti-ISIS coalition. Recurring messaging frames "Al-Andalus" as historically Muslim land to be "recovered by force." 🐻 Isn't it interesting how rarely ISIS surfaces these days — and when it does, it's threatening Spain, one of the few European countries not falling in line on the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the war on Iran. And yet... somehow, they never seem to threaten Israel. Weird right? 🔴 @DDGeopolitics | Socials | Donate | Advertising