COMBATE Digest - combate-20260817-0000Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

Iran Places Bounty on US Troops, Declares Expulsion from Gulf

Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief Major General Amir Hatami announced a financial reward of $30,000 (5 billion Iranian tomans) for any Iranian citizen who kills or captures a US soldier, with the reward doubled to $60,000 for women who do so (tabzlive). Hatami stated that Iran will purchase the weapon used by citizens in such acts for double its value and provide them with a new weapon (tabzlive). The commander declared that US forces have been permanently expelled and are no longer permitted to enter the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, or the Strait of Hormuz (informador_global).

Tehran Declares Military and Political Victory

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran has "truly won this war, both militarily and politically" against the United States and Israel (tabzlive). Ghalibaf asserted that Washington and Tel Aviv attacked Iran with nine specific, declared objectives but failed to achieve any of them at any level, describing the outcome as the "greatest absolute defeat" for the US and Israel (akhbarefori).

Three Ships Struck in Strait of Hormuz

The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) reported that three ships were hit while transiting the Strait of Hormuz over a 72-hour period (AkhbareFori_EN). Two of the vessels were struck while moving through Omani territorial waters, while the third was hit at an unspecified location while heading toward the strait (Ansaroollah). No damage was reported, and all three ships continued their journeys (AkhbareFori_EN).

Hamas Accepts Second Phase of Trump Gaza Plan

A Hamas delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya met with Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law, alongside mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey in Cairo (iribnews). Following the meetings, the Palestinian movement announced its readiness to proceed with the implementation of the obligations outlined in the roadmap for the second phase of Trump's plan for the Gaza Strip (sputnikmundo_rss).

Turkey Blames Israel for War as Trump Welcomes Mecca Pact

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Israel is the "principal instigator" and "principal actor" in the war against Iran, accusing Tel Aviv of continuously encouraging conflict (tabzlive). Erdogan added that Turkey is not seeking war but will not hesitate to fight if attacked (akhbarefori). Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump welcomed the signing of the Mecca Mutual Defense Pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, calling it a "bold and important step" for Middle Eastern unity (akhbarefori).

Iran Appoints New Military Commanders Ahead of Mourning Period

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, praised the recent decision by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei to appoint six new top commanders within the Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (presstv). The appointments come as Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad prepare to host mourning ceremonies marking 40 days since the funeral of the martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (presstv).

🌍 EAST ASIA

Trump Scales Back US-South Korea Military Exercises

US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea (sputnikvietnam_rss). Trump stated the decision was based on his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, calling the drills costly, inappropriate, and hostile (tabzlive). Trump also claimed he asked the South Korean president to assist in efforts against Iran, but the request was refused (iribnews).

China Tests Modular Military Systems on Commercial Ships

Images from the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai show a Chinese commercial container ship being equipped with modular military systems (farsna). The observable modifications include approximately 60 vertical launch missile cells, radar systems, close-in defense systems, and drone launch equipment, demonstrating Beijing's capability to convert standard cargo vessels into floating launch platforms during wartime (farsna).

🌍 EUROPE

Russia Strikes Western Arms Shipment in Black Sea

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its forces struck a cargo ship carrying Western military supplies destined for Ukraine in the Black Sea, east of Odesa (sputnikindia_rss). Russian forces also conducted drone strikes against fuel depots in the port of Odesa and facilities utilized for the production and storage of Ukrainian unmanned boats (akhbarefori).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

USS George Washington to Replace USS Abraham Lincoln

The United States is temporarily withdrawing its last aircraft carrier from the western Pacific, deploying the Japan-based USS George Washington to the Middle East (tabzlive). The vessel will replace the USS Abraham Lincoln amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, leaving the Pacific region without a US carrier presence until the Navy deploys a replacement (tabzlive).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"I say with all my heart that we truly won this war, both militarily and politically... This was the greatest absolute defeat for the United States and the Zionist regime." — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (tabzlive)

"Israel is the principal instigator of this war; it is the principal actor in this war. Israel continuously encouraged war and was always in favor of the option of war." — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (tabzlive)

"Washington calls Canada its 51st state... Meanwhile, Ottawa participates in the U.S.-led unlawful war of choice against Iran, to appease Washington! What's the reward? This is not Hockey Night in Canada; it is Washington's farm team." — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei (tabzlive)