Today, the U.S. State Department released a number of congressional notifications for foreign military sales (FMS) to Gulf nations totaling $16.5 billion. The nations in question include Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. FMS to the UAE includes, Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), F-16 munitions and upgrades, Long-Range Discrimination Radar with Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Integration, Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), and additional supplementary equipment. FMS to Kuwait includes Lower Tier Air and missile defense sensor radars. FMS to Jordan includes aircraft repair and ordnance support.

Pentagon officials have made detailed preparations for deploying U.S. ground forces into Iran, with senior military commanders having submitted specific requests aimed at preparing for such an option if such a decision is made by President Trump, multiple sources briefed on the discussions told CBS News. 

Preparations include how to handle the possible detention of Iranian soldiers and paramilitary operatives, such as where Iranian prisoners-of-war would be sent, two sources said, with the U.S. Army’s Immediate Response Force (IRF) under the 82nd Airborne Division and roughly 5,000 Marines from 11th and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit deploying to the Middle East.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a 300-for-300 prisoner swap took place between the Syrian Transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Al-Hasakah City. The swap is part of a wider deal, inked in January of this year, between the two factions that will see the SDF increasingly incorporated into the Syrian Armed Forces.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released footage earlier today showing strikes against military targets deep inside Iran.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released imagery of Iran’s Karaj Surface-to-Surface Missile Plant, following strikes that completely destroyed the facility in Northern Iran. The U.S. continues to degrade Iran’s ballistic and cruise missile production capacity, while Iran continues to launch missiles at countries across the Middle East.

The Israeli Air Force has said that in a strike earlier this week that killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the Commander of Iran’s Basij Force, also killed Ismail Ahmadi, who headed the paramilitary security force’s intelligence arm. Ahmadi played a key role in the deadly suppression of widespread protests earlier this year.

Reports earlier today and footage indicated that sirens sounded at NATO’s Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. However local media has said authorities have denied reports of an “adverse threat” to the local area, with this coming after several ballistic missile attacks against the base by Iran.

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the French Navy and Special Forces intercepted and boarded a vessel that was part of Russia’s Shadow Fleet, the crude oil tanker M/T DEYNA, in the Mediterranean Sea early Friday. According to the President, the ongoing Iran War will not stop France from its continued support for Ukraine and the prosecution of interdiction measures against sanctioned assets assisting Russia.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump once again lashed out at NATO allies today on TruthSocial, calling NATO a “paper tiger” and lambasting them for their reticence to work with the U.S. to realize a framework that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has announced a kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). The U.S. Coast Guard was notified following the strike to begin search and rescue operations for three survivors.

The Kuwaiti Armed Forces have said that in the past 24 hours they have detected an Iranian ballistic missile, which was shot down, and 25 Iranian one-way attack drones, of which 15 were intercepted and destroyed. 2 drones targeted a Kuwait Oil Corporation refinery causing a fire that is now under control, while 8 drones fell in open areas causing no damage or casualties.

In a written statement posted to Iranian-linked social media channels, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei congratulates his followers on the occasion of the festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz. This is his second written statement since assuming power following claims from the U.S. and others that he had been injured in an earlier strike on Tehran.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has released video of a U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker of the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, over the CENTCOM Area-of-Responsibility (AOR).

According to Bloomberg, citing a U.S. official with knowledge on the matter, President Donald J. Trump has “no plans” currently to deploy U.S. troops in Iran, specifically Iran’s strategically and economically important Kharg Island, but caveated the statement by saying that the U.S. will retain the ability to do so if ordered by President Trump.

According to Politico, citing two people familiar with the matter, the U.S. rejected a proposal from the Head of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, that Russia will stop sharing intelligence with Iran on U.S. bases and infrastructure in the Middle East if the U.S. stops sharing intelligence with Ukraine, during his meeting last week in Miami, Florida with White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and White House Envoy Jared Kushner. For the first time confirming that Russia is indeed assisting Iran with targeting data, data that has likely resulted in the death of Americans.

Amidst the conflict in the Middle East, the NATO Mission in Iraq has relocated its personnel from the Middle East to Europe, per a release from NATO’s SHAPE.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has issued an Executive Order directing the Secretary of Commerce and Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to work with the College Football Playoffs and broadcast partners to ensure no other football games are broadcast during the Army-Navy Game.

According to Reuters, citing a source with knowledge on the matter, U.S. and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Miami tomorrow. The meeting, which will not include principal decision-makers, will include U.S. negotiators, led by White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and White House Envoy Jared Kushner. Ukrainian negotiators will be led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Chef of Staff Kyrylo Budanov, his ‌deputy Serhiy Kyslytsia, and Davyd Arakhamia, the head of his parliamentary faction. The meeting is meant to work out bilateral agreements, including a drone deal that is currently in the works between Ukraine and the United States.