New Intel Raises Alarming Questions About Iran’s Targeting Of US Forces

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): New Chinese firms market Iran war intelligence “exposing” U.S. forces. The private companies — some with ties to military — are marketing detailed intelligence on movements of U.S. forces, even as Beijing seeks to appear to keep its distance.

As war in Iran erupted social media sleuths flagged wave of viral posts detailing equipment at U.S. bases, movements of U.S. carrier groups and granular breakdowns of how military aircraft were assembling for strikes on Tehran.

The companies, many of which have emerged in past five years as part of Beijing’s push to harness private AI for military use under its civil-military fusion strategy, are marrying AI with open-source data to expose movement of U.S. forces.

Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia took satellite images of U.S. base in Saudi Arabia three times before Iran strike: Zelensky. Strike on Prince Sultan Air Base, injured 12 U.S. troops. Two suffered significant injuries.

Attack also damaged multiple U.S. refueling aircraft, and several large drones, and effectively destroyed an E-3 Sentry AWACs radar plane.

Zelenskyy sounded new warnings about Russia’s intelligence sharing with Iran. Zelenskyy also provided insight on how Ukraine is helping U.S. in war against Iran.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of the top defense news of the last couple of days from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:

NATIONAL SECURITY

Golden Dome, ships and missiles top Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request for next fiscal year, by far largest year-over-year increase in defense spending in post-WWII era.

How many energy crises will it take before we stop betting our economies on fragile oil market? U.S. and Israeli war with Iran quickly morphed from regional conflict into global energy shock.

3D printing has enabled intense drone-on-drone warfare in Ukraine but U.S. has overlooked stealthier development: Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing how guns are produced and fielded in armed conflicts, especially by non-state actors.

DEFENSE POLITICS

War Secretary Pete Hegseth asked four-star general and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and retire effective immediately.

Hegseth directive allows service members to request permission to carry privately owned firearms on military installations while off duty.

Pentagon to buy Ukrainian interceptor drones, having concluded no U.S. manufacturer can match price, delivery times, and battlefield-tested reliability. One drone developed jointly U.K. firm and Ukrainian firm with almost perfect score beat every U.S. competitor by more than ten points in Pentagon’s Drone Dominance evaluation.

U.S. defense stocks have declined even as Iran war drags on, indicating typical “buy-on-conflict” trade had largely peaked in weeks before war began in anticipation of tougher action by Trump.

US POWER OVERSEAS

America’s newest super aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford returned to sea after five-day port call in Split, Croatia, where it received repairs for earlier onboard fire near its crew quarters.

Small electrical fires aboard cruiser USS Princeton led to partial evacuation while ship was docked at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach in California. Warship is now back at sea.

IRAN CAMPAIGN

Key Iranian bridge near Tehran, B1 bridge in Alborz province, one of tallest in Middle East, was hit by two waves of attacks. Bridge provides critical link between Tehran and Karaj.

B-52 Stratofortress bombers marked new first in Operation Epic Fury when some BUFFs flew over Iran dropping JDAM-guided gravity bombs. It signals weakening of Iranian air defenses and new use for venerable bomber.

When an E-3 Sentry battle management aircraft (AWACS) was severely damaged in Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, it sparked questions about what’s next for one of Air Force’s oldest, smallest, but most critical air fleets. Service doesn’t have many options to answer those questions.

U.S. declared space superiority over Iran this week. But what does that mean given country’s inchoate military space program and reliance on space-based intelligence from other nations?

WAR’S REGIONAL/GLOBAL IMPACT

Iran fires missiles at Israel and Gulf neighbors Kuwait and Bahrain as Trump talks of winding down Mideast war.

Iran-backed militias have been increasing their attacks in Iraq in part because Tehran has lost control over them since Epic Fury began. State Department announced reward of up to $3 million for information about who is carrying out these attacks

UK accused Iran of holding world’s economy hostage as diplomats from more than 40 countries held talks on ways to press Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Zelenskyy offers expertise on keeping waterways open amid Middle East conflict. “Ukraine has expertise concerning sea waterways, and the defense and reopening of maritime traffic,” he said.

TRUMP AND NATO

Bipartisan group of senators vow to keep U.S. in NATO, day after Trump threatened to abandon transatlantic alliance. This, after NATO allies refused to help U.S. in Strait of Hormuz.

CHINA THREAT

Pakistan says new round of peace talks with Afghanistan underway in China. Beijing is trying to broker ceasefire after weeks of deadly fighting.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Russia’s advance in Ukraine stalled in March, with no territorial gains for first time in over two years. Ukrainian forces also recaptured small areas, signaling slowdown in Moscow’s momentum after months of progress.

EUROPEAN DEFENSE

Swedish defense company to build major 155mm artillery shell factory in northeastern Estonia. It will represent most significant foreign investment in country’s nascent defense industrial base.

SPACE THREATS

Space Force to create futures-like group at HQ Staff. New staff group to focus on force design and analysis to guide number of future-oriented organizations, including Space Warfighting Analysis Center and office of Chief Science Officer.

US MILITARY

‘Prepare your family’: Marine Reserve commander gives warlike safety brief. In address to troops as headlines trumpeted possibility of upcoming combat deployments, three-star general had message: Get your cammies ready.

It’s real, it’s here.’ Elbit shows off ‘combat proven’ Sigma mobile Howitzer platform. It’s American made, combat effective and ready to roll out to Army and other customers.

Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve leaders warn Air Force must modernize their fighter fleets along with Active force, or they risk losing combat-tested talent and making reserve forces irrelevant in future combat operations.

Fifteen airmen awarded Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star for their work in flying missions in contested airspace during recent combat operations.

END of PDB

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

READ NEXT: From Flop To Fury: Ex-TV Star Drops Unhinged Anti-Trump Conspiracy