Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz down 90%
Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased by 90% since the start of the U.S.-Israeli attacks against Iran, according to energy market intelligence firm Kpler.
Iranian military officials stated that they have completely halted traffic through this critical maritime route, through which one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supplies are transported. However, Kpler reported that some vessels are still risking passage along this dangerous route.
“Unlike other segments of the fleet, where traffic has largely stopped, some oil tankers are still traveling eastbound and westbound through the strait, with several voyages taking place under disrupted conditions,” said Kpler analyst Matt Wright, referring to the maritime traffic tracking system.
CENTCOM: We have struck or sunk more than 20 Iranian vessels
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that U.S. forces have hit or sunk more than 20 vessels belonging to the Iranian regime.
Iranian missile heading toward Israel
A new ballistic missile has been launched from Iran toward Israel, the IDF report.
Sirens are expected to sound in central Israel.
04/03/2026 13:54
Death toll in Iran rises to 1,045
The number of people killed in Iran from the U.S.-Israeli attacks has risen to 1,045, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim.
04/03/2026 13:52
Turkey: Missile launched from Iran neutralized before entering the country
Turkey announced that NATO defense systems intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran before it entered Turkish airspace.
Specifically, Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense stated:
“A ballistic missile launched from Iran and detected heading toward Turkish airspace, after passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace, was neutralized in time by NATO missile defense systems located in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Among other things, Ankara noted:
“Any step taken to defend our territory and airspace will be decisive and without hesitation. We remind that we reserve the right to respond to any hostile act against our country.”
Additionally, according to the Turkish ministry, the munition that fell in the Dörtyol area of Hatay province was part of Turkey’s air defense system that intercepted the threat in the air. There were no casualties or injuries from the incident.
Israel reportedly killed Rahman Makentom, the man behind the assassination attempt on Trump
Israel is said to have killed Rahman Makentom, head of the special unit of the Revolutionary Guards, who was behind the assassination attempt on Donald Trump prior to the 2024 presidential elections, according to Channel 12.
Donald Trump was informed of this development in the past few hours.
04/03/2026 13:30 – Postponement of Khamenei’s funeral ceremony
The ceremony in honor of the late Iranian leader Khamenei in Tehran, initially scheduled to begin this afternoon, has been postponed, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
The agency cited an official who mentioned logistical issues as the reason for the postponement, including requests from people in various provinces to attend the ceremony.
IDF Operations Could Last Up to Two Weeks; Increased Activity at Akrotiri Base
The Israeli military is preparing for 1 to 2 weeks of operations inside Iran, with plans to strike thousands of additional regime and military targets, according to the Times of Israel.
The goal is the systematic weakening of the Iranian regime and its military infrastructure.
Some Israeli Defense Forces officials also believe that Gulf states previously attacked by Iran could eventually join the offensive campaign, although they are currently focused on defensive actions, such as intercepting Iranian missiles and drones.
Meanwhile, heightened activity has been observed at the Akrotiri military base since Wednesday morning, with a noticeable increase in vehicle movement. According to Philenews, there is a continuous flow of vehicles entering the base, including heavy transport.
At the same time, a British Forces aircraft has been conducting perimeter flights around the military base.
Half of the passengers on the flight that returned to Athens from Larnaca chose not to fly again
A “red alert” was issued Wednesday morning in the airspace over Cyprus due to a suspicious object, forcing an Aegean flight to return to Athens.
The aircraft, which was headed to Larnaca, began circling over the island shortly before its scheduled landing, before finally being ordered back to Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, where it landed around 10:50 a.m.
Although the flight departed again after a delay, about half of the passengers chose not to board again, fearing escalation in the Middle East.
04/03/2026 13:04
UAE announces it shot down 3 missiles and 121 drones
The UAE Ministry of Defense reported that it shot down three ballistic missiles and 121 drones.
04/03/2026 12:55
Israelis worry about possible surprise attack from Houthis, who have so far remained neutral
The Israeli army must be ready for a potential surprise attack from the Houthis, a senior military official warned in a closed meeting, according to sources cited by Walla.
The Yemen-based group represents one of the greatest uncertainties in Israel’s current strategy. Despite escalating threats in recent months, the Houthis have remained outside Israeli-American efforts against Iran, maintaining a neutral stance.
The senior official, however, ordered a thorough examination of every missile launch and terrorist route that emerges, to assess possible links to the Houthis. He also warned that with Iran’s help, the Houthis have rebuilt their capabilities in ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which could potentially reach Israel.
Opinions within Israel’s security establishment are divided. Some officials believe the Houthis understand that, given the current geopolitical situation, they may be seen as targeting Americans, who are scattered across Israel with thousands of troops. Even more concerning is that the Houthis could be seen as violating the ceasefire agreement with the U.S., risking a possible multi-directional attack.
On the other hand, some within the defense establishment argue that Israel cannot reduce its vigilance, as concerns grow that the Houthis may be preparing a surprise attack, either by air or by ground. To address this, the Israeli army has reinforced air defense and control systems in critical areas, focusing on improving surveillance, detection, and interception along the eastern border, especially given concerns about possible ground operations.
In response to these threats, senior Israeli commanders toured positions in the Jordan Valley and surrounding areas. These positions were reinforced with reserve battalions mobilized on Saturday as part of heightened readiness along Israel’s borders.
04/03/2026 12:46
Israel ordered residents of villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately
The Israeli army has ordered residents of dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel, to evacuate their villages and move “immediately” north of the Litani River.
A spokesperson for the Israeli army warned residents that if they move south of the river, they would endanger their lives.
The area south of the Litani River stretches mainly along the border with Israel. The Lebanese government says it has cleared the area of Hezbollah’s military presence in recent months.
The Greek frigates “Kimon” and “Psara” arrived in Cyprus to provide protection to the island following drone strikes at Akrotiri, complementing Athens’ assistance to Nicosia, which also includes the four F-16 Vipers already stationed at the “Andreas Papandreou” base in Paphos.
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The frigates of the Hellenic Navy arrived in Cyprus on Wednesday morning.
The mission of the frigates “Kimon” and “Psara,” along with the F-16s in Cyprus, establishes a clear operational footprint aimed at strengthening the island’s anti-aircraft and anti-drone defenses.
Particular importance lies in the presence of “Psara,” which carries the Greek-developed electronic warfare system “Kentavros” for countering unmanned threats, combined with the area air defense capabilities of “Kimon” and the aerial cover provided by the F-16s.
Capabilities of the Frigate “Kimon”
“Kimon,” a frontline FDI HN (Belharra) unit of the Hellenic Navy, is the most advanced anti-aircraft platform in the Greek fleet. It has 32 vertical launch cells for Aster 30 missiles, providing long-range area air defense.
It is equipped with the AESA Sea Fire radar, capable of simultaneously tracking multiple aerial targets, along with an advanced combat system. This configuration allows “Kimon” to act as a hub for anti-air coverage over a wide area, not only for the ship itself but also for the operational zone.
Frigate “Psara” and the “Kentavros” System
The frigate “Psara” (MEKO 200HN class) is equipped with ESSM missiles for medium-range air defense, a CIWS Phalanx system for close-in protection, and integrated surveillance radars.
Of particular significance is the Greek-developed electronic warfare system “Kentavros,” integrated into Hellenic Navy units.
Developed by the Hellenic Aerospace Industry, “Kentavros” is a soft-kill system designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It detects and jams the communication and guidance signals of drones, neutralizing them without firing weapons.
Operational Significance
In an environment where UAV attacks are a key feature of modern conflicts, the presence of this system gains enhanced operational importance.
Frigate Capabilities:
- “Kentavros” is an electronic warfare system against UAVs.
- It detects, jams, and neutralizes hostile drones through electronic interference.
- It has already been operationally tested on surface units of the Hellenic Navy.
The system’s presence is increasingly important in the context of drone attacks, offering an immediate capability to counter low-cost, low-signature threats, which are a hallmark of modern warfare.
It is also noted that, following Greece, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are reinforcing Cyprus’ defense with aircraft carriers, frigates, fighter jets, and anti-drone systems.
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