The Wire - July 9, 2024

//The Wire//2100Z July 9, 2024//
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//BLUF: IRANIAN WARSHIP SINKS IN PORT DUE TO MALFUNCTION. HURRICANE BERYL LEAVES MILLIONS WITHOUT POWER IN TEXAS. SCOTUS JUSTICE SECURITY DETAIL INVOLVED IN ATTEMPTED CARJACKING IN WASHINGTON D.C.//
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-International Events-
Iran: The IRIN Mowj-class Frigate SAHAND capsized in port Bandar Abbas on Saturday while undergoing modernization operations and general repairs and upgrades. This follows Iran’s recent election in which Masoud Pezeshkian was elected to the office of President.
-HomeFront-
Washington D.C. – The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has released information regarding a US Marshals Service (USMS) shooting that involved a SCOTUS Justice. In an MPD press release dated July 5th, an individual attempted to carjack an official USMS vehicle that was providing security at the residence of SCOTUS Justice Sotomayor. Two Marshals engaged the assailant after he produced a firearm and attempted to carjack the security detail. The assailant has been identified as 18-year-old Kentrell Flowers, and was hospitalized for non-life threatening wounds as a result of the shooting. AC: The initial reporting of this incident made no mention of the connection to a SCOTUS Justice, however the address provided by the MPD matches that of Justice Sotomayor. Additionally, the assailant arrived at the location in a vehicle of his own, however no mention was made of the status of this getaway vehicle and/or who or if anyone was driving it.
Texas: Damage continues following the arrival of Hurricane Beryl. As of this report, roughly two million customers remain without power. Localized flooding has also complicated efforts to ensure logistical needs are met, with food and fuel shortages affecting many areas.
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Analyst Comments: Iranian officials have released few details regarding the sinking of their warship, but have given the cause of the sinking as accidental due to issues with the ship’s ballast system. The SAHAND was quickly salvaged Saturday night as she originally sank pier side. However, during the recovery operation (or shortly afterward) she capsized and sank again on Sunday in slightly deeper waters within the port of Bandar Abbas. Iranian officials have not acknowledged the second sinking yet. However, as the SAHAND is now almost completely underwater salvage operations may take some time.
Of note, Iranian ship classes are frequently debated as the domestically-produced Iranian vessels usually do not conform to international standards. Iran classifies their newest line of Mowj-class vessels as Destroyers, whereas most of the world classifies them as Frigates due to their largely defensive role and questionable Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities.
Analyst: S2A1
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