On Monday, it was reported satellite imagery suggested Iran is making repairs to the Imam Khomeini Spaceport and is preparing for a new space launch attempt. An Iranian official later confirmed that Iran is preparing to launch the Zafar satellite with the Simorgh space launch vehicle. The expected launch window is February 1-11. The official said Iran has plans to put five more satellites in orbit after the Zafar.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Saudi Arabia had intercepted missiles launched by the Houthis in Yemen targeting the Aramco oil facilities the previous week. The Houthis claimed they launched 26 rocket attacks that targeted Aramco facilities in Abha and Jazan, the Khamis Mushait military base, and airports in Saudi Arabia.
On Thursday, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper stated the U.S. is working to get permission from the Iraqi government to deploy Patriot missile defense systems to provide defense for U.S. troops in the country. Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley, stated there were also logistical issues still to work out for the deployment.
On Friday, the joint command post exercise Keen Edge 2020 came to a close. The exercise tested the U.S. Army’s 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s ability to integrate and be interoperable with units from Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Japan, as well as with Japanese forces.
Over the weekend, projectiles were launched from the Gaza strip into Israel for the fourth day in a row. The projectiles over the four days have included both rockets and mortar shells. Israel said Iron Dome had intercepted two projectiles on Friday while other projectiles landed in uninhabited areas.
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