As of today, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz are the focal point for both tactical maritime friction and strategic decision-making between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Between February 3rd and today, we’ve had two major incidents involving tankers in that region:

• Feb 3: Iran attempted to stop and board an American-flagged tanker using fast boats and a drone.

• Today: Iran seized two tankers near Farsi Island, north of the Strait of Hormuz.

That’s not business as usual. That’s escalation behavior—especially while they’re pretending to negotiate.

The ship they tried to stop on February 3rd wasn’t just “some American-flagged commercial vessel.” It was the MV Stena Impero—part of a U.S. government program called the Tanker Security Program (TSP).

TSP ships are essentially mobile fuel lifelines for the U.S. Navy—specially certified for refueling warships underway. That’s not a small capability. That is how you keep destroyers and carrier groups operating without coming home.

So when Iran sends fast boats with machine guns and launches a drone toward a tanker like that, it isn’t just piracy or harassment. It’s potentially an attempt to cripple U.S. naval sustainment right before a strike window.

And if Iran had successfully taken that tanker? That could’ve kicked off a shooting war on the spot.

The two ships seized today—and why Iran did it now

Now, the two tankers seized today near Farsi Island were different. These were illegally flagged “ghost fleet” style ships, and based on what’s being overlooked in mainstream reporting, they were involved in subsidy arbitrage—buying heavily subsidized Iranian diesel and selling it in neighboring markets for massive profit.

Iran subsidizes fuel so heavily that it can be purchased inside the country for pennies. Across the water, diesel sells at market rates. That markup is insane—more than most illegal drug operations.

So yes—Iran has every right to stop fuel theft.

But here’s the real question: Why do it now?

I’ve said for a couple years now that we’re living through something bigger than a single war in a single place. Call it a world war, call it a multi-front conflict, call it the beginning stages of a new global order collapsing and reforming—whatever label you prefer, the point is this:

What happens in one theater affects the others, and the people pretending these conflicts are isolated are either naïve or lying.

Northeast Syria: the quiet tension under the surface

Yesterday we pushed as far northeast as you can go inside Syria—close enough to see the tri-border area where Iraq, Iran, and Turkey squeeze together. We drove right along the Turkish border wall. We passed an American base that is still functional, and we watched a U.S. convoy roll by—MRAPs, American flags, escorting tankers and cargo trucks that looked like a resupply run.

So yes: there are still U.S. troops here, and they’re positioned where the oil infrastructure is. This matters, because it tells you what Washington is willing to hold onto even when it publicly pretends it’s “done” with Syria.

This whole region is still considered Kurdish-held territory. And even as Kurdish authorities try to manage the political reality of new forces pushing in—playing “friendly,” flashing peace signs, trying to keep the temperature down—the underlying truth hasn’t changed:

The Kurds haven’t abandoned the dream of a state.

There are still voices calling for Rojava—everything east of the Euphrates—to be declared sovereign. That probably isn’t going anywhere diplomatically, but it tells you the story here isn’t “resolved.” It’s paused. And pauses in this part of the world are usually just the breath you take before the next sprint.

Derek, displaced families, and the kind of “aid” that lasts longer than food

We also went to the town of Derek, in the far northeast corner—right on the Turkish border. Our Free Burma Rangers team was there to run a Good Life Club and do food distribution for internally displaced families living in a school.

With deep sorrow, we share that precious Lia Brits, at the tender age of 9 years old,

has passed away after her courageous battle with cystic fibrosis.

Because of your extraordinary generosity, and despite many unforeseen obstacles,

Lia was able to receive the stem cells. However, just before her therapy began, she

contracted an unexpected and aggressive infection. This complication caused a delay

in treatment and led to a rapid and devastating decline.

Lia was receiving care in a severely under-resourced hospital environment, where

critical limitations made an already fragile situation even more difficult. Despite every

effort made, circumstances beyond our control unfolded, and three days ago she went

home to the Lord.

Your donations made a profound and tangible difference during this unimaginably

difficult season. They provided critical resources and brought relief and necessary

support to Lia’s family. The Brits family is deeply grateful for your compassion,

generosity, and faithful prayers.

Our hearts are broken, yet we trust the Lord who now holds Lia in His care. Please

continue to pray for her family in this time of deep grief.

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8