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A significant power outage hit western Cuba on Wednesday, cutting electricity to millions of residents in the most recent incident as the nation contends with declining oil supplies linked to sanctions from President .According to the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, a "disconnection of the national electrical grid" occurred around 12:41 p.m., causing a total blackout that extended from Camagüey to Pinar del Río and encompassed the greater Havana metropolitan region.The embassy stated that " is becoming increasingly unstable, and both planned and unplanned power cuts happen daily throughout the country, including Havana." "These outages impact water supply, lighting, refrigeration, and communications. It is advised to take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food, and mobile phone battery, and to be ready for major disruptions."The cause of the blackout was an unplanned failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, which is situated about 62 miles east of Havana.The Associated Press, citing local reports, indicated that it could take a minimum of three days to fully restore power to the island.Vicente de la O Levy, Cuba's minister of Energy and Mines, noted that "We are working to restore the SEN (National Electroenergetic System) during a complex energy scenario." He confirmed that at least one facility, the Felton 1 power plant, is still functioning.As Reuters reported, Cuba's familiarity with frequent outages from state-mandated energy rationing meant some traffic lights and businesses could continue operating using solar panels or backup generators. The news agency also said many citizens have installed solar panels on their homes and vehicles to generate power as fuel prices climb.A series of extensive blackouts has affected Cuba in recent years, stemming from persistent problems with its old electrical infrastructure and ongoing fuel scarcities.The energy crisis intensified in January following a U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and stopped Venezuelan oil exports, severing Cuba's primary fuel source.In January, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said that even after the U.S. cut off Havana's energy lifeline, his government Washington to negotiate a new arrangement.Reuters contributed to this report.

An Iranian refugee who was held at gunpoint at school prior to fleeing Iran during the 1979 revolution is calling for hope, democracy, and prayers for his homeland as the U.S. joins Israel in targeting Iran’s ruling clerical regime.David Nasser, now an American pastor, spoke to Digital six days after developments in Iran, which reignited haunting memories for him—including those from when he was 9 years old."When I was a child, my family and I had to escape Iran to save our lives," recalled Nasser, President and CEO of Outreach."We found safety as refugees granted political asylum in the United States," Nasser said, explaining that his father had been a high-ranking officer in Iran’s military, meaning "his family became targets as the""One of my clearest memories of realizing everything would never be the same was at a school assembly on a military base—a soldier called three names, and mine was first," he said."When I reached the front, the soldier dropped a piece of paper, pulled a gun from his holster, pressed it to my head, and quoted the Quran. He told me he’d been sent to make an example of me," Nasser added.The principal intervened, but the message he delivered was unmistakeable, Nasser remembered."They’re killing anyone of importance. They’re trying to set an example with families like ours, using fear," he recalled hearing at the time."That’s one of my earliest memories of the revolution—just being absolutely terrified for my life."Soon after, Nasser’s family came up with a plan: they would pretend his mother needed emergency heart surgery in Switzerland and buy round-trip tickets to avoid raising suspicion."We bought round-trip airline tickets as if we were going and coming back, but we weren’t—we were fleeing for our lives," he said.At the airport, Nasser remembers clinging tightly to his father’s hand and hearing words he’ll never forget."'If they find out we’re escaping, they’ll kill us right here on the spot,' my father said, his hands shaking as he held mine. The last time I was in Iran, I was a 9-year-old boy," he said.Now, watching events unfold in Iran from the safety of the U.S., Nasser said his heart remains with millions of desperate Iranians facing uncertainty."We see them—I see them, I hear them. My heart is racing for them right now, filled with hope and prayers for their protection and support," Nasser said."Protection—I’m praying for their safety. I want to help provide for them. If Iran transitions, I want to help rebuild.""If this moment actually comes and they move from a theocracy to a democracy, I want to be part of the solution—for that 9-year-old boy I once was. I want to do this for him."Beyond political change, Nasser—who also serves as teaching pastor at New Vision Baptist Church—said he finds solace in what he describes as an ongoing spiritual transformation, calling it "the fastest-growing church in the world right now or the""We know there are at least 4 million and up to 8 million Christians in Iran right now," he said."In Iran, converting from Islam to Christianity can be a death sentence. If they come into your home while you’re gathering for Christian worship, they’ll take your home title—you’ll lose your house.""They’re in prison. They’re being tortured. They’re being ridiculed. They’re being mocked.""Above all, I came to America—a land of opportunity—and was given the gift of democracy. I would love to see democracy in Iran, where all boys and girls have the same opportunities I had when I managed to escape."

As U.S. and Israeli air forces keep attacking and facilities with devastating military strikes, there are intense discussions going on about who will rule the country if the regime collapses.One of the biggest questions being asked by Iran experts is whether the fragmented opposition groups can come together and unite to defeat the regime.Lawdan Bazargan, an Iranian political and human rights activist who was imprisoned by the regime for her dissident activities in the 1980s, told Digital there is a dangerous precedent for a completely unified opposition."Unity doesn't mean everyone stands under my flag," she said."That model failed Iran once before. In 1979, one figure [Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini] absorbed moral authority while claiming he wasn't seeking office and ended up consolidating absolute power. It's also not fair to automatically position someone who hasn't lived in Iran for decades as the interim authority of over 90 million people. That fuels more mistrust, not less."She also warned about the need to avoid a Venezuela situation where Nicolás Maduro was replaced by his devotee, Delcy Rodríguez.Mariam Memarsadeghi, a senior fellow at The Macdonald-Laurier Institute and founder and director of the Cyrus Forum for Iran's Future, told Digital, "When it comes to helping unite opposition forces, the crown prince [Reza Pahlavi] has the most responsibility because he is leading. It's to everyone's advantage for him to build true alliances and real cooperation."He can start by reconciling with prominent figures who once collaborated with him before spoilers in his own ranks were pushed by regime manipulation and infiltration to turn against others. It will be tempting to think that because he is popular, he doesn't need others. But there is much hard work ahead."Reza Farnood, a researcher, writer and activist, told Digital, "In 48 years of activism and struggle, I have never experienced such broad unity and alignment. Even those who for years held firmly leftist views and were staunch opponents of the Shah and the Pahlavi family are now openly supporting the prince. Inside Iran, people are openly and courageously chanting his name."Yet others remain skeptical of Pahlavi."Unfortunately, the Iranian opposition is more divided than ever," Alireza Nader, an Iran expert, said. "And I blame much of it on Reza Pahlavi and his team. Take the announcement of the formation of the new Kurdish Iranian coalition. Pahlavi attacked the coalition as soon as it was formed, labeling them as'separatists.'"But then Pahlavi had to take back his statement after he found out that President Trump had called Kurdish leaders, an important development."Nader added, "The Kurds are very organized and capable. And they are armed. Anyone who wants to free Iran has to work with them. The regime is a in Iran. It's an ideology and belief system that won't be uprooted with air strikes. And the regime has been preparing for this moment for decades. The individual leaders may not matter as much as the system."Yet while many voices claim Pahlavi should be the rightful successor to bring democracy to Iran, others point to the influential Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), the Iranian exile organization that has attracted supporters like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.The group was reportedly the first to highlight Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions and regularly posts videos on its social media showing its active units operating against the regime. A post on X dated March 3 shows attacks against regime targets."Resistance Units step up anti-regime activities nationwide," it said, adding that there have been 30 operations in 15 cities, including Tehran, in recent days.Its Paris-based leader, Maryam Rajavi, says she supports a secular provisional government. Ali Safavi, an official with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told Digital, the organization "has consistently argued that unity must be built on principles — republicanism, popular sovereignty, human rights and the separation of religion and state — rather than on personalities or nostalgia for past systems."The NCRI is the umbrella organization for groups that fall under MEK.Andrew Ghalili, the policy director for the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI), defended Pahlavi's standing, saying, "There is no figure within the Islamic Republic who has legitimacy with the Iranian people or who would be a credible partner for the U.S."As for opposition unity, the pro-democracy opposition is more united than it gets credit for. At the Munich Security Conference in 2025, a broad coalition came together around and four core principles for democratic transition. That includes monarchists, republicans, human rights advocates, ethnic minority representatives — all committed to a democratic, territorially intact Iran."Ghalili claimed, "When people say the opposition is 'fractured,' they're usually lumping in groups like the MEK, which is universally reviled inside Iran and has no democratic credentials or aspirations, or separatist movements that don't reflect what Iranians, including ethnic minorities, actually want. The real pro-democracy opposition is already uniting. The world, and international media, should recognize it.""If the West truly wants stability and not a, it should not anoint personalities," Bazargan warned. "It should push for a structured transition that guarantees free and fair elections within 12 months, with distributed authority and real safeguards against concentration of power."Iran does not need another supreme figure, even a secular one. It needs an accountable transitional framework, so every Iranian feels they have a stake in their future. Without that, fragmentation will continue, and fragmentation only helps the regime survive."Her warning was echoed by Memarsadeghi, who said, "The Iranian people will not trust in any process that leaves in power that massacred them."

A U.S. Navy torpedo worth millions of dollars exploded under an Iranian vessel during a nighttime submarine attack near the southern coast of Sri Lanka. In a Wednesday briefing at the Pentagon, War Secretary Pete Hegseth described this as the first such assault since World War II.According to a former U.S. submarine commander, the weapon, a Mark 48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) torpedo, highlighted the level of force employed and communicated to Tehran that "the gloves really are off.""The Mark 48 ranks among the most deadly anti-ship weapons available to the U.S. military," an adjunct senior fellow at a think tank, identified as Shugart, stated in an interview with Digital.Shugart explained that the torpedo is equipped with a 650-pound warhead and is engineered to explode underneath a ship rather than hitting it directly. This creates a massive vapor bubble that fractures the vessel's hull, breaking it in two.He added, "The torpedo blew up beneath the stern of the Iranian ship, lifting it clear of the water, which caused it to sink within minutes."Each torpedo has an approximate cost of $4.2 million, Shugart noted, comparing the attack to infrequent submarine engagements in recent naval history.Beyond World War II, he cited the 1982 Falklands War as another instance where a submarine-fired torpedo destroyed a significant surface warship."This is only the second time a nuclear-powered submarine has torpedoed and sunk a ship," Shugart said."The sole other occurrence was when the British submarine HMS Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano during the Falklands War in 1982," he continued.He indicated that the submarine mission would have required enhanced surveillance, forward-deployed naval assets, and precise operations aimed at showcasing U.S. naval superiority."It certainly appears to be a signal that the gloves really are off," Shugart further commented.At the Wednesday briefing, Hegseth told reporters the strike targeted "an Iranian ship that believed it was secure in international waters."Hegseth characterized the attack as "a quiet death," noting it was the first time an enemy ship had been sunk by a torpedo since World War II."U.S. Navy submarines possess exceptional mobility and stealth, and their crews are superbly trained," Shugart elaborated. "Firing a torpedo was not a difficult operation for a U.S. submarine.""Tracking and destroying an Iranian ship of that nature is not a demanding mission for a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine," he stated.The warship that was hit, identified as Iran's newest frigate, was armed with surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedo launchers, and various other heavy armaments.Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Minister, Vijitha Herath, reported that the nation's coast guard received a distress call from the Iranian ship at 5:08 a.m. local time on Wednesday, reporting an explosion."I am uncertain if Iran maintains any operational submarines, but if they do, their largest vessels would be at least 20 to 30 years old," Shugart said."They would be former Russian diesel-electric submarines, lacking the nuclear power, satellite communications, and unlimited range of the U.S. fleet.""U.S. submarines can sustain high speeds indefinitely, limited only by their food supplies. They are outfitted with the most sophisticated weapons and sensor systems."He concluded, "This attack delivered a clear message that any remaining Iranian warships or government vessels can expect no mercy."

Iran has postponed a planned farewell ceremony in Tehran for its late supreme leader, Ayatollah [name], who was slain on Saturday in U.S.-Israeli strikes as part of Operation Epic Fury.The three-day event was set to commence at 10 p.m. local time on Wednesday at Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall, where substantial crowds were anticipated to assemble to offer their tributes, as reported by Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian news agency.Hojjatoleslam Seyed Mohsen Mahmoudi, the head of [Province], stated that the postponement came about due to widespread requests to take part and the requirement to furnish sufficient infrastructure and amenities to host attendees.He stated, "It was determined to hold the ceremony at a more suitable time."No further reason for the postponement was provided, and it was not immediately evident when the ceremony would be rescheduled.Israeli Minister Israel Katz cautioned the Iranian leadership in a post on X that any successor who attempts to 'annihilate Israel, threaten the United States, the free world, and the countries in the region, and repress the Iranian people' will be an 'unambiguous target for elimination.'Katz stated, 'It matters not what his name is or where he conceals himself.'The funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, attracted huge crowds in the nation's capital on June 11, 1989, with an estimated 10.2 million people present, approximately one-sixth of the country's population at that time.According to [source], it drew the highest proportion of the population ever noted at a funeral.Khamenei's passing initiates a process overseen by Iran's Assembly of Experts, the clerical body tasked with appointing the supreme leader.Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, stated to [media outlet] Digital, 'The IRGC is a crucial participant in this process and will significantly shape its result.'

Recently, a group of 74 retired U.S. generals and admirals expressed strong support for the actions targeting Iran, asserting it as a necessary response to decades of threats from the Islamic Republic against the United States, its allies, and regional stability.This endorsement materialized in an open letter released on Tuesday by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), which was signed by dozens of former senior U.S. military commanders.The letter backs the current military operations, referred to as , which are intended to diminish Iran's capacity to threaten U.S. forces and their partners throughout the Middle East.The letter states, "As [signatories], we support the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation to reduce and weaken the Iranian regime's ability to threaten the United States, our allies and partners, and the Iranian people. And we praise the bravery of the exceptional U.S. Military and our Intelligence Community involved in this operation."Prominent signatories include former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr., who served during the height of the Iraq War; former Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jerome Johnson; former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. W.L. Nyland, who held the position during the early Iraq War; former Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command Gen. Philip M. Breedlove; and former U.S. Pacific Command chief Adm. Timothy J. Keating.The retired commanders contend that Iran's leadership has spent decades menacing American interests and backing militant groups across the region.The letter states, "Since its establishment 47 years ago, the radical regime, whose slogan is 'Death to America, Death to Israel,' has been dedicated to endangering the lives of U.S. troops, diplomats, and civilians across the Middle East and within the United States itself. It also notes that 'hundreds of Americans have lost their lives at the hands of the Islamic Republic and its terrorist proxies.'" According to the signatories, the current military campaign is a direct reaction to Iran's ongoing efforts to expand its military capabilities.The letter states, "U.S.-Israeli military action is a response to Iran's unwavering efforts to turn those ambitions into reality. Following last summer's 12-Day War, Tehran has intensified its missile construction program to put our bases, our partners, and ultimately our homeland at risk."The letter warns that Iran's regional proxy network remains a key concern. "Its proxy forces in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and other places continue to threaten U.S. targets, Israel, and navigation freedom in some of the world's most crucial waterways."The letter additionally argues that Iran has continued to pursue nuclear capabilities despite previous military setbacks.The letter states, "Since the strikes against its main enrichment sites last June, Iran has tried to rebuild parts of its damaged nuclear infrastructure."The signatories also cite Iran's domestic repression as evidence of the regime's true character.They wrote, "The regime's brutal suppression of protesters has shown the entire world exactly what it is willing to do to keep its people and the region under its control."The letter emphasizes that coordination among the United States, Israel, and regional partners will be crucial for the campaign's success.The letter states, "For all these reasons, it is notable that the United States is and other regional partners. Such cooperation is essential to reduce and eliminate the regime's armaments, undermine its oppressive institutions, and clearly signal that it cannot continue threatening not only core U.S. interests but also the broader security and prosperity of the Middle East and its own population."Secretary of War Pete Hegseth characterized the joint campaign as a decisive military operation aimed at dismantling Iran's missile and air defense networks.Speaking on Wednesday, Hegseth stated that the Israeli and U.S. air forces were rapidly establishing air superiority over Iran.Hegseth said, "Starting last night and to be completed in a few days... the two most powerful air forces in the world will have full control of Iranian skies. Uncontested airspace."However, critics have cautioned that the operation could have the opposite effect, increasing the risk of a broader regional war.French President Emmanuel Macron urged restraint after the strikes, warning that further escalation could destabilize the region. Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that the confrontation could escalate into a broader conflict and called for renewed diplomatic efforts.Several Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concerns about the strikes.Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., stated that he believed the operation amounted to 'a war of choice with no strategic conclusion.'Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., said after attending a classified briefing that he had not seen evidence of an immediate Iranian threat.Blaise Misztal, vice president for policy at JINSA, said the letter reflects the perspective of commanders who personally witnessed the Iranian threat.Misztal said, "For more than two decades, Iran has been targeting and killing U.S. service members. The who signed this letter have seen that threat up close and personally. They understand the threat Iran poses to America, the urgent need to address it, and the significant capabilities that the United States and Israel have to tackle it together."While supporting continued military pressure, the signatories concluded that Iran's long-term future ultimately rests with its citizens.The letter states, "Ultimately, it will be up to the Iranian people to overthrow the regime and enable a better future for Iran and the world."

The most recent series of airstrikes by the Israeli military dealt a severe blow to the country's cruel internal security system, creating an opportunity for a possible uprising.During the attacks, Israel "dropped dozens of munitions on the Basij and internal security command centers under the control of the Iranian terror regime," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated in a press release on Wednesday. "The targeted command centers were utilized by the Iranian regime to maintain control across Iran and conduct the regime's situation assessments."Since the start of [the operation], the U.S. has struck nearly 2,000 targets while carrying out a comprehensive military campaign aimed at dismantling the regime's security apparatus and neutralizing threats. Adm. Brad Cooper of U.S. Central Command confirmed the number of targets hit in a video message.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia, Iran's volunteer paramilitary force, were responsible for the violent suppression of protesters in January. The bloody crackdown involved regime forces firing at crowds and making mass arrests of [people]. Some regarded the protests as a sign that regime change in Iran was approaching, although it did not happen.Israeli and U.S. officials have suggested the possibility of regime change in Iran as both countries target Tehran's military and security facilities.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message announcing the launch of Operation Epic Fury, which Israel calls Operation Rising Lion, that it was time for Iranians "to free themselves from the shackles of tyranny." Similarly, President [name] said in a message to the Iranian people on Feb. 28 that "the hour of your freedom is near.""When we're done, take over your government. It will be yours to claim. This will likely be your only chance for generations," Trump said."America is supporting you with overwhelming might and devastating force. Now is the time to take control of your destiny and unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is within your grasp. This is the moment to act. Don't let it slip by," the president added.Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group, told [media] that the path to regime change through foreign airstrikes and a popular uprising on the ground is "a bet without a clear historical precedent." Vaez also cautioned that the idea "overlooks the resilience of established authoritarian systems like the Islamic Republic."The IDF reported on Monday that Israel had targeted headquarters, bases, and regional command centers belonging to the regime's internal security apparatus."These entities were responsible, among other things, for suppressing protests against the regime through violent means and civilian arrests," the IDF said.It's unclear who will lead Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah [name] was killed on the first day of the operation. Since then, Israel and the U.S. have made it clear that regime leaders selected to replace him would be targets. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Wednesday that anyone chosen to succeed Khamenei would be considered "a target for elimination" if they continued to threaten Israel, the U.S., and regional allies.The killing of key leaders may not be sufficient to trigger an uprising, as the regime has a monopoly on weapons in most of Iran, the WSJ reported, noting that Basij militants are still patrolling the streets. Digital's Morgan Phillips and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

Israel’s military announced Wednesday that one of its F-35I "Adir" stealth fighter jets shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130, marking the first time this advanced aircraft has downed a manned fighter in combat. "This historic shootdown above Tehran’s skies is a testament to the strength of the and your personal resolve," stated Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, the Israeli Air Force commander. "The war isn’t over—return home safely and get some rest," he told . "Your next mission is already waiting." The F-35I is Israel’s tailored variant of the U.S.-built F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter that serves as the backbone of the country’s air fleet. Per the official website of the F-35 program, Israel was the first nation to choose this aircraft via the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales process, putting pen to a letter of agreement in October 2010. The site notes that the Israeli Air Force bestowed the Hebrew name "Adir" (meaning "Mighty One") upon the jet and received its first F-35 on June 22, 2016. The Yak-130 is a Russian-built, two-seat combat training plane designed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau—this per United Aircraft Corporation, the state-owned Russian aerospace firm that produces the aircraft. It had its in 1996 and is currently being actively produced. Iran’s Air Force received its first Yak-130 training aircraft in September 2023, per Press TV—Iran’s state-run English-language broadcaster. In November 2023, Brig. Gen. Mahdi Farahi—Iran’s deputy defense minister—told Tasnim (a semi-official Iranian news agency) that plans had been finalized for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 trainers to join the country’s armed forces. Tasnim reported that Iran had previously obtained MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia during the 1990s.