SOFREP Daily: Iran Warns US With ‘Strong Retaliation’ If Attacked, Myanmar Junta Bombs Rebels Even After Quake

Good morning! It’s Tuesday, April 1, 2025. No tricks, just your essential briefing on defense and global affairs.

Iran Warns US With ‘Strong Retaliation’ If Attacked

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned of strong retaliation if Iran is attacked, responding to recent threats by former US President Donald Trump.

In a speech during Eid al-Fitr, Khamenei addressed Trump’s remark that Iran would be bombed if it refused to negotiate on its nuclear program.

Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign since returning to office, reiterating the threat of sanctions and military action.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the U.S. would receive a “strong blow” if it acts on Donald Trump’s threat to bomb if Tehran does not reach a new nuclear deal with Washington.

“The enmity from the U.S. and Israel has always been there. They threaten to attack… pic.twitter.com/ZWdOA03jFo

— CGTN Europe (@CGTNEurope) March 31, 2025

Iran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful and has rejected direct negotiations under coercion, although it remains open to indirect talks via intermediaries like Oman.

Tensions remain high amid longstanding US and Israeli accusations that Iran sponsors regional proxy forces.

Khamenei refuted this, instead labeling Israel as the true destabilizing actor and calling for its eradication—a position reflecting Iran’s continued opposition to Israeli statehood.

Myanmar Junta Bombs Rebels Even After Quake

Despite a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that has killed at least 1,700 people in Myanmar, the ruling junta has continued its campaign of air strikes.

A recent attack on the Danu People’s Liberation Army in Shan State killed seven fighters, including five female soldiers.

The military has relied heavily on air power—using jets supplied by Russia—as it faces mounting losses on the ground in a prolonged civil war against ethnic armed groups and anti-coup forces.

The military junta has conducted 11 air and artillery strikes across the country following the #earthquake on March 28. It declared a State of Emergency in Sagaing Region, the epicenter, as well as Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Naypyidaw and Shan State. @DVB_English #Myanmar pic.twitter.com/4xb0BxLbqO

— National Unity Government Myanmar (@NUGMyanmar) March 31, 2025

Reports suggest air strikes have increased significantly in 2024, with nearly 800 incidents so far, over triple the number from the previous year.

The ongoing assaults have sparked outrage from human rights groups and United Nations officials, who condemned the junta’s actions during a national crisis. Calls for an immediate ceasefire have been issued, but the military continues operations, even targeting civilian areas.

Netanyahu Backs Trump, Eyes Gaza Exodus

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri has called on global supporters to take up arms in response to a plan allegedly backed by US President Donald Trump to relocate over two million Gazans to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan.

Zuhri described the plan as a combination of “massacres and starvation,” urging people to act using any means necessary. His statement follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that Israel supports implementing Trump’s plan in the final stages of the Gaza war.

Senior Hamxs official Sami Abu Zuhri responded to Abbas’s remarks, to give up accusing the Ramallah authority of betraying the “resistance” pic.twitter.com/JPH8GXlNVz

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 31, 2025

Netanyahu suggested allowing Hamas leaders to leave Gaza if they disarm, while affirming Israel would maintain security control and support what he called a “voluntary migration” of Gazans.

Trump initially proposed the forced displacement of all 2.4 million Gazans but later claimed the move would not be mandatory—a plan that has been widely condemned.

Putin Delays Peace, Doubts Zelenskyy

Russia has described efforts to end its war with Ukraine as a “drawn-out process,” downplaying the likelihood of a quick resolution despite pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has expressed frustration with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Kremlin has rejected US proposals for an immediate ceasefire and continues to impose strict conditions on any partial truce.

Putin remains open to dialogue with Trump, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, but at the same time has ordered a new draft of 160,000 conscripts for military service. While the Russian government claims conscripts aren’t sent to the front lines, past incidents suggest otherwise.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Russia of showing zero interest in diplomacy, citing relentless strikes, including drones, artillery, and missiles, which continued over the weekend. He urged the international community to increase sanctions on Moscow.

Today, together with the First Lady of Ukraine, the speakers of parliaments, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and the Prime Minister of Ukraine, we honored the memory of our people whose lives, tragically, were taken by the occupiers.

Russian war criminals must… pic.twitter.com/djmdMCHIye

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 31, 2025

European Union leaders echoed these calls, accusing Russia of stalling peace efforts while continuing its aggression.

Meanwhile, both countries are bracing for intensified spring and summer campaigns, with frequent attacks on each other’s infrastructure.

Russia has criticized Ukraine’s recent strikes on energy facilities, while Ukraine reported renewed Russian drone and missile assaults on Kharkiv and other regions.

The Kremlin continues efforts to sow division between the United States and Europe. ⬇️

▪️ These statements are part of the Kremlin’s broader efforts to falsely portray European countries as seeking to prolong the war in contrast to ongoing US efforts to secure interim ceasefires… https://t.co/A71astQB19 pic.twitter.com/kYDC7ZM1Xr

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) April 1, 2025

Sweden Boosts Military Aid, Arms Ukraine Again

Sweden announced a record military aid package worth 16 billion kronor ($1.6 billion) to support Ukraine, marking its largest contribution since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

The aid includes newly produced materials tailored to Ukraine’s needs, funding for Ukraine’s defense industry, and supplies from Sweden’s own military stockpiles.

Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Sweden is intensifying its support to help Ukraine gain leverage in any future negotiations. This marks the 19th aid package from Sweden, bringing its total military support to roughly 80 billion kronor.

BREAKING:

Sweden announces its 19th & largest military aid package for Ukraine so far on USD 1.6B

Sweden will buy weapons for USD 950M & transfer USD 550M for weapon production in Ukraine’s defense industry

USD 100M million will be sent in weapons from Swedish stocks pic.twitter.com/sUPEP89PxQ

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 31, 2025

The Nordic country has also previously donated tanks, artillery systems, and anti-aircraft equipment.

Trump Fires Prosecutors, Sparks Uproar

The White House, under President Donald Trump, has fired multiple career Justice Department lawyers in an effort to exert greater political control over the traditionally independent agency.

Recent dismissals include an assistant US attorney in Los Angeles and a longtime prosecutor in Tennessee, both terminated directly by the White House without clear justification.

One firing came just an hour after a right-wing activist publicly called for it, raising concerns about outside influence in federal personnel decisions.

These moves follow broader efforts by the Trump administration to purge officials seen as insufficiently loyal, including those involved in cases against Trump and January 6 rioters.

Legal experts and former DOJ officials warn that such actions undermine civil service protections, the integrity of the legal system, and the Justice Department’s independence.

Despite claims from the administration that the firings are meant to ensure impartial law enforcement, critics argue they reflect political retaliation and a dangerous shift toward authoritarian control.

US Army Recovers Tank, Finds Bodies

Three US soldiers have been confirmed dead after their armored recovery vehicle, an M88A2 Hercules, became trapped and submerged in deep mud during a military exercise in Lithuania last week. A fourth soldier remains missing.

The soldiers, all from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were participating in NATO-aligned exercises near the Belarusian border when their 70-ton vehicle sank in swampy terrain.

Release – Now that the next of kin have been notified, U.S. Army Europe and Africa releases that three of the four U.S. Soldiers missing after their M88A2 Hercules was found sunk in a peat bog have been recovered. Search and recovery operations for the fourth Soldier are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/3c7C2eGL74

— U.S. Army Europe and Africa (@USArmyEURAF) March 31, 2025

A challenging, multinational recovery operation involving US, Lithuanian, and Polish forces eventually retrieved the vehicle, using heavy machinery, gravel, and sand to reinforce the unstable bog.

A landslide and waterlogged conditions complicated efforts. US Navy divers played a key role in securing the recovery cables.

Military officials expressed deep sorrow over the loss and vowed to continue the search until all soldiers are recovered.

China Flexes Muscle, Surrounds Taiwan

China has launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan involving its navy, air, ground, and rocket forces, describing the exercises as a “severe warning” against Taiwan’s pursuit of independence.

The drills, which include 19 naval vessels and the Shandong aircraft carrier group entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, were condemned by Taiwan as a threat to regional stability.

Beijing’s actions target Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, who has introduced a 17-point strategy to strengthen national security.

China views Lai’s stance as provocative and has escalated its rhetoric with inflammatory propaganda, including depicting him as a parasite in a state-released video.

China’s just launched massive military drills around Taiwan this morning – Army, navy, air force, and rocket units deployed

The PLA Eastern Theater Command statement:

“The Eastern Theater Command spokesperson, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, said that starting from April 1, the Eastern… pic.twitter.com/0TcPQwu7Rr

— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) April 1, 2025

Taiwan’s defense ministry is actively monitoring the drills and has ramped up its defense posture. The exercises mark a continued pattern of Chinese military pressure as Beijing seeks to undermine Taiwan’s self-rule.

Despite the provocations, the majority of Taiwan’s population favors maintaining the current status as a self-governed democracy.

Sources: News Agencies