Venezuelan and U.S. officials are discussing a plan to divert stranded Venezuelan crude oil tankers to ​refiners in the United States.

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-venezuela-us-talks-export-201017005.html

Crude oil futures moved lower this afternoon, possibly due to the announcement that sanctioned Venezuelan tankers may be diverted to the US.

If Trump makes a move on Kamchatka.... you know what's up.

The Kobeissi Letter

Silver markets remain historically tight:

Silver lease rates, the 1-month borrowing cost of silver in the UK, stand at ~7.3%, well above average levels seen in 2025.

Under normal market conditions, silver lease rates remain stand zero when supply and demand are in balance.

Currently, elevated lease rates are indicating severe silver supply shortages, a clear sign of market stress.

Physical silver has become incredibly scarce amid the historic rally.

Brace for more volatility in the silver market.

https://x.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2008667124022259846?s=20

Venezuela's stock market going vertical.

NEW - Syria's new government and Israel to set up a "dedicated communication cell" under US supervision, to share intelligence and seek military de-escalation on the ground.

Source: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/01/joint-statement-on-the-trilateral-meeting-between-the-governments-of-the-united-states-of-america-the-state-of-israel-and-the-syrian-arab-republic/

@disclosetv

Navid Mohebbi نوید محبی

It’s past midnight in Tehran. Here are my 12 key observations from Day 10 of Iran’s protests.

1️⃣ By every measure, Day 10 marks the largest and most widespread day of Iran’s new uprising.

2️⃣ Protests spread across Tehran’s bazaars—not only the Grand Bazaar but multiple others. Bazaar strikes also took place in at least four other cities. In a recent speech, Khamenei tried to frame bazaar merchants as loyal due to their role in the 1979 revolution. Their defiance now is a major blow for him. In Tehran, merchants didn’t just strike—they left the bazaars and moved into main streets.

3️⃣ Unlike recent days, when protests were mostly pushed into the night, demonstrations returned to daytime hours as well, a significant shift and escalation.

4️⃣ Intense protests were reported in Tehran, multiple cities across Ilam Province, Shahrekord, several cities in Khorasan Province, Sari and many others. A notable feature was the larger, more tightly packed crowds.

5️⃣ The regime’s use of shotguns with pellet ammunition has increased sharply. A second hospital attack—this time in Tehran, following Ilam—was reported, drawing condemnation from human rights organizations. Hospitals are being targeted to arrest wounded protesters.

6️⃣ So far, approximately 25–35 people have been killed. Regime media say security forces are now prioritizing the arrest of so-called “leaders” and carrying out mass detentions to suppress the protests.

7️⃣ Families of those killed are told they can only receive their loved ones’ bodies if they claim the victim was a Basij member or agree to burials without public funerals. Families who resist have, in some cases, waited days without receiving the bodies.

8️⃣ Regime media are pushing a discouragement narrative: claiming that if Trump intervenes, he would not allow Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to lead a post-regime government—similar to what they allege happened in Venezuela.

9️⃣ Employees at Voice of America Persian service say the new director, Ali Javanmardi, has verbally told staff that videos showing support for Reza Pahlavi inside Iran are “fake” or dubbed, and that all guests must be approved by him. Staff say these orders are deliberately verbal, leaving no paper trail, and they are unsure how to report the issue.

🔟 Pro-Pahlavi slogans and chants of “Death to the Dictator” remain dominant. Acts such as renaming streets after Trump and placing stickers with his name have been observed. Analysts say this is meant to encourage stronger support from Trump.

11. Regime media are also widely amplifying any foreign media reports that predict the regime will not collapse as a result of these protests or reports that argue external help harm the protest movement in Iran.

12. Outlook: Protests are expected to continue over the next two days, at minimum.

https://x.com/navidmohebbi/status/2008647802944192594?s=20

POTUS confirms that more than 30 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil will be brought to the US.

Trump Applies Leverage in Venezuela

The administration told Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez that the regime must meet the White House's demands before being allowed to pump more oil.

First, they must kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties. Second, Venezuela must agree to partner exclusively with the U.S. on oil production and favor America when selling heavy crude oil.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-demands-venezuela-kick-china-russia-partner-us/story?id=128963238

On December 20th, the US Coast Guard and Navy attempted to board a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The tanker escaped, headed for the north Atlantic, painted a Russian flag on its hull, and has been operating under a new name (Marinera).

US military aircraft are tracking the tanker off the coast of Ireland and are said to be preparing to board it.

And now, The Wall Street Journal reports that a Russian sub is enroute to intercept it.

The War Zone Article:
https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-s-coast-guard-cutter-seen-for-first-time-pursuing-fleeing-russian-oil-tanker

WSJ Article (paywalled)
https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-sends-submarine-to-escort-tanker-the-u-s-tried-to-seize-off-venezuela-4bd78dc7

Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Update

The first two Venezuelan black fleet oil tankers were boarded by the US Coast Guard and Navy without incident.

The third one (Bella1) did everything possible to avoid being boarded. It's in the North Atlantic with the US military and coast guard pursuing it.

Now, a Russian surface fleet and submarine have been dispatched to escort it to safe harbor. (The ship switched its flag to a Russian one and assumed the name Marinera after leaving Venezuela.)

Is this just a rogue tanker carrying sanctioned crude oil, or is there more to the story?

The United States has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic following a dramatic weekslong chase on the high seas. The U.S. European Command confirmed the seizure of the tanker, which changed its name from the Bella 1 to the Marinera, for violating U.S. sanctions.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/venezuela/us-seize-russia-flagged-oil-tanker-bella1-marinera-venezuela-rcna252738

Canada is building a turnkey police state that would make the EU blush.

Will Mark Carney’s embrace of collectivism end in FEMA camps for wrong-think?

https://x.com/profstonge/status/2008878786830557264?s=20

The US has seized a second oil tanker today, this time in the Caribbean sea.

"The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea," the US military said in a statement.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cwynjdqgellt

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has published an over three-minute-long clip from this morning’s interception and seizure of the M/T Sophia, a stateless sanction dark fleet oil tanker conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea.