Fire engulfs top of Vondelkerk (Vondel Church) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Protesters have escalated unrest by torching government offices and police facilities in the city of Ramz al Arabiyya in Al Ahwaz, marking a new phase in the unrest.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced that, under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forces assigned to Joint Task Force–Southern Spear (JTF-SS) carried out strikes on Tuesday, December 30, against three narco-trafficking vessels operating as a convoy in international waters. According to SOUTHCOM, intelligence indicated the vessels were traveling along a known narcotics trafficking route and had transferred illicit drugs among themselves prior to the operation. Three narco-terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed in the initial strike. Crew members on the remaining two boats reportedly abandoned their vessels, jumping overboard before follow-on engagements sank both ships. All three vessels were believed to be linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). After the operation, the U.S. Coast Guard launched search-and-rescue efforts for any survivors.

During a public address, a protester confronted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying: “Mr. Pezeshkian, please take ten minutes to review your debate statements. People are under immense pressure because of livelihood issues.” Pezeshkian responded, “We are also concerned about the people’s livelihoods.”

Iranian protesters set fire to a Basij base in the Chenar area of Asadabad in Iran’s Hamadan province, local reports said. The Basij, a volunteer force linked to the IRGC, is often deployed to quell unrest. Protests entered a fourth day.

Some CIA officials were reportedly frustrated by President Donald J. Trump’s recent decision to publicly take credit for a covert drone strike earlier this month on a drug-trafficking-linked facility in Venezuela. Current and former officials told the Wall Street Journal that the operation was meant to remain secret, or at least not be overtly tied to the United States. “There was near-universal dismay among former intelligence officials that President Trump chose to disclose what almost certainly was intelligence community covert action,” said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former senior CIA operations officer.

House Representative Don Bacon criticized President Donald Trump’s response to Russia’s claims of an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence, saying the president and his team must first establish the facts, adding that Putin is “a well-known shameless liar.”

Thousands are flooding Tehran, chanting for Reza Pahlavi as the crowd swells beyond control.

Kermanshah, Iran: Crowds took to the streets to protest surging inflation and the rial’s record plunge, calling for bazaar closures and chanting slogans such as “Close down” and “Death to high prices.”

Al-Mukalla, Hadramout: New UAE armored vehicles were seen reinforcing Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces in the city, appearing undamaged and unaffected by the recent strike on the port.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing disappointment over actions by the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of pressuring Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) to carry out military operations in the Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates of eastern Yemen, along Saudi Arabia’s southern border. Riyadh said it views these actions as a threat to national security and described them as a “red line,” warning that it will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to confront and neutralize any such threat. The ministry added that the UAE’s steps are highly dangerous and contradict the principles of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen. The statement concluded by calling on the United Arab Emirates to comply with the Republic of Yemen’s request that all Emirati forces leave the country within 24 hours, and to cease any further military or financial support to any party in Yemen.

A heavy Saudi strike in Yemen targeted vehicles and military equipment supplied by the United Arab Emirates to the STC, one of the separatist groups fighting in the country. The STC controls much of eastern Yemen, while the Houthis control a smaller area in the west along the Red Sea coast. They are just two of several factions involved in the conflict.

China’s People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command announced and released footage showing a long-range live-fire drill conducted this morning, in which PCL-191 long-range multiple launch rocket systems fired into international waters north of Taiwan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is mobilizing about 43,000 people each month, but noted that for the first time this year the overall size of the Russian army has stopped growing. He suggested this development could become a prerequisite for ending the war in 2026.

Footage released by Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration shows a tense standoff between Taiwanese and Chinese coast guard vessels during the ongoing “Justice Mission 2025” military drills.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense has announced that the nuclear-capable “Oreshnik” hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) has officially entered active service with the Strategic Rocket Forces in eastern Belarus.

The Pentagon has awarded Boeing an $8.6 billion contract to produce and deliver 25 F-15 fighter jets to Israel.

U.S. Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: The United States is deeply concerned by statements from Sudanese Armed Forces leaders advocating military solutions and setting preconditions for any truce. With tens of millions of Sudanese affected, the military should focus on pursuing peace rather than prolonging conflict. A lasting and stable resolution requires negotiated agreements that immediately end the violence, ensure sustained humanitarian access, and establish a path toward a permanent ceasefire and civilian dialogue.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced that, under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forces from Joint Task Force-Southern Spear (JTF-SS) carried out a strike on December 29 against a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific. Intelligence indicated the vessel was traveling along a known trafficking route and carrying illicit narcotics. Two suspected narco-terrorists, believed to be members of a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO), were killed in the operation.

Axios: “Trump is extremely frustrated with Israel” Trump: