Following a U.S. request, thousands of Kurds are reportedly preparing a campaign along Iran’s northwestern border. Over the past couple of days, Israel and the U.S. have been laying the groundwork—hitting dozens of military positions, frontier posts, and police stations along Iran’s northern border regions. The intention seems to be a diversion: pull the IRGC’s attention away from the protesters. But it could also make the largely Persian protest movement nervous—nothing spooks a national uprising like the scent of fragmentation.

On the coalition front, the Azeri city of Nakhchivan has been struck by drones, injuring two. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said it reserves the right to take “appropriate response measures.” Spain—after initially refusing to allow U.S. access—reportedly folded following Trump’s threats of economic penalties, though Madrid is now denying cooperation. Still, Spain is sending a warship to defend Cyprus after it was struck by Iran on Monday. Italy has also announced it will send “naval assets” to the island.

The first rescue flights bringing Israelis home from abroad are set to land today, and Israel is preparing to reopen its airspace for outbound flights on Sunday. Under the current conditions, only 50 passengers will be allowed on each departing flight. Checked luggage won’t be permitted in the aircraft hold, and departures will be paced by the arrival of incoming rescue aircraft.