Operation Epic Failure: Killing school kids 'not important issue'; Trump begs for help in Hormuz, considers invading Kharg, nukes; Israel/US crippled, targets civilians - IRAN WAR NEWS - 16-Mar-2026 (update 4)

March 16, 2026

"Netanyahu finally found someone stupid enough to do it." -- Max Blumenthal

12bytes: In the purist spirit of 'FAFO' (fuck around, find out) Trump has started a religious war at the direction of the Zionist barbarians that he has been losing badly since day 1, exactly as intended by the Chabad-Lubivitch Jews. Any hope Trump had of achieving his goals in the Middle East are rapidly evaporating. US bases in the region are largely destroyed leaving their hosts blind to incoming munitions. The damage to Israel's military, intelligence, shipping ports and infrastructure is immense. Trump seems to want to find an exit ramp, however his back is against the wall and there is no 'plan B'. They're making it up as they go. It is highly likely that even if the US pulled, the Iranians will not allow its enemies to transit the Hormuz Strait until its demands are met, nor will they stop attacking the US bases until the US pulls out of the region, nor will they stop attacking Israel until the Zionists have paid a sufficient price for their barbaric actions. What will the end look like? Will the US and/or Israel deploy nuclear weapons? Russia and China, both of which have nuclear weapons and both of which have close ties to Iran, are unlikely to allow Iran to fall.

12bytes: Rather than repeating myself for these stories regarding Iranian attacks on their enemies in general, and particularly those upon the US bases in the Gulf region, i'll say it here: These bases (Saudi, UAE, Bahrain, Dubai, Oman, etc.) constantly report that incoming Iranian missiles and drones are being intercepted, or fell out of the sky, or missed their target, or caused only superficial damage, or that the attacks achieved only a symbolic victory, etc.. These are lies. These bases have been, or are being completely destroyed and Iran has largely depleted US air defenses making subsequent attacks even more effective. This is the case for Israel also. No one can stop Iran's hypersonic or multi-warhead missiles and they are beginning to use these weapons in greater numbers. Lastly, it is strictly forbidden for people in Israel or the US base states to report on the damage inflicted by Iran. Many people have been arrested. Now you know why we're not getting a lot of visuals regarding damage in Israel or the Gulf states.

UPDATE 4

Alex Krainer: Iran War Goes Global - Economic, Energy & Food Crisis

Alex Krainer is a market analyst, author & former hedge fund manager. Krainer discusses the unpredictable energy, food and economic shockwaves from the Iran War.

Iran says wars are not won on social media | Newsfeed | Al Jazeera

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said wars are decided on the battlefield, not on social media, in response to comments by US President Donald Trump. He also derided the US campaign name "Epic Fury" as better described as "Epic Fear".

Fire erupts at UAE's Fujairah oil zone after drone strike | Middle East Eye

A fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the United Arab Emirates after the site was targeted by drones, according to the Fujairah government's media office.

Iraqi militia group says it launched 21 attacks on US bases in 24 hours | Middle East Eye

Iraqi militia group, Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said it carried out 21 operations targeting US military bases in Iraq and the wider region over the past 24 hours.
In a statement, the group said its armed factions used "dozens of drones and missiles" in attacks on enemy bases across Iraq and the region.

Operations suspended at UAE's Shah gas field after drone attack | Middle East Eye

Authorities in Abu Dhabi suspended operations at the Shah gas field after a drone attack ignited a fire at the major energy facility, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

Iran navy vows 'deadly retaliation' over Dena ship sinking | Middle East Eye

Iranian Navy commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani on Tuesday said that it will retaliate against the killing of at least 87 sailors off Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, Press TV reported.
"We will not forget the enemy's crime, and we will exact retribution for the blood of our martyrs," Irani was quoted as saying by Iran's English-language news channel Press TV.
"The enemy should know that we will punish it with deadly strikes from where it least expects," he said. "Although today we mourn our loved ones, by the grace of God, we have brought the enemy to its knees," he added.
On March 4, a US submarine sank the Iranian Navy's IRIS Dena vessel in international waters off the coast of Galle in Sri Lanka, while sailing back to Iran after participating in a joint navy exercise with India.

Paul Craig Roberts: Iran is WINNING

Analysis of the US-Iran conflict reveals conflicting military narratives. Iran retains retaliatory capabilities and leverages control of the Strait of Hormuz to demand sanctions relief and security guarantees. The discussion identifies regional dominance agendas as the root cause, leaving little room for negotiated solutions. With allies refusing military involvement and conventional options stalled, concerns grow that desperate leaders may consider nuclear escalation to save face. Iran's survival is framed as incompatible with certain regional agendas, creating an existential standoff. If Iran prevails, it could reshape global power dynamics; if defeated, risks of wider nuclear confrontation rise. The conversation warns of urgent stakes beyond official propaganda, emphasizing the catastrophic risks of miscalculation and the need for public awareness of the true drivers behind the conflict.

U.S. TROOPS ARE 'DEAD MEN WALKING' IF THEY INVADE KHARG ISLAND, STRAIT OF HORMUZ | Stanislav Krapivnik

Reports say President Trump is considering sending U.S. troops to attempt to seize Kharg Island, Iran's oil export hub, as Tehran's shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz start to impact the global economy. This, even as Iran's foreign minister has said his country is ready and waiting for U.S. troops to fall into the trap of a ground invasion.
Stanislav Krapivnik, a former U.S. Army officer, supply chain exec and military and geopolitical expert, noted that the soldiers sent to seize Kharg Island, or to try to force their way through the Strait of Hormuz would be "dead men walking," as Iran has made it clear exactly how it will respond to Washington's illegal war of aggression.

Rockets target US diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport | Middle East Eye

A new wave of rocket attacks targeted a US diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport, with sirens sounding in the area, Reuters news agency reported.
Earlier, the US Embassy in Baghdad was also reportedly targeted with rockets and several drones as attacks on American-linked facilities continued across Iraq.
In a separate incident, an explosive-laden drone struck the rooftop of the Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, causing material damage but no casualties.
The hotel houses several foreign diplomatic missions and oil company staff, and security forces later blocked roads to the area with armoured vehicles.

Video: Hezbollah launches barrage of rockets at Israeli city of Nahariya | Middle East Eye

Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets and attack drones at the northern Israeli city of Nahariya on Monday.
In a statement, the group said it carried out "a barrage of rockets and a swarm of attack drones" targeting the coastal city.

British maritime authority reports tanker hit near Fujairah | Middle East Eye

British maritime authority on Tuesday said a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while docked about 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah.
The authority said the vessel sustained minor structural damage but reported no injuries among the crew.
Earlier, fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the United Arab Emirates after drones targeted the site.

Larry Johnson: PROOF Iran Shot Down US War Plane, Trump LOSING on All Fronts

12bytes: While it is true that the US is losing on all fronts, Larry offers no proof that the tanker was shot down. That said, it was *very* likely shot down. Danny is a good guy and is doing valuable work, but i wish these guys--Nima too--would stop with these click-bait headlines.

Larry Johnson is a former intelligence analyst at the CIA who also worked at the US State Department's Office of Counterterrorism. Johnson discusses the huge losses the US is incurring to Iran including several aerial tankers in just days as Trump prepares a self-destructive invasion of Kharg Island.

Trump Continues the '47-Year War' Against Iran - Antiwar.com

As we showed in Part 2, a nation being attacked by a neighbor armed with the best modern weapons available from the US and France, saddled with a military disabled by an embargo blocking its acquisition of spare parts and desperately sending untrained teenagers into battle as cannon fodder in "human waves", might well and truly have believed that it faced an "existential threat".
In fact, after the Iraq invasion in 1980 that was exactly the plight of the new Iranian regime.
It should therefore also not come as a surprise that imperiled in this manner, Iran might also have sought to lash out with whatever means remained at its disposal. And we mean especially against that same intruder in its geographic neighborhood that had also stationed several hundred US Marines in the middle of a Lebanese civil war, which was none of Washington's business.
That is to say, the attack on the lethally armed US Marines in the Beirut barracks in September 1983 didn't flow from Iran's hatred of America's freedoms way over here; it was in retaliation for Washington's help to Saddam Hussein slaughtering their barely armed teenage conscripts way over there in their own backyard.

Israeli jets strike multiple towns in southern Lebanon | Middle East Eye

Israeli warplanes on Tuesday carried out a series of air strikes across several towns in southern Lebanon, including a raid on the town of Taybe that coincided with heavy artillery shelling.
Lebanon's National News Agency said Israeli aircraft also targeted the towns of Majadel and Zibqin before expanding the attacks to the Yater and Kafra areas.
An Israeli warplane also struck a residential home in the town of Qana, with no immediate reports of casualties.

Israel policy looms large over US elections in Illinois amid Iran war | Elections News | Al Jazeera

Washington, DC - Pro-Israel groups in the United States are spending millions of dollars in elections to assert their influence over the rising anger towards Israeli policies.
A set of primaries in the Midwestern state of Illinois on Tuesday represents an early test for the strength of pro-Israel politics in the US amid the countries' joint war on Iran.

Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizes US media coverage of war on Iran - YouTube

UPDATE 3

'No expert' predicted Gulf attacks, claims Trump | Middle East Eye

12bytes: Somebody please tell me that the morons in this administration weren't this stupid.

US President Donald Trump says the wave of attacks on Gulf countries has surprised Washington and security analysts.
Speaking at the White House earlier, Trump said officials did not expect regional states to come under direct attack as the conflict with Iran escalates.
"Nobody expected that. We were shocked. The greatest experts, nobody thought they were going to hit."
He said several Gulf countries had already come under fire as the war spreads beyond its initial front lines.
"Kuwait is getting hit, Bahrain is getting, all these countries are getting hit. There was no expert that would say that was going to happen."
Trump added that the United States would continue its military response despite the widening regional fallout.
"It's not a question of like ... should you have known, and if we did know, big deal. I mean, we have to do what we have to do," added in reference to Gulf countries being attacked.

Trump claims strikes on Iran prevented nuclear war | Donald Trump | Al Jazeera

Offering another rationale for the US-Israeli war on Iran, Donald Trump claimed he ordered strikes to prevent a nuclear conflict that would have turned into World War III. He also said not even the "greatest experts" thought Iran would retaliate with attacks on Gulf states.

12bytes: I gotta keep this logic in mind in case i run for president: So to prevent a nuclear war ... with a country that has no nuclear weapons program ... you bomb the fuck outta them ... then hope the whole thing blows over before nuclear armed countries, like Israel, Russia and China, start a nuclear war because you attacked a non-nuclear country. Check. Got it!

US Central Command says US struck 7,000 targets in Iran | Middle East Eye

In a statement, CENTCOM said American forces hit more than 7,000 targets while flying roughly 6,500 combat sorties during the campaign.

12bytes: Hmmm. Doesn't say how many were schools (69 at last count), sports stadiums, hospitals (30), historical sites, homes, etc..

UAE closes airspace as missile and drone head towards country | Middle East Eye

The United Arab Emirates has temporarily closed its airspace as an "exceptional precautionary measure" amid the Israeli-US war on Iran, state media reported. Earlier, the UAE Ministry of Defence said its forces were responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran.

Drone hits Baghdad hotel near US embassy as rockets reported in Green Zone | Middle East Eye

Iraq's Interior Ministry says a drone struck a hotel in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone but caused no casualties or material damage.
Officials said the drone hit the upper fence of the Al-Rasheed Hotel after an initial investigation into the incident.
Security sources had earlier reported that the drone struck the hotel complex, where smoke and fire were seen rising. The Green Zone houses key government institutions as well as the US embassy.
Security sources told Reuters that two Katyusha rockets were fired towards the US embassy earlier in the day.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard calls for evacuation of US factories in region - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 17 (YPA) - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran called on the US administration to evacuate all factories and industrial facilities in the region in which the United States holds shares, asserting that they are vulnerable to targeting in the coming hours.
In a statement, the IRGC urged residents of areas near factories and industrial facilities with US ownership to leave and move away from them for their own safety.

Jeffrey Sachs: Iran War Could Escalate Into Nuclear War

Prof. Jeffrey Sachs argues that desperation is growing in the US and Israel as they fail to defeat Iran, and nuclear weapons could be used if we continue down this path.

Pepe Escobar & Larry C. Johnson: Trump is LOSING Control - Iran WIPES OUT Strategic Military Targets

Hormuz crisis escalates as European allies decline US naval coalition calls. Iran strategically controls oil transit-blocking US/Israeli interests while negotiating passage for others. Discussion examines how this threatens petrodollar hegemony, accelerating yuan-based energy trade and alternative payment systems. Key points: Iran's military resilience, depleted Western air defense stocks, interconnected Ukraine-West Asia conflicts, failed regime change expectations, and rising BRICS cooperation. One chokepoint may reshape global power as the Global South embraces multipolar alternatives beyond US unilateral dominance. Analysis covers diplomatic isolation of Washington, strategic miscalculations, insurance market collapse, and how energy security realignments could end dollar reserve currency status.

Explosions rock northern Tehran following reported air strikes | Middle East Eye

Several large explosions were heard in northern Tehran near the Saadabad Palace complex, Al Jazeera reported.
Witnesses said the blasts occurred close to the former royal palace, though the exact cause was not immediately clear.
Earlier reports indicated strikes in Karaj, Shahriar and areas toward Shiraz following a major attack in central Tehran on Monday.

Israel Killed Over a Dozen Lebanese Paramedics in Three Days, Now Claiming That Ambulances Are "Hezbollah" Targets

BEIRUT, LEBANON-In early October 2025, Lebanese paramedic Haj Qassem Sultan stood outside Marjayoun Government Hospital in southern Lebanon and addressed Lebanese TV.
"Our message is clear. Even if we are killed one by one, we will not abandon our duty," he said. "We will continue to serve Khiam and Marjayoun and Al-Taybeh and Debbine and all of our sacred land."
He was attending a memorial for seven of his colleagues who were killed exactly one year earlier in an Israeli airstrike on ambulances parked outside the hospital. Five other paramedics, including Sultan, were wounded in the attack, in what human rights groups said was an apparent war crime.

Ron Paul Liberty Report: Weekly Report: Just Get Out! Now - YouTube

As is becoming clearer from President Trump's own statements and those of his staff, along with press reporting, the US has launched a major without the input of the experts we pay to advise the President on such matters. The State Department, Pentagon, National Security Council Staff, Defense Intelligence Agency, and NSA were simply bypassed because, as White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, President Trump "had a feeling" Iran would attack.
The President's real estate developer son-in-law and friend reinforced that "feeling" when they returned from the second round of talks with the Iranian foreign minister and his team. However, as the news outlet Responsible Statecraft (RS) reported over the weekend, both son-in-law Jared Kushner and friend Steve Witkoff appear to have mis-represented those talks in a way that helped push President Trump toward war. No State Department officials were on hand to ensure the reporting was accurate.
Also, arms control experts at home, according to the RS report, believe that "the duo appeared to have fatally misunderstood a series of basic technical and historical matters" regarding Iran's nuclear program leading to inaccurate information conveyed to the President.
Congress was completely out of the picture - seemingly uninterested in performing its Constitutional duty - and no case was made to the American people that they must sacrifice and die once again for a war in the Middle East.
Trump's repeated promises to not start new wars, especially in the Middle East, have turned out to be empty, and Republicans are set for a crippling defeat in the upcoming midterm elections.
Iran had been warning for months - since the last US/Israeli surprise attack in June - that if they were attacked again they would not hold back on US bases in the region and that they would close the Straits of Hormuz. Trump and Netanyahu attacked anyway, and Iran has done what it said it would do.
Now the Strait of Hormuz is closed, oil is about to go out of control, and the global economy - along with the US dollar - seems about to implode.
On March 6th, President Trump refused a UK offer of help, saying we don't need help when we've already won the war. Five days later, at a rally in Kentucky, President Trump repeated that "We've won the Iran war!"
It was his "Mission Accomplished" moment, because this weekend, just days after declaring victory against an "obliterated" Iran, Trump began begging other countries to send ships to help the US open the Strait of Hormuz.
Thus far every country has declined, understanding that such a mission has little chance of success.
Tragically, the war thus far has claimed at least 14 servicemembers. It is likely the toll is far worse than they are telling us. Every US military facility in the region is either damaged or destroyed. Billions of dollars of radar and other equipment are destroyed. Our allies in the region, because they allowed their territory to be used to attack Iran, have also seen massive retaliatory destruction.
This is surely one of the worst military disasters in US history. There are no military options available beyond the unthinkable: the use of nuclear weapons.
The only viable option that remains is one that was often urged in the Vietnam War: Just get out. Now! No return to US bases, no security guarantees to Gulf States. End the US empire in the Middle East and elsewhere. If not, it's only going to get worse.

"If Iran is invaded they will be DESTROYED" Prof. Marandi - YouTube

Professor Mohammad Marandi joins the program to provide a rigorous analysis of the escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran and the potential consequences of a military invasion. He explores the strategic military capabilities of the region and reveals why a foreign intervention would lead to a catastrophic outcome for all parties involved. This discussion offers a deep dive into the hidden realities of Middle Eastern defense that the mainstream media often overlooks.

UPDATE 2

INFORMATIVE VIDEO: Israel crumbling, Bibi missing, American bases leveled. What they won't tell you on the news. - YouTube

12bytes: Ian Carroll provides a great overview of the US-Israel war on Iran.

Hezbollah says it launched rockets and drones at northern Israel | Middle East Eye

Hezbollah says it launched a barrage of rockets and attack drones at the northern Israeli city of Nahariya on Monday.
In a statement, the group said it carried out "a barrage of rockets and a swarm of attack drones" targeting the coastal city.

IRGC destroys US aircraft hangars at Al-Dhafra, Sheikh Isa Bases - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 17 (YPA) - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a complex military operation involving missiles and drones targeting US fighter jet hangars at the Al-Dhafra and Sheikh Isa airbases.
According to the statement, the attack-utilizing high-explosive cruise missiles-resulted in the destruction of the hangars and caused significant damage to the operational capacity of Al-Dhafra and the logistical facilities at Sheikh Isa.
The IRGC clarified that the strikes were in response to attacks launched from these bases against Iranian islands, asserting that operations will continue until US bases are fully evacuated.

Strikes Hit U.S. And EU Missions In Iraq After Assassination Of Kata'ib Hezbollah Spokesman (Videos) | South Front

Kata'ib Hezbollah, one of the most influential Iran-aligned armed factions in Iraq, said on March 16 that its spokesperson, known as Abu Ali al-Askari, had been killed
[...]
The last 24 hours also saw an escalation in attacks attributed to the IRI on such facilities, with several blasts and interceptions reported in the province of Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, and in the diplomatic support center, formerly known as Camp Victory, close to Baghdad International Airport.
Iraq's oil ministry also said a drone strike targeted Majnoon oil field in the southern province of Basra, which is operated by U.S. companies.
More attacks took place after the death of al-Askari was announced, with blasts reported in Baghdad's highly-secured Green Zone, specifically within the U.S. embassy complex and in the Royal Tulip Al-Rasheed Hotel, the home of the European Union mission in the country.
While both the American-Israeli alliance and Iran-aligned factions have traded blows in Iraq since the start of the war on the Islamic Republic, they previously did so in a very carefully calculated manner. Now, however, both appear to be escalating. A full-on war could soon break out in the country.

Drone attack sparks fire at UAE's Shah oil and gas field | Middle East Eye

Authorities in Abu Dhabi say a drone attack triggered a fire at the Shah oil and gas field on Monday. Officials reported no injuries. The Shah field, one of the world's largest of its kind, lies about 180km southwest of the UAE capital.

Qatar says 14 Iranian ballistic missiles launched from Iran, most intercepted | Middle East Eye

12bytes: Boy oh boy! Qata's doing a stellar job at "intercepting" all those missiles! What they're not telling you is that they're almost certainly being intercepted by the buildings and infrastructure they are targeting.

Qatar's Ministry of Defence says the country came under attack from 14 ballistic missiles and several drones launched from Iran.

Dubai airport completely gets out of service after air attack - Yemen Press Agency

ABU DHABI, March 16 (YPA) - The UAE authorities have temporarily suspended all flights at Dubai International Airport following an air attack that struck an oil tank, triggering a large fire.

Drone strike hits southern Iraq oil field, second attack in four days | Middle East Eye

Iraq's oil ministry says a drone strike targeted a southern oil field, marking the second such attack in four days, as the Israeli-US war on Iran continues to threaten energy infrastructure in the region.

How the world's reacting to Trump's call to patrol the Hormuz Strait - RT World News

Trump posted on Truth Social that he hoped "China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK" would send ships to the area, among others. The US president doubled down on Monday, telling the Financial Times that "if there's no response or if it's a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO."
The world, however, appears to be in no rush to heed his call.

Trump says Hormuz Strait help 'on the way' as allies reject military action | US-Israel war on Iran News | Al Jazeera

United States President Donald Trump has said "numerous countries" have told him "they're on their way" following his appeal for an international naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel war on Iran.

More registered US voters view Israel negatively than positively, poll finds | Middle East Eye

More registered voters in the US now view Israel negatively rather than positively, according to a poll released on Monday by NBC News.
The poll found that 39 percent of US voters now view Israel negatively, while 32 percent view it positively. That is a sharp drop in positive attitudes towards Israel compared to 2023, when 47 percent had a positive view and just 24 percent a negative one.
Perhaps most notable of all, support for Israel has plunged among independents, a key voter bloc that helped deliver US President Donald Trump to the White House in 2024.

Washington launches air bridge to supply "Israel" with ammunition - Yemen Press Agency

OCCUPIED QUDS, March 16 (YPA) - The Israeli broadcaster "Kan" reported that the United States has initiated a military airlift to provide the Israeli occupation army with essential munitions and equipment.
This move aims to sustain ongoing military operations against Iran, which have seen the deployment of over 11,000 projectiles since the start of the campaign.
This surge in support comes amid troubling technical reports; "Semafor" website revealed a severe and noticeable depletion in "Israel's stockpile of ballistic missile interceptors."
While Washington reportedly anticipated this shortage, the U.S. administration has yet to decide whether it will share its own strategic inventory with "Israel."

Israel Claims It Destroyed Anti-Satellite Site In Iran (Videos) | South Front

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on May 16 that it had struck and destroyed a compound in the center of the Iranian capital, Tehran, that it described as part of Iran's military space program and used to develop capabilities to attack satellites.

Kyle Anzalone : WAR 'just for fun' - YouTube

Glenn Greenwald: Iran War Updates, False Flags, and Netanyahu's Plot to Imprison Americans

Throughout the west, criticizing the Netanyahu government is now a crime punishable by imprisonment. Glenn Greenwald on the end of free speech.

IN OTHER NEWS...

Cuba electric grid collapses amid US oil blockade causing national blackout | Donald Trump News | Al Jazeera

Cuba has not received oil shipments since early January amid US pressure, worsening the humanitarian crisis on the island.

UPDATE 1

IMPORTANT VIDEO: The Cover-Up: Media Hides Iran's Shocking Victory Over Israel & US - YouTube

12bytes: Despite the media blackout from Israel and the Gulf states, this video contains a few clips of damage done to these areas. The only issue i have with Werleman is his assumption that there are Iranian 'sleeper cells' in the US. That may be true, but it's not something i'm aware of and, even if true, i highly doubt they'd be attacking civilian targets.

CJ Werleman Show exposes what mainstream media and governments in the US and Israel are desperately trying to hide: Iran has delivered a strategic shock to American and Israeli military power in the Middle East - and the cover-up is unlike anything seen since the First World War.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Iran's missile and drone strikes on US bases - including Camp Buehring, NSA Bahrain, and the Fifth Fleet
How Pentagon press restrictions and Israeli prison sentences are silencing journalists and citizens
Iran's cluster missile strikes on Tel Aviv - hitting before alarms could sound
The economic toll: $5 billion in US costs in just 96 hours + Israel losing $3 billion per week
Iran mining the Strait of Hormuz - and why oil markets are in freefall
What US Senators Chris Murphy and Elizabeth Warren are saying after classified briefings
How Trump's team - Kushner, Witkoff, and Hegseth - dragged the US into a catastrophic quagmire
Why military analysts are drawing direct parallels to Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan
FEATURING ANALYSIS FROM:
Professor Robert Pape - political scientist, expert on air power and strategic coercion
Larry Johnson - former CIA analyst on Iran's underestimated military capability
Planet Labs satellite imagery of damaged US installations
On-the-ground reports from journalists in Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Bahrain

Iran school strike responsibility not 'important issue' - ex-CENTCOM commander (VIDEO) - RT World News

Questions over who bears responsibility for the killing of over 160 schoolgirls in an airstrike in Iran are irrelevant, former CENTCOM commander Admiral William Fallon has suggested in a heated exchange with Afshin Rattansi on Going Underground.
The February 28 strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab came on the first day of the unprovoked US-Israeli attack on Iran. The bombing killed at least 175 people, almost all of whom were children.
In his interview with Rattansi, Fallon was asked whether the school was deliberately targeted, as it had housed the daughters of Iranian military personnel, and about who ultimately bears responsibility for the massacre.
Fallon rejected the notion that the school was targeted deliberately, suggesting it could have been a "mistake." He also refused to comment on who bears responsibility, stating that "frankly, I don't think that's the important issue right now."

US says it has destroyed Iran missile capacity: How is Iran still shooting? | US-Israel war on Iran News | Al Jazeera

Joint attacks by the United States and Israel have severely reduced Iran's capacity to fire missiles and drones, experts say, but Iran retains enough capabilities to inflict significant damage.

IRGC launches 55th wave of Operation 'True Promise 4' - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 16 (YPA) - Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched a barrage of ballistic missiles against Israeli and American targets in the occupied territories and the region in retaliation for the war of aggression imposed on Iran.
In its statement, The IRGC said that it has initiated the 55th wave of missile strikes during the retaliatory Operation True Promise 4.
According to a statement, targets in the heart of the occupied territories in Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion, including aerospace military weapons production centers and aerial refueling logistical centers, have been targeted with precision-strike, superheavy and hypersonic Fattah missiles, Qadr and Emad missiles, as well as suicide drones.
The IRGC noted that it has also attacked the terrorist US army centers in Al Dhafra airbase, Jufair naval base, and Sheikh Issa airbase with mid-range, solid-fuel precision-strike Fateh missiles, Zolfaqar and Dezful missiles, as well as smart and destruction UAVs.

Iranian Officials Say They Have Been Ignoring Witkoff's Private Requests to Talk

Trump's special envoy has been texting Iran's foreign minister asking to start talks. Tehran says the war will end only when Iran believes it has established long-term deterrence.

Live on air: Israeli Knesset members flee session as sirens sound from Iran's missiles - YouTube

Video circulating online shows Israeli Knesset members fleeing a live session on air as sirens blared from Iran's missile launches.

Iran War Exposes Limits of US Military Power - Journalist

Despite Iran being forced to endure "47 years of maximum pressure and sanctions," Magnier points out, the US still cannot best it and is forced to ask other countries to help open the Strait of Hormuz.
"We see the strongest country in the world and the strongest army in the Middle East - that is Israel- fighting Iran and not managing to achieve their objectives and calling for help and support from the Europeans and from NATO," he observes.
The United States' military presence in the Middle East has also been put into question as the US can neither protect its military bases in the region nor defend the countries that host these facilities.
"I think the image of the United States has received severe damage much more than the damage inflicted on Iran," Magnier adds.
To add insult to injury, the US and Israel found themselves unable to achieve any of their stated objectives - be it the destruction of Iran's missile program or the dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program.

Civilians pulled from rubble after US-Israeli strikes on Tehran | News | Al Jazeera

Rescuers have pulled civilians from the rubble after a new wave of US-Israeli strikes targeted Tehran. Residents said that a neighbourhood was attacked, leaving several people trapped under the destruction.

Hegseth's call for 'no mercy' to Iranians deemed war crime - RT World News

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing accusations of violating domestic and international laws prohibiting war crimes by declaring that "no quarter" or mercy would be given to Iranian forces.
The legal definition of the term means surrendering Iranian soldiers would be executed by American troops rather than taken prisoner. US officials and legal experts have responded by accusing Hegseth of encouraging war crimes.

Eastern Overlord: Why Air Power Failed and Ground Invasion Looms in Iran | South Front

Washington's lack of a clear Plan B in the war with Iran has left the US in a strategic deadlock. Nearly three weeks of attacks on Iranian military targets and the elimination of the political leadership have not yielded the desired result. The hope that mass protests would follow the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has not materialized. Iranian citizens, including those sympathetic to the opposition, have seen that the Western world is bringing them not freedom and democracy but bombs to their homes. This has rallied the people around their national leaders.
U.S. stockpiles of anti-missile weapons and ammunition in the Persian Gulf region are dwindling rapidly. Global public discontent over the oil crisis is growing. Washington risks losing a significant portion of its allies, especially among the Arab monarchies of the Gulf, due to a loss of trust. Given these unfavorable conditions, it appears that the U.S. administration has made its choice. That choice is to launch a ground operation.

Fujairah Oil Depots, Dubai Airport Hit Hard In Iranian Strikes On UAE (Videos) | South Front

The United Arab Emirates was hit hard on March 16, as Iran announced more attacks in response to the war waged by the United States and Israel.
Flights were temporarily suspended at Dubai International Airport in the early morning after a fire broke out near the airport after a "drone-related incident". This was the third such attack on the airport since the start of the war more than two weeks ago.
Some flights were delayed, while others were cancelled altogether, in another blow to the UAE's image of safety and stability.

Hezbollah Tanker Hunters Resurface As Israel Begins Ground Operation In Lebanon (Videos) | South Front

Hezbollah on March 16 released video footage showing its fighters taking out a Merkava 4M main battle tank, as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the start of a "targeted ground operation against key targets" in southern Lebanon.
The tank was hit by Hezbollah fighters around a week earlier close to the town of Markaba in southern Lebanon, using what appears to be an Iranian-made Almas anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), which is a copy of the Israeli Spike family of missiles.

Livestream: Hizballah's missiles evade Iron Dome | The Electronic Intifada

"Every missile Hizballah launches, every defensive action that they take is an assertion that Lebanon is not a colony and that our people are not subjects of anyone," Chamseddine said.
Contributing editor Jon Elmer reported on military actions by Iran, Hizballah and Iraqi forces in response to the war that the US and Israel launched on 28 February.
He shared videos which appeared to show Israel's Iron Dome failing to intercept missiles launched by Hizballah.

Turkey condemns Israel's Lebanon invasion, warns of 'new humanitarian catastrophe' | Middle East Eye

"The Netanyahu government's implementation of genocidal and collective punishment policies, this time in Lebanon, will lead to a new humanitarian catastrophe in the region," the ministry said.

Trump says Macron willing to help reopen Strait of Hormuz | Middle East Eye

US President Donald Trump says he has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron about efforts to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump Begs For Help On Hormuz; World Says 'No.' - YouTube

After declaring several times that the US has completely won the war against Iran, President Trump has now backtracked, begging other countries to help open the Straits of Hormuz closed by Iran in response to the US/Israeli sneak attack. Thus far no takers have come up. Trump is in a massive bind. What's his next move?

European allies refuse US request to help open Strait of Hormuz | Middle East Eye

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius added that while there would be "no military participation", they would seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
For his part, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also ruled out a Nato mission, but said he was working with allies to come up with a "viable" plan to reopen the waterway.
"We're working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts," he said in Downing Street.
"Let me be clear: that won't be, and it's never been envisioned to be, a Nato mission."
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said on Sunday that the British government was considering sending minesweeping drones rather than warships to Hormuz.
The French foreign ministry also confirmed that France would not send ships to the Strait, writing on X that its naval mission is in the Eastern Mediterranean and remains "defensive".

Trump Attacks Iran's Oil Terminal on Kharg Island. "U.S. Troops to West Asia"? Suicide Mission - Global Research

President Trump and his War Department confront a quandary. The effort to topple the government of Iran and destroy its ability to protect itself has stalled.
It is common knowledge airstrikes alone are unable to accomplish the goal of unseating a government.
The only option for Trump is to send ground troops.

'Interests of Trump & Bibi have nothing to do with the well-being of any people' - Israeli MP

Despite both the Pentagon and the IDF claiming they only hit military targets in Iran, the facts show that Iranian residential areas have come under fire. What goal is really being pursued here?
To discuss this, we speak with Ofer Cassif, a Knesset member from the Hadash party.

16 Palestinians killed in Gaza in 24 hours amid ongoing ceasefire violations - Yemen Press Agency

GAZA, March 16 (YPA) - Sixteen Palestinians were killed and several others injured across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours amid ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, now in its 158th day, according to local authorities.

Israeli strike on prison was a war crime, UN concludes | Middle East Eye

An Israeli air strike on a Iranian prison that killed more than 70 people in June 2025 was a war crime according to the UN official leading the investigation.

Trump's war in Iran crushes US working class, enriches cronies

The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal and Aaron Mate discuss how Trump's cronies are exploiting the Strait of Hormuz crisis he instigated to manipulate markets while US consumers feel the pain.

Ritter's Rant 081: Buck Ass Naked - Real Scott Ritter

Like the Emperor in the children's tale "The Emperor has No Clothes", Donald Trump stands naked before the world, exposed as a fraud, his narrative of an all-powerful America replaced with the reality of a morbidly obese old man.

'The greatest threat to free speech today is the Israel lobby' -John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar and "Israel Lobby" author John Mearsheimer explains to The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal and Aaron Mate why he believes the Israel Lobby threatens the very fabric of liberal democracy with its ruthless drive for control.

IN OTHER NEWS...

Trump: the United States will soon conclude a deal with Cuba or do with it "what they have to"

Trump added that the United States would "take care" of Cuba after Iran.

Canadian Government Offers to Swiftly Euthanize Woman Who's Waited Years for Surgery - Global Research

A Canadian woman is preparing to be euthanized by the government under the state-sanctioned "assisted suicide" program after years of being denied timely medical treatment for a rare but treatable condition.
The story is yet another grim example of how Canada's collapsing socialized healthcare system is increasingly steering suffering citizens toward death instead of care.

END UPDATES

Re-post: Iran Trolls Trump

WP: Trump failed to change the Iranian government in two weeks of war

As the article clarifies, the Iranian regime has not only maintained its power but also continues to destabilize the global oil market by blocking a key maritime route for oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf.

The Islamic Republic is now no longer alone in this war - Marwa Osman

Marwa Osman, University Professor at Al-Maaref University and political commentator, joins RT to discuss the rapidly escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Costly and Depleting: The Growing Problems of "Operation Epic Fury" - Global Research

The big drain on military resources has begun.
A war apparently already won (and not), against an adversary supposedly without means to fight back, its air force and navy destroyed, its missile capabilities blunted, is now drawing the clumsy colossus of American power into the Middle East with embarrassing effect.
The Middle East, where US President Donald Trump promised the "forever wars" would end, promises an end to his beginning.

Trump Is Reported to be Considering to Nuke Iran - Global Research

On March 13th, a Pentagon memo leaked outlining a strike plan titled "Tehran Power Grid Neutralization."
The plan: hit 12 power stations around Tehran with precision munitions.
Effect: 9 million people without electricity for 3-6 weeks.
Goal: cripple Iranian command and control. Risk assessment buried in the memo:
"High probability of Iranian retaliation against U.S. naval assets."
On March 14th, IRGC Commander Hossein Salami responded directly:
"If the United States strikes Tehran's power infrastructure and puts our capital in darkness, we will sink the USS Gerald R. Ford with every sailor aboard. We have the missiles. We have the targeting data. We have the will."
The USS Ford carries 4,539 crew plus 2,500 air wing personnel. Typically 4,500-5,000 people aboard at any time. If Iran sinks the Ford, it becomes the deadliest single day for U.S. military since the Battle of Antietam 1862 - worse than Pearl Harbor's 2,403 killed. This is not hypothetical. This is Iran's top military commander naming the specific ship, the specific consequence, the specific number of lives.
Iran already hit the Ford once (March 11th-drone struck flight deck, fuel fire, 400 evacuated). Proved Aegis defense cannot stop sea-skimming threats. Iran has Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missiles with cluster warheads: one missile becomes 10 submunitions at 7km altitude. Launch 20 missiles = 200 submunitions. Aegis engages maybe 150-160. But 40-50 get through. Forty warheads hitting a carrier = sinking with 5,000 aboard.
Iran's warning track record: warned Strait of Hormuz closure-closed it. Warned U.S. base strikes - hit Prince Sultan (Saudi), Al Dhafra (UAE, 7 F-35s destroyed). When Iran warns, it follows through. Pentagon memo leaked March 13th. Iran's threat issued March 14th (12 hours later). Someone inside Pentagon wants this debate public. Trump now faces impossible choice: authorize strike and risk 5,000 lives, or back down and prove threatening American casualties works as deterrent.
Trump's advisors divided. Some support strike: "cripple Tehran, end the war."]" Others oppose: "humanitarian catastrophe, unacceptable retaliation risk." Trump reportedly asked:
"If they sink the Ford, what do we do?"
Answer: full-scale war (possibly nuclear [Trump is considering the possibility of escalating this war to the nuclear level; that's how crazy and evil he is.

US Air Defense THAAD and Patriot PAC3 Missiles are Kaput or Soon Will Be

The war between Iran and the US/Israel coalition is now in its third week with no end in sight. While Israel clearly has a superior air force, it cannot match Iran's missile force. This is a war of attrition, and no matter how many times Donald Trump insists Iran is destroyed and the US has won, Iran will continue to pummel Israel with at least three waves of big missile attacks every day until there is a negotiated settlement.

Dwindling stockpiles and soaring costs: US allies struggle to contain Iranian attacks - RT World News

Senior French officials reportedly met last week to discuss an escalating shortage of air-to-air missiles being rapidly expended to intercept Iranian kamikaze drones over the United Arab Emirates.
While US President Donald Trump claims the Pentagon has an "unlimited" stockpile to pursue regime change in Tehran for as long as it takes, mounting evidence suggests Iran's retaliation will grow more devastating over time.

FT: The US is delaying arms deliveries to Ukraine due to the situation in the Middle East

Deliveries of American weapons, including those for Ukraine, are being delayed due to the situation in the Middle East, according to the Financial Times, citing unnamed European diplomats.

12bytes: Bu...bu...but, i though the US has an "unlimited" stockpiles of weapons??? Yeah, well, that was just another lie.

Trump says Gulf countries should protect Strait of Hormuz | Middle East Eye

US president Donald Trump said countries around the Strait of Hormuz should protect the waterway themselves.
"Really, I'm demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their territory," he said. "They should help us. You could make the case that maybe we shouldn't be there at all, because we don't need it. We have a lot of oil."

12bytes: Trying to figure out what is rattling around in his demented little brain is virtually impossible. The one thing we know is that the carrier battle groups in the region are staying the hell away from the strait because they know they'll be hit immediately if they dare approach, thus why Trump is begging everyone else to go in, including, believe it or not, China who would almost certainly be joining the Iranian team if they send forces into the region. The last part of his statement again indicates that he's seeking a way to get out of the war that the US cannot win.

Welt: Iran has ridiculed Trump's calls to ensure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has ironically responded to US President Donald Trump's call for countries that receive oil through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the safety of this route, according to Welt.

Trump Warns NATO Faces 'Very Bad Future' if Allies Don't Help in Hormuz - Reports

US President Donald Trump warned that NATO could face a "very bad" future if US allies fail to assist Washington in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with The Financial Times.

Guardian: Iran, by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, took away the initiative from the United States in the conflict

"For several days now, the United States has been trying to find a good response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which they clearly did not expect... I think the initiative has now passed to the Iranians," he said.

German defence minister rejects Trump's call for military support against Iran | Middle East Eye

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday rejected demands by US President Donald Trump for military support in the war against Iran and downplayed threats that such a stance by allies would hurt Nato.
"What does [...] Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US Navy cannot do?" he said in Berlin.

Greece will not engage in military operations at Hormuz Strait, says government official | Middle East Eye

Greece will not engage in any military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said on Monday.

UK declines Trump's offer of sending warships to Hormuz | Middle East Eye

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday refused to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump called on allies to reinforce efforts to secure the waterway, The Telegraph reported.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the government was "intensively looking" at options to keep the route open but stopped short of committing naval vessels.
Officials are considering deploying mine-hunting drones instead. Allies including France, Germany and South Korea have also shown reluctance to join the proposed mission.

Trump eyes seizure of key Iranian oil island - Axios - RT World News

US President Donald Trump is weighing the seizure of Iran's Kharg Island offshore oil hub, Axios has reported, citing American officials familiar with the discussions. Such a move would likely require a ground operation, the outlet added.

12bytes: Well, let's see now; we have Operation Epic Failure which is failing spectacularly (the US has not achieved any of its ever changing goals). What will they call this one? I'd suggest Operation DOOMED given that, by all accounts, any ground forces sent to take the island will be slaughtered, possibly before they ever set foot on it (they obviously can't get through the Hormuz Strait).

Re-post: America Will LOSE GROUND INVASION Of Kharg Island | Ryan Dawson - YouTube

In this video Ryan Dawson provides an analysis of the U.S invasion into Kharg Island. He also provides on the ground update on Hezbollah. Iran's demands were also broken down.

Scott Ritter: Trump Sends 2,500 Marines into DEATH TRAP as Iran WIPES OUT US Bases...& Israel!

Scott Ritter is a former Major, Intelligence Officer, US Marine, and UN Weapons Inspector. Ritter breaks down Trump's Marine deployment and where it will lead as Iran seizes the initiative toward victory in the US-Israeli war against it.

Explosions hit Iranian capital, report says | Middle East Eye

Explosions hit the Iranian capital on Monday, an AFP journalist reported, hours after Israel said it conducted large-scale overnight strikes.
The blasts were heard in central Tehran as air defence systems were activated, the journalist said. It was not immediately clear what was targeted.
The city was rocked by heavy explosions overnight, the reporter added.

Israel says it has plans for at least three weeks of war as strikes pound Iran | Middle East Eye

The Israeli military said on Monday that there are detailed operational plans for the war with Iran in place for the next three weeks, along with additional plans extending further ahead.
The military has framed its objectives as limited to weakening Iran's capacity to threaten Israel by striking ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and the security apparatus.
"We want to make sure that they are as weak as possible, this regime, and that we degrade all their capabilities, all parts and all wings of their security establishment," spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said.

12bytes: I'd be surprised if one of two things didn't occur within 3 weeks: either Israel begs Trump to get the Iranians to stop bombing them, as they did toward the end of the 12 day war, or they start launching nuclear weapons.

WATCH | Footage shows Iranian missiles impact in 'Israel' - YouTube

12bytes: This video doesn't even begin to show the damage being done to Israel. Iran and Hezbollah are hitting Israel with 3-4 missile barrages every day, however the good videos are not leaving the country due to heavy censorship and legal reasons.

Footage circulating online shows the impact of Iranian missiles in multiple locations across "Israel", according to Israeli media reports.

Iranian missile fragments hit multiple sites in central Israel | Middle East Eye

Debris from an intercepted Iranian missile has hit multiple locations in central Israel, Israeli Channel 12 reported.
The report said fragments fell in the cities of Shoham, Rishon LeZion, Lod and Ness Ziona near Tel Aviv. No injuries or damage were reported.

12bytes: How 'bout that! No damage from missiles that Israel can't intercept. It's like magic!

Drone attack disrupts Dubai flights as Iran continues Gulf attacks | US-Israel war on Iran News | Al Jazeera

12bytes: Here's a great example of how US bases in the Gulf and Iraq are "intercepting" Iranian drones (not to mention missiles).

The United Arab Emirates has announced the diversion of some flights from Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest, after a drone attack sparked a fire near the facility as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia also have reported intercepting drones and missiles.

Video footage shows Hezbollah's fighters targeting "Israeli" enemy army Merkava tank - Yemen Press Agency

BEIRUT, March 16 (YPA) - The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, Hezbollah, released video footage showing its fighters targeting an "Israeli" enemy army Merkava tank on the southeastern outskirts of the town of Markaba with a guided missile.

Hezbollah's rocket and artillery barrages hit Israeli enemy positions - Yemen Press Agency

BEIRUT, March 16 (YPA) - The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, Hezbollah, announced it has continued its series of military operations against concentrations of Israeli occupation forces, targeting military positions and troop gatherings along the border with a volley of rocket and artillery fire early Monday.
In a series of statements released on March 16, 2026, the group detailed four consecutive strikes carried out in defense of Lebanese territory and its people, amidst the ongoing Israeli aggression against the country.

Israel-Iran War Analysis - Global Research

Regardless of the expatriate Iranians you see abroad cheering these actions on, popular support for their government through the course of this conflict is very high.
By contrast, the average American has very little appetite for Trump's war on Iran, especially given that he was elected on an anti‑war platform.

Destruction in Beirut as bombing and mass displacement continue | Israel attacks Lebanon | Al Jazeera

Neighbourhoods in Beirut's southern suburbs have been left in ruins by Israeli bombing attacks. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure but hundreds of thousands of people have been forcibly displaced.

Israeli occupation launches ground invasion of south Lebanon - Yemen Press Agency

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, March 16 (YPA) - Israeli occupation military announced the launch of a ground invasion targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, claiming the objective is to strengthen frontline defenses and dismantle military infrastructure.
On the ground, Israeli forces have been attempting to advance in southern Lebanon for several days, facing persistent resistance from Hezbollah fighters, according to Al Mayadeen website.

Videos Purported To Show U.S. F/A-18 Flying Low Over Iran May Be Of Obscure 'Saeqeh' JetSouth Front

The U.S. has repeatedly claimed aerial superiority over Iran since the start of the war, and very recently Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that most of the strikes against the Islamic Republic were now being carried out using "over the top" munitions.
"Only 1% of the munitions we're using today are standoff munitions. The rest are over the top, the types of which we have a plethora. Which was - which was our goal from the beginning," hegseth said during a press briefing on March 13.
[...]
There are no evidence yet that the U.S. have overwhelmingly transited to the use of "over the top" munitions, as even recent photos released by CENTCOM of Super Hornets heading to strike Iran showed them to be armed with AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) glide bombs, which have a range of up to 130 kilometers.

Bloomberg: Pentagon's attempts to update software for F-35 fighter jets have reached an impasse

12bytes: The F-35 JSF is an overpriced, overweight, incompetent pile of shit, as are many US weapon systems in Trump's "most advanced military in the world". The F-35 spends far more time in the shop than it does flying, something it has trouble doing in the rain. At least 15 F-35's have fallen out of the sky due to mechanical failures, software bugs, etc..

Attempts to introduce updated software for the F-35 fighter jets have "stalled," and last year, American aircraft did not receive new combat capabilities.
[...]
The agency notes that the updates are "critically important" for the F-35, and the new version was supposed to "allow the use of more modern weapons, improve guidance and communication with other aircraft and ground units, as well as strengthen cyber defense."

The US and Israel: who controls whom?

International relations scholar and "The Israel Lobby" author joins Max Blumenthal to address the longstanding debate about whether Israel functions as a reliable proxy of US empire, or Israel's vast lobby influences the US government to adopt policies that undermine its interests.

'Israel is an albatross around our neck' -John Mearsheimer

International relations scholar and "The Israel Lobby" author John Mearsheimer explains to The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal and Aaron Mate how the Israel lobby's vast power enables it to undercut US imperial interests from within, even hobbling its ability to compete with China.

The Israel Lobby, Paperwork Americans, & the Dark Cloud that is the Iran War

Israeli influencers are certainly aware of American frustration with the Zionist Entity as well as American Isolationist ideas. Caroline Glick, a prominent Israeli journalist and member of Israel's Netanyahu government, knows about the suspicions that many Americans have of the Israel Lobby, but she rejects the concerns as unfounded. Glick is disinforming. It is both true and broadly known that American foreign policy is heavily influenced by the Israel Lobby.

IN OTHER NEWS...

Moscow issues warning over Trump's Golden Dome plan - RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

US President Donald Trump's plans to build a multilayered Golden Dome missile defense system risk eroding the established nuclear and space security framework, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned.
First unveiled in January 2025, Trump's initiative intends to build a layered shield against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles from America's peer and near-peer adversaries, including Russia and China. The system relies on space-based interceptors designed to destroy threats in their boost phase, minutes after launch.
The White House projects the Golden Dome will cost $175 billion, but other estimates suggest much higher expenses, ranging from over $500 billion to $3.6 trillion over 20 years.
[...]
Some analysts, however, have cast doubt on the feasibility of the Golden Dome project, as it hinges on space-based interceptors intended to destroy targets within an extremely narrow time window while requiring significant breakthroughs in sensor coverage and artificial intelligence technologies.
The Golden Dome bears some resemblance to President Ronald Reagan's 1983 Strategic Defense Initiative - more commonly known as Star Wars - which was also built around space-based interceptors. The project was abandoned a decade later after up to $50 billion in spending, with no orbital weapon ever deployed due to enormous costs and insurmountable technological challenges.

FT claims that Russia abruptly refused to allow the EU to participate in negotiations on Ukraine

Europe's attempt in February to join the negotiations on Ukraine did not receive support from Moscow. The Financial Times writes about this, citing diplomatic sources.

Brussels is preparing Europe for war with Russia - Orban

12bytes: I don't think the irrelevant red-headed stepchild can afford to open a slingshot factory, but they sure do talk big!

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that EU leaders are preparing for war with Russia and do not want an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Average IQ by country (2025 update) - The California Courier

12bytes: Iran: 4th at 106.3 - US: 30th at 99.74