Coalition to open Hormuz (with mean words); Troops Trump isn't deploying, deploy faster; War expands; Mossad hacked; Iran unleashes multiple attack waves - IRAN WAR NEWS - 20-Mar-2026 (update 4)

March 20, 2026

"Netanyahu finally found someone stupid enough to do it." -- Max Blumenthal, referring to Trump and the US war on Iran

12bytes: In the purist spirit of 'FAFO' (fuck around, find out) Trump has started a religious war at the direction of his Chabad-Lubivitch Zionist masters that he has been losing badly since the opening salvo slaughtered a bunch of school girls. Any delusions Trump had of achieving his ever-changing goals in the Middle East have since evaporated. US bases in the region have been largely destroyed and abandoned in some instances, leaving their hosts and Israel blind to incoming munitions and no one can stop Iran's hypersonic or multi-warhead missiles. They are running out of interceptors. Their reporting of incoming missiles and drones being "intercepted" or that they "fell out of the sky" or "missed their target" or caused only "superficial damage", etc., are largely lies. The damage to US bases and Israel is immense and worsens by the hour. The "Iron Dome" has been dismantled and reduced to providing, at best, a 1-2 minute warning to shelter, if any at all. It is strictly forbidden for people to report on the damage inflicted by Iran, many of which have been arrested. This is why we're not getting a lot of visuals from inside Israel or the Gulf states.

Trump seeks an exit ramp, but his back is against the Wailing Wall and 'plan B' is being fabricated on-the-fly. Worse still, it is a near certainty that even if the US pulled out, the Iranian's will continue attacking Israel until the parasitic Zionist cockroaches have paid a price that Iran deems sufficient and that price increases with every bomb the US/Israel drops on their civilians and leaders. Meanwhile, Iran controls shipping in the Hormuz Strait and thus has its enemies by their proverbial balls until its demands are met, including US withdrawal from the region and the elimination of sanctions. What will the end look like? Will the US and/or Israel deploy nuclear weapons? Russia and China are unlikely to allow Iran to fall.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 4

Trump White House plagiarized Iran war manifesto from Israel-aligned think tank - The Grayzone

The Trump White House plagiarized its justification for attacking Iran from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, the main DC outfit promoting war with Tehran. The think tank was originally founded to "enhance Israel's image," and partners closely with the Israeli government.

American-Israeli Strikes Hit Missile And Drone Facilities In Bid To Cripple Iranian Production (Videos, Photos) | South Front

12bytes: WHEW!!! So Iran's FINALLY out of missiles now, right? So says Trump and his lackey Hegseth anyway. Lets see how that pans out as they step up the number of strikes. Iran's critical infrastructure lies under a lot of granite, out of the reach of the Big Bad 'bunker buster' bombs.

The United States and Israel are targeting facilities linked to Iran's missile and drone program in an attempt to cripple the production of such weapons.
Photos released by the Central Command (CENTCOM) on March 19 showed massive destruction at the Karaj Surface-to-Surface Missile Plant in western Iran. The command said that the facility was used to "assemble ballistic missiles that threatened Americans, neighboring countries, and commercial shipping."

55 enemy targets go up in smoke as IRGC unleashes 70th wave of Op. True Promise 4

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the execution of the 70th wave of its underway retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, saying the latest phase targeted more than 55 locations occupied by the US and the Israeli regime across the region.
In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC described the opening moments of the latest phase as marked by "loud explosions, bursts of fire, and columns of smoke" throughout the targeted areas.
It said the timing of the strikes, on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, reflects "a different dawn of a new regional order for Muslims."
According to the statement, five US military installations were targeted during the operation, namely al-Kharj in Saudi Arabia, al-Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates, Ali al-Salem in Kuwait, Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
The Corps said the strikes were carried out using Qiam and Emad missile systems alongside attack drones, describing this stage of the reprisal as part of a broader strategy of "gradual attrition."
Surprising enemy in occupied territories
The statement added that operations by the IRGC's Aerospace Force concentrated on strategic zones in the occupied port of Haifa and the city of Tel Aviv. Among the locations mentioned were Hadera, Kiryat Ono, Savion, and Ben Ami.
It said Khorramshahr-4 and multi-warhead Qadr missile systems were deployed, resulting in impacts "beyond the enemy's estimates," and contributing to worsening conditions in the occupied territories.
Warning of intensified response
The Corps reiterated its stance on retaliatory escalation, stating, "It is necessary at this stage of the war to once again remind that the IRGC, in its offensive strategy, will target the origin of any aggression against the Islamic Republic's territory and national sovereignty with strikes beyond previous ones."
The statement concluded by emphasizing that Iran's Armed Forces, including the Corps, have prepared for this stage of the confrontation.
Operation True Promise 4 was launched shortly after the latest round of unlawful attacks by Tel Aviv and Washington against the Islamic Republic late last month.

Iran calls the shots: Mearsheimer says US Navy powerless to control Strait of Hormuz

As tensions in the Persian Gulf reach a fever pitch, a top American political scientist has delivered a stark assessment of US military limitations, saying Washington is unable to guarantee the security of the world's most important energy waterway.
In remarks that have resonated widely on social media, international relations scholar John Mearsheimer pointed to the strategic reality unfolding in the region and asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is firmly within Tehran's sphere of influence.

Larry Johnson & Col. Wilkerson: Second F-35 Down - Iran War Spirals Into DEVASTATING New Phase

12bytes: There's no mention of a 2nd F-35 being hit.

Analysis of escalating Iran conflict challenges official narratives on military dominance. Discussion covers contradictory claims about Iranian defenses, Kharg Island risks, oil market impacts & rising gas prices. Guests examine media accountability failures, military logistics challenges, & administration fractures. Broader themes: BRICS vs petrodollar economic warfare, NATO hesitation, Strait of Hormuz security. Warnings issued on global escalation risks & inflammatory rhetoric affecting interfaith relations. Critical examination of decision-making detached from operational realities & supply chain constraints undermining defense production.

Architect of Zionist Warfare Exposed: Eran Ortal's Hidden Strategies Now Public - Handala Hack Team

Today, one of the most crucial links in the chain of Zionist war and violence has been broken. We, Handala Hack, proudly announce that we have successfully infiltrated and hacked the email account of General Eran Ortal, a man who was not only the former Head of Planning for the General Staff of the Israeli army, but who must rightly be called the chief architect of the Zionist military's new doctrine. He is the mastermind behind the war-mongering strategies and massacres that, after October 7th, redefined the foundations of the Israeli army and crafted its new approaches.
Eran Ortal is the very mind whose signature lies beneath the plans for bombings, blockades, and bloody operations of the Zionist army. With his ideas, genocide was elevated to new levels, and even today, many of the Israeli army's current programs are implemented based on his doctrines and models, even without his physical presence.
Today, 100,000 confidential and top-secret emails of this architect of death have been made available to the free people of the world, documents that serve as undeniable evidence of the meticulous engineering of war, violence, and repression carried out in the Zionist think tanks. Within this correspondence, the details of plans, orders, field operations, policies of genocide, and even strategies for confronting resistance have been exposed, sending an unprecedented shockwave through the very core of the occupying regime's security apparatus.

U.S. DESPERATE TO BLOCKADE CHINA VIA IRAN WAR, AS DAMAGE IN ISRAEL MOUNTS | Brian Berletic

Reports say President Trump is considering deploying thousands of U.S. Troops to the Middle East, with air and naval forces to target the Strait of Hormuz, and ground forces to attempt to seize Iran's Kharg Island. This, as the Trump Admin requests $200 BILLION in funding for the war they just launched.
Brian Berletic, a geopolitical analyst and Host of The New Atlas, noted that the war in Iran has been decades in the making and was never meant to just be a four-day operation.
He pointed out that the U.S. has its eye on its biggest competition: China. And because Washington knows it can't compete with Beijing economically or militarily, it is looking for ways to cut off the resources China imports from the Middle East, starting with a maritime blockade on oil traffic.

Amb. Chas Freeman: Ground Troops in Iran? This Could Collapse Netanyahu's Strategy

US-Israel-Iran war escalation: Military options analyzed as Iran strikes Gulf energy facilities & Israeli infrastructure. Iran seeks reparations, US base withdrawal, security guarantees. Gulf states face economic vulnerability & critical desalination plant risks. Regional nuclear proliferation concerns grow. China/Russia gain from higher energy prices & fractured Western alliances. European allies refuse involvement. US defense budgets surge amid domestic political splits. Multi-front Middle East conflict threatens global oil markets. Experts warn of prolonged instability & catastrophic escalation risks to vital water infrastructure serving millions.

MEANWHILE, IN THE DEGENERATE EU, REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF IS HAPPENING...

Top Polish court orders recognition of EU same-sex marriage documents - RT World News

Poland's Supreme Administrative Court has ordered local authorities to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other EU member states, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) last year.

UPDATE 3

'I think so,' Trump says, when asked if Israel would end war when US does | Middle East Eye

President Donald Trump on Friday replied "I think so" when asked if Israel would be ready to end the war on Iran once the US completed its military action.

Trump: No Iranian leaders left to talk to, says war going 'extremely well' | Conflict | Al Jazeera

US President Donald Trump told an audience in Washington, DC that Iranian leaders are "all gone" and that the White House has "nobody left to talk to." Trump added the US-Israeli war on Iran is going "extremely well," as global oil prices continued to skyrocket.

In the Mideast, US is seeing repeat of 1960s claims of victory even as its soldiers were dying in Vietnam: Iranian foreign minister - Middle East Monitor

"Americans haven't forgotten how (in 1967), even as hundreds of U.S. soldiers were dying in Vietnam, and the outcome was already clear, General William Westmoreland was flown home to reassure everyone that the war was going well - that the U.S. was 'winning'," Abbas Araghchi wrote on US social media company X.
"The media haven't forgotten either; those briefings full of fantasy from the frontlines became infamous as the 'Five O'Clock Follies'," he said.
The "same script, different stage" is playing out today, Araghchi said, adding: "(US Defense Secretary) Hegseth steps up, and the message is still detached from reality."
US officials argue that Iran's defenses are gone, yet an F-35 fighter jet was hit by weapons fire and went down, he said.
"As they declare Iran's navy finished, (the) USS Gerald Ford turns back, and USS Abraham Lincoln drifts farther away.

Iran escalates militarily; launches "68th wave" of Operation " True Promise 4", targeting Jaffa, Haifa - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 20 (YPA) - The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday evening the launch of the "68th wave" of Operation "True Promise 4," through joint attacks carried out by the air and naval forces, targeting sites in "Israel" and American bases in the region.
According to a statement carried by the Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC characterized the operation as a complex maneuver utilizing multi-warhead ballistic missiles, including the "Khorramshahr-4" and "Qadr" models. The statement noted that approximately 25 sites in Haifa and Tel Aviv were targeted, asserting that the strikes successfully bypassed air defense systems.
The offensive reportedly included a large-scale drone attack against US bases, alongside naval operations targeting military support facilities, including the Al-Hidd and Sheikh Isa bases. The statement further affirmed the destruction of Patriot missile defense components and significant damage to base infrastructure.
Strategically, the IRGC declared the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to US forces and their allies, calling for the reporting of any suspicious maritime activity through official navigational channels.

IRGC targets Israeli military industries, US bases in 69th wave of Op. True Promise 4

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the execution of the 69th wave its underway retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, targeting a range of Israeli military-linked industries as well as US military facilities in the region.
According to a statement released by the IRGC's Public Relations Office on Friday, the latest wave focused on targets in the heart of the occupied territories, including Tel Aviv, Acre, and the Haifa Bay area.
The statement said the latest phase struck combat support companies and military-linked industries, therefore, spanning military, telecommunications, and radar sectors.
The IRGC also reported strikes on US military installations in the region, identifying the targets as the Ali al-Salem base in Kuwait and the al-Kharj base, a facility used for fuel storage and provision of fuel to US F-16 and F-35 warplanes.
The 69th wave was carried out "successfully" using a combination of missile systems, including the strategic Qadr missile systems, Kheibar Shekan missiles, medium-range Zolfaghar missiles, and Qiam missiles, besides deploying attack drones.

True Promise 4: Iran and resistance axis ops. against US-Israeli assets on Mar. 20

Iranian armed forces and resistance groups across the region continue to carry out retaliatory military operations against the United States and the Israeli regime.
On Friday, March 20, 2026, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple operations as part of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched immediately after the US-Israeli coalition carried out an unprovoked act of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28.
Iranian armed forces have so far carried out 70 waves of missile and drone strikes with advanced weaponry targeting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories, as well as US occupation bases and assets scattered across the West Asia region.
The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have also joined the front against the external aggressors, inflicting heavy blows on the enemy.
Hezbollah's operations have been primarily focused on Israeli military sites in the occupied territories. Its operations are both in response to the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and the relentless ceasefire violations by the Israeli regime over the past year.
Iraqi resistance groups have also been carrying out daily operations, primarily against American military assets in Iraq and other Arab countries.
Below is a list of operations carried out by the Iranian armed forces, as well as resistance movements in Lebanon and Iraq, against the US and the Zionist regime on March 20:

Explosion hits Jerusalem's Old City after Iran missile alert | Drone Strikes | Al Jazeera

An explosion struck Jerusalem's Old City seconds after sirens warned of an incoming Iranian missile. Smoke was seen rising at the site as Iran launched multiple attacks, sending millions into shelters. Several were lightly wounded, Israeli authorities said.

Israeli reservist detained over alleged leak of Iron Dome secrets to Iran - Middle East Monitor

An Israeli reservist has been detained on suspicion of leaking classified information about the country's Iron Dome air defense system to Iranian intelligence, authorities said Friday, Anadolu reports.
In a joint statement, Israeli police and the security agency Shin Bet (Shabak) said the suspect served in a military unit responsible for air defense systems and was arrested on allegations of espionage on behalf of Iran.
The 26-year-old soldier, identified as Roz Cohen, was taken into custody following a covert investigation.
Authorities said Cohen had been in contact with Iranian intelligence for months and allegedly passed on sensitive information related to the Iron Dome system.

The Worst Has Happened to IRAN, They're Even More Determined! Nima Alkhorshid - YouTube

12bytes: Nima is from Iran. It's nice to see this young gentleman on the couch instead of the other way around.

Iran's previous restraint on nuclear weapons was largely attributed to its former supreme leader, who opposed them on moral and strategic grounds. However, that restraint may be changing due to the current war and leadership transition, with Iran likely reconsidering its nuclear and missile policies.
Ongoing destruction and civilian casualties in Iran are pushing the country toward a more aggressive, long-term strategy aimed at preventing future vulnerability.
Iran is unlikely to offer any "olive branch" for peace while under attack, viewing the conflict as existential and the West's actions as aggression and terrorism.
From Iran's perspective, a negotiated settlement would require major concessions from the West, including:
U.S. withdrawal from the region
Removal of American military presence in Gulf states
Relief from long-standing sanctions
Recognition of Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz
Iran believes it now has leverage through its position in the Strait of Hormuz and growing regional tensions, while many people in Arab states question why they are involved.
Despite heavy bombardment, Iran claims internal unity is increasing, strengthening public support for the government and military.
Iran asserts it is fully prepared for a long war, with underground military production still intact and operating continuously.
Overall, Iran appears committed to a prolonged conflict with large strategic goals, rather than seeking a quick diplomatic resolution.

UK Column News - 20th March 2026 - YouTube

00:00 Welcome
00:43 Iran: Latest on Day 21 of US Israel attacks
07:55 F35: Implication of jet going down
10:55 Tulsi & Joe: Defend their opposing positions
26:18 Palantir: Calls for 'demonic' firm to be shut down. With special guest, academic and campaigner, Heiko Khoo
39:50 Israel v Russia: Any supporter of Iran is a threat
43:32 Check out UKC's website and support our work
44:23 Gaza Tribunal: Independent report finds against UK government
48:39 Steve Sweeney: Journalist targetted by Israel for elimination
53:45 Greenland: Denmark were prepared for an attack from US
56:12 Online Safety: Ofcom's bogus claims about fines

Iranians celebrate Persian New Year in first wartime Nowruz in decades | US-Israel war on Iran News | Al Jazeera

Tehran, Iran - Iran is celebrating Nowruz, the Persian New Year, during wartime for the first time since the 1980s, when neighbouring Iraq launched a full-scale invasion, leading to eight years of war.
In the lead-up to the festivities on Friday and the coming days, people queued up at local markets and shops in Tehran and across the country to buy flowers and exchange greetings despite heavy bombardment from United States and Israeli warplanes overnight, and periodically throughout the day.

At least 20 killed in latest Israeli attacks on Lebanon | Middle East Eye

Twenty people have been killed and 57 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the Lebanese Disaster Risk Management Unit says.
The deaths on Friday bring the total number killed by Israeli attacks since 2 March to 1,021, according to figures published by the official National News Agency.
The total number of wounded rose to 2,641 while 134,616 displaced people were registered in shelters.

IN OTHER NEWS...

US sues Harvard University over antisemitism allegations, seeks to freeze grants - Middle East Monitor

The US Justice Department on Friday filed a lawsuit against Harvard University alleging antisemitism on the Ivy League campus located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Anadolu reports.
The case, filed in federal court, says the leadership at Harvard failed to address campus-wide antisemitism, which justifies the government freezing existing grants and seeking repayment for grants already paid to the university.
Department officials alleged: "Harvard has failed to protect its Jewish and Israeli students in two ways. First, Harvard has continued to be deliberately indifferent to a level of hostility on its campus ... Second, Harvard has refused to enforce its campus rules against students who harass their Jewish and Israeli peers."

UPDATE 2

Trump calls Nato allies 'cowards' over failure to join Iran war | Middle East Eye

US President Donald Trump called Nato allies 'cowards' at the Commander in Chief trophy presentation at the White House for reluctance to support US war efforts in Iran or deploy forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
"Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!", Trump wrote on Truth Social, berating his allies for failing to "join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran" and "complain[ing] about the high oil prices they are forced to pay" as a result of the closure of the Hormuz Strait.
"COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!", the President continued in the post.

'Entire Nato mission' evacuated from Iraq, say officials | Middle East Eye

Nato has withdrawn almost all personnel from Iraq amid regional instability caused by the war on Iran, according to officials at Iraq's National Security Advisory speaking to AFP and Al Jazeera.
Officials said the withdrawal was "temporary" and Nato personnel would return when the conflict ends and the situation stabilises again.
The Nato mission, composed of several hundred personnel, is based in Baghdad, close to the US embassy and has been a target of frequent attacks, leading to all units being evacuated except for a small contingent.

Hezbollah says it has launched 9 attacks on Israeli settlements since early Friday - Middle East Monitor

Lebanese group Hezbollah on Friday said that it launched nine attacks using rockets and loitering drones, targeting six Israeli sites, two military barracks in northern Israel, and a gathering of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports.
The announcement came in a series of statements released by Hezbollah.
The group said it launched rocket barrages at different times from dawn until midday Friday, targeting six settlements: Shlomi, Yiftah, Shomera, Kiryat Shmona, Ramot Naftali, and Hanita.
It said it also carried out two separate aerial attacks using "swarms of loitering drones" targeting the Ya'ara and Matat military barracks in northern Israel.
Hezbollah also said it targeted Israeli soldiers with rockets in Lebanon's southern town of Khiam.

Hezbollah Shares Footage Of Its Fighters Decimating Israel Armored Column In South LebanonSouth Front

Hezbollah's military media on March 20 released video footage showing an attack on an armored column of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that attempted to advance in southern Lebanon, the heart of the group.
The Israeli advance attempt took place a day earlier, at al-Faqani height to the north of the town of al-Taybeh, located less than two kilometers away from the Blue Line - a temporary line drawn by the United Nations that separates Israel and Lebanon.
Five unidentified vehicles of the IDF were involved in the nighttime advance attempt, according to the thermal footage released by Hezbollah. All five were struck by the group fighters, who likely used anti-tank guided missiles, with fire later erupting at several of the vehicles. Israeli troops withdrew on foot after the strikes.

Three more drones shot down, Saudi Arabia says | Middle East Eye

Saudi Arabia's defence ministry says it intercepted and destroyed three drones in the Eastern Province.

Air raid sirens blare during Eid call to prayer in Kuwait | Drone Strikes | Al Jazeera

Air raid sirens sounded across Kuwait City as Iran targeted US assets with missiles and drones. Footage shows alerts sounding as the call to Eid al-Fitr prayers was made at a mosque.

Israel-linked arms facility set ablaze in EU (VIDEO) - RT World News

An anti-Zionist group has claimed responsibility for a fire at a warehouse belonging to a defense firm linked to Israel's Elbit Systems in the Czech Republic.
The Earthquake Faction, which describes itself as "an internationalist underground network," posted a video purportedly showing the arson attack on an industrial facility in the Czech town of Pardubice on Friday, along with images of the burned-out building.
It said the site was used to "develop weaponry used by the Zionist entity to massacre people daily in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, and across West Asia."

Israel Organizes False Flag Attacks on Arab Nations - Iranian Foreign Ministry

"The US abused its military presence in the Arab nations," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Sputnik.
"Unknowingly, these countries enabled the US to use their territories against Iran", Baghaei explained.
Tehran has hit back, but denies that it hit civilian and oil industry sites in neighboring countries - instead blaming its enemies.
"Israel and even the US could conduct false-flag operations in the region using similar technologies to ours," Baghaei charged.
"We deliberately target only US military bases and other infrastructure that is being used to attack Iran."
He stressed the legality of Iranian retaliation.
"According to International Law, Iran has the legal right to impose counter-measures against the attackers," Baghaei said. "We are not striking any country without reason, we are just defending ourselves against Israel, the US, and any state that is willing to support the aggressors."

Iran denies attacking Turkey and Oman, accusing Israel of playing a 'trick' | Middle East Eye

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei said his country was not behind strikes on Turkey or Oman, blaming Israel for playing a "trick" to create division between Iran and its neighbours.
In a written statement released to state media to mark the Persian New Year, Khamenei described Iran's relations with eastern countries as "very close".
He called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to mend ties with the region, saying he is "ready to take the necessary actions" on his part.

NATO relocates Iraq mission personnel to Europe amid Mideast escalation - Middle East Monitor

NATO has relocated all personnel from its mission in Iraq to Europe, the alliance said on Friday, citing a shift in operational posture amid the current hostilities in the Mideast, Anadolu reports.

How Iranians get around the internet blackout despite the risks and cost | Middle East Eye

According to NetBlocks, a group that monitors internet access worldwide, Iran has experienced a near-total blackout for 20 consecutive days. Connectivity has dropped to less than one percent.

12bytes: During the 12 day war Iran reduced internet bandwidth as a security measure due to their enemies using live feeds for various reasons. I don't know if this far greater restriction is for the same reasons, or if they're limiting what their citizens are able to access, or what the deal is.

Israeli air strikes target multiple towns in southern Lebanon | Middle East Eye

Israeli warplanes have carried out air strikes targeting multiple locations in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera is reporting, citing the Lebanese National News Agency.
Recent attacks targeted Zebdine, Qaqaiyat al-Jisr, and Yahmar al-Shaqif.

Why Israel's defence in ICJ genocide case has disintegrated | Middle East Eye

Last week, Israel suddenly dropped charges against five soldiers accused of the sexual abuse and rape of a male Palestinian prisoner.
This development was grotesque - all the more so, since there is no shortage of evidence.
The soldiers were filmed as the atrocity was allegedly committed. As for the victim, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has cited medical records showing that his injuries included a ruptured bowel, a severe injury to his anus, lung damage and broken ribs.

Harry Vox: THE SECRET OF JEWISH CONTROL OVER THE USA

The secret of Jewish control over the USA. It's too bad that people actually read Brookings papers and take them for face value.

UPDATE 1

'Victory is near': IRGC strikes US bases, Israeli military infrastructure in new missile barrage

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched the 67th wave of its Operation True Promise 4, targeting US military bases and Israeli military infrastructure in the region.
The operation, conducted during the final days of Ramadan on Friday, was dedicated to the martyred IRGC spokesperson, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, and his fallen brother.
The IRGC stated that it struck key US positions, including the Ali al-Salem base, which houses drone and airspace command centers, aircraft maintenance facilities, and the US-led coalition's operations center.
The strike also targeted early-warning radar systems and missile defense installations at the Al-Wafa base. Additionally, Iranian forces hit Israeli radar, satellite, and missile defense centers across the occupied Palestinian territories.
"With the help of God, we opened the gates of fire and pain on US military positions and Israeli infrastructure, launching a barrage of heavy missiles and a downpour of drones," the IRGC said in its statement.
The IRGC also issued a warning, stating, "The fate of the tyrant Saddam awaits Trump and the criminal Netanyahu," referring to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Netanyahu Says a Revolution in Iran Requires a Ground Offensive - Global Research

Speaking to members of the foreign press corps, the prime minister said that while Israel and the United States can achieve "a lot of things from the air," a "ground component" is imperative to create the conditions for regime change.

U.S. Sends Second Marine Unit To Middle East As Trump Mulls Taking Over Key Iranian Island (Videos) | South Front

The United States is sending the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) with the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer and two other vessels to the Middle East, as President Donald Trump is reported to be mulling taking over a key Iranian island.
The Boxer was seen leaving Naval Base San Diego on March 18 by webcam accounts monitoring the location. At the time, a local Fox News affiliate reported, citing a statement from the U.S. Navy Third Fleet based in San Diego, that the 11th MEU is conducting "routine operations" in the Pacific Ocean as part of the US Navy's Pacific fleet.
Nevertheless, Newsmax and The Jerusalem Post on March 20 both reported that the U.S. Navy is accelerating the deployment of the Boxer, alongside San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Portland and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock, to the Middle East.
The Boxer can carry out a number of warplanes, F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jets, AH-1Z Super Viper attack helicopters and MV-22B Osprey assault support tiltrotor aircraft.
Together with the Portland and Comstock, the vessels carry approximately 2,500 Marines and a total of about 4,000 service members.
[...]
Three MEUs are likely sufficient to stage an attack on Kharg. However, such a landing would require strong air cover, one that the U.S. Navy will not be able to provide support from USS Boxer and USS Tripoli, not even with support from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln currently taking part in the war in Iran from the Arabian sea.
The U.S. Navy and even the Air Force will launch strikes from air bases in neighboring Gulf countries, like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, or better the United Arab Emirates, something that has not been reported since the start of the war on the Islamic Republic.
In addition, the amphibious assault ships taking part in the landing will likely be exposed to anti-ship fire, and after a successful landing on Kharg, the marines could be left exposed to Iranian missile and drone strikes with very little air defense.
To secure the island itself, the U.S. will likely have to secure most of the Iranian coast line in parallel to it, which means that this could easily escalate into a full-on invasion, one in which the Islamic Republic has far more troops.

No naval escort for Trump: US allies and the Strait of Hormuz - Middle East Monitor

With each dragged out day, President Donald Trump begins resembling a mad emperor who has not only taken leave of his senses but leave of everything else. Having hitched his wagon to the Israeli program of chaos and destabilisation in the Middle East, he is stuck in a war he is incapable of controlling or dictating. The periodic announcement of the next assassination of a notable Iranian leader is trumpeted like a holy ritual. The next round of ecstatic bombing is hailed in the court as the biggest yet. But behind these gestures lies an expansive emptiness.

Sri Lanka refused ground access to US fighter jets - president - RT World News

Sri Lanka refused to provide ground access to two US fighter jets earlier this month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told parliament.

Switzerland halts arms exports to the US due to Iran war, citing neutrality | Middle East Eye

"The export of war material to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict," the government said in a statement.

Italy's Meloni rules out military mission in Strait of Hormuz, says EU favors diplomacy - Middle East Monitor

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that no country is currently considering a military mission to forcibly break the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports.

Iran warns US and Israeli personnel 'not safe' in tourist sites worldwide after strikes on Iranian officials | Middle East Eye

An Iranian military spokesperson has said Israeli and American officials and military personnel will not be safe in "resorts and tourist centres around the world", Iranian media are reporting.
The threat comes after senior Iranian officials, including the intelligence minister and the Revolutionary Guard's spokesman, were killed in recent strikes from the US and Israel, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.

Iranian missile strikes intercepted by Israel and Gulf nations | Middle East Eye

12bytes: I wonder what they're "intercepting" the missiles with? Perhaps there's a behind-the-scenes deal to buy rocks from the Palestinians???

The Israeli army has said Iran on Friday launched a new barrage of missiles targeting southern Israel, reporting that its defence systems are working on intercepting the missiles.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain have all similarly reported interceptions of Iranian missile and drones overnight and Friday morning, according to their defence ministries.

US presence in the region is driving the war, not Iran, Marandi says - YouTube

In an interview for Al Mayadeen, Professor Mohammad Marandi says Tehran's response targets US-linked assets to deter further escalation, warning that without retaliation, attacks would intensify.
Marandi also criticizes regional governments for allowing their airspace and territory to be used, urging them to demand a US withdrawal if they truly want the war to end.

ESCALATION: Massive strikes on Gas fields in Iran and Qatar. Trump expands WAR

Ryan Dawson Warns the Iran War Could Cost America Its Allies - YouTube

Steve Yang sits down with Ryan Dawson of ANC Report for a long-form geopolitical breakdown of the Iran-Israel conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, energy chokepoints, and the global market fallout that could follow. Ryan lays out his view that the story is much bigger than headlines about missiles and diplomacy, pointing instead to long-running regional strategy, donor-class incentives, media bottlenecks, and growing pressure on oil, LNG, shipping, reserves, and U.S. allies across Asia. The conversation digs into why he argues this war is not really about nukes, how sanctions can weaken trust in the dollar system, why China and India matter in any new energy settlement, and how supply disruption can spill into inflation, petrochemicals, fertilizer, and broader market stress. Steve presses Ryan on how U.S. and Israeli objectives align, whether Washington misread Iran's response, and what a failed rapid-strike scenario could mean for energy markets, global trade, and regional influence. They also get into media narrative control, the gap between public messaging and elite incentives, and why resource flows still sit underneath the biggest geopolitical stories. If you want a hard look at war, oil, LNG, sanctions, shipping lanes, and macro consequences, this interview goes straight at the big picture.

The collapse of the myth of Israel's invincibility - Middle East Monitor

For decades, the Zionist regime operated under the premise of its own invincibility. This assumption not only structured its military doctrine but also secured its privileged position within the international system, allowing it to act with broad impunity in the face of repeated violations of international law.

Israeli weapons factory set ablaze in Czech Republic | Middle East Eye

A previously unknown underground group called Earthquake Faction, has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying in a statement shared with Middle East Eye that the facility develops weapons used to commit genocide in Gaza.

END UPDATES

Trump misled the world: Iran's leadership unshaken and unyielding - Tehran Times

TEHRAN - From the earliest days of the U.S.-Israeli military aggression that began on February 28, President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that Iran's political leadership has collapsed and that the country is seeking a ceasefire out of desperation. These statements have circulated widely in his public remarks, where he has described Iran as being on the verge of political disintegration and portrayed the initial wave of strikes as having eliminated the core of the Iranian state.

US Accelerates Deployment of Marines, Sailors to Middle East - Reports

The United States is speeding up the deployment of additional military forces to the Middle East, including thousands of Marines and sailors, NBC News reported, citing people familiar with the decision.
According to NBC News, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - comprising at least 2,200 Marines - is expected to deploy from San Diego earlier than scheduled in the coming days.
The unit is set to deploy aboard the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, and is likely to be accompanied by one or two additional vessels, meaning several thousand US sailors could also be sent to the region, the report said.

Europe, Japan, Canada pledge efforts to reopen Hormuz | Middle East Eye

Leading European nations, Japan and Canada said they were ready to support efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to stabilise energy markets, Reuters reported.
According to a joint statement issued on Thursday, the countries condemned what they described as Iran's actions disrupting commercial shipping and escalating tensions in the Gulf.
In the statement, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada said, "We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces."
"We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817," the statement added.

IRGC unleashes super-heavy multi-warhead missiles during 66th wave of Op. True Promise 4

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announces execution of the 66th wave of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 featuring deployment of a large-scale reprisal involving multiple missile systems targeting locations across the occupied territories and US military positions in the region.
In a statement on Friday, the Corps' Public Relations Office said the latest phase was carried out "successfully" striking targets in the heart and south of the occupied territories, including the city of Tel Aviv, as well as bases of the US military in the region.
The statement detailed the use of a combination of solid- and liquid-fuel missile systems, including super-heavy, precision-guided, multi-warhead Qadr missiles as well as Khorramshahr and Kheibar Shekan missiles and medium-range Qiam projectiles.
The 66th stage also involved deployment of Zolfaqar missiles and attack drones, it noted.
'Siren-to-siren' nightmare in occupied territories
The statement added that Israeli authorities, in an effort to overcome previous failures and internal crises, as well as the fallout from the Epstein scandals, have entered an "unjust war against Iran" that was doomed from the onset.
The Islamic Republic's retaliation in the face of the aggression, it added, has resulted in "life from siren to siren and the prolonged confinement of the illegal settlers of the occupied territories in shelters."
The statement concluded with a warning, "We will not leave you; this reprisal will continue..."
[...]
The reprisal has hit sensitive and strategic targets in the heart of the occupied territories, including those lying in the city of Tel Aviv, the holy occupied city of al-Quds, the occupied port of Haifa, Be'er Sheva, which serves as the regime's technological epicenter, and the Negev Desert.
American outposts across the region, including those based in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, have also faced intense retaliation.

Iran Strikes West Jerusalem, Haifa - IRGC

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The Iranian military struck targets in West Jerusalem and Haifa on Friday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said.
"During the 66th phase of Operation True Promise 4, targets in West Jerusalem, Haifa in the region were successfully hit," the IRGC said in a statement quoted by Iranian news agency YJC.
Missiles used in the attack included Kheibar Shekan, Zolfaghar and Qadr, along with drones, the elite Iranian force said.

UAE warns public as Saudi Arabia intercepts drones, Kuwait targeted | Middle East Eye

Several Gulf states activated air defence systems overnight in response to missile and drone threats, with the United Arab Emirates urging residents to remain in safe locations as its systems responded to a potential missile attack.
Authorities called on the public to follow official channels for updates and safety instructions.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed multiple drones in the country's eastern region, including three within the past hour and 10 over several hours, while Kuwait's military reported confronting "hostile missile and drone" attacks.
It said any explosions heard were the result of air defence systems intercepting incoming threats and urged residents to adhere to security guidance.

Iran hits Kuwaiti oil refinery as Israel renews attacks on Tehran | Conflict News | Al Jazeera

Drones have struck Kuwait's largest oil refinery for the second day as Iran launched a sweeping assault on energy infrastructure across the Gulf, while explosions boomed over Tehran from Israeli attacks as the country marked the Persian New Year.
Fires broke out across multiple units at the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, which processes about 730,000 barrels of oil per day, early on Friday morning, as Kuwaitis marked Eid al-Fitr, the celebration ending the holy month of Ramadan.

Intelligence forces arrest over 100 pro-monarchy mercenaries across Iran

Iranian intelligence forces have identified and captured 110 pro-monarchy mercenaries in 26 provinces of the country, who were planning to conduct acts of sabotage amid the US-Israeli onslaught against the Islamic Republic.

Report: Iran developing vetting system for selective Hormuz transit access | Middle East Eye

Iran is moving toward a "selective blockade" of the Strait of Hormuz, allowing passage for ships from certain countries while developing a vetting and registration system for transit, Lloyd's List, a maritime news and analysis service, reported.
Countries including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia and China are in talks with Tehran over access to the strategic waterway, the maritime publication said.

IRGC: USS Gerald Fords retreat exposes hollowness of American military power

"The dispatch of this vessel to the region with the uproar and extensive propaganda of American military officials and Western media, and its questionable exit at the peak of the war in the media silence of the arrogant American military officials, cannot hide the desperate and humiliating state of the American and Zionist warmongers," the IRGC said.
The US military has desperately attempted to frame the retreat as the result of a mere mishap, claiming the multi-billion-dollar ship is limping to Crete for repairs after a "non-combat-related" fire broke out in the ship's main laundry spaces.
However, the IRGC strongly mocked and cast doubt on this official narrative, pointing out the absurdity of Washington's excuses.
"What kind of military giant is this that faces a crisis and is forced to leave the battlefield due to a fire occurring in its laundry room?" the statement asked.
US officials claim that the ship remains fully operational despite the fire leaving over 100 beds unusable and requiring more than 200 crew members to be assessed for smoke inhalation.
This adds to a humiliating string of structural failures on the US Navy's most expensive warship, including widespread reports of clogged toilets and failing plumbing that have plagued the vessel for years and shattered troop morale during its prolonged nine-month deployment.

12bytes: Okay, Iran is having a nice little jab at the US here and good for them. They deserve a lollipop. The more interesting aspect to this event is whether the fire was intentional due to the fact that these sailors have been deployed far longer than expected. Surely they want to go home and surely moral is ... in the toilet.

Why Trumps anti-Iran naval coalition in Strait of Hormuz is doomed to fail

US President Donald Trump believes that involving many countries in a naval coalition would force Iran to surrender under international pressure, or at least agree to a ceasefire and enter negotiations with those countries without preconditions.
The last thing Trump expected was for what he thought would be a short, hours-long confrontation to stretch into days and weeks, and then turn into a full-fledged war of attrition.
This is a scenario he neither anticipated nor has the personal capacity to bear, given its potentially disastrous consequences for his country and the world.

Handala shatters Mossad secrecy, leaks 100,000 confidential documents from senior official

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The pro-resistance hacktivist group Handala has dealt a humiliating blow to the Zionist intelligence apparatus, successfully infiltrating the private communications of a top-tier Mossad official and releasing over 100,000 sensitive documents to the public.
In a Friday statement released via their cyber channels, Handala announced they had successfully breached the email account of Deborah Oppenheimer, the former deputy head of foreign relations and cooperation at Mossad. Oppenheimer currently serves as the head of international affairs at the so-called Israeli national security institute.
The group identified Oppenheimer as a central figure in the regime's global propaganda machine. "She has been responsible for years for promoting and expanding Zionist ideology across the world," the statement noted.
Handala further noted that through "media manipulation and powerful lobbies," Oppenheimer worked "tirelessly to direct public opinion in favor of this oppressive regime."
However, the group declared that her efforts have failed, stating, "Today she has bowed before the will of the people."
The breach is described as a "courageous operation" that resulted in the acquisition of over 100,000 sensitive emails, which have now been made available for public download.
According to the group, these documents "reveal the true face of Zionism and its network of influence worldwide." Handala emphasized that the leak exposes everything from "treacherous collaborations to media planning and clandestine operations designed against nations."
This latest cyber strike is part of a broader retaliatory campaign.

Regional countries urged to prevent US, Israel from using their territory against Iran

The Foreign Ministry describes Iran's retaliation targeting hostile objects in regional countries as acts of self-defense, while urging those countries to prevent the United States and the Israeli regime from using their territory against the Islamic Republic.
In a statement on Thursday, spokesman Esmail Baghaei emphasized Iran's right to self-defense, saying the international law prohibits states from enabling third-party military action from their territory.
He noted that under the principles of the UN Charter and international law, including UN General Assembly Resolutions 2625 and 3334, no country is permitted to make its land or facilities available for acts of aggression against another state.

The lies that built a war: Deconstructing Washington's shifting justifications for attacking Iran - Tehran Times

MADRID - One way to analyze the current U.S. aggression against Iran is through the political language that precedes and organizes it. In 2003, the invasion of Iraq was justified by a discursive apparatus centered on weapons of mass destruction that never appeared. The sequence is known: first, a set of propositions is presented as self-evident; then, reality is read through them. The decision for war does not emerge from the evidence. The evidence is adapted to the decision.

A month of war with Iran would deplete US air defence stocks, - Rheinmetall CEO Papperger

The US and its allies could completely run out of missiles and air defence systems if the conflict with Iran continues for another month, said Armin Papperger, CEO of defence firm Rheinmetall, in an interview with CNBC.

Are Bibi and Trump Looking for an Exit Ramp From the War in Iran?

Trump is deploying a MEU (i.e., a 2,200 man force) to the Persian Gulf. MEU stands for Marine Expeditionary Unit. It is a small, self-contained Marine Air-Ground Task Force that can deploy quickly from ships for crisis response, amphibious operations, or limited combat missions. A MEU usually includes about 2,200 Marines and sailors, with an infantry battalion, aircraft, logistics support, and a command element and is designed for short, quick missions and roughly 15 days of self-sustainment.
I am hoping, perhaps foolishly, that this is just a saber rattling gesture by Trump to try to gain some negotiating leverage over Iran because the MEU is too small to pose any kind of serious threat to Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz. If the ships carrying the Marines venture close to the Iranian coast they will likely be destroyed. There is another possibility to consider... The Marines are a feint - i.e., intended to draw Iran's attention while a US Special Operations Unit will attempt to storm a site in Iran believed to be holding enriched uranium and take control of the material. While I have no doubt that the US can insert a small number of Spec Ops operators into Iran, getting them out safely is a huge challenge. And let's not forget that the Iranian military, which has the backing of Russian and Chinese intelligence, also will have a vote on the outcome of any attempted raid by US forces.

12bytes: I also considered that Bibi was opening an off-ramp for both himself and Trump during his speech, but then he mentioned that there "has to be a ground component" in order to cement the "winning" he imagines Israel and the US are enjoying (while all their shit is being blown up, possibly even during his speech). Well, what Bibi wants, Bibi gets, so we can assume there will likely be some form of US forces sent in to die for Bibi, but there may be a twist here that Johnson didn't consider; What if there is a Special Op's unit sent in to seize the enriched uranium and Iran allows the operation to succeed after some token resistance? Might such a scenario provide an exit strategy for Trump? A potential hitch with such a plan however, is that the Houthi's promised to jump in the game if the war escalated and the other problem is that this wouldn't relieve the pressure on Israel.

Richard D. Wolff & Michael Hudson: Iran Just Flipped the Script on the U.S. -Global Crisis Incoming?

12bytes: Yesterday there was some incoherent babble coming out of Washington about lifting sanctions on Iran's oil and "using their oil against them". I didn't bother posting it because it sounded stupid and, frankly, it confused the hell out of me. Wolf comments on that story in this interview.

Experts analyze escalating US-Iran tensions and global repercussions: oil facility attacks, Strait of Hormuz risks, and energy market volatility. Key themes include sanctions producing unintended consequences, petrodollar system vulnerabilities, and allies questioning US military protection. Economic concerns feature rising energy prices, inflation pressures, and debt-financed warfare. Geopolitical shifts highlight BRICS expansion, de-dollarization trends, and European allies reassessing strategic alignment. Iran's stated objective-US withdrawal from the Middle East-frames broader debates on hegemonic decline and multipolar economic warfare. Analysis warns prolonged conflict could destabilize the global economy as diplomatic solutions remain elusive, while financial markets grapple with uncertainty over interest rates, sovereign debt, and the future of dollar-denominated trade.

FEATURED VIDEO: COUPS, JEWS & DONALD J. TRUMP -- Max Igan

The gulf between those of us who believe that Donald J. Trump has betrayed his MAGA base and his campaign promises is growing wider by the day. I hope Tom Luongo is right - more on that to come - but in the meantime, Max Igan and I are resonating at the same frequency, and this is Part one of our nearly two-hour conversation.

Music vid: Monitoring The Situation by I Can't Even Production

The President of the European Commission has banned EU countries from purchasing Russian gas under any circumstances

At a press conference following the EU summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen banned EU countries from purchasing Russian gas, even if there were to be a physical shortage of energy resources in Europe.

Europe Won't Survive Without Russian Oil, Reality to Dawn in Couple of Weeks - Orban

12bytes: It's quite funny to watch the EU shoot itself in both feet and then flail around, begging for help while they're not even allowed to participate in the Ukraine talks. The EU leaders are nothing but noise makers. It's also decidedly sad what's happened to Europe since WW2, Germany especially. They desperately need another Hitler to undo the damage the Jews have done to their countries.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Europe will not survive without Russian oil with a global fuel shortage fast approaching - a reality that will become obvious to everyone within a couple of weeks, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday.
"The reality is that a global oil shortage is now knocking at the door. The strategy Europeans are pursuing is simply crazy. We need Russian oil-we cannot survive this increasingly serious situation without Russian fuel and energy. Anyone who denies that will see how obvious it is in no more than a week," Orbán told reporters after the EU summit.

Israeli air strikes pound Lebanon towns as death toll surpasses 1,000 | Middle East Eye

Strikes at dawn hit Bafliyeh and Hanine in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts, with separate attacks reported in at least five other towns.
Lebanon's health ministry said the death toll from Israeli attacks since 2 March has risen to 1,001, including 79 women, 118 children and 40 healthcare workers, with more than 2,584 people wounded.
In recent days, air strikes have also targeted Beirut, Baalbek and Sidon, expanding the scope of the Israeli campaign.

IN OTHER NEWS...

Pentagon Exposes False Claims on Combat Readiness of Bradley Fighting Vehicles in Europe

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US army unit after a rotational deployment to Europe in 2023 falsely reported the operational readiness of 117 Bradley fighting vehicles, while none of them were mission capable, Sputnik discovered after analyzing a recent audit report from the US Department of Defense Inspector General (DODIG).