DIMONA HIT!; 3rd F-16 downed; 82nd Airborne to deploy; killing kids - IRAN WAR NEWS - 21-Mar-2026 (update 4)

March 21, 2026

"Netanyahu finally found someone stupid enough to do it." -- Max Blumenthal, referring to Trump's 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

US says it has crippled Iranian threat in Strait of Hormuz | International Trade | Al Jazeera

The head of US Central Command says forces have struck Iranian coastal missile sites and infrastructure, degrading Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington vows to continue targeting its regional military capabilities.

Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Iranian power plants - RT World News

"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" the president wrote on Truth Social.

Iran vows retaliation if energy infrastructure is attacked | Middle East Eye

Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters said it would retaliate against any attack on the country's energy infrastructure, warning it could target US and Israeli energy and technology facilities.
The warning followed US President Donald Trump's ultimatum that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face strikes on its power plants.

MARINES AT HORMUZ - IRAN DARES TRUMP TO MAKE A MOVE - YouTube

12bytes: Remember kids, the video is AI gen'd. I know not where the script originates, but it matches reality. The value is in the context it adds.

The White House authorized the deployment of a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal confirmed it through a Pentagon official. Twenty-five hundred combat infantry with organic artillery, armored support, and full logistical self-sufficiency are departing from a California base that specializes in one specific training profile - desert warfare and extreme climate combat operations. The same conditions they would encounter in Iran or across the Gulf.
This is not an exercise. It is not a show of force. Marine expeditionary units are the force structure the American military deploys when it needs to arrive first into a hostile environment, secure an entry point under fire, and prepare conditions for everything that follows. They are the door. Everything that comes after walks through it.
Iran's military response to the announcement was immediate. The ground forces are welcome.

British nuclear-powered submarine arrives in Arabian Sea amid tensions | Middle East Eye

Reports said that the Royal Navy vessel is capable of launching cruise missiles, providing long-range strike capability. Officials have not publicly detailed the submarine's mission.

Enemy to be astonished: IRGC declares missile dominance over occupied territories

In a post on X on Saturday, the force's commander, Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mousavi, declared that the skies over the south of the occupied territories "will remain illuminated for hours" tonight.
"The new tactics and launch systems to be employed in the upcoming waves will leave American and Zionist commanders astonished," he stated.
His remarks came hours after the IRGC carried out the 70th wave of Operation True Promise 4 against sensitive and strategic Israeli and American targets throughout the region.

Equations of war changing: IRGC says hundreds killed, injured in latest wave of Op. True Promise 4 targeting Israeli sites

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says hundreds have been either killed or wounded during the latest phase of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4, pointing to significant tilting of the scale against adversaries.
In a statement on Saturday, the Corps said the 73rd wave of the operation targeted both southern and northern parts of the occupied territories.
The statement said the strikes were carried out in tribute to the bravery of the martyrs of the Islamic Republic's air defense sector, using missile and drone systems operated by the IRGC's Aerospace Force.
According to the IRGC, military installations and security centers in Arad, Dimona, Eilat, Be'er Sheva, and Kiryat Gat were struck following the collapse of Israeli air defense systems.
It added that US military bases in the region, namely Ali al-Salem in Kuwait as well as al-Minhad and al-Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates, were also targeted.
The 73rd wave deployed Fattah, Qadr, and Emad missile systems, along with attack drones.
Reports of casualties and media restrictions
The statement cited field reports indicating that more than 200 people were killed or injured in the early hours of the latest stage of the reprisal.
It also said that Zionist authorities had stepped up pressure on journalists and eyewitnesses to censor coverage of damage and casualty figures.
Hezbollah's role highlighted
The IRGC praised the "proud efforts" of fighters of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement, saying they were defending Lebanon's territorial integrity, while opening a "tough and high-pressure battlefront" against northern and central areas of the occupied territories.

Dozens treated after missile strike in southern Israel | Middle East Eye

Israel's emergency services say teams are treating about 30 people in the Arad area of southern Israel.
The Times of Israel reports the injuries followed the impact of an Iranian ballistic missile in the city.

Explosion reported near tanker off UAE's Sharjah coast | Middle East Eye

An explosion was reported near a vessel off the coast of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said.
The blast occurred about 15 nautical miles north of the city and was caused by an unknown projectile near the ship, UKMTO said.

US aircraft losses soar as F-35 hit for first time by Iran

A report says at least 16 US military aircraft have been lost since the start of the American-Israeli aggression against Iran, including 10 Reaper strike drones destroyed and a half-dozen other planes badly damaged.

Iran denies responsibility for missile attacks on Diego Garcia - Middle East Monitor

A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera on Sunday that Iran was not responsible for and was not behind missile attacks on the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, Anadolu reports.

More F-35 Fighter Jets Will Go Down!!! | Ryan Dawson - YouTube

In this video Ryan Dawson provides an analysis of the F-35 fighter jets being taken out, Hezbollah on the ground and Japan's position on the US & Israel war with Iran.

JUST IN: Israeli F-16 Downed by Iran,The Middle East Will Never Be the Same | Nima R. Alkhorshid

This interview analyzes the escalating Middle East conflict, examining strategic miscalculations in recent military actions against Iran. It explores the failure of maximum pressure campaigns, Iran's resilient defense systems, and the strengthening of regional resistance movements. Key topics include sanctions' impact, Strait of Hormuz dynamics, and why conventional warfare assumptions don't apply to Iran's complex terrain and society. The discussion highlights how hostilities are reshaping regional power structures, with implications for global energy markets and diplomacy. Despite claims of air superiority, reported losses of advanced aircraft and successful Iranian counterstrikes suggest a prolonged conflict. The analysis argues military solutions cannot achieve political objectives against a civilization with millennia of strategic depth, while Arab states face critical choices about hosting foreign bases. The conversation concludes that the "axis of resistance" is growing stronger through confrontation, and that lasting regional stability requires new diplomatic frameworks acknowledging Iran's security concerns and sovereign rights.

Mark Sleboda: Iran's New Missiles SLAM Israel & US Bases - Saudi & UAE Involved as Bases Open

Analysis of the escalating Middle East conflict reveals US/Israel strikes on Iran have failed to achieve regime change. Despite claims of destroying Iranian military capabilities, Tehran continues missile/drone attacks and has weaponized energy markets by targeting Gulf infrastructure and restricting Strait of Hormuz traffic. The conflict has expanded regionally, with attacks on nuclear facilities raising stakes. US faces critical munition shortages while Iran maintains escalation dominance through asymmetric warfare. Economic consequences include soaring energy, fertilizer, and food prices globally. Russia and China benefit strategically as Washington struggles with unrealistic military options and internal dissent. With diplomacy unlikely and both sides escalating, the war of attrition shows no clear exit ramp, risking broader regional destabilization and global economic shock. Ground invasion scenarios dismissed as strategically unviable.

UPDATE 3

Israel vows to press Iran strikes for several more weeks | Middle East Eye

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said Israel is "midway" through its war objectives, while offering no indication of de-escalation. He claimed Israeli forces have weakened Iran and left it "more exposed and lacks significant aerial defense capabilities."

True Promise 4: Iran and resistance axis ops. against US-Israeli assets on Mar. 21

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 Saturday, March 21, 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 72 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 21:

IRGC targets US fighter jets' hangars, fuel depots at bases in UAE, Kuwait

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has successfully targeted enemy fighter jet hangars and fuel storage facilities at the US bases of Ali Al-Salem and Al-Minhad.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has successfully targeted enemy fighter jet hangars and fuel storage facilities at the US bases of Al-Minhad and Ali Al-Salem in wave 72 of Operation True Promise 4.
According to an IRGC Public Relations statement, the IRGC's naval forces executed a combined operation, utilizing a volley of ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones to strike hangars and fuel storage areas belonging to American-Israeli terrorist fighter jets at the Al-Minhad and Ali Al-Salem air bases.
The statement specified that these two bases had been the launching sites of recent attacks against Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf.

Iran attacks Israel's Dimona nuclear site in retaliation, dozens wounded | Middle East Eye

Iranian state television says a missile strike on Dimona, home to a nuclear facility in southern Israel, was a "response" to an earlier attack on its Natanz nuclear site.
Iran's atomic energy organisation said the "Natanz enrichment complex was targeted this morning", adding there was "no leakage of radioactive materials reported", according to local media.
The Israeli army confirmed "a direct impact of an Iranian missile" on a building in the city that houses a nuclear research facility, AFP reported.

Iran's intelligence chief is dead. Israel's military no longer needs permission to kill - YouTube

12bytes: Remember kids, the video is AI gen'd. I know not where the script originates, but it matches reality. The value is in the context it adds.

Two developments in the last twenty-four hours have moved this conflict past a threshold that the previous twenty days were building toward. Israel's intelligence apparatus assassinated Iran's Minister of Intelligence inside Iran - penetrating the security layers protecting one of the most closely guarded figures in the regime and executing the operation on Iranian soil. The Iranian Supreme Leader responded with a vow that every drop of blood has a price that will soon be paid.

WILL TRUMP TURN TO NUKES IN WAR AGAINST IRAN?

Larry Johnson, the former CIA analyst and writer at Sonar21.com, talks to The Trends Journal, about the risk of either the U.S. or Israel turning to nuclear weapons during the Iran War, and new reports that the Iranian military managed to hit an F-35 over the country.

UPDATE 2

Iran launches ballistic missiles toward Dimona - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 21 (YPA) - Iran on Saturday evening launched several missiles toward the city of Dimona in the Negev desert on Saturday evening, where a nuclear facility is located, amid escalating regional tensions, Iranian state television reported, citing military sources.
The Israeli military claimed its air defense systems intercepted the missiles before they reached their targets.

12bytes: Let's see what "inter-cep-ted" looks like...

Iranian Missile Hits Israel's Dimona - Report

The city of Dimona in southern Israel is home to the country's main nuclear facility.
Falling shrapnel from an interception has been reported in Dimona in southern Israel, home to the country's nuclear research center, Israel's Channel 12 reported.
"The fall of shrapnel from an interception has been reported in Dimona," the channel's news service stated.

12bytes: This was not "falling shrapnel", this was a direct missile hit as is obvious in the videos. What's missing in the videos above? What don't you hear? There are no sirens - no forewarning of the attack because the "Iron Dome" is blind.

Iranian missile bypasses Israeli air defenses, strikes Dimona - YouTube

Videos from the occupied Palestinian territories have documented the moment an Iranian missile bypassed Israeli air defenses and struck the southern city of Dimona, resulting in at least 20 injuries so far.

Iran fires new missiles at 'Israel', causing widespread damage, casualties - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 21 (YPA) -Iranian state television reported on Saturday that a new barrage of missiles was fired toward "Israel", causing extensive damage and significant casualties.
According to the Hebrew media, one of the missiles was equipped with a cluster warhead, sending explosive fragments across central occupied Palestine, including Yaffa and Rishon LeZion, causing direct damage, sending plumes of smoke into the air, and resulting in multiple injuries.
The Israeli Ministry of Health reported that 150 people received treatment in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of wounded since the start of the conflict to 4,099, including 80 still receiving care.
These attacks come as part of Iran's response to the US-Israeli aggression since February 28, which has reportedly claimed over 1,332 lives in Iran and injured thousands more.

US asks trillions in ransom from Persian Gulf states over Iran war: Report

The United States has asked Arab partners in the Persian Gulf to pay a staggering sum if they want the war with Iran to reach a definite conclusion, according to a senior Arab journalist.
Omani analyst Salem Al-Jahouri told the BBC Arabic on Friday that US President Donald Trump has been "exerting pressure" on Persian Gulf allies to take a larger role in the anti-Iran aggression.
"That is entirely accurate. The (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council countries are under significant pressure, both in military and economic terms," Jahouri replied when asked about reports that the White House was pressuring Arab countries in the Persian Gulf to contribute to the war against Iran.
"We are now seeing leaks indicating that the US president is asking the (P)GCC states to hand over roughly $5 trillion if they wish to see this war carry on, and if they want it halted, they must pay $2.5 trillion to America as compensation for what has been done so far," he said.

Iranian islands will be graveyards of child-killing aggressors if invaded, warns IRGC

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy commander has issued a stark warning to the United States and Israel, saying Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf will turn into graveyards for "child-killing aggressors" in case of a ground invasion.

Iran vows to escalate response beyond 'eye for an eye' | Middle East Eye

"The enemy must have realized by now that if they attack one infrastructure, we will attack several of their infrastructures; if they attack a refinery or gas facility, we will attack several similar facilities and teach them a crushing lesson."
The source added: "Iran responds to every mistake of the enemy with surprise and sets their interests on fire."

Iran struck the world's largest LNG complex. European gas jumped 35%. Washington had no answer. - YouTube

12bytes: Remember kids, the video is AI gen'd. I know not where the script originates, but it matches reality. The value is in the context it adds.

There was a line everyone knew existed without anyone naming it clearly since the beginning of this conflict. Not a rhetorical red line - a real one, drawn in geology and global economics at the bottom of the Persian Gulf, where the largest natural gas field ever discovered extends beneath the surface between Iranian and Qatari territorial waters. South Pars on the Iranian side. North Dome on the Qatari side. Two names for the same geological treasure shared by two countries that disagree on nearly everything except this underwater reserve that makes them mutually dependent and mutually vulnerable.

UPDATE 1

Blasts heard in northern Iran | Middle East Eye

Fresh blasts have been heard near the city of Langroud in Gilan province, northern Iran, Iranian media is reporting.

Iranian woman's video of US-Israel attack ends as bomb hits | Conflict | Al Jazeera

The fate of an Iranian woman caught in a US-Israeli bomb attack is unknown, after video emerged of the moments she filmed the bombardment on her phone.

Iran says over 20,000 wounded in US-Israeli attacks | Middle East Eye

At least 20,984 people have been wounded in US-Israeli attacks since they were launched on 28 February, Iran's health ministry said in a statement.
It added that, since the start of the hostilities, seven hospitals have been evacuated and 36 ambulances damaged.

US military claims attacks on over 8,000 military targets | Middle East Eye

The US military has claimed attacks on over 8,000 Iranian military targets, including 130 vessels.
"Their Navy is not sailing. Their tactical fighters are not flying, and they've lost the ability to launch missiles and drones at the high rates seen at the beginning of the conflict," the head of the US military's Central Command, Adam Brad Cooper, said in a video posted on social media on Saturday.

12bytes: And how many of those "military" targets were schools, hospitals, sports stadiums, homes, civilians and dummy targets, like dummy missile launchers and images of planes painted on the tarmac (yes, Iran really did that)? As for Iran's Navy and Air Force, these are not the staples of Iran's ability to defend itself; it's missiles are and isn't it odd that while the lying morons in Washington keep insisting they destroyed Iran's missiles and launchers, Iran keeps launching them to increased effect, not less.

Iran strikes US Fifth Fleet, Bases across West Asia - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 21 (YPA) -Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of the 70th wave of Operation True Promise 4, saying that loud explosions, fire and columns of smoke were reported in more than 55 locations linked to the United States and "Israel" across West Asia.
In its statement, The IRGC said that five US regional bases in Al Kharj, Al Dhafra Air Base, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Erbil and the United States Fifth Fleet were targeted again over the past 24 hours using Qiam and Emad missile systems as well as attack drones.
It added that the IRGC Aerospace Force focused operations on strategic areas including Haifa and Tel Aviv.
According to the statement, targets were struck using Khorramshahr-4 and multi-warhead Qadr missile systems.
The IRGC affirmed that in its offensive strategy, any source of aggression against Iran's territory and national sovereignty would face attacks beyond previous levels, adding that Iran's armed forces and the IRGC are prepared for such a phase.

Israeli military reports new wave of Iranian missiles | Middle East Eye

Israel's army has reported that a fresh wave of ballistic missiles launched from Iran are headed towards the country.

IRGC claims attack on Israeli fighter jet | Middle East Eye

The IRGC has said its air defences struck an Israeli fighter jet flying in Iranian airspace this morning.
The Israeli military said that one of its fighter jets had been fired at, but that it had not sustained any damage.

Alexander Mercouris: Iran War Transforms Ukraine War

Alexander Mercouris discusses the misconceptions and miscalculations that lef to the failures in the war against Iran, and how this is also transforming the Ukraine War.

UN special rapporteur calls for arrest of Israeli ministers - Yemen Press Agency

In its report titled "Torture and genocide," Albanese called for arrest warrants against members of the Israeli government, including Israel Katz, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Bezalel Smotrich, citing documentation of more than 300 testimonies detailing severe physical and psychological abuse in detention centers.

On Mother's Day: 39 Palestinian mothers remain in Israeli prisons amid escalating violations - Yemen Press Agency

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, March 21 (YPA) - As the world marks Mother's Day, dozens of Palestinian women remain in Israeli prisons, where motherhood is overshadowed by harsh conditions, combining the pain of separation with the pressures of detention and increasingly severe restrictions.

END UPDATES

The American Fantasy of Iranian Surrender

President Trump's repeated assertions that the US could defeat Iran and force it to surrender are now colliding with battlefield realities and geopolitical fissures that suggest otherwise. The very premise of a quick and decisive US victory is unravelling in real time, raising profound questions about American strategy, alliance cohesion, and power in a multipolar age.

Couple and child killed in US-Israeli attack on Iran's Ramsar City | Middle East Eye

"Targeting defenceless citizens reflects the peak of helplessness, and helplessness of the perpetrators of this attack," he said. "Such violent acts will not only not weaken the will of the Iranian nation, but will also increase national solidarity and cohesion."

7 children killed in US-Israeli strike on residential area in Tehran - Middle East Monitor

Seven children, including an infant, were killed in a US-Israeli airstrike targeting a residential area in the Iranian capital Tehran, Iranian media reported Saturday.

300 million people celebrate Nowruz under a cloud of war | US-Israel war on Iran | Al Jazeera

Millions of people have rung in the ancient Persian New Year, Nowruz, as war grips the Middle East. The 3,000-year-old Zoroastrian-rooted celebration marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and is celebrated by 300 million people in Iran and Central Asia.

U.S. Elite 82nd Airborne Division To Join Buildup For Possible Ground Operation In IranSouth Front

The United States will deploy elements of the elite 82nd Airborne Division into the Middle East region as a part of detailed preparations by the Pentagon for sending American ground forces into Iran, CBS News reported on March 20, citing multiple sources briefed on the discussions.
[...]
The 31st and 11th Marine Expeditionary Units are already on their way to the Middle East, with close to 5,000 marines aboard multiple amphibious assault ships.
A recent Axios report revealed that Trump is considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran's Kharg Island to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The report also said that three, not just two, marine units are on their way to the Middle East, although it didn't provide any further details.
[...]
Trump may be sending the marines and the paratroops to pressure Iran, but the cost of the deployment indicates that an American ground operation in the Islamic Republic is very likely. It is still unclear, however, if Israel is preparing to take part in such an operation.

Boots on the Ground in Iran... A Deception or a Suicide Mission?

As of March 20, 2026, the United States has ordered two Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) to the Arabian Sea/Middle East region amid the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran (Operation Epic Fury, started February 28, 2026). Why is the Trump administration announcing this when it is at war with Iran. Normally, a commander wants to hide their troop movements. This is either criminal negligence on the part of Trump's Department of War or it is part of a deception operation. Let's first look at their composition and expected arrival time in theater:

US Ready to Help Other Countries Guard Strait of Hormuz If Asked - Trump

12bytes: Well well well. We went from 'get the hell out of the way the mighty US is gonna open it RRRRAAAAAR !!!!!!!', to begging for help opening it, to 'we'll help you open it ... if you ask'. I suspect that the Marines will be used as cannon fodder since the US Navy is useless.

"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Iran war: What's happening on day 22 of US-Israel attacks? | US-Israel war on Iran News | Al Jazeera

In Iran
Casualties: The war has killed 1,444 people in Iran, including at least 204 children. Air defences were activated over the capital, Tehran, and nearby areas following reports of explosions as the country celebrated the first day of the Persian new year, Nowruz.
United Kingdom: Iran fired two ballistic missiles at the US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said Iran will "exercise its right to self-defence" and had warned British lives were in danger after the UK allowed the US to use its bases to launch strikes on Iranian targets.
70th wave of attacks: The Iranian armed forces have announced their 70th wave of attacks, launching missiles and drones towards Israel and US bases in the Gulf. This comes as Iran has stepped up its attacks on energy sites across Gulf Arab states in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars natural gasfield.
Holidays marked amid war: Millions of Iranians marked a rare alignment of Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz (the Persian New Year) under the threat of bombardment. Large crowds gathered at holy sites like the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, with many gatherings turning into anti-Western protests.
In the Gulf
Direct threats to the United Arab Emirates: Iran's military warned it will deliver "crushing blows" to the port city of Ras al-Khaimah if there is any "further aggression" launched from UAE territory against the disputed Gulf islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb.
Bahrain under fire: Bahrain's defence forces have intercepted and destroyed two more missiles fired from Iran. Bahrain reports that it has destroyed a total of 143 missiles and 242 drones since Iranian attacks began on February 28.
Saudi Arabia: Its Ministry of Defense reported intercepting and destroying a huge barrage of drones over its eastern region. Saudi forces said they shot down at least 47 drones, including a concentrated barrage of 38 drones within just three hours.
Kuwait: The Ministry of Defence announced the country is actively "dealing with hostile missile and drone attacks".
Refinery strike: Two waves of Iranian drones hit Kuwait's Mina al-Ahmadi refinery early Friday, sparking a fire at one of the Middle East's largest facilities, capable of processing approximately 730,000 barrels of oil per day.
Qatar condemns Israeli strikes: In diplomatic developments, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned an Israeli attack on military facilities in southern Syria, calling it a flagrant violation of sovereignty and international law.

Iran says Natanz nuclear enrichment complex hit again in US-Israeli attack - Middle East Monitor

Iran said its Natanz nuclear enrichment complex was targeted again in a US-Israeli attack on Saturday morning, according to a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

Attack on Natanz Facility Blatant Violation of International Law - Russia's MFA Spox

"This is a blatant violation of international law, the charters of the UN and the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], as well as relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the Agency's General Conference," Zakharova said in a statement.
The US and Israel continue to launch massive strikes against Iranian military, civilian, and "most dangerously of all - nuclear facilities, with no regard for civilian casualties or the potential radiological and environmental consequences," the spokeswoman added.

Iran Army drones target Israeli military installations, fuel depots in occupied lands

The Islamic Republic of Iran Army has carried out a large-scale overnight operation, targeting Israeli military installations and fuel depots in the occupied territories, deploying advanced kamikaze drones.
The Army said in a statement that the unmanned aircraft hit military buildings as well as fuel depots and hangars for tanker planes at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
The statement noted that refueling of military aircraft, airport activities, arrival and departure flights, alongside transportation of military personnel experienced serious disruptions in the wake of the attacks, leaving Israeli officials with no option but to move troops by rail, seriously jeopardizing the lives of ordinary people.
The Iranian Army emphasized that the comprehensive bank of targets deep inside the Israeli-occupied lands has given it the upper hand, and that its crushing strikes on Israeli positions will continue as long as threats against the Iranian nation persist.

IRGC hits Israeli F-16 fighter jet with interceptor missile

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has successfully intercepted a third Israeli fighter jet, an F-16, in the skies over central Iran.

IRGC deploys 'new offensive tactics' to wear down enemy forces in new wave of strikes

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has deployed "new offensive tactics" in the new phase of retaliatory strikes against the US and Israeli positions using super-heavy missiles.
In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC congratulated Eid al-Fitr and the Persian New Year and expressed pride in delivering the first "fiery blow" to the beleaguered Israeli regime and American terrorist forces at the dawn of the Iranian new year.
The new wave of attacks was launched immediately after the previous round, striking the city of Tel Aviv in the heart of the occupied territories and areas in Rishon Lezion with heavy and precision-guided Emad missiles and multi-warhead Qadr missiles as well as destructive drones.
Other locations in the IRGC's aerospace target bank, including US military bases in Ali Al-Salem, Al-Kharj, and Victoria, were also hit multiple times by attack drones and heavy missiles as part of a phased strategy to wear down the enemy forces.

Explosions heard in Bahrain's capital: AFP | Middle East Eye

Fresh explosions have been heard in Bahrain's capital of Manama, according to AFP.

Hezbollah launches multiple strikes against Israeli positions - Yemen Press Agency

BEIRUT, March 21 (YPA) - The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, Hezbollah, said it conducted multiple operations early Saturday, firing rockets and artillery at Israeli military positions and troop gatherings along the border

Hezbollah releases footage of drone strike on Israeli "Katsavia" barracks in occupied Syrian Golan - Yemen Press Agency

BEIRUT, March 21 (YPA) - The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon (Hezbollah) released video footage showing its fighters targeting the "Katsavia" barracks belonging to the "Israeli" enemy army in the occupied Syrian Golan with a swarm of attack drones.

Germany evacuates troops from Iraq as Middle East security situation deteriorates - Middle East Monitor

Germany has evacuated its military personnel from Iraq following a decision by NATO to change its deployment posture in the country amid a worsening security situation in the Middle East, Anadolu reports.

Where Is Netanyahu? Questions About Who Runs US And Israeli Policies Spread | South Front

Who is governing Israel? And who is running US foreign policy? These are no longer fringe questions: they may soon emerge as part of the mainstream debate, driven by a convergence of anomalies, and a widening credibility gap in wartime narratives. For one thing, Joe Kent, a top US counterterrorism official, has resigned, while openly criticizing the Iran war and pointing fingers at what he described as undue influence shaping US policy - thus raising serious questions about the decision-making chain in Washington at a moment of global risk.
In parallel, analysts have increasingly pointed to figures such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as key intermediaries shaping US President Donald Trump's Middle East approach. They are often portrayed as feeding the White House a particular interpretation of events, one that typically aligns closely with Israeli strategic priorities. This perception has amplified a renewed scrutiny of the so-called "Israel lobby," a serious enough topic that is now back in circulation in policy debates.

INTEL Roundtable w/ Johnson & McGovern - Week of 20-March

Gerald Celente: Trump Already Losing the Iran War

Critical analysis of the new Middle East war and its global impact. Examines broken campaign promises about peace, concerns over disregarding international law, and economic risks: soaring oil prices, inflation, and market crashes. Discusses US-Israel relations, questionable military claims about Iran, and warnings that prolonged conflict could trigger a global depression. Includes historical context on US-Iran relations, criticism of media coverage, and the absence of peace movements. Addresses market manipulation, Strait of Hormuz tensions, and urgent need for diplomacy to prevent nuclear escalation. A call for awareness and peace activism in increasingly dangerous times.

Why the War Isn't Going Well for the U.S. and Israel - Global Research

The war has begun to take an unfavorable turn for the United States and Israel, and it now appears to be entering a new phase as it spreads geographically.
Despite their overwhelming military strength, developments suggest that the conflict is not unfolding as they had anticipated.
Tehran seems to have been preparing for such a confrontation for decades.

'Israel' unleashes its terror on Beirut's Southern Suburb on Eid al-Fitr, Mother's Day - YouTube

On March 21, coinciding with Mother's Day and Eid al-Fitr, Israeli occupation forces launched a series of airstrikes in the middle of the night on Beirut's Southern Suburb, following a displacement threat targeting the area.
The aftermath was one of utter devastation. Entire blocks reduced to rubble, and fires engulfed buildings.

Illegal Israeli settlers boast in WhatsApp group about escalating violence against Palestinians - Middle East Monitor

The Times of Israel reported that the illegal settlers shared a list of attacks carried out against Palestinians during the Hebrew calendar month of "Adar," which ended Wednesday.
In a WhatsApp group named "News from Us," the settlers said they have attacked the town of Mikhmas, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, five times in a month, as well as carried out three attacks in Masafer Yatta in the southern West Bank and conducted raids on 26 Palestinian villages.
The group also boasted of injuring 37 Palestinians, setting fire to two mosques, and torching 16 homes and 19 vehicles.

Israel systematically torturing Palestinians in custody, says UN expert | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

Report by Francesca Albanese says Palestinians in custody 'subjected to exceptionally ruthless physical and psychological abuse' since Israel's genocidal war on Gaza started.

Western silence allows Israel to get away with killing journalists - RT World News

On March 19, RT war correspondent Steve Sweeney and his cameraman Ali Rida Sbeity were injured by an Israeli strike meters from where they stood in southern Lebanon.
Sweeney was on camera reporting on recent Israeli attacks on southern Lebanese towns and infrastructure when he heard the sound of an incoming projectile. Ducking and running, he managed to escape the brunt of the impact.
According to the journalists, an Israeli aircraft fired a missile at their filming position near Al-Qasmiya Bridge, where Sweeney was reporting on, "the targeting of bridges and the forced displacement of one million people, an ethnic cleansing operation on a larger scale than the Nakba," as he later stated, referencing the violent displacement of Palestinians which accompanied the creation of the Jewish State in the late 1940s.

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Aid flotilla for Cuba sets sail from Mexico | Humanitarian Crises | Al Jazeera

"Cuba, yes! Blockade, no!" An aid flotilla from Mexico is sailing for Cuba as the country suffers under a tightening US fuel blockade.