Aletho News

Israeli strikes kill 15 people, including children, in southern Lebanon

Palestinian Information Center | March 15, 2026

BEIRUT – Lebanon’s health ministry announced on Sunday morning that the death toll from three Israeli airstrikes targeting areas in the south of the country had risen to 15 martyrs, including four children, adding that eight people were wounded in the attacks.

The strikes hit the city of Nabatieh and the towns of Haret Saida and al-Qatrani.

Local media also reported that one person was killed in an Israeli strike that targeted an apartment in the Sharhabil area of the city of Saida, southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said that the outskirts of the towns of Aita al‑Shaab and Ramiyah in southern Lebanon came under Israeli artillery fire, amid ongoing military escalation along the Lebanese border.

NNA also noted that Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike on the town of Taybeh in southern Lebanon, accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment.

Sporadic shelling was also reported in Wadi al‑Saluki and around the towns of Qabrikha and Tulin.

In a related development, civil defense teams announced that they had rescued two people with moderate injuries from a house targeted by an Israeli airstrike in the town of Majdal Selm. … Full article

Hezbollah targets Palmachim Airbase, ignites Merkava in South Lebanon

Al Mayadeen | March 15, 2026

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, Hezbollah, carried out multiple operations early Sunday, with its fighters bravely defending the Lebanese homeland and people against “Israel,” striking illegal settlements, occupying forces, and strategic military targets.

Hezbollah also stated that these operations are being conducted to defend Lebanon and its people under Operation Devoured Straw, in retaliation for Israeli attacks that have struck numerous Lebanese villages and cities, including the Southern Suburb of Beirut.

On Sunday, the Resistance carried out 10 operations against “Israel”, three of them targeting Israeli military sites inside the occupied territories.

• At 8:30 AM, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted the air defense system in Maalot Tarshiha with a rocket barrage.
• Also at 8:30 AM, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted the Rafael Military-Industrial complex in Karyot with a rocket barrage.
• At 6:00 AM, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted the Palmachim Airbase south of Tel Aviv, 140 kilometers away from the Lebanese borders.

Full article

Lawyers’ groups demand end to British military bases in Cyprus

Al Mayadeen | March 15, 2026

Two legal organizations, European Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights and the Cyprus Democratic Lawyers Association, have called for the termination of British claims over the military bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia, describing them as remnants of colonial rule that undermine the sovereignty of the Cypriot people.

In a joint statement, the organizations argued that Cyprus remains only partially decolonized more than six decades after gaining independence. They said the agreements establishing the bases in 1960 were imposed as a condition for independence, allowing Britain to retain control over parts of the island for strategic military use.

The statement challenged Britain’s assertion that Akrotiri and Dhekelia are sovereign British territories. According to the groups, the arrangement was established under unequal and coercive circumstances at the time of independence and therefore cannot be considered the result of genuine consent. … continue

Iran strongly condemns US‑Israeli attacks on its civilian aviation

Press TV – March 15, 2026

Iran has strongly condemned US‑Israeli attacks targeting the country’s civil aviation infrastructure.

The Civil Aviation Organization issued a statement on Sunday saying that recent attacks on aircraft and facilities supporting civil aviation in Iran are a clear violation of the Chicago Convention, which establishes the foundations for protecting international aviation rights.

The statement also said that the attacks directly contradict the “accepted principles and commitments” that govern the civil‑aviation sector in the world.

“These actions constitute a clear example of violating the provisions and requirements set out in this international civil aviation convention, and the resulting consequences will be borne by the United States and the Zionist regime (of Israel),” the organization said.

The statement added that all countries have a duty to comply with international laws and regulations that protect the safety of civil aviation, passengers, and staff.

The condemnation follows attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States that have targeted planes and airports in several Iranian provinces.

Images shared on social media and aerial footage have shown damage inflicted on aircraft at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport as a result of US‑Israeli airstrikes that took place this week.

The attacks came as the US and the Israeli regime claim their attacks have been limited to Iranian military infrastructure. … Full article

CIA Assessment: The Resistance Cannot Be Crushed

By Kit Klarenberg | Global Delinquents | March 15, 2026

The Judaeo-American war on Iran was intended to be a lightning strike routing, fought exclusively from the air, lasting only a few days. Instead, Washington and its Zionist proxy have blundered into a major multi-front conflict, which could well threaten the Empire’s very existence. The initial US aerial bombardment’s centrepiece was Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s February 28th murder. Initially hailed by Western media as “the assassination of the century,” the vile act has resulted in catastrophe for the perpetrators.

The Islamic Republic’s relentless battering of Zionist entity civilian centres and military and intelligence infrastructure, and US bases throughout West Asia, hasn’t been deterred one iota. Vast crowds took to the streets of Tehran in vengeful mourning. Their righteous anger has pullulated throughout the Arab and Muslim world. Ever since, incensed Shiites have violently clashed with security forces in multiple major Pakistani cities. Meanwhile, Bahrain teeters on the brink of all-out revolution. Now, Mojtaba Khamenei, the slain Supreme Leader’s son, has taken his place. … continue

Iran to Germany’s Merz: Demand American and Israeli aggressors stop war, not Iran

Press TV – March 15, 2026

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has censured German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his “beyond absurd” appeal for the Islamic Republic to stop its operations in retaliation against the US-Israeli war of aggression.

Esmaeil Baghaei, in a post on his X account on Saturday night, urged the German leader to instead demand Washington and Tel Aviv to stop the war, and to urge accountability for the “abhorrent crimes” they have perpetrated against the Iranian nation.

“German Chancellor appeals to Iran to end the war! This is beyond absurd: demanding that Iran — the victim of an ongoing unprovoked aggression — somehow bring the conflict to an end. Why not direct your calls instead to the ruthless aggressors responsible for bombing and killing Iranians?” Baghaei wrote.

He noted, “Why not demand that the United States/Israel be held accountable for its brutal aggression and abhorrent crimes?” … Full article

Securing Hormuz Strait should be ‘a team effort’ – Trump

RT | March 15, 2026

Countries that receive oil through the Strait of Hormuz “must take care” of securing it, US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social late on Saturday, adding that Washington “will help – A LOT!” […]

Western nations have begun bolstering their military presence in the region. Britain is considering additional deployments to the Gulf after Iran stepped up attacks on vessels, Defense Secretary John Healey said, adding that the UK already has autonomous mine-hunting systems in the area.

The French Navy is reportedly deploying about a dozen vessels, including an aircraft carrier strike group, to the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and potentially the Strait of Hormuz as part of defensive support for allies threatened by the conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that the strategically vital strait remains operational for international shipping, but vessels linked to the US and Israel are not permitted to pass through the waterway. He emphasized that other nations remain free to navigate the passage.

Last week, an India-bound oil tanker sailing under a Liberian flag passed through the Strait of Hormuz and berthed in Mumbai. – Full article

Larijani warns of potential false-flag attack on US soil

Al Mayadeen | March 15, 2026

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned of a potential large-scale false flag attack on United States soil and framing Iran.

In a post on X, Larijani stated that “I’ve heard that the remaining memebrs of Epstein’s network have devised a conspiracy to create an incident similar to 9/11 and blame Iran for it.”

Larijani said Iran “fundamentally opposes such terrorist schemes”, stressing that the country has no conflict with the American people.

“We have no war with the American people,” he wrote, adding that Iran is defending itself against aggression launched by the United States and “Israel”, emphasizing that Iran would continue defending itself, saying the country “stands tall in doing so in order to teach the aggressors a lesson.” … Full article

US-made copy of Shahed drone used to stage false-flag attacks on region: Iran Armed Forces

Press TV – March 15, 2026

The spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has accused the United States and Israel of deploying a rebranded copy of Iran’s Shahed-136 drone, designated “Lucas,” to carry out attacks on civilian infrastructure in regional countries as part of a deliberate false-flag operation aimed at framing the Islamic Republic.

In an official statement released today, the spokesman explained that after suffering military setbacks on the battlefield and failing to build political coalitions against Iran, the enemy has resorted to deception.

The statement specifically warned that the objective of these operations is to “create doubt and accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran” while sowing discord between Tehran and its neighbors, thereby undermining the legitimacy of Iran’s defensive actions.

The spokesman pointed to a series of “suspicious attacks” in recent days on facilities in friendly neighboring countries, including Turkey, Kuwait, and Iraq, which Western media outlets and hostile parties have falsely attributed to Iranian forces. […]

The latest such attack, which came on Saturday, targeted the Lanaz refinery in Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Iranian media reported military sources as saying the attack had nothing to do with Iran and the axis of resistance. – Full article

IRGC denies involvement in drone attack on Saudi Arabia

Al Mayadeen | March 15, 2026

The Iranian Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday denied any involvement in the launch of ten drones that Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted while targeting the capital, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.

In a statement, the IRGC’s public relations office said the attack had “no connection with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” urging the Saudi government to investigate the source of the drones. … Full article

I’m worried about Tucker Carlson’s safety – John Kiriakou

The US journalist could pay the price for calling out important people, the CIA whistleblower has said

RT | March 15, 2026

The life and freedom of US journalist Tucker Carlson might be in danger, CIA whistleblower and host of the RT program Deep State John Kiriakou has said.

Carlson claimed on Saturday that the CIA is preparing a criminal referral against him to the US Justice Department. “What’s that crime? Well, talking to people in Iran before the war. They read my texts,” he said in a video published on X.

The former Fox News star said that he will “apparently” be charged under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. However, he added that he does not “expect this to go anywhere” because he has “never taken money” from another country.

On a new episode of Deep State, which aired the same day and was dedicated to Carlson, Kiriakou said: “I have to tell you, I’m genuinely worried for his safety.” … Full article

Australia has new Blob Agency called the CDC to deal with the vaccine skeptics

By Jo Nova | March 15, 2026

The US CDC was one of the biggest institutional Big Government failures of the pandemic, and so naturally, Australia had to get one.

The aim of the new Australian Centre for Disease Control is not about our health per se, but to be an antidote to skepticism. No, seriously. They say that.  The new Director General has “vowed to prioritise transparent medical evidence and proactive engagement with vaccine sceptics.”

You might think stopping Ebola and nixing bioweapons would be higher on the list? Silly you. This agency will get $250 million dollars over the next four years to basically help sell vaccines for starving multinational pharmaceutical giants. “Trust us” they say.

It’s another “Independent” agency that’s 100% dependent on Big Government funding, so it’s not independent at all. It will always serve its paymaster. They’ve already swallowed the full United Nations mantra — taking a One Health approach that recognises the link between your health, climate change, and the importance of a One World Government that you can’t vote out.

They may lie about their independence, but at least they are honest about their aims, and it has nothing to do with our health. Listen to the new head — she speaks like a marketing and PR guru who happens to have a medical degree… continue

German police raid AfD lawmaker’s home over years-old social media posts

By Thomas Brooke | Remix News | March 13, 2026

Police and prosecutors in Munich carried out searches on Friday morning at the private residence and Bavarian State Parliament office of AfD lawmaker René Dierkes, reportedly in connection with alleged insults and social media posts dating back several years.

Dierkes, 34, who represents the Munich-East constituency in the Bavarian State Parliament, said the investigation concerns satirical posts and memes published roughly two years ago on his X account by a staff member who has since left his employment. He said authorities are also examining an alleged insult attributed to him by a former party member, which reportedly dates back five years.

In a statement released after the search, Dierkes described the investigation as politically motivated and accused rivals of attempting to discredit him. … Full article

Rising Wave of Journalist Abductions in 2026

IMEMC | March 14, 2026

The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate’s Freedoms Committee has documented a sharp escalation in Israel’s targeting of Palestinian journalists since the start of 2026, recording 22 abductions so far, including four female journalists.

According to the committee’s data, the abductions occurred during Israeli military invasions of journalists’ homes, at military roadblocks, and while journalists were carrying out their professional duties in the field.

Several cases also involved administrative detention orders issued without charge, alongside financial penalties and restrictive measures such as house arrest and forced displacement.

The committee recorded 13 abductions in January, seven in February, and two so far in March. … Full article

Bethlehem: Illegal Settlers Shoot Two, Assault Two, Steal 100 Sheep

Palestinian Information Center – March 14, 2026

BETHLEHEM – Four Palestinians were injured on Saturday after Israeli settlers attacked the village of Kisan east of Bethlehem in the West Bank, opening fire on residents and assaulting others, local officials said.

Mousa Obeiyat, head of the Kisan village council, said a group of settlers stormed the village and fired live ammunition at residents, wounding two Palestinians with gunshots while two others were beaten. All injuries were described as moderate.

The attackers also seized around 100 sheep belonging to a local resident, Atallah Ibrahim Obeiyat, in what villagers say is part of repeated assaults targeting residents and their property in the Kisan wilderness area.

Nablus: Colonizers Kill a Palestinian, Injure Three in Qusra

IMEMC | March 14, 2026

Illegal Israeli colonizers killed a Palestinian young man and wounded others on Saturday, after storming the village of Qusra, south of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian Health Ministry announced the death of 28-year-old Amir Mu’tasim Mahmoud Odeh, after Israeli settlers shot him with live rounds during confrontations in Qusra village.

Medical sources reported that Odeh succumbed to a live gunshot wound to the chest, he was initially transported to the Al-Jazair Medical Center in Qusra, before being transferred to the Rafidia Governmental Hospital in Nablus city. Medics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before his death was pronounced.

Settlers shot two additional young men with live ammunition, one of whom was shot in the knee, while the other was shot in the thigh. They also violently assaulted the father of the slain young man, causing him to suffer injuries to his head and arm. … Full article

Israeli strike kills two Palestinians in southern Gaza

Palestinian Information Center – March 14, 2026

GAZA – Two Palestinian citizens were killed and two others were wounded at dawn Saturday following an Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza.

A medical source reported that Ahmed al-Maghribi, 35, and Musaab al-Raqab, 43, were killed in a strike that targeted a police post west of Khan Yunis.

An Israeli strike on Friday evening in Gaza City’s ash-Shuja’iya neighborhood killed three citizens, including two teenagers.

The Israeli occupation army continues to carry out daily aerial and artillery attacks on the Gaza Strip, in violation of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 11, 2025.

Hezbollah Returns: It Didn’t Start a War, It Is Ending One

By Robert Inlakesh | The Palestine Chronicle | March 12, 2026

Hezbollah’s intervention in the war with Israel followed months of Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon, challenging Western media narratives about responsibility.

Key Takeaways:

• UNIFIL recorded more than 15,400 Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon between November 2024 and February 2026.
• Hundreds were killed inside Lebanon during the ceasefire period, including around 150 civilians, while Israeli strikes repeatedly hit Beirut.
• Hezbollah largely maintained the ceasefire for 15 months, cooperating with the Lebanese Armed Forces despite continued Israeli attacks.
• Western media narratives claiming Hezbollah “dragged Lebanon into war” overlook the ongoing Israeli military actions and territorial violations.
• Hezbollah’s battlefield performance suggests the group retained significant military capacity, contradicting claims that it had been decisively weakened.

Continue

Israelis kill 17 Lebanese medical staff in 1 day, hide behind fabrications

Al Mayadeen | March 14, 2026

Yesterday, the Israeli occupation forces committed two new massacres targeting medical staff in Lebanon.

In detail, five paramedics were killed in a strike on the town of al-Suwwaneh, while 12 doctors, nurses, and paramedics were killed in a separate attack on a primary healthcare center in Burj Qalaway, both in South Lebanon, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced on Friday.

As of March 12, 2026, the Ministry confirmed that 18 health workers were martyred and 48 were wounded, while 23 vehicles and 11 medical and emergency centers were damaged, in addition to 23 Israeli attacks targeting emergency services.

In an attempt to play down its crimes, “Israel”, through its military spokesperson Acivhay Adraee, has moved from threatening Lebanese people’s homes, towns, and cities to Lebanon’s medical facilities and ambulances, alleging that they’re being used for “military purposes” by the Resistance, without, as always, presenting a single piece of evidence to support that allegation.

The Israeli occupation went even further, threatening to strike them, “in line with international law,” should the Resistance “not stop using them.”

This fabricated Israeli narrative mirrors long-standing Israeli propaganda used in Gaza and Lebanon to manufacture justification for attacks on medical staff and vehicles, as well as medical infrastructure.

Moreover, the Israeli threat comes a day after the Israeli occupation insolently committed the two massacres in al-Suwwaneh and Burj Qalaway targeting medical staff in South Lebanon, with many seeing it as an attempt to downplay the atrocity of its crimes.

It is worth noting that similar allegations were used during “Israel’s” war on Lebanon in 2024, when Israeli occupation forces targeted a Civil Defense station in Bachoura, Beirut, an ambulance near Marj’youn Hospital, Salah Ghandour Hospital in Bint Jbel, and near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, to name a few. … Full article

Iran says 43,000 civilian units damaged in US-Israeli attacks

Press TV – March 14, 2026

The Iranian government has released updated figures on damage to civilian infrastructure and casualties after 15 days of US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic, reporting nearly 43,000 civilian buildings affected by enemy strikes.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the government spokesperson, outlined the scope of destruction across residential, commercial, and health sectors.

According to Mohajerani, 42,914 civilian units have been damaged, including 36,489 residential units — about 10,000 of which are in Tehran province — and 6,179 commercial units.

She further reported 223 female fatalities and 2,729 female injuries among the civilian population.

Mohajerani also highlighted specific impacts to emergency and medical services.

She said 43 emergency base units have sustained damage, with 3 units completely destroyed, and that 32 ambulances were affected. … continue

US air defense system in Iraq embassy failed to intercept drone attack: Report

Press TV – March 14, 2026

The US air defense system in Baghdad failed to intercept an incoming drone strike on the American embassy in the early hours of Saturday, according to a report.

An Iraqi security source, who spoke with Al-Jazeera on condition of anonymity, revealed that the drone attack inflicted significant damage on parts of the defense system.

He said that measures are currently underway at the US embassy to set up a new air defense system.

Iraqi media reports said in the early hours of Saturday that a multi-story facility belonging to the US embassy had been targeted in an attack in Baghdad.

Hours later, Iraqi security services confirmed the attack on the embassy.

According to the reports, the target was the air defense systems station located on the territory of the US diplomatic mission in the Iraqi capital. … Full article

Trump on Hormuz: “Others must take care of it” after US falters

Al Mayadeen | March 14, 2026

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that countries relying on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz should take responsibility for “safeguarding” the vital maritime corridor, with the United States offering its “assistance.”

“The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other way, but the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!” Trump reiterated on social media.

“The US will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well. This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be,” he further claimed. … continue

EU states seek ‘talks’ with Iran for access to Strait of Hormuz: Report

The Cradle | March 13, 2026

European countries have been reaching out to Iran for negotiations to allow their vessels to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz, informed sources told the Financial Times (FT).

Two officials cited by FT said that France was among the EU countries participating in these talks. Another indicated that Italy had also made attempts to open dialogue with Iran on the matter.

The sources stressed that there is no guarantee of progress in the talks or of Iran’s willingness to negotiate on the issue. … continue

Who Is closer to collapse?

By Eduardo Vasco | Strategic Culture Foundation | March 14, 2026

Everything Trump has said about the war with Iran is pure lie or at least a major distortion of the facts. In the middle of this week he boasted that he had supposedly destroyed virtually the entire defense infrastructure of the country, including its naval fleet, air force, and missile capabilities. He even went so far as to declare that the United States had won the war.

Only the hypocritical journalists of the Pentagon’s propaganda machine — the same ones who like to present themselves as impartial and even critical of Trump’s domestic policies — can pretend to believe it and attempt to brainwash their audience with this farce.

Just as with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the imperialist industry of lies is trying to force down the audience’s throat the idea that Iran is on its knees before the omnipotence of the United States and Israel. Yet U.S. intelligence itself admits that the Iranian regime “is not in danger,” despite nearly two weeks of incessant bombing and heavy manipulation. … continue

A War that Backfired: Why the US-Israeli Campaign Is Strengthening Iran

By Robert Inlakesh | Palestine Chronicle | March 14, 2026

Contrary to the rhetoric of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Islamic Republic of Iran is not on the verge of collapse. In fact, it appears as if this war against them could end up strengthening and cementing the government’s position, not only regionally, but among its own people.

As the regional war rages on across West Asia, it becomes more and more clear that Iran is capable of dictating the pace of the conflict. The US, with no clear goals, has failed to achieve escalation dominance. The Trump administration has therefore been searching for alternative strategies to try, and change this dynamic.

Most Western analysts, who have a warped perception of Iran, are currently struggling to get their heads around what is truly happening. It appears as if the decades of speaking to themselves have caged them within their bubble world. The only Iranians they talk to are individuals who are vehemently anti-government, most of whom have no real idea what is going on inside Iran, are members of ideological cults, and are totally ignorant of the country’s history. … continue

At least 56 museums, historical sites damaged by US-Israeli aggression: Ministry

Press TV – March 14, 2026

At least 56 museums and historical monuments, including world heritage sites, have been damaged by the US-Israeli aggression, Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts says.

In a report published on Saturday, regarding the state of Iran’s cultural and historical monuments since the start of the US-Israeli aggression, the ministry said numerous museums and historically and culturally significant locations have been damaged.

According to the ministry, at least 19 locations in the capital, Tehran, including Golestan Palace, have been damaged by the attacks.

In western Iran, in Kurdistan Province, at least 12 locations, including world heritage sites, have been damaged by the US-Israeli aggression.

In central Iran, in Isfahan Province, several world heritage monuments, including Chehel Sotoon and Naqshe Jahan Square, have been targeted.

In Lorestan and Kermanshah provinces, several historical buildings have been damaged during the aggression.

In Siraf Port, in Bushehr Province, several historical monuments have been damaged during the strikes.

In western Iran, in Ilam Province, the Museum of Archeology, which houses numerous historical artifacts, has been targeted by the aggression.

In a post on X on Thursday, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sayyed Abbas Araghchi, condemned the US-Israeli attacks against Iran’s cultural and historical heritage.

“Israel is bombing Iranian historical monuments dating as far back as the 14th century. Multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites have been struck,” he wrote.

“It is natural that a regime that will not last a century hates nations with ancient pasts. But where is UNESCO? Its silence is unacceptable,” he added.

According to the 1954 Hague Convention, the 1977 Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and established international law, any attack on historical sites and cultural heritage in Iran is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and a clear example of a war crime. … Full article

How Zionist Control Is Hurting US Interests

By Abbas Hashemite – New Eastern Outlook – March 14, 2026

The recent US attack on Iran has raised criticism both internationally and at home due to President Trump’s shift from America First to Israel First and over the Zionist control over the US establishment. … continue

Trump chose war on Iran despite warnings of regional fallout: WSJ

By Al Mayadeen | March 14, 2026

US President Donald Trump has pressed ahead with US strikes on Iran despite warnings of escalating risks, including potential attacks on warships in the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Before the United States launched the war on Iran, General Dan Quinn, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned President Donald Trump that a US attack could prompt Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump acknowledged the risks but proceeded with one of the most consequential foreign policy decisions of his presidency, reportedly telling his team that Tehran would likely surrender before any closure and that the US military could handle the threat even if Iran attempted it.

Confidence quickly turned into fear

The Pentagon now fears that any US warships accompanying oil tankers through the Strait could become targets unless US forces neutralize Iranian ships and coastal defense systems, including drones and missiles.

Some of Trump’s foreign policy advisors have urged him to seek an exit strategy, but the president has shown no intention of ending the war immediately, instead pressing to continue strikes. This stance contrasts with his public statements claiming that the mission has largely been accomplished. … Full article

Iran Strikes Target Suspected Locations of US, Israeli Commanders – IRGC

Sputnik – 14.03.2026

The Iranian armed forces have carried out strikes on suspected locations of Israeli and US commanders, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Friday.

“Ten shelters and locations on occupied territories, as well as three US assembly and shelter sites in the region, were identified and struck with the objective of hunting down US and Zionist commanders,” the IRGC said in a statement quoted by the Fars news agency.

The Iranian forces used drones and missiles to hit seven locations in Israel’s Tel Aviv, two targets in the city of Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv, and one in the town of Shoham. Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, as well as US military bases in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Erbil were also struck. … Full article

US air defense station at embassy in Baghdad targeted: Report

Press TV – March 14, 2026

The United States Embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad reportedly came under attack in the early hours of Saturday, Al Hadath television channel reported.

According to unconfirmed information, the target was the air defense systems station located on the territory of the US diplomatic mission in the Iraqi capital.

The Iraqi security services confirmed the strike.

Iraqi security forces have cordoned off marking the “green zone” in the center of Baghdad, where most Iraqi government offices and embassies of many countries, including the United States, are located.

This comes after the US-Israeli aggressors targeted a house in central Baghdad. The Iraqi Covenant Network reported that the rescue teams are providing aid to the victims of the assault.

It added that at least two citizens have been martyred and several others injured in the terrorist attack so far. … Full article

Iran warns it may target US missile launch sites in UAE cities

By Al Mayadeen | March 14, 2026

The spokesperson for Iran’s central Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters warned that Iranian forces may target US missile launch sites operating from locations inside cities in the United Arab Emirates, following attacks launched against Iranian territory.

Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari said the US military had resorted to operating from ports, docks, and concealed facilities within UAE cities after its military bases in the region were destroyed.

According to the Iranian official, US forces launched missiles from these locations targeting the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Kharg. The US CENTCOM had published footage of earlier attacks from desert settings where High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fired precision munitions at Iranian territory.

Although several Gulf states have publicly claimed that their territories would not be used for attacks against Iran, open-source information suggests otherwise. Flight-tracking data indicate that Saudi Arabian airspace is being used by aerial refueling tankers supporting fighter aircraft involved in strikes against Iran. The Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia has reportedly hosted multiple Stratotanker refueling aircraft participating in these operations. … continue

Friendly Skies of Georgia: Are Israeli-Linked Drones Launching False Flags from Georgian Territory?

By Jeffrey Silverman – New Eastern Outlook – March 14, 2026

Reports about the possible use of Georgian territory for drone operations amid the escalation around Iran once again raise longstanding questions about hidden military infrastructure, regional security, and the role of external actors in the South Caucasus.

With over three decades of on-the-ground experience in Georgia, I offer institutional memory that provides a lens for scrutinizing recent claims that Georgian territory has served as a base for drone strikes or false-flag operations—allegations coming from neighboring states. … continue

The Three Big Lies about Mammography Screening

By Peter C. Gøtzsche | Brownstone Institute | March 6, 2026

I dedicate this article to all women invited to mammography screening and those who love them because the public has consistently been lied to, for over 40 years. In invitations to screening, women have been told that by detecting cancers early, screening saves lives and leads to less invasive surgery.^1,2 I shall demonstrate that all three statements are wrong.

Women are still being told these lies, by professional associations, screening advocates, screening researchers, cancer charities, and national boards of health.^3-5 The American Cancer Society declares in a headline that “Mammography Saves Lives”⁴ and claims, with no references, that results from many decades of research clearly show that women who have regular mammograms are less likely to need aggressive treatments like surgery to remove the entire breast (mastectomy). … continue

POCD: The Dirty Secret of Anaesthesiology?

An Essay on What Patients Are Never Told Before Surgery

Lies are Unbekoming | March 4, 2026

One in four elderly patients undergoing major surgery under general anaesthesia will experience measurable cognitive decline within a week. One in ten will still have it three months later. These are not fringe estimates from alternative medicine circles. They come from a landmark peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet in 1998, conducted across thirteen hospitals in eight countries, involving 1,218 patients aged sixty and over.¹

The authors of that study — the International Study of Post-Operative Cognitive Dysfunction, known as ISPOCD1 — concluded that their findings “may have implications for the information given to elderly patients before surgery.”¹

That was 1998. Twenty-seven years later, the information still isn’t being given.

What POCD Is

Post-Operative Cognitive Dysfunction is not the grogginess that follows anaesthesia and clears by the next morning. It is measurable, persistent neurological decline: slower processing, impaired memory, difficulty finding words, reduced concentration, motor clumsiness. In some patients it lasts weeks. In others, months. In a subset, it does not resolve. … continue

Canada unveils Arctic militarization plan

RT | March 13, 2026

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a multibillion-dollar plan to increase the country’s military presence in the Arctic.

NATO, of which Canada is a member, has been actively ramping up its military footprint in the strategically important region in recent years, citing a perceived Russian threat. Moscow has dismissed the allegations, saying that the military bloc views the Arctic as a “bridgehead for possible conflicts.” President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia will respond to the NATO military buildup in the region, where it possesses more than half of the entire coastline.

On Thursday, Carney stated that Canada would invest C$35 billion ($25.7 billion) in “forward operating locations” in the Arctic communities of Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Iqaluit, and several other locations. The plan envisages military airfield upgrades as well as the creation of hangars, ammunition and fuel facilities, among other installations, with a view to enabling the Canadian military to “deploy rapidly and support year-round response” in the region. … Full article

Zelensky shows no regret over threatening Orbán with death in new interview

Remix News | March 12, 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked by Politico about his thinly veiled death threat against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to which he showed no remorse. Instead, he said that he did not believe that “diplomatic silence” would be “very helpful” in response to Orbán. […]

In addition, the Ukrainian president essentially admitted that he closed the Friendship pipeline in order to interfere in the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April, as reported by Hungarian outlet Hirado.

“And as for when (the Friendship pipeline) would recover. Frankly, I personally wouldn’t recover it. That’s my point. I told the European leaders and those who called me about it, as well as the leadership of the European Union, because it is Russian oil. There are principles that have no price. They are killing us, and we should give oil to Orbán, because he is poor, without which he cannot win an election? That’s my position,” said Zelensky. … Full article

Moscow summons British and French envoys over deadly Ukrainian missile strike

RT | March 13, 2026

The Foreign Ministry in Moscow has summoned the envoys of France and Britain to submit a “strong protest” over the deadly strike on the Russian city of Bryansk.

The Ukrainian military launched the attack on Tuesday, striking the city with long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles manufactured by the Franco-British corporation MBDA. The assault left at least eight people dead and dozens more wounded.

The ministry said it told the envoys that London and Paris “bear direct responsibility for this terrorist attack” and emphasized that the strike on Bryansk “would have been impossible without the participation of British and French specialists” in its staging.

“It was underscored that if London and Paris continue to be complicit in the war crimes of the Kiev regime, responsibility for the destructive consequences of the armed conflict and the escalation of tensions will fall on Britain and France,” the ministry stressed. … Full article

Ukrainian Embassy in Beirut sheltering top Mossad agent

The Cradle – March 13, 2026

The Ukrainian Embassy in Beirut is currently harboring a high-profile Israeli intelligence asset wanted by Lebanese authorities, journalist and The Cradle contributor Radwan Mortada has revealed.

Khaled al-Aida, a Palestinian-Syrian with Ukrainian citizenship, has been implicated in bombings and assassinations across Lebanon between 2024 and 2025.

Security investigations have proved his involvement in an assassination attempt at Beirut’s Rafiq Hariri International Airport, as well as the capital’s southern suburb.

Aida was also on the ground during the assassination of former Hezbollah secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, according to Mortada, who also reported that Aida had helped Lebanese intelligence dismantle a Mossad cell.

He was eventually caught with an explosive device hidden on a motorcycle intended for later use in southern Beirut.

“Aida managed to escape after the Israeli bombing of the building where he was being held in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The bombing provided him with an opportunity to flee, and he eventually sought refuge in the Ukrainian Embassy, ​​which is now attempting to smuggle him out with the help of the US Embassy,” according to the information obtained by Mortada. … continue

Many killed in brazen Israeli attacks across Lebanon, residences targeted

Al Mayadeen | March 13, 2026

Israeli occupation forces carried out a deadly attack on a residential complex in the southern Lebanese city of Saida on Friday, killing ten civilians and wounding several others, in the ongoing aggression on Lebanon.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon reported that the Israeli strike targeted an apartment complex in the al-Fawwar area of Saida, killing ten people and leaving several others injured. The attack struck a densely populated residential zone, adding to a long list of civilian infrastructure targeted by Israeli occupation forces in Lebanon.

In parallel, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in the south reported that Israeli artillery shelled the town of Yuhmor al-Shaqif while Israeli warplanes continued launching intensive airstrikes across southern Lebanon.

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), two young men were also martyred in an Israeli airstrike on the border town of Shebaa. Another strike targeted a house in the town of al-Majadel.

Earlier at dawn on Friday, Israeli warplanes launched several airstrikes on areas in Beirut, including the neighborhoods of Nabaa, Jnah, and the Southern Suburb of Beirut. … Full article

Israeli Colonizers Set Fire to a Mosque Near Nablus

IMEMC | March 13, 2026

At dawn Thursday, a group of illegal Israeli colonizers set fire to a mosque in the village of Douma, southeast of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank.

Media sources reported that a number of settlers stormed the village of Douma at dawn Thursday, setting fire to and vandalizing the “Mohammad Fayyad” mosque.

Local Palestinians were able to extinguish the fire before it spread, and the damage was contained to its entrance. The settlers also scrawled racist phrases on its exterior walls.

Meanwhile, on Thursday night a group of colonizers stormed the village of Einabus, south of Nablus, and set fire to a warehouse before soldiers invaded. … Full article

Hebron: Colonizers Run Over a Girl, Open Random Fire

IMEMC | March 13, 2026

An illegal Israeli colonizer ran over a 6-year-old girl on Friday in front of her home in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank. In the town of Sa’ir, north of Hebron, a group of armed settlers fired live rounds in the vicinity of citizens’ homes.

Local activist Osama Makhamra told the WAFA News Agency that an Israeli settler struck a Palestinian child with his vehicle while she was playing in front of her home in Khirbet Umm al-Khair in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) transported the 6-year-old girl Suwar al-Hathalin to the hospital after she sustained head injuries as a result of the ramming attack; her condition was not know at the time of this report.

Meanwhile, a group of armed settlers provoked local Palestinians in the “Hamroush” area of ​​the town of Sa’ir, northeast of the city, before occupation forces stormed the area.

Two of the settlers can be seen in the video pointing their rifles toward citizens and opening fire, presumably in an attempt to intimidate them.

A Palestinian man is seen approaching the armed colonizers, as they wave him to go back, the settler then points the weapon directly at the citizen. The army invaded the town shortly afterward, firing tear gas canisters at citizens; no injuries were reported.

Palestinian family displaced after settlers violently attack them in Humsa, Jordan Valley

International Solidarity Movement | March 13, 2026

On Friday, March 13, at 1:20am, around 30 masked Israeli settlers invaded a Palestinian property in Humsa, north of Jordan Valley, where a family of 12 people live. The family decided to leave their land after this latest attack.

The settlers first stormed a tent where one of the Palestinian men was asleep and Portuguese and US international activists were staying. The settlers attacked and blindfolded the man and activists and took them into another tent where they brought three other men and five children from the family. The settlers tied the hands and ankles of the Palestinian men and the activists, dragged them by the hair and ankles, beat them with sticks and kicked their faces. The settlers exerted extreme violence toward the Palestinian men and beat the eldest man with rocks. … continue

IOF drop abuse charges against soldiers in Gaza detainee case

Al Mayadeen | March 13, 2026

The Israeli military’s prosecution has dropped all charges against five Israeli soldiers accused of violently abusing a Palestinian detainee from Gaza, in a case that had drawn international scrutiny over conditions inside Israeli detention facilities.

The decision was announced by Israeli Military Advocate General Itay Offir, who claimed that prosecutors lacked key evidence necessary to proceed with the trial.

According to Offir, the case was weakened after the detainee, who had been held in Israeli custody, was returned to Gaza as part of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement reached in October 2025.

Because the man is no longer in Israeli custody, he cannot testify in court, which prosecutors claimed made it difficult to sustain the charges.

The detainee had reportedly suffered severe physical injuries, including broken ribs, a punctured lung, and rectal damage, according to medical records cited in Israeli media. … continue

Israel Uses Iran War as Pretext to Torture Thousands of Prisoners

IMEMC | March 13, 2026

Local sources have reported that thousands of Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel have been removed from cells and tortured this week, under the pretext of the Israeli-US war on Iran.

Palestinian prisoners are the most vulnerable people, as they are held without rights or access to lawyers, and over 40 have been tortured to death by Israeli guards over the past 2.5 years, with no repercussions.

The coordinated attacks carried out by the repressive forces in the prisons of the Israeli occupation against prisoners over the past two weeks have included isolation, and the use of sound bombs, pepper gas and clubs against the prisoners. These add to the record of continuous violations against the captive hostages, and is a violation of international humanitarian law

These attacks, which are centered in the desert Negev prison Sde Teiman and the Gilbwa prison, resulted in the injury of a number of prisoners and their transfer to hospitals as a result of severe beatings. This reveals the extent of the brutality practised by the prison administration and confirms that the lives of prisoners are under real danger in light of the continued policy of repression and medical neglect. […]

As of early March, the total number of administrative detainees in Israeli prisons reached 3,442, including 20 women and dozens of children, accounting for over 36% of all Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli prison authorities held 9,500 prisoners and detainees as of the first week of March, indicating a 2.15 percent increase from February, according to reports from Palestinian prisoners’ organizations.

Currently, there are 73 female prisoners and 350 individuals under the age of 18 detained in the notorious prisons of Megiddo and Ofer.

The number of administrative detainees is 3,442, the highest percentage among those sentenced, arrested, or classified as “unlawful combatants.” They represent 36 percent of all Palestinians in Israeli prisons, where individuals can be indefinitely detained without charge in military detention centers.

There are also 1,249 “unlawful combatants” detained from inside the Gaza Strip after Oct. 7, 2023, as well as those who were detained from Lebanon and Syria.

This week, the Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Limor Son Har-Melech, appeared in a costume themed “Death Penalty for Terrorists.”

She wore a uniform resembling that of the Israel Prison Service, along with pins depicting a hanging noose and the “Third Temple.”

In her hands, she held a rope noose and a syringe as part of the outfit.

Her husband’s costume represented the themes “Occupation, Expulsion, Settlement.” He carried a prop gun labeled “Occupation,” a small model airplane marked “Expulsion,” and a miniature house labeled “Settlement.” … Full article

Iranian woman killed in US-Israeli attack on Quds Day rallies in Tehran

Press TV – March 13, 2026

An Iranian woman has been killed when US-Israeli attacks hit an area where people was participating in rallies marking the International Quds Day in capital Tehran.

On Friday, millions of Iranians rallied in Tehran and different cities across the country in defiance of US-Israeli strikes and threats in order to mark the International Quds Day, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause and condemning US and Israeli actions in Palestine and beyond.

Meanwhile, the aggressors targeted different areas in Tehran adjacent to the demonstrators.

Falling shrapnel killed a woman in one of the attacks that targeted an area adjacent to Enqelab Street. … Full article

US posts bounty for info on Iranian leaders as they join massive rallies across the country

RT | March 13, 2026

Washington continues to insist that it is “winning” the war on Iran and that its warfighting capabilities have been significantly degraded after Israeli and US forces carried out more than 15,000 strikes on targets across the country.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the volume of Iranian missile and kamikaze drone strikes has dropped 90% compared to the first days of hostilities. Tehran is no longer able to build additional weapons, while its leadership has gone into hiding, he asserted.

“Iran’s leadership is in no better shape, desperate and hiding, they’ve gone underground, cowering. That’s what rats do,” Hegseth stated.

Meanwhile, top Iranian officials took to the streets in multiple cities to participate in rallies marking International Al-Quds Day, an annual pro-Palestine event established by Tehran in 1979. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and other senior officials were seen walking among the crowds. Larijani took the opportunity to ridicule Hegseth, stating that Iran’s leaders have always been “and still are among the people,” unlike top US politicians who prefer “Epstein’s island” instead. … Full article

The EU never learns – except for the wrong lessons

By Tarik Cyril Amar | RT | March 13, 2026

Some observers of the current EU ‘elites’, including this author, used to believe that their defining feature – apart from things such as complicity in genocide and wars of aggression with Israel and the US, bigoted xenophobia about Russia and China, and, of course, pervasive corruption – was an absolute inability to learn.

We must admit, we stand corrected: Those running the EU are able to learn. The real problem is their relentless compulsion to learn the wrong thing. We are not dealing with non-learners but anti-learners: where others progress from experience, they regress.

Case in point, their response to the fact that their US-Israeli masters have started a war to end if not strictly all then at least all (barely) affordable energy supplies to the EU’s economies, while its major players are already limping along on a spectrum between walking-wounded (for instance, France, maybe) to comatose (Germany, definitely). … continue

Iran attacks on UAE leaves RSF militia high and dry

The Canary | March 12, 2026

Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are reportedly contributing to a rapid collapse of the genocidal so-called ‘Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) in Sudan.

The RSF, funded and armed by the UAE and Israel, had been making gains up to February 2026. It has murdered hundreds of thousands of people in Sudan. Rapes, sexual torture and executions have been common and almost 400,000 people are in starvation.

However, Sudanese government forces have achieved a string of military victories that appear to be turning into a rout.

With UAE shipments rerouted from the Hormuz Straight and the UAE to Saudi Arabia due to Iran’s counterattacks of shipping, the UAE economy, and it’s global financiers, have been dealt a major blow.

Meanwhile, Sudanese forces are targeting RSF arms and supply depots, crippling front-line RSF troops by cutting off ammunition, fuel, and essentials.

Hosting Washington’s war: Bahrain faces the consequences

By Hasan Qamber | The Cradle | March 12, 2026

The Persian Gulf is entering one of the most volatile periods in its modern history. Military confrontation between Iran, the US, and Israel has, from the outset, unfolded across the Gulf geography itself. States hosting western military infrastructure – particularly Bahrain – have not merely been exposed to the conflict’s expansion, but structurally integrated into its battlefield logic.

For Bahrain, the current escalation raises urgent questions about the kingdom’s internal stability, the resilience of Gulf political systems, and the capacity of neighboring countries to absorb the security, economic, and social shocks generated by an expanding war. … continue

The US fell for its own Iran propaganda

By Robert Inlakesh | Al Mayadeen | March 13, 2026

The US government’s mistake with Iran has been that it clearly fell into believing its own lies. Think tanks, donors, paid advisors, lobby groups, and establishment analysts are all responsible for the catastrophic mistakes that have been made in attacking the Islamic Republic.

What was supposed to be a war, destined to be all over in four days, quickly turned into weeks, months, and now, in US President Donald Trump’s own words, a “forever” war. In order to understand why, we have to assess the way the political system in Washington works. … continue

Is there even an off ramp?

Have events accelerated to the point where a nuclear attack is nearly inevitable?

Ashes of Pompeii | March 13, 2026

The strategic paradigm regarding Iran has shifted fundamentally. And despite the calls for a ground invasion in some circles, and given the combination of current events on the ground, Iranian resiliance, and logistics, it is simply not possible. Therefore, the United States faces a constricted set of options amidst an escalating existential crisis. The convergence of domestic political survival, allied desperation, military attrition, and the personal psychology of the executive creates a pressure cooker where the use of tactical nuclear weapons transitions from absolute taboo to a very real grim strategic calculus. Central to this equation is the vindictive nature of President Trump, a trait that transforms geopolitical setbacks into personal grievances, compounded by the “Bibi factor”: Benjamin Netanyahu’s four-decade obsession with confronting Iran, now reaching a point of catastrophic desperation as every strategic avenue fails. … continue

French officer killed, six wounded in drone attack in Iraq

Al Mayadeen | March 13, 2026

A French non-commissioned officer was killed, and several soldiers were injured in a drone attack targeting a joint military base in northern Iraq.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced in a statement on X the death of Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Freon, who was killed during a drone attack in Iraq’s Erbil region.

The French army’s general staff confirmed that six French soldiers were wounded in the attack.

According to the French military, the injured soldiers were immediately transported to a nearby medical facility to receive treatment.

Erbil Governor Omid Khoshnaw, along with a security source, said the drone strike targeted a joint base hosting French forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in the Makhmur district, south of Erbil in northern Iraq. … Full article