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Iran Allows Passage Through Hormuz for Friendly Countries — Araghchi

Sputnik – 26.03.2026

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to friendly states, including Russia, China, Pakistan and Iraq, while closed to its adversaries.
“The Strait of Hormuz… is closed only to our enemies… But it’s free for everyone else,” Araghchi said in a TV interview.

He added that several countries have contacted Tehran to request safe passage, which Iranian forces have facilitated in certain cases.

According to Araghchi, such arrangements may continue, with Iran also considering new mechanisms for secure transit in the future.

“US bases in the region, despite what was said, were used against Iran. Services were provided to US forces, even outside the bases. Their airspace was used against us, and this is something we have all observed. They are even admitting it in different ways,” he said, adding such actions were “completely illegal… and unjustifiable.”

Araghchi stressed Iran has “no hostility” toward neighboring countries, describing their people as “brothers and sisters,” and said Iran’s actions target US and Israeli interests amid the ongoing US-Israeli aggression.

US vs Iran: Kharg Island Talk — Bluff or Escalation? Ex-Military Officer Weighs In

Sputnik – 26.03.2026

“An operation towards Kharg Island might happen, but it might as well be a smokescreen or a way for the US to put pressure on Iran,” ex-Swedish army officer and defense politician Mikael Valtersson tells Sputnik, commenting on reports about a possible US ground operation against the Islamic Republic.

News outlets earlier reported that the Pentagon was preparing to send about 2,000 soldiers from the US army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East.

“This might be an attempt to pressure Iran towards negotiations,” Valtersson points out.

“The problem with such a strategy is that Iran knows that Trump is desperate to get lower oil prices and a better world, especially the US economy,” Valtersson says, adding that “therefore such an attack is unlikely, since the loss of Iranian oil export and a potential long-term loss of oil production in the Gulf States after retaliatory strikes from Iran would worsen the energy crisis both in the short and long term.” … continue

Zelensky unnecessarily involves Ukraine in the Middle East crisis

By Ahmed Adel | March 26, 2026

Unlike European countries and other NATO allies staying out of the Middle East conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, Ukraine—already short on troops and military strength—has sent 201 drone specialists to support the war effort against the Islamic Republic. This decision by the Kiev regime comes despite the difficulties Ukraine faces in the conflict against Russia on various tactical fronts and ends up causing embarrassment between the European bloc and the US, which has received little practical support from Western allies in its war effort against Iran.

It also raises questions about how a country reliant on European funding, which even campaigns to recruit foreigners due to a shortage of personnel, can become involved in a distant conflict. This demonstrates that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has no interest in ending the conflict in his own country and aims to win favor with the US by becoming entangled in the Persian Gulf quagmire, so the war in Eastern Europe can continue. … continue

Ukraine ‘on the verge of a financial catastrophe’ – senior MP

RT | March 26, 2026

Ukraine is on the brink of a financial abyss, with billions in Western funding at risk due to Kiev’s failure to implement key governance, judicial, and anti-corruption reforms, a senior lawmaker has warned.

Speaking to the Ukrainian parliament on Thursday, Daniil Getmantsev, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada’s Finance, Tax and Customs Committee, warned of mounting failures to meet obligations to the EU, IMF, and World Bank.

”In 2025, we failed to meet 14 indicators of the Ukraine Facility. And because of this, we did not receive €3.9 billion,” Getmantsev said. “Moreover, 300 million of that amount is being lost completely in the first quarter [as] we have already failed to meet 5 out of 5 indicators.”

Getmantsev was referring to the EU’s €50 billion mechanism, which acts as one of Ukraine’s core budget lifelines. Facility ties quarterly disbursements to 69 reforms covering rule of law, governance, financial stability, and anti-corruption. … Full article

Turkish tanker blacklisted by Ukraine hit in drone attack – media

RT | March 26, 2026

A Turkish oil tanker has reportedly been struck by drones near the Bosphorus after taking on around 140,000 tons of oil at a Russian port, local media reported on Thursday. The ship is blacklisted by the Ukrainian government for transporting Russian goods.

The vessel, identified as the Altura, is owned by Turkish shipping company Pergamon and operated by a crew of 27 Turkish nationals. According to reports, it was targeted by air and surface drones around 22 km from the strategic waterway. While no casualties were reported, the ship is said to have sustained damage to its bridge and upper deck, with flooding reported in the engine room. … continue

Canada, the U.S., and NATO: the inescapable trap

By Lucas Leiroz | Strategic Culture Foundation | March 25, 2026

The recent decision by the Canadian government to significantly expand its military presence in the Arctic reveals far more than a simple concern with territorial sovereignty. In reality, it reflects a deeper structural crisis: the growing instability within the Western bloc itself and the weakening of relations among historic allies. … continue

Villains of Judea: Leonid Radvinsky

How Leonid Radvinsky built a pornography empire to bankroll a foreign ethnostate

José Niño Unfiltered | March 24, 2026

… Radvinsky’s path mirrors that of many Jewish magnates whose fortunes are built upon the erosion of social mores. His wealth, harvested from cultural collapse, is then re-directed to strengthen the political and strategic footholds of his tribe in the Middle East.

Taken together, these forces amount to a zero‑sum game in which the spiritual and cultural bankruptcy of one people finances the geopolitical leverage of another. – Read full article

Democrats flip Florida seat home to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago as voters reject his Iran war

Press TV – March 25, 2026

Emily Gregory, a Democratic candidate, emerged victorious in Tuesday’s special election for a Florida state House seat covering the district that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, flipping the seat from Republican control.

Gregory defeated her Republican rival, Jon Maples, who had received Trump’s endorsement, in the contest for the vacant seat, which analysts describe as a verdict against Trump.

Trump has faced blistering criticism in the US over his hostile foreign policy and disastrous military interventions, from Venezuela to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

His unprovoked and unjustified war against Iran, which started with the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and some top-ranking political and military officials on February 28, has been widely criticized both in the US and across the world. … Full article

Israel displaces Jerusalemite families from 11 homes in Silwan

Palestinian Information Center – March 25, 2026

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM – The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) displaced Palestinian families from 11 homes in the east Jerusalem district of Silwan, south of the Aqsa Mosque, on Wednesday.

According to local sources, Israeli police forces and settlers wearing orange jackets stormed the Batn al‑Hawa neighborhood in Silwan and evacuated 11 inhabited homes belonging to different Jerusalemite families, displacing around 65 residents.

Settlers were seen throwing mattresses, clothing, children’s toys, and other personal belongings of Palestinian families out of these homes, whose ownership is to be transferred to Jewish families.

At the same time, the IOA seized two apartments in Silwan belonging to the Basbous family.

Israeli rights group B’Tselem said these evictions “mark the beginning of a large wave of displacement affecting around 2,200 people in Silwan who face imminent risk of forced displacement, including 90 families (700 individuals) in Batn al-Hawa.”

B’Tselem added that the evictions “clearly embody an Israeli policy aimed at engineering the demographic balance and Judaizing the neighborhood through the exploitation of discriminatory laws.”

IOF assault Palestinian farmer at flying checkpoint in Khirbet Yarza

International Solidarity Movement | March 25, 2026

On Tuesday 24 March 2026, the IOF set up a flying (temporary) checkpoint in the Yarza area, near the Palestinian town of Tubas, to inspect people entering and leaving the region. Those present reported that during the inspection the IOF searched mobile devices.

After finding a photograph of a police car on one of the phones, a Palestinian farmer named Mahmoud was physically assaulted by the army. Mahmoud was intentionally beaten on his legs, on which he had a previously sustained injury from an accident. … continue

Israeli court says Palestinian minor likely died of starvation in custody

MEMO | March 25, 2026

An Israeli court has concluded that a Palestinian minor who died in custody most likely succumbed to starvation, despite the formal closure of the investigation into his death.

According to details reported by the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz, Judge Ehud Kaplan ruled that Walid Khaled Abdullah Ahmed, a 17-year-old from Silwad, suffered from severe malnutrition while held in Megiddo prison, and that starvation was the most likely cause of death.

“The fact that he suffered from malnutrition cannot be concealed,” the judge wrote, referring to the teenager’s extreme weight loss.

While the investigation was closed due to a lack of definitive evidence directly linking his condition to the cause of death, an autopsy indicated that he died from an intestinal infection leading to organ failure, with his weakened state attributed to significant weight loss.

Israeli authorities have not returned Ahmed’s body, despite his Brazilian citizenship and a petition submitted to the Supreme Court seeking its release.

Lawyer Nadia Daka told Haaretz that the minor died as a result of starvation in custody, warning that similar cases could recur without accountability.

The report also highlighted the conditions of other detainees in Megiddo prison, noting that several prisoners exhibited similar symptoms of severe malnutrition.

In one case, a minor reportedly lost 20 kilograms, reducing his body mass index to 15.2, well below the minimum healthy level of 18.5. Medical assessments described his condition as critical and life-threatening, underscoring concerns about the humanitarian situation inside Israeli detention facilities.

Israel rearrests 100 freed prisoners since latest exchange deals

Palestinian Information Center – March 25, 2026

RAMALLAH – Israeli occupation forces continue escalating their targeting of freed Palestinian prisoners released under recent exchange deals, through repeated arrest campaigns, field interrogations, and ongoing questioning, in what appears to be a sustained policy of post-release persecution.

The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said in a statement on Tuesday that among the latest detainees are several freed prisoners from Qalqilya, including Sameh Al-Shobaki, Ammar Al-Shobaki, Saeed Dhiab, Saed Al-Fayed, and Hadi Jadou. … Full article

Israeli Defense Minister Admits Israeli Policy Is Ethnic Cleansing And A Land Grab In South Lebanon

The Dissident | March 24, 2026

Israel’s defense Minister, Israel Katz, admitted in a Hebrew message on X that Israel’s intention in South Lebanon is to have “ no homes and no residents” and to “control the security zone” (i.e. permanently occupy South Lebanon) “up to the Litani” river. […]

For context, Israel has displaced the majority of South Lebanon’s population and bombed bridges connecting South Lebanon to the rest of the country through the Litani River to prevent return.

Israeli media has been clear that the intention behind this mass displacement is to take Southern Lebanon in service of greater Israel.

Michael Freund, the former deputy communications director for Netanyahu in the Jerusalem Postcalled to “incorporate southern Lebanon into sovereign Israel and settle it with Jews”. … Full article

Telegraph removes article about bond between Lebanese Christians and Hezbollah

RT | March 25, 2026

The Telegraph has removed an article from its website about the close ties between Hezbollah and the Christian town of Ras Baalbek in northeastern Lebanon. The story, which was accessible for just around a day, portrayed the militant movement in a positive light while mentioning local resentment of Israel.

The story was published on Monday amid the ongoing Israeli military offensive against Hezbollah that began earlier this month and has already left more than 880 people dead, over 2,000 injured, and around one million displaced.

West Jerusalem launched the campaign after Hezbollah launched waves of strikes on the Jewish state in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran.

According to the now inaccessible article, the residents of Ras Baalbek formed a strong bond with Hezbollah when the militants came to their defense against attacks by the Islamic State (IS, former ISIS) militants between 2013 and 2017. […]

As of Wednesday evening, the story is not available on The Telegraph website but can still be read on various news aggregatorsFull article

Jordan cracks down on opponents as it joins US, Israel in intercepting Iranian strikes: Sources

Press TV – March 25, 2026

Jordan is facing growing internal divisions as the country continues coordinating with American and Israeli forces to intercept Iranian missiles and drones, according to sources.

The policy of coordinating with the forces that launched an unprovoked and illegal aggression against a Persian Gulf country has sparked widespread public discontent and prompted a wave of arrests of opponents, Press TV has learned.

While Jordan’s ruling establishment has maintained its role in regional air defense coordination, the domestic front has become increasingly polarized.

Some political factions have aligned themselves with the monarchical establishment’s campaign against Iran, but a significant portion of the population is expressing frustration over the damage caused by intercepted debris falling on homes and streets.

According to sources familiar with the situation, a sentiment has taken hold in unofficial circles across the country, with many questioning why Jordan should serve as a “shield for the Zionists” and endure such extensive harm and hardship as a result of its involvement in the war imposed on the Islamic Republic.

The growing discontent has laid bare a sharp divide between the ruling establishment and large segments of the country’s population.

In response to the rising dissent, Jordanian security forces have launched a widespread crackdown, arresting numerous opposition figures and activists in recent days.

Observers note that the arrests reflect the establishment’s determination to suppress mounting criticism of its foreign policy alignment at a time when regional tensions continue to escalate owing to a war imposed by external powers.

The situation highlights the delicate balance Jordan faces between maintaining its longstanding alliances and addressing the grievances of a population increasingly wary of being drawn into broader conflicts. … Full article

Former Israeli Negotiator: Netanyahu Pushed Iran War To ‘Achieve Greater Israel’

The Dissident | March 24, 2026

… The real motive, a former advisor to the Israeli government and Israeli negotiator during the Oslo negotiations, said, behind Israel’s push for war with Iran is to “weaken Iran militarily, to remove some kind of deterrent” in order to establish Greater Israel. As Daniel Levy put it:

It’s not an era of a Pax Americana with — alongside all that indulgence of Israel, there were still certain brake mechanisms. This time, Israel sees us in an era of what I would call a Pax Greater Israel. This is about how far Israel can extend its dominion, how much of a hard-power, dominant hegemon it can be in the region, seizing parts of Syria or of Lebanon, trying to finish an eradicationist approach to the Palestinians. And crucially, to do that, you have to weaken Iran militarily, to remove some kind of deterrent. You can only do that with the U.S., so you need to pull the U.S. into this war. If that means further accelerating American decline and even accelerating Israel’s loss of support in America, then it’s a price to pay. It’s kind of “use it or lose it,” because those things are happening anyway.

Full article

Seven killed, over a dozen injured in strike on military clinic in western Iraq

Press TV – March 25, 2026

At least seven people were killed and 13 others injured in Iraq’s western province of Al-Anbar when an airstrike targeted a medical facility.

According to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, the aerial raid struck the Al-Habbaniyah military clinic on Wednesday.

The ministry stated that the Al-Habbaniyah labor department, which falls under the Al-Habbaniyah site command, was also hit in the attack.

The ministry condemned the airstrike as a flagrant violation of international laws that prohibit attacks on medical facilities and their personnel.

“This criminal act represents a dangerous escalation that requires a firm stance and holding those responsible to account,” the statement read.

It further noted that targeting medical facilities is a heinous crime by any standard, as it strikes at institutions dedicated to saving lives. … Full article

US-Israeli strikes hit 85,000 civilian sites, Iran Red Crescent says

Al Mayadeen | March 25, 2026

The magnitude of destruction inflicted on Iran since the launch of the US-Israeli assault is becoming increasingly clear, with Iranian officials reporting widespread damage to civilian life and essential services across the country.

Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, said on Wednesday that the assault has struck deep into civilian areas, leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses damaged. “Since the start of the attack, 85,176 civilian facilities have been damaged. This number includes 64,583 residential buildings, as well as 19,690 commercial spots in various provinces of the country,” he was quoted as saying.

The figures point to a pattern of destruction that extends far beyond military targets. According to Kolivand, 282 healthcare facilities have been hit, alongside the killing of 23 medical staff and the injury of 177 others. At least 600 schools have also been struck, while Iran’s Education Ministry reported that 192 students and teachers have been killed.

Independent reporting and international coverage have increasingly reflected the scale of the impact on civilians. Accounts from the ground describe repeated strikes on residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and public institutions, with entire communities displaced and basic services severely disrupted. … Full article

Former Head Of MI6 Admits That The U.S. And Israel Are Losing The Iran War

The Dissident | March 25, 2026

In an interview with the Economist, Alex Younger, the head of Britain’s MI6 from 2014 to 2020, admitted that Iran has the upper hand against the U.S. and Israel.

When asked, “Who has the upper hand right now, who is in a stronger position?”, Younger replied, “Iran”.

He went on to say “The reality is that the US underestimated the task and I think, as of about two weeks ago, lost the initiative to Iran”.

He added, “The Iranian regime has been more resilient than I think anyone would have expected. They took some good decisions actually as early as last June about dispersing their military capability and delegating the authority for the use of those weapons which has given them significant extra resilience against this incredibly powerful air campaign.”

Younger went on to say, Iran has “embarked on what’s technically called horizontal escalation i.e., firing rockets at anybody within range,” adding that this has “been a very good way of putting indirect price on the US” and has “sort of worked”.

He also said that Iran, “understood the significance of the energy war and held the Strait (of Hormuz) at threat,” which he noted, “globalized the conflict in a way that gives them some weapons.” … continue

Scattered Thoughts on War and Peace

By William Schryver | March 25, 2026

Gentlemen cry peace, peace. But there is no peace. The war has barely begun.

Though its position is untenable, the empire cannot slink away now.

As things stand, Iran et al. have won an overwhelming strategic victory. One that cannot be undone.

And everyone that matters in the world knows this to be true.

That said, a great many people have persuaded themselves that it is the mighty United States military that has achieved an overwhelming victory, and that the Iranians are an utterly “obliterated” foe.

And yet the Iranian missiles and drones keep their schedule, with only a fraction of the opposition they encountered in early March.

Israel — that vulnerable speck of a country — is getting pounded. Hard.

US/Israel air defenses have been reduced to a skeleton shambles.

The impressive Iranian defeat of US/Israeli radar capabilities is arguably the single most notable development so far in this war. … continue

Shock and awe is dead: What Russia understood – and Washington still doesn’t

Decades of military doctrine crumble as Tehran controls the Gulf and time runs out for Washington

By Sergey Poletaev | RT | March 25, 2026

… Trump now finds himself at … a crossroads: Fight or concede defeat. The problem is that the entire Western military-industrial complex has spent decades adapting to the shock and awe doctrine; NATO and the US possess unparalleled and exorbitantly expensive airstrike capabilities, but don’t have many other resources. If a targeted nation can withstand the initial air assaults, time will be on its side – unlike Russia, the West lacks the resources for a prolonged military campaign.

This explains the ‘gestures of goodwill’ Trump is currently making toward Iran. Just like Putin in spring 2022, he needs to buy time and figure out his next move: Continue fighting, launch a highly risky landing operation, or settle for a humiliating peace. The first option could spell disaster for Trump in the upcoming midterm elections, while the second could bring the US the most significant strategic defeat since Vietnam.

Trump can’t afford to sit back and wait; he must unblock the Strait of Hormuz. If he continues to act as if nothing is happening, Arab countries will start negotiating directly with Iran, which will demand not only financial concessions, but also the expulsion of Americans from the region. – Full article

Iran Threatens to Close Red Sea to Shipping in Response to Invasion

By Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute | March 25, 2026

If the US invades Iran, Tehran will act through its allies in Yemen to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

“If the enemy wants to take action on land in the Iranian islands or anywhere else in our lands or to inflict costs on Iran with naval movements in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of ​​Oman,” an Iranian military official told the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. “We will open other fronts for them as a surprise so that their action will not only be of no benefit to them but will also double their costs.”

“The Bab al-Mandab Strait is considered one of the world’s strategic straits, and Iran has both the will and the ability to create a completely credible threat against it.” The official continued, “Therefore, if the Americans want to think of a solution for the Strait of Hormuz with stupid measures, they should be careful not to add another strait to their problems and predicaments.” … continue

Iran in excellent position to prevail in war with US, Israel: John Mearsheimer

Press TV – March 25,2026

Senior political scientist John Mearsheimer says Iran has a good chance of dominating the ongoing war with the United States and Israel given the way the Islamic Republic controls the economic repercussions of the conflict.

Speaking to Piers Morgan Uncensored, Mearsheimer said the US and Israel failed to achieve their objectives in the aggression on Iran, which was to decapitate the government and force Iranians to submit to their demands in the first two or three days of the war.

He said, however, that the war has continued for nearly a month and the Iranians are now in a better position to dictate their demands since they control the flow of oil and other energy products from the Persian Gulf to other parts of the world.

“What’s happened here is that we did not achieve a quick and decisive victory and we are now in a long war, a war of attrition, and that’s a war that the Iranians prepared for and that’s a war that the Iranians are in an excellent position to prevail in,” Mearsheimer said.

He said if the United States decides to further escalate the aggression, it could face devastating responses from Iran that affect not only regional countries and American bases they host but also the entire international economy.

“They have the ability to go up the escalation ladder and tank the international economy.” … continue

Iran Not Holding Talks With US – Foreign Ministry

Sputnik – 25.03.2026

Iran is not engaged in negotiations with the United States, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated.

“There are no negotiations between Iran and the United States, just as there have been none over the past 25 days since the start of the illegal war against Iran,” Baqaei said, as quoted by India Today.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added that Iran’s past experience with negotiations with the US has been “catastrophic.”

Iran continues to carry out strikes on US military facilities in the Middle East and on Israeli territory in response to attacks by the United States and Israel. On the first day of the conflict, February 28, a girls’ school in southern Iran was hit, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. The total number of civilian casualties has exceeded 1,300, with more than 20,000 people injured.

Iran warns US: Do not call your retreat an agreement

Press TV – March 25, 2026

Spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari, says the strategic power that the enemy boasted about has “turned into a strategic defeat.”

“If the self-proclaimed superpower of the world could have escaped this predicament, it would have done so by now. Do not call your defeat an agreement,” he said on Wednesday. … continue

Europe to face fuel shortage – Shell CEO

RT | March 25, 2026

European countries could face fuel shortages as soon as next month as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Shell CEO Wael Sawan has warned.

Major energy facilities in the Gulf have been damaged in the conflict, while maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that handles about 20% of global oil flows, has nearly halted.

The war has already affected supplies of jet fuel, Sawan said on Tuesday, as cited by Reuters. Diesel is set to be next, followed by gasoline at the start of the summer driving season, he added.

“South Asia was first to get that brunt. That’s moved to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and then more so into Europe as we get into April,” Sawan said at an energy conference in Houston.

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan have reduced working hours and introduced fuel rationing. Japan and South Korea have released oil from strategic reserves.

Europe is less reliant on Gulf supplies than Asia. It imports about a quarter of its crude, in addition to certain petroleum products, from North Africa. Alternative sources include the US, Norway, and West Africa. However, supply remains tight and fierce competition from Asian buyers for cargoes is driving prices higher. … Full article

Bushehr nuclear plant struck again, no damage reported: Iran, IAEA

Al Mayadeen | March 25, 2026

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced that the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was struck by a projectile late Tuesday, stating that no casualties or damage were recorded.

According to the AEOI, the strike occurred at approximately 21:08 local time, describing it as a result of “hostile actions by the American-Zionist enemy.” The organization said preliminary assessments confirmed that there was no material or technical damage, no injuries, and no impact on the plant’s infrastructure.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed it had been informed by Iran of another strike near the facility. … Full article

Qatar’s Real Problem Isn’t the War. It’s the Machines.

By Veron Wickramasinghe | March 24, 2026

… the damage extends far beyond the two LNG trains.

Qatar’s North Field East expansion was 85 percent complete before the conflict. Four new mega-trains producing 32 Mtpa of additional LNG, targeted for late 2026 startup. The project has been suspended indefinitely. Al-Kaabi told Reuters it could be delayed by over a year. SIAD Macchine Impianti’s four new Air Separation Units for those trains are now in limbo.

The North Field South expansion, adding another 16 Mtpa by 2027 to 2028, and the North Field West expansion, adding 16 Mtpa more by 2029 to 2030, were supposed to lift Qatar’s total capacity from 77 Mtpa to 142 Mtpa by the end of the decade. That entire roadmap is now fundamentally compromised.

Qatar was not just maintaining its current supply. It was building the infrastructure to become the dominant LNG supplier of the 2030s. The 142 Mtpa target represented roughly a quarter of projected global LNG capacity. That ambition has been structurally impaired. […]

Here is what the Air Separation Unit supply chain tells you about the state of global energy:

The entire recovery timeline for Qatar, the second-largest LNG exporter on Earth, depends on equipment that can only be manufactured in five countries by five companies. The most critical sub-component, the BAHX heat exchanger, comes from five workshops. The lead times are measured in years, not months. The order books are not empty. These companies were already building ASUs for Qatar’s expansion, for Saudi Arabia’s NEOM hydrogen project, for American LNG terminals, for Chinese coal-to-chemicals plants.
There is no surge capacity. … Full article

Neighbors first – Moscow signals shift in energy strategy

RT | March 25, 2026

Russia plans to prioritize energy exports to neighboring countries deemed less exposed to global disruptions, Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev has said.

Recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s response have shaken global oil and liquefied natural gas markets, disrupting supplies from the Persian Gulf and casting uncertainty over future production.

”The entire world will have to reevaluate supply chains and reassess risks,” Tsivilev told reporters on Wednesday. While Russia’s own exports have not been directly impacted by the Middle East crisis, the country will still adjust its strategy, he added.

“We will prioritize energy deliveries to our closest neighbors, with whom we share land borders and face fewer risks,” the minister said. “We will also reconsider the logistics of oil transportation.” … continue

Volkswagen to produce Iron Dome components in deal with Israeli Rafael

Al Mayadeen | March 25, 2026

Volkswagen is in discussions with Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems over a potential agreement to convert one of its German factories from automobile manufacturing to missile defense production, which would make a civilian facility a legitimate military target, an action that “Israel” has been accusing its regional foes of taking.

Sources familiar with the matter speaking to The Financial Times said the companies are considering repurposing the Osnabrück plant in Lower Saxony to produce components for the Iron Dome anti-air system, currently operated by the Israeli occupation. The facility, which employs around 2,300 workers, has faced possible closure amid declining demand in the automotive sector. […]

While the plan aims to preserve jobs at the VW facility in Osnabrück, it would be against the contracts originally signed by employees, as weapons-related production, especially that said weapons are being used for genocidal purposes in West Asia, is expected to be a contentious issue for many. … Full article

Almost 400 Ukrainian drones downed over Russia in single night – MOD

RT | March 25, 2026

A total of 389 Ukrainian drones have been shot down by air defenses over Russian territory overnight, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported on Wednesday morning.

Incoming UAVs were intercepted and destroyed across 14 regions in the western part of the country, as well as Crimea. … continue

Hungary to halt gas deliveries to Ukraine – Orban

RT | March 25, 2026

Hungary will gradually halt natural gas deliveries to Ukraine until Kiev restores the flow of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced.

In a video posted to his Facebook page on Wednesday, Orban said that Ukraine has been blocking the operation of the Soviet-era oil pipeline for 30 days. “As long as Ukraine does not provide oil, it will not receive gas from Hungary,” he said.

Orban stated that gas that would have been sent to Ukraine will instead be stored in Hungarian facilities, adding that the move is necessary considering that Ukraine “is also attacking the southern gas pipeline that supplies Hungary,” referring to the TurkStream route that brings Russian gas to Hungary via Türkiye and the Balkans.

“We will defend Hungary’s energy security, the protected petrol price, and the reduced gas prices,” Orban declared. He said the country has so far been able to “successfully defend against Ukrainian blackmail” thanks to the protected price scheme, adding that Hungarians pay the lowest prices at gas stations in all of Europe. … continue

Brussels warns Slovakia over ‘discriminatory’ dual fuel pricing targeting foreign drivers

By Thomas Brooke | Remix News | March 25, 2026

The European Commission has warned Slovakia that its newly introduced dual diesel pricing system — charging foreign drivers more than locals — violates EU law, setting up a fresh clash with Prime Minister Robert Fico over energy policy.

The dispute centers on emergency measures adopted by the Slovak government on March 18, which impose a 30-day restriction on diesel refueling and introduce higher prices for vehicles with foreign license plates. The policy is aimed at curbing “fuel tourism,” as drivers from neighboring countries flock to Slovakia to take advantage of significantly lower diesel prices. … continue

Battle for Hungary: How the Russiagate blueprint has been unleashed against Orban

RT | March 25, 2026

The shadow campaign to swing the Hungarian election against Viktor Orban has escalated with the wiretapping of Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The case offers a rare look into how bureaucrats, journalists, and spies run a regime-change operation in real time. … continue

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag

By Craig Murray | March 24, 2026

The notion that the Iranian state would discredit itself by choosing to attack an ambulance service in London is crazy. Iran has not even attacked any hospitals or ambulances in Israel. Iran has absolutely zero record of attacks on healthcare facilities. That is of course in stark contrast to Israel which specifically targets them in Gaza and Lebanon. The obvious revulsion of a UK public, that has been opposed to the war on Iran, at the destruction of the ambulances would far outweigh any possible gain. What precisely is the gain that Iran is supposed to have sought? … continue

Five Workers Injured in Colonizer Vehicular Attacks

IMEMC | March 24, 2026

Five Palestinian Workers Injured in two separate vehicular attacks by Illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers, while Israeli forced abducted five others near Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, early Tuesday.

A colonizer rammed his vehicle into four Palestinian workers near the village of Wadi Fukin, west of Bethlehem, as they attempted to reach their workplaces in occupied Jerusalem. … Full article

Israeli Colonizers Torch Palestinian Home in Masafer Yatta

IMEMC | March 24, 2026

Illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers burned a Palestinian home in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the southern West Bank, early Tuesday morning, in a continuation of escalating attacks targeting isolated Palestinian communities.

Local resident Osama Makhamra said the fire erupted in the home of Bajes Rib’ey, in the Shu’ab at-Tiwana area, after a group of colonizers set the structure ablaze.

Makhamra confirmed that the family was not inside at the time, as they had spent the night at the home of Rib’ey’s brother in the village, preventing potential injuries. […]

In related news, Israeli colonizers attacked al‑Maleh School in the northern Jordan Valley of the occupied West Bank, late Monday night, causing extensive damage to the building and its facilities. – Full article

Israel using ‘Gaza playbook’ in Lebanon, destroying water infrastructure: Report

MEMO | March 24, 2026

Israel’s military blueprint of attacking water infrastructure, used throughout its genocide in the Gaza Strip, is now being rolled out across parts of Lebanon, Oxfam said Tuesday.

The charity found in its analysis that Israeli forces are destroying water and sanitation infrastructure, including strikes near sites that were being rehabilitated after having been destroyed or damaged in the last war.

Noting that the Geneva Conventions prohibit attacks on water installations and other objects that are critical for people to survive, it highlighted that using deprivation of water as a method of warfare is outlawed.

“Any intentional deprivation of water or obstruction of aid may constitute a war crime,” said Oxfam.

It noted that in a span of four days in the first weeks of the latest escalation, Israel damaged at least seven critical water sources, including reservoirs, pipe networks and pumping stations that supplied water to almost 7,000 people in Lebanon’s Bekaa area. … Full article

Child Killed, Several Palestinians Injured, Across Gaza

IMEMC | March 24, 2026

A Palestinian child was killed, and several residents, were injured on Tuesday after Israeli occupation forces opened fire in multiple areas across the devastated Gaza Strip, striking displaced families in Khan Younis, Rafah, Jabalia, and the central region.

Medical sources confirmed the death of Khaled Saifuddin Arada, 13, who was shot by Israeli forces while inside his family’s tent in the al‑Mawasi district of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

The sources added that the child was critically wounded by live fire and later pronounced dead.

In Rafah in the Gaza Strip’s southmost part, three Palestinians were injured when Israeli military vehicles opened fire toward displaced communities sheltering in the al‑Mawasi area. Among the wounded was a 17‑year‑old girl.

In the northern Gaza Strip, three additional Palestinians were shot by Israeli forces in the al‑Faluja neighborhood of Jabalia, where sporadic gunfire has continued despite the presence of thousands of displaced civilians.

In the central Gaza Strip, a Palestinian man was injured near the Abu ‘Aasi station in the al‑Bureij refugee camp after Israeli forces opened fire toward the area. Witnesses reported ongoing bursts of gunfire that forced families to flee between makeshift shelters. … Full article

Russian civilian killed in Ukrainian drone attack

RT | March 24, 2026

At least one civilian has been killed in Kursk Region, western Russia, in a Ukrainian kamikaze drone attack, Governor Aleksandr Khinshtein has said. Air defenses intercepted 42 UAVs over the course of six hours on Tuesday evening, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The ministry reported that Ukraine attacked sites in the Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Smolensk, Kaluga, and Voronezh regions.

Kiev has intensified long-range UAV “terrorist attacks” on industrial and civilian sites Russia in recent months, following multiple setbacks on the front lines, according to Moscow.

The Kursk Region governor reported that the civilian was killed in a double-tap strike on a local agricultural enterprise. After the initial attack, several more people were injured in a follow-up strike.

In total, thirteen people sustained injuries, with two in serious condition, he said. … Full article

US threatening EU energy supply to push through trade deal

RT | March 24, 2026

The US ambassador to the EU has urged Brussels to ratify the previously signed trade deal with Washington or risk losing “favorable” access to American energy supplies.

Under the deal reached last summer, the bloc agreed to a baseline tariff of 15% for all EU goods entering the US, while slashing its own levies on US industrial goods and some agricultural products to zero. The EU also agreed to buy $750 billion worth of US energy by 2028. The European Parliament is scheduled to vote on its ratification this week. … continue

EU shelves Russian oil ban as Iran war rattles energy markets

RT | March 24, 2026

The EU has put plans on hold for a complete ban on Russian oil imports, news outlets have reported. The move comes amid renewed turbulence in energy markets driven by the war in the Middle East.

The draft law, part of the REPowerEU roadmap to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027, had been tentatively scheduled for April 15 but has now been removed from the European Commission’s published work calendar, Euronews and Reuters reported on Tuesday.

An unnamed EU official was quoted as saying the delay was because of “current geopolitical developments.” Commission energy spokesperson Anna‑Kaisa Itkonen said she had “no new date to give.” … continue

Italy pivots to Algerian LNG as US war on Iran disrupts Qatari supply

The Cradle | March 24, 2026

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will travel to Algeria this week as Rome seeks alternative gas supplies after Iranian strikes on Qatar disrupted exports, forcing Doha to halt deliveries to Italy, Reuters reported on 23 March.

Meloni is expected in Algiers on Wednesday, though her office has not released a detailed schedule.

The visit comes as Italy scrambles to stabilize supply after Qatar informed Italian energy firm Edison it “would not be able to fulfil its contractual obligations for April.”

Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said Algeria is among several countries under active negotiation to offset the shortfall. He confirmed Italian state-controlled energy firms are in talks with suppliers in Algeria, the US, and Azerbaijan, with the government working to support these efforts.

Qatar had previously covered around 10 percent of Italy’s gas demand. However, following the strikes, exports appear to have been halted for an extended period, with QatarEnergy’s CEO indicating the disruption could last longer after facilities were “hit hard.”

Algeria has already emerged as a key supplier for Italy, covering roughly 30 percent of annual gas consumption after Rome reduced reliance on Russian energy.

Italian energy group Eni said it continues to receive gas volumes from Algeria within existing contract terms. … Full article

Embarrassing Pivot: U.S. considers dropping Iran oil sanctions amid war

By Alan MACLEOD | MintPress News | March 22, 2026

Forced into a humiliating U-turn amid a potential global economic meltdown, the Trump administration announced today that it may remove sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea. … continue

India’s largest oil company buys five million barrels from Iran as Tehran establishes ‘safe passage’ through Hormuz

The Cradle | March 24, 2026

India’s Reliance Industries has purchased five million barrels of Iranian crude following a temporary US sanctions waiver, Reuters reported on 24 March, citing three sources familiar with the transaction.

The purchase signals a limited return of Iranian oil to global markets under Iran’s safe passage initiatives and Washington’s short-term waiver.

According to Reuters, the cargo was bought from the National Iranian Oil Company, with one source saying it was priced at a premium of about $7 per barrel above ICE Brent futures – yet, delivery timing remains unclear.

The deal marks India’s first confirmed purchase of Iranian crude since May 2019, when imports were halted after US sanctions were reimposed on Tehran.

It also comes after Indian refiners secured more than 40 million barrels of Russian crude earlier this month under similar easing measures, as several Asian refiners assess whether they can make similar purchases. […]

Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute, cited an energy industry source in Iran as describing a sharp shift in output and pricing.

“Before the war, Iran produced just shy of 1.1 million barrels of oil per day … Today, it produces 1.5 million barrels a day, and sells it at $110 with only a $2–4 discount,” Parsi said, while also noting expanded petrochemical sales and new payment channels that bypass the UAE.

He concluded that “Trump and Israel’s war has ended up delivering Iran de facto sanctions relief,” adding this leaves Tehran “all the less incentivized to end the war” without formal sanctions relief. – Full article

US has 2 months of rare earths left to replenish weapons amid Iran war: Report

Press TV – March 24, 2026

The United States has only two months’ worth of rare earth elements critically important in the manufacturing of modern weaponry amid its joint aggression with the Israeli regime on Iran, a report says.

Oil Price.com, citing data from South China Morning Post and Reuters, reported that the US involvement in the aggression against Iran, which began on February 28, has already consumed billions of dollars’ worth of missiles and precision-guided weapons, leaving Washington with low inventories of rare earth and other key materials embedded in advanced military systems.

“And it’s the 11th hour for American defense and the entire defense industry, even if it wasn’t in the middle of a war with Iran,” said the report.

The report said the US is deeply dependent on China for the supply of rare earths, leaving Beijing with some fresh leverage over Washington, with roughly three weeks until President Donald Trump’s expected visit to China.

The South China Morning Post has said in an earlier report that the heavy reliance could mean that it is ultimately China that could dictate how long US strikes on Iran can continue. … continue

US-Israeli strikes fail to disrupt gas supply in southwest Iran

Al Mayadeen | March 24, 2026

Reports from Iranian media state that the joint US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure in the nation’s southwest failed to cause any disruptions in gas supply.

Local authorities told Fars that the attack targeted a gas pipeline linked to a power plant in Khorramshahr. They told the news outlet that despite the attack, there are no problems with maintaining the supply of energy and gas to the city and that the plant remains fully operational.

The report by Fars also highlighted that there were no casualties as a result of the joint US-Israeli attack on the energy site.

Strength of Iran’s energy infrastructure

The failure of the bombing to disrupt energy flows highlights a recurring pattern in which attacks on infrastructure do not necessarily translate into sustained operational setbacks.

Iranian authorities stressed that both gas provision and electricity generation in Khorramshahr remain stable, suggesting that contingency measures or system redundancies mitigated the intended impact.

This development comes despite the strategic significance of energy infrastructure as a frequent target in conflicts involving regional and international actors.

Iran’s Energy networks, particularly in strategically vital regions, are structured to withstand disruptions, limiting the effectiveness of aerial strikes aimed at degrading essential services. The failure to damage and put them out of commission is an example of the lack of tangible gains the US and “Israel” have achieved since their unlawful attack on February 28.

Increasing US-Israeli escalation against Iranian energy sites

The US-Israeli coalition also bombed a gas administration building and a pressure reduction station on Kaveh Street in Isfahan on Tuesday. Fars reports that the strike caused damage to parts of the facilities and residential homes located near the energy sites.

Isfahan is considered to be one of the key sites in Iran’s gas distribution network; the plants are responsible for syphoning gas to other cities and industrial sectors.

These attacks come after US President Donald Trump’s claim of a five-day pause in attacking gas and energy infrastructure in Iran. … Full article

Iran controls Strait of Hormuz, dictates terms of war and peace as US excursion backfires

By Pravin Sawhney | Press TV | March 24, 2026

While the US and Israel started the new war in West Asia, it is Israel and Iran who, with clarity on their war objectives, are now pitted against one another.

Given this, two things are likely. One, notwithstanding President Donald Trump’s latest claim of negotiations, the war will not end anytime soon. Instead, it will escalate.

And two, since the world is multipolar, the regional geopolitics will no longer be the same.

Two regional fundamentals would be impacted: the control over the Strait of Hormuz, and the security arrangement between the US and GCC (Persian Gulf Cooperation Council) countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman), which delivered the petro dollars critical for stabilisation of the US economy and its great power status in the world.

Unmindful of the reality that the world is in a once-in-a-century change and that Iran would not bend despite decades of US sanctions, President Trump started this war as ‘an excursion’ as he himself put it. Trump was made to believe by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that, like Venezuela, Iran, with its senior leadership decapitated, would be an open and shut case.

Within, the wily Netanyahu knew that this would not happen, and that the decapitation would lead to a larger war, giving him greater control over the US military to achieve his war objectives, including the so-called “regime change”. … continue

Strait Of Hormuz closure brings Empire to brink

By Kit Klarenberg | Al Mayadeen | March 24, 2026

Since the criminal Zionist-American war on Iran erupted, the Strait of Hormuz has remained stubbornly closed. Despite Donald Trump’s dire threats, Tehran has brought maritime traffic to a total standstill. The Empire has futilely scrambled to assemble an international coalition to reopen the economically vital waterway ever since, only to be rebuffed. NATO allies have been slammed for making a “foolish mistake”, by refusing to help militarily secure the Strait. In truth, there is no hope it can be forcibly reopened in the foreseeable future.

As Bloomberg reports, while discussions are ongoing among G7 members over potential methods of restarting trade in the Strait, the general consensus among US allies is this can’t happen until hostilities ease, or outright end. Bank of America’s head of research has ominously warned oil prices could rise above $200 per barrel “if disruptions persist for multiple months.” He forecast that if the Strait isn’t reopened within days, its closure could precipitate a global recession. … continue

Outlasting the Superpower: The Reasons Why Iran is Beating uhe US and Israel

By Robert Inlakesh | Palestine Chronicle | March 24, 2026

As the US-Israeli war of aggression continues to escalate and President Trump makes new threats against Iran’s energy infrastructure, the Islamic Republic and its allies are edging closer towards inflicting a historic defeat on the world’s top superpower. This is not hyperbole; instead, it can be demonstrated through the facts on the ground.

From day one of the attack on Iran, the United States and Israel have proudly claimed to have achieved enormous victories. Initially telling the public that this conflict would only last four days, we are steadily heading towards the one-month mark with no end in sight. So far, there has been no clear war goal articulated, nor is there a real excuse presented as to why it had to happen as it did.

Beyond assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, a number of other high-ranking officials, as well as striking Iranian infrastructure, there has yet to be any major blow delivered to the Islamic Republic. There is certainly nothing that could be argued to represent a strategic victory for Washington and Tel Aviv either.

In fact, Israel’s assassinations during the 12-day war, in June of 2025, actually delivered a bigger blow to the Iranian military leadership, along with killing nuclear scientists. The Israeli Mossad even succeeded in effectively sabotaging Iranian air defenses at the beginning of the war and successfully utilized a large number of agents to carry out armed action inside the country. This time, the agents appear to have been a relative non-factor, and Iran retaliated much quicker than it did during the 12-day war.

Despite this, day in and day out, US President Donald Trump and his Secretary of War Pete Hegseth continue to present to the public contradictory claims regarding how they are allegedly winning the war. … continue

Top PMU commander, over a dozen fighters killed in new US strikes on Iraq

The Cradle | March 24, 2026

A top commander in the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) and over a dozen others were killed in US airstrikes on Iraq overnight, marking yet another escalation by Washington and Tel Aviv against the country.

The US strikes hit a headquarters and killed at least 15 fighters as well as PMU operations commander in Anbar province, Saad al-Bayji.

“In a blatant and cowardly attack, the commander of the Anbar Operations in the Popular Mobilization Forces, Saad Dua al-Bayji, was martyred along with a group of his heroic comrades following a treacherous American airstrike that targeted the command headquarters while they were performing their national duty,” the PMU said in a statement on 24 March.

It added that “the martyrs’ blood will not be in vain,” while holding the Iraqi government “fully responsible for confronting these repeated American violations and taking clear and resolute positions to preserve the country’s sovereignty and put an end to these grave transgressions.” … continue

Is Netanyahu’s war gamble threatening the future of ‘Israel’?: FT

Al Mayadeen | March 24, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push toward war on Iran has intensified regional tensions, with the aggression reportedly enjoying overwhelming public backing in “Israel”, as more than 80% of the Israeli public supported the decision to launch the attacks on Tehran.

Yet, Gideon Rachman argues in The Financial Times that the consequences of this escalation are far from the decisive outcome that was anticipated. Rather than delivering a quick resolution, the war has expanded in scope and complexity, raising new risks for both military personnel and settlers.

Rachman notes that developments such as disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and missile strikes inside “Israel” highlight how the war is evolving in unpredictable ways, undermining expectations of a swift and controlled campaign. … continue

Looks Like Donald Trump is Serious About Puting US Boots on the Ground in Iran

By Larry C. Johnson – SONAR21 – March 24, 2026

In my recent article — Boots on the Ground in Iran… A Deception or a Suicide Mission? — I was shocked by the lack of OPSEC (aka Operational Security) surrounding the deployment of the 31st and 11th MEUs (Marine Expeditionary Unit). Then there was the news that the 82nd Airborne had cancelled an upcoming exercise and also were being deployed to the Persian Gulf as well. Why advertise that you are sending an amphibious force and an airborne unit to the Persian Gulf with the ostensible mission of breaking Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz? I speculated that publicizing the movement of these units could be a deception operation, i.e., getting the Iranians to focus on the Marines and the 82nd while ignoring other troop movements that will be the ones actually inserted on the ground. Based on Donald Trump’s statements today, coupled with new information provided by OSINT Defender and The Intel Frog, it appears that Trump has ordered a ground operation inside Iran that could begin as early as Friday. … continue

Echos of Gallipoli? Hormuz and the Geography of Hubris

In a naval chokepoint, always bet on the shore over the ship

Ashes of Pompeii | March 24, 2026

“History is not a teacher, it teaches nothing. History is a warden, and it punishes for poorly learned historical lessons”
– Vladimir Putin.

The ghosts of 1915 still haunt the narrow waters of the Dardanelles. The Battle of Gallipoli remains one of history’s warnings against racist and strategic hubris. As geopolitical tensions rise and speculation grows about potential U.S. military action in the Strait of Hormuz, the shadow of the this far off battle should be casting a long, dark silhouette over modern war planning. But of course it isn’t. Technology has evolved, the fundamental truths of geography and human resilience have not, and lessons sometimes need to be repeated. … continue

Pakistan PM backs Iran’s right to self-defense amid tensions

Al Mayadeen | March 23, 2026

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed his country’s support for Iran, stressing that Tehran has the legitimate right to defend itself amid the ongoing joint US-Israeli aggression on the West Asian nation.

Sharif expressed “regret over the attack on Iran and the resulting martyrdom and injury of thousands of citizens and officials,” signaling Islamabad’s concern over the humanitarian and political consequences of the confrontation.

His remarks came during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reflecting continued high-level coordination between the two neighboring states. … continue

‘No middle ground’: Qalibaf urges world to choose sides after Israeli torture of Gaza toddler

Press TV – March 24, 2026

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says the world must choose to stand either with the besieged Gaza Strip or with child torturers, stressing that there is no middle ground, after Israeli soldiers tortured a one-year-old Gazan child.

Qalibaf made the comments on Monday, after the official Palestine TV a day earlier aired footage showing Israeli soldiers subjected a one-year-old child in central Gaza to torture to pressure his father into making confessions during an interrogation.

“Iran is fighting for humanity. The world is either with Gaza and against this colonial terror regime, or it stands with the Epstein class and child torturers. There is no middle ground,” Qalibaf stressed in a post on X.

The footage showed injuries to the 18-month-old child, identified as Karim, whose father – Osama Abu Nassar – was stopped for interrogation at a military checkpoint near the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

While Osama was being interrogated, Israeli soldiers burned one of the toddler’s legs with cigarettes and inserted a nail into his leg in front of his father, as confirmed by a medical report, Palestinian journalist Osama al-Kahlout reported. … Full article

Smotrich calls for annexation of South Lebanon to Litani River

Al Mayadeen | March 24, 2026

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the annexation of territory from Lebanon up to the Litani River, saying “Israel” should seize vast swathes of land in southern Lebanon,

“The new Israeli border must be the Litani,” Smotrich said on Israeli radio on Monday. “The campaign needs to end with a different reality entirely, both with the Hezbollah decision but also with the change of Israel’s borders.” … continue

Israeli forces raid village, search houses in Syria’s Quneitra

MEMO | March 23, 2026

An Israeli force advanced on Monday into southern Syria’s Quneitra province, in the latest violation of the Arab country’s sovereignty, Anadolu reports.

Syria Alikhbaria TV said that Israeli forces moved into the village of Al-Samadaniyah al-Sharqiya in the Quneitra countryside, searching several houses in the area.

The raid came despite an agreement reached by Syria and Israel on Jan. 6 to establish a US-supervised communication mechanism aimed at coordinating information sharing, reducing military escalation, engaging diplomatically and exploring trade opportunities.

Israeli forces, however, have continued to target Syrian territory at an almost daily pace, carrying out ground incursions, particularly in the Quneitra and Daraa countryside in southern Syria, detaining civilians, setting up checkpoints to search and question passersby, and damaging agricultural land. … Full article

Three Palestinians injured by Israeli fire

Palestinian Information Center – March 23, 2026

NABLUS – Three Palestinians were injured Monday evening following an Israeli military raid and settler attacks in areas east of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

Imad Ahmad, director of the Red Crescent’s Emergency and Ambulance Center in Nablus, said medical teams treated two young men, aged 18 and 35, who were shot with live ammunition. One was hit in the foot and the other in the thigh during the raid on the city’s eastern area. Both were transferred to the hospital for treatment.

He also reported that a 16-year-old boy was injured after being beaten during a settler attack on the village of Deir al-Hatab, where he received on-site medical care.

Israeli forces stormed the eastern part of Nablus, firing live ammunition, stun grenades, and tear gas along Jerusalem Street, while settlers simultaneously attacked Deir al-Hatab and assaulted residents.

The incident comes amid escalating violence in the area. A similar attack the previous day left nine Palestinians injured and resulted in several homes and vehicles being set on fire.

Israeli Forces Shoot Three, Including a Child, in Nablus

IMEMC | March 24, 2026

On Monday, Israeli forces shot three Palestinians in the northern West Bank city of Nablus and assaulted a child in Beita town, south of the city. In the central West Bank, occupation soldiers assaulted another child in the village of Al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah.

Israeli forces shot three Palestinians with live ammunition, including a child, on Monday evening after invading the northern West Bank city of Nablus.

Amjad Ahmad, the director of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s ambulance and emergency center in Nablus, reported that their ambulance crews transported three citizens to the hospital for treatment of live gunshot wounds.

He added that a 17-year-old child and two young men (18 and 35) were shot in their lower extremities with live rounds; their conditions were not known at the time of this report. … Full article

Palestinians injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza

Palestinian Information Center – March 23, 2026

GAZA – A number of Palestinian civilians were injured following Israeli attacks in different areas of the Gaza Strip on Monday.

According to Palestinian media reports, some citizens sustained bullet injuries after Israeli forces opened fire towards tents sheltering displaced families in Rafah and Khan Yunis, south of Gaza.

A woman also sustained a bullet injury from Israeli gunfire in the Halawa displacement camp, west of Jabalia in northern Gaza.

Three other people were wounded in an Israeli airstrike on an apartment in the central area of Gaza City.

Meanwhile, Israeli shooting and artillery attacks were reported in other areas of Gaza today.

Gaza: 6–10 patients die daily while awaiting medical evacuation abroad

Palestinian Information Center – March 23, 2026

GAZA – The health ministry in the Gaza Strip has said that between 6 and 10 patients die each day while waiting to travel abroad for medical treatment.

According to the health ministry, 1,400 patients out of 20,000 have died since May 7, 2024, when the Rafah border crossing was seized by the Israeli army.

Health official Zaher al-Wahidi highlighted that the number of life-threatening cases reached 195 patients, all in extremely critical condition, pointing out that this number is the remainder of 300 cases originally classified in this category.

Wahidi warned that if those patients in critical condition are not evacuated soon, they would lose their lives. … Full article

Paul Mason instigated GCHQ targeting of The Grayzone’s Kit Klarenberg, leaks reveal

By Kit Klarenberg | The Grayzone | March 23, 2026

Leaked correspondence reviewed by The Grayzone reveals disgraced journalist Paul Mason covertly collaborated with a unit of the GCHQ intelligence service to monitor and inform on perceived adversaries, including this reporter. In addition to feeding intel on independent reporters to British intelligence, the material shows that Mason privately coordinated his public narrative about a supposed Russian “hack” of his emails with British agents.

The revelations come as a national scandal has exploded in Britain after the ruling Labour party was caught targeting journalists, including me, because they’d been investigating financial corruption by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s top aide, Morgan McSweeney.

On January 27, The Grayzone exposed how former celebrity leftist journalist-turned-security state snitch Paul Mason employed the services of a high-priced legal firm in hopes of silencing his critics. Mason launched his revenge plot after a Grayzone investigation exposed his secret collaboration with state-connected operatives to undermine the British anti-war left. His crusade fell flat, with lawyers warning him against taking any action, while confirming The Grayzone’s reporting on his leaked emails was in the public interest.

Desperate for retribution, Mason went to the a division of the GCHQ intelligence services called the National Cyber Security Centre for a second opinion. From June 2022 to December 2023, he corresponded regularly with a high level contact within the Centre, sharing information about individuals he falsely accused of being somehow implicated in the “hack” of his emails, including this journalist.

In his frantic bid to destroy those who accused him of collaborating with the security state, Mason would only confirm their harshest allegations, placing journalists like myself in the crosshairs of the GCHQ for exposing his vindictive schemes. … continue

Hungary blasts ‘fake’ EU accusation

RT | March 23, 2026

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has denied and condemned claims that he leaked the details of EU meetings to Moscow.

The allegations were reported by the Washington Post and Politico some three weeks prior to the Hungarian parliamentary election scheduled for April 12.

On Friday, the WaPo cited security officials claiming that Szijjarto had made regular phone calls during breaks at EU meetings to provide Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov with “live reports on what had been discussed.”

On Sunday, Politico echoed the allegations, citing unnamed diplomats and officials who said Brussels had begun limiting the flow of confidential material to Hungary, forcing leaders to meet in smaller groups amid concerns that Budapest might leak sensitive information to the Kremlin. … continue

SAFE Debt Trap: Poland’s €43.7 Billion Bet on Unipolar Illusion

By Adrian Korczyński – New Eastern Outlook – March 23, 2026

For Poland—already one of NATO’s most heavily militarized economies—SAFE is therefore not merely a financial instrument but a strategic decision about how deeply the country wishes to anchor itself within the EU’s emerging defense architecture, and at what price. … continue

EU ‘at end of queue’ for Russian energy – Putin envoy

RT | March 23, 2026

The EU risks becoming the last in line among buyers of Russian energy resources as Moscow expands projects with other countries amid the fuel price shock triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev has warned.

In a post on X on Monday, Dmitriev wrote that the EU is “at the end of the queue,” while commenting on a BRICS News report published during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Russia, which said Hanoi would sign energy agreements with Moscow. … Full article

War on Iran threatens global Gulf capital flows: FT analysis

Al Mayadeen | March 23, 2026

The war on Iran could disrupt the flow of Gulf capital across global markets, raising concerns about broader financial stability, according to economist Mohamed El-Erian, writing to the Financial Times.

While much attention has focused on energy markets and the resumption of oil production and shipments, El-Erian argued that an equally important issue is how the war may affect the Gulf’s relationship with international capital markets in the short term.

The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, have become major global financial players over decades, investing heavily across international markets.

El-Erian noted that there is a risk of a temporary shift in capital flows as Gulf countries face increased domestic financial demands amid the war, even if their long-term investment role remains intact. Such a shift could impact global interest rates and the distribution of funding, given the world’s growing reliance on GCC capital. … continue

Iranian engineering professor and his two children martyred in Israeli-US aggression

Press TV – March 23, 2026

In the early hours of Tuesday, Dr. Saeed Shamghadri, a distinguished scholar and associate professor at Iran University of Science and Technology, was martyred in an Israeli-American attack that targeted his home in northern Tehran.

Dr. Shamghadri’s son, Mohammad and daughter, Reyhaneh, were also killed in the attack, which came on the 24th day of the unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against the people of Iran.

He served as an associate professor and research deputy in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Iran University of Science and Technology, a premier research institution and university of engineering and science in the Iranian capital.

His articles were published in some of the leading scientific journals across the world. … Full article

Mossad De Facto Admits To Inciting Riots In Iran

The Dissident | March 22, 2026

New York Times article has reported that the Israeli/American failing regime change plot in Iran was contingent on a plan from the Israeli Mossad to incite riot in the country to effect regime change. … continue

Tehran: World grown thoroughly exhausted with US-Israeli ‘false flag storylines’

Press TV – March 23, 2026

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says the world has grown thoroughly exhausted with the US-Israeli “false flag storylines.”

In a post on his X account on Monday, Esmaeil Baghaei reacted to the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s stance, which rejected the recent claims by Israeli regime officials regarding Iran’s missile program posing a threat to Europe.

“That even the NATO Secretary General (who is infamously pressing Alliance members to appease the US and support their illegal war on Iran) declines to endorse Israel’s most recent disinformation, speaks volumes: the world has grown thoroughly exhausted with these tired and discredited “false flag” storylines,” he noted.

Israeli officials, over the past two days, claimed the interception of an Iranian missile targeting a British military base in Diego Garcia.

They presented Iran’s missile program as a threat to continental Europe. … continue

Khatam al-Anbiya HQ details latest US-Israeli target list

Al Mayadeen | March 23, 2026

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of Iran’s Armed Forces, Brigadier General Ibrahim Zolfaghari, detailed a series of military operations carried out on Sunday against Israeli and US assets across the region.

In a televised statement, Zolfaghari said Iranian forces launched Arash-2 loitering munitions targeting sites near “Israel’s” Ben Gurion Air Base, including aerospace facilities, as well as reconnaissance aircraft positions at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

He confirmed the execution of wave 74 of Operation True Promise 4, targeting US military bases across the region, alongside positions in central and southern areas across the Israeli entity. The operations, he said, were conducted in line with pre-planned scenarios using advanced tactics and weapon systems.

The spokesperson added that additional strikes were carried out using Emad, Fattah, and Qiam missiles, in addition to drones, targeting US assets including Prince Sultan Air Base and the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as well as affiliated armed groups.

Zolfaghari further stated that military and security sites in Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, Holon, and Ramat Gan were struck using Khorramshahr-4, Kheibar Shekan, and Qadr missiles, causing significant damage.

He also discussed the 75th wave of Operation True Promise 4, noting that new targets were identified based on intelligence gathered by reconnaissance units. These included troop positions and locations where Israeli forces were reportedly hiding across multiple areas, which were subsequently struck. … Full article

Iran warns US-Israeli forces against hiding in civilian areas

Press TV – March 23, 2026

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has issued a direct warning to American and Israeli “terrorist military forces,” saying they are “under full monitoring” by the country’s operational intelligence units.

In a statement, Lieutenant-colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari specifically warned that hiding within civilian population centers, referencing an incident in a town in Arād, would not provide safety due to the comprehensive intelligence dominance of Iranian forces.

The statement declared that the strategic confusion within US Central Command (CENTCOM), the collapse of the multi-layered US-Israeli air defense network in West Asia, and disruptions to American weapons supply chains have altered the dynamics of the war in Iran’s favor.

He reiterated previous warnings that the US and the Israeli regime would find themselves mired in a “quagmire” should a regional or all-out war erupt.

The statement sharply criticized US and Israeli politicians, describing them as “malicious and child-killing” leaders who issue rhetoric from afar while using their own soldiers and the region’s Muslim populations as human shields for their failed policies.

Addressing American political leaders directly, particularly calling out “the imprudent US President Donald Trump,” the spokesperson warned they would be held accountable by the American people.

He emphasized that under their policies, US soldiers are being “massacred daily” in a war of their own making, slamming the US government for censoring war news and avoiding the publication of true casualty figures.

“If your criminal army discloses the real and timely statistics of the dead and wounded,” the spokesperson added, “the foundation of your cowardly army will collapse, soldiers will disobey their commanders, and you will face the firm opposition of your own people, who will not allow you to send their children to their deaths.” … Full article

Some US Troops Disappointed With Iran Operation, ‘Don’t Want to Die for Israel’ – Reports

Sputnik – 23.03.2026

Some US military personnel are disappointed with the military attack against Iran and say they “do not want to die for Israel,” the HuffPost website reported citing sources.

The publication, which interviewed military personnel, reservists, and human rights organizations advocating for military personnel, claims that some US military personnel involved in this conflict are complaining of vulnerability, severe stress, disappointment, and disillusionment, to the point that they are even considering leaving the military.

“I’m hearing out of service members’ mouths the words, ’We do not want to die for Israel — we don’t want to be political pawns,'” a reservist and mentor of young soldiers is quoted as saying in the article.

It is noted that another reservist, who maintains contact with the military involved in the conflict, also spoke to Huffpost about a similar trend.

The publication emphasized that discontent within the US military related to Washington’s operations in the Middle East, as well as problems with morale among service members, may make the campaign less likely to succeed.

The publication notes that reservists cite the lack of a clear, consistent narrative justifying a war against Iran as the main demoralizing factor.

On Friday, CBS News reported citing informed sources that the Pentagon had prepared detailed plans for the possible deployment of ground troops in Iran to provide the Trump administration with a full range of military scenarios amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Trump’s bombardment of fake news so far is working quite well. But where is it heading?

By Martin Jay | Strategic Culture Foundation | March 23, 2026

Trump’s latest move in Iran, to consider mobilizing a second larger tranche of troops, might be the act of a lunatic who genuinely believes there can be a positive outcome for America and Israel in the Iran War. What we may be witnessing is a new, more desperate, extreme strategy after he has come to terms that virtually all of the first strategy has ended in disastrous consequences. Certainly we can assess that he is considering such a move.

Yet despite all the hype from U.S. media, it is important to stress that Trump has not yet acted. He is looking at the possibility of a deployment of 8,000 troops with the view of taking Kharg Island in combination with an 800-mile stretch of the Iranian coastline, heavily fortified with troops and missiles aimed at both the choke point of the Straits of Hormuz and also beyond it.

Any military strategist will surmise that this idea is even more whacky than the initial plan, which, it has transpired, was carried out with no planning or assessment whatsoever.

The assumptions are simply preposterous. … continue

US Would Be Making Mistake If Sends Troops to Kharg Island – Former Official

Sputnik – 23.03.2026

The possible deployment of US troops to Kharg Island would be disastrous for the United States, as Iran would effectively be taking hostages, Joe Kent, former director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, believes.

Axios previously reported that US President Donald Trump is prepared to seize Iran’s Kharg Island to pressure Tehran into opening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

“I just think that would be a disaster,” Kent said in an interview with the Washington Post. “It would essentially be giving Iran a bunch of hostages on an island that they could barrage with drones and missiles.” … Full article

Trump ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’, lacks Iran war strategy: Ex-CIA chief

Press TV – March 23, 2026

A withering critique from longtime Washington insider and former top spy Leon Panetta has intensified scrutiny of US President Donald Trump’s handling of the war against Iran.

In an interview with the Guardian newspaper on Sunday, Panetta, who previously also served as the US defense secretary (now war secretary), warned that the United States finds itself ensnared in a rapidly deteriorating crisis with few viable paths forward.

He portrayed an administration led by Trump that has slipped into a precarious position after weeks of unprovoked and unjustified aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which began with the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on February 28.

He said Trump is “stuck between a rock and a hard place” and warned that his administration’s approach projects an image of weakness on the international stage. … continue

Iran to Mine Sea Lanes in Persian Gulf in Case of Attack – Defense Council

Sputnik – 23.03.2026

TEHRAN – Tehran will mine all sea lanes in the Persian Gulf in the event of an attack on the coast of the country or islands, the Iranian Defense Council said on Monday.

“We remind you that in the event of any attempt by the enemy to attack the coast or islands of Iran, all sea lanes in the Persian Gulf, as well as the coast, will be mined,” the council said in a statement, as quoted by the Fars news agency.

The passage through the Strait of Hormuz is possible only for countries that are not hostile to Iran, if this issue is coordinated with Tehran, the statement added.

The United States sees no alternative to conducting a ground military operation to capture Iran’s Kharg Island and is accelerating troop deployments to the region, Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported earlier, citing sources familiar with the matter.

On March 20, Axios reported that US President Donald Trump is prepared to seize Kharg Island to pressure Tehran into opening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

A US official told the newspaper that “the US military has accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and Navy personnel to the Middle East.”

On March 22, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that all options remained on the table and did not rule out the possibility of sending US troops to the Iranian island.

Barak blasts Netanyahu: ‘Stop lying – you can’t destroy Iran’s nuclear, missile capabilities’

Press TV – March 23, 2026

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak on Monday launched a blistering attack at the regime’s incumbent political and military leadership, slamming them for peddling “blatant” lies over the war against Iran and noting that the regime has no strategy to end the war.

In an interview with Channel 13, Barak, who also previously acted as the regime’s military chief and military affairs minister, delivered a stark assessment of the Israeli wars on Gaza, Lebanon and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“We cannot open the Strait of Hormuz, nor destroy Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, so don’t lie to us too much,” Barak said, directly challenging the regime’s claims regarding its capacity to confront the Islamic Republic. … continue

Trump backs down on Iran strikes; Tehran denies any talks

Al Mayadeen | March 23, 2026

US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has postponed military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, claiming that Washington and Tehran have held “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days toward resolving the war.

The announcement came hours before a deadline Trump had issued on Saturday, in which he threatened that Iranian power plants would be destroyed if Tehran failed to “fully open” the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping within 48 hours, prompting a swift and decisive warning by Tehran that power infrastructure feeding US bases and “Israel” in the region would be targeted.

After Trump’s statements, Iranian officials swiftly rejected claims of direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Iran State TV, citing the Foreign Ministry, reported: “There are no talks between Tehran and Washington.”

The Foreign Ministry further characterized Trump’s remarks as an attempt to manipulate global energy markets and buy time for his military plans.

“Yes, there are initiatives from some countries in the region to de-escalate tensions, and our response to all of them is clear: we are not the party that started this war, and all such requests should be directed to Washington.” … continue