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US-Israeli aggression on Iran intensifies, 40 killed in one strike

Al Mayadeen | March 9, 2026

The US-Israeli aggression against Iran continued on Monday, targeting the capital Tehran and several cities and provinces across the country as the war entered its tenth day.

Iranian media reported that strikes in Tehran hit residential buildings in the Meydan-e Resalat area, with preliminary reports indicating the martyrdom of 40 people, including several children.

Strikes near Mehrabad airport

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Tehran reported that a series of US and Israeli strikes targeted the vicinity of Mehrabad Airport, west of the capital.

Air defense systems were activated repeatedly over the city to intercept drones and hostile aerial targets, according to the correspondent.

The governor of Tehran confirmed that some attacks targeted residential areas and hospitals, stressing that despite the strikes, the capital remains stable.

Attacks across multiple provinces

Beyond Tehran, strikes also targeted several provinces and cities across Iran, including Alborz, Hamadan, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, and Nuristan.

Qeshm Island in the Gulf was also targeted in an American attack, according to reports.

Heavy civilian toll reported

The head of the Iranian Emergency Organization revealed that 190 of those martyred since the start of the war were under the age of 18, while 700 wounded were also minors, including 60 children under the age of five. … Full article

Graham threatens Saudi Arabia with ‘consequences’ over Iran missiles

Al Mayadeen | March 9, 2026

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham threatened Saudi Arabia with potential “consequences”, criticizing what he described as the Kingdom’s refusal to intercept Iranian missiles during recent attacks targeting Riyadh.

In a post on X, Graham questioned Washington’s security partnership with Saudi Arabia, saying the Kingdom had not used its military capabilities to confront Iran.

“Why should America do a defense agreement with a country like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is unwilling to join a fight of mutual interest?” Graham wrote, adding that “consequences will follow” if the situation does not change. … continue

Top official: Iran ready for a long war with US, no more diplomacy

Press TV – March 9, 2026

The head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations says the United States has proved that it does not know the language of diplomacy, and that Tehran is ready for a long war.

“I no longer see any room for diplomacy. Because [US President] Donald Trump deceives others and does not keep his promises, and we experienced this in two rounds of negotiations. While we were negotiating, they attacked us,” Kamal Kharrazi said in an interview with CNN.

However, he noted that the economic pressure could increase to the extent that other countries take action to guarantee the end of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

“The Persian Gulf Arab countries and other countries must put pressure on the United States to end the war,” Kharrazi stated.

Noting that this war has created a lot of economic pressure on others, in terms of inflation and energy shortages, he said: “If it continues, this pressure will increase, and thereby others will have no choice but to intervene.” … continue

Help! – Trump calls Putin 

RT | March 9, 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has told journalists. The American president initiated the call to discuss the latest international developments, he said.

The conversation focused on the Iran conflict and the trilateral talks between Moscow, Washington and Kiev aimed at settling the Ukraine conflict, according to the aide. The dialogue between the two presidents was “business-like, open and constructive,” Ushakov said, adding that both leaders expressed their readiness to continue regular contacts.

How Iran’s Toxic Rain Reveals US-Israel Discord

By Ekaterina Blinova – Sputnik – 09.03.2026

The main Israeli goal is to cause as much chaos as possible and draw the US even deeper into the war, security expert Dr Simon Tsipis tells Sputnik.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright accused Israel of bombing Iranian fuel depots, insisting the US targets no energy facilities.

Axios reports that the US was informed ahead of the Israeli attacks, but the huge scale of damage shocked Washington. The attack caused an environmental disaster with black acid rain in Tehran.

This situation reveals a divide between the allies, Tsipis said:

  • Israeli forces behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu want to trigger a full-scale war in the Persian Gulf
  • The US realizes it has been drawn into a project that has nothing to do with its own goals

“Israel has effectively set a trap for its long-time allies among American Christian evangelicals,” Tsipis says. “A strong opposition is growing within the US, openly declaring that the current course does not serve the nation’s interests.” … continue

Six-year-old killed by Ukrainian strike on Russian region – authorities

RT | March 9, 2026

Four civilians, including a six-year-old boy, were killed and twelve more injured in the latest Ukrainian airstrikes on Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), the region’s head, Denis Pushilin, said on Monday.

Moscow has repeatedly highlighted that Kiev is attacking civilians because it cannot halt Russian advances on the battlefield. Ukrainian officials claim that inflicting sufficient economic damage will force Russia to abandon its objectives in the four-year Ukraine conflict.

A family of four was killed and another young man was moderately injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in the town of Hornyak, Pushilin said in a post on Telegram. He added that two civilians were injured in a drone attack in the city of Volnovakha, while three were wounded in a cruise missile strike in Donetsk city. Six more civilians were injured across the region “as a result of Kiev’s aggression,” Pushkin stressed. … Full article

Blackmail and death threats, Zelensky embarrasses the EU, but there’s no condemnation

By Finian Cunningham | Strategic Culture Foundation | March 9, 2026

The money-laundering Kiev regime has gone from cutting off oil supply for EU member states to now issuing death threats to heads of state – and all that the regime’s patrons in Brussels can do is squirm with embarrassment.

The latest twist in the corrupt regime of Vladimir Zelensky is his death threat to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

That was then followed by the Hungarian authorities impounding an armed convoy transporting $100 million in cash and gold bullion from Austria over Hungary’s borders to Kiev – no doubt as part of the war mafia operating under Zelensky.

You couldn’t make this up. … continue

Israel threatens to kill Iran’s new leadership

RT | March 9, 2026

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has threatened to assassinate anyone who replaces the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran’s supreme leader.

Khamenei and several other senior Iranian officials were killed in the first wave of US‑Israeli airstrikes launched on February 28. After a week of deliberations, the Assembly of Experts, a body of clerics tasked with vetting and selecting the new supreme leader, announced on Monday that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, has been chosen to succeed him.

In a statement posted to the IDF’s Farsi account hours before the Assembly announced its decision, the Israeli army issued a warning to its members.

“The hand of the State of Israel will continue to pursue every successor and every person involved in his appointment,” the IDF said, adding that it “would not hesitate to target” the clerics attending the assembly’s meetings.

Last week, Israel struck the Assembly’s headquarters in Qom, but the attack failed to derail the selection of a new leader. Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, said Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment demonstrates that the US and Israel failed to use Ali Khamenei’s death to sow chaos in the country.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both cited regime change as one of their war goals.

Trump has demanded unconditional surrender and said the next supreme leader will not “last long” unless Iran bows to his demands. Iranian officials and the military have vowed to continue their resistance.

Trump Admits He Is Destroying Iran For Israel

The Dissident | March 9, 2026

In an interview with the Times of IsraelDonald Trump – in his usual fashion- said the quiet part out loud, and admitted that his goal is to destroy Iran on behalf of Israel.

He said, “Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything else around it… We’ve worked together. We’ve destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel.”

Trump has admitted that his real goal is to “destroy Iran”, the real motive behind the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure. … continue

Ending Iran War Will Be ‘Mutual’ Decision with Netanyahu — Trump

Sputnik – 09.03.2026

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said that the decision to end the operation against Iran would be made jointly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I think it’s mutual… a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,” Trump told the Times of Israel newspaper when asked whether he would be the sole decision-maker on ending the operation against Iran or whether Netanyahu would also have a say. … Full article

Iran ships 11-12mln crude barrels through Strait of Hormuz despite war

Al Mayadeen | March 9, 2026

Iran continues to ship large volumes of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the ongoing war and major disruptions to maritime traffic in the region, according to satellite monitoring data.

TankerTrackers.com, a firm that analyzes satellite imagery to track vessel movements, said at least 11 to 12 million barrels of Iranian oil have passed through the strategic waterway since the war began on February 28.

Samir Madani, the company’s co-founder, noted that the actual volume is likely higher, as delays in satellite feeds caused by the war make it difficult to track all tanker activity. … Full article

Iran’s latest move in the GCC countries was a stroke of genius

By Martin Jay | Strategic Culture Foundation | March 9, 2026

After just a week into Donald Trump’s war, there is very little to report which should or could please the U.S. president. Much of America’s infrastructure in the Middle East has been destroyed with U.S. soldiers now housed by hotels in GCC countries as there is nothing left of their bases. The stocks that these countries have as part of their air defence systems is almost depleted as military chiefs argue about how quickly they can be replaced (some THAAD and Patriot systems are being shipped from Japan and South Korea) and Iran is hitting Israel harder and harder each day.

Of course, due to the new draconian rules which Israel has imposed — that no military strikes that Iran succeeds in carrying out can be ‘reported’ on by journalists or even citizens who wish to post it on social media — as well as the comically corrupt, partisan way U.S. news outlets are covering the war, very little bad news gets seen by the public, if any.

Under this set up, it is hardly surprising that Trump went to war, given that he must have factored in a great deal of support from U.S. media, whom he claims to despise. In this regard, we can conclude that media itself is complicit in war crimes, given that it has played a huge role in the decision to go to war and also the day to day reporting of events on the ground.

A good example of the few points of the war which are reported, but done in such a distorted way, is the news that Iran has stopped its bombing of GCC Gulf states. … continue

Possible Scenarios for the Middle East

By Yuriy Zinin – New Eastern Outlook – March 9, 2026

The US and Israeli aggression against Iran has pushed the Middle East to the verge of exploding. It has ignited regional media discourse, which presents various assessments of the situation and its consequences.

According to a major regional portal, Middle East Online, these assessments can be divided into two categories. One group tends to support the idea of Israel’s overwhelming superiority and its control over the region’s key institutions. They also believe the predictions of the Lebanese astrologer Layla Abdel Latif. The other group offers alternative scenarios, including those pointing to an Iranian victory and the collapse of the Trump-Netanyahu alliance. … continue

The Horizon of the War. “Italy is being Dragged Into the War against Iran”

By Manlio Dinucci | Global Research | March 9, 2026

Contrary to what the Italian Government says, the United States does not need authorisation from the Italian Government or Italian Parliament regarding the use of its bases in Italy.

In fact, it has complete freedom to use them as it wishes.

By using Sigonella as an intelligence centre for the war against Iran, the United States is protecting itself, but is also dragging Italy into the war and exposing it to the risk of being targeted. … continue

A Second Vietnam War? Hanoi Waits and Prepares

By José Niño | The Libertarian Institute | March 9, 2026

On the surface, everything between Vietnam and the United States looked better than it ever had. In September 2023, President Joe Biden and General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, elevating relations to their highest diplomatic tier. American officials toasted prosperity. Vietnamese leaders smiled for cameras. The messaging suggested a new chapter in a relationship once defined by napalm and body counts.

Then, in early February 2026, a very different story emerged from behind the curtain. The 88 Project, a U.S.-based human rights organization focused on Vietnam, exposed a classified internal military document that shattered the diplomatic facade. The revelation was subsequently covered by AP NewsThe Diplomat, and Le Monde. Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

The document bore the formal designation 357/KH-BTL and carried the title “The 2nd U.S. Invasion Plan.” Signed by Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem and certified by Rear Admiral Vu Van Nam, it was issued by Vietnam’s Navy Command in August 2024, months before Donald Trump returned to office for his second term. Its contents painted a picture of a government that publicly embraced Washington while privately treating it as the gravest threat to its survival.

Vietnamese military planners described the United States in the document as a “belligerent” superpower with a pattern of “creating a pretext” to launch wars against nations that “deviate from its orbit.” The plan acknowledged that the present risk of armed conflict remained low, yet insisted that America’s aggressive nature demanded constant vigilance.

The operational scenarios imagined within the plan read like something from a Cold War thriller. Vietnamese planners envisioned a full-scale American assault involving two to three aircraft carrier strike groups, three to four Marine brigades, and amphibious landings along the country’s vast coastline. In the most alarming passage, the document speculated that if conventional methods failed, the United States “may use biochemical and tactical nuclear weapons.”

Vietnamese analysts traced what they saw as an escalating pattern across three administrations. They pointed to President Barack Obama’s pivot to Asia, Trump’s first term (described as inciting an arms race), and Biden’s institutionalization of the Indo-Pacific Strategy. All of it, according to Le Monde, was portrayed as Washington forging a united front against China. … continue

X Users Find Their Real Names Are Being Googled in Israel After Using X Verification Software “Au10tix”

By Alan Macleod | MintPress News | March 5, 2026

Awide range of anonymous X (Twitter) users have reported that their real names are suddenly being Googled in Israel shortly after they began criticizing the country for its actions in Palestine. Some connected the phenomenon to Au10tix, the software X requires users (even anonymous ones) to use in order to verify their real identities.

Au10tix is an Israeli company founded and staffed by former Israeli spies from the elite Israeli military intelligence group Unit 8200. MintPress News investigates this disturbing phenomenon. … continue

Israeli Colonizers, Soldiers, Kill Three Palestinians Near Ramallah

IMEMC | March 8, 2026

A group of illegal Israeli colonizers killed two Palestinian men and injured others on Sunday before dawn, after storming the village of Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah in the central part of the occupied West Bank. A third man died after suffering the toxic effects of tear gas inhalation, when at least five others sustained injuries.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the slain men as Thaer Farouq Hamayel, 24, and Fares Jawdat Hamayel, 57, adding that the men were killed after Israeli settlers shot them both in the head with live ammunition after infiltrating Abu Falah village.

The Health Ministry said Israeli soldiers invaded the village and fired numerous live rounds, gas bombs, and concussion grenades, leading to the death of Mohammad Hussein Morra, 55, who suffered a heart attack brought on by the severe effects of tear‑gas inhalation. … Full article

Escalating Colonizer Violence Forces Yarza Families Out

IMEMC | March 8, 2026

Eleven Palestinian families from the Khirbet Yarza area, east of Tubas in the northern Jordan Valley, dismantled their homes and tents on Sunday and began leaving the community after a sharp escalation in attacks by illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers.

Mutaz Bisharat, a Palestinian official responsible for the Jordan Valley file in the Tubas Governorate, said the families took down their structures early Sunday morning and prepared to depart after colonizer assaults reached what he described as “dangerous and intolerable levels.”

Bisharat added that the families had endured weeks of harassment, threats, and repeated attacks targeting their homes, livestock, and grazing areas.

Over recent months, the Tubas district and the northern Jordan Valley have witnessed a surge in colonizer violence aimed at pressuring Palestinian herding communities to abandon their land.

Numerous families from pastoral communities surrounding Tubas have already been forced to leave following sustained attacks. … Full article

Gaza: Three Killed in Strike as Another Dies of Wounds

IMEMC | March 8, 2026

Israeli occupation forces carried out new attacks across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing three Palestinians in a strike west of Gaza City, while a fourth Palestinian died of wounds sustained earlier in the northern part of the Strip. The escalation comes despite the declared “ceasefire,” which continues to be violated through repeated Israeli strikes, gunfire, and restrictions on humanitarian access.

Medical sources confirmed that three Palestinians were killed when an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of civilians in the Al‑Katiba area west of Gaza City.

Several others were injured in the attack, which struck a location frequently used by displaced families and residents seeking basic services.

Emergency teams transported the victims to nearby hospitals, where medical units remain overwhelmed by shortages of staff, fuel, and essential supplies.

In northern Gaza, a young man from Beit Lahia died of wounds sustained earlier after Israeli soldiers shot him during a previous incursion. … Full article

IOF commit several massacres in South Lebanon; entire family wiped out

Al Mayadeen | March 8, 2026

Several Lebanese civilians have been killed and others were injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple towns in South Lebanon, coinciding with early-morning attacks on the Southern Suburb of Beirut.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported that at least 20 people, most of them women and children, were killed when Israeli aircraft struck a three-story residential building in the town of Seer al-Gharbiya in the Nabatieh district. The attack reportedly wiped out an entire family.

Israeli warplanes also carried out raids on the towns of Rcheif, Srebbine, and Shaukine, all located in Nabatieh. In addition, eight members of a single family were killed in an airstrike on a residential building in the town of Tefahata in the Saida district. Another Israeli strike targeted the town of al-Ghazieh, also in Saida, killing one person and wounding several others.

In the Tyre district, the Lebanese National News Agency reported three fatalities and multiple injuries after an airstrike hit a home in Aytit, while early this morning, a hostile drone targeted a café in Jbal al-Butum, killing three and injuring one.

Four killed in Qana strike on residential building

Israeli warplanes also struck a residential building in Qana, killing four people and injuring several others. The wounded were transported to hospitals in Tyre by ambulances from the Islamic Risala Scout Association. Al Mayadeen’s correspondents also reported casualties in al-Sha’itiya in southern Lebanon following Israeli air attacks.

The National News Agency confirmed that the recent Israeli airstrikes caused significant damage to government offices in Tebnine. Our correspondents in the south further reported strikes on the city of al-Khiam, as well as the town of Kawnin.

Earlier today, the Israeli military carried out a series of four airstrikes against the Southern Suburb of Beirut. … Full article

Nine health workers killed as Israeli strikes hit hospitals in Lebanon

Al Mayadeen | March 8, 2026

Lebanon’s health minister said Israeli airstrikes have hit multiple civilian and medical facilities across the country, killing at least nine healthcare workers and damaging several hospitals.

The minister said Israeli occupation forces carried out “mobile massacres” in several areas, including the capital Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and parts of southern Lebanon. He accused “Israel” of targeting civilian locations in multiple strikes.

According to the health ministry, Israeli warplanes targeted health centers and ambulances during the attacks, raising concerns about the safety of medical facilities and emergency responders operating in the affected areas.

The ministry said at least nine members of the health sector have been killed since the latest Israeli aggression began. Several hospitals were also damaged in the strikes, with three medical facilities reportedly forced out of service due to the damage. … Full article

How An Atrocity Propaganda Campaign Led To The U.S. And Israel Committing Real Atrocities In Iran

The Dissident | March 8, 2026

In their war on Iran, the U.S. and Israel have already committed an endless slew of atrocities against Iranian civilians.

The Iranian Red Crescent has documented that the U.S. and Israel have targeted “9,669 civilian structures, including 7,943 residential homes and 1,617 commercial buildings” along with “several medical and educational facilities”.

Along with this, the U.S. and Israel have so far killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians.

The U.S. and Israel have not hidden the fact that they are slaughtering civilians in Iran.

Benjamin Netanyahu, at the site of an Iranian missile attack, said , “Remember what Amalek did to you. We remember, and we act” in reference to the Hebrew bible verse, “go and destroy Amalek. Destroy all they have, and do not let them live. Kill both man and woman, child and baby.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, “the only ones that need to be worried right now are Iranians that think they’re gonna live” and boasted about unleashing “Death and destruction from the sky all day long”, on Iran.

This war of “Death and destruction” on Iranian civilians and civilian infrastructure, with the goal of destroying Iran as a nation, was only made possible thanks to an atrocity propaganda campaign, designed to portray this criminal war as an act of protecting Iranians from atrocities. … continue

UAE denies Israeli media reports about attacking water desalination facility in Iran

MEMO | March 8, 2026

The United Arab Emirates on Sunday denied Israeli media reports claiming that the Gulf nation had attacked a water desalination facility in Iran, Anadolu reports.

“This is fake news. When we do something, we have the courage to announce it,” Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the defense, interior and foreign affairs committee at the Federal National Council (FNC), said on the US social media company X.

Israeli Channel 15, citing unnamed Israeli sources, earlier claimed that the UAE had attacked a water desalination plant in Iran.

The claim was widely circulated by Hebrew-language media outlets, including the public broadcaster KAN.

KAN claimed that Israeli officials confirmed the UAE had carried out its first attack on Iranian targets since the conflict erupted last week. … Full article

Calls for the reconfiguration of military arrangements in the Gulf region

By Thembisa Fakude | MEMO | March 8, 2026

The former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani called for the formation of a strategic defence alliance bringing together Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan. Al Thani has described it as an “urgent need” in light of developments and changing regional and international dynamics. He made this call weeks before the attack on Iran by Israel and the US on 28th February 2026. It is not the first time Israel attacked Iran whilst in negotiations.

In June 2025 Israel attacked Iran whilst it was it was negotiating its nuclear program with the US. Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones targeting Israeli cities and the US military base in Al Udeid in Doha, Qatar. Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Gulf region. In September 2025 Hamas leadership was attacked in Qatar by Israel whilst meeting to consider a ceasefire proposal from the US on the war on Gaza.

Qatar has spent billions of US dollars on US’s weapons and military hardware including a huge investment at the Al Udeid military base. It is estimated that Qatar has spent over 19 billion USD over time in Al Udeid. Notwithstanding, Qatar has remained vulnerable from external military attacks and its sovereignty has been compromised over the past months. … continue

Araghchi says Iran rejects calls for ceasefire, seeks ‘permanent end’ to war

Press TV – March 8, 2026

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran will reject any call for a ceasefire in the ongoing war with the United States and Israel, insisting that there must be a permanent end to the aggression.

In an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Araghchi said that Iran will continue to fight because Israel and the US had already shattered a ceasefire reached to end the 12-day war in June last year.

“And now you want to ask for a ceasefire again? This doesn’t work like this… There needs to be a permanent end to the war,” Araghchi said.

“Unless we get to that, I think we need to continue fighting for the sake of our people and our security,” he said.

The comments came in response to NBC moderator Kristin Welker’s question about whether Iran would be ready to end the war and return to the negotiating table with the US.

It also came two days after US President Donald Trump said that the only way to end the war would be for Iran to announce “unconditional surrender.”

Araghchi said that Trump had made similar demands in the previous war with Iran, as he insisted that such conditions would never work.

He said that Iran will never surrender and will continue to fight as long as necessary.

Responding to a question about alleged Russian intelligence assistance to Iran in the war, the Iranian foreign minister would not confirm whether Tehran was receiving such intelligence to locate US military assets in the region.

“They are helping us in many different directions. I don’t have any detailed information,” he said, adding that “cooperation between Iran and Russia is not something new, it’s not a secret.” … Full article

Oil prices could hit $150 if Hormuz remains blocked: Goldman Sachs

Al Mayadeen | March 8, 2026

Global oil prices could surpass $100 per barrel within days and potentially reach $150 by the end of the month if the severe disruption to crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz continues, according to a warning from Goldman Sachs.

The investment bank said the disruption to oil shipments through the critical trade route linking major oil producers to global markets has been greater than initially expected following the US-Israeli attack on Iran slightly over a week ago.

Economic impact gravely underestimated

Goldman Sachs had previously estimated that oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz could fall to 15% of normal levels. However, new data suggest that the impact is even more severe.

According to the bank, only 10% of the oil cargoes that typically transit the strait are currently able to pass, due to Iran’s effective blockade of tankers moving through the narrow waterway as a response to the aggression on its people and territory.

“Based on these new data, developments and the size of the shock, we now think that oil prices would likely exceed $100 next week if no signs of solutions emerge by then,” the bank said in a note released Friday.

Supply shock exceeds previous disruptions

Goldman Sachs noted that the scale of the disruption is significantly larger than previous supply shocks. Its analysis suggests that the impact is 17 times greater than the peak disruption to Russian production in April 2022, following the launch of Moscow’s operation in Ukraine, which pushed oil prices to about $110 per barrel. … Full article

Media May Keep Quiet on Gulf Crisis to Avoid Economic Destabilization – Ecologist

Sputnik – 08.03.2026

The ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf creates a clear risk of environmental disaster due to oil spills, ecologist Artyom Akshintsev tells Sputnik.

The Gulf War of 1991 – when up to 8 million barrels of oil ended up pouring into the sea – is a textbook example of what damage a massive oil spill could cause, he explains.

“The effect on the ecosystem was catastrophic: fish, shellfish and crabs were dying, sea flora was degraded,” Akshintsev says. “Over 30,000 birds perished on land; on some beaches, there was an oil film up to 13 centimeters thick, while the total length of polluted beaches measured in hundreds, even in thousands of kilometers.”

The cleanup effort back then cost about $13 billion, but much of the spilled oil was never collected.

The fact that the Persian Gulf is relatively shallow, small and has little water exchange with the open sea further complicates matters, the ecologist notes: the diffusion rate of pollutants is low while oil can end up accumulating in the sediment and remain there for a long time.

Attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz create serious risks for Gulf states such as Iran, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Oman, Akshintsev observes.

Many of these countries, he points out, depend on drinking water produced through desalination, and their desalination plants are not designed to purify water polluted by oil. … Full article

Strategic and Economic Impacts of the Iran War

By Abbas Hashemite – New Eastern Outlook – March 8, 2026

… The US-Israeli military campaign against Iran has a profound economic fallout on the whole world, especially the GCC region. The GCC countries are highly dependent on food and agricultural imports for their survival. They import 85% of their food, including meat and vegetables, due to an arid climate, limited arable land, and water scarcity, making them vulnerable to supply chain shocks. Iran is a key supplier of food and agricultural products to the GCC. Between March 2024 and February 2025, Iran’s exports of food and agricultural products to Gulf Cooperation Council countries reached an estimated $7.6 billion. Due to the ongoing tensions, these food and agricultural supplies to the Gulf States could be disrupted by Iran. … Full article

Iran destroys four advanced US THAAD radars, downs Israeli drone

Press TV – March 8, 2026

The Iranian armed forces have destroyed four advanced American radar systems during reprisal attacks targeting the United States’ anti-missile defense infrastructure in the region.

In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Zolfaghari said the highly advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar units equipped with long-range detection capabilities were struck and destroyed within the past 24 hours. He said the radars were based in al-Rubah, al-Ruwais, al-Kharj, and Azraq.

The spokesperson added that the radar systems were providing real-time intelligence to the missile defense network jointly operated by the United States and Israel.

“As a result of the severe damage inflicted on the enemy’s early warning network, air-raid sirens in the occupied territories now sound only at the moment missiles strike,” the statement said.

In a separate announcement, the public relations office of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said its air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed an advanced Israeli drone over western Iran.

According to the statement, the unmanned aircraft was identified as a Hermes 900 and was tracked by advanced air defense systems operating under the country’s integrated air defense network before being shot down. … Full article

Ukraine Can’t Help US Beat Iranian Drones – Military Analyst

Sputnik – 08.03.2026

Speculations about some kind of a deal involving Ukraine supplying anti-drone tech to the US are laughable because Ukraine simply doesn’t have anything the US might need, military analyst Ivan Konovalov tells Sputnik.

Claims that Ukraine might send its personnel to the Middle East to help the US combat Iranian drones also do not hold water.

“All these words are not backed by reality. It’s just mutual lies and attempts to save face amid the changing geopolitical situation,” Konovalov remarks.

Meanwhile, the US displays an inability to adapt to the challenges posed by Iran, which comes as an unwelcome surprise to Washington, he points out.

“The US now has to reassess its position and to give up the illusion of being the exceptional ‘city on a hill’,” says Konovalov. “The US was taught this lesson previously in Vietnam, and now history repeats itself.”

US Intelligence Community is Covering its Ass… What is Really Going On with the US War on Iran?

By Larry C. Johnson – SONAR21 – March 8, 2026

Let’s start with the big news from a US Intelligence Community leak to the Washington Postcontinue

Step into My Parlor

By William Schryver | March 7, 2026

The dominant narrative in relation to the Iran War is that the United States and Israel are mercilessly mauling the Iranians, and are on the verge of administering the coup de grâce, after which Iran will obeisantly submit to unconditional surrender, and bathe Emperor Trump’s feet with their penitent tears.

At least that’s the Hollywood version of the tale.

Here in the real world, American stockpiles of long-range stand-off strike munitions (Tomahawk: ~900 nautical miles; JASSM: ~600 nautical miles) have reached a critical stage. … continue

The Trump Administration is Lying About American Casualties in the Persian Gulf Region

By Larry C. Johnson | Ron Paul Institute | March 7, 2026

… It is not a stretch to conclude that Iran’s attacks on the US bases in the Persian Gulf produced more than a few casualties. DOD/DOW is working hard to keep this information from the public. … Read full article

Civilian infrastructure in the crosshairs of US-Israeli aggression on Iran

By Humaira Ahad – Press TV – March 8, 2026

… The following is a list of civilian sites compiled by the Iranian foreign ministry, documenting sites and locations struck by the United States and Israel in the war against Iran.

Residential areas

  • Residential areas near Niloufar Square, more than 20 civilians reportedly killed.
  • Residential homes around Sepah Square.
  • Residential areas in Maragheh, more than 27 civilians reportedly killed.
  • A densely populated residential complex in Sanandaj.
  • Residential homes in Narmak.
  • Residential homes along Iraqi Street in Tehran.
  • Residential buildings along Marzdaran Boulevard.
  • Damage to residential buildings near Mir-Damad Boulevard.
  • Residential areas across Fars Province, 35 civilians were reportedly killed.

Hospitals and medical facilities

  • Gandhi Hospital
  • Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital
  • Motahari Hospital
  • Vali-e Asr Hospital
  • Tehran Trauma and Burn Center
  • Shahid Rajaei Heart Center
  • Ameneh Neonatal Care Center
  • Abuzar Hospital
  • Baqaei Hospital
  • Hazrat Abolfazl Hospital
  • A medical emergency center in Tehran
  • Emergency medical bases in Chabahar, Sarab, and Hamadan

Schools and children’s facilities

  • Shahid Mahallati Elementary School
  • Hedayat School
  • A kindergarten in Narmak
  • A children’s park in Tehran
  • A sports hall in Lamerd, Fars Province, where 18 children and teenagers were killed

Markets, humanitarian and other civilian sites

  • Grand Bazaar of Tehran
  • Baharestan Square Market
  • Buildings around the Iranian Red Crescent Society in Tehran
  • Headquarters of the State Welfare Organization of Iran in Tehran
  • Historic areas around the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace
  • Arg Square
  • Two diplomatic police headquarters in Tehran
  • Equestrian facility near Tabriz

The expanding list of US-Israeli strikes on civilian sites across Iran has drawn comparisons to the devastation witnessed in Gaza over the past two years and more, where attacks on civilian infrastructure have been widely documented

During its two-year campaign in the Gaza Strip, Israeli strikes repeatedly hit hospitals, schools, markets, shelters, and densely populated residential neighborhoods, drawing global scrutiny over the systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure.

The scale of destruction has been staggering – roughly 78 percent of Gaza’s total infrastructure has been destroyed, including 92 percent of the housing stock, 84 percent of health facilities, and 95 percent of educational facilities. … Full article

Children make up 30% of fatalities of ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran: Health Ministry

Press TV – March 8, 2026

The Iranian Health Ministry says children and minors make up at least one-third of the fatalities in the first week of the ongoing US-Israeli war of aggression against the country.

The ministry said in a statement on Sunday that 198 women have been martyred and 1,099 others wounded, forming the largest group of those affected.

The statistics show that among the 198 women killed, a total of 190 were younger than 18 years old, and six were below the age of 5.

Additionally, the youngest victim of all was an eight-month-old girl, and the eldest one was an 88-year-old man.

Among those injured, there were 1,044 women, of whom 584 were minors, and 54 people were below the age of five. … Full article

Openly Pro-Israel Tech Group Now Has Control over UK’s Most Sensitive National Security Data

By Alan Macleod | MintPress News | February 7, 2023

This is the story of how a multibillionaire who has dedicated his life to advancing the cause of the Israeli national security state is now in control of Great Britain’s most sensitive public and military data. … continue

New York Bill Would Force Age ID Checks at the Device Level

Cindy Harper | Reclaim The Net | March 6, 2026

New York just proposed the most invasive state-level age verification bill the US has seen. Senate Bill S08102 would extend age verification requirements down to the device itself: internet-connected devices, operating system providers, and app stores would all be required to implement what the bill calls “age assurance” before users can access their own hardware and software ecosystems.

This is more than a social media platform asking for your birthdate. It’s your phone, your laptop, your operating system demanding proof of who you are before letting you use them normally.

The bill defines “age assurance” as “any method that can reasonably determine the age category of a user, using methods that reasonably prevent against circumvention.”

That deliberately broad language hands significant power to New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office will write the specific compliance rules under Section 1545.

The methods she’s already floated for the existing SAFE for Kids Act give a clear picture of where this is heading: biometric assessment and government-issued ID verification. … Full article

Colonizers Kill a Palestinian, Critically Injure His Brother in Masafer Yatta

IMEMC – March 7, 2026

Illegal Israeli colonizers killed a Palestinian young man and critically injured his brother on Saturday, during an attack in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank.

Osama Makhamra, a local anti-settlement activist told the WAFA News Agency that Israeli settlers shot two brothers with live rounds while they were near their home in Khirbet Wadi al-Rakheem in Masafer Yatta.

Medical sources identified the slain young man as 28-year-old Amir Mohammad Shanaran, adding that his brother Khaled Muhammad Shanaran,33, sustained critical gunshot wounds.

Sources reported that armed colonizers from the illegal “Susya” settlement, built on expropriated Palestinian lands, opened fire towards civilians, resulting in the death of Amir Muhammad Shanaran and the life-threatening injuries of his brother.

Media sources reported that several of the brothers’ family members sustained injuries in addition to others when they attempted to confront the attacking settlers.

The settlers assaulted the young mens’ father who sustained head injuries and bruises, their aunt sustained a fractured leg, and their uncle and two cousins also sustained bruises after settlers beat them. … Full article

Colonizers Attack Bedouin Community, Kill Livestock

IMEMC – March 7, 2026

Illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers attacked the Ma’azi Jaba’ Bedouin community north‑east of occupied Jerusalem on Saturday, assaulting residents and destroying property in yet another escalation targeting vulnerable Palestinian communities in the Jerusalem periphery.

The Jerusalem Governorate said colonizers stormed the community, vandalized residents’ belongings, and killed several heads of livestock belonging to local families.

The attack caused widespread fear among the roughly 200 residents of the community, which includes about 40 families and nearly 70 children under the age of eighteen… Full article

Israeli Strikes Kill Man, Injure Daughter in Gaza

IMEMC – March 7, 2026

Israeli occupation forces carried out a new series of airstrikes and artillery and naval bombardments across the Gaza Strip at dawn on Saturday, killing a Palestinian man and critically injuring his young daughter, in yet another violation of the ceasefire that has been in place since October 11 of last year.

Medical sources confirmed that Ahmad Mohammad al‑Qudra was killed early Saturday when Israeli forces bombed a home in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

The sources added that Ahmad’s daughter sustained life‑threatening injuries in the same attack.

In addition, the Israeli army continued demolishing and detonating homes and buildings across areas east of Khan Younis.

Throughout the morning, Israeli warplanes struck several locations east of the at‑Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City, while naval forces opened heavy machine‑gun fire and launched shells toward the Gaza coastline.

Residents in the northwestern areas of the Strip reported intermittent artillery shelling that continued for hours. … Full article

Israeli aggressions hit UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon

Al Mayadeen | March 7, 2026

Israeli forces targeted a UN peacekeeping center operated by UNIFIL in Al-Qouzah, southern Lebanon, according to a correspondent for Al Mayadeen.

The attacks come amid ongoing Israeli operations across Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that 123 people have been martyred and 683 others wounded as a result of the broader aggression.

This latest strike follows previous attacks on UNIFIL positions despite a ceasefire agreement reached on November 27, 2024.

Aggressions on Lebanon and border clashes

Renewed aggression on Lebanon occurred after the Lebanese Resistance group Hezbollah launched a missile salvo alongside a swarm of drones at the Mishmar HaCarmel air defense site south of Haifa during the midnight hours of March 2.

Hezbollah stated that the strike was in retaliation for the nonstop aggressions against the Lebanese people over the past 15 months and the killing of Iran’s leader, Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

Since the renewed Israeli aggressions began on Lebanon, the Israeli army sent an evacuation notice for the entirety of the region south of the Litani River, with suspected intentions of turning the southern Lebanese land into a buffer zone.

However, Lebanese resistance fighters remain firm in southern Lebanon near the border to prevent the invading force’s capabilities to occupy more territory. … Full article

Hezbollah Foils Israeli Landing in Lebanon’s Bekaa

Al-Manar | March 7, 2026

Hezbollah foiled an Israeli landing in the town of Nabi Sheet in the eastern Lebanese region of Bekaa before dawn overnight on Friday-Saturday.

Hezbollah’s Military Media said Islamic Resistance fighters observed four Israeli enemy helicopters infiltrating from the Syrian direction and landing an Israeli infantry force at the mountainous triangle linking the towns of Yahfoufa, Khraibeh, and Maaraboun.

“The enemy unit then advanced toward the eastern neighborhood of Nabi Sheet, (Al-Shukr). At 11:30 AM, upon reaching the cemetery area, the Israeli force was engaged by a group of resistance fighters using light and medium weapons, triggering a fierce clash after the infiltrating force was exposed,” the Military Media’s first statement for Saturday read.

As the confrontation intensified, the Israeli enemy unleashed heavy firepower, launching around forty airstrikes by warplanes and helicopters, to cover the withdrawal of its troops from the engagement zone, according to the statement. … continue

Iraqi Resistance: Attacks on Beirut suburbs threaten US interests

Al Mayadeen | March 7, 2026

The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee affirmed that recent years have demonstrated that the entire region is governed by one equation: “Either security for all, or security for none.”

Addressing the ongoing aggression against Lebanon, the Iraqi resistance stressed that the security and stability of the southern suburbs of Beirut and their residents form an integral part of the regional security equation. It added that any escalation there would have repercussions for the vital interests of the US in the region.

The committee warned that any attack on the security of the densely populated civilian suburb would inevitably be met with threats to the security of embassies belonging to the aggressor countries, whether in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, or Lebanon.

It further stated that undermining the security of the Beirut suburbs would also directly affect the security of major American oil companies operating in the Arabian Peninsula, stressing that “a warning has been given.”

‘Israel’ issues massive displacement threat to Beirut Southern Suburb

The Israeli occupation, in an unprecedented move, issued a massive displacement threat on Thursday against entire neighborhoods in Beirut’s Southern Suburb. Previously issuing displacement warnings against specific buildings, the Israeli occupation has discarded this strategy and now threatens thousands of homes, businesses, medical facilities, schools, and civilians with bombardment. … continue

US approves $151.8M weapons sale to Israel, waiving congressional review

MEMO | March 7, 2026

The Trump administration approved a possible $151.8 million weapons sale to Israel on Friday, invoking “emergency” authority to waive the congressional review requirements as Washington and Israel continue to attack Iran, Anadolu reports.

According to a statement from the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, the proposed sale includes 12,000 BLU-110A/B general purpose, 1,000-pound bomb bodies, along with engineering, logistics and technical support services. … continue

“Burnt Bridges”: Why Trump’s Plan to Use Kurds Against Iran Is Doomed to Fail

By Mohammed ibn Faisal al-Rashid – New Eastern Outlook – March 7, 2026

Following a series of devastating U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Tehran is engulfed in uncertainty. However, the White House, facing the prospect of a ground operation in mountainous terrain, is betting on an old, tested, but extremely risky tool—Kurdish forces. The Donald Trump administration views the Kurds as ideal “cannon fodder” to ignite a civil war in Iran. But will this plan work? Given Trump’s history of betrayals, deceit, and cynical pragmatism, the attempt to play the Kurdish card might not only fail but could also backfire on the United States itself. … continue

Israeli army admits failure to intercept Iranian missile barrages: Report

Press TV – March 7, 2026

The Israeli military has admitted that US-built Israeli radar systems have been largely unable to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. According to a report published by the Israeli Haaretz newspaper, Israeli military units have confessed to their failure to intercept and shoot down Iranian missiles headed for the occupied territories. […]

The revelations come as Israeli media outlets have frequently pointed to the inefficiency of Iron Dome missile systems to confront the volume and velocity of Iranian missiles.

Israeli military experts have warned that the latest generation of Iranian missiles enjoys higher speed, can cruise complicated routes and have very low radar recognition features, which make it a serious challenge for Israeli air defense systems to detect and bring them down. – Full article

Operation True Promise 4 – Wave 27: Haifa refinery hit

Al Mayadeen | March 7, 2026

The Public Relations Office of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps announced that the Haifa Oil Refinery was struck by Kheibar Shekan missile systems, stating that the attack came in response to the US-Israeli strike on the Tehran Oil Refinery.

The statement added that the 27th wave of Operation True Promise 4 was successfully carried out through a joint operation using drones and missiles against US and Israeli targets. […]

According to the statement, the naval force of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps shelled the command unit of unmanned vessels (Shahbad) belonging to the United States Fifth Fleet, in addition to US military support warehouses in Bandar Salman.

The IRGC said its field monitoring indicates that “Israel” is attempting to use residents in northern and central areas of the occupied Palestinian territories as human shields to protect its military forces. … Full article

Maybe Attacking Iran Was Not Such A Good Idea

By Philip Giraldi • Unz Review • March 7, 2026

The completely unprovoked attack on Iran initiated by the United States and Israel has, after a little more than a week of military action, opened a new depth of geopolitical insanity. As suspected, the attack was all about protecting Israel while also minimizing the damage to US military, intelligence and diplomatic facilities in the Persian Gulf region. In that it has been less than a great success in that there has been reportedly considerable damage done by Iranian missiles and drones in both the Jewish State and at American bases. Iran has also suffered substantially and the US bomb that killed 165 schoolgirls continues to fuel huge demonstrations and rage that is feeding a willingness to resist the United States among the Shia communities both inside Iran and in adjacent states and regions, expanding the conflict. … continue

Iran downs 13 advanced drones in 24 hours, military says

Al Mayadeen | March 7, 2026

The spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, said that 13 advanced drones were destroyed in the past 24 hours during Operation True Promise 4.

The drones reportedly included MQ-9 Reaper, Hermes, and Orbiter models.

The interceptions took place across several regions, including the northwest, west, and south of Iran, as well as Isfahan, Kerman, and the capital, Tehran.

The operations were carried out by missile and artillery systems operated by the Iranian Army and IRGC under the country’s joint air defense command. … Full article

UK readies deployment of Prince of Wales carrier amid war on Iran

Al Mayadeen | March 7, 2026

The United Kingdom is reportedly preparing one of its naval assets for possible deployment to West Asia as Western military pressure on Iran continues to grow following the US-Israeli assault on the country.

According to media reports, the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is being placed on higher readiness, with its preparation time reduced so that it can be deployed more quickly if ordered by the British government. Crew members have reportedly been warned that the vessel could be sent to the region amid the escalating confrontation triggered by the US and Israeli strikes on Iran. … continue

Iran Red Crescent says 6,668 civilian sites targeted in US-Israeli attacks

MEMO | March 7, 2026

The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that 6,668 civilian locations have been targeted in attacks carried out by the US and Israel, including thousands of homes and dozens of public service facilities, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, the Iranian aid organization said that the attacks by the US and Israel struck a wide range of civilian infrastructure across the country.

According to the statement, 5,535 residential buildings, 1,041 commercial units, 14 health centers, 65 schools, and 13 facilities affiliated with the Red Crescent were among the locations hit.

The organization also reported that numerous aid and rescue vehicles were damaged during the attacks, while several relief workers and Red Crescent staff members were injured.

The statement emphasized that the attacks by the US and Israel targeting civilians violate the Geneva Conventions.

“International institutions, humanitarian aid organizations, and human rights defenders are expected to take urgent and effective measures to protect civilian lives, ensure the safety of aid workers, and guarantee respect for the rules of international humanitarian law,” it added.

195 students, teachers killed in US-Israeli strikes, 68 schools seriously damaged

Press TV – March 7, 2026

At least 195 students and teachers have been killed in US-Israeli terrorist strikes across Iran, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Education.

Hossein Sadeghi, head of the Information and Public Relations Center of the Ministry of Education, said on Saturday that the victims lost their lives “in utmost innocence” during “blind and terrorist attacks” in different regions of the country.

Sadeghi told IRNA news agency that 68 schools and educational facilities suffered severe damage as a result of the attacks. … Full article

Iran warns of consequences after US strike on water plant

‘US, not Iran, began attacking civilian infrastructure’

Al Mayadeen | March 7, 2026

Iran’s foreign minister has accused the United States of striking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island, warning that the attack has disrupted water supplies to dozens of villages.

In a post on social media, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the incident, describing it as a serious violation and warning of potential consequences.

“The US committed a blatant and desperate crime by attacking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island,” Araghchi wrote. “Water supply in 30 villages has been impacted.” … continue

US Bases in Middle East Fail to Secure Nations & Become Safety Risk – Expert

Sputnik – 07.03.2026

American bases in the Middle East are constantly facing various kinds of attacks and do not protect the countries on whose territory they are located that effectively, Turkish political scientist Umur Tugay Yucel tells Sputnik.

“For a long time, the Gulf countries had unwavering trust in the American security umbrella, but during the 12-day war, we all saw how untrustworthy it turned out to be,” Umur Tugay Yucel said.

He says that the ongoing conflict shows that the Western security framework in the Gulf region fails to address contemporary defense needs; a concern now spreading to US allies in Asia as reports emerge of THAAD and Patriot systems being withdrawn from South Korea — a move that could soon affect Japan and other partners.

“It is obvious that American bases bring more harm than good to the civilian population and infrastructure of the countries where they are located. They pose a serious threat to populated areas. When a base is struck, not only military installations are damaged, but also roads, railways, and vital transport channels in the vicinity. Moreover, there is an inevitable increase in civilian casualties,” the expert emphasizes.

IRGC navy drone unit launches massive attack on key US air base

Press TV – March 7, 2026

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy’s drone squadron has launched a large‑scale strike on the strategic US air base Al Dhafra in the UAE, hitting key facilities used by American forces in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz region.

The IRGC public relations office announced that early Saturday the drone unit carried out a coordinated assault that successfully struck the Al Dhafra air base, one of the region’s biggest heli‑ports and a command hub for the United States’ terrorist operations.

The targets hit included the American air‑warfare center, satellite communication facilities, early‑warning radars, and fire‑control radars.

The statement emphasized that the operation demonstrated the IRGC’s capability to neutralize critical enemy assets in the Persian Gulf area. … Full article

Iranian Crisis Becomes Embarrassment for US Military That Can’t Protect Anyone – MidEast Analyst

Sputnik – 07.03.2026

Prior to the arrival of the United States, the Persian Gulf was essentially the domain of the British Empire which ended up handing over its holdings to the US to ensure that the latter would be at the forefront of any major war in the region, Middle East affairs expert Mais Kurbanov tells Sputnik.

Currently, the US controls a network of military installations that don’t just serve as military garrisons – these are all elements of a system of control of the Gulf ‘gas station,” Kurbanov remarks.

This defensive network was never meant to protect the Arab states of the Gulf – it’s real purpose was to protect Israel.

“This entire shield was created to keep Israel safe and to intercept missiles. They were more or less able to intercept them during the previous conflicts, before Iran started targeting their radars. And now they got nothing to intercept because Iran destroys the early warning system itself,” notes Kurbanov.

The US is unwilling and unable to defend the Gulf states – it only cares about its own interests. And all of the Gulf states besides Iran are now vulnerable because they don’t have any air defense systems, he adds. The US focuses on protecting only its own assets in the region.

“The US has embarrassed itself in front of the entire world. Everybody now knows that the Americans are no protectors,” says Kurbanov. “They used to mock Russia when Ukraine scored some hits, acting as if they are invincible. Now Iran keeps pummeling them, and US ships have to flee two thousand kilometers into the ocean to escape Iranian missiles.” … continue

US confirms Iran destroyed $300m radar system in Jordan

Press TV – March 7, 2026

The US confirmed that Iran has destroyed a key $300 million radar system used by US THAAD missile defense systems at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

Satellite photos show that an RTX Corp. AN/TPY-2 radar and support equipment was destroyed in the opening days of the war, CNN reported earlier, citing commercial satellite imagery.

The destruction of the equipment was later confirmed by a US official.

The destruction of the radar is considered a huge blow to air and missile defense coverage in the region, the report says.

The loss of the radar will require missile interception duties to fall onto Patriot systems, for which PAC-3 missiles are already in short supply, prompting concerns about stockpiles of advanced interceptors running low, experts warn.

The US has eight THAAD systems globally, including in South Korea and Guam.

The batteries cost about $1 billion each, with the radar comprising about $300 million of that, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“These are scarce strategic resources and its loss is a huge blow,” said Tom Karako, a missile defense expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. … Full article

Iran pledges to ‘respect sovereignty of neighbors’, declares US-Israel assets ‘primary targets’

The Cradle | March 7, 2026

The Iranian armed forces warned that US and Israeli military installations across the region remain legitimate targets, as officials seek to ease tensions with neighboring countries.

“Should the previous hostile actions continue, all military bases and interests of criminal America and the fake Zionist regime on land, at sea, and in the air across the region will be considered primary targets and will come under the powerful and crushing strikes of the mighty armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement on Saturday.

The warning came alongside a declaration by Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters that Iranian forces “respect the national interests and sovereignty of neighboring countries” and “have not carried out any act of aggression against them.”

Nevertheless, military officials emphasized that installations used by the US or Israel to launch attacks against Iran remain fair game. Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Zolfaghari said that at least 21 US personnel have been killed and many more injured in attacks on the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet infrastructure, while additional casualties occurred during strikes on Al-Dhafra Air Base.

He also said Iranian forces targeted a US-owned oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf.

Earlier in the day, President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that Iran’s interim leadership council had ordered the armed forces to cease striking neighboring countries unless attacks originate from their territory. … continue

IAEA Never Had Reasons to Forgo Talks With Iran — Russian MFA Spox

Sputnik – 07.03.2026

During many years of contacts with Iran, the IAEA has never found grounds to refuse negotiations on Iranian nuclear program, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

“Throughout all these years, there has not been a single instance where the IAEA stated that there is a reason to confirm a claim or accusation against Iran,” Zakharova noted.

While the issue was “handled politically” and there were public and behind-the-scenes intrigues, not a single report, speech or fact-based document from the agency contained any accusations against Iran, she added.

The IAEA never stated Iran had a nuclear bomb, only noting the fact of uranium enrichment, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on March 5. The Iranians started boosting the enrichment process only after the US withdrew from the agreements on Iran’s nuclear program, he added.

USA and Israel: Who is the lord and who is the colony?

By Raphael Machado | Strategic Culture Foundation | March 7, 2026

The Epstein Coalition (USA and Israel) began a war against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28th. The starting shot was the murder of 171 girls in an elementary school (perhaps as a sacrifice to Baal, the Epsteinians’ favorite deity?), followed by the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his own residence.

It was the beginning of an “operation” that the USA expected to see finished in a few hours, then in 3 days. Well, the operation has now exceeded 6 days, and all analysts indicate that the war will last at least a few weeks, with significant losses on both sides. … continue

Indian journalist reveals severe Israeli censorship after escape from occupied territories

Press TV – March 7, 2026

An Indian journalist who was trapped in the occupied territories from February 28 to March 6 has revealed severe Israeli censorship amid the regime’s war of aggression against Iran.

Braj Mohan Singh of India’s Sandha News said he witnessed people dying in 100‑foot‑deep bunkers while Israeli officials withheld details.

Missiles “don’t differentiate between Indian or Israeli,” he said.

He contrasted press freedom in India with the restrictions in Israel, noting journalists cannot film bodies, visit hospitals, or receive accurate casualty numbers. Local accounts often reveal far higher losses than official reports, he added.

“When an incident takes place, we are not given the details of the location. The next day, when we visit the site, we are told, ‘There was only one casualty,’ but a local told us, ‘There were four houses, and everyone died,” which shows there was a major incident,’” he added.

Despite Israel’s touted advanced warning systems, Singh reported missiles arriving without sirens or prior alerts, highlighting technology failures and the unpredictability of drone and missile attacks. … Full article

Majority of Israelis Back War with Iran as Anti-War Minority Faces Stigmatization

teleSUR | March 7, 2026

Israelis who oppose the war with Iran face threats and stigmatization, according to testimonies collected by a Spanish news agency. However, they represent a small minority, as 93% of Jewish Israelis support the offensive, a new poll by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) shows. … continue