[RE]

Trump blockading Iran is beyond stupid.  The whole world suffers you orange dumfuck!  Iran can't export, but that is not going to do them in and by denying the world oil
 

Actually, it doesn't deny the world oil, because the Iranians will let the Chinese ships pass through, and the FSoA ships blockading aren't in the straight, they are in International Waters in the Gulf of Oman.  The only way to stop those ships is to interdict them at sea and board them.  The Chinese have already said they won't allow that, and I seriously doubt Trumpolini would have the cojones to do that and risk a war with the Chinese.  He's a bully who likes to push around the weak, not a real tough guy who will go into a fair fight.

The actual number of ships which will go thru will remain tiny until the insurance companies can assess the risk with confidence and set a price for the insurance.  That won't happen with a cease fire, only with an actual Peace Treaty.

RE

[K-Dog]

According to Professor Marandi, the most significant obstacle to reaching a lasting agreement between Iran and the United States is that America cannot unilaterally impose and dictate its conditions for an agreement. Both sides need to agree on terms, not just those imposed by the U.S.

• EXCLUSIVE: Professor Muhammad Marandi on Lebanon Ceasefire, Iran-US Negotiations, and Regional War Risks
  Reporter: Demetri Lceris | Outlet: Reason to Resist
  Date of Recording: April 17, 2026 | Location: Kamata, Greece (interview); references Tehran, Islamabad, Beirut
  
  1. INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT
  The reporter interviews Professor Muhammad Marandi, an Iranian-American academic and political analyst. Marandi was born and raised in the US, returned to Iran to volunteer in the Iran-Iraq war (1980s), survived two chemical weapons attacks, and was wounded twice. He is now a professor of English literature and orientalism at the University of Tehran.
  
  Key Facts:
  
  • Interviewee: Professor Muhammad Marandi
    
  • Date of Recording: April 17, 2026
    
  • Location: Kamata, Greece (reporter)
    
  • Lebanon Ceasefire: Announced by Trump, effective April 16-17, 2026
    
  • Iran-US Ceasefire Expiry: April 22, 2026
    
  2. LEBANON CEASEFIRE
  Marandi says the ceasefire resulted from Iranian pressure, not the Lebanese puppet government. Netanyahu resisted for an extra day until Iran threatened to strike Israel. Trump backed down.
  
  
  • Iran limited ship passage through Strait of Hormuz to friendly countries
  • Marandi ignores Trump's statements: "Nothing he says means anything"
  
  3. STRAIT OF HORMUZ
  Iran announced the strait is "completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire" (only a few days).
  
  
  • Iran controls the pace and route of ships
  • Military vessels need special permission
  • If US continues blockade, Iran will escalate in the Red Sea
  • Marandi calls this a "masterful chess move"
  
  4. ISLAMABAD NEGOTIATIONS & 10-POINT PLAN
  Trump called Iran's 10-point peace plan a "workable basis of negotiation."
  
  The 10-Point Plan:
  
  • Non-aggression
  • Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz
  • Acceptance of enrichment
  • Lifting all primary and secondary sanctions
  • Termination of UN and IAEA resolutions
  • Compensation to Iran
  • US withdrawal from region
  • Cessation of war on all fronts
  
  What happened:
  
  • Marandi was in Islamabad but not in negotiating room
  • JD Vance had no real authority, constantly called Netanyahu
  • Vance walked away; negotiations collapsed
  • Washington Post suggested assassinating Iranian negotiators
  • Return plane diverted to Mashhad; Marandi took train to Tehran
  
  5. MOSSAD & US MILITARY BUILDUP
  Mossad chief David Barnea said Iran mission is "incomplete until regime change."
  
  
  • Marandi: "That's been the objective for 47 years"
  • Russia warned of massive US military buildup in West Asia
  • Iran negotiates to show who is reasonable, not because it is fooled
  
  6. PREPARING FOR A FOURTH WAR
  Three wars have been imposed on Iran. Iran is preparing for a fourth.
  
  
  • Iran has emptied bases and installed decoys
  • If US invades, Iran will fight "like a chess master"
  • Iran will retaliate against Gulf states (Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain)
  • Destruction of Gulf infrastructure would collapse those regimes
  • Global depression worse than 1929 would be "inevitable"
  
  7. WESTERN MEDIA COVERAGE
  Marandi accuses Western journalists in Beirut of lying about Israeli targets.
  
  
  • Israel bombed civilians, medics, hospitals, schools, not just Hezbollah
  • "Western journalists are complicit in genocide"
  
  8. FINAL ASSESSMENT
  
  
  • "Chances of another war against Iran are high"
  • Trump is a "psychopath"; Netanyahu is "worse than Hitler"
  • World has woken up; people see Iran as protagonist
  • Recommends book: "Going to Tehran" by Hillary Mann Leverett
  
  KEY DATA SUMMARY
  
  
  • Date: April 17, 2026
    
  • Interviewee: Professor Muhammad Marandi, University of Tehran
    
  • Background: Iranian-American, fought in Iran-Iraq war, survived chemical attacks
    
  • Lebanon Ceasefire: April 16-17, 2026
    
  • Iran-US Ceasefire Expiry: April 22, 2026
    
  • Iran's 10-Point Plan: Posted April 8, 2026; Trump called it "workable basis"
    
  • Strait of Hormuz: Open for remaining ceasefire period but with Iranian control
    
  • Mossad Goal: Regime change in Iran
    
  • Russian Warning: US military buildup in West Asia
    
  • Marandi's Prediction: High chance of another war
    
  • Economic Consequence: Global depression worse than 1929
    
  
  End of Extraction
  

[RE]

CNN.COM • 2026-04-18

Iranian gunboats fire on tanker after Strait of Hormuz closed again

• Strait of Hormuz: A tanker and container ship have each reported attacks while traveling through the key waterway, after Iran’s military said it is reimposing restrictions on the strait due to “repeated breaches of trust” by the US.

US-Iran talks: President Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran are ongoing but hinted at frustration, saying "they got a little cute," and that the US won't let Iran "blackmail us" over the strait. A second set of peace talks is set to take place Monday, Iranian sources said, though the US hasn't confirmed plans. The sides will need to resolve several key sticking points.  • In Lebanon: Israel said it will impose a "yellow line" barring displaced residents from returning to occupied villages. And a French soldier from a UN peacekeeping force was killed in an attack that President Emmanuel Macron said was likely carried out by Hezbollah, which denied responsibility.

That lasted long. lol

RE

[K-Dog]

APNEWS.COM • 2026-04-16

Europe has ‘maybe 6 weeks of jet fuel left,’ energy agency head warns

“In the past there was a group called ‘Dire Straits.’ It’s a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy.

INDEPENDENT.CO.UK • 2026-04-07

Keir Starmer criticised on social media for ‘White House style’ TikTok video

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of trying to emulate Donald Trump after posting a dramatic TikTok video showcasing Britain's military response to the war in the Middle East.

The video, featuring British Wildcat helicopters and military jets set to Dire Straits' 'Money for Nothing', was widely mocked by social media users and MPs.

Rock On

[RE]

MARXIST.COM • 2026-04-18

Trump’s defeat in Iran and its worldwide consequences

The war in Iran, which started as a reckless gamble on the part of Trump, is developing into a significant strategic defeat for US imperialism.

Which can have important consequences for the world economy, the position of America as a world power, and world relations in general.  We are now in the seventh week of the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran. The US has been unable to achieve any of its aims, and, in fact, it has become clear that it is not in a position to achieve them.

Everybody Knows.


RE

[RE]

CSMONITOR.COM • 2026-04-17

What Trump’s handling of the Iran war has done to perceptions of US power

For decades, perceptions of U.S. power did not rely on the use of America’s unrivaled military might. In the Iran war, a militarily inferior adversary used asymmetric warfare to resist that might, and allies whom President Donald Trump did not consult are voicing concern over the state of U.S. strategic thinking and planning.

When Marxist.com & the CS Monitor are in agreement, you can say for certain that EVERYBODY KNOWS.

RE

[K-Dog]

A summary of what is happening in the Mid East.  Demetri explains that he thinks war is inevitable.  It is not what he wants, it is what the circumstances show.  The US is using the cease-fire to move troops.  Trump has seriously lost his shit.  Trumps grandiosity is now full-blown psychosis.

Trump has learned that he likes bombing people.

• EXCLUSIVE: Strait of Hormuz Closure - War Escalation in West Asia
  Reporter: Demetri Lceras | Outlet: Reason to Resist
  Date: April 18th, 2026 | Location: Kamata, Greece
  
  1. INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT
  
  • Iran's foreign minister announced the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open for a remaining period of ceasefire on April 17th.
  • However, less than 24 hours later, Iran's military closed the Strait of Hormuz citing US naval blockade.
  • Key players: Abbas Adanchi (Iranian Foreign Minister), Donald Trump (US President), Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister).
  
  2. TIMELINE OF EVENTS
  
  • April 17th, 2026 - Iran's foreign minister declared Strait of Hormuz open for commercial vessels.
  • April 18th, 2026 - US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
  • April 18th, 2026 - Iran's military closed the Strait of Hormuz, stating it was in response to US naval blockade.
  
  3. KEY STATEMENTS & DIRECT QUOTES
  
  • "The passage for all commercial vessels through the straight of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire on the coordinated route as already announced." - Abbas Adanchi, Iranian Foreign Minister.
  • "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are prohibited from doing so by the USA." - Donald Trump, US President.
  • "The president of the US made seven claims within one hour, every single one of them is false." - Muhammad Bagger Galibah, Speaker of Iran's Parliament.
  
  4. SPECIFIC DATA & FIGURES
  
  • 350 civilians killed in one day by Israeli bombing in Lebanon (April 18th, 2026).
  • 500 US Air Force aircraft on airfields in the Middle East.
  • Over 220 US Navy ships deployed near Iran.
  • $98 to $88 drop in Brent crude oil price after reopening of Strait of Hormuz announcement (April 18th, 2026).
  • Pakistan's oil imports account for 40% through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • 350 ships left Iran but only three returned due to US warnings (April 18th, 2026).
  
  5. ANALYSIS & PREDICTIONS
  
  • The reopening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz indicate a volatile situation.
  • Trump's record suggests he is committed to war rather than peace.
  • Israel continues ceasefire violations despite agreement.
  • US military buildup in West Asia indicates potential for renewed conflict.
  • Pakistan, highly dependent on oil imports through Hormuz, is actively mediating the conflict.
  
  End of Extraction
  

Planet Earth is fucked.  Trump fucks everyone over and continues to do so.  It is what he wants to do.  Troops are being moved into position.

[K-Dog]

TASNIMNEWS.IR • 2026-04-18

Iranian Official Warns Talks May Collapse over Trump’s Bluffs

A senior Iranian official told CNN that some of Trump’s assertions are “alternative facts.”

"While Iran is committed to a result-oriented diplomatic process," the US could be "using diplomacy to exhaust diplomacy and planning a new aggression, which Iran is ready to forcefully respond."

[K-Dog]

INDIATODAY.IN • 2026-04-12

US warships fled Hormuz after IRGC's warning? Iran releases footage of standoff

The episode, captured in footage aired by Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, claimed to show a radio exchange between Iranian naval forces and a US Navy destroyer.

APNEWS.COM • 2026-04-18

Iran fully closes Strait of Hormuz over US blockade and fires on ships

The strait is closed until the U.S. blockade is lifted, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy said Saturday night.

Backlash.

That is something everyone can understand.You move a leaver or turn a wheel and nothing happens if things are loose, if parts don't fit right. 

So it is with oil tankers which only move as fast as a bicycle moves.  The straight of Hormuz was closed over a month ago, but the tankers that were in motion continued to move.  Only now are they not arriving in Europe.

The mathematical models describing this can result in bifurcations and chaotic behavior.