[K-Dog]

TASNIMNEWS.IR 2026-04-12

Iran Not to Bow to Threats

The language of threats does not work with Iran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said upon arrival from Islamabad talks.

[RE]

NDTV.COM 2026-04-14

US-Sanctioned Tanker Linked To China Tests Trump Blockade With Hormuz Transit

This exit from the Persian Gulf is a second attempt for the carrier in less than 24 hours. Just as the blockade came into effect, Rich Starry was making its way into the narrow waterway near Iran's Qeshm Island and turned back - only to restart its exit just hours later, broadcasting that it has a Chinese owner and crew. This is a safety mechanism frequently used by vessels, but will test US resolve to challenge vessels tied to the world's largest oil importer.

That answers the question of what Trumpolini would do if the boat was protected by the Chinese.  TACO TIME! 😛  Xi doesn't even need to send a gunboat to escort the tanker.

RE

[K-Dog]

HAARETZ.COM 2026-03-12

Israel Begins Construction of New West Bank Settlement

The settlement Ebal, north of Nablus is part of the 'One Million in Samaria' plan, which aims to raise the Jewish population to one million by 2050 creating a 'territorial continuity' in the occupied Palestinian West Bank.

What happened to the people living there.  Were they forced to move west to new hunting grounds?  Or is this atrocity even more egregious than the American atrocities of 150 years ago.

If they had to move west I hope they can swim.

[K-Dog]

PALESTINECHRONICLE.COM 2026-04-16

The Collapse is Real – Lebanon Ceasefire Marks a Historic Strategic Defeat

The balance is finally shifting. For the first time in decades, the trajectory of history is no longer bending in Israel’s favor.

PALESTINECHRONICLE.COM 2026-04-16

Resistance Intensifies Strikes on Israeli Targets as Lebanon Ceasefire Nears

Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting Kfar Dounin, Shebaa, Kfar Reman, Qaaqaiyat al-Jisr, and Sajd in southern Lebanon.

TASNIMNEWS.IR 2026-04-16

Decoding Trump's Ceasefire Announcement in Lebanon

US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire in Lebanon, prompting questions about the motivations behind the move.

According to the 'war interpretation group' of Tasnim, Iran's serious pressure on the American side to implement a ceasefire in Lebanon was and is no secret to anyone, and this has been confirmed by both regional and Western sources and media outlets.

However, Trump and Israeli sources, along with some regional sources, are trying to link the ceasefire in Lebanon solely to Trump's negotiations with the Lebanese government and the Zionist regime, downplaying the role of the resistance and Iran.  To embarrassing to say the Israel continues to murder after the king of the world told him not to.

NEWREPUBLIC.COM 2026-04-16

One Democrat Sinks Iran War Powers Resolution to Rein in Trump

The resolution, aimed at ending Trump’s war in Iran, failed by just one vote in the House of Representatives.

Follow the money on that guy, he serves $atan for a reason.

Notably there is no news abut 'the war' today by the ass kissing mainstream media.  I was confused, and then I figured it out.



Bibi, will he stop?  Too embarrassing to say he might not!  So no news today from the ass kissers.

NAHARNET.COM 2026-04-16

Israeli strikes kill 14, hurt dozens in 3 southern towns after ceasefire announced

An Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Ghazieh has killed at least seven people and wounded 33, the health ministry said Thursday, hours before a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries is scheduled to take effect.

NAHARNET.COM 2026-04-16

One injured in Israel after shelling from Lebanon before truce begins

Israeli rescue services said on Thursday that one person was seriously injured in northern Israel after shelling from Lebanon that came less than two hours before the start of a truce agreed with Lebanon.

ELECTRONICINTIFADA.NET 2026-04-16

Israel’s largest land grab since the Nakba

Israel is establishing facts on the ground in the occupied West Bank faster than ever before.  In March, Israel’s so-called security cabinet covertly approved the establishment of 34 new settlements – not units, entire settlements – in the West Bank.

[K-Dog]

FRANCE24.COM 2026-04-17

Middle East live: Fragile Israel-Hezbollah truce appears to hold, displaced Lebanese return to south

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon appeared to hold on Friday, as the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group also seemed to respect the conditions of the 10-day truce.

Hezbollah emerged during the Lebanese civil war with the goal of opposing Israeli occupation. Its primary focus has been to expel Israel from southern Lebanon, which it sees as essential for national liberation. This perspective is rooted in historical conflicts and regional politics.

Trump's blockade of Iran through the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had significant negative impacts on global oil markets and energy infrastructure. Trump's blockade has driven up oil prices and fractured the stability of global trade. Trump's new disruption, has a substantial effect on oil markets on top of the problems caused by the attack on Iran.

It is unfortunate that the US government does not represent the interests of the American people or humanity.  This ceasefire is a tactical deep breath, nothing more.

[RE]

CNBC.COM 2026-04-17

Video shows ships turning away from the Strait of Hormuz as confusion persists over whether sea lane is really open

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed despite Iran’s declaration that it is open, maritime freight and oil analysts told CNBC. Iran’s conditions for ships to exit the strait are the same rules that it imposed before. Several tankers and cargo ships tried to exit the strait Friday but turned back, video from ship tracking firm Kpler shows. The oil disruption will only grow worse every day that the strait remains closed.

Open for propaganda purposes, closed in the real world.

Crunch time for physical, as the last of the prewar tankers have made port.

RE

[K-Dog]

I have a go-to Republican who answers these questions.  I checked in with his channel when I got home from work today.  I like him, and he is smart not to take the politics too far.

But he is about saying the Iranians have no right to close the straight.  He uses the excuse that he is a 'shipping guy,' and the sea must be free.  Which at this point I find weak.  Now that the US is doing the same thing that Iran is doing, I did not hear any protest from him.  He does sort of admit though, that all bets are off in war.  My humble opinion is Iran can do anything they fucking want to do if it stops bombs from falling on them.



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, Trump executes Iran's extract strategy.  Trump has been totally Sun Tzued.  Not being a reader Trump would not know what I mean. 

Iran knows Trump can't loose.  All Iran has to do is survive long enough for Trump to do himself in.  Iran knows Trump can't let go. 

All Fascists eventually do themselves in.  It is the nature of the fascist to not let go.  Iran should be up to the task, being as they have a few thousand years on Cuba. Which has managed to survive blockade for fifty years.

[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]

 

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]

 
"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."