Seen in the News

[Stanley]

HERE'S the latest update from Iran.
The US military confirms a refuelling aircraft went down over western Iraq, while saying neither hostile or friendly fire were to blame. A statement says "rescue efforts are ongoing" after an incident involving two planes, the second of which landed safely. Earlier, Israel said it had launched a new wave of strikes against the Iranian capital Tehran - it has also targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon today. Elsewhere, a statement attributed to Iran's new supreme leader was read out on state-controlled TV - it is his first since assuming power and included a commitment to continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since succeeding his father. There is speculation he has been injured or even killed, says BBC Persian. At least three more cargo ships have been attacked in the Gulf, apparently by Iran. Iranian state media say Iranian forces were behind at least one strike. The UN Refugee Agency says 3.2 million people have been displaced inside Iran since Israel and the US launched their attacks on 28 February

[Stanley]

HERE'S the latest on Iran......
President Donald Trump says the US has "totally obliterated" every military target on Iran's Kharg Island, but spared the oil infrastructure. The island accounts for 90% of Iran's oil exports and is an economic lifeline for Tehran, the BBC's Mikey Kay explains. Earlier, two officials told the BBC's partner CBS news that the US is expected to send a marine unit and more warships to the Middle East. Plans have not been confirmed but the unit, which can carry out amphibious raids, is typically made up of up to 5,000 Marines and sailors across several warships. The BBC has approached the US military and the Pentagon for comment - while our diplomatic correspondent says the reports suggest Washington is considering an expanded range of options in its war on Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian outlets publish footage of officials attending pro-establishment rallies in Tehran to mark Quds Day, an annual pro-Palestinian event. Iran and Hezbollah carried out a joint attack on Israel, and Israel has also carried out waves of strikes on Lebanon and Iranian targets. Earlier, the Israeli military dropped leaflets over Beirut, urging residents to rise up against the Iranian-backed armed group - one man tells our reporter he thought it was an air strike

[Stanley]

HERE'S the latest report on Iran.
The US embassy in Baghdad has warned its citizens in Iraq to leave "immediately" after a missile hit the building early on Saturday. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has repeated a call for allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz - here's why the oil shipping lane matters. The US president earlier posted on Truth Social, urging the UK and other nations to join the US in sending ships to the passage. In a follow-up post, he said countries receiving oil through the strait "must take care" of it. In an interview with NBC, Trump says he is not ready to make a deal with Iran "because the terms are not good enough yet", adding the US may hit Iran's Kharg Island "a few more times just for fun". Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz was only closed to Tehran's "enemies". Strikes are continuing across the Middle East, with a fire still burning at the port of Fujairah in the UAE after it was targeted by a drone attack early on Saturday. In Iran, a man from Tehran says he disagrees with the US's strikes on Kharg Island, where 90% of Iran's crude oil passes through. "At this pace we will end up with a ruined Iran," he tells BBC Persian

[Tizer]

...the US may hit Iran's Kharg Island "a few more times just for fun".

That sums up Trump's attitude to war.

There are lots of news reports saying that an amphibious group of the USS Tripoli and 5000 marines is being sent in to sort out the Hormuz problem. But when will they arrive and where from? The only information I've seen is that they've set out from Australia. If that's so, it won't solve immediate problems!

Meanwhile, back home, Trump is losing supporters due to rising prices, concerns over `forever wars' and his distraction from the main job at home.

[Stanley]

"That sums up Trump's attitude to war."
That was my first thought as well Peter. To him this is all scoring debating points in a negotiation. I doubt if the image of suffering humanity eber enters his head. The man is a disgrace.....

[Whyperion]

...the US may hit Iran's Kharg Island "a few more times just for fun".

That sums up Trump's attitude to war.

There are lots of news reports saying that an amphibious group of the USS Tripoli and 5000 marines is being sent in to sort out the Hormuz problem. But when will they arrive and where from? The only information I've seen is that they've set out from Australia. If that's so, it won't solve immediate problems!

Meanwhile, back home, Trump is losing supporters due to rising prices, concerns over `forever wars' and his distraction from the main job at home.

Apparently from protecting S Korea and Japan