Iran
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From: Peripatetic
Sheikh @Jaberrajabii, who defected from the Iranian regime, is one of the few people to know Mojtaba Khamenei personally & spoke about him publicly.
In this interview in Arabic he describes him as:
* A messianic extremist who believes himself to be the mythical Khorassani figure, who would pave the way for the emergence of the Mehdi (Messiah figure in Islam).
* Racist toward Arabs, unlike his father.
* Extremely brutal and believes that the ends justify any means.
* Corrupt & rich (confirming reports published about his assets, for example by Bloomberg*
Interview: https://youtu.be/BivYuF2nPtY?si=aMVca3kTjmRjpUA6
In this interview in Arabic he describes him as:
* A messianic extremist who believes himself to be the mythical Khorassani figure, who would pave the way for the emergence of the Mehdi (Messiah figure in Islam).
* Racist toward Arabs, unlike his father.
* Extremely brutal and believes that the ends justify any means.
* Corrupt & rich (confirming reports published about his assets, for example by Bloomberg*
Interview: https://youtu.be/BivYuF2nPtY?si=aMVca3kTjmRjpUA6
How the Son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Built a Global Property Empire
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From: Texas
Who saw this coming? Anyone familiar with the region, that's who. Anyone and everyone who works on the Joint Staff planning and ops cells has some experience with what went on in Iraq from about 2005 to present. This was a known risk.
The conflict is trying to spread...
Also, this has been making the rounds. Add grains of salt as needed.
The war in the Middle East is pushing the U.S. military back into combat in Iraq against an old foe—Iran-backed militia groups that two decades ago battled American troops on the streets of Baghdad. Iraqi militias have attempted dozens of small-scale drone and rocket attacks since the war began in a show of support for Tehran, including against a U.S. military base and consulate in northern Iraq and a State Department facility at the Baghdad International Airport. On Saturday, rockets targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called a “terrorist act” by “rogue groups.”
The U.S. said Sunday it has been carrying out attacks against the militias, acknowledging that the war in Iran is spilling over into neighboring Iraq and drawing American forces back into a place where they spent years fighting insurgents and endured heavy casualties after the 2003 invasion that deposed Saddam Hussein.
“We have conducted operations in Iraq as part of Operation Epic Fury, but it’s in defense of U.S. troops as they’ve come under attack by Iran-aligned militia groups,” said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the region. Epic Fury is the operation name for the Iran campaign.
The tactics are a significant shift for the Pentagon, which has mostly avoided targeting Iraqi militias in recent years, seeking to disengage from a painful conflict once and for all.
Iraqi officials say there have been multiple airstrikes apparently by U.S. warplanes on militia strongholds, including at bases near the towns of Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad, and al-Qaim, along the Iraqi-Syria border. Both locations have been used for years as depots for weapons supplied by Iran and to launch attacks at U.S. bases in Syria and Jordan.
The U.S. said Sunday it has been carrying out attacks against the militias, acknowledging that the war in Iran is spilling over into neighboring Iraq and drawing American forces back into a place where they spent years fighting insurgents and endured heavy casualties after the 2003 invasion that deposed Saddam Hussein.
“We have conducted operations in Iraq as part of Operation Epic Fury, but it’s in defense of U.S. troops as they’ve come under attack by Iran-aligned militia groups,” said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the region. Epic Fury is the operation name for the Iran campaign.
The tactics are a significant shift for the Pentagon, which has mostly avoided targeting Iraqi militias in recent years, seeking to disengage from a painful conflict once and for all.
Iraqi officials say there have been multiple airstrikes apparently by U.S. warplanes on militia strongholds, including at bases near the towns of Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad, and al-Qaim, along the Iraqi-Syria border. Both locations have been used for years as depots for weapons supplied by Iran and to launch attacks at U.S. bases in Syria and Jordan.
Also, this has been making the rounds. Add grains of salt as needed.
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From: Peripatetic
Copying Russia.....
https://archive.is/20260309075350/ht...m-bots-4281573
https://archive.is/20260309075350/ht...m-bots-4281573
Iran hires European criminals to work as spies via Telegram bots
Tehran-linked channels advertise paid assignments for surveillance and other tasks, raising concerns about a growing 'gig-economy' espionage model across Europe
Iran is recruiting a network of “gig-economy” spies across Europe through Telegram channels offering cash payments for surveillance and other tasks, UK security sources warn.
Using encrypted messaging apps and cash incentives, Iranian intelligence is seeking to enlist people from across the continent to carry out surveillance operations and potentially violent attacks, including assassinations, The i Paper can reveal.
Channels on the messaging platform Telegram openly advertise “jobs” with Iran’s intelligence agency in a recruitment drive mirroring techniques used by Russian intelligence. The methods have raised concerns among counterterrorism officials that Tehran is increasingly outsourcing espionage and hostile operations to loosely connected proxies and criminals.
“They will literally hire anyone to commit arson, criminal damage, assault,” a Whitehall counter-terror source said, noting a “trend” whereby “professional criminals are recruited for the more sophisticated operations”.
One channel on the platform, which security officials believe is linked to Iranian intelligence, uses an automated Telegram bot to invite users to “work with Iranian intelligence in a tested, safe environment”.
Posts from the bot claim Tehran’s intelligence agencies recruit operatives “from all over the world regardless of incentives”. Another message urges members to “join us” and not “let your hidden talents and abilities go to waste”........
Tehran-linked channels advertise paid assignments for surveillance and other tasks, raising concerns about a growing 'gig-economy' espionage model across Europe
Iran is recruiting a network of “gig-economy” spies across Europe through Telegram channels offering cash payments for surveillance and other tasks, UK security sources warn.
Using encrypted messaging apps and cash incentives, Iranian intelligence is seeking to enlist people from across the continent to carry out surveillance operations and potentially violent attacks, including assassinations, The i Paper can reveal.
Channels on the messaging platform Telegram openly advertise “jobs” with Iran’s intelligence agency in a recruitment drive mirroring techniques used by Russian intelligence. The methods have raised concerns among counterterrorism officials that Tehran is increasingly outsourcing espionage and hostile operations to loosely connected proxies and criminals.
“They will literally hire anyone to commit arson, criminal damage, assault,” a Whitehall counter-terror source said, noting a “trend” whereby “professional criminals are recruited for the more sophisticated operations”.
One channel on the platform, which security officials believe is linked to Iranian intelligence, uses an automated Telegram bot to invite users to “work with Iranian intelligence in a tested, safe environment”.
Posts from the bot claim Tehran’s intelligence agencies recruit operatives “from all over the world regardless of incentives”. Another message urges members to “join us” and not “let your hidden talents and abilities go to waste”........
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From: Peripatetic
Iranian kamikaze drones struck the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the UAE, with significant fires visible on NASA’s FIRMS heat map.
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From: Peripatetic
Pretty impressive, seems they were picking out individual airframes - though I suspect the others unfortunate to be in proximity probably received shrapnel damage.
Before/after slideshow.
Before/after slideshow.
Israeli Air Force struck Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, destroying 16 aircraft linked to the IRGC’s Quds Force.
The planes were reportedly used to transport weapons and funds to Iranian proxy groups like Hezbollah, making them a high value target in the war.
The planes were reportedly used to transport weapons and funds to Iranian proxy groups like Hezbollah, making them a high value target in the war.
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From: Peripatetic
Further to post 3544 above, Iran reference the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone...
Attack near Fujairah oil terminal disrupts bunker operations
An attack near the Fujairah oil storage area has added fresh uncertainty to the regional bunker market as tensions in the Gulf continue to escalate.
According to industry sources, product loading at the Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminal (FOTT) has been halted. Initial reports indicate significant damage to key infrastructure, with Manifold 1 — supplying berths 1, 2 and 7 — reportedly inoperable.
Manifold 2 serves berths 8, 9 and VLCC berths, but several terminals are not connected to it, leaving large parts of the port currently unable to load or discharge cargo.
Fujairah is the third-largest bunker port in the world, meaning disruptions could have broader implications for regional marine fuel supply.
Watch the #MarineTraffic playback of vessel activity at the Port of Fujairah over the past week.
An attack near the Fujairah oil storage area has added fresh uncertainty to the regional bunker market as tensions in the Gulf continue to escalate.
According to industry sources, product loading at the Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminal (FOTT) has been halted. Initial reports indicate significant damage to key infrastructure, with Manifold 1 — supplying berths 1, 2 and 7 — reportedly inoperable.
Manifold 2 serves berths 8, 9 and VLCC berths, but several terminals are not connected to it, leaving large parts of the port currently unable to load or discharge cargo.
Fujairah is the third-largest bunker port in the world, meaning disruptions could have broader implications for regional marine fuel supply.
Watch the #MarineTraffic playback of vessel activity at the Port of Fujairah over the past week.
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From: Peripatetic
NATO air and missile defense forces neutralized an Iranian ballistic missile over Turkey earlier today that was likely heading for Incirlik Air Base.
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From: Dorset,UK
I read in todays Telegraph that in the RN fleet of ships not available to escort either of the two unserviceable aircraft carriers to the Med, there is HMS Sutherland which is "regenerating"!
Does this mean that it is part of "The Borg" fleet from Star Trek?
Anybody enlighten me as to what "regenerating" in navy speak means?
Or is it just another newspaper mis-print?
Does this mean that it is part of "The Borg" fleet from Star Trek?
Anybody enlighten me as to what "regenerating" in navy speak means?
Or is it just another newspaper mis-print?
Last edited by Compass Call; 9th March 2026 at 14:21.
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From: Peripatetic
I thought they’d already sunk the entire surface fleet?
Video
Video
Footage of the American airstrike that destroyed another Iranian IRGC Navy Soleimani-class corvette off the coast of Bandar Abbas today.
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From: Royal Berkshire
I read in todays Telegraph that in the RN fleet of ships not available to escort either of the two unserviceable aircraft carriers to the Med, there is HMS Sutherland which is "regenerating"!
Does this mean that it is part of "The Borg" fleet from Star Trek?
Anybody enlighten me as to what "regenerating" in navy speak means?
Or is it just another newspaper mis-print?
Does this mean that it is part of "The Borg" fleet from Star Trek?
Anybody enlighten me as to what "regenerating" in navy speak means?
Or is it just another newspaper mis-print?
Last status I saw posted from a few days ago, was Sutherland was allocated to Trials work......and has been for past 30 odd days.
Perhaps its some sort of Doctor Who regeneration trial, and its going to re-appear as another ship but with the same name
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From: Beyond the Blue Horizon
Lone Wolf 50
As you say it’s trying to grow like a forest fire from smouldering ashes when the breeze picks up.
People in charge need to reassess and work out how they are going to find the off ramp as they say these days,as something needs to be thought through as there does not appear to be the widespread uprising against the regime in Iran that perhaps was hoped for.
You would like to hear the briefing that must have occurred before this started, and who said what and to who.
Cheers
Mr Mac
As you say it’s trying to grow like a forest fire from smouldering ashes when the breeze picks up.
People in charge need to reassess and work out how they are going to find the off ramp as they say these days,as something needs to be thought through as there does not appear to be the widespread uprising against the regime in Iran that perhaps was hoped for.
You would like to hear the briefing that must have occurred before this started, and who said what and to who.
Cheers
Mr Mac
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From: Peripatetic
Macron says the Europeans, with non-European allies, are organising a defensive mission to escort tankers and container ships through the Gulf of Hormuz.
Obviously doesn’t believe/trust Trump to do it….. hope he doesn’t expect the RN to have anything to add to the orbat.
Video of his speech in Paphos with subtitles
Obviously doesn’t believe/trust Trump to do it….. hope he doesn’t expect the RN to have anything to add to the orbat.
Video of his speech in Paphos with subtitles
President Macron:
“We are currently setting up a purely defensive escort mission to to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"It must be prepared with European and non-European states and is intended to enable, once the most intense phase of the conflict has passed, to escort container ships and oil tankers in order to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is essential for international trade, but also for the transport of gas and oil, which must be able to leave the region again."
“We are currently setting up a purely defensive escort mission to to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"It must be prepared with European and non-European states and is intended to enable, once the most intense phase of the conflict has passed, to escort container ships and oil tankers in order to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is essential for international trade, but also for the transport of gas and oil, which must be able to leave the region again."
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From: Nottinghamshire
Macron says the Europeans, with non-European allies, are organising a defensive mission to escort tankers and container ships through the Gulf of Hormuz.
Obviously doesn’t believe/trust Trump to do it….. hope he doesn’t expect the RN to have anything to add to the orbat.
Video of his speech in Paphos with subtitles
Obviously doesn’t believe/trust Trump to do it….. hope he doesn’t expect the RN to have anything to add to the orbat.
Video of his speech in Paphos with subtitles
Wonder if that's the driver for the RN Carrier ( lets just assume its available for now) Despite the disbelief at DTs comments re turning up late, I have been pondering exactly why we might need it (them) beyond escalation.
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From: Peripatetic
Video
BREAKING: This footage shows the arrival of six F-16C Fighting Falcons of the Turkish Air Force at Ercan Airport in the occupied part of Cyprus.
They are said to have been deployed to protect the occupied areas of the island from what Erdoğan’s regime claims are threats posed by one-way attack drones of the Islamic regime of Iran. However, their deployment appears to be largely a political show and comes in response to the deployment of two Greek F-16Cs to Paphos to help protect Cyprus from one-way attack drones of the IRGC Aerospace Force.
They are said to have been deployed to protect the occupied areas of the island from what Erdoğan’s regime claims are threats posed by one-way attack drones of the Islamic regime of Iran. However, their deployment appears to be largely a political show and comes in response to the deployment of two Greek F-16Cs to Paphos to help protect Cyprus from one-way attack drones of the IRGC Aerospace Force.
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From: Canada
Target
Is. there any confirmation of what the actual target was?
There was speculation when this was first reported that the target may have been Incirlik Airbase but even NAS Sigonella was mentioned.
Just curious …could the missile even reach Sigonella which is 14 to 1500 Nm at least.
NB.Pissing off the good folks in Sicily is widely held as not a good idea.
There was speculation when this was first reported that the target may have been Incirlik Airbase but even NAS Sigonella was mentioned.
Just curious …could the missile even reach Sigonella which is 14 to 1500 Nm at least.
NB.Pissing off the good folks in Sicily is widely held as not a good idea.
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From: Texas
ORAC, thanks for that. "In the occupied part of Cyprus" ...wait, didn't Mr Erdogan make a lot of noise in the last few years about "the occupied territories?" 
(Digression curtailed at this point).
While I am sure that this would be the topic of a different thread, when I looked up that airport I found that note.
Fun times ahead.
On the practical/military side: a few more assets for CAP helps more than it hurts, right?
For albatross:
I am relying on 30 year old information here, but depending on the make and mod of a given ballistic missile (Theater Ballistic Missile), by this date I suspect that Sig might be in range.
There is an estimate here that with current inventory -- it's about 3200 km to Sicily from Tehran -- that a couple of the missiles have ranges of 4,000 km. or so.
(Simorgh, Ghaem-100). So yes, theoretically Sig is in range.
(Digression curtailed at this point).
. The Republic of Cyprus does not consider entry or exit via Ercan Airport or by a seaport in the north to be legal.
Fun times ahead.
On the practical/military side: a few more assets for CAP helps more than it hurts, right?
For albatross:
I am relying on 30 year old information here, but depending on the make and mod of a given ballistic missile (Theater Ballistic Missile), by this date I suspect that Sig might be in range.
There is an estimate here that with current inventory -- it's about 3200 km to Sicily from Tehran -- that a couple of the missiles have ranges of 4,000 km. or so.
(Simorgh, Ghaem-100). So yes, theoretically Sig is in range.
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From: Portsmouth
I read in todays Telegraph that in the RN fleet of ships not available to escort either of the two unserviceable aircraft carriers to the Med, there is HMS Sutherland which is "regenerating"!
Does this mean that it is part of "The Borg" fleet from Star Trek?
Anybody enlighten me as to what "regenerating" in navy speak means?
Or is it just another newspaper mis-print?
Does this mean that it is part of "The Borg" fleet from Star Trek?
Anybody enlighten me as to what "regenerating" in navy speak means?
Or is it just another newspaper mis-print?
Regeneration means a programme once the ship comes out of refit of tests and trials on ships systems and weapons, to be followed by a work-up period to get the crew through a number of training serials. At which point the ship is deemed fully operational. That regeneration depends on how long the ship has been in upkeep. If a deep refit, you're talking months, if a fleet time upkeep, much less than that.
Quite why we need to deploy a ship to the vicinity of our strategic air base in the Med because it does not appear to be well defended remains beyond my understanding.
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From: Peripatetic
Quite why we need to deploy a ship to the vicinity of our strategic air base in the Med because it does not appear to be well defended remains beyond my understanding.