Iran
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Ferrara
There are very few us or israeli tankers anywhere in the world.
There are almost none that belong directly to any first world companies. 95% are regustered as flags of covenience in places like Palau.
They are ownded and run behind networks of shell companies and accounts.
Needless to say, none of the countries of registration have any military forces at all.
Why we should help them is a good question
There are almost none that belong directly to any first world companies. 95% are regustered as flags of covenience in places like Palau.
They are ownded and run behind networks of shell companies and accounts.
Needless to say, none of the countries of registration have any military forces at all.
Why we should help them is a good question
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: UK
IDF reports 5 waves of Iranian missiles launched in nine hours overnight. Methinks someone is not being completely truthful with the analysis of destruction of Iranian capabilities.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Iranian regime fat cats have left with their families for Oman - doubtless they have equally fat bank accounts in Switzerland and elsewhere.
Translation:
Translation:
Message from one of our patriotic compatriots in Oman, help make it go viral:
“The entire Larijani, Araghchi, and Ejei families are in these two hotels in Muscat, Oman. The rest of those who managed to leave Iran via the Van border in Turkey have come and settled in the safe houses of the Iranian embassy in Muscat.
"Every shopping center you go to is full of women in chadors and bearded men in clerical collars. I heard the Radan family also came to Oman via the Van border in Turkey.
"By the way, all those who do money laundering in Oman, like the Shamkhani clan, have had offices in Oman for years now, and the person in charge of this office is Naji Shamkhani, Shamkhani's cousin”
“The entire Larijani, Araghchi, and Ejei families are in these two hotels in Muscat, Oman. The rest of those who managed to leave Iran via the Van border in Turkey have come and settled in the safe houses of the Iranian embassy in Muscat.
"Every shopping center you go to is full of women in chadors and bearded men in clerical collars. I heard the Radan family also came to Oman via the Van border in Turkey.
"By the way, all those who do money laundering in Oman, like the Shamkhani clan, have had offices in Oman for years now, and the person in charge of this office is Naji Shamkhani, Shamkhani's cousin”
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From: Glorious Devon
Are there actually any available Royal Navy ships to send?! Britain was not involved in war against the regime in Tehran but they have stopped our oil, I noted one of the first ships attacked was from Thailand, certainly a neutral country if there is one. If could understand the regime attempting to halt US and Israeli ships but that is about it. Basically it is an illegitimate criminal regime targeting any neutral country it can.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Bsij and IRGC security forces moving their bases into primary schools to protect themselves from attack.
Video
Video
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
An Iranian strike has reportedly targeted King Isa Air Base in Bahrain. Large plumes of smoke were seen rising from the base following a massive explosion.
The base is known to host a U.S. military presence.
The base is known to host a U.S. military presence.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Presumably moving onward to a base further east after an overnight stop.
Overnight F-35 Arrivals to RAF Lakenheath #FreeIran!
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Overnight we had 10 new F-35A arrivals from the HL tailcode, supported by "CLEAN" callsign tankers. The jets are:
F-35A "TABOR81" 18-5477 #AE6A82
F-35A "TABOR82" 20-5610 #AE6F4D
F-35A "TABOR83" 20-5568 #AE6C6E
F-35A "TABOR84" 20-5566 #AE6C6C
F-35A "TABOR85" 17-5259 #AE5D3E
F-35A "TABOR86" 17-5282 #AE5D55
F-35A "TABOR91" 17-5237 #AE5D28
F-35A "TABOR92" 17-5262 #AE5D41
F-35A "TABOR93" 17-5260 #AE5D3F
F-35A "TABOR94" 20-5611 #AE6F4E
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Overnight we had 10 new F-35A arrivals from the HL tailcode, supported by "CLEAN" callsign tankers. The jets are:
F-35A "TABOR81" 18-5477 #AE6A82
F-35A "TABOR82" 20-5610 #AE6F4D
F-35A "TABOR83" 20-5568 #AE6C6E
F-35A "TABOR84" 20-5566 #AE6C6C
F-35A "TABOR85" 17-5259 #AE5D3E
F-35A "TABOR86" 17-5282 #AE5D55
F-35A "TABOR91" 17-5237 #AE5D28
F-35A "TABOR92" 17-5262 #AE5D41
F-35A "TABOR93" 17-5260 #AE5D3F
F-35A "TABOR94" 20-5611 #AE6F4E
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Here 'n' there!
I do think certain people in the US were rather banking on a similar Iranian reaction to their (lack of) reaction after the US bombing of the Iranian nuclear sites last Summer. Whoops!
As Captain Alberto Bertorelli often says in that classic Brit sitcom "Allo! Allo!", "Whad-a mistake-a to make-a!"!
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Den Haag
An A400M, ZM412, seems to have had an eventful flight yesterday. Departed Akrotiri and routed over Saudi for Iraq. Then, on its return, squawked 7700 and appeared to divert to Larnaca.
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From: 3rd Rock, #29B
x'lent welcome to y'all there, here's the bill for the naked aggression of the country you have supported and profited from for the last... 2026-1979 = ... 47 years?
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: UK/Philippines/Italy
Back in the mid or late '80s I attended some interesting training at the Royal Military College of Science. One - or perhaps a series - of lectures involved Asymmetric Warfare, at that time a hot topic. The lecture started by placing the subject in an historical context: the Scythians robust defence against the Persian Empire and, as I recall ended with the French v Viet Minh in the First Indo China War.
This conflict in the Middle East is an example of asymmetric warfare and it is worthwhile examining Iran's defensive strategy and doctrine in this light. Mosaic Defence and Fourth Successor models go a long way to explain the situation we find ourselves in.
For those who may be interested, the articles give some background and may help in understanding:
https://ummid.com/news/2026/3/14/ira...or-models.html
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2026/03/1...osaic-defense/
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/front...-doctrine.html
This conflict in the Middle East is an example of asymmetric warfare and it is worthwhile examining Iran's defensive strategy and doctrine in this light. Mosaic Defence and Fourth Successor models go a long way to explain the situation we find ourselves in.
For those who may be interested, the articles give some background and may help in understanding:
https://ummid.com/news/2026/3/14/ira...or-models.html
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2026/03/1...osaic-defense/
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/front...-doctrine.html
Last edited by larssnowpharter; 15th March 2026 at 21:47.
Joined: Dec 2001
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Likes: 844
From: Here 'n' there!
One assumes this was all well-known in the Pentagon but, presumably, was dismissed by the White House.
It strikes me that this is turning into a US version of a certain country's SMO. And the 2 leaders are both from the same mould re backing down. And, for the same reason as Ukraine, understandably, Iran seems quite determined to fight on.
I suspect that this will run for some while yet.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
…………….
Italian Air Force MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Vehicle destroyed in drone attack on Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
No personnel were harmed, according to the Italian MoD.
No personnel were harmed, according to the Italian MoD.
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: UK
Update from CENTCOM
https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2033318693908697537
B-1B Lancers – capable of carrying a payload of 75,000 pounds – have operated over the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury. Nicknamed the BONE, B-1Bs hold world records for speed, payload and range.
B-1B Lancers – capable of carrying a payload of 75,000 pounds – have operated over the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury. Nicknamed the BONE, B-1Bs hold world records for speed, payload and range.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
HIGH-SPEED TRANSIT: USS Tripoli Flanked by Heavy Escorts
OSINT Update (Mar 15 imagery): Tracking the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) as she continues her rapid push toward the Middle East for Operation Epic Fury. She is not making this run alone.
The Fix: Spotted ~678 km from Manila, pushing deep into the South China Sea.
The Speed: Just like our last pass in the Bashi Channel, the Tripoli and her escorts are throwing massive wakes. This indicates a sustained, high-speed transit rather than a routine patrol.
The Muscle: The critical tactical update is her screen. She is now flanked by 2x Arleigh Burke Destroyers.
The Assessment: Running an aviation-optimized amphibious assault ship at high speed with a dedicated twin-destroyer escort is a heavily protected, offensive posture. They are moving with purpose, bringing a major Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) umbrella with them as they sprint toward the theater.
Source: @esa
Date: 15 March 2026
OSINT Update (Mar 15 imagery): Tracking the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) as she continues her rapid push toward the Middle East for Operation Epic Fury. She is not making this run alone.
The Fix: Spotted ~678 km from Manila, pushing deep into the South China Sea.
The Speed: Just like our last pass in the Bashi Channel, the Tripoli and her escorts are throwing massive wakes. This indicates a sustained, high-speed transit rather than a routine patrol.
The Muscle: The critical tactical update is her screen. She is now flanked by 2x Arleigh Burke Destroyers.
The Assessment: Running an aviation-optimized amphibious assault ship at high speed with a dedicated twin-destroyer escort is a heavily protected, offensive posture. They are moving with purpose, bringing a major Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) umbrella with them as they sprint toward the theater.
Source: @esa
Date: 15 March 2026
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: The Roman Empire
I see that various newspapers are reporting that Starmer is "resisting" calls from Trump to send UK warships to help keep the Straits of Hormuz open....
I was under the impression we didn't have anything available to send? If that is the case, resisting the call isn't a principled stand but rather a practical reality.
I was under the impression we didn't have anything available to send? If that is the case, resisting the call isn't a principled stand but rather a practical reality.
