Iran
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
...............
I talked to a few sources in Israel and the frustration with the ceasefire is deep.
They are incredibly unhappy there, whether in the army or the government:
1) An Israeli official described the announcement as a "complete surprise," claiming the White House provided a last-minute notification rather than engaging in a joint strategic rollout.
2) Just 24 hours prior, senior Israeli officials were publicly telling reporters they did not expect any ceasefire in the near future. They were blindsided.
3) I was told that there was an operation to assassinate Mojtaba Khamenei, which Netanyahu was heavily invested in, which he had tried to convince Trump to wait for.
4) Security officials have leaked concerns that the 14-day pause provides a critical "breather" for Iran to hide or further bury its uranium stockpiles that were recently exposed by Israeli strikes.
5) Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are already threatening that they will collapse the government if the two-week pause transitions into a permanent arrangement without the full dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
6) While Tel Aviv saw jubilant celebrations from hostage families, residents in the Upper Galilee view the pause as a security failure that leaves them under the threat of Hezbollah. In the north they are deeply concerned that they will never be safe again.
7) Some in the Mossad still believe that Israel was on the verge of toppling the Islamic Republic. Those reports were shown to the Trump administration which ignored them.
8) Israeli intelligence is certain that while strikes damaged the Natanz and Minzadehei facilities, the core material was not neutralized.
All this to say, there is a sense of coitus interruptus in Israeli security circles. They had more targets they wanted to pursue and are now concerned that Trump will force them to stop in Lebanon.
Having said that, the plan is now to escalate in Lebanon and Gaza in order to have some achievements.
It is difficult for the security establishment to deal with the fact that Hamas, Hezbollah and the IRGC are all still in charge after all this time and all this effort and are blaming Netanyahu for this outcome.
They are incredibly unhappy there, whether in the army or the government:
1) An Israeli official described the announcement as a "complete surprise," claiming the White House provided a last-minute notification rather than engaging in a joint strategic rollout.
2) Just 24 hours prior, senior Israeli officials were publicly telling reporters they did not expect any ceasefire in the near future. They were blindsided.
3) I was told that there was an operation to assassinate Mojtaba Khamenei, which Netanyahu was heavily invested in, which he had tried to convince Trump to wait for.
4) Security officials have leaked concerns that the 14-day pause provides a critical "breather" for Iran to hide or further bury its uranium stockpiles that were recently exposed by Israeli strikes.
5) Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are already threatening that they will collapse the government if the two-week pause transitions into a permanent arrangement without the full dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
6) While Tel Aviv saw jubilant celebrations from hostage families, residents in the Upper Galilee view the pause as a security failure that leaves them under the threat of Hezbollah. In the north they are deeply concerned that they will never be safe again.
7) Some in the Mossad still believe that Israel was on the verge of toppling the Islamic Republic. Those reports were shown to the Trump administration which ignored them.
8) Israeli intelligence is certain that while strikes damaged the Natanz and Minzadehei facilities, the core material was not neutralized.
All this to say, there is a sense of coitus interruptus in Israeli security circles. They had more targets they wanted to pursue and are now concerned that Trump will force them to stop in Lebanon.
Having said that, the plan is now to escalate in Lebanon and Gaza in order to have some achievements.
It is difficult for the security establishment to deal with the fact that Hamas, Hezbollah and the IRGC are all still in charge after all this time and all this effort and are blaming Netanyahu for this outcome.
Joined: May 2007
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 264
From: Dark side of the Moon
Who said anything about taking it out? Do a Goldfinger on it. Doesn't take a lot of grunt to bring one or two low yield dirty devices to make it untouchable for centuries.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
It seems the UAE was not consulted about the ceasefire.
Video
Grok:
BREAKING: It is now confirmed that the UAE Air Force has conducted a large-scale operation targeting Iran’s oil and petrochemical plants in the Persian Gulf region.
They have bombed refineries on the islands of Siri and Lavan and targeted multiple other petrochemical facilities using not only Wing Loong 2 armed drones, but also Mirage 2000-9 EAD fighter jets.
Operations are ongoing, with reports that Emirati aircraft have also flown over southern Iran.
They have bombed refineries on the islands of Siri and Lavan and targeted multiple other petrochemical facilities using not only Wing Loong 2 armed drones, but also Mirage 2000-9 EAD fighter jets.
Operations are ongoing, with reports that Emirati aircraft have also flown over southern Iran.
The aftermath of an Emirati airstrike on oil refineries on the islands of Siri and Lavan can be seen here.
Not only oil storage tanks, but also major infrastructure at these refineries has been bombed by Emirati Mirage 2000-9EAD fighter jets.
It appears the UAE’s operation to destroy Iran’s oil and petrochemical plants is still ongoing.
Not only oil storage tanks, but also major infrastructure at these refineries has been bombed by Emirati Mirage 2000-9EAD fighter jets.
It appears the UAE’s operation to destroy Iran’s oil and petrochemical plants is still ongoing.
Iranian state media (Mehr, IRIB, NIOC) reports explosions/fire at the Lavan oil refinery on Siri Island shortly after today's US-Iran ceasefire.
Iran calls it a "cowardly enemy attack" and blames the UAE—launching missiles/drones at UAE & Kuwait targets in response.
No claims from UAE/US/Israel; cause still unconfirmed.
Firefighters on scene, no casualties reported yet. Developing fast.
Iran calls it a "cowardly enemy attack" and blames the UAE—launching missiles/drones at UAE & Kuwait targets in response.
No claims from UAE/US/Israel; cause still unconfirmed.
Firefighters on scene, no casualties reported yet. Developing fast.
Yes, it's true.
Iran's state broadcaster IRIB (iribnews_irib) just posted this on X: "After the attack on the Lavan refinery in Iran, missile and drone attacks were carried out on the UAE and Kuwait."
This follows their earlier report of the Lavan refinery (on Siri Island) being hit despite a ceasefire.
It aligns with recent verified reports from Al Jazeera, Gulf News, and others on Iran's ongoing drone/missile strikes targeting Gulf energy sites in Kuwait and the UAE.
Iran's state broadcaster IRIB (iribnews_irib) just posted this on X: "After the attack on the Lavan refinery in Iran, missile and drone attacks were carried out on the UAE and Kuwait."
This follows their earlier report of the Lavan refinery (on Siri Island) being hit despite a ceasefire.
It aligns with recent verified reports from Al Jazeera, Gulf News, and others on Iran's ongoing drone/missile strikes targeting Gulf energy sites in Kuwait and the UAE.
Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 10,564
Likes: 798
From: Northumberland
3) I was told that there was an operation to assassinate Mojtaba Khamenei, which Netanyahu was heavily invested in, which he had tried to convince Trump to wait for.
7) Some in the Mossad still believe that Israel was on the verge of toppling the Islamic Republic. Those reports were shown to the Trump administration which ignored them.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
IRIB News:
BREAKING | After the attack on the Lavan refinery in Iran, missile and drone attacks were carried out on the UAE and Kuwait.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Update on last Iranian attack wave before the "ceasefire" took effect. You can see why the UAE was unimpressed.
Iranian Armed Forces HQ:
Iranian Armed Forces HQ:
Iranian Armed Forces HQ: In the 100th wave of Iranian attacks, which was the last wave before the ceasefire, the following targets were attacked: (24 Targets)
.
.
- Chevron Refinery and Oil Facilities (Ras Al-Ju'aymah, Saudi Arabia): Identified as a major NGL fractionation facility and energy supplier.
- ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical Petrochemical Facilities (Jubail, Saudi Arabia).
- U.S. Company Oil Facilities (Yanbu, Red Sea Coast): Capacity of 250,000 barrels per day.
- Habshan Oil Facilities: Related to the Abu Dhabi-Fujairah pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
- ExxonMobil Oil Facilities (Ras Laffan, Qatar): Capacity of 146,000 barrels per day.
- Bapco Energies Facilities (Bahrain): Production of 267,000 barrels per day.
- Das Island Refinery (UAE): Processing capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
- U.S. Oil Company Facilities (Fujairah): Storage capacity of one million cubic meters.
- Al-Ahmadi Refinery (Kuwait): Production capacity of 346,000 barrels per day.
- Dolphin Energy (Qatar): Export capacity of 2 billion cubic feet per day.
- Zirku Island: Production capacity of 750,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
- SATORP (Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Company): Refinery with 460,000 barrels per day capacity.
- Manifa Gas Plant: Oil and gas separation capacity of 900,000 barrels per day.
- Information Technology and Advanced Industry Centers (Beersheba).
- Intelligence and Signal Centers: Located in the Azrieli and Diamond Towers.
- U.S. Central Command Regional Facilities (Al-Azraq, Jordan).
- Ben Gurion Airport.
- Haifa Oil Refinery: Production capacity of 300,000 barrels per day.
- Government Complex: Site of command and control centers.
- LHA-7 (USS Tripoli): Reported as hit by cruise missiles.
- CVN-74 (USS John C. Stennis): Reported as hit by drones.
- Drone Manufacturing Facility (UAE).
- U.S. Investment Oil Facilities (LSB, Kuwait).
- Ali Al Salem Air Base (Kuwait).
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Going where?
Video
Video
Israeli Channel 12 reports that U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial tankers are departing the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
The airport has been serving as a major staging base for US aerial refueling ops throughout the war with Iran.
The airport has been serving as a major staging base for US aerial refueling ops throughout the war with Iran.
Joined: Feb 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 36,137
Likes: 5,738
From: Falling off the end of the thread
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Iran News:
BREAKING: Iranian military source:
"No oil tanker or ship belonging to the enemies will pass through the Strait of Hormuz before 'Israel' commits to a ceasefire in Lebanon"
"No oil tanker or ship belonging to the enemies will pass through the Strait of Hormuz before 'Israel' commits to a ceasefire in Lebanon"
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Kuwaiti desalination plants hit. Around 90% of Kuwait's drinking water is provided by desalination.
Defense Ministry Spokesman, Colonel Saud Al-Otaibi:
Several facilities affiliated with the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation were subjected to an intense and widespread series of Iranian criminal targeting and attacks over consecutive hours.
- As announced in a statement to Al-Watan Channel, three power stations and water distillation plants were subjected to an attack using drones, resulting in significant material damage.
Several facilities affiliated with the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation were subjected to an intense and widespread series of Iranian criminal targeting and attacks over consecutive hours.
- As announced in a statement to Al-Watan Channel, three power stations and water distillation plants were subjected to an attack using drones, resulting in significant material damage.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
MOD UAE:
The Ministry of Defense announces that the blatant Iranian attacks since the ceasefire took effect have reached 17 ballistic missiles and 35 drones, and the air defenses have successfully dealt with them.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,509
Likes: 7,252
From: Peripatetic
Iran's First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ali Nikzad, stated today on state TV (via Fars News Agency) that if the U.S. does not fully accept Iran's 10 conditions for the agreement/ceasefire, the Supreme Leader will not permit it to be signed.
Iran TV, video in Arabic
Iran TV, video in Arabic
Iranian Parliament Deputy Speaker Ali Nikzad: "If the US does not accept our conditions, we will not make a deal."
Joined: Jun 2016
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 386
From: Brantisvogan
Then each sends their envoys with a list of what they are and are not prepared to accept.
You try find a compromise between those conflicting objectives, leveraging your strengths as much as possible.
Not always possible with such polar opposite ideals and expectations.
Last edited by Bell_ringer; 8th April 2026 at 14:27.
Joined: Mar 2008
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 1,811
Likes: 214
From: London
I did see a report this morning, which I can't now find, that the UK government had denied the US the use of RAF Fairford for strikes on civilian targets (couldn't see any mention of DIego Garcia). This would have had a significant impact on the scope of the strikes the US could have launched last night, had Trump gone down that path.
Joined: Jun 2016
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 386
From: Brantisvogan
The Israelis seem to be trying to make hay while the sun shines, pounding Lebanon before the US tries to stop their plans.
They remain the weak link in any ceasefire, seemingly happy to test the Iranian resolve to a ceasefire.
There must be a different definition to ceasefire in the modern handbook.
They remain the weak link in any ceasefire, seemingly happy to test the Iranian resolve to a ceasefire.
There must be a different definition to ceasefire in the modern handbook.