Iran

[[email protected]]

So, the USA has told the UAE it should use its troops to seize the disputed islands in the Strait and control of the Gulf

Start a war in someone else's back yard and then expect those guys to do your wet work for you - not exactly Franklin D Roosevelt level wartime leadership.....

[ORAC]

The Typhoons in Cyprus been equipped so that they can now perform the anti-UAS role and have released the F-35Bs to RTB.

https://x.com/GarethJennings3/status...470888767?s=20

First MoD (Crown Copyright) images and video of the Eurofighter Typhoon and APKWS combo now in operational counter-drone use with the RoyalAirForce's 9 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, and across the wider the Middle East...

​​​​​​​https://x.com/DefenceGeek/status/205...370463984?s=20

ROYAL AIR FORCE - MIDDLE EAST - ORBAT - 15th May 2026

As of this evening, I believe the RAF has the following aircraft still deployed in the Middle East:

RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus:

F-35B ZM142 #43C818 (since 06/02)
F-35B ZM156 #43C826 (10/03)
F-35B ZM159 #43C829 (06/02)
F-35B ZM169 #43C833 (06/02)

Typhoon ZK322 #43C6D5 (26/01)
Typhoon ZK334 #43CAE8 (26/01)
Typhoon ZK335 #43C746 (24/04)
Typhoon ZK343 #43CAE3 (24/04)
Typhoon ZK352 #43C77B (24/04)
Typhoon ZK353 #43C77C (24/04)
Typhoon ZK354 #43C77D (20/01)
Typhoon ZK366 #43C794 (06/02)
Typhoon ZK370 #43C798 (28/10/25)

Voyager KC.3 ZZ334 #43C6F7
Voyager KC.2 ZZ343 #43C700

Protector RG.1 PR010 #43C972

Al-Udeid Airbase (or another site), Qatar:

Typhoon ZK347 #43C709 (as of 06/03)
Typhoon ZK348 #43C70A (06/03)
Typhoon ZK350 #43C70C (23/01)
Typhoon ZK371 #43C799 (06/03)
Typhoon ZK373 #43C79B (23/01)
Typhoon ZK374 #43C79C (06/03)
Typhoon ZK432 #43C7A9 (23/01)
Typhoon ???? (x1 of the ones listed as Akrotiri should actually be here)

Returned to the UK today (15/05):

Voyager KC.2 ZZ338 #43C6FB
Voyager KC.2 ZZ331 #43C6F4
F-35B ZM141 #43C817
F-35B ZM144 #43C81A
F-35B ZM145 #43C81B
F-35B ZM150 #43C820
F-35B ZM157 #43C827
F-35B ZM164 #43C82E
F-35B ZM166 #43C821
F-35B ZM168 #43C832

Other recent returns to the UK:

Typhoon ZK305 #43C60D (29/04)
Typhoon ZK326 #43C6D9 (29/04)
Typhoon ZK359 #43C782 (30/04)
Typhoon ZK361 #43C784 (07/05)

Shadow R.1 ZZ419 #43C2B5 (14/04)
Shadow R.1 ZZ504 #43C61D (30/04)

Usual caveats apply, my data is based on public flight tracking information and collaboration with @ArmchairAdml & others from @MATA_osint and so is subject to change/corrections!

[ORAC]

Abu Dhabi government medias office:

https://x.com/ADMediaOffice/status/2...302682178?s=20

Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to a fire incident that broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region, caused by a drone strike.

No injuries were reported, and there was no impact on radiological safety levels. All precautionary measures have been taken, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) confirmed that the fire did not affect the safety of the power plant or the readiness of its essential systems, and that all units are operating as normal.

​​​​​​​The public is reminded to obtain information from official sources only, and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.

[BonnieLass]

Something strange seems to be occurring in Fujairah.

Earlier this morning there were several ships in the port and on the anchorage, pretty much business as usual.

Just glancing through the ports just now and Fujairah is completely empty of ships....all ships are gone from the port and at the anchorage ships have been moving south towards Al Widiyyat, Liwa and Sohar anchorages, most registering on AIS 5-11 hours ago.

Are they anticipating a problem at Fujairah?

[albatross]

New summary for week 11 on the Shipuation in the Prison Gulf and Doom-gurgle Strait from Sal at WGOWS

You Tube

[gums]

Thanks Bonnie, keep it coming...meanwhile...
----
So we are now seeing what was coming when they didn't have to demo their nuke and nobody was gonna help keep the Strait open.
I don't like it now and I wouldn't like then.
And speaking of their nukes...anyone notice their adamant public insistence on continuing their "peaceful" nuclear program? Heh heh. 60% or higher enrichment. And oh yeah, their sovereignty/right to control the Strait...uh huh? where are the folks here constantly emphasizing international practice and agreements and..and yet Bosporous remains, Gibraltar remains, Magellan remains...even the Bering remains wide open to all, even when one can be on a ladder in Tin City Alaska and see Russia thru the haze.
Sorry, but the regime we are all facing is not your basic 'enemy' or ruled by a greedy oligarchy type dictator...and it does not value most of its citizens' lives, much less rights. So not much room to inflict more "pain", as they are already enduring more than the world seems willing to endure - classic asymmetric war situation, and they are not afraid to use suicide vests at your wedding or schoolbuses. No other goup of their religion comes close to their demands for control of the Strait and continued development of the bomb, nor contribute as much to sorry bunches like Hamas and Hezbollah to wish to destroy another ethnic group on the planet , can you name one?

Tried to obey the ROE, but this discussion demands calling out a few items not welcome on the forum ROE.

Gums sends...

[El Grifo]

Originally Posted by gums

Thanks Bonnie, keep it coming...meanwhile...
----
So we are now seeing what was coming when they didn't have to demo their nuke and nobody was gonna help keep the Strait open.
I don't like it now and I wouldn't like then.
And speaking of their nukes...anyone notice their adamant public insistence on continuing their "peaceful" nuclear program? Heh heh. 60% or higher enrichment. And oh yeah, their sovereignty/right to control the Strait...uh huh? where are the folks here constantly emphasizing international practice and agreements and..and yet Bosporous remains, Gibraltar remains, Magellan remains...even the Bering remains wide open to all, even when one can be on a ladder in Tin City Alaska and see Russia thru the haze.
Sorry, but the regime we are all facing is not your basic 'enemy' or ruled by a greedy oligarchy type dictator...and it does not value most of its citizens' lives, much less rights. So not much room to inflict more "pain", as they are already enduring more than the world seems willing to endure - classic asymmetric war situation, and they are not afraid to use suicide vests at your wedding or schoolbuses. No other goup of their religion comes close to their demands for control of the Strait and continued development of the bomb, nor contribute as much to sorry bunches like Hamas and Hezbollah to wish to destroy another ethnic group on the planet , can you name one?

Tried to obey the ROE, but this discussion demands calling out a few items not welcome on the forum ROE.

Gums sends...

Was fine a few weeks back, or so !

El G.

[WillowRun 6-3]

The Wall Street Journal has published, on its website and (presumably) for its Monday print edition, an op-ed which advocates for Pres. Trump finishing the task of defeating Iran in fact as opposed to some thinly-veiled cut-and-run retreat. The author is Seth Cropsey, president of the Yorktown Institute, and a former naval officer and deputy undersecretary of the Navy (as stated by WSJ).

With some type of nod toward the forum and thread "ROEs", this post quotes just the part of the op-ed which asserts the actions Trump should undertake, and not the preceding portion which advocates for the strategy (as such) for the offensive in the first place. And I'm quoting it (verbatim) solely for the sake of possible discussion by posters who do have military planning and operations experience (which, no secret, I do not have).
_________
"First, the U.S. should prepare a major series of strikes against Iranian communications, transportation and other infrastructure, while concurrently unleashing the Israeli air force against remaining Iranian industries. Iran’s metallurgical industry, a pillar of its state-backed economy, is badly damaged. Coordinating with Israeli attacks on these targets while disrupting Iranian military movement would cripple virtually every industry for Iran except oil production.

Two additional operations would target the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian uranium storage in Isfahan. The former would be principally against Qeshm Island, in concert with the United Arab Emirates, which has attacked Iran many times during the war. Qeshm and its surrounding islands are the key to the strait. The latter operation should aim to seize nuclear material. By rescuing a downed pilot in early April, the U.S. demonstrated it can operate in the area effectively.

Finally, the U.S. should attack remaining Iranian tanker capacity inside the Strait of Hormuz. The faster we destroy Iran’s floating oil storage, the more the country’s economy will feel the squeeze.

Mr. Trump’s objective shouldn’t be to bluff the Iranians out. Instead it should be to demonstrate that if push comes to shove, the U.S. will commit to an overwhelming confrontation that breaks the Iranian state economically and politically. An air campaign approximating the war’s first week, which disoriented Iranian capabilities, is possible now that the dust has settled around Iran’s leadership."
_________

[gums]

Thanks for the ref, Willow....

WSJ may be interpreting what the Navy troop is saying, or both have to look back a bit.

The regime of interest will not change their goals due to more economic pressure, and has demonstrated this for 50 years. Signed agreements have pacified the international community that still believes in "peace in our time", and the regime suceeded in giving the zealots more time and even $$$ to help develop their bomb - witness the great agreement signed, mostly, in 2015.../sarc. OH yeah, allowed more $$ and hdwe for Hamas and Hezbollah for their acts of love and peaceful neighbor cooperation....still laughing....

Not gonna keep repeating, but my position has not changed since I raised the gear as lead of the last flight outta the damned war 51 years ago. In the end, it's up to the people to decide and then do. Saw it for ten years and lost many friends and students, both U.S. and Vee. And my country saw it 250 years ago, despite some "help" from two European adversaries of our motherland.
So best we outsiders can do is make it harder for an oppresive regime to exert their will on the "oppressed" and let the "oppressed" do it for themselves. Can't resist, but in a tribute to the right to bear arms, our success back then and again in 1812 was helped immensely by militia folks not trained to be soldiers, but were very good with their weapons when the time came. And I also point out that on the riverbank south of New Orleans in January 1815 a ragtag bunch of pirates, free men of color, ill-trained rebels, militia from Tennesee/Kentucky and Choctaw indians defeated a pretty fiercesome British force, ending that war. Then dallied in real estate business rebuilding the Whitehouse( as the King pointed out a few weeks ago, he heh).

Bottom line is that the country requires a regime change to some form of government resembling their neighbors' and it does not need to resemble any so-called democracy. The people should enjoy the gifts they have been provided on this Earth that were not given/allowed/permitted from other nations. And be good neighbors as much as possible.

Gums sends....
gonna be a rough week, wanna bet?

[Chronic Snoozer]

An air campaign approximating the war’s first week, which disoriented Iranian capabilities, is possible now that the dust has settled around Iran’s leadership.

Pipe dreams. Likely not possible to destroy floating oil storage without creating an environmental mess.

Once Iran re-attacks oil and gas infrastructure in Saudi, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, one assumes the US/Israel axis with depart leaving it for someone else to sort out.

[Chronic Snoozer]

Originally Posted by gums

Not gonna keep repeating, but my position has not changed

And yet you do. Which problem gets sorted out first; the one created in 1954, 2016 or 2026?

Bottom line is that the country requires a regime change to some form of government resembling their neighbors' and it does not need to resemble any so-called democracy. The people should enjoy the gifts they have been provided on this Earth that were not given/allowed/permitted from other nations. And be good neighbors as much as possible.

You're talking about the US, right?

[wondering]

Assuming the air war restarts, how long can USIsrael maintain a high intensive bombing campaign? The US administration wants us to believe they are are not running out of ammunition any time soon. Facts seem to tell otherwise.

https://militarywatchmagazine.com/ar...tockpiles-iran

[RatherBeFlying]

Well yes, Trump can do lots more damage to Iran, but Iran will do the same to KSA and Gulf States infrastructure. The Strait will be open, but there won't be much to ship for quite a few years.

​​​​​​KSA and the Gulf States have recently denied Trump airspace for offensive operations and may do so again. That doesn't mean that Trump will always respect airspace denials.

It's recently reported that Israel has established two bases in Iraq. Certain folks in the Iraqi government and military are denying knowledge. Self preservation may motivate the denials.

It's also possible that Trump and Israel will simply help themselves to Iraqi airspace.

[RatherBeFlying]

In Iraqi Desert, Two Israeli Outposts Were Kept Secret for Months

Maj. Gen. Ali al-Hamdani, commander of the Iraqi military’s Western Euphrates Forces, said the army had suspected an Israeli presence in the desert for over a month before the shepherd’s discovery. “Until now,” he said, “the government has been silent about it.” Iraq’s government, for whom acknowledging Israeli outposts is fraught, has still not acknowledged the Israeli bases. Iraq has no diplomatic relations with Israel, and its population sees Israel as an enemy. Lt. Gen. Saad Maan, a spokesman for Iraq’s security forces, told The Times that Iraq “has no information regarding the locations of any Israeli military bases.” Growing outrage in Iraq over the revelations could threaten U.S. efforts to curb Iranian influence in the country, even as the war’s outcome remains uncertain. Two regional security officials said the base Mr. al-Shammari exposed was used by Israel for air support, refueling and to provide medical treatment. The outpost was made to shorten distances Israeli aircraft had to fly to reach Iran. It was intended as only a temporary presence to assist with military operations — like those in the June 2025 war, during which, the two regional officials said, the base proved extremely useful.

[Winemaker]

Originally Posted by Chronic Snoozer

Pipe dreams. Likely not possible to destroy floating oil storage without creating an environmental mess.

Once Iran re-attacks oil and gas infrastructure in Saudi, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, one assumes the US/Israel axis with depart leaving it for someone else to sort out.

I must admit I don't see an easy way out of this mess. As we now stand, Iran still has its 60% enriched Uranium (which is much more easily enriched to bomb levels vs the original less than 1.0%) and the strait is closed to shipping, which is a worse situation than when this started. Trump needs to define a resolution, besides bombast, that solves these problems. Anything else is hot air.

[SINGAPURCANAC]

I have to ask, how Iran will enrich uranium- if their total energy supply are very low- providing that electric transportation network is already hard damage and it is very easy to destroy further ( without even using manned aircraft - just drones) energy assets ( hidro or fuel/ coal power stations) ?


Unless, someone sells electricity to Iran....🤪

[BonnieLass]

Today's updates on the Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandab, all of the anchorages inside and outside the Persian Gulf.....plus the problematic Jones Act causing issues for the US, another land link tween the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, Iranian tankers bypassing the USN and the heightened threat after the nuclear reactor attack (mentioned above but in more detail and possibly why Fujairah went dark)

The Jones Act of 1920 has reared its ugly side again with the conflict in Iran and, specifically, the lack of US flagged vessels. The gist of the Jones Act is (and I am sure I will be corrected if necessary), only US flagged ships can call into US ports consecutively (ie a ship flagged as US can call into the port of Miami and then go to Mobile without having to go to a foreign port inbetween). Foreign flagged ships have to sail to a foreign port tween each US port call unless they receive a waiver from the US government. The Act is certainly an understandable piece of legislation, however it is not practical especially in times of war and when you do not have a large fleet of ships that you can depend on. The Iran conflict and the problems with the Strait of Homuz has once again highlighted the downsides of the Act...

The debate over the Jones Act highlights the energy-freedom aspect of the national security/energy security connection.

The U.S. has a fleet of only 190 ocean-going ships, both Jones Act-compliant and non-compliant. It has only one Jones Act LNG carrier, operating under a provision that allows gas shipments from the mainland to Puerto Rico. It has no other LNG carriers to handle the roughly 15 billion cubic feet per day of exported gas, which accounts for 25 percent of the world's LNG trade.

This is a $60+ billion business that generates $8+ billion in U.S. tax revenues. What happens to this business if the owners of LNG carriers elect to boycott the U.S.?

A tiny U.S.-flag oil tanker fleet risks the export of the net four million barrels per day of oil we produce. Furthermore, we import about eight million barrels of oil per day to feed our refineries. Could the U.S. be held hostage by an adversary?
Our national and energy security are at risk because we lack a shipping fleet guaranteeing our energy freedom. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has highlighted the critical role shipping plays in keeping the global economy operating and how a lack of ships can magnify that risk for countries.

The U.S. is at such a risk. It's time to correct this vulnerability.

The reason why the Jones Act is pertinent to the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the Iranian war is that there are US flagged ships still stranded within the Persian Gulf, those ships are now essentially out of service as a result. The current conflict with Iran is the largest oil shock in recent history, the knock on effect is that as much as the US has stepped up production of crude and oil products (which doesn't help everyone due to the US crude being lighter than the ME crude), there is a shortage of US flagged ships that can go from US port to US port direct. Waivers for foreign flagged ships are harder to come by as a result of some "difficult" intra-country relations in recent months.

More on that here : National Security Requires Energy Security - The lack of a sizeable ocean-going fleet puts the U.S. at risk. (Maritime Executive - May 17, 2026)

Iran, on the other hand, have a significant number of tankers, many are empty and are seemingly able to transit the Strait of Hormuz with ease despite the USN blockade. Although Kharg Island has made a temporary stop on loading (due to an ongoing threat of attack) there are several other oil terminal ports along the Iranian coast which are still able to load crude, oil products and gases and then used as floating storage. There does not appear to be a shortage of storage both on land or using older VLCC's for the purpose.

One oil product tanker, called Pegasus, has crossed the USN blockade several times and made transit of the Strait at least 3 times....yet she was on the blacklist during Biden's tenure. She is currently in the Al Widiyyat anchorage (last seen on AIS May 15, 2026)




More on the Iranian tankers : Iran's Empty Tankers are Still Running Blockade, But Loadings Have Stopped (Maritime Executive - May 17, 2026)

Tensions are certainly growing across the region in regard to potential restart of hostilities. The drone attack on the nuclear power plant (as already mentioned in the thread yesterday) has brought about a sense of unease, not least in areas where the region's major assets are....such as Fujairah that went dark and appeared to have been totally evacuated yesterday. Fujairah is, of course, one end of a very important pipeline network and an essential part of keeping the crude flowing out of the Persian Gulf without depending on the Strait of Hormuz. Further damage to the complex would set things back significantly. The port is still dark this morning, along with the Naval port further up the coast.

The four South Korean-built nuclear reactors at Barakah generate about 25% of the UAE’s total energy consumption, and are very heavily defended. The reactors were also constructed to withstand physical attacks.

Diplomatically, negotiations between Iran and the United States and Iran in Islamabad have been at an impasse for about a week, with President Trump’s visit to China a cause to delay any kinetic action. But with the talks in Beijing now over, with no obvious output regarding the ceasefire in Iran, the United States has in effect cleared the decks for its next move to resolve the crisis – one option being a resumption of military operations against Iran if there is not a greater willingness to negotiate.

..........


Whether a move to break the ceasefire comes from Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or the United States, is anybody’s guess - the likelihood of it occurring is raised and currently very high.

For most parties to the conflict, maintenance of the current status quo cannot extend for many more weeks. The Iranian population is already feeling the impact of the blockade at street level. The plight of ordinary Iranians is unlikely though to move the Iranian hardline leadership. With Iran holding 125 million barrels of oil afloat, equivalent to about three months of export production, the Iranian leadership may think it can tough it out. But many of the protagonists may not want to wait that long, and hence a return to war may not be too far distant.

...........

In this context, the US Air Force is continuing to make regular B-1B strategic bomber sorties from RAF Fairford in the West of England across France to the Eastern Mediterranean, employing the same flight paths that would be used should the ceasefire collapse and US attacks on Iran resume. These training flights not only keep flight crews well-prepared, but also generate a ‘normal’ level of activity which would make it difficult to identify an imminent attack. There are currently 15 B1-B Lancers at RAF Fairford, out of an operational fleet of about 40 aircraft in Global Strike Command. Open source aircraft trackers are also reporting heavy transport aircraft movements across Europe towards the Middle East.

More on this : The Odds of Renewed Hostilities With Iran are Increasing (Maritime Executive - May 17, 2026)

Local media are giving a less optimistic view...

What if disruption in Strait of Hormuz never ends? World adapts to “new normal” (Gulf News - May 18, 2026)

Dubai’s new ‘Green Corridor’ turns critical trade route amid sea disruptions (Gulf News - May 17, 2026)

So not really looking brilliant for the furture of the Strait of Hormuz, though the Gulf States should be commended on getting alternative ways and means to get their produce out of the Persian Gulf and avoiding the Strait up and running so quickly when under such tense and difficult circumstances.

On to the Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandab and anchorages....

Strait of Hormuz is very quiet again this morning in relation to AIS movements, that is not to say that there could be some dark movements happening. The Bab-el-Mandab is very busy and flowing freely (at time of writing, no incidents have been recorded)





Persian Gulf anchorages remain busy, very little has changed...Doha is still light and the area of Das Island (tween Doha and Sharjah) is becoming busier with mainly VLCC traffic







On the Gulf of Oman side, Fujairah is still largely quiet or perhaps dark. The rest of the main anchorages and ports are busy and with heavy clusters




As before, no update on CMA CGM San Antonio.

That's it for today....back tomorrow.

(Thank you to those who have shown interest in these updates, they take me a couple of hours or so to collate and write up with sources from local media, international industry media and various government departments in the region. None is sourced from any form of social media as I like to cross check everything from official sources within the countries concerned before posting)

[henra]

Originally Posted by gums

Thanks Bonnie, keep it coming...meanwhile...
----
So we are now seeing what was coming when they didn't have to demo their nuke and nobody was gonna help keep the Strait open.

You can't force the Strait open militarily. Cue CMA CGM San Antonio. It seems she was one of three ships guarded through the Strait by one of the most powerful Destroyer Types globally. Now she is destroyed.

[BonnieLass]

Originally Posted by henra

You can't force the Strait open militarily. Cue CMA CGM San Antonio. It seems she was one of three ships guarded through the Strait by one of the most powerful Destroyer Types. Now it is destroyed.

There have been approximately 40+ ships that have been attacked and, technically, written off since the conflict began on February 28, 2026. Project Freedom, which the CMA CGM San Antonio was part of the only convoy under that exercise, was fundamentally flawed, not least by not speaking to the Gulf Allies prior to it starting. In order to get the ships out of the Persian Gulf with a military escort, you first have to get your military escort into the Persian Gulf and despite the obligatory denials, those USN ships did come under fire by way of warning shots (nothing was actually hit but they were fired upon). That alone along with the unannounced plan to start Project Freedom...it is always useful to keep locally placed Allies in the loop as they could be of assistance if anything goes wrong.....should have been a signal that Project Freedom, whilst good on paper, was maybe a risk too far in actuality.

In order to bring a balanced view from both sides of the Strait of Hormuz "fence".....

One of the most reliable Iranian news agencies....one that the majority of the world's media look to for accurate information...has announced that Iran and Oman (who both share territorial waters through the Strait of Hormuz) are in discussions and have been for quite some time and as late as last week to try and sort out a way to operate the Strait of Hormuz in a safe and secure way.......and without the need for the proverbial toll booth. These discussions do not include the US or Israel, it is purely between the two countries who share territorial waters and both countries desire to return to the pre-war state of the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a weekly press conference on Monday, Esmaeil Baqaei described the Strait of Hormuz as a highly important waterway for the entire world, saying Iran has always made extensive efforts to safeguard secure passage through the route and remains committed to ensuring that navigation is carried out with full safety.

He noted that the Strait of Hormuz lies within the waters of Iran and Oman and that the two littoral countries consider themselves responsible for ensuring safe transit for all nations.

Referring to developments after the US and the Zionist regime launched an unprovoked war of aggression that prompted Iran to adopt measures for its national security, the spokesman said such actions are permissible under international law.

He stated that the process is continuing and that Iran remains in constant contact with Oman to draft a mechanism capable of fulfilling that responsibility. According to Baqaei, expert-level meetings were held in Muscat last week and contacts are ongoing.

Commenting on claims regarding the collection of fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesman said reducing the issue of new arrangements for ensuring safe transit in the waterway to merely a financial matter is a deviation from the main issue.

He noted that it is natural for any coastal country to receive payments for services it provides, but stressed that the core issue is ensuring secure navigation and taking measures to preserve national security.

More of this : Iran in Contact with Oman on Hormuz Mechanism: Spokesman (Tasnim - May 18, 2026)

Some people will inevitably say that Tasnim are biased towards their own country of Iran, Iranian thoughts, opinions and values.......well, let us be honest, every country's media is biased towards their own country's thoughts, opinions and values, that is an inevitable part of being the "flagship" media company for any country. Iran and Tasnim are no different in that to any other government preferred or associated media agency.

Sea traffic via the Strait of Hormuz was unhindered prior to the conflict, there had not been any issues or animosity towards or from Iran for many years in regard to the Strait and its security or safety. The fact that Iran is in discussions with Oman over the Strait and that both Pakistan and now Qatar are in discussions with Iran to get the currently stalled talks with the US and Israel restarted shows a willingness on Iran's part to move forward. They all need the US and Israel to move forward too.

In my daily updates, I mention the Bab-el-Mandab Strait that joins the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. This area has been subject to piracy and to ship attacks committed by the Houthi. It is well documented that the Houthi are aligned with the Iranian regime and what happens in Iran by way of hostilities thus placing the Strait of Hormuz in danger will do the same for the Bab-el-Mandab Strait. It should be stressed that the Houthi are in the north of Yemen and not anywhere near Aden in the south. Having been to Aden myself more than once, there is palpable hatred of the northern areas of the country and has been that way for many many decades (a very close friend of mine was stationed in Aden with the UN - 1963-7). Therefore it is important that Yemeni people are not painted with the same brush as the radical element to the north, the Houthi. It also needs to be said that the Houthi are not included in the current Iran / Israel /Lebanon / Gaza / US ceasefires, they are bubbling under the surface. To that end, there has been a statement of Houthi leadership condemning the ongoing attacks tween Israeli forces and Hezbollah, if these attacks continued, the Bab-el-Mandab Strait could be shut down by the Houthi which must be avoided.

More on this : Official Stresses Yemeni Ansarullah’s Support for Hezbollah against Israel (Tasnim - May 16, 2026)


There is, therefore, much to play for and much to discuss and negotiate tween the main antagonists....with Oman, Qatar and Pakistan all doing their part to get those antagonists around the table and with Iran being the most willing to do so, the next move from the US and Israel will mean either the world returns to relative (if more suspicious) normality or the current trade, civilian, military, shipping losses will increase.

There is far more riding on the proposed negotiations headed by Qatar, Pakistan and Oman than a regime change, the handover of uranium or any other reason thusfar given for the hostilities that began on February 28, 2026. Too many lives have been lost on all sides both military and civilian and as Mr Xi rightly said, this was a war that should never have been started.

[nonsense]

Originally Posted by gums

...
And speaking of their nukes...anyone notice their adamant public insistence on continuing their "peaceful" nuclear program?
...
Gums sends...

New nuclear capacity in the last twenty years has been located in China (13 power stations), Russia & Belarus (3), India (1, 2013), UAE (1, 2021) and Iran (1, 2011); the last new nuclear power station in the US was 30 years ago. Objections in the west to nuclear have progressed from political to economic; it's simply far too expensive and takes far too long to build.

Given Iran's location and climate, if they're really about electricity they'd be better off with distributed power sources derived from oil and renewables, particularly ever cheaper solar panels from their mates in China. The "peaceful nuclear program" cover story gets thinner every year.