Seeing those serial numbers on the KC-135's such as 57-1502 and other 1958, 1959...year groups, they have definitely earned their keep!

At least 32 USAF tankers deploying now

It makes you wonder what their intentions are for all that enriched Uranium? And why the IAEA has declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations?

"Aren't building" doesn't mean that they have neither the intention or capability of doing so.


How many years ago?


Identifying who fired the first shot is a fools game; this is just the latest phase of a regional conflict that has been going on for decades. And I'm not aware that the Iranian leadership are progressive liberals..... Just as a matter of interest, are Israel pledged to the complete destruction of the state of Iran?

I thought the US had moved their embassy to Jerusalem?

According to Google, the main embassy is in Jerusalem and there is a branch office in Tel Aviv

Uranium has to be enriched with U-235 to around 3%-5% to efficiently power a nuclear power station. That figure rises to around 90% to produce a reliable nuclear weapon. I believe it was the IAEA who recently stated that Iran was at 60% enrichment. That is clearly far more than is needed for nuclear power stations, no explanation has been offered for the 60% by Iran so what conclusions would a rational person draw from this information? Factor in that Iran has stated that it would like to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth and it is not difficult for that rational person to understand why Israel may feel entitled to ‘get its retaliation in first!’

More a diplomatic move than physical.

The Ambassador now has an office in the building in Jerusalem, though he splits his work between there and Tel Aviv. Just 50 out of the 1000 staff relocated to Jerusalem, the rest remain in Tel Aviv.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Av..._United_States

“In December 2017, President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered that the US Embassy be moved there. The US Embassy in Israel relocated to Arnona, the site of the consular section of the US Consulate General on May 14, 2018. A space was carved out in that building for office space for the Ambassador and a small staff.”….

I believe it's the aircraft that aren't tracked that would be more interesting...

If Isreal has air dominance over Iran, it could move SF in and out, perhaps bunker busters may only be 200lbs each

Orac
That is an amazing video. I wonder if any passengers witnessed that because I am sure it would be more than a little alarming.
Icarus 1

Iran has reportedly declared the Straits of Hormuz closed. That would seen to be a bit of an escalation.

"reserving the right to sink or seize any ships" would seem to be aspirational at best, and a red flag at worst to justify a bit of a tiff against their beloved leadership.

Is there enough popcorn for this one?

Iran effectively choking off China's energy won't go unnoticed in Beijing... nor anywhere else on the planet. It's one way to tender a resignation that doesn't involve 6th floor windows.

There is a symmetry in the fact that Iran supplied Russia Shaheed drones to attack Ukraine, and when Iran is getting some aggro from Israel it asks for support from Russia and gets a No response from Vlad the victorious. Given the effectiveness of anything coming out of Russia that is more offensive than vodka breath....

One would assume the Iranians could be selective about which vessels they allow through the straits.

But ultimately you suspect that Iran will end up as the big loser.

Like others in this thread, I have been wanting to visit Iran for decades, the Persian architectural heritage looks amazing, and having grown up in SoCal, I went to school with some Persians that escaped when the Shah was overthrown - wonderful people, and I wonder now, how many of them were connected with Grumman... but I digress!

The point of this post, half cheeky, half sincere, is: I hope the F-14s that Iran apparently still has operational were not blown up.

As one who prays for detente with the Persia, I think the symbolic power of have a USA Contingent of Peace escorted through Iranian skies by F-14s would be a profound reminder that we were once friendly, and I cannot think of a better way for us to re-establish our bonds than to have the men who delivered the F-14s (and those who built the Grumman housing in and around Isfahan) reunite with those majestic birds and the Persian men who have kept them flying. Crazier things have happened in this world!

If they actually do that, it could be a motivation to Israel to go ahead and sink Kharg Island

Can;t find that reported anywhere - just an Iranian MP threatening they might do so.

Reporting here has it that the Iranians are appealing to other Middle East nations and Europe to get Israel to de-escalate as the Israeli Air Force have total control over their airspace and are taking out their targets at will.

And from Fox. If you believe the in bold sentence you will believe anything. Do they really think Trump will call them?

Further reports are that State TV is not functioning after being bombed.

State TV back up and running in a few minutes according to the BBC

That taken from the statements by Abbas Araghchi.
The question is, why would the American president do that now?
I am coming up empty, at the present, for this reason:
A further weakening of Iran's capacity for war, or warlike actions, will be of benefit to most of the Gulf States whom the POTUS recently visited.

Well, apart from the civilians getting killed - if the Israelies are after regime change, they seem to be assuming that any replacement government will be an improvement. What if it is a worse, more rogue?