11 MQ-9 Reapers lost to date

Iranian Foreign Minister confirms Russia is providing Iran with targeting information related to the Americans.

Russia not providing Iran with targeting information related to the Americans.

5 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

Iranian Foreign Minister confirms Russia is providing Iran with targeting information related to the Americans.

Yet Trump rewards Putin by lifting sanctions on Russian oil shipments to India.

USAF KC135s pulled out from Prince Sultan AB

https://defenceaffairs.substack.com/p/us-moves-kc-135s-from-saudi-air-base

This follows reports in the last 24 hours of Gulf Air pulling their fleet from Al Muharraq to Saudi Arabia.

The Iranian missile/drone threat we are told has been >90% reduced or nullified.

Are interceptors taking out Iranian drones or are Iranian drones taking out interceptors?

9 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Yet Trump rewards Putin by lifting sanctions on Russian oil shipments to India.

Apparently Russia making more money is good for America, though I thought the main reason was to help India, like the main reason to bomb Iran was to help Iranians.

Looser rules of engagement is likely the reason the school was hit with a Tomohawk

https://bsky.app/profile/acyn.bsky.social/post/3mgqqvbiny22n

One explanation proferred is that the Americans were working off old data; the school was part of essentially a IRGC Headquarters Compound, and had failed to update the data with changes to the compound that involved walling off the school and clinic from access to thr rest of the compound (ie. these were no longer IRGC facilities, likely opened up to locals, but they didn't want civvies to be casually walking around a military base after the school run).

On 2-March Secretary Hegseth mentioned getting rid of "stupid rules of engagement". Well hitting a school, accidently or otherwise, is why ROEs have developed.

Rules of Engagement evolved from ancient, often unwritten, constraints on behavior in war, such as the chivalric codes of the Middle Ages. The Just War concept evolved in Egypt, but as everyone knows, it was St Augustine, as he formulated the Original Sin doctrine, who came up with the Just War theory, that underpins our societal normalities for at least the last 80 years (which many on this forum seem oblivious to, given a few questions, from I suspect no-Christians, who thought there was no such thing as an illegal war). ROEs became a thing in Vietnam, and really formalised in 1994.

14 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

One explanation proferred is that the Americans were working off old data; the school was part of essentially a IRGC Headquarters Compound, and had failed to update the data with changes to the compound that involved walling off the school and clinic from access to thr rest of the compound (ie. these were no longer IRGC facilities, likely opened up to locals, but they didn't want civvies to be casually walking around a military base after the school run).

As I posted Sunday:

The school was located approx. 200-300 meters from the navy installation.

A 'precision' airstrike can have a CEP circle accuracy of less than 10 meters.

Maybe the Dept. of WAR let their satellite photo subscription lapse

https://aseannow.com/topic/1388594-takeaways-from-the-iran-strike/page/15/#comment-20409959

it all starts to fall into place, the funny way around when a stupid decision making a head of state look bad, making him less then nothing, the guy had enough balls to come back and offer his help that the TACO denied, guess what??? now TACO is going back and asks for his help, if I was Zelensky I would show TACO the middle finger, glad he's not me, this shows exactly how the moron lacks class/education/respect, last year Trump and Vance humiliated Zelensky and now he has to crawl back asking for his help, funny how the world works, as I said I wouldn't help until Trump re-activate the support to Ukraine

Trump stopped all US military support for Ukraine a year ago

Donald Trump has been forced into an awkward climbdown after shrugging off Volodymyr Zelensky’s offer to help counter Iranian drones—then going back to ask for it after all.

The meeting turned into what was widely seen as an ambush as Vance scolded Zelensky over a perceived lack of gratitude towards America

Trump Forced to Crawl Back to World Leader He Humiliated With Embarrassing Plea

https://au.news.yahoo.com/trump-forced-crawl-back-world-125014901.html

and Putin has the last word, he's playing TACO the way he wants and the moron just keeps bending over, if anybody had any doubts about Trump's loyalties, his latest decisions removed all and any doubts, he Krasnov belongs to Russia & Putin or maybe Putin & Russia, whatever fits your narrative but we know without any doubt that Trump is Putin's best ally as the Moscow midget tells him to jump and Trump asks how high... middle terms can't come fast enough for the guy to be impeached and removed as he's a danger to the USA and the world

Donald Trump has shrugged off Russia supplying intelligence to his enemies in Iran and rewarded the Kremlin with the option of lifting oil sanctions against Moscow. The latest moves by the US president beg the question “whose side is he on” – and not for the first time.

At a press conference, Trump unveiled his plan to resolve the spike in oil: “We’re waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices

Putin gives Trump easy way out of confused Iran war strategy – and he might take it

https://au.news.yahoo.com/putin-gives-trump-easy-way-155039039.html

1 hour ago, Roadsternut said:

Looser rules of engagement is likely the reason the school was hit with a Tomohawk

https://bsky.app/profile/acyn.bsky.social/post/3mgqqvbiny22n

One explanation proferred is that the Americans were working off old data; the school was part of essentially a IRGC Headquarters Compound, and had failed to update the data with changes to the compound that involved walling off the school and clinic from access to thr rest of the compound (ie. these were no longer IRGC facilities, likely opened up to locals, but they didn't want civvies to be casually walking around a military base after the school run).

On 2-March Secretary Hegseth mentioned getting rid of "stupid rules of engagement". Well hitting a school, accidently or otherwise, is why ROEs have developed.

Rules of Engagement evolved from ancient, often unwritten, constraints on behavior in war, such as the chivalric codes of the Middle Ages. The Just War concept evolved in Egypt, but as everyone knows, it was St Augustine, as he formulated the Original Sin doctrine, who came up with the Just War theory, that underpins our societal normalities for at least the last 80 years (which many on this forum seem oblivious to, given a few questions, from I suspect no-Christians, who thought there was no such thing as an illegal war). ROEs became a thing in Vietnam, and really formalised in 1994.

you do know that Trump claimed (without any supporting evidence) that Iran has Tomahawks (where did they got them???? LOL) and they may have used 1 on the school.... I know, I know anything to deflect from his maga cronies mistakes, they shoot at the school, that's war crimes and somebody should be held accountable

2 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

Apparently Russia making more money is good for America, though I thought the main reason was to help India, like the main reason to bomb Iran was to help Iranians.

I am a believer and I do believe anything and everything Putin says, remember in 2022 when he said he was not invading Ukraine, I did believe him LOL

2 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

Russia not providing Iran with targeting information related to the Americans.

Witkoff ancestry is Russian, can't be trusted same as Vlad

1 hour ago, Mavideol said:

you do know that Trump claimed (without any supporting evidence) that Iran has Tomahawks (where did they got them???? LOL) and they may have used 1 on the school.... I know, I know anything to deflect from his maga cronies mistakes, they shoot at the school, that's war crimes and somebody should be held accountable

Sarcasm doesn't work on a keyboard. In fact, he's being stupid, while pretending to be clever, such as when he interjected on AF1. Hegseth was asked about it, and fairly correctly responded they were investigating (which means they aren't sure exactly where all their Tomahawks ended up). Trump came in with some rubbish about Iranian accuracy, which he probably knows nothing about. He's a bull<deleted>ter, thats how property developers get on. You know how estate agents/realtors sell property; pure, stinking bull<deleted>.

6 hours ago, Mavideol said:

I tell you why... so his master Putin can start selling his inventory and get fresh cash to fund the Ukraine war, anything and everything to help his master, BTW they had a very recent phone conversation

it was rhetorical!!

CNN Breaking News

@cnnbrk

·

42m

Exclusive: Moscow is giving Iran specific advice on drone tactics to hit US and Gulf nation targets in the Middle East, source tells CNN.

https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-11-26?post-

On 3/9/2026 at 11:44 PM, Nick Carter icp said:

Same reason as it matters as to whether hes wearing a hat or not

Actually there could be significance in the wearing of a hat (and maybe weight), when considering other observations.

Right hand; routinely now seen with makeup, sometimes seen heavily bruised. Interpretation is a drip has been fitted.

Apparent scarring seen on neck; some thought shingles, also consistant with radiotherapy

Hat; Might be campaign trail mode of thinking, even at a dignified transfer, worrying about the votes. Might also be afraid of his comb over blowing. He's as bald as a coot on top, and the Trump hair is an elaborate comb over. Further hair loss might exacerbate embarassment.

The official reason is that he is experiencing a skin condition on his neck (thus acknowledging its not a trick of the light etc), that is being treated with a topical cream. I've never seen photos of him as a younger man with such a rash.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/02/trump-neck-rash

I see no reason why any world leader should have a life threatening condition divulged to the public during a period of heightened international tension. Roosevelt went years making sure people didn't see him in a wheelchair. Biden likely witheld information about a Prostate Cancer diagnosis while in office, Reagan's team likely covered up early Alzheimers, again during a period of global instability.

https://bsky.app/profile/chrismurphyct.bsky.social/post/3mgqotmihcs2w

Confused war aims, lack of planning

I was in a 2 hour briefing today on the Iran War. All the briefings are closed, because Trump can't defend this war in public. I obviously can't disclose classified info, but you deserve to know how incoherent and incomplete these war plans are. Here's what I can share:

Maybe the lead is that the war goals DO NOT involve destroying Iran's nuclear weapons program. This is, uh...surprising...since Trump says over and over this is a key goal. But then of course we already know air strikes can't wipe out their nuclear material.

Second, they confirmed "regime change" is also NOT on the list. So, they are going to spend hundreds of billions of your taxpayer dollars, get a whole bunch of Americans killed, and a hardline regime - probably a MORE anti-American hardline regime - will still be in charge.

Ok, so what ARE the goals? It seems, primarily, destroying lots of missiles and boats and drone factories. But the question that stumped them: what happens when you stop bombing and they restart production?

And on the Strait of Hormuz, they had NO PLAN. I can't go into more detail about how Iran gums up the Strait, but suffice it say, right now, they don't know how to get it safely back open. Which is unforgiveable, because this part of the disaster was 100% foreseeable.

The thing about sea mines:

1. Iran only has to say they have mined the waterway, and that has the same effect as actually mining the waterway. Commercial shipping stops, and minesweepers have to deploy, very close to the Iranian coast to prove a negative. 6000 square miles, at least, have to be screen, not one, not twice, but probably 10 times.

2. The currents in the Straits of Hormuz are exceptionally complex, driven by tides, but also driven by the mixing of highly saline Persian Gulf water with less salty Gulf of Oman. Waters moves in and out of the Gulf, but also up and down.

3. What this means is that minesweeping is complex, perhaps impossible, especially in a hostile environment. You can't do a simple grid sweep and declare it clear, because mines can pop up behind you.

What's the minesweeping capability in the region? Surprisingly, f**k all, except a dubious autonomous system. Until January, the Royal Navy's presence in Bahrain was minesweepers. RN minesweepers have been deployed in Bahrain for 46 years. In January, last minesweeper, HMS Middleton, was withdrawn, following HMS Bangor and RFA Cardigan Bay. Terrific timing.

Americans might be thinking, typical Brits, not spending on defence. Woah, not so fast. At least this is one example of the Brits hanging around a bit longer (and they might have a solution, albeit untested). The US had 4 Avenger class minesweepers in the Gulf. They were pulled out in September 2025, and have just arrived in the Philadelphia yards for scrapping. They were supposed to be replaced by cheapo Independance class Littoral Combat Ships. However, in the Navy, the LCS are known as Little Crappy Ships. Ominously, the Indepedance class LCS is know to suffer from cracked hulls.

https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-09-25/bahrain-minesweeper-lcs-decomission-19218814.html

The US Navy basically has no minesweeping capability in the Gulf. This is why the President was demanding, in ALL CAPs, that the Iranians remove any mines they had deployed. Well, besides having no minesweepers themselves, the rest of the Iranian navy is sleeping with Davy's Locker.

The Americans say they have sunk the Iranian's 16 minelaying vessal. Ok, that doesn't mean the Iranians can no longer lay mines. Any ship can lay mines. The Gulf is full of tens of thousands of Dhows, all looking identical, carrying various loads, small and bulky. A lot of them will be transporting big cylindrical metal objects on their decks, diesel for Karachi. Muscat etc. Looks a lot like a deck of mines.

So the Royal Navy thought ahead a little. They came up with the RNMB Harrier. This is currently still in testing trials in the Gulf........

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/dsei-uk-2025/2025/09/royal-navy-brings-mine-sweeping-back-into-the-fleet/

34 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

https://bsky.app/profile/chrismurphyct.bsky.social/post/3mgqotmihcs2w

Confused war aims, lack of planning

The thing about sea mines:

1. Iran only has to say they have mined the waterway, and that has the same effect as actually mining the waterway. Commercial shipping stops, and minesweepers have to deploy, very close to the Iranian coast to prove a negative. 6000 square miles, at least, have to be screen, not one, not twice, but probably 10 times.

2. The currents in the Straits of Hormuz are exceptionally complex, driven by tides, but also driven by the mixing of highly saline Persian Gulf water with less salty Gulf of Oman. Waters moves in and out of the Gulf, but also up and down.

3. What this means is that minesweeping is complex, perhaps impossible, especially in a hostile environment. You can't do a simple grid sweep and declare it clear, because mines can pop up behind you.

What's the minesweeping capability in the region? Surprisingly, f**k all, except a dubious autonomous system. Until January, the Royal Navy's presence in Bahrain was minesweepers. RN minesweepers have been deployed in Bahrain for 46 years. In January, last minesweeper, HMS Middleton, was withdrawn, following HMS Bangor and RFA Cardigan Bay. Terrific timing.

Americans might be thinking, typical Brits, not spending on defence. Woah, not so fast. At least this is one example of the Brits hanging around a bit longer (and they might have a solution, albeit untested). The US had 4 Avenger class minesweepers in the Gulf. They were pulled out in September 2025, and have just arrived in the Philadelphia yards for scrapping. They were supposed to be replaced by cheapo Independance class Littoral Combat Ships. However, in the Navy, the LCS are known as Little Crappy Ships. Ominously, the Indepedance class LCS is know to suffer from cracked hulls.

https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-09-25/bahrain-minesweeper-lcs-decomission-19218814.html

The US Navy basically has no minesweeping capability in the Gulf. This is why the President was demanding, in ALL CAPs, that the Iranians remove any mines they had deployed. Well, besides having no minesweepers themselves, the rest of the Iranian navy is sleeping with Davy's Locker.

The Americans say they have sunk the Iranian's 16 minelaying vessal. Ok, that doesn't mean the Iranians can no longer lay mines. Any ship can lay mines. The Gulf is full of tens of thousands of Dhows, all looking identical, carrying various loads, small and bulky. A lot of them will be transporting big cylindrical metal objects on their decks, diesel for Karachi. Muscat etc. Looks a lot like a deck of mines.

So the Royal Navy thought ahead a little. They came up with the RNMB Harrier. This is currently still in testing trials in the Gulf........

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/dsei-uk-2025/2025/09/royal-navy-brings-mine-sweeping-back-into-the-fleet/

This scenario is only the tip of the iceberg of what poor planning results in. Trump has led the U.S. into this quagmire, but is now attempting to fool anyone willing to listen him that everything is going as planned. The problem is, there is no coherent plan.

16 hours ago, kwilco said:

it was rhetorical!!

I knew it and was trying to make a joke., I guess it didn't work, my apologies

one has to wonder how much would Trump's war will cost to the American's tax payers, the bill will be huge all because of the TACO "feeling", best estimates so far is each single day costs taxpayers 1 billion of the green bill and since there is nobody on his team with the slightest idea about a timeline/time frame, feel free to do the calculations

Trump officials have refused to lay out a definitive timeline for the war.

How much is the Iran war costing taxpayers? Here's what estimates show

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/much-iran-war-costing-taxpayers-212311982.html