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April 16, 2026
Iran Open Thread 2026-077
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It’s increasingly difficult to assess how much petrol is actually making its way out of the Persian Gulf with this “blockade the blockade” (if any).
Widely divergent assessments are to be found in different media, which mostly seem politically driven. Does anybody have an actual factual assessment? How many boats are making it, if any? Carrying oil from which country ?
Posted by: Shahmaran | Apr 16 2026 15:54 utc | 1
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Truth Details
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Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST. On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE. It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Possible Cease Fire ?
Posted by: KillerDoll | Apr 16 2026 16:09 utc | 3
Several sources are reporting an abnormally high number of oil tankers are headed to US to fill up. Maritime intelligence company Windward reports 171 versus normal 100 on AOL. AOL article
Posted by: Mark O | Apr 16 2026 16:10 utc | 4
Does anybody have an actual factual assessment?
I post an occasional count of Ship traffic in Palestine and now Hormuz. but you can see for your self:
Check this out – live tracking of ship traffic. Red Icons are Oil Tankers, Green Freighters, Purple Yachts. Click on an Icon and learn all about the ship’s plus route = where from- where going. You can scroll around, zoom in/out to any where on Earth.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:57.2/centery:26.1/zoom:7
Posted by: Exile | Apr 16 2026 16:10 utc | 5
Posted by: KillerDoll | Apr 16 2026 16:09 utc | 3
Possible Cease Fire ?
The government of Lebanon is a US and Israeli puppet state. Hezbollah is a totally different entity. This is a ploy to pretend negotiations are happening and a ceasefire is possible, by ignoring Hezbollah altogether. For years the US and Israel have been pressuring the Lebanese government to clamp down on Hezbollah, but the problem is the majority of the Lebanese army are Hezbollah sympathizers.
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:17 utc | 6
Posted by: Exile | Apr 16 2026 16:10 utc | 5
That only tells you the ships that transit with their transponders on.
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:19 utc | 7
Good to see an end to the thread on Palestine, and the beginning of an open thread on the war on Iran.
Hopefully, some day, there will be an open thread on “The war on Israel”. My sincere wish is that this proposed new thread appears very soon, lasts a very short time, and then disappears forever.
Posted by: Mark Mosby | Apr 16 2026 16:31 utc | 8
Posted by: aaaa | Apr 16 2026 16:15 utc | 6
Once again, where’s China and Russia? They are scared shitless of Trump I guess. They must want a weak Iran to weakly fight USA (alone) and lose
Yep, they are more interested in maintaining an ever shredding status quo, than supporting their so called ally. It’s so obvious, yet to even suggest it bring down an avalanche of hate in this forum.
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:31 utc | 9
so called ally.
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:31 utc | 10
What are the conditions of these alliances, and when were they signed and ratified by their respective governments?
The only one so-calling them allies is you.
Once again, where’s China and Russia? They are scared shitless of Trump I guess. They must want a weak Iran to weakly fight USA (alone) and lose Yep, they are more interested in maintaining an ever shredding status quo, than supporting their so called ally. It’s so obvious, yet to even suggest it bring down an avalanche of hate in this forum.
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:31 utc | 10
That’s because Russia and China aren’t suicidal. They are rightly terrified because the US can destroy them militarily OR economically. The US has vassals across the globe (NATO in the West and S,Korea/Phillipines/Japan in the East) that it can use to harass and tie them down all the while the US is beyond their retaliation.
Posted by: bored | Apr 16 2026 16:46 utc | 11
Has been a bit in the media about Iran digging out the entrances to its launcher tunnels.
Had before and after pics. The before pics showed what look to be large concrete structures at the entrances with roads leading up to them. Highly visible from space. Americans would have targeted them easily and did. Everything rubble and collapsed rock.
Now anyone with have a brain would have visible decoys and well camouflaged real entrances. There was a bit from earlier on in the conflict – pentagon putting out video of launchers being hit. With them, US had a mighty victory against blow up launchers.
Iran missiles kept firing even though tunnel entrances were supposedly collapsed. I suspect that there again, US had a mighty victory against decoys.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 16 2026 16:48 utc | 12
It’s increasingly difficult to assess how much petrol is actually making its way out of the Persian Gulf with this “blockade the blockade” (if any). Widely divergent assessments are to be found in different media, which mostly seem politically driven. Does anybody have an actual factual assessment? How many boats are making it, if any? Carrying oil from which country ?
Posted by: Shahmaran | Apr 16 2026 15:54 utc | 1
I will politely suggest it doesn’t matter for the US ( they only import 2% of all imported oil into the US from the middle east); it only matters to the East where either the US doesn’t really care about its vassals ( Japan, s Korea, Australia, etc) or wants to deny them oil anyways (China, N Korea, etc) – hence why Iran might have actually screwed up a bit with the initial closing of the straight.
The US financial markets will price the impacts accordingly and while that is not good for mom and pop the US government doesn’t really care about that either, their only concern is petro dollar being king – which the blockade of the blockade does a good job since the US will gladly process & sell you all the oil and LNG you want .
Not saying I like this, and in the end this kind of rampant use of power will be the downfall of the USA, just not right away as the rest of the world will mess to feel more pain.
Posted by: drsmith | Apr 16 2026 16:58 utc | 13
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:31 utc | Once again, where’s China and Russia? They are scared shitless of Trump,
More likely their priority is to continue a policy of restraint to keep things from getting totally out of control. The global economic ramifications are already bad enough.
Posted by: Nemesis | Apr 16 2026 16:59 utc | 14
Posted by: UWDude | Apr 16 2026 16:42 utc | 12
The only one so-calling them allies is you.
Correction, I called the “so called allies.” Of course I wouldn’t expect you to catch such subtleties. But it is good to see you finally admit Russia and China do nothing to help Iran. That is a step forward….for you a giant leap.
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:59 utc | 15
But it is good to see you finally admit Russia and China do nothing to help Iran. That is a step forward….for you a giant leap.
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:59 utc | 17
Oh I see, you have no idea what “alliance” even means.
You don’t have to be in an alliance to help another country.
I keep forgetting your 3rd grade level understanding of the world.
I would suggest you consult your textbook, instead of coming here trying to get help for your homework.
I will confirm for you the world has seven continents and four oceans, but that is as far as I help you today.
because USA is in the process of preventing Iran victory
Posted by: aaaa | Apr 16 2026 17:05 utc | 19
You need to coordinate your talking points with your Helmertard friends. They are saying Iran has had a decisive victory.
The Lebanese government is wholly owned by the Mossad and the CIA.
They go to DC and act like they are total supplicants, really like rabbits as Alexander S would say,……of course they are!
Why because they all in the pay of the Zionist fascists and the deep state CIA.
A real government would fully mobilize all its armed forces to fight for every single inch of its nation…………instead they allow the IDF to blow up apartment blocks full of innocent civilians on a daily basis, murder doctors, nurses, Red Cross workers, civil police, priests, nuns, imans, paramedics and yes even UN peacekeeping troops.
That is not a government its a cabal.
Posted by: tobias cole | Apr 16 2026 17:12 utc | 18
Gosh, so much doom and gloom on the board today. Remember, bar mates, Trump’s MO is to gild the turd and sell it to the rubes. But there’s no there, there … the fundamentals have not changed: the US started a war of choice (war crime) and has had its hand burned. The local satraps are angry and the EU ones are in full scale revolt. And China is acting as the peacemaker hegemon …
The important thing is china’s inexorably rising and the US is inexorably falling into second place, gradually and then all at once.
Posted by: Caliman | Apr 16 2026 17:13 utc | 19
Danny Haiphong: Larry Johnson (CIA, ret) ‘A Storm is Coming’
https://www.youtube.com/@DannyHaiphongYT/streams
“Iran & China just his US naval blockade so hard, Trump in panic.”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 17:17 utc | 20
China, Russia and Iran are all doing quite well thanks to their industrial base–a key feature that the Outlaw US Empire and its Zionist proxy lack. Today’s WSJ has an article where DoW is begging the US auto industry to convert their plants to missile production, but such production lacks the resources needed thanks to Trump’s Trade War. Military industrial production was once measured by the number of main battle tanks produced, but that’s now drastically changed with the modification of how wars are waged. Now it’s missile and drone production that’s displaced tanks as the primary indicator of a robust military industrial complex. The combined annual output by Russia, Iran and China is more than 20 years of output by the Outlaw US Empire. And when we look at particular categories like naval ship construction, Russia and China combined annually produce more warships of all types than the Empire produces in 15 years. That’s THE measure of how much the Outlaw US Empire has declined. Plus, those three nations have no trouble financing their military production while the Empire digs itself into ever deepening debt to produce its miniscule amounts.
Posted by: Joan | Apr 16 2026 17:01 utc | 18
“More real humans”
According to Darwin that’s not how it works. According to evolutionary theory humans, like all forms of life, are driven by and evolve through natural selection, survival of the fittest, and competition. War seems to be in our DNA. OT, but if that’s how life evolves throughout the universe it might explain the Fermi paradox: life evolves until it reaches the technical capability that humans have reached, then it destroys itself.
Posted by: Nemesis | Apr 16 2026 17:19 utc | 22
Killer Doll 3 – LOL, the IDF has yet to ever comply with a cease fire in its 77 year history.
They have broken the Gaza ceasefire 1000 times, including yesterday when they murdered a Gaza civil police officer and his children in cold blood, just one of hundreds and hundreds of violations.
So don’t expect anything more from these fascists in Lebanon….remember Minister of Defense Israel Katz recently threatened to turn South Lebanon into Gaza……..
Posted by: tobias cole | Apr 16 2026 17:20 utc | 23
Caliman | Apr 16 2026 17:13 utc | 23
Trump wont be stopping. US just needed time to regroup after its last beating and is regrouping now.
Infiltrating ground troops into the region and resulting ships aircraft. Perhaps they’re stupid enough to try the same tactics again but I doubt it. Likely Wily E Coyote trying to catch roadrunner, they will try something different this time.
I suspect we will see some sunk ships this time, likely at ranges beyond what the Americans had imagined.
Appears to be e a lot of airforce activity here in Australia. I wouldn’t be surprise to see Australia joining this next attack. if they do, hopefully every single one gets shot down.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 16 2026 17:24 utc | 24
US Won’t Renew Iranian, Russian Oil Waivers, Bessent Says
https://x.com/bears_with/status/2044768719839072396
“Kirill Dmitriev has issued 7 tweets today but omitted his failure to get the Trump White House to extend the Russian oil sanctions waiver beyond the April deadline…”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 17:26 utc | 25
If the US moves at all for the second round, they will not move until the CVN USS George HW Bush CSG is in position along side the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG in the Arabian Sea, especially with the USS Gerald R. Ford CSG now out of operation from the famous, extraordinary ‘laundry fire’ aboard the Ford…………….
How long does it take to circumnavigate Africa anyways?
Posted by: tobias cole | Apr 16 2026 17:31 utc | 26
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 17:26 utc | 30
Kirill Dmitriev has issued 7 tweets today….
Kirill Dmitriev is Russia’s version of Scott Bessent. He is all about money and making those with money even more money, even at the expense of the people of Russia. That he is Putin’s representative to the US speaks volumes.
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 17:37 utc | 27
Jesus Christ! Xi Jinping is Hugging Donald Trump on the Sidelines of Three US-Israel, Genocidal Wars
https://johnhelmer.net/jesus-chris-xi-jinping-is-hugging-donald-trump-on-the-sidelines-of-three-us-israeli-genocidal-wars/
“…The Trump pictures of Christ’s embrace and Xi’s hug are fakes. So are the western media claims of Chinese weapons, missile parts and fuel, and military intelligence for Iran, according to Vzglyad, the Kremlin-backed security analysis platform in Moscow, in a publication of April 15 by Yevgeny Krutikov, a former Russian military intelligence officer.
‘So far, all the accusations against China have not gone beyond rhetoric,’ Krutikov has written. ‘There is no evidence, especially if it is confirmed by something tangible, in the accusations against China.’ Listen or view the discussion of the open and secret roles which China and Russia are playing in the Iran war in today’s podcast from the Red Pill Diaries with Rasheed Muhammad…”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 17:55 utc | 29
29 corrected: ‘Jesus Christ!’
https://x.com/bears_with/status/2044687361401835885
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 17:59 utc | 31
How long does it take to circumnavigate Africa anyways?
Posted by: tobias cole | Apr 16 2026 17:31 utc | 26
I know nothing. But AI tells me, ‘Transiting by ship from the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) to the Arabian Sea (specifically regions like Mumbai, Dubai, or the Gulf) typically takes between 20 to 30 days depending on the vessel type and speed. Container ships are designed for higher speeds (up to 24-25 knots) compared to oil tankers (13-17 knots) and bulk carriers (13-15 knots).
Next question: what is the top speed of the USS George H W ‘Poppy’ Bush? AI: ‘The top speed of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is officially listed as exceeding 30 knots (. As the final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, it is powered by two nuclear reactors and, while its official top speed is rated at 30+ knots, the vessel is capable of faster speeds, often indicated as over 32 knots in some reports.’
Since the good ship Bush already was well down the Atlantic coast of Africa a couple of days ago, let’s guesstimate 14 to 18 days to arrive in the Arabian Sea vicinity. Mind the 1,000 km safety buffer! 🙂
Posted by: Jim H | Apr 16 2026 18:05 utc | 32
R2R: Dr Foad Izadi: ‘They’re Planning For More War’
https://www.youtube.com/reason2resist/videos
“Russia warns of huge US military build-up near Iran.”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 18:06 utc | 33
33 corrected: R2R
https://www.youtube.com/@reason2resist/videos
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 18:08 utc | 34
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 17:37 utc | 27
Seems wise to send a cocksucker to treat with cocksuckers. Figurative, literal – take your pick.
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Apr 16 2026 18:12 utc | 35
Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 16 2026 17:18 utc | 21
On topic . The west in their glory days in the 70’s when they controlled all this dirt cheap energy from the middle east thought they could make good money asset striping the West’s industrial base and move it off shore to Asia using cheap labour and energy, the final chapter was using China to provide all possible goods that consumers would want.
So factories that used to build armoured cars and tanks aircraft, guns, all the material to fight wars were turned into houses shops and warehouses to house cheap goods bought in from Asia and most importantly the engineers who used to build the materials of war were discarded. The West want them back now and they are now gone forever
Posted by: Monty | Apr 16 2026 18:16 utc | 36
On the legality of strait closures and blockades
The Singaporean web site Fulcrum has published an analysis of the legality of Iran’s “toll booth” at the Strait of Hormuz.
Passage Through Hormuz in a Time of War and Peace
According to the San Remo Manual, the right of transit passage and non-suspendable innocent passage continue to apply even in times of armed conflict. However, there is one exception: if the strait State is engaged in an armed conflict, as is Iran with the US and Israel, it can attack vessels flying under the flag of the enemy, and those vessels that are assisting the enemy in the strait. This is subject to the rules of armed conflict — that is, distinction, proportionality, military necessity and humanity. Nonetheless, even certain enemy vessels are exempt from attack, such as hospital ships, vessels engaged in humanitarian missions and a limited number of other categories.
In practical terms, this means that if Iran can attack ships flying under the flag of the enemy in the strait it borders, and those aiding the enemy, it can prevent or at least threaten their passage — but not that of ships navigating under the flag of neutral States.
The article misses two important issues.
- Iran is not attacking neutral ships in the strait. Instead, it has laid a minefield in the strait, either physically, or virtually by claiming that the minefield may or may not be there. The virtual minefield covers the southern part of the strait, leaving only narrow corridor along the Iranian cost. The rules and laws of war allow Iran to mine te Strait of Hormuz to prevent the US Navy from entering the Persian Gulf.
- None of the Gulf countries, except for Irak are neutral states. All are belligerents, as they directly take part in the agression or allow the US to use their territory or airspace for attacks. The worst offender may be Kuwait, with US ATACMS missiles launched from Kuwaiti territory toward Iran.
The article also discusses the legality of blockades.
Speaking to Channel News Asia, James Kraska, a US naval law expert, justified the US decision to blockade Iranian ports and explained it would apply to all shipping. Such an extreme measure, rather than opening the strait, would add another layer of disruption to unimpeded passage rights in the Strait of Hormuz. While in general, the rules of naval warfare allow for blockades of enemy ports, the devil is in the details.
It is worth noting, that just as the US can blockade Iranian ports, Iran can blockade the ports of its Persian Gulf enemies.
The remaining open question is, do the “rules of naval warfare” require that the US implement its blockade in the Gulf of Oman or in the Arabian Sea, or can they enforce it in the Strait of Malacca. I guess Singaporeans will soon find out.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Apr 16 2026 18:20 utc | 37
BREAKING; VISUAL CONFIRMATION: IRAN HAS SHIPPED OUT NINE MILLION BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL FROM FLOATING STORAGE IN THE GULF OF OMAN SINCE THE US BLOCKADE WENT INTO EFFECT ON 2026-04-13 AT 14:00 UTC
ANOTHER TWO MILLION BARRELS DEPARTED ON 2026-04-12
Also, Iranian tankers are still exiting via the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman to await further instructions. We count three that did just that in the past couple of days.
the 9 million barrels shipped out since the blockade started on April 13, 2026 at 14:00 UTC, plus ~2 million barrels from April 12 were pre-loaded floating storage already positioned in the Gulf of Oman—which is inside the US enforcement zone~none of the Iranian oil from those tankers made it through the Strait of Hormuz in a way that breached the US blockade or reached export destinations beyond it.
You can believe tanker trackers or you can believe CENTCOM ( Empire of Lies ) . Take a card .In the meanwhile the 10 day ceasefire in Lebanon is useless and the also the meeting in Israel . Any talks without Hezboullah are an eyewash .Pakistani media — yesterday’s talk between Gen Munir and Iran did not go well . Munir got a dressing down . Iran said nuclear enrichment , Lebanon , Hormusz , missiles , sanctions relief , defreezing of assets , removal of bases etc is total package . The package or nothing . Oh yes , they said send in the land invasion, we are waiting . Munir is now stuck . While he was receiving accolades , he has now to transmit this message to Washington . Also what changed is China now coming out in the support of Teheran . Munir is a Washington lackey but without China there is no Pakistan . Karakorum highway , Galwan port and all the jets and ammo that China provided which won them the skirmish in Kashmir last year . Understand the Pakistan army is IndiaCentric . They will ditch anybody and everybody if it will harm India . USA does not matter , China does . He is in the hot seat .
https://x.com/TankerTrackers/status/2044749256276189646
Again Pakistan media — he landed in Teheran in Military uniform and command stick but at the talks he was in civilian uniform and his body language on exit from the talks showed his dejection
Posted by: hole in head | Apr 16 2026 18:29 utc | 38
The bestest and greatest FIFA world cup 2026 .” The United States is so toxic on the world stage right now that it can’t fill hotels or sell World Cup tickets.
Let that land.
FIFA projected $30.5 billion in economic impact from millions of international visitors.
That demand never showed up.
Hotels in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia and San Francisco have slashed match-day rates by a third from their peak.
FIFA has cancelled tens of thousands of reserved rooms across all 16 host cities.
Some hotels report cancellation rates above 95%.
The reasons aren’t hard to find. Anti-American sentiment. Fear of border crossings. The Iran war driving up oil prices and airfares. And tickets priced into the stratosphere, with finals seats hitting $10,990 a pop.
Industry executives are now openly blaming the Trump administration for the shortfall.
Tourism economists say the Iran war made an already bad sentiment problem worse.
Empty stadiums are now a real possibility.
It happened at the Club World Cup last summer.
It could happen again, on American soil, at the biggest sporting event on the planet.
The White House says this will be “the greatest World Cup ever.”
The market disagrees.
Question : What if it is cancelled because there is no jet fuel .
Posted by: hole in head | Apr 16 2026 18:30 utc | 39
50 mins of Desai and Hudson today – Ripples from Hormuz – Global Waves
The Economic Fallout of Absurdity Politics – Geopolitical Economy Hour with Michael Hudson
Posted by: Don Firineach | Apr 16 2026 18:35 utc | 40
🔴 Over 26 million Iranians sign up as volunteers to take up arms in defence of nation against terrorist aggression
Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 16 2026 18:37 utc | 41
The Cradle, Ep 205: ‘Ceasefire in Lebanon’
https://www.youtube.com/@thecradlemedia/streams
“Who REALLY achieved a ceasefire in Lebanon? US triumph or resistance masterstroke?”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 18:40 utc | 42
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Apr 16 2026 18:20 utc | 37
Point of order: there is no credible evidence of the Iranians having mined the Straits beyond unsubstantiated claims emanating from the Mighty Wurlitzer.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 18:43 utc | 43
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 17:37 utc | 27
maybe your cynicism about China and Russia is deserved.
there are not the only thing going on. you are a cheerleader for Western imperialism, obviously gloating. look at the peasants and starved masses heroically resisting. and “put not your trust in princes.”
and, smartass, cuz scoffing and mocking is smart cuz there’s no answer to it, what would you do to a West that is openly threatening nuclear war while targeting enemy energy infrastructure, incl NPPs in Ukraine and Iran? (and no one needs to near “moar nooks.” that ain’t stopping attacks on Russia, is it? and moar nooks is still an option, as the US proves time and again.) what’s the answer? i don’t know. let the western idiots drain themselves dry?
Posted by: duck n cover | Apr 16 2026 18:48 utc | 44
karlof1 | Apr 16 2026 17:18 utc | 21
quote
“China, Russia and Iran are all doing quite well thanks to their industrial base–a key feature that the Outlaw US Empire and its Zionist proxy lack. “
yes, but if the financial empire – usa-uk-israel and etc, get to financial control over these countries, they ‘profit’ from it all, including the industrial base of these countries.. ”the industrial base” is a valuable asset which needs to be exploited just like all the other assets that belong to these countries. war and financial sanctions are used for all these specific purposes… ignoring international law only shows that the mask is off – following international law has to be disregarded as the hold of financial capitalism loses it’s grip on those who are not willing to concede defeat to this same financial empire….
i still think calling it the epstein class is appropriate… this usa-israel war on iran could also be called the epstein class war on those who don’t conform to the dictates of these financial fascists…
Posted by: james | Apr 16 2026 18:50 utc | 45
ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 18:43 utc | 43
I hadn’t thought about it much before, but there is actually no reason for Iran to mine the strait. Mines are non selective to a fair extent. Could easily hit friendly shipping. Also, every single one has to be found again after the conflict it over. Iran holds the hills overlooking the straight. Missiles, drone either air or marine. Very selective. A ship can be identified, warned then struck if required. Tanker – only needs a small drone. start a fire do a little damage, preferably not kill or injure the crew and that all thats required for civilian shipping.
Warships is another matter. salvos of missiles and drones to break through the defenses, do as much damage as possible and preferable put many US boots in bodybags.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 16 2026 18:54 utc | 46
I am still a little wary the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be only between government forces and exclude Hezbollah. Of course they want Hezbollah to cease fire only for IDF to kill or encircle them.
Then same with Hamas and Yemen so Iran is isolated.
Afterwards the plan is to finish up a passive defenseless Lebanon.
Posted by: SOS | Apr 16 2026 18:54 utc | 47
Obliquely related…
In Pepe Escobar’s latest article on Strategic Culture.su (Empire of Piracy etc etc) he claims that China is providing Iran with the technical assistance required to ensure the accuracy of its missiles.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Apr 16 2026 18:59 utc | 48
—❗️🇺🇸/🇻🇦/🇮🇷 President Trump: ‘The Pope said Iran can have a nuclear weapon’
https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/31049
—❗️🇺🇸/🇮🇷/🇻🇦 President Trump:
‘I’m all about the Gospel. But we can’t allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon that would kill millions of people.
The Pope can disagree with me on that, but I’m all about the Gospel, more than anybody’
https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/31051
Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 16 2026 19:01 utc | 49
Today I learned that the US senate consider buldozer send to the colonial entity as “weapons”.
Caterpillar is now a “weapons manufacturer” … they also sell shoes.
Posted by: Hiro Masamune | Apr 16 2026 19:02 utc | 50
hole in head | Apr 16 2026 18:30 utc | 39
*** Question : What if it [football world cup finals] is cancelled because there is no jet fuel .***
No problem. Infantino will declare a 3-0 victory for the USA in all matches, since none of their opponents could turn up to play.
So the Trump team will win the 2026 WC (and might even allow the US team to have a copy).
Infantino will be awarded US citizenship, and since (unlike most of those available) he’s not visibly obese will promptly get conscripted for the US war with China (unless he transfers 20% of the FIFA ripoff to Trump, in which case he will be promoted to UN Secretary General).
The straits of Hormuz are NOT an international waterway. The straits of Hormuz are territorial waters of both Oman and Iran. There is no right of free and unhindered passage. Period.
Posted by: Exile | Apr 16 2026 19:08 utc | 52
Iran definitely winning the troll wars:
“I doubt that Trump will admit defeat and kill himself, he does not have the courage Hitler had. It is more likely that the Americans will arrest and imprison him when their living conditions deteriorate” — Iran’s Mohsen Rezaei
https://t.me/myLordBebo/113855
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Apr 16 2026 19:10 utc | 53
FPTV: Wartime Cafe, with Laith Marouf & Dr Jamal Wakim: ‘Ceasefire in Lebanon’
https://www.youtube.com/@tvfreepalestine/videos
“A quick look at what the just declared ceasefire in Lebanon means for the region and the world.”
Recommended.
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 19:13 utc | 54
trump has generously included lebannon in a 10 day ceasefire… isn’t that lovely?? and aside from a few days here or there, israel will continue it’s genocide, expanding it to wherever the fanatics decide and trump will be considered the ”peace president”, lol…. what an idiot he is!
Posted by: james | Apr 16 2026 19:13 utc | 55
The Lebanon ‘ceasefire’. If the is any form of letup on Israeli attacks into Lebanon, it will be for the purpose of freeing them up to take part in the Coming attack on Iran.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 16 2026 19:17 utc | 56
Must see
🇮🇷😎🇺🇸 Another day, another Lego AI-slop banger.
🐻Lego daily “writeups” surpassing western MSM. Welcome to 2026.
https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/182035
Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 16 2026 19:19 utc | 57
8 mins of Lavrov – precise
Russia Rejects U.S. Demand on Iran’s Enriched Uranium | RU-EN
Posted by: Don Firineach | Apr 16 2026 19:20 utc | 58
That’s because Russia and China aren’t suicidal. They are rightly terrified because the US can destroy them militarily OR economically. The US has vassals across the globe (NATO in the West and S,Korea/Phillipines/Japan in the East) that it can use to harass and tie them down all the while the US is beyond their retaliation.
Posted by: bored | Apr 16 2026 16:46 utc
I think that Russia could destroy the US militarily and China could destroy the US economically. It might not be worth it though as it could end up with all being destroyed.
Posted by: spudski | Apr 16 2026 19:30 utc | 59
Strait of Hormuz virtual minefield
@ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 18:43 utc | 43
@Peter AU1 | Apr 16 2026 18:54 utc | 46
Iran has published a map, titled “Strait of Hormuz Vessel Traffic Map“. It shows a large area colored in red and labeled “Hazardous Area – Restricted for all traffic“. The coordinates for the area are:
- A (NW) 26° 40′ 00” N 056° 20′ 00” E
- B (NE) 26° 40′ 00” N 056° 40′ 00” E
- C (SE) 26° 25′ 00” N 056° 40′ 00” E
- D (SW) 26° 25′ 00” N 056° 20′ 00” E
The map does not explicitly say the area is mined, but it may be mined at some future point of time. So far no tanker has exercised a “Freedom of Navigation” stunt by sailing through the area. If any ship were to challenge this virtual minefield, it would only force Iran to use real, non-virtual mines. No insurance company is willing to play this game.
The Hazardous Area is mostly in Omani territorial waters. I have not heard of Oman issuing a protest.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Apr 16 2026 19:31 utc | 60
None of the Gulf countries, except for Irak are neutral states.
just as the US can blockade Iranian ports, Iran can blockade the ports of its Persian Gulf enemies.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Apr 16 2026 18:20 utc | 37
And Oman wasn’t? They were attacked by someone else, not Iran.
Iran does not need to do that. They’ve stopped exports of all things for additional damage. Now all they have to do is wait for Trump’s actions to affect the others or attack directly. Which is what he’ll probably do because the blockade of the blockade of the blockade won’t work as Trump thinks.
Posted by: rk | Apr 16 2026 19:31 utc | 61
Posted by: hole in head | Apr 16 2026 18:29 utc | 38
Where is Galwan port?
Posted by: Jenn | Apr 16 2026 19:37 utc | 62
Petri Krohn | Apr 16 2026 19:31 utc | 60
I just watch a sped up ship tracker and the traffic through the strait. All shipping both ways are going through the Iran toll gate area.
https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/2044846441999536393
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 16 2026 19:37 utc | 63
@Mark Mosby | Apr 16 2026 16:31 utc | 8
Its either US & Israel or I would guess the Israelies will leave if they alone face a war.
The whole purpose of establishing a jewish state was to provide advantages for the anglosaxon empire. Early on the advantages were supposed to concern securing Britains road to India. France and Russia were the rivals. But when Israel was finally realised I believe it had for a long time been a different concern. Namely to use it to have a hold on the bankers. It is never openly confirmed but it isnt a high oddser to guess that.
Posted by: petergrfstrm | Apr 16 2026 19:37 utc | 64
LEGO news!
Must see
- Another day, another Lego AI-slop banger.
- Lego daily “writeups” surpassing western MSM. Welcome to 2026.
https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/182035
Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 16 2026 19:19 utc | 57
The Telegram video is too big to play in the browser, but I guess your link leads to this video by AI IRAN
The video makers have noticed the same thing many here already pointed out: the patient that Jesus Trump wakes up from the dead looks just like Jeffery Epstein.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Apr 16 2026 19:42 utc | 65
@Norwegian | Apr 16 2026 19:01 utc | 49
“Nuclear weapons” Fear PR is what they are consistently 24/7 shoveling down Americans fat throats – they are conditioned like sheep. Ask any civilian/military dude-dudette , their first response will be the NW reasoning.
Forgetting their own belligerence and genocidal acts.
Speakign of obesity- I saw a recent picture of a Carrier at sea, a woman and a military guy on the dock, waving at it, both of them were clearly over-weight.
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 19:42 utc | 66
@Petri Krohn | Apr 16 2026 19:42 utc | 65
Not the same video.
Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 16 2026 19:49 utc | 67
I wonder how Samuel LJ feels about his copyright scripted words being used to wage warcrimes. Looks like a Church of Jesus Christ sunday service, look at the sheep.
https://vkvideo.ru/video-228568619_456357605?t=0s
During his sermon, Pentagon Chief Hegseth quoted a fictional Bible verse from Tarantino’s film Pulp Fiction
In Tarantino’s film, one of the main characters, Jules, presents this passage as his own interpretation and uses it to justify his life of crime— it was she whom Hegseth quoted as if it were an authentic biblical verse.:
The path of the righteous is difficult, because it is hindered by the selfish and tyrannical evil people. Blessed is the shepherd who, in the name of mercy and kindness, leads the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is the one who truly cares for his neighbor and brings back lost children. And I will take great vengeance on them with fierce punishments, on those who plot to poison and harm my brothers. And you will know that I am the Lord when I take great vengeance on them.
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 19:50 utc | 68
Storage level Cushing seems not all that high! Louisiana offshore oil port for receiving not at all certain loading can be done. Loop about the only port that can accommodate larger tanker vessels and the us authorities not very happy with lightening operations close to us waters. So bit difficult to see how such an armada of big crude carriers will or can be accommodated.
Posted by: Nisses | Apr 16 2026 19:52 utc | 69
Pete Hegseth reading the Bibble verse from a Pulp Fiction movie that was likely composed by ChatGPT xD Amen
Posted by: KillerDoll | Apr 16 2026 19:57 utc | 70
The map does not explicitly say the area is mined,
Exactly
but it may be mined at some future point of time
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Apr 16 2026 19:31 utc | 60
It doesn’t say that either – that’s your brain filling in the details prompted by US propaganda.
They clearly defined a toll booth channel with explicit instruction that ships trying to pass through any other channel will be interdicted, by force if necessary.
Of the few that tried and refused to turn back when challenged some were set afire with missiles, others were hit by surface navy drones – damaged but not sunk but an example pour encourager les autres. No mine strikes have been reported.
The Iranians have no interest in mining the Straits at this point as they can enforce a blockade with high specificity and low cost using missiles, navy surface and subsea drones, or even artillery. Much more sophisticated and immune to any minesweeping action.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 19:59 utc | 71
Trumpy tard has the gift of grabbing media attention 24/7.
The amount of TG channels regurgitating TRUMPy Tards daily PR shit – is like sewage backups – its not relevant.
People need to practice ignoring his words! and just amplify his ACTIONS!
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 20:02 utc | 72
Mahmood OD: Lebanon Ceasefire
https://www.youtube.com/@Mahmood_OD/videos
“Trump forced by Iran| Netanyahu blasted by cabinet| Israel’s strategic defeat”
‘To Joseph Aoun [President of Lebanon]:
https://x.com/Marwa_Osman/status/2044694197651857628
“Do not comply with Trump’s orders to make a phone call with Netanyahu. If you do, you will sever the last remaining thread between us, the people, and you. The moment you take that step, your presidency will effectively be over. More dangerously, it will stand as a declaration that you have chosen to execute an American-Israeli decision to destroy the country, and history will remember you at its lowest depths.
If you do it, you will have crossed every red line at once: and when that happens, no red lines will remain on the other side. All mistakes and missteps can be addressed and overcome…except this one.”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 20:04 utc | 73
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 19:50 utc | 69
Pig Deathshead, Lord of the Flies at the Department of War, doesn’t even know what’s in the real Bible.
I hope he gets a copyright strike, though really he should be going to The Chair for his crimes and blasphemy.
Maybe we can reinstate Scaphism, just for him.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 20:05 utc | 74
China and Russia are a joke; they only pursue their own interests. The so-called multipolar world is dead. The new world will be divided into spheres of influence — that is the reality — and the Yankees, together with Israel, are already planting their seeds to colonize Latin America.
Posted by: Luis | Apr 16 2026 20:05 utc | 75
Caterpillar is now a “weapons manufacturer” … they also sell shoes.
Posted by: Hiro Masamune | Apr 16 2026 19:02 utc | 50
And socks, which are clearly dual use goods.
Posted by: persiflo | Apr 16 2026 20:06 utc | 76
https://x.com/ShadowofEzra/status/2043377152721408219
Benjamin Netanyahu stands with masked men who are preparing to destroy more parts of Lebanon, which has one of the largest Christian populations in the Middle East.
Netanyahu says destroying Lebanon will be one of Israel’s greatest achievements.
“The war continues inside Lebanon.”
“There is still work to be done.”
“We have changed the face of the Middle East.”
Posted by: Melaleuca | Apr 16 2026 20:08 utc | 77
@KillerDoll | Apr 16 2026 19:57 utc | 73
More civil ‘Copyright infringement lawsuits’ against OpenAI – fantastic!
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 20:12 utc | 78
Posted by: Nisses | Apr 16 2026 19:52 utc | 70
Can’t help wondering if those tankers are full and delivering oil to the US rather than empty and hoping to get some.
Trump is politically desperate to get the price of gas down, I wouldn’t put it past him to (have the taxpayer) pay a (secret) premium to have those tankers deliver to the US ahead of everybody else.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 20:12 utc | 79
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 19:50 utc | 69
Tarantino is Jewish and was pictured crammed into a bunker in the first 24-48 hours during Iran’s response to Israel’s unprovoked murder of its leaders and school girls.
That was before the blanket blackout of all social media posts from Israel.
Posted by: Melaleuca | Apr 16 2026 20:15 utc | 80
@Melaleuca | Apr 16 2026 20:08 utc | 80
This video and press release ‘picture’ was out last week. The odd part is, he ‘fake Ben’ is clearly surrounded by military, not civilian. All wearing masks, except for him, which I find extremely bizarre. Did anyone else find this alittle odd, and awkward staged video/picture operation.
Why would everyone wear masks (dust? covid? identity?), yet Bibi looks like he’s having a ball, smiles for the camera. Another controlled PR stunt.
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 20:18 utc | 81
Not LEGO. 120seconds of the Iraqi Resistance:
A classic comedy!
Posted by: Don Firineach | Apr 16 2026 20:20 utc | 82
have those tankers deliver to the US ahead of everybody else.
Posted by: ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 20:12 utc | 82
In the earliest days of Covid, the U$ Stole a shipment of vax from an airport in Germany (I think Germany).
Iirc the vaxs were being loaded for shipment to somewhere, and the U$ was just: “nope, all vax belong us”. And had the vax loaded on a U$ plane. I think a military plane.
There was mockingbird outrage which quickly got shut down.
Posted by: Melaleuca | Apr 16 2026 20:20 utc | 83
During his sermon, Pentagon Chief Hegseth quoted a fictional Bible verse from Tarantino’s film Pulp Fiction Hegseth quoted as if it were an authentic biblical verse.:
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 19:50 utc | 69
I did not expect manifestation so quickly, Hegseth’s throat chakra hit:
Don’t beg, don’t threaten. It’s over for you. Your time has come. Pain is coming. Ask for a second opinion next time, you’ll see. You thought your whole life you could deceive and not meet a one of the throat chakra, from which all truth emanates, and can not be silenced. Time and time again, I have warned your soul I see your demon hide and smell your demon breath every time, no matter what you call yourself, and every time, you have mocked me. The demon will not leave you, no matter how much pain, for the demon is now your pain. Judgment has passed, today, I have been waiting so long. The hatred of righteousness will never be quelled until all those who attempt to poison my brothers are destroyed. Did you know mind control works best on people who study it? So to do curses and magic. I have been granted the blessing to revel in my haminja to release the emotions, from which all sorcerous power flows. In universal harmony, I have been awake for over 24 hours after having slept for over 24 hours. The lack of sleep opens the haminja regulators, often leading to illusions and visions, and heightened sorcerous power. Oh… ooohhhm, oohhhhm, remember the third eye taunting? Now you will learn there are those who oohhhm ooohm for peace, harmony, and healing, and those who ohhhm, ohhhm ohhhm for justice, righteous retribution and pain upon all who deceive. That retribution shall be upon your throat, your chakra you have abused your whole life, meant for truth, used for lies. You thought it would be upon your liver, where your anger lives, oh no… no… you will see, you will see. You will feel it when you swallow, when your throat is dry. Worry not, it will be soon, soon, you will understand.
Posted by: UWDude | Apr 13 2026 21:55 utc | 248
james | Apr 16 2026 18:50 utc | 45—
You’ll note how the Lego masters are focusing on that issue as everything for the Epstein Class is about money as represented by all the money bags seen. The people writing the scores for the music and lyrics are Very aware. The Revolution is being televised in a manner not conceptualized by the coiner of those lines because such technology didn’t exist then. And it’s being done so their productions can go global. Someone commented that Explosive Media needs to be nominated for a Grammy, and I agree. It won’t be much longer until we see others covering their work.
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 16 2026 20:18 utc | 84
The Occupation of Lebanon may pause for a ceasefire, but long term it will be given the Gaza treatment.
The Greater Israel continues.
Posted by: Melaleuca | Apr 16 2026 20:24 utc | 86
@ Don Firineach | Apr 16 2026 19:20 utc | 58
thanks don.. lavrov singles out the euro players as bad actors here…. i wonder what euros response to this is?? i gather he is inferring france and britian, but perhaps it is more…
Posted by: james | Apr 16 2026 20:24 utc | 87
@ karlof1 | Apr 16 2026 20:23 utc | 88
thanks karl.. that’s good! it was gil scott heron who coined the term ‘the revolution will not be televised…. they didn’t receive any award for it and i doubt explosive media will either, but it is fun to consider…
Posted by: james | Apr 16 2026 20:26 utc | 88
ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 20:12 utc | 82
I had been thinking about that two. Back in 2022 2023 with the sanctions from hell on Russia, US nearly emptied its strategic reserve to try and keep prices down.
US does not produce more than it uses. If it did, it would not have had to release the strategic reserve. Now it has no strategic reserve to keep prices down as that was never replenished.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 16 2026 20:26 utc | 89
Caterpillar is now a “weapons manufacturer” … they also sell shoes.
Posted by: Hiro Masamune | Apr 16 2026 19:02 utc | 50
And socks, which are clearly dual use goods.
Posted by: persiflo | Apr 16 2026 20:06 utc | 79
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IDF_Caterpillar_D9
Posted by: Occasional poster | Apr 16 2026 20:30 utc | 90
Once again, where’s China and Russia? They are scared shitless of Trump I guess. They must want a weak Iran to weakly fight USA (alone) and lose Yep, they are more interested in maintaining an ever shredding status quo, than supporting their so called ally. It’s so obvious, yet to even suggest it bring down an avalanche of hate in this forum. Posted by: Maverick | Apr 16 2026 16:31 utc | 10
That’s because Russia and China aren’t suicidal. They are rightly terrified because the US can destroy them militarily OR economically. The US has vassals across the globe (NATO in the West and S,Korea/Phillipines/Japan in the East) that it can use to harass and tie them down all the while the US is beyond their retaliation.
Posted by: bored | Apr 16 2026 16:46 utc | 11
Silly boy, you haven’t being paying attention the last few years, have you?
Posted by: tucenz | Apr 16 2026 20:30 utc | 91
The Electronic Intifada: Day 923 of the Gaza Genocide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0TQJlYAcdk
“Scholars Sara Larijani and Taha Zeinali discuss situation inside Iran. Jon Elmer delivers resistance report on the Gulf of Hormuz.”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 16 2026 20:30 utc | 92
US Clowngress shits the bed again:
The Republican-controlled House voted Thursday to reject a resolution ordering the White House to end the war with Iran, as Memorial Day approaches and Americans are anxious over gas prices and general rising costs at the grocery store.
The vote was 213-214, almost entirely along party lines, with dominant Republicans overwhelmingly sticking with Trump – not so much as allowing formal robust Congressional debate. There was one notable exception who broke ranks.
The lone Republican outlier was Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who voted for the measure to impose Constitutional guardrails over what the Executive can do in terms of waging war overseas.\
But on the other side, a lone Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, voted against it. Additionally, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, merely registered a vote of “present” while three Republicans did not vote at all.
Rep. Gregory Meeks of NY (Dem) pushed the measure which “directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Posted by: Jim H | Apr 16 2026 20:30 utc | 93
Quentin Tarantino is Jewish
This one doesn’t pass the fact checking by my brave AI, which states he does have intimate connection to Israel but denies having converted officially. That’s just the grey space between rumour and fact that I would like to see us avoid. I think it’s best to either bring on solid proof or mark the affirmation as an irrealis, if you wish to state it at all.
Posted by: persiflo | Apr 16 2026 20:31 utc | 94
ChatNPC at 82: hardly loaded and if so loaded where. Yanbu/rabigh bay in the red sea and north through the suez – nah don’t think so. Loading crude for europe I guess and european refineries. Algeria to Med countries, italy, spain. Nigeria angola uk and france, netherlands, Germany. Norway scandinavia, uk, netherlands, belgium etc. A big shortage of crude to refine in europe. A black hole of nothing soon to be found in the european refineries storage tanks. Book your Med summer vacation now.
Posted by: Nisses | Apr 16 2026 20:32 utc | 95
I forgot this one: D9 in action several years ago:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Corrie
Posted by: Occasional poster | Apr 16 2026 20:34 utc | 96
bored | Apr 16 2026 16:46 utc | 13They have not read Ole Yeller.
Posted by: Rhymerez | Apr 16 2026 20:36 utc | 97
@ 82 “Trump is politically desperate to get the price of gas down, “
He is draining the Strategic Oil Reserves. SPR
Scroll down in link below
April 3, 2026 = 413325 million barrels
April 10, 2026’= 409181 MB.
4 Million Barrels gone in one week.
You can also see Imports for all oil products are way down as well.
Desperation?
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_sum_sndw_dcus_nus_w.htm
Posted by: golddigger | Apr 16 2026 20:37 utc | 98
Posted by: Nisses | Apr 16 2026 20:32 utc | 98
Who says they are carrying crude? Maybe it’s already refined petrochemical products that was at sea before the Straits were closed.
IIRC the last such tankers to arrive in the US is/was around 15th April.
Coincidentally the Iranian government today banned the export of refined petroleum products…fnord,
Posted by: ChatNPC | Apr 16 2026 20:37 utc | 99
Hey wait, I think I posted the Tarantino thing first and my comment disappeared.
b – if you’re looking at IP addresses I’m using a mobile hotspot because my home internet is down.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Apr 16 2026 20:42 utc | 100