Moon of Alabama Brecht quote
April 14, 2026
War On Iran: The Stalemate Of Blockading Blockades

Following the unprovoked attack by USrael in late February, the Islamic Republic of Iran announced a (virtual) blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic through the Strait decreased from some 130 ships per day to less than 5 per day.

The lack of oil, gas and fertilizer coming through the Strait is going to cause a global depression.

Six weeks after its attack on Iran had cause the problem the U.S. Central Command responded by blockading all ships going to and coming from ports of Iran:

More than 10,000 U.S. Sailors, Marines, and Airmen along with over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports. During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the U.S. blockade and 6 merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.

The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. U.S. forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

In response to the blockade of its own ports Iran announced to block all traffic from and to harbors in the wider Persian Gulf region.

Thus the situation is (again) at a stalemate. But the clock is ticking. Iran’s economy is battle hardened. It can sustain itself much longer throughout a blockade than the world can sustain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the lack of commodities following from it, and the social uproars that will be caused by this.

Something – someone – will have to give in. It is unlikely (archived) that it will be Iran doing that.

Comments

we can wait a few days to see what happens…. in the meantime trump can send out a lot of distracting memos, or hate mail to the pope, meloni or whoever, to keep us entertained while we wait… the entertainer in command he is!!
 
thanks b…  lets hope ww3 winds down soon.. 

Posted by: james | Apr 14 2026 16:37 utc | 1

Do we have any readout from the marine risk insurance companies on the impact of the blockade of the blockade? 

Posted by: countrumford | Apr 14 2026 16:42 utc | 2

The US didn’t think Iran was doing a good enough job pressuring the US, so we’re giving them a helping hand fortifying the blockade … that’s what frenemies are for …

Posted by: Caliman | Apr 14 2026 16:46 utc | 3

Why is the market behaving like it is? Market up, oil dropping like a stone. 
The money people seem to think this war is already over, or at least it’s resolution is in clear sight. 
Why? 

Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 16:48 utc | 4

Respectfully, I offer a minor amendment to your intro b: “Following the illegal, immoral, unprovoked, and cowardly surprise attack […]”
Speaking of cowardice, USNI News (via antiwar.com) 2026-04-13:
 

Bush, which deployed at the end of March, did not sail through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea, a typical transit for East Coast-based carriers headed to the Middle East. The carrier and its escorts – which include USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), USS Mason (DDG-87) and USS Ross (DDG-71) – are instead sailing around Africa, two defense officials confirmed to USNI News on Monday.

Posted by: Stanislav Vladimirovich | Apr 14 2026 16:51 utc | 5

  1. Iranian toll
  2. USA toll

 
Joke. How about making this Gulf a multinational project and invite every nation to set up a toll booth on this waterlane.
 
What’s this toll for ? This is to maintain the Road and fix potholes waterway. xD

Posted by: KillerDoll | Apr 14 2026 16:52 utc | 6

Should Centcom be trusted as to compliance to its requirements by merchant vessels ?
 
are there US Navy ships close to the strait, i. e. within range of Iranian projectiles ?

Posted by: Dany | Apr 14 2026 16:54 utc | 7

First, announcing a blockade is different from making it effective. The American navy is at the end of a long supply line. Nonetheless, given the importance of shipping insurance a leaky blockade that drives those costs up can be very effective in cutting traffic. 
 
Second, by the same token, the ability of the Yemenis (northern, aka Houthis) to block Bab el-Mandeb is more reliant on inducing prohibitive insurance costs than genuine success in sinking or seizing vessels. This is alleged to be the reason KSA is pushing for the US to drop the blockade. At this point I remember there are two exits from the Red Sea, plus Yemen is not IRI, militarily speaking. Also, the effectiveness of KSA in pulling the puppetmaster’s strings is likely to be about like the Zionist enterprise: Not what it’s cracked up to be. In any event, it is likely Netanyahu cancels out MbS?
 
Third, the target of the blockade is the business element in IRI, not just the big bourgeoisie but also fractions of the so-called bazaari stratum and even the more business minded elements of IRGC. (IRGC could be easily misread as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corporation, a bit of gallows humor with enough truth to bite I fear.) Trying to whip his fifth columnists into line by threats now (plus the usual promises for pie later) is obviously a risky business. But the whole war was, and it’s not going well, except by the wrong metrics. But it’s not going well for IRI either. It’s not clear to me that IRI has resumed the war even though the US broke the so-called ceasefire by prompting the Zionists to continue to assault Lebanon. It’s hard to tell but pressure on American bases, KSA, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar has been eased. The strategic air war against the Zionists cannot I think win. It’s an open question to my mind whether the ceasefire was ever a good idea, save to appease the pragmatist element. IRI, despite the theocratic form, is still a bourgeois democracy (as limited as they all are in the epoch of imperialist rot)( and as such it defends its bourgeoisie’s property. 
 
My tentative conclusion is that this tactic by Trump directly confronts the IRI’s real nuke, control of the strait. The tactic of using limited passages for diplomatic leverage has failed to win substantive gains thus far. My unwanted and promptly ignored advice is, mine the straits while they still can. (No, I do not believe the straits have already been extensively mined.) 

Posted by: steven t johnson | Apr 14 2026 16:55 utc | 8

B, why are linking to a site which, when I try to reach it, sends me the following message?
Your browser is attempting to reach an Internet site containing child pornography images and videos. Inhibition of access to this site is provided by law 38/2006.
This Internet browsing protection service is prepared thanks to the collaboration between the “National Center for Combating Online Child Pornography” and the Italian Internet Service Providers.
Intentional display, dissemination, possession, disposal, production and marketing of this type of material is punishable by law as a crime.

Posted by: Gdallorto | Apr 14 2026 16:55 utc | 9

Trump has now said that there may be another round of talks between the US & Iran in the next couple of days. But if that’s just a repeat of America’s ultimatum that’s not going to amount to anything. Iran doesn’t trust the US (with very good reason). The US walking away dishonestly declaring victory seems to be the likeliest ending scenario. Would Iran still keep the Strait of Hormuz closed if that happened? I doubt it.

Posted by: Dave G | Apr 14 2026 16:56 utc | 10

Posted by: Caliman | Apr 14 2026 16:46 utc | 3  My opinion? TDS is a smear, not a thing. But the belief that the markets are wise is a much more common delusion, vastly more harmful in the long run. 

Posted by: steven t johnson | Apr 14 2026 16:57 utc | 11

Why is the market behaving like it is? Market up, oil dropping like a stone. The money people seem to think this war is already over, or at least it’s resolution is in clear sight. Why? 
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 16:48 utc | 4
 
It’s all manipulated.  The Trump regime isn’t the only thing disconnected from reality.
 
Should be interesting to see how it plays out.  The West’s economy is a giant Ponzi scheme.  Technically Ponzis can be kept going provided new money is continually added.  Every western central bank has been creating debt like crazy since covid.  Thus the economy has no shortage of new money.  Does that mean it can be kept going forever?  That would be one mighty kick of the can!
 
I suppose they can create money/debt/credit(whatever you want to call it!) until the currencies hyperinflate.  I have to think real life shortages are going to hasten the Ponzi’s demise.
 
Corrections on my layman thinking are most welcome.

Posted by: EoinW | Apr 14 2026 16:57 utc | 12

Did the USN actually intercept tankers coming from Iranian ports?
 
Does anyone have a reference to when the intercepts occurred and what specific ships were encountered, and from what nationalities?

Posted by: tobias cole | Apr 14 2026 16:57 utc | 13

@4
 
US has 800 million barrels of crude in stock between commercial and national petroleum reserves stock.
 
During recession no one drives….
 
In August crude futures may be $40.

Posted by: paddy | Apr 14 2026 17:00 utc | 14

Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 16:48 utc | 4  Oil per barrel delivered, or oil futures dropping? A drop in oil futures could be a sign that people are panicking, not buying futures because they aren’t even sure there will be any real barrels of oil coming to bet on. Futures are bets on expected prices of commodities. No commodities expected, no bets.

Posted by: steven t johnson | Apr 14 2026 17:00 utc | 15

If the CVN USS George HW Bush is actually sailing around the horn of Africa, then that is proof positive that the USS Gerald R. Ford was hit by an Iranian or Houthi anti ship missile while in the Red Sea……………otherwise the Bush would be transiting the Suez on the way to join up with the Lincoln CSG (now operating over 1100 miles from the Iranian coast for exactly this reason)!!!!!

Posted by: tobias cole | Apr 14 2026 17:01 utc | 16

@12
 
US Federal Reserve has tightened $2 trillion off its balance sheets!
 
That is $2 trillion it can pump in U.S. bonds to cash in on Trump’s new war spending, the U.S. economy in recession may get a few billion.

Posted by: paddy | Apr 14 2026 17:05 utc | 17

Why is the market behaving like it is? Market up, oil dropping like a stone. The money people seem to think this war is already over, or at least it’s resolution is in clear sight. Why? 
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 16:48 utc | 4
 
It’s the psyop calm before the storm.  DC/Tel Aviv have another would be death blow coming Iran’s way, which I believe will fail

Posted by: Chris N | Apr 14 2026 17:06 utc | 18

The USS Gerald R. Ford CVN ‘laundry fire’ was a complete USDOD hoax…..never happened.  Can you imagine the uproar if the USN actually admitted one of their CVN’s was knocked out of service by the Iranians or the Houthis?  This was their ‘cover’ story.
 
Thirty plus hours of damage control FF’s fighting a ‘laundry fire’….complete war propaganda BS completely accepted by the MSM.
 
The Ford was hit by a Silkworn/C802 anti ship missile, exactly what the missile was designed for – to kill US CVN’s. 
 
MSM is a pathetic joke !

Posted by: tobias cole | Apr 14 2026 17:10 utc | 19

  • America declaring that it can punch itself and its allies in the face way harder than the Iranians can.
  • The most comically overextended floating supply line in history.
  • Effectively declaring economic warfare on the entire world all at once.
  • Running your already spread out Navy and Airforce ragged in an attempt to maintain operational tempo at a scale of a far larger andbetter supplied force.

Bold strategy, I eagerly wait to see how this plays out.

Posted by: Chunk | Apr 14 2026 17:12 utc | 20

What do people think about Pakistan sending 13,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia? Will they enter the war against Iran?

Posted by: Chris N | Apr 14 2026 17:17 utc | 21

@ Chris N | Apr 14 2026 17:17 utc | 21
 
that is  protection for the bullshit royalty racket they have running in ksa.. apparently having a usa military presence hasn’t worked out..

Posted by: james | Apr 14 2026 17:21 utc | 22

Posted by: Chris N | Apr 14 2026 17:17 utc | 21
What do people think about Pakistan sending 13,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia? Will they enter the war against Iran?
 
It’s not a good sign, that’s for sure. I can only surmise that when push comes to shove, Pakistan supports SA over Iran. Actions speak louder than words. 
 

Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 17:22 utc | 23

Thanks for the posting b
 
All is quiet………. except
 
Quds

Breaking | Israeli occupation forces kidnap Sheikh Hatem Al-Bakri, Director of the Islamic Charitable Society, in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli occupation forces close and permanently ban the Islamic Charitable Society in Hebron, one of the oldest and largest charitable organizations in the occupied West Bank.

 
Al-Manar has reported 28 Statements about Islamic Resistance activity on Tuesday, so far.
 
The typical non ceasefire ceasefire to go with the non blockade blockade
 
The shit show continues until it doesn’t……..

Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 14 2026 17:25 utc | 24

Breaking — Epic battle in Bint Jbeil, IDF unable to reach centre,
https://english.almayadeen.net/ on the ticker tape

Posted by: Monty | Apr 14 2026 17:26 utc | 25

Dear Pope,
Do nations have the “right to exist”?
—–
I think Mussolini had Rome’s number. so did Hitler. so does the ruling class to this second.

Posted by: duck n cover | Apr 14 2026 17:30 utc | 26

Al Manar  on Bint Jbeil
Casualties Reported in Close-Range Clashes in Bint Jbeil
Meanwhile, Israeli Army Radio reported that 10 soldiers from the 101st Battalion of the Paratroopers were injured overnight in direct, face-to-face combat with Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.
“The clash took place inside the town of Bint Jbeil, which is currently considered the main and central combat zone for the Israeli army in southern Lebanon. Paratrooper forces engaged the fighters at close range, and an exchange of fire erupted between both sides,” it stated.
The Zionist radio added that the ten injured soldiers—three of them in serious condition—were evacuated to the hospital. Some were urgently transported by helicopter, while others were evacuated in vehicles

Posted by: Monty | Apr 14 2026 17:33 utc | 27

How the US navy will stop ships? By sinking them? Damaging? Boarding and taking it over with a prize team with the aim to rob the oil/gas etc.? Do they have prize teams capable of running the ships? Because, the crew may not like to go to the US – times where promising a green card could cause enthusiasm or the promise of 1M USD would be believable are gone.
 
How will they attack the ships? The VLS of the ships in the region are empty. The gun has a limited range and would force the ship into coastal defense’s range.
 
Where would the blockading ships be based? All the ports in the region are gone or not accessible.
 
It is one thing to blockade a country nearby, in the Caribbean. a completely different thing to try to blockade a country at the other side of the world. Where said blockade would harm all the other countries in the region as well.

Posted by: BG13 | Apr 14 2026 17:34 utc | 28

Trump’s blockhead move is a confession to the world that he’s responsible for the onset of the global depression–first a war of aggression, the #1 War Crime, and now an economic war on the world via his blockhead. Which nations will challenge the blockhead? China, Russia, Iran, and a host of others. IMO, this move by the Loser will quickly lead to NATO disintegration as the blockhead is also a declaration of war on NATO–Daddy’s gone rogue and is committing child abuse. As I suggested yesterday, Iran should allow a massive sortie of ships out of Hormuz that will overwhelm USN attempts to stop them. Iran also ought to arm a few tankers and send them out as bait with a couple of its mini-subs under their keels to ambush whatever USN ships that are foolish enough to take the bait. Yes, much depends on the level of escalation Iran chooses if it decides to no longer honor the ceasefire the Outlaw US Empire and the Zionists have already broken.  

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 17:39 utc | 29

https://youtu.be/vLOc-p0clbM?list=RDvLOc-p0clbM  Leggo video – Iran (and North Korea) against the US Epstein Class.  Strong video.
 
The Epstein Class is doubling down on bullshit propaganda at this time, including fake oil futures and stock prices.  Everyone is bracing for whatever the Epstein Class has cooked up.  The world will be ready.
 
Will being ready be enough?  Will the US be able to even afford the price it is paying in launching whatever attacks we eventually are planning for?  The US carrier going AROUND AFRICA rather than past … Yemen … is not a good sign for the US.  Almost comical.  If the US cannot defeat Yemen, how can the US defeat Iran?
 
 

Posted by: Woke American | Apr 14 2026 17:40 utc | 30

Posted by: Stanislav Vladimirovich | Apr 14 2026 16:51 utc | 5“Following the illegal, immoral, unprovoked, and cowardly surprise attack […]”Forgot full-scale. Certainly, attempted decapitation qualifies. 

Posted by: Socko | Apr 14 2026 17:44 utc | 31

What an absolute clusterfxxk of a situation.  This pedophile has wrecked havoc on the entire planet.  That’s what the world gets for putting all their eggs in the US basket.  And it won’t end with Trump.  Americans have a habit of electing the most idiotic and unserious people to the highest office.  Trump is just the latest in a long line of fools.  If after all this, countries around the world haven’t begun the process of decoupling from the US, they deserve everything coming their way.

Posted by: bored | Apr 14 2026 17:46 utc | 32

Three more vessels ignored the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz

Three other vessels calling at Iranian ports attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, testing U.S. warnings that any vessels leaving the Persian Gulf from Iranian ports or coastal waters would be intercepted.
 
This was reported by the Financial Times.
 
It’s about a small container ship bound for India, an old Japanese-run cargo ship, and a cargo ship owned by a Greek owner, according to tracking data and property information.
 
Two sanctioned tankers have already passed through this waterway, although one of them did not enter the Iranian port.
 
It is not yet clear whether any of these vessels were detained by the US naval blockade.
 
The US military said it intends to enforce the blockade in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, east of the strait.

https://epravda.com.ua/svit/tri-sudna-proyshli-ormuzku-protoku-popri-poperedzhennya-ssha-pro-blokadu-820408/ via translation add-on.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Apr 14 2026 17:47 utc | 33

Why is the market behaving like it is? Market up, oil dropping like a stone. The money people seem to think this war is already over, or at least it’s resolution is in clear sight. Why? The market nowadays is basically run by golden kids who studied on Ivy League schools, went to McKinsey to learn the basics of Financial Managerialist Religion and wen’t right to very well paid posts in intitutional funds that captured the bulk of American people’s retirement funds. Beyond being privileged beyond belief, those kids have no fucking idea of how the real world works and live solely in their pytaghorean bubble. As long as they can capture (steal) oustrageous “management” fees out of the unsuspecting retirement investors, make some trade here and there for their masters and collect the bonuses, they don’t simple care about anything further than the next week. They live desembodied lives, they have no fucking idea of how the wagyu beef they eat and the pure colombian cocaine they use get into their tables, and frankly, they don’t fucking care about it. This i for peasants, NPCs, goyim, slaves, not for them, the Masters of the Universe. They are incredibly ignorant people who believe they are genius. They are vulgar, dumb, and they lack the imagination to extrapolate how things are going. They don’t read books, they are “too busy” for that, send them 10 slides power point pitch-deck. The ones amongst them that know things are going down the drain, are either fucking YOLO nihilistic rich faggots, or decided to make the most out of it before the lights go off. Someone is buying all this farmland and most bunker building companies have their schedule full for the next 18 months, and I assure you, it is not the middle class who is buying 10.000 dollars in rifles and munitions as if the world was gonna end tomorrow. 

Posted by: Marcos E. | Apr 14 2026 17:48 utc | 34

EoinzW at 12: the petroleum futures market can easily be manipulated by say the trump team. What is more difficult to manipulate is the premium a buyer will pay on top of the futures price which occur when a a cargo has been given a loading range, quality and quantity. Recently these premiums have been 35 to 45 $$ per barrel and thus  a per barrel price upwards $$150.
this is a method which the london bullion club used; if or when the ounce price of gold was bought up, the bullion club would sell enough gold futures to  finish any upward price movement. Since china set up its own international gold market the london/rotschild market manipulations have abided somewhat!

Posted by: Nisses | Apr 14 2026 17:48 utc | 35

I  just had another conversation with my neighbor, 75 year old farmer and sawmiller, lifelong republican, tea party, MAGA. He’s done with Trump. My guess…. he’s not an outlier. If i’m right then MAGA is blown up… obliterated.
Surprised me that he does not like or trust Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Posted by: migueljose | Apr 14 2026 17:48 utc | 36

Innocent passage?
 
Most of the Strait of Hormuz is Iranian territorial waters. According to international maritime law, ships — including warships — can pass according to the rules of transit passage. Ships passing cannot engage in any other activities. US warships in the strait cannot claim transit passage or innocent passage, if they are clearing mines or engage in other forms of propaganda.

Posted by: Petri Krohn | Apr 14 2026 17:49 utc | 37

Apologies if someone has posted this already… Genius!!!
 
https://x.com/LucasSa56947288/status/2043790661531443468
 

Posted by: Fool Me Twice | Apr 14 2026 17:55 utc | 38

Posted by: Fool Me Twice | Apr 14 2026 17:55 utc | 38
 
I believe the message of Jesus is turn the other cheek, not rip their heads off. 

Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 17:57 utc | 39

BG13 | Apr 14 2026 17:34 utc | 28
 
You bring most of the major negatives to fore. USN has very few remaining fleet resupply ships and no bases anywhere near as you note now that the 5th Fleet is kaput. Getting to the Med means transiting Africa which is a very long voyage. The woeful level of navy crews hasn’t been mentioned by anyone recently, but that bigtime problem still exists. Chona’s PLA Navy on the other hand has much shorter supply lines, had much better, stronger ships, and doesn’t have a problem with crews. China has a base in Djibouti, and China can transit Hormuz. The blockhead as a military gambit is doomed to fail. IMO, the majority of ships transiting Hormuz are Chinese even if they aren’t overtly flagged as Chinese; most are owned by Chinese shipping companies. China knew this confrontation would occur at some point somewhere, which is why it’s rapidly built up its Navy and has three carriers. China doesn’t need to fear shore-based ballistic missiles in the region.  

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 17:58 utc | 40

Posted by: migueljose | Apr 14 2026 17:48 utc | 36
Anything that he needs from them now, which is not much, he can just extort through the rotten-fish-headed US system. They will still offer their sons and daughters up to the empire, whether in its red phase or its blue phase. The lights may alternate but it remains the same crappy disco.

Posted by: Socko | Apr 14 2026 18:01 utc | 41

How the US navy will stop ships? By sinking them? Damaging? Boarding and taking it over with a prize team with the aim to rob the oil/gas etc.?
Posted by: BG13 | Apr 14 2026 17:34 utc | 28

Traditionally? Some combination of all-of-the-above but the overwhelmingly most effective method of enforcing a blockade is to generate fear of running the blockade. By simply making the threat they can heavily constrict all but the most risk-tolerant of traffic without necessarily having the means to effectively intercept it.
 
Though of course, the outgoing traffic could always call their bluff. A lot of ways the situation can escalate or unravel, there are some rumblings that much of the American military is borderline mutinous at the moment.

Posted by: Chunk | Apr 14 2026 18:05 utc | 42

Posted by: Nisses | Apr 14 2026 17:48 utc | 35
 
Thanks for the explanation.

Posted by: EoinW | Apr 14 2026 18:06 utc | 43

Reuters
” No ships have made it ​past a U.S. naval blockade of Iran’s ports and coastal areas, and six merchant ships have followed ‌orders to turn back, the U.S. military said on Tuesday, providing the first details on a day-old effort ordered by President Donald Trump after peace talks between the U.S. and Iran broke down.”
 
Another two from Reuters.
“UN’s Guterres says highly probable Iran talks will restart”.
“US, Iran may resume talks this week despite port blockade”
 
I think the new Chinese laws coming into force to protect their international interests will be a big factor in the American turn around.
 
Anther factor is that so called US allies have been taking huge economic damage. Anti American alliances now forming throughout what is quite likely its former vassals.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 14 2026 18:07 utc | 44

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 14 2026 18:07 utc | 44I have a former coworker here in Canada that kind of stayed in touch with the crew. He retired because he wanted to leave the industry but he had to go back to work to meet his bills. Told us that got no bites on all the resumes that he sent out until he took any mention of his history down south out of the bloody thing. Discrimination that like is supposed to be illegal in Canada, but it is not provable and he totally gets it.

Posted by: Socko | Apr 14 2026 18:13 utc | 45

I believe the message of Jesus is turn the other cheek
 
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 17:57 utc | 39
 

 
A collection of stories recount that Jesus committed many absolute aggressions.  
 

Posted by: too scents | Apr 14 2026 18:15 utc | 46

>>>>> Time to Buy buy buy EV’s! 
 
Iran War Sends Chinese EV and Battery Exports Soaring in Q1
 
By Charles Kennedy – Apr 14, 2026

 
China saw its lithium battery exports jump by 50% in the first quarter from a year earlier as global demand for green technologies surged amid the worst disruption to oil and gas supply due to the war in the Middle East.
 
Exports of all green technologies manufactured in China surged in March and in the first quarter, making Chinese clean energy manufacturers winners in the war-induced oil shock.
 
China’s exports of lithium batteries soared by 50.4% between January and March, compared to the same quarter of 2025, Wang Jun, deputy director of China’s General Administration of Customs, said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
 
Exports of electric vehicles also surged, by 77.5% on the year in the first quarter, the official said. Chinese overseas sales of wind turbine parts and equipment jumped by 45.2%, according to official Chinese customs data shared by Wang at the press conference.
 
China’s lithium battery sales abroad were also helped by manufacturers front-loading shipments to take advantage of higher rebate rates on the export tax. The rate was reduced on April 1 to 6% from 9% previously, and is planned to be eliminated from 2027.
 
Still, demand for green technology amid the crisis was the key driver of soaring battery, EV, and wind technology exports out of China during the first quarter.
 
Export growth will likely accelerate in the second quarter, considering the fact that the first quarter included only one month of the Middle East conflict, while countries scramble to replace oil and gas use with clean technology wherever possible amid uncertainties when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen to some kind of normal vessel traffic.
 
In March alone, Chinese electric vehicle exports soared by 140% to a record high as the fuel price shock drove consumers back to EVs.

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 18:18 utc | 47

TJDS: ‘Trump’s Negotiators Are Mossad’
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IXb0m0xEVM
 
“Kushner and Witkoff sabotaged Iran negotiations FOR ISRAEL.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 14 2026 18:24 utc | 48

Rich Starry is a US-sanctioned Chinese-owned tanker that became the first vessel to exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz since a US naval blockade began on April 13, 2026. 

The ship doesn’t look to be going anywhere. It seems to be just holding for quite some time outside of Hormuz.
Waiting for an escort ?
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:56.6/centery:25.7/zoom:9
 

Posted by: Tom_12 | Apr 14 2026 18:29 utc | 49

Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 14 2026 18:24 utc | 48
‘Trump’s Negotiators Are Mossad’
 
The entire US government are Israeli agents. 

Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 18:30 utc | 50

A chaotic visit to China. One month remains before Trump’s rescheduled trip to China

https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/04/14/2239895.html
 
Including this snippet:

Trump will have to go to China not in the image of a conqueror of Iran, but in the status of a president who undermined the US position in the Middle East. In such a situation, it is unclear how to persuade the Chinese to buy more American agricultural products and at the same time supply scarce rare earths.

 
Is this visit really still going ahead?

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Apr 14 2026 18:38 utc | 51

Pepe Escobar, via Sputnik:

China Blockades the American Blockade of Iran

https://sputnikglobe.com/20260414/pepe-escobar-china-blockades-the-american-blockade-of-iran–1123988188.html

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Apr 14 2026 18:45 utc | 52

CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 18:18 utc | 47
 
And China’s new sodium ion battery storage devices will make all renewables able to compete with fossil fuel fired electricity generation stations price-wise. Viable storage systems have always been the main problem with grid-size renewable systems. That problem is now being overcome. With the electrification of general transportation, global demand for oil will drop. Places like the Outlaw US Empire having tariffs barring cheap electric vehicles and a combination of laws and infrastructure lack preventing driverless electric bulk road and rail land transport will be at a very big disadvantage as their cost structures will rise and make them less competitive, not to mention rising domestic inflation.  

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 18:46 utc | 53

What an absolute clusterfxxk of a situation. This pedophile has wrecked havoc on the entire planet. That’s what the world gets for putting all their eggs in the US basket. And it won’t end with Trump. Americans have a habit of electing the most idiotic and unserious people to the highest office. Trump is just the latest in a long line of fools. If after all this, countries around the world haven’t begun the process of decoupling from the US, they deserve everything coming their way.
Posted by: bored | Apr 14 2026 17:46 utc | 32

 
It won’t end with Trump because it didn’t start with Trump.
 
The crippling dependencies that many countries have with the American system, from fossil fuel to petrodollar and even the way their societies are organized are entirely due to “benevolent” and “”humanitarian” American interference. So, the immense difficulty faced by countries in delinking from America is not the fault of other countries, but the fault of all Americans, who collectively won’t allow other countries to delink. Having other countries dependent on America benefit the average Joe American immensely, which is why the average Joe American actively works to tighten the leash while lying about wanting others to delink.
 
Americans (like c1ue on MoA) are the ones who propagandize against the adoption of renewable energy, making Americans the ones responsible for the current crisis. Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill (“beautiful clean coal”) is merely the latest manifestation of American efforts to keep humanity dependent on fossil fuels. Dependency is manufactured in other areas too, like healthcare. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the U.S. military launched a clandestine program amid the COVID crisis to discredit China’s Sinovac inoculation to counter what it perceived as China’s growing influence in the Philippines, a nation hit especially hard by the deadly virus.
 
Every American is a sick and sadistic lord of plague, famine and war—and every American will take immense pride in what I’ve just called them!
 
The Jakarta Method: Washington’s Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program that Shaped Our World (available as EPUB download) is a book that delves into how Americans overthrew governments around the world to replace them with compliant puppets that defer their own interests to serve the interests of Americans. Considering that Indonesia and America just (April 14) signed a ‘major’ defence cooperation agreement that followed reports that Washington is seeking overflight access in Indonesia for US military planes, the book is more relevant than ever.
 
Iran is being attacked by America right now because its oil is being sold outside the petrodollar system!
 
Petrodollar, much higher wages for the same work compared to others around the world, continent-spanning self-sufficiency, Fortress America (Pacific & Atlantic) secured by the American military, freedom from the devastating wars that America launches against other countries in virtually every single year of America’s existence etc—these are all the invisible bribes and perks (as per Lenin) that are enjoyed by every American.
 
The comment from barfly “bored” is the slickest victim blaming move from an American that I’ve seen thus far. Bravo!
 
Death to America
Marg bar Âmrikâ
Marg bar Âmrikâ
Marg bar Âmrikâ

Posted by: All Under Heaven | Apr 14 2026 18:46 utc | 54

roll Alabama roll (shanty song of the 2nd most successful fighting ship in history) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fXHSRx3M5o&list=RD8fXHSRx3M5o&start_radio=1
 
SMS Emden (documentary of the 1st most successful fighting ship in history, posted by too scents ?; use subtitles)
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aiy12nSy584&t=135s

Posted by: exile | Apr 14 2026 18:49 utc | 55

Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Apr 14 2026 18:45 utc | 52
 
There’s a major typo in Pepe’s article. It should read Petroyuan not Petrodollar here:
 

That was the dead giveaway that the blockade is at the crux of the petrodollar war. China buys from Iran in petrodollars. Trump’s game is not about selling oil; it’s about making China dependent on the petrodollar

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 18:49 utc | 56

R2R: ‘American Titanic Hits Iceberg’
 
https://www.youtube.com/@reason2resist/streams
 
“China challenges Trump’s illegal blockade of Iran ports.”
 
 
Garland Nixon & Joti Brar: ‘Imperialism Decadent and Doomed’ Ep 54
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukddM_blPoE
 
“Crackdown on free speech; Iran resists.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Apr 14 2026 18:52 utc | 57

A couple of recent videos “b'” commenters found particularly valuable as did I.
 
This Napolitano /Crooke video deals briefly with the current Iranian shambles.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJaEyk9eeV8
 
On the face of it the Israelis seem to exert considerable influence in  Washington.   A Diesen/Blumenthal interview  examines that aspect of US internal politics more closely.  Those who followed Colonel Lang’s site will already be familiar with much of what is covered in the interview.  
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVmTEA9ViNU
 
But Blumenthal, sharp and accurate though he is, does not set Israeli influence on Western foreign policy in quite the correct context.  
 
The British started what was to become the Israeli project off because that project was seen as fitting in with our  foreign and domestic policy imperatives as they were regarded at that early time.  With the fading of British influence in the Middle East the Americans eventually took over the use of the then infant state.  That fitted in with their foreign policy objectives.  Israel is a Western proxy, immensely useful to the US and thus to the West – as Biden amongst others was often to state. 
 
It’s a turbulent and unmanageable proxy.  So too the Jihadists we used in Syria. So too the extremists we put in power in Ukraine.  It’s deeply embedded in the pork barrel politics that have been a central feature of American democracy since at least Lincoln’s time.  That’s not uncommon with proxies either.   As with those other examples, it’s a vehicle for corruption.  And since the US was fabulously wealthy for so long the corruption has been spectacular.
 
But unnoticed has been the fact that we in the West did the Israelis themselves no service by making such use of them.  It’s unacceptable to now turn round and insist it’s them making use of us.   That in turn leads to talk about Judaism as a whole being a uniquely noxious religion, bent on domination and all the rest of it.  That’s also unacceptable.  It’s on a similar level, often using similar terms, to the talk I’m seeing so often at the moment about Islam.  In either case such talk is at once repellent and  painfully ill-informed.  Come to think of it, it’s not unknown for similar talk to be heard of the wilder versions of Christianity.  What functional difference is there in the case of  Christian Zionism? 
 
Context is all.  We’re looking at a proxy that has, as so often with Western proxies, got out of hand and commits atrocities on a massive scale.  And since it’s us who provide the vast amount of money and weapons and support that enables them to do just that, it’s false reasoning to pretend those atrocities aren’t down to us.  As Merz says, the Israelis are doing our dirty work for us – but it’s our dirty work.  This is how it has always been  and  will continue to be long after Trump and his fellows have left the stage.

Posted by: English Outsider | Apr 14 2026 18:53 utc | 58

John Gilberts at 48: it’s more than obvious that at least kushner is in the hands of netanyahu and also reports first hand to     netanyahu. Witkoff another jew whose loyalties are difficult to place, but a jew is a jew and therefore a fair assumption is that netanyahu will hear most things  a fraction before trump!
 

Posted by: Nisses | Apr 14 2026 18:54 utc | 59

AUH #54
 
Only 100yrs of WV coal left, about 400 yrs of WV natural gas until its empty.

Posted by: Chad McDougal | Apr 14 2026 18:54 utc | 60

Posted by: EoinW | Apr 14 2026 16:57 utc | 12
 
I think you’re right. We forget that however vulgar and idiotic Trump appears to be he has made his career by being a master of appearances. He is the poster boy for empty signification. The market and the consumer look for metaphysical handles and securities. Occasionally he tosses out these silly pictures but they play well among some; occasionally he plays the fool, but in the end he is as cunning as Colonel Tom Parker, in the great American showman tradition. He knows that there is no metaphysics only trompe l’oeil (pun intended). The market is led by the nose and empties its pockets on cue. Is there a larger principle to which Trump is tied? Does he ‘care’ about the USA, the People, the world, others? He is a mafia boss, so no. He cares about winning, which in his case means screwing others over for himself, his mates and la familia. And those others are everyone else. Whatever else old-fashioned dictators were, they almost always believed they were the patres patrias, the fathers of their countries, and they walked the walk. Trump is and has always been about the grift. He probably still chuckles every night: “I still can’t believe all these suckers buy my schtick!”. He would see the world burn before losing, but he would also see the world burn if there was a buck in it.

Posted by: Patroklos | Apr 14 2026 18:57 utc | 61

https://youtu.be/vLOc-p0clbM?list=RDvLOc-p0clbM  Leggo video – Iran (and North Korea) against the US Epstein Class.  Strong video.

 
The original video used for the above link, the best one made to date, worthy of a Grammy and an Iranian nuclear truth bomb.
 
New LEGO Video from IRAN | LOSERS FIRST!
 
 

Posted by: Spark | Apr 14 2026 19:00 utc | 62

With the EV, AI, Rare Earths, Automation, Civilization, Infrastructure (just to name a few), dominance by China – which is very capable of retalitory measures to force America on its knees (already happening).   
 
One has to wonder if Predictive Theory is purely based on “delusional” theory and not realistic grounded facts.
 

Game Theory #18: Trump World Order
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrmERlHUqBk
 
Glenn Diesen interview with Jiang Xueqin: The Iran War & the Battle for the Petrodollar
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_DHMUdOVdo
 

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 19:08 utc | 63

There’s a major typo in Pepe’s article.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 18:49 utc | 56
 
Yes, I noticed that when reading the article and it did jar my reading flow a bit. Overall though, he still makes some very interesting points; this part caught my eye in particular, as it sets something of timetable for how long the US has to support its blockade for:

There are around 160 million barrels of oil already floating outside the Strait of Hormuz: that means Iran can continue to supply its customers in Asia, especially China, at least until the middle of July, assuming the figure of 1.8 million barrels a day imported by China.

From that, my reading is the US has to organise and support the logistics for at least 3 more months of trying to maintain anything resembling an effective blockade, which starts to look like a very expensive undertaking, and that is without other aggrieved parties devising workarounds.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Apr 14 2026 19:09 utc | 64

@Nisses #59
“it’s more than obvious that at least kushner is in the hands of netanyahu and also reports first hand to     netanyahu. Witkoff another jew whose loyalties are difficult to place, but a jew is a jew and therefore a fair assumption is that netanyahu will hear most things  a fraction before trump!”
 

“Soon guess who barges inside the room? Tweedledee and Tweedledum! Witkoff and Kushner, with messages from Netanyahu. And after that, there was a phone call from Netanyahu to Vance. After that, the whole thing started to derail.”
Pepe Escobar on DD Geopolitics, citing an Iranian Parliament member who was in the room at the Islamabad talks.
According to the source: the early Araghchi-Vance exchanges were relatively constructive, until Witkoff and Kushner entered with instructions from Netanyahu, followed by a direct call from Netanyahu to Vance.
https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/181903

 

Posted by: Apollyon | Apr 14 2026 19:09 utc | 65

The Lego vids seem to come from eg Explosivemedia, Persiaboi, also via rockidofficial/rockIDofficial
The one about Minab girls on the plane going to Islamabad  eg….etc 
 
Any others?

Posted by: Jo | Apr 14 2026 19:10 utc | 66

The “Mighty” US Navy is running skeered of AnsarAllah.
As reported . USS Bush and group is going around the long way around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.
Rather than risk another “Laundry Fire” by going thru the Suez and The Straights of Grief.
https://news.usni.org/category/fleet-tracker

Posted by: golddigger | Apr 14 2026 19:16 utc | 67

Ok, we ALL know, its public knowledge, the EU, US, NATO provides everything to the Ukraine to fight Russia! It would just be fucking nice, even if its secret, just fucking acknowledge it in the public sphere. Why continue to deny it.  Iran publicly acknowledges their support for the Resistance! and they control their narrative very well. 
 
Unlike China and Russia, still have no clue, concept of  MEDIA as a super weapon. 
 

China has denied rumors of military support for Iran spread by the US media.
 
China does not provide military support to Iran, and there are no Chinese arms deliveries to the Iranian military. This
was stated in a statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
Beijing has officially denied rumors circulating in the US press about alleged military support for Iran. According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, if the US authorities attempt to impose any restrictions on China, a response will follow immediately. Beijing is prepared for a trade war with Washington.  

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 19:19 utc | 68

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 19:19 utc | 68
Why continue to deny it.
 
They continue to deny it because it isn’t happening. Unfortunately, 

Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 19:27 utc | 69

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 19:08 utc | 63
 
“Prof.” Jiang is a hack, NED funded and thus a (inderect) three letter agency asset. One has to wonder why he is pushed on a broad public right now.
 

Posted by: kspr | Apr 14 2026 19:28 utc | 70

@68 ” Beijing is prepared for a trade war with Washington.”
 
My how time flies!
It was only 1 year ago when Trump  ignited a trade war with China who was well prepared back then.
The US stock market  bottomed out April 20, 2025 at 38170. The trade war did not turn out so well for the US economy, or DJT.  Many TACO Tuesdays followed soon after. 

Posted by: golddigger | Apr 14 2026 19:29 utc | 71

@26
 
Right to decide to love their neighbors.
 
If a state hates their neighbor they are evil, and their neighbor can do what needed.
 
War on evil is just.  War by evil is evil.

Posted by: paddy | Apr 14 2026 19:30 utc | 72

Latest vid Hormuz hustle by Persiaboi 

Posted by: Jo | Apr 14 2026 19:32 utc | 73

Why is the market behaving like it is? Market up, oil dropping like a stone. The money people seem to think this war is already over, or at least it’s resolution is in clear sight. Why? 
Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 16:48 utc | 4
My guess is the money people know something new don’t, as in China will not let this go on much longer and the Chinese always go for the diplomatic/economic solution first and foremost – so they are gauging and pricing on that thought.  Also could be (I know because my financial advisor firm just sent a private video to all clients discussing this very fact ) that the US in insulated from the energy and other commodities shock than the rest of the world thx to the covid dry run.  Plus of course the money people are making money manipulating the market, too,so they are quite content at the time being.
 
Not saying I necessarily agree with all that, but that is their line of thinking at any rate.

Posted by: drsmith | Apr 14 2026 19:34 utc | 74

All under heaven – Two (of many) reasons your repetitive comments on these boards are incorrect: 
 
Your main repeated idea is the the avg American is personally benefited by empire and therefore consciously works to extend it. This is false on many levels. The average person has no idea what the petro$ is, how, if at all, it benefits him and his family, nor is he asked or in any way given the option to choose it. He is given the choices of A and B, both of which are the left and right hands of empire. He is indoctrinated since birth to salute the flag and ask no questions except imperially safe ones. 
 
Secondly, I very much doubt that the general benefits of reserve currency trickle down to the average man in a way to make up for what the immense cost of empire takes away from him. Yes, cheap $ allows bigger budgets; but the empire costs $ trillions annually to maintain and leads to inflation that is making life’s desires unaffordable for the average American’s children.
 
The main beneficiary of empire is the Epstein class … not the average man, who is far more likely to be another victim. 

Posted by: Caliman | Apr 14 2026 19:35 utc | 75

@Karlof; Thanks for the mention of sodium ion batteries ramping to mass production in China. 
 
Quick summary for barflies re: these new sodium ion batteries:
 
a. They’re not as energy dense as lithium ion; takes more space and weight to deliver same power. AI sez:

Lithium-ion batteries have a higher energy density, typically ranging from 100-300 Wh/kg, while sodium-ion batteries have a lower energy density of about 100-160 Wh/kg. This means lithium-ion batteries can store more energy in a smaller and lighter package compared to sodium-ion batteries

 
b. The main chemical input to sodium ion batteries is sodium, which is 1000x more plentiful on surface of earth, and it can be economically recovered from seawater
 
Sodium ion batteries may be the tech used for grid-scale energy storage. Here’s a piece on sodium ion batteries, and the factory that China is building to produce them. Note that the factory will also house mfg’g robotics and AI research and commercialization facilities. 
 

Eve Energy, a major Chinese battery manufacturer, in December announced that it had begun building a new ​industrial park in southern China that will include ⁠a 90,000 sq metre campus to develop, test and mass-produce sodium-ion batteries.

 

The industrial park will also include a 50,000 sq m AI and robotics centre. The company says the project will be “China’s leading hub for the industrialisation of sodium batteries and the integration of AI and robotics applications.”
 
HiNa , meanwhile, was the technology provider for China’s first large-scale energy storage station to be powered by sodium-ion batteries. The 10 MWh project, in the southern province of Guangxi, opened in May 2024 and expanded its capacity to 50 MWh last October.
 
 
Luo Chuansheng, a senior engineer at the Guangxi Nanning Power Supply Bureau of China Southern Power Grid, told Xinhua news agency that the expanded power station ⁠can be charged and ​discharged 600 times a year. The expansion allows the facility to absorb about 30 million kWh of wind and solar power more annually, which is equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption ​by 9,000 tonnes and carbon dioxide emissions by 13,500 tonnes.

 

Tang of HiNa says he is confident about the future of sodium-ion batteries, especially at a time of geopolitical instability. “Developing the technology has become a global consensus because it does not depend on metal resources that are scarce.”

 
This is why the West has to strike China now; the China train is leaving the West behind. A few more years of this, and … it’s going to be very difficult for the West to keep the extortion racket going.
 
Gangsters aren’t know for the number of patents they hold, are they?

Posted by: Tom Pfotzer | Apr 14 2026 19:39 utc | 76

Iran consulate – Hyderabad on X:
 
“The Strait of Hormuz isn’t social media. If someone blocks you, you can’t just block them back.”
 
https://x.com/IraninHyderabad/status/2043955364933345451?t=rmRNHU76IL-SJpuXu_iEhw&s=19

Posted by: Leuk | Apr 14 2026 19:47 utc | 77

@ English Outsider | Apr 14 2026 18:53 utc | 58
 
thanks for your post! i agree with much of it and share your concerns as expressed…
 
however, how much has banking and money been central to much of the issue of power globally and what are these connections back to those involved in the banking business, beginning with the name ‘rothchild’?  so who is the proxy here?? are the present governments of usa-uk proxies for this particular banking cartel, or is it as you say – israel is the proxy?? or could it be both?? my own view is it is both..  i am curious about how others see it, but i think the term mentioned recently ‘the epstein class’ summarizes this viewpoint i am suggesting… 
 
 

Posted by: james | Apr 14 2026 19:48 utc | 78

Posted by: james | Apr 14 2026 19:48 utc | 78
my own view is it is both..
 
Agreed, it is probably both. 

Posted by: Maverick | Apr 14 2026 19:54 utc | 79

I miss Love Donbass so much. He didn’t swear at anyone, he presented a lot of information. Has he been released yet, B, or is he still grounded? I just didn’t like it when he talked about religion. I don’t like topics about churches and religions.

Posted by: Salvar os Burros da Burrice | Apr 14 2026 19:55 utc | 80

Posted by: English Outsider | Apr 14 2026 18:53 utc | 58
 
Are you purposely being obtuse or not know the power of Jewish banking, media and political lobbies in both Britain and the United States?  This Berletic worldview that ignores Jewish power smells like a sophisticated form of purposeful obsfucation.  International Jewish power has been on the ascent for the last 2-3 centuries both in Europe and America and you want to simplify things to Israel simply being a proxy.  

Posted by: afglifer | Apr 14 2026 19:58 utc | 81

And Taco Tuesday 

Posted by: Jo | Apr 14 2026 19:59 utc | 82

i think the “fullspectrum arrogance” war kriminals from the imperium of epstein are happy, if BRiCS get hungry and need to buy oil from the the yerk-in-chief.and on the level of the absurd rich class in the west, they have a depopulation fetish. the more die the better…the war will end if the goals of the “Club of Rome” are meet or the western absurd rich class and there war-criminals are hanged a la nürneberg v2.o

Posted by: COViDiOT | Apr 14 2026 20:07 utc | 83

Caliman,  AUH’s point in the final analysis was bored’s “victim blaming”, that it’s th the people’s fault and they deserve everything they get if they don’t get under America’s boot.

If after all this, countries around the world haven’t begun the process of decoupling from the US, they deserve everything coming their way.Posted by: bored | Apr 14 2026 17:46 utc | 32

 

Posted by: Nemesis | Apr 14 2026 20:17 utc | 84

In 10 years after the DinoBabies that are running their Wise Old Men Congress Gerontocracy USA will die of old age because it’s so hard for them to retire and give up power. The USA that these politician boomers left behind will be too big of a mess to fix even for the next generation leadership. 
 
The USA doesn’t have the ability to rebuild the ships and aircrafts they lost in Iran quick enough and soon, the missiles for the Taiwan shore will disappear and the next century is China’s.
 
It’s “March 45th” after Trump special 1 week military operation on March 1st. Let’s see if Trump can do the Obama Pivot to Asia move and become the benign force that counterbalance China in the Pacific.
 
Trump original plan of Iran regime change then meeting Xi Jinping next week doesn’t work out anymore. The distraction and losses in the Middle East will push the USA out of Asia as time goes on.

Posted by: KillerDoll | Apr 14 2026 20:17 utc | 85

 CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 19:08 utc | 63
 
I watched part of Diesen’s interview until the BS became overbearing as Xueqin clearly doesn’t know as much as he needs to know. And that was me giving him a second chance. 
 
Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Apr 14 2026 19:09 utc | 64
 
Thanks for your reply. Pepe said more in his chat with Nima which supplements the article. The War Powers Act will come into play well before the blockhead can waste too much money. I saw at al-Mayadeen that Trump says talks can resume in two days. Looks like the blockhead is just another bit of maximum pressure crap to force talks. Here’s the meat:
 

In parallel, diplomatic activity has continued. Pakistani officials have been actively relaying messages between the two sides, with sources indicating that Iran has responded positively to the idea of resuming talks. Discussions are ongoing over timing, with a possible window between late this week and early next week, though no final date has been confirmed.
 
An Iranian official cited in earlier reporting said, “The coming rounds of talks can come sometime later this week or earlier next week. But nothing is finalised as of now.”
 
Trump’s remarks suggest Washington is now considering returning to Islamabad as part of this renewed effort, with Pakistan maintaining its role as intermediary.

 
We’ll see how that possibility develops.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 20:18 utc | 86

And Taco Tuesday 
Posted by: Jo | Apr 14 2026 19:59 utc | 82

Pardon if I might raise a potentially unfortunate objection but at this point in time admitting that he was wrong and taking responsibility for helping to create the current mess would require moral courage, as such Trump actually chickens out more by doubling down and refusing to admit that he has overseen an enormous error.
 
If Trump does in fact, always chicken out, we are probably looking at an extended period of low intensity warfare as he attempts to save face and convincingly declare victory. 

Posted by: Chunk | Apr 14 2026 20:18 utc | 87

Why did starmer really go the gulf ?
 
 
” Look guys, This guy is batshit crazy. Please stay with us until the midterms, everything will be back to normal soon. ”
 
What was MBS reply ?

Posted by: Andrew | Apr 14 2026 20:18 utc | 88

Jo | Apr 14 2026 19:10 utc | 66
 
My wife found Explosive Media on Facebook. Here’s their Tic*Tok page.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 20:20 utc | 89

Iran, in case it is not able to collect reparations should collect tolls till it collected damages for all reconstruction and afterwards should use tolls for maintenance and welfare of Persian Gulf. 
It can announce it now itself so that the heartburn is lessened for other countries 

Posted by: R M Rao | Apr 14 2026 20:21 utc | 90

CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 19:19 utc | 68
 
Moscow and Biejing decided long ago not to try and overpower the West’s BigLie Media Megaphone and went about truth telling through its own organs. But even those were deemed too much of a threat to the West’s monopoly, so those few outlets were mostly shutdown. 

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 20:25 utc | 91

@karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 20:18 utc | 86

I watched part of Diesen’s interview until the BS became overbearing as Xueqin clearly doesn’t know as much as he needs to know. And that was me giving him a second chance. 

I had the same experience with Xueqin today. I gave him a second chance after being skeptical the first time I heard him say something. I normally hear Diesens interviews in full, but today I cut a bit shorter. I don’t plan to hear more interviews with him. 

Posted by: Norwegian | Apr 14 2026 20:25 utc | 92

Hezbolla  stand their grround in Beit Jbeil
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/an-epic-battle-of-bint-jbeil–hezbollah-fighters-stand-their

Posted by: Monty | Apr 14 2026 20:27 utc | 93

Have people seen the statement by China’s Defense minister?! He said that China will uphold all its agreements with Iran, and China expects other parties to mind their own business…..In other words, China is not going to stand by and let the US cut off its oil from Iran….

Posted by: pyrrhus | Apr 14 2026 20:27 utc | 94

We’ll see how that possibility develops.
 
Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2026 20:18 utc | 86
 
 
China and Russia are pushing Iran to the table. Due to the global economic disaster that is fast approaching.  If Iran cave at the table and don’t get a really good deal out of this. China and Russia will have played their part.
 
When China and Russia should have grown a set of balls like Iran. Iran holds all the cards. Appeasement is all Russia and China know. I fear the deal Iran gets will not be what they actually deserve for standing up to these war mongering bastards.
 
 

Posted by: Andrew | Apr 14 2026 20:27 utc | 95

The biggest Blindspot mistake in this war.  You can talk about the “Chinese” or the “Iranians” or the “Russians” following this or that policy or strategy.
But saying the “Americans” is nonsense.  It assumes that some practical collective thought about the US exists. It doesn’t. It’s about Trump, period. He’s in charge and cannot be removed by any simple practical means. Impeachment or the 25th Amendment are pipedreams.  
The stock market looks insane.  Plenty of thought about the US planning this or that – or reacting to possible world recession, blah, blah. Again, it comes down to Trump, period.  Not the Fed, not Congress, not the Senate.  There’s no planning, it’s just mental chaos from an elderly man reacting emotionally.  

Posted by: Eighthman | Apr 14 2026 20:31 utc | 96

When China and Russia should have grown a set of balls like Iran. Iran holds all the cards. Appeasement is all Russia and China know. I fear the deal Iran gets will not be what they actually deserve for standing up to these war mongering bastards.  
Posted by: Andrew | Apr 14 2026 20:27 utc | 95
 
Iran has balls…. …it accepting a ceasefire proves Russia doesn’t.
 
Iran is showing Russia how to fight a war… by accepting a ceasefire 5 weeks in.
 
Helmertards are so tiresome.  Same song every day.   Every day, turn Iran thread into russia sucks putin sucks thread.  every fucking day.

Posted by: UWDude | Apr 14 2026 20:33 utc | 97

@Salvar os Burros da Burrice | Apr 14 2026 19:55 utc | 80
 
The “love affair”  sounds like a version of LD trying to remove the ban.  I couldn’t care less, but I simpathize that we
could all be on the opposite fence.  
 
Therapy suggestion: When your in ‘love’, create an agent to propagate MOA and save all comments with ‘LD’, go to bed reading one each night, it may help sustain the loving relationship.

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Apr 14 2026 20:35 utc | 98