Moon of Alabama Brecht quote
July 31, 2026
War On Iran: – U.S. (Again) Blocks Strait Traffic

This ain’t gonna solve Trump’s problem …

A Qatari tanker passing taking the Iranian channel through the Strait of Hormuz was a quite hopeful development for energy markets.

Al Mayadeen English @MayadeenEnglish – 6:27 UTC · Jul 30, 2026

The first Qatari LNG shipment in three weeks has successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz along an Iranian-designated route with Tehran’s authorization, Fars news agency reported.

Three weeks ago, following a US violation of a memorandum of understanding, Tehran mandated that all maritime traffic through the Strait require Iranian approval.

Fars said that the Qatari tanker presented clear identification data and adhered to the Iranian-designated route, allowing it to sail smoothly through the waterway.

The U.S. though, despite being an ‘ally’ of Qatar and Pakistan,  did not like the precedence …

MenchOsint @MenchOsint – 9:40 UTC · Jul 31, 2026

⭕️ The U.S. has blocked a Qatari LNG tanker from continuing to Pakistan simply because it used the Iran-designated safe corridor, and not the US-backed one.


bigger
In consequence the Strait is again closed.

PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس @PGSA_IRAN – 13:07 UTC · Jul 31, 2026

In response to repeated inquiries, we would like to reiterate that due to continued aggressive actions of U.S. forces in the region, passage through the #Strait_of_Hormuz is not feasible. Once stability is restored, all requests will be reviewed and permits issued progressively.

Comments

thanks b… i hope iran continues to call the shots… having the usa do it is a problem… this is israels war and usa is the servant to israel… not sure their game plan here.. 

Posted by: james | Jul 31 2026 14:34 utc | 1

Something is in my mind, I can hear it… Can’t hear the beginning, but the end is ‘same thing over and over again and expecting different results’…

Posted by: Caveman | Jul 31 2026 14:36 utc | 2

So when Chinese or Indian  affiliated vessels do the same. 
What’s happening to them?

Posted by: jpc | Jul 31 2026 14:36 utc | 3

When is Iran going to take out one of those pesky ships that are enforcing the US part of the blockade?….except it might kill enough Americans to incite more war instead of less…..sigh
 
I keep hoping for a financial crash to end the God Of Mammon jackboot.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 31 2026 14:39 utc | 4

Thanks for your update b.
 
Cold War 2.0 #79: Tarik Cyril Amar: ‘Operation Khamenei’
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_NmY2afTF8
 
“Why are the CIA & Mossad reportedly searching for Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader? What does it tell us about Washington’s strategy toward Tehran, and could it signal preparations for a post Khamenei Iran?”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 14:39 utc | 5

 Qatar and Pakistan will not be pleased – the latter badly needs LNG – and the former the facilitator of that massive US base – not to mention the gift of that Golden aircraft to POTUS …
 
On it goes … all the way down.

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 31 2026 14:49 utc | 6

how can anybody think the imperium of chaos is interested in something reasonable for the world? 

Posted by: ClubOfRom | Jul 31 2026 14:53 utc | 7

TLDR: Hamas agrees to disarm after “Israel” leaves Gaza and other basic criteria are met according to ceasfire schedule. “Israel” says Hamas must disarm first.

Plus a few other reports…

– “Strait of Hormoz closed again.

The PGSA announced due to the continued aggressive actions of US military forces in the region, passage through the Strait of Hormoz remains impossible.

Once stability and calm are restored, all requests will be reviewed according to their order and schedule, and permits will gradually be issued.” Fotros

– “The IRGC announces it targeted a convoy of tankers being escorted by the U.S. Navy through the Strait of Hormuz

Two of the violating tankers were struck, and four others turned around immediately. The convoy attempted to use the illegal route near Omani waters this morning.

The IRGC says Iran continues to exercise full authority over the Strait of Hormuz, and that no vessel may pass without permission from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority.” MES

Journalist Youssef Fares

– “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Press statement

The Hamas movement and the Palestinian factions dealt responsibly and positively with the negotiating process and the mediators’ proposals to complete the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, and with a national consensus between the Palestinian factions, in which the spirit of partnership and responsibility was evident, based on our keenness to protect our people, meet their humanitarian needs, and preserve their national rights.

The occupation’s commitment to stop the killing and end its attacks is the basic entry point, and the first step to proceed with implementation, and to begin setting the framework and timetable for what was agreed upon, while emphasizing that the implementation of the second phase of the agreement is subject to the occupation’s commitment to implement all provisions of the first phase.

The approval to include the heavy weapons file within the framework of the agreement was linked and made conditional on stopping all forms of aggression, withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, achieving early recovery, entering the Administrative Committee, deploying international protection forces, dissolving the armed gangs and militias formed by the occupation, reconstruction, ensuring the right to self-determination, establishing an independent Palestinian state, and protecting the rights of citizens.

Hamas and the Palestinian factions extend their greetings and appreciation to our people and our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip, and affirm that they will continue to work together on this path for the sake of our people and to preserve all their rights.

Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas

Friday: July 31, 2026 AD

Corresponding to: 17 Safar 1448 AH

Official website – Hamas movement”

“Israel” saying dissrm first, Youssef Fares:

– “A political source in Netanyahu’s office told Israeli media: Regarding the various reports since the morning hours about political progress in the Gaza Strip, Israel reaffirmed that there will be no withdrawal of the Israeli army from the current yellow line without a real dismantling of the Hamas movement’s weapons.

(The current yellow line = 67-68% of the sector’s area)”

– “Ben Gvir: The draft agreement published by the Peace Council is unacceptable to Israel.

Assassination operations must continue in the Gaza Strip, immigration must continue to be encouraged, and Israel must achieve victory.”

Posted by: Ornot | Jul 31 2026 14:56 utc | 8

The Russians made a point of making the weapons Russia produces have a little bit longer range than the weapons the US produces.
 
It’s all fun and games,  until someone gets their destroyer poked out!

Posted by: Hot Carl | Jul 31 2026 14:57 utc | 9

Thanks -B-
 

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 31 2026 14:58 utc | 10

RE: Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 14:39 utc | 5
 
Says:  “Wishful Desperation”…  propaganda 
As is “we know where the enriched uranium is, we follow it up above with our satellites, we know it’s movements”…. Guess stupid folks would think: “oh yeah, that’s right, USReal sees all”…

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 31 2026 15:02 utc | 11

Kianistan, Ep 140: 2 parts: Vanessa Beeley & Ehsan Safarnejad
 
https://www.youtube.com/@kianistan/videos
 
“West Asia war expanding| Yemen, Russia, Iran & the next phase of the war.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 15:04 utc | 12

Thanks for this info, b
Surely part of so-called « opération freedom » !
I must admit the level of US lunacy is beyond imagination
 

Posted by: Dany | Jul 31 2026 15:06 utc | 13

Last week Admiral Cooper said there were no targets he could hit that mattered.  Admitting U.S. could do no more than thump civilians and get no operational result, much less strategic.
 
Today, his navy grabs a friendly cargo.
 
US is nuts.

Posted by: paddy | Jul 31 2026 15:07 utc | 14

i think, as long its possible to make a global mess in the energy-market and as long there is a possibility of famine in big countries, the chaos will go one. and as always in a form, where we can ask ourselfs: how cound this wanker-in-chief be soooo stupid?its a form of theater. improvised by diletants, that on the other hand are in charge because of a plan.trump and biden arent candidats by chance. they needed the ok of the western plutocracy. im not shure if its ok in this forum, but i call it the absurd-rich-class.
now the question is: what wants the western aburd-rich-class?

Posted by: ClubOfRom | Jul 31 2026 15:07 utc | 15

Trubind1@11:
 
“Guess stupid folks would think: ‘oh yeah, that’s right, USReal sees all.”
 
Yes, but not any who actually view this video.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 15:11 utc | 16

@14
 
Then today Cooper says to Trump “we should do another couple weeks bigger bombs….”

Posted by: paddy | Jul 31 2026 15:11 utc | 17

from 1 day ago – 
Alastair Crooke: Iran DESTROYS THREE F-35s as US Attacks BACKFIRE, Trump in PANIC MODE

Danny Haiphong

Posted by: james | Jul 31 2026 15:12 utc | 18

“The IRGC announces it targeted a convoy of tankers being escorted by the U.S. Navy through the Strait of Hormuz”
 
The report didn’t mention how many U.S. warships were in the strait illegally doing the ‘escorting’ in Iranian waters, nor did it say how many of them were sunk. My guess is zero U.S. ships were actually there, thus they weren’t ‘escorting’ at all and weren’t sunk, but I’d like confirmation.

Posted by: Dalit | Jul 31 2026 15:13 utc | 19

9:40 UTC · Jul 31, 2026
 
So 5 AM EST.  They couldn’t even wait half a day for the weekend.
 

Posted by: too scents | Jul 31 2026 15:26 utc | 20

CENTCOM blockade success won’t come out in USA until the markets close.
 
TACO Sunday 

Posted by: paddy | Jul 31 2026 15:26 utc | 21

oh wait.. they aren’t military analysts so you better ignore that, lol… 

Posted by: james | Jul 31 2026 15:26 utc | 22

I wonder what will the US do if the end-buyers begin to escort their ships ? Shooting on a Pakistani navy’s ship might not be the idea of the century.
An alternate question would be how long would the gulf countries continue to sell in dollars on international markets before switching to an “over the counter” model ?

Posted by: Savonarole | Jul 31 2026 15:28 utc | 23

Meanwhile, Israelis gets all the petroleum products they desire thanks to the Ottoman-empire and their vassal state, Azerbaijan.  The hyperbolic rhetoric between Israelis and Ottomans is all for show, all for the unwashed masses to consume and regurgitate.

Posted by: S Brennan | Jul 31 2026 15:34 utc | 24

US allies are finding out in quick succession that having the US as an ally isn’t worth the candle.
 
Stop paying the protection money and have them leave.

Posted by: ChatNPC | Jul 31 2026 15:35 utc | 25

Carl Zha: The US Empire Is COLLAPSING Faster Than Anyone Expected | Carl Zha & Rasheed Muhammad
 

Posted by: ChatNPC | Jul 31 2026 15:39 utc | 26

trimupf des überbevöklerungsfetischismus der absurd reichen klasse des westens…

Posted by: COViDiOT | Jul 31 2026 15:45 utc | 27

On it goes … all the way down.
Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 31 2026 14:49 utc | 6
Eaten bread is soon  forgotten. 
As with donated aircraft. 

Posted by: jpc | Jul 31 2026 15:48 utc | 28

The stupidest comment Trump has made today to Fox News:
 
“But we’re hitting them hard, knocking them out for a loop, and we just keep winning. Eventually they’ll have no choice but to go home.”
 

Posted by: Belle | Jul 31 2026 15:56 utc | 29

The Palestine Chronicle: Breaking News, Articles, Analysis
 
https://www.palestinechronicle.com

  • Today’s headlines: US resumes attacks on Iran|Behind closed doors| 3 killed in Gaza
  • ‘Inaccurate’: Palestinian factions reject Trump’s account of Gaza agreement
  • 11,000 attacks on 6 months: Israel escalates assault on the West Bank
  • Complicity in plain sight: The West’s scarlet letter of indifference
  • Genocide fatigue: why documenting the slaughter will not save Gaza
  • Global crusade: Rubio, Miller, Sa’ar & the internationalization of the 4th Reich
  • Karim Khan and the targeted assassination of the ICC…”

 
Massad: Ben Gvir’s Crocodiles Are the Latest Weapon in Israel’s Animal Warfare on Palestinians
 
https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/israel-animal-warfare-ben-gvir-crocodiles-palestinians
 
“Earlier this month, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced that Israel would use Nile crocodiles as prison guards for Palestinian political prisoners…”
 
Death To USrael & Empire  – Free Palestine – from the River to the Sea

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 15:59 utc | 30

@ Dalit | Jul 31 2026 15:13 utc | 19
 
I’ve wondered about this too – how do US warships get into the Strait in the first place to escort commercial ships out? I saw a report the other day that mentioned US planes in that role. Absent any other information, videos, or tracking, I can only assume all this “escorting” has been done by planes from carriers – hence the formal reporting that the US Navy is doing the escorting.
 
This makes better sense. The US military feels safe in its planes – barring the occasional “friendly fire” and unacknowledged shoot down by the locals – but reverts to its institutional cowardice on land or sea.
 
All the while reassuring its clients that “we’ve got your back.”

Posted by: Grieved | Jul 31 2026 16:00 utc | 31

I’ve wondered about this too – how do US warships get into the Strait in the first place to escort commercial ships out?

pentagon ships are hanging out outside the straits. Maybe 100 nm away 

Posted by: Exile | Jul 31 2026 16:22 utc | 32

Grieved | Jul 31 2026 16:00 utc | 31
 
The only “escorting” the USN has done is with aircraft.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 31 2026 16:22 utc | 33

US Resumes Strikes on Iran as Global War Escalates
 
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/07/31/mvua-j31.html
 
“…The events over recent days fully vindicate the assessment of the US/Israeli war on Iran made by the WSWS. In its first statement on the war issued just hours after Trump launched the war without any democratic consultations in the dead of night, the WSWS noted that in retrospect, the 28 February assault would be compared with Hitler’s 1 September, 1939 invasion of Poland, a criminal act that marked the outbreak of WWII.
 
WSWS International Board chairman David North continued, ‘He, [Trump] has set the United States and the entire world on a disastrous course. This war will not solve the internal social crisis of American society, nor will it reverse the protracted deterioration in the global position of US capitalism.
 
All these contradictions, domestic and international, will be intensified. The war itself will inevitably escalate and engulf the entire planet…”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 16:32 utc | 34

When is Iran going to take out one of those pesky ships that are enforcing the US part of the blockade?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 31 2026 14:39 utc | 4

Not to sound like a broken record but some of us here have been screaming this for WEEKS.  America isn’t going to stop till Iran is a failed state, may as well sink those ships and make them pay for the attempt.

Posted by: bored | Jul 31 2026 16:32 utc | 35

🙂 Ahh, this would be that “US(raeli) Pigeon Chess” Russian diplomats talked about, where you play chess with a pigeon who just knocks over pieces and poops all over the board. I see. Very apropos.
 
Anyway, here’s to hoping the F-35 master craftsmen can knit a new artisanal F-35 for our very own Mark2 before Jordan gets their replacement F-35s. I’m sure the locals in UK can chip in some pocket change for this cause, another cardboard box charity for the underprivileged of the world, what after the cause to feed and or liberate hungry UK people due to hosting USraeli bases against their will. 🙁 Mark2 has been very good this year and deserves his home-made knitted F-35. 🙂 Hopefully it can come in patterns like argyle, plaid, or herringbone.

Posted by: titmouse | Jul 31 2026 16:34 utc | 36

Maybe the result of their action is what the US actually intends?
To close the strait and make all (energy) trade precarious!

Posted by: Webej | Jul 31 2026 16:41 utc | 37

WW2 started arguably in 1931 wirh the  Japanese conquest of Manchuria. 

Posted by: Exile | Jul 31 2026 16:41 utc | 38

 
RE:      “My guess is zero U.S. ships were actually there, thus they weren’t ‘escorting’ at all and weren’t sunk, but I’d like confirmation.”
Posted by: Dalit | Jul 31 2026 15:13 utc | 19
TASMIN:   Confirmation of incident 
“In a statement released on Friday, the IRGC said its Navy continues to exercise “full control and management” over the Strait of Hormuz.”
 
“According to the statement, in the early hours of Friday, two violating oil tankers, misled by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via an undeclared route under the air escort of the “child-killing and terrorist US military,” disregarding repeated Iranian warnings.”
 
Stated “convoy”?
The IRGC said the two tankers were struck and forced to stop, while four other violating tankers immediately changed course and returned to their previous positions.
 

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 31 2026 16:45 utc | 39

Meanwhile US 10 year yield exceeded 4.7%. Debt is compounding faster than economic growth (resulting from decreasing money velocity) and this will accelerate.

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 31 2026 16:48 utc | 40

RE:
 “may as well sink those ships and make them pay for the attempt.
Posted by: bored | Jul 31 2026 16:32 utc | 35
 
actually could simply incapacitate them pretty easy with drones to engine rooms.
 
all I can say is sooner or later they have to go to resupply & have maintenance done.
food and toilet paper don’t last forever out there.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 31 2026 16:52 utc | 41

OF TOPIC BUT RELATED
The fact that Graham was buried in a closed casket gave rise to many theories. The official version is that his death was the result of a “sudden and brief illness.” The unofficial version is that, as military expert Aleksey Leonkov puts it, the senator was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He recalled that while Graham was in Kiev, the Russian army carried out one of its most powerful strikes on military targets in the city. 
 
 

Posted by: Angelo | Jul 31 2026 16:56 utc | 42

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 31 2026 16:52 utc | 41
 
Just blasting the antennas and radar off the top blinds the vessel. Out of action for a while and needs an escort to protect it, takes two vessels out of the area for a while. 
 
Reduces US effectiveness, increases costs and the American people are not calling for revenge for fallen sailors. 

Posted by: misplaced citizen | Jul 31 2026 17:01 utc | 43

The Sh1tStirrer of the Month Award for July goes to:
 
 Tiger By the Tail

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 31 2026 17:05 utc | 44

Grieved | Jul 31 2026 16:00 utc | 31
 
The only “escorting” the USN has done is with aircraft.
 
Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 31 2026 16:22 utc | 33

That’s a lot of circling, Karl, Grieved.
 
The length of Hormuz is 104 miles (167 KM). At maximum speed of 12 mile/hour it takes a tanker over 9 hours to traverse the strait. That’s a lot of wear and tear on the aircraft that requires 3 hours of maintenance for every hour of flight.
 
The empire’s gotta find a better way.

Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Jul 31 2026 17:07 utc | 45

Posted by: Grieved | Jul 31 2026 16:00 utc | 31
good to hear from you
 
 

Posted by: ld | Jul 31 2026 17:11 utc | 46

Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Jul 31 2026 17:07 utc | 45
 
Where are those ‘escorting’ US aircraft based out of? Probably the only somewhat viable base left is in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Essentially US navy/airforce isn’t escorting anything in the Hormuz without Iran’s unwritten approval (that is not attacking US bases).

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 31 2026 17:11 utc | 47

Larry Johnson makes a reasonable case that it was the Israelis who “droned” the American Energos Winter at Egypt’s Port of Damietta on the Mediterranean. The fire then spread to the LNG carrier Gaslog Salem. “…a fire spreading to the terminal infrastructure or fully involving either LNG hull would have been catastrophic…” Not that Israelis/Israeli-americans give a $#!t about America’s/American’s interests, we are just a host to be exploited in a parasitic relationship.Israelis have long history of blowing up American ships and killing American mariners so, nothing novel about Israel harming America or it’s people…after all, Israelis were photographed celebrating the slaughter of 3,000 souls in New York City some 25 years ago. Given Cheney’s ties to Israeli it’s an entirely reasonable conjecture that it was Israel’s Mossad that enabled the 9-11 attack. Pro-Israel => Anti-American

Posted by: S Brennan | Jul 31 2026 17:15 utc | 48

RE: Posted by: misplaced citizen | Jul 31 2026 17:01 utc | 43
 
We’re thinking the same way,  as for the aircraft carriers,  damage to flight decks as well so no taking of & so on from there.
 
I kinda wonder is that where these hovering escort planes are coming from, a carrier deck?
IDK
 
 

Posted by: Trubind1 | Jul 31 2026 17:18 utc | 49

Meanwhile US 10 year yield exceeded 4.7%. Debt is compounding faster than economic growth (resulting from decreasing money velocity) and this will accelerate.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 31 2026 16:48 utc | 40
 
 
Returns are one danger;
another is the entire EU’s inability to switch to a war economy—even though Germany, in particular, is racking up billions, nay, trillions in debt.But the greatest danger comes from Morocco to Spain, and from there to Germany, France, Italy, etc.—all bankrupt states facing right-wing pressure on their warmongering governments.
 
Spain’s reaction was very, very odd—claiming they didn’t know thousands were gathering in Morocco… which seems rather unlikely given the figure is now around 60,000.This is like a turbo-boost toward the EU’s downfall… and it has likely brought more than just a smile to Moscow’s face… assuming it wasn’t actually orchestrated by the Kremlin—after all, Spain’s government is—let’s put it delicately—”different,” and is one of Trump’s new enemies…
 
Woe betide if parts of that 60,000-strong crowd make it to Austria, France, the Netherlands, or Germany… then even the blind will finally see what total failures their governments are.

Posted by: genesiss | Jul 31 2026 17:20 utc | 50

Posted by: unimperator | Jul 31 2026 17:11 utc | 47
 
My thoughts exactly. If these planes are coming from USN, we need to add extra travel time, refueling, etc.

Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Jul 31 2026 17:24 utc | 51

The Cradle News Roundup, Ep 251: ‘A New War in Yemen’
 
https://www.youtube.com/@thecradlemedia/streams
 
“Ansarallah’s chilling warning to Saudi Arabia: ‘full escalation for full escalation.”
 
 
Rock The Cradle: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah: ‘Decolonize Your Mind’
 
https://www.youtube.com/@thecradlemedia/videos
 
The West kills for money. It needs death & destruction to extract profit.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 17:24 utc | 52

From Iranintl just now that I want to comment on
 

US searching worldwide for Iran-linked assets

 

Scott Bessent said Friday that the United States was searching worldwide for assets linked to Iran’s government, adding that recovered funds would go to Iranians and Americans harmed by Tehran.
“It has been a privilege to be a part of, as we’ve gone from Epic Fury to economic fury, to constrict, on your orders, the Iranian regime’s financial tentacles all around the world,” Bessent said during the televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David.
“On your orders, we are searching for their assets all around the world,” he added.

 
 
Set aside that Bessent and the folks he works for are social perverts and understand the pieces to the alternative system of finance that still need to be born.
One of the pieces of an alternative global system of finance is a safe place to store money that is totally sovereign for nations and that includes ways to interact with other nations banking systems which they want to be sovereign and not controlled by the oligarch class that is richer than nations….the God Of Mammon cult
Another piece of financial plumbing (ongoing price discovery) that is needed but not discussed much is a totally sovereign version of the Foreign Exchange Market that is currently a private casino and full of manipulation like the Iran Rial currently.
 
Humanity needs to create a world that is run by sovereign nations working together rather than our current one run by the God Of Mammon cult of inherited oligarchs that own and operate global finance currently…….
Blessings to the China/Russia/Iran axis challenge to the God Of Mammon cult form of social organization….we can do better as a species, eh?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 31 2026 17:28 utc | 53

Maybe the result of their action is what the US actually intends?To close the strait and make all (energy) trade precarious!
Posted by: Webej | Jul 31 2026 16:41 utc | 37
Been saying that for months. The aim is to control all energy worldwide. And if its only possibe by throttling the Strait, so be it.

Posted by: umuntu | Jul 31 2026 17:46 utc | 54

 
https://x.com/ejmalrai/status/2083230050774667483
Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺  @ejmalrai 
 
Iran’s objective is to see the final departure of the US forces from the Middle East. This objective, once seemingly impossible to achieve, is unfolding before the world.
 
———————
 
https://x.com/bonzerbarry/status/2083227799729389905
barry with the NED  @bonzerbarry 
 
Al-Monitor reports that the last remaining US forces in Iraq began pulling out of Erbil last week. They have already removed the Patriot batteries and taken them to an “undisclosed” location
 

Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 31 2026 17:57 utc | 55

and could it signal preparations for a post Khamenei Iran?”
 
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 14:39 utc | 5 
 
A post Khamenei Iran would be run by the IRGC, assuming they mean deleting the entire supreme council.
 
If they think that will make Iran any less of a threat there’s a surprise at the end of that road …

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jul 31 2026 18:34 utc | 56

@S Brennan | Jul 31 2026 17:15 utc | 48
I believe the US/UK/Israel were all involved but the detail about the ‘dancing Israelies’ indicates to me a deal to encourage the view that it was only the Israelies. The British published an article the day before 9/11 about the Russian Nuclear Cruise missile that hit the Pentagon on 9/11 so that it could be identified as Russian.
 
Pentagon identified it already from its radar signature minutes before it hit. Therefore Secret Service was able to carry Cheney down to the shelter just before the hit. The type of missile was known to be able to pick its target in the last minute so they werent sure whether it would hit the White House instead where Cheney was.
 
Freemasons were probably employed for many tasks since they can keep secrets. And they are known to be inclined to aid in rewriting history.
 
For example now many have swallowed the myth about airplanes and there has therefore been a need for false witness acounts. Anybody can lie and make up stories but it is safer if they are sworn to lojalty.
 

Posted by: petergrfstrm | Jul 31 2026 18:45 utc | 57

The House USA just voted the War Powers Act, to get “troops out of Iran” so will Senate also back it up????.?

Posted by: Jo | Jul 31 2026 18:51 utc | 58

Anti-Imperialist Scholars Collective: ‘A Montage of Destruction’
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17oSMCboXII
 
“Join ASIC livestream producer Sina Rahmani along with AISC members Navid Farnia and Diego Alcala for a conversation on the latest developments in the global anti-imperialist struggle.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 18:52 utc | 59

What does it tell us about Washington’s strategy toward Tehran, and could it signal preparations for a post Khamenei Iran?”
Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 14:39 utc | 5

 
Well, he has three living brothers and the Shia clergy has many, many more suitable, non-familial  candidates for Supreme Leader.
 
What it tells us about USraeli strategy is that it is as dumb as ever to believe that a simple decapitation strike is all that is required, reminiscent of the famous “we need only kick down the door and the whole rotten edifice will collapse”.

Posted by: ChatNPC | Jul 31 2026 18:52 utc | 60

Posted by: Jo | Jul 31 2026 18:51 utc | 58
 
Strictly speaking there are no US troops in Iran at the moment.
 
It looks like desperate performative posturing to save their own sorry butts in the mid-terms, and prolly non-binding anyway.

Posted by: ChatNPC | Jul 31 2026 18:55 utc | 61

Posted by: jpc | Jul 31 2026 15:48 utc | 28
 
They have yet to learn that this is how the Hegemon treats its vassals. Slow learners.

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 31 2026 19:01 utc | 62

Meanwhile US 10 year yield exceeded 4.7%. Debt is compounding faster than economic growth (resulting from decreasing money velocity) and this will accelerate.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 31 2026 16:48 utc | 40
 
Pre 1971 garbage…
 
Everybody here wants to see the US fail. But believing in myths won’t help. All you are is,supporting the US rules based order with that crap.

Posted by: Andrew | Jul 31 2026 19:01 utc | 63

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 31 2026 17:28 utc | 53
 
Bravo !
 
3 cheers , hip, hip. 
 
At least somebody understands the poison of interest rate targeting and why non tradable granny bonds is the solution.

Posted by: Andrew | Jul 31 2026 19:05 utc | 64

@36 titmouse

Jordan doesn’t own f35 afaik, those would be US taxpayer write-offs, one in the US just now also. Metal birds aren’t very friendly, anyway.

Also US is pulling all AD from Erbil and surrounds… not that the air ever needed defending.

Popcorn mountain… made me smile.

Posted by: Ornot | Jul 31 2026 19:05 utc | 65

US doesn’t seem to escort ships through the straight, just to the straight…points them in the general direction, then escorts them back when they turn around.

Nothing too complicated about that.

Posted by: Ornot | Jul 31 2026 19:09 utc | 66

 
https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/35663#
Middle East Spectator — MES 
 
—❗️🇺🇸/🇮🇶/🇮🇷 BREAKING: The last 5 remaining Patriot systems have been withdrawn from Erbil Airport 
 
Iraqi Kurdistan is now left at the mercy of Iranian missiles and drones for the first time ever, with no anti-ballistic missile systems to intercept them.
 
 
https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/35662#
 
—❗️🇺🇸/🇮🇶/🇮🇷 BREAKING: The United States has already withdrawn several Patriot batteries from Erbil, and will withdraw all of its remaining military forces from Iraqi Kurdistan by September 30th, 2026 
 
The move comes after repeated Iranian drone and missile attacks against U.S. targets in the area, which have become increasingly difficult to defend against. 
 
It would mark Iraq’s first time without an American military presence since 2003, after more than 23 years of occupation. – Al Monitor
 

Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 31 2026 19:11 utc | 67

Al-Monitor reports that the last remaining US forces in Iraq began pulling out of Erbil last week.
 
Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 31 2026 17:57 utc | 55

 
What about the huge military base in Baghdad masquerading as an embassy? or does that not count because it’s regarded as US sovereign territory?

Posted by: malenkov | Jul 31 2026 19:12 utc | 68

 
Meanwhile US 10 year yield exceeded 4.7%. Debt is compounding faster than economic growth (resulting from decreasing money velocity) and this will accelerate.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 31 2026 16:48 utc | 40
 
What does thst mean?

Posted by: Zenco | Jul 31 2026 19:17 utc | 69

‘Not to sound like a broken record but some of us here have been screaming this for WEEKS.

America isn’t going to stop till Iran is a failed state, may as well sink those ships and make them pay for the attempt.’ – bored 35

And the retort to that is usually that such an action would bring about much more return firepower from the genocidal state and its vassals in Waldseemüller’s Americus/a: US-Canada-Cental/South.

This is admitted to even while acknowledging the dwindling supplies of munitions.

This ultimnately leads to the possibity-inevitability of nukes.

So Iran must continue to attrite.

But the most lethal weapons and the means of delivering them remsin even given the massive destruction of arms and radars and what have you.

And we are told that as the attrition continues – including the internal domestic decay – we are told the target of said attrition becomes more and more rabid then it already is.

Seems the only winning move is not to play.

How about a nice game of Go Fish?

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Jul 31 2026 19:19 utc | 70

Posted by: malenkov | Jul 31 2026 19:12 utc | 68
 
Cruising toward a Saigon moment (or a Kabul moment).

Posted by: ChatNPC | Jul 31 2026 19:20 utc | 71

Confirmation Tank Breach Occurred on Caroline Benzengi Port Bow
 
https://x.com/DropSiteNews/status/2083252523343966233
 
“A major oil spill is spreading off Oman from the crippled Russian shadow-fleet tanker Caroline Bezengi, which is carrying an estimated 800,000 to 1 million barrels of crude, Reuters reports.
 
The tanker has drifted onto rocks near al-Qibliyyah Island, a protected marine sanctuary. Rough monsoon conditions and strong seasonal winds are accelerating the spill toward Oman’s coast line…”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 31 2026 19:23 utc | 72

@50 genesiss

Nah, they are all asking for a bigger stronger europe as reply…theater. The collective pro-“Israel” right will inch ahead.

Sanchez has been receiving this kind of reception since I remember

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xtNjJHEqmCE

Over fifty drowned, on their conscience…despicable politi.

Posted by: Ornot | Jul 31 2026 19:26 utc | 73

@72 John

🙁 🙁 🙁

I and others have warned about this.

Particularly, I know the area and was involved in marine research there.

I think of all the effort various people put in also, to promote conservation…all just ignored now.

Makes me very upset.

Posted by: Ornot | Jul 31 2026 19:32 utc | 74

Meanwhile US 10 year yield exceeded 4.7%. Debt is compounding faster than economic growth (resulting from decreasing money velocity) and this will accelerate.
Posted by: unimperator | Jul 31 2026 16:48 utc | 40
Kindergarten Math. If you borrow to spend at 6% of GDP annually, and your GDP grows at 1.5% annually, when does your country’s People hang your Politicians?

Posted by: kupkee | Jul 31 2026 19:35 utc | 75

BREAKING: The last 5 remaining Patriot systems have been withdrawn from Erbil Airport 
 
Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 31 2026 19:11 utc | 67

Thanks for all your updates, michaelj72.

Some called it debaseification, I call it herding.
 
The forces are herded away from Iran, so that they would have to rely on longer range missiles, longer range efforts.
 
First they are herded to Jordan. When Jordan becomes untenable, they are forced-out/herded to Ben Gurion.
 
The herding is not quite complete yet. Not an easy task, kind of like herding cats.
 
When done, it’s two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.

Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Jul 31 2026 19:42 utc | 76

re: “Kindergarten Math. If you borrow to spend at 6% of GDP annually, and your GDP grows at 1.5% annually, when does your country’s People hang your Politicians?
Posted by: kupkee | Jul 31 2026 19:35 utc | 75
 
But how many Americans can do basic math these days?  “In the United States, 54% of adults have a literacy below a 6th-grade level, 20% are below 5th-grade level, and 21% are illiterate.”
Source: The National Literacy Institute, World of Statistics (@stats_feed) February 1, 2025

Posted by: Perimetr | Jul 31 2026 19:44 utc | 77

@75
 
And!  Government waste, both services and useless weapons count in GDP.
 
Part of US meager GPD growth is ineffective government waste not productive.

Posted by: paddy | Jul 31 2026 19:46 utc | 78

re: “Kindergarten Math. If you borrow to spend at 6% of GDP annually, and your GDP grows at 1.5% annually, when does your country’s People hang your Politicians?
Posted by: kupkee | Jul 31 2026 19:35 utc | 75“
 
But how many Americans can do basic math these days? “In the United States, 54% of adults have a literacy below a 6th-grade level, 20% are below 5th-grade level, and 21% are illiterate.”
Source: The National Literacy Institute, World of Statistics (@stats_feed) February 1, 2025
 
Posted by: Perimetr | Jul 31 2026 19:44 utc | 77
Oh, a shot at the slaves.  How about the Zio Imperialist ruling class that oppresses and destroys them?  Got any barbs for them?  

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Jul 31 2026 19:47 utc | 79

Cruising toward a Saigon moment (or a Kabul moment) – ChatNPC 71

Are the three situations even analogous?

Operation Frequent Wind took place two years after the US removed its military from Vietnam.

Operation Allies Refuge was the active military withdrawal…which had been considered years previously – even before Trump I when his order was allegeldy disobeyed, thus giving Biden the ‘credit’ even thoigh, as we know, the system itself operates almost entirely unilaterally.

The Vietnam era US wasn’t wholly-owned by the Zionists yet.

Phil Weiss of Mondoweiss fame said he started his blog because he would hear relatives saying ‘I supported the anti Vietnam war protests but I hear that destroying Iraq will be good for Israel, so…’

Now, it should be said here that more US Jews were against the Iraq War than for it.

We know that Jews living in occupied Palestine overwhelmingly support ‘finishing the job’ and the wholesale ‘creation’ of ‘Eretz Israel’.

And we know their labryinthine bribing and blackmailing apparatus continues to maintain extraordinary power despite fierce opposition.

May we live in interesting times…

Posted by: Dan Kelly | Jul 31 2026 19:49 utc | 80

Posted by: Perimetr | Jul 31 2026 19:44 utc | 77
   Fair enough. But those stats seem a tad exaggerated.
However. Maybe even my dogs could figure out that if I took 6 cups of dogfood out of their bin every day and only put 1.5 cups back in, perhaps, just perhaps, the bin might end up empty.

Posted by: kupkee | Jul 31 2026 19:51 utc | 81

re: Oh, a shot at the slaves.  How about the Zio Imperialist ruling class that oppresses and destroys them?  Got any barbs for them?  
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Jul 31 2026 19:47 utc | 79
 
Why do you interpret this as “a shot at the slaves”?   
My statement of fact could also be interpreted in this way; an illiterate population — deliberately made that way by the ruling elite —  is unlikely to revolt if it is unable to understand the intentional devaluation of their currency and menial wages. 

Posted by: Perimetr | Jul 31 2026 19:53 utc | 82

“Can’t hear the beginning, but the end is ‘same thing over and over again and expecting different results’…”
~ Caveman | Jul 31 2026 14:36 utc | 2
 

I’ve writ that before, myself, but if we do the same thing over and over again, we might wear it out and/or break it and indeed get different results. Caveat breaktor. (Pardon my fancy latin n’ stuff.)

” ‘Carl Zha: The US Empire Is COLLAPSING Faster Than Anyone Expected | Carl Zha & Rasheed Muhammad’
~ ChatNPC | Jul 31 2026 15:39 utc | 26

When Trump was running for office, and maybe even when he wasn’t, we often heard that he was ‘isolationist’ and ‘anti-war’ and wanted to ‘bring industry back home’…
 
Maybe breaking the economy and oil infrastructure that powers it helps isolate the US and brings industry back home. The USA may ‘collapse’, but like Iran under ‘crippling sanctions’, may be better for it in the long run. Caveat sanctor.
 
If much of the oil industry gets broken, it may also appease the anthropogenic climate guys, as well as the relocalization guys, like Transition Towns and permaculture guys, and even the guys in those ecovillages. The Amish might even experience a renaissance. (Are Amish girls all that and more?) Stuff like that.
 
Stuff that matters. News for nerds. Virtually-imbibing– and maybe even actually imbing– politinerds perhaps, but nerds just the same.

Posted by: Strange Bedfellow | Jul 31 2026 20:05 utc | 83

30: Man-eating crocodiles are only necessary for torture sport, and to clean up the mess after torture sessions.

Posted by: Imagine | Jul 31 2026 20:10 utc | 84

Remember the “israeli art students” who were paid to apply the nano thermite spray paint and attach the magnetic brain detonators onto the structural steel beams in the twin towers and building 7 to facilitate the 9-11 controlled demolition of the world trade center?
 
I’ll bet someone could find out the names of all those israeli art students.
 
I’ll bet if you tried to find those israeli art students now, 25 years later, you’ll find they all died in unfortunate accidents, so none of them could have a chance to publish what information they knew about the operation.
 
That’s the way the chosen role.
 
Today, the Old World Order is attempting to cause a food and fuel famine that will have a peek this winter, and if the wars continue, another greater peek next winter. 
 
Western Europe is experiencing thousands of heat-related excess deaths, primarily driven by record-shattering summer temperatures combined with an overall lack of home air conditioning infrastructure
 
There is an explosion of sargassum growth in the western Atlantic and Caribbean. Many fish are at the surface, upside down, and not exactly “swimming” already. This can contribute to the famine. (I thought the Chinese had ships that could harvest the sargassum and turn it into chicken feed?)

Posted by: Hot Carl | Jul 31 2026 20:11 utc | 85

Histrio histrio

Posted by: Not Ewe | Jul 31 2026 20:14 utc | 86

About the ~80-year-old UK-manufacture/project-cum-Middle-East-squatter that is Israel:
 
“Everything government touches turns to crap.” ~ Attributed to Ringo Starr, but likely quoted long before

Posted by: Strange Bedfellow | Jul 31 2026 20:16 utc | 87

@S Brennan | Jul 31 2026 17:15 utc | 48
 
…the detail about the ‘dancing Israelies’ indicates to me a deal to encourage the view that it was only the Israelies [who were thrilled by the death of approximately 3,000 souls]”
 
Petergrfstrm | Jul 31 2026 18:45 utc | 57

And how did you come to your clairvoyance ?  Anybody reading my comment 48 will see that I specifically mention Cheney.  Or did you just hope nobody would bother checking up on your carefully constructed slur?  Whatever, if you want to defend Mossad/Israelis/Israeli-americans be my guest.

Posted by: S Brennan | Jul 31 2026 20:20 utc | 88

Carl Zha: The US Empire Is COLLAPSING Faster Than Anyone Expected | Carl Zha & Rasheed Muhammad 
Posted by: ChatNPC | Jul 31 2026 15:39 utc | 26
This is the mirror of brain-dead CHINA IS COLLAPSING commentary.

Posted by: catdog | Jul 31 2026 20:28 utc | 89

They danced upon their van when the buildings were destroyed
they just happened to be filming where the filthy bombs deployed
but we’re completely owned by these psycho-paranoids
so this shit keeps going down
 
They can sink our ships and shoot our sailors as they swim
we pretend it didn’t happen cuz we know that it was them
but there’s nuthin we can do cuz they own us thru and thru
so this shit keeps goin down
 
They can murder babies they’ve a right to self defense
one just threw a stone better reenforce the fence
It’s time to mow the grass Uncle Stupid needs the gas
so this shit keeps going down
 
They own our politicians the banks and media too
but there’s nuthin we can say or Hazbara’s on you
You cannot run for office lest you represent the jews
so this shit keeps going on

Posted by: ld | Jul 31 2026 20:30 utc | 90

psychohistorian | Jul 31 2026 17:28 utc | 53
 
Agree with your prescription. Of course, the Outlaw US Empire is the source of the “harm” Bessant mentions, not Iran. How about the Global Majority “scour” the world for Imperial and Imperial Corp assets that can be seized and given to the many millions of Empire  victims.  

Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 31 2026 20:31 utc | 91

 Sakineh Bagoom | Jul 31 2026 17:07 utc | 45
 
My understanding is A-10 Warthogs arre doing the escorting since they can fly low and slow and aren’t hanger queens like all the rest.  

Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 31 2026 20:35 utc | 92

@ld | Jul 31 2026 20:30 utc | 90:
 
AI?

Posted by: Strange Bedfellow | Jul 31 2026 20:35 utc | 93

Posted by: catdog | Jul 31 2026 20:28 utc | 89
 
Just 100 years ago, the British Empire bestrode the globe and Sterling was (at least notionally) the world’s reserve currency.
 
It was the Empire upon which the sun never set. A belief that persisted even though the sun had gone down over decade earlier and even long after it had truly set.
 
Empires inevitably die, catdog, maritime ones do so very quickly indeed.
 
Get over it.

Posted by: ChatNPC | Jul 31 2026 20:39 utc | 94

dancing dancing… now the absurd rich are dancing. in the hope to rich infinit life, while the useless eaters die until a easy controllable slave population remains…
the stupidness of the western politics suppresses any protest against this program.
 
geopolitical analysis stays fruitless. it simply distracts from the fact: its a classwar waged by the absurd rich, against anybody else…

Posted by: ClubOfRom | Jul 31 2026 20:40 utc | 95

From Iranintl just now that I want to comment on 

US searching worldwide for Iran-linked assets

 
 

Scott Bessent said Friday that the United States was searching worldwide for assets linked to Iran’s government, adding that recovered funds would go to Iranians and Americans harmed by Tehran.“It has been a privilege to be a part of, as we’ve gone from Epic Fury to economic fury, to constrict, on your orders, the Iranian regime’s financial tentacles all around the world,” Bessent said during the televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David.
 
“On your orders, we are searching for their assets all around the world,” he added.

 
Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 31 2026 17:28 utc | 53
 
 
 
One of the reasons that I consider Scott Bessent to be one of the premier anti-American speakers in the world.  He strongly makes the case that other nations should absolutely positively divest itself from any US based financial assets.  

Posted by: Woke American | Jul 31 2026 20:41 utc | 96

“The empire’s gotta find a better way.”
Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Jul 31 2026 17:07 utc | 45

 
Love?

Posted by: Strange Bedfellow | Jul 31 2026 20:42 utc | 97

Hello glowie spooks out there,
 
Please note ol’ Sutton wishes you a fantastic Friday & wonderful weekend coming up. Think you still held power or could pull this off? Things just don’t work out well for your team any longer do they? Lord bless! 

Posted by: NJH | Jul 31 2026 20:44 utc | 98

Posted by: Perimetr | Jul 31 2026 19:44 utc | 77
Funny to see you ridicule the math skills of others, while you failed to spot the obvious fallacy in the post you quoted.

Posted by: catdog | Jul 31 2026 20:44 utc | 99

@S Brennan | Jul 31 2026 20:20 utc | 88
What you refer to as clairvoyance is simply commonsense. The Jews being capable of carrying out an enormous plot but too stupid to tell the low ranking staff to hide it?
Came on! Rise up out of the enclosure where your mind has sought refuge.
The people who rule this world are not that incompetent but they understand how the hacking order is. The protection racket means the Jews are protected but also in the eyes of the sheeple the foremost villain. So the sheeple can continue to look up to their shepards.

Posted by: petergrfstrm | Jul 31 2026 20:48 utc | 100

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