War On Iran: – U.S.’ Missile Defense Stock Is Severely Depleted

July 29, 2026

These numbers by CSIS, which show what is left in the stockpile of U.S. air-defense missiles, explain Iran’s current strategy.

biggerLast night Iran fired some 6 older liquid-fuel missiles against U.S. positions in Jordan. The strike was probably a reply to U.S. and Saudi strikes on Iran friendly forces in Iraq.

It was reported that the U.S. expended at least 10 Patriot missiles to take down some of the incoming Iranian ones.

Patriot missiles are down to some 800. Of the longer range THAAD, useless against drones, there are some 250 left to fire.

Another few dozen days of intense fire exchange will leave all U.S. bases in the Middle East unprotected.

After the strike U.S. President Trump pledged revenge:

President Trump was cited by Fox News as saying the U.S. would hit Iran hard in response to the attack. “They’re going to get a beating,” chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst early Wednesday quoted Trump as telling him.

Trump doesn’t learn.

Iran will respond to any attack and the U.S. situation will worsen.

Posted by b on July 29, 2026 at 17:15 UTC | Permalink

Comments

Are the CSIS figures reliable?

Posted by: Chris N | Jul 29 2026 17:18 utc | 1

Abraham and Death Sea Scrolls

The three major religions covering 5000 years have blossomed and died in quarrels, schisms and genocidal wars over the past 500 years.

The cultures build on exceptionalism have run its course. The Twenty-Second Century will see the fall of Western Colonialism … it’s up to the Asia and Global South to find the courage of its leaders for cooperation on the four principles of FDR and the UN Charter on Sovereignty of nations and peoples.

Moses climbed the Mountain, but his people failed at the time and up to the modern era of Christianity.

Posted by: Oui | Jul 29 2026 17:30 utc | 2

Thanks b.

R2R: John Helmer: ‘A Game Two Can Play’

https://www.youtube.com/@reason2resist/videos

“Is Russia helping Iran to target the CIA?”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 29 2026 17:31 utc | 3

From CSIS link

Source: Authors’ calculations based on FY 2027 DOD budget materials and publicly released information. Methodology detailed in Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park, “Last Rounds? Status of Key Munitions at the Iran War Ceasefire,” CSIS, April 21, 2026.

Posted by: Oui | Jul 29 2026 17:33 utc | 4

Forget about previous production rates.

Without embargoed critical minerals these missiles are practically irreplaceable.

Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 17:33 utc | 5

‘Without embargoed critical minerals these missiles are practically irreplaceable.’ — too scents

Obviously, it’s time to raid some Chinese rare earth plants and grab what we need.

‘Piece of cake,’ as Donnie Demento would say. World’s finest military, etc. USA no. 1!

Posted by: Jim H | Jul 29 2026 17:40 utc | 6

Thats were used a lot in the first session to try and protect Israel and they were based in Israel.

The second session only targeted US bases and assets in the gulf Arab states.I have not heard of Thads being used there. Does the US have any launchers in the Gulf states?

If the US has not used any that missiles in the second session then production of the interceptors is exceptionally low. Also that radars have been an absolute priority target for Iran and those radars are very expensive and exceptionally low production rate.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 29 2026 17:43 utc | 7

Missile depletion means

increased vulnerability when attacked
increased vulnerability if attacking

bad news for the us

Posted by: Newbie | Jul 29 2026 17:45 utc | 8

from 7 that thad

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 29 2026 17:48 utc | 9

thanks b….

the usa leadership is running very short on brain cells too.. that has been obvious from the beginning of israels war on iran… they need brain dead american politicians to initiate their war on iran… not sure where they are going to get brain cells, but they are in very short supply in washington dc, lol..

Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 17:49 utc | 10

The CSIS report also says, “the United States has enough munitions for this war… Air and missile defense expenditures came down because Iran’s drone and missile attacks were way down after the first few days. Whereas Iran fired more than 2,000 drones and 500 ballistic missiles in the first four days, launches were down, respectively, by 83 and 90 percent after a week… While some Iranian attacks got past defenses, causing causalities and extensive base damage, these attacks have been unable to diminish U.S. and coalition operations.”

Posted by: catdog | Jul 29 2026 17:52 utc | 11

What does Trump and a dude named Croesus who lived 2,500 years ago have in common?

Croesus was the first ruler to have his country use gold coins

Croesus asked the Oracle of Delphi: “what if I attack the Persian upstarts” and the Oracle replied: “if you attack Persia, a great nation will fall”

Croesus attacked Persia, and Croesus’s own great nation fell not the Persians!

No kidding!

Posted by: Hot Carl | Jul 29 2026 17:59 utc | 12

At least, We can all be grateful that none of the empires have been buying bitcoin because that would truly be the end of all humankind!

Posted by: E | Jul 29 2026 18:01 utc | 13

This information seems to effectively counter the oft repeated argument here that this war is a cunning US plan to corner the world market on oil, with the target of course actually being China. After all, if that indeed was the plan, then of course even the daftest planner would have first either assembled all needed weapons logistics for the operation or would at least have garnered the needed materials and factory power to manufacture needed weapons for the many year effort’s needs. You can’t at the same time claim fiendishly clever 5D chess planning and Baldrick-like execution.
But what we see instead is a hapless Gargantua stumbling around, blowing things up, and rapidly running out of options. It’s as if plain old destruction and chaos for the crappy little country’s enemy and also as always $$$ from new MIC contracts was the plan, if one could generously call it a plan.

Posted by: Caliman | Jul 29 2026 18:18 utc | 14

“Trump doesn’t learn” A fluid nimble mind is a prerequisite to learn and stretch the mind. A youthful mind. Trump can’t learn. Taking into account that as the years pass, systems of thought become cemented so to speak.

Posted by: Upsidedowndingo | Jul 29 2026 18:19 utc | 15

Posted by: catdog | Jul 29 2026 17:52 utc | 11
It’s the Rumble in Hormuz! And the US, with its superior firepower, is playing “rope a dope.”

There’s some dope in there all right. Wonder how much coke and smack and meth Iran has destroyed in those US war facilities? Along with tobacco and booze.

Posted by: Duck n cover | Jul 29 2026 18:20 utc | 16

From right-wing US outlet newsmax:
The top U.S. commander in the Middle East has warned that cellphone videos posted online are helping Iran assess strikes on American bases, with some deployed troops now expected to surrender their phones.
LOL…they’re not worried about BDA…they’re worried about showing that Lockheed Martin’s $4M PAC-3 interceptor is largely worthless against Iran’s upgraded missiles

Posted by: coin operated | Jul 29 2026 18:28 utc | 17

I wonder if these are not mass-produced because of the price or if the price made those unfit for mass production to begin with.

Posted by: Hiro Masamune | Jul 29 2026 18:32 utc | 18

The assault on Iran is exactly what the latest Zumwalt class Destroyers were built for! (Not to mention the F117 stealth jet and the F22 stealth jet) But there doesn’t seem to be any Zumwalt class Destroyers partaking in the glorious battle against the Zorastrians of Persia.

If you search for the “TopWar” report titled “Three cables to universal disgrace” there is a nice 20 + minute read on the Zumwalt class Destroyers.

If you thought the US missile situation was interesting, have the popcorn on hand for this one.

https://en.topwar.ru/286810-tri-kabeltovyh-do-vselenskogo-pozora.html?utm_referrer=topwar.ru

Posted by: Hot Carl | Jul 29 2026 18:33 utc | 19

Long run Trump’s Golden Dome will shoot ballistic missiles in space. Musk is burning the R&D.

US don’t need no land based radars or land based interceptors.

I hope the above is sarcasm

Posted by: paddy | Jul 29 2026 18:34 utc | 20

shoot ballistic missiles in space.

Posted by: paddy | Jul 29 2026 18:34 utc | 20

—

Satellites are soft targets with only the handful of astronauts in orbit as human shields.

Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 18:39 utc | 21

They’ll have to learn Iran’s technique of just letting the weapons hit where they’re gonna hit.

Posted by: Chad McDougal | Jul 29 2026 18:46 utc | 22

An American LNG ship was reportedly hit by two drones in Egypt. What a wonderful coincidence — 24 hours after Netanyahu’s visit to the White House.

Posted by: Hagen | Jul 29 2026 18:55 utc | 23

@Hiro Masamune | Jul 29 2026 18:32 utc | 18

I wonder if these are not mass-produced because of the price or if the price made those unfit for mass production to begin with.

US MIC is profit optimized. Everything is focused on maximizing the cost and thus profits while minimizing the efforts in production. The result is extremely expensive and inefficient weapons.

Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 29 2026 19:01 utc | 24

At some point in this century, ABMs will become obsolete, replaced by high energy rapid regenerating lasers capable of engaging truly hypersonic missiles. Manned jets will also be replaced by unmanned craft, some capable of mach 6+ and capable of extremely high G maneuvers. Of course, the elimination of war and the hegemony that causes it will be most welcomed by Humanity. Most predict the Outlaw US Empire will refuse to change its ways until it’s forced to do so. Some predict a Totalitarian regime will take power perhaps as soon as 2028, or even earlier–this Fall. Unfortunately, all too much depends upon what happens within the Empire.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 29 2026 19:02 utc | 25

ot – @ Hagen | Jul 29 2026 18:55 utc | 23

speaking of satanyahus visit, alasstair crookes substack quote here for you –

“The silence surrounding the outcome to the Netanyahu meeting yesterday in the Oval Office speaks for itself. No American government official came to the airport to receive him, and no red carpet was laid out for him. The visit bombed. Israel is adrift — with its ‘Greater Israel’ strategy now bleeding, for lack both of troops and coherence.
Former IDF Ombudsman Maj. Gen. Yitzak Brik predicts (Ma’ariv, 26 July), that the crisis engulfing the Israeli intercept inventory “is only the prelude to the catastrophe that is looming over us” —
“In the coming wars with Iran, the threat will increase tenfold to the point of a complete loss of the ability to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles. These missiles are expected to hit us: in population centers, strategic targets, production and economic infrastructure, science and technology institutes, educational institutions, hospitals and vital industries, and completely crush us”.
Trump — finally, it seems — understands that the war which he started in order to crush Iran has flipped — to destroying him. There is effectively no military solution available beyond stopping digging the hole that he is in still deeper…”

Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 19:03 utc | 26

There is effectively no military solution available beyond stopping digging the hole that he is in still deeper…”

Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 19:03 utc | 26

—

This is where spite comes into play.

Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 19:06 utc | 27

Does the USA have defensive weapons, ammunition and energy products sufficient to protect vulnerable mainland and sub sea off shore American Assets in USA governed domestic America? The numbers presented here raise some doubt?

Posted by: snake | Jul 29 2026 19:09 utc | 28

So where did the attack on Abqaiq in East KSA come from? Abqaiq is a vital piece of KSA infrastructure

Ansarallah – not ours. Iraqi resistance – not ours

Who gains from this attack? Zionist entity perhaps – probably perhaps – false flag or possibly the Hegemon itself to further tie in KSA to its web – Just a thought

Posted by: Don Firineach | Jul 29 2026 19:14 utc | 29

Does the USA have defensive weapons, ammunition and energy products sufficient to protect vulnerable mainland

Posted by: snake | Jul 29 2026 19:09 utc | 28

—

Their police forces are sufficient to keep the population from uprising, which is their main enemy.

Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 19:14 utc | 30

Thanks for the posting b…..you run the best bar on this side of the galaxy

I am with too scents about the significance of not being able to make more weapons as what remains is used up

I just wonder when Captain Delusional will spout out that this war is existential for empire and if the rest of the world doesn’t submit HE will blow up the world with nukes?

As a species we are not showing well to the Cosmos

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 29 2026 19:18 utc | 31

More of the fog of war from Iranintl

US-Saudi strikes in Iraq killed about 20 Iranian advisers – NYT

US-Saudi strikes in Iraq on Tuesday night killed about 20 Iranian advisers, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and technical advisers, the New York Times reported, citing an US official.
The sites were deliberately targeted because of the presence of the advisers and to degrade the ability of Iran-backed militias to launch missiles and drones, the official added.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 29 2026 19:23 utc | 32

This is a talking point, an old favourite – if any of it reflects reality it is a random coincidence.

Posted by: Rae | Jul 29 2026 19:23 utc | 33

Caloman at #14: still think the US and the jews from the illegal settlement called israel are in cahoots regarding the jewish wet dream – the greater israel project – in such a way, once Iran is taken care of (reduced to fragments) and lately turkey, the US will secure the expansion of the illegal settlement to include lebanon, jordan iraq and the gulf states. The jews will secure the land and the US will have secured the control of the oil available in the near east. Once that is done, the US will control more than 50 pct of marketable crude and thus can set the price or starve someone they don’t like, say China!
what the slow witted americans fail to see or are prepared to overlook is that once the greater israel project is up and running, the jews will set in motion plans how to take control of the hydrocarbons from the dimwitted americans! It won’t be long in coming if the US and the jews succeed in eliminating Iran.

Posted by: nisses | Jul 29 2026 19:29 utc | 34

Militarization of US Police backgrounder

https://civiliansinconflict.org/blog/the-militarization-of-us-law-enforcement-and-civilian-harm/

Posted by: Exile | Jul 29 2026 19:34 utc | 35

The claimed rate of production of the Standard Missile 3 and the Standard Missile 6 (the only US ship based interceptor missiles in production) is LESS than 600 in a year, but that was when the ingredients were sold to the US by China. Now, without China selling the ingredients the actual production rate could be, or fall to zero at any given time.

I asked the Google AI and it said China was still supplying the rare earths ingredients to manufacture those 2 missile types specifically, then I asked the Chinese AI and it said that China was not providing the ingredients, then I showed the Chinese AI response to the Google AI and the Google AI agreed that it had originally lied and China did indeed stop providing the ingredients but Australia and Malaysia were supplying the ingredients which is a blatant lie again (the Google AI intentionally lies a LOT to defend the Banksters and West. (80% lies)

Regarding submarines, the rare earths situation is even worse, for both the boats and the weapons. I found this tidbit rather amusing: “”Missile manufacturing was saved from a hard stop only because defense subcontractors like Arnold Magnetic Technologies managed to secure an emergency cache of raw samarium nitrate discovered in a defunct 1970s-era factory in France.”” Seems like they are scraping the bottom of the barrel already.

Posted by: Hot Carl | Jul 29 2026 19:38 utc | 36

The Iranians have learned that anytime the US is close to winning decisively and eliminating the Iran threat once and for all the US falls into a ceasefire trap whereby Iran rearms, regroups, rests, comes back stronger than before, and we do it all over again. This is what Trump doesn’t seem to “learn.” Hopefully he gets it now. If US stocks are low, the Iranians are likely in worse shape than the Americans. The breathless reporting by Iran surrogates and media tools that the US is running low is part of the psy ops campaign being directed against us. Those of us who have been paying attention knew this would come. It’s fake news and should be treated a such.

Posted by: B.Posster | Jul 29 2026 19:44 utc | 37

As a species we are not showing well to the Cosmos

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 29 2026 19:18 utc | 31

A meeting room filled with dozens of non human entities.

The exceptionalist alien says. These humans just can’t play well with each other. Lets remove them and alow my people to settle their lands.

The conservative alien says. These humans should stand on their own feet. Why are we wasting energy on them?

A liberal alien says. These humans are so diverse while at the same time so much the same. So many of their signaling rituals are fascinating. We should continue to observe them. In the same manner we have been.

The socialist alien says. These humans are still enslaved by themselves. If we do anything it should be to awaken them to this.

…….

Posted by: Tannenhouser | Jul 29 2026 19:45 utc | 38

…
“Trump doesn’t learn.”

Iran will respond to any attack and the U.S. situation will worsen.

Posted by b on July 29, 2026 at 17:15 UTC | Permalink

Bullseye, b! Nice shootin’.

When Trump was first elected in 2016 I was a big fan and scraped the www for all the available info on he and his background. One of the first factoids I found was that he was packed off to Military College by his Father, in his youth – to “learn some discipline.”

That sounded like a good start for a wannabe Peacenik POTUS, opposed to war-mongering.

Surprisingly, that turned out to be a Grim Fairy Tale and in his Second Term he quickly succumbed to the Lure of the Shekel and the not-so-tender mercies of the pro-Israel Lobby.

So here we are in 2026 and it’s pretty obvious that he didn’t learn ANY THING about Conflict, Warfare or Leadership at Military College. Instead, AmeriKKKa is saddled with a Pompous, self-absorbed Twit masquerading as a Military Expert and Self-made Man. Thus demonstrating the pitfalls of Unskilled Labour.

I’m almost surprised that he lacks the insight to realise what a clumsily loud and irrelevant waste of space he has become.

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jul 29 2026 19:46 utc | 39

I asked the Google AI and it said China was still supplying the rare earths ingredients to manufacture those 2 missile types specifically

Posted by: Hot Carl | Jul 29 2026 19:38 utc | 36

—

Ask AI about the MATCH Act.

H.R. 8170 / S. 4281, Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act

Bottom Line Up Front

H.R. 8170 / S. 4281, the Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act, closes the allied gap in semiconductor export controls by giving the Netherlands, Japan, and other allied chipmaking tool suppliers 150 days to match U.S. restrictions on exports to Chinese chipmakers. If allies fail to comply, the bill requires the Bureau of Industry and Security to extend U.S. jurisdiction over all allied chipmaking tools built with American technology.

Why It Matters

. Targets the single most controllable choke point in China’s AI supply chain. DUV lithography machines — the equipment that prints logic chips onto silicon wafers — are manufactured by a small group of U.S. and allied companies and require constant servicing from the engineers who build them. By tightening export rules on the highest-end DUV machines and ending ongoing servicing of systems already in China, the MATCH Act could render Huawei’s existing fleet obsolete within a few years, hamstringing Chinese logic-chip fabrication in a way no other policy tool can match.

. Closes the allied gap that Beijing has exploited to keep its chip industry advancing. While the U.S. has imposed extensive export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, allied suppliers in the Netherlands and Japan have not fully matched those restrictions — allowing Chinese chipmakers to import hundreds of older-generation DUV machines and upgrade them through multi-patterning to produce advanced logic chips. The MATCH Act gives allies 150 days to align their controls; if they don’t, the bill directs the Bureau of Industry and Security to extend U.S. jurisdiction over allied chipmaking tools built with American technology.

. Levels the playing field for American companies while protecting U.S. national security. Under the current patchwork of entity-based restrictions, U.S. toolmakers face tougher rules than their Dutch and Japanese counterparts — putting American firms at a competitive disadvantage while allowing Beijing to bypass controls through front companies. The MATCH Act replaces that broken approach with country-wide prohibitions and codified restrictions on key Chinese chipmakers, ensuring U.S. and allied toolmakers compete on equal footing and denying China the equipment it needs to contest American AI leadership from 2027 onward.

and so on ==> https://www.fddaction.org/endorsements/2026/04/02/hr-8170-s-4281-match-act/

China only barely dodged a bullet by getting their localized DUV machine up and running.

As long as aggression like the MATCH Act continues you can be assured the spice won’t flow.

Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 19:46 utc | 40

It obviously suits Israel that GCC countries have no weaponry or bases, even if they belong to the US.

Phase 2 of Greater Israel is going to be easy.
Could somebody tell Iran to take it easy?

Posted by: Giyane | Jul 29 2026 19:50 utc | 41

The USA has effectively cut another chunk of the oil market by provoking Yemen to block the Red Sea.

The USA now controls a bigger chunk of the remaining oil in the world market and with Venezuelan oil, even more.

It is using this oil control to control countries that need oil. Example: the oil starved vassals in Europe.

The USA has plenty of anti-ship missiles, drones, guns, helicopters and Marines to keep up a blockade of oil to Asia on the oceans. It doesn’t need air defense to pirate unarmed tankers and cargo ships just the fact that no one will stop them.

Posted by: jonny law | Jul 29 2026 19:51 utc | 42

16 Chinese military cargo planes arrive to Iran in 56hours says Muslim World Today. Instagram..USA says no knowledge. China and Pakistan deny too.

Posted by: Jo | Jul 29 2026 19:56 utc | 43

It doesn’t need air defense to pirate unarmed tankers and cargo ships just the fact that no one will stop them.

Posted by: jonny law | Jul 29 2026 19:51 utc | 42

Dont forget the fact that no one as of yet has stopped them.

Not sure why anyone would think the usnavy capability is any different than what we have seen so far from the us military. Its MIC. Shit in shit out.

Posted by: Tannenhouser | Jul 29 2026 19:57 utc | 44

The USA has plenty of anti-ship missiles, drones, guns, helicopters and Marines to keep up a blockade of oil to Asia on the oceans.
Posted by: jonny law | Jul 29 2026 19:51 utc | 42

Which is why everybody in Asia needs Russia’s oil.

Posted by: The Far Side | Jul 29 2026 20:00 utc | 45

Mahmood: OD: ‘The New Strategy’

https://www.youtube.com/@Mahmood_OD/videos

“First to bomb’| Iran moves from defence to attack.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 29 2026 20:08 utc | 46

We all know the US air defense missiles are minimally effective. Why do we keep talking about them? If even 10% of the missiles hit something it would be an interesting footnote. But they are not even that good. Is there some PR game plan to say “Uncle” when inventory goes to zero?

Posted by: oldhippie | Jul 29 2026 20:08 utc | 47

“Iran will respond to any attack and the U.S. situation will worsen.,”
Excellent. More good news too: markets in the US screaming today.
Death to Zio Imperialism! Onward noble Iran!

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Jul 29 2026 20:09 utc | 48

IGL: Mohammad Marandi: ‘US Next Move?’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OIC9rgUT48

“On Saudi Arabia, Yemen & multipolarity.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 29 2026 20:15 utc | 49

Don Firineach | Jul 29 2026 19:14 utc | 29—

I thought UAE was a possibility. Degrading the global economy to slow China’s economy also affects the Empire’s economy since it produces almost nothing for its domestic market while its main US-based corps need to sell to that same global market that will be damaged by the Empire’s actions. In other words, blowback was built into the policy but not seen as such.

I recall a time when mopeds were the rage in Global South nations because they were cheap to buy and operate and still are. But now we have electrically powered craft like scooters and bicycles filling that same market niche and very inexpensive electric cars all made by China or from components made in China. And China makes the tools to generate electricity without use of hydrocarbons and ways to store that energy. Smart grid tech is also developed and sold to those same Global South nations. The plan those guiding Trump have implemented is better fit for a bygone time, say 2005-2010 well before China and the world advanced to their current positions.

Warwick Powell has written on what he sees as this Era of transitional energy modes that will prove very beneficial for the Global South in a manner similar to the immediate jump to cellular phones that negated the need to install the massive infrastructure needed for landlines, and the same can be said for wireless internet. The Global South is also developing without the need to use coal as more efficient and ecologically better fuels are available. And the last point about unneeded infrastructure is that required to support crude oil fueled transport and its refueling stations.

Colonialism and its mate Imperialism are now geriatrics on their last legs. Modern technologies and their systems are ready to shovel the dirt into their graves. And the sharp rise in the global emphasis on proper digital and AI governance and policing institutions show that’s precisely what’s happening.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 29 2026 20:35 utc | 50

Jul 29 2026 19:23 utc | 32

re: 20 Iranian advisors killed in Iraq – testimony citing an US official. <——- We report anything they say as official, might aswell say it was a reincarnation of Lindsay Graham as a Goat – eye witness account and we’d still validate it.

Comical Ali at best. – People eat it this shit as their regular diet.

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Jul 29 2026 20:41 utc | 51

US MIC is profit optimized. Everything is focused on maximizing the cost and thus profits while minimizing the efforts in production. The result is extremely expensive and inefficient weapons.
Posted by: Norwegian | Jul 29 2026 19:01 utc | 24

The US Contractors wave the flag, deliver shit and then hand out bribes….lather, rinse repeat….If any contractor attempted to deliver a quality product, they were shunned by the government.

Posted by: Laradise | Jul 29 2026 20:43 utc | 52

https://x.com/ejmalrai/status/2082558993122107668
Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺 @ejmalrai

Iran has turned the table:

The US was the one holding the decision of war and peace (ceasefire). Iran was retaliating and defending itself.

Now Trump is saying: It is out turn to retaliate because we have been attacked (in Jordan). Of course one could argue that the US started the war but, for certain, the US is no longer dictating the tempo nor deciding when to hit. The US considers itself on the defensive.

China, Russia and the world are watching with a lot of interest what Iran is capable of and what the US is incapable of.

Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 29 2026 20:45 utc | 53

AJ Breaking…

https://x.com/AJEnglish/status/2082500193996452151

“A drone has hit a US-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta, says maritime security firm Ambrey. Two gas tankers caught fire at Damietta, said port service firm Inchcape.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 29 2026 20:53 utc | 54

@21

Starlink has world wide coverage, if Musk can do it with SpaceX credit, he can do it for Trump. Starlink antennas can do radar! Starlink network is comm settled. Only tech issue is laser power, steering, and control.

Falcon has run over 600 missions, over 12000 satellites with roughly 3000 deorbited. Over about 6 years.

If they get Starship….

Posted by: paddy | Jul 29 2026 20:54 utc | 55

All these wars have a single objective: US monopolization of the oil trade; everything else is just blah, blah, blah.Those who hold power in America couldn’t care less about what happens outside their own interests.

Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 29 2026 20:58 utc | 56

Starlink antennas can do radar!

Posted by: paddy | Jul 29 2026 20:54 utc | 55

—

Illuminating a target is different from measuring the return signal. To process the reflection a radar needs a mixer. An expensive component unnecessary for microwave communications.

https://markimicrowave.com/technical-resources/white-papers/mixer-basics-primer/

Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 21:01 utc | 57

US is preparing a large scale attack.

Many aircraft are in flight.

Posted by: Ornot | Jul 29 2026 21:04 utc | 58

https://x.com/MenchOsint/status/2082464455720325129
MenchOsint @MenchOsint

So, let’s check the schedule:
– Yemen will respond to Saudi violation of Yemeni airspace
– US will respond to Iran strike on Jordan
– Iraqi Resistance Movements to (likely) respond to Saudi Arabia

Unless a peace deal comes out of nowhere, the situation will dangerously escalate, lot of Missiles & Drones may fly in the next hours.

—————————-

https://t.me/me_observer_TG/1057615#
Middle East Observer

⚡️ Iran: Iranian TV: The missile attacks against Muwaffaq Salti Air Base were carried out based on information received by the intelligence of Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters.

• 18:55 — Iran: Iranian TV: The operations came as the Americans redeployed new systems of their A-10 and F-15 fighter jets at the base.; The Aerospace Force of the Revolutionary Guard destroyed targets in a surprise operation and easily destroyed its targets.; Muwaffaq Salti Air Base has become the headquarters for the deployment of the US Air Fleet and Air Command in West Asia.; The aerospace force of the [Revolutionary] Guard imposed missile control and superiority over Jordan’s skies. (Al Mayadeen Breaking)

Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 29 2026 21:05 utc | 59

Jul 29 2026 21:04 utc | 58

Should read: BREAKING – GOOD NEWS!
For the resistance, that is Excellent news! more warring materials will be destroyed, and thousands of child killers dead.

This is what people were expecting in 2015 when Russia, Iran, Turkey was in Syria as a trio-security-quarantors and squat was done – which led to this current situation. Indecision, lack of will, unity, deterrence is the root cause.

Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Jul 29 2026 21:20 utc | 60

“Those who hold power in America couldn’t care less about what happens outside their own interests.”
Posted by: Cagliostro | Jul 29 2026 20:58 utc | 56

So, again, what you’re saying is the the US powers that be want to control the world’s fossil fuel resources but are so incompetent that they can’t plan ahead for the weapons they would easily foreseeably need against a middling power? This is either the most incompetent empire in history or we have a misdiagnosis of what the plan is.

Posted by: Caliman | Jul 29 2026 21:27 utc | 61

.. This is what people were expecting in 2015 when Russia, Iran, Turkey was in Syria as a trio-security-quarantors and squat was done – which led to this current situation. ..
Posted by: CrazyCanuck | Jul 29 2026 21:20 utc | 60

More shit for brains comments from CrazyCanuck. Noone expected anything from Turkey except Erdogan advancing his own interests.

Posted by: tucenz | Jul 29 2026 21:28 utc | 62

Something else to consider: of course Israel will have priority for air defense missiles. I suspect the Iranians are targeting US bases and hostile Gulf states simply because, for now, these targets have been almost stripped of air defense missiles and they can be struck relatively cheaply without truly massive layered attacks. Going after targets in Israel may come later but that will take much more massive and sophisticated attacks, at least initially.

Posted by: TG | Jul 29 2026 21:32 utc | 63

we have a misdiagnosis of what the plan is.

Posted by: Caliman | Jul 29 2026 21:27 utc | 61

—

The plan is a conspiracy of morons.

Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 21:32 utc | 64

Hot Carl | Jul 29 2026 19:38 utc | 36
Malaysia does doe relatively small scale final processing of rare earths.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jul 29 2026 21:37 utc | 65

Are the CSIS figures reliable?

Posted by: Chris N | Jul 29 2026 17:18 utc | 1

Obviously not. It’s the mirror image of the idea that Russia is going to run out of missiles/ tanks/ dishwashers and withdraw from Ukraine any day now. NATO has been thirsting hard for anti-air missiles for years now and has had plenty of time to regenerate their stocks.

Now would the United States claim that Iran is a rogue state against the entire region and simply unload a hundred ICBMs into it? There is major lobbying for it, especially among the Gulf states- on the other hand, Israel would be equally vulnerable under those terms.

Posted by: They Call Me Mister | Jul 29 2026 21:42 utc | 66

@too scents | Jul 29 2026 21:01 utc | 57
Maybe what such rumours are about is that the sattellites may combine their sum of receiving appertures coherently so taken together they may obtain a resolution on the order of one microwave wavelength. What is needed is a high quality time base providing accurate data for synchronising all those Starlink satts. But that surely is possible.

Posted by: petergrfstrm | Jul 29 2026 21:45 utc | 67

😮 Oh dear! Stocks of these low percentage success rate missile defenses are getting depleted!

😀 Is this where revolutionary USraeli AI solutions and 3D printers come to the rescue?

🙂 I’ve heard so much confidently said about them from enthusiasts and sales people. Maybe the tech and defense sectors can have an emergency symposium for dynamic solutions to this. Something, something, “state-of-the-art, expensive components” that you intend to blow up so you can “move fast and break things!” Am I anticipating the sales pitch right?

Posted by: titmouse | Jul 29 2026 21:48 utc | 68

But that surely is possible.

Posted by: petergrfstrm | Jul 29 2026 21:45 utc | 67

—

Possible but improbable. That constellation will have highly optimized ASICs for communication. 5 pounds of shit doesn’t fit into a 2 pound bag.

Posted by: too scents | Jul 29 2026 21:53 utc | 69

How much longer do we have before Trump’s mouth-bombing on Truth Social starts to reach depletion?
One wishes there were such a thing as strategic mouth-ammo reserve salt caves that could get overdrawn, collapse and leave him speechless.

Posted by: CharlieO | Jul 29 2026 21:53 utc | 70

R2R: ‘The ‘Pause’ is Over – Iran Strikes US Base in Jordan’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GOq1nAjKoI

“On Friday, July 24 – only hours after the price of Brent Crude hit $100/barrel for the first time in 2 months, Trump suddenly declared a ‘pause’ in his bombardment of Iran.”
More Patriot flops.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 29 2026 21:56 utc | 71

@55
”If they get Starship….”

Can they build a city on rock and roll?

Posted by: Fred777 | Jul 29 2026 21:56 utc | 72

Caliman ar #61: Iran is the local hegemon that is preventing the jews to fulfil their greater israel project and thus Iran needs to go. Unfortunately its a country of 1.6msqkm and 95 million citizens, and to boot, technically versatile and a high degree of education and about 30 years to prepare what we have today. And liaised, with Russia and China and both of those can provide highly technical weaponry and defenses that the Us and the jews find hard to combat. If the crooked pair of warcriminals succede in defeating Iran the other countries brimming with oil will be easy to conquer, have no doubt about it!
the idea of a greater jewish project is a jewish sick plan of old but to add the oil in the region for the benefit of the US is a new touch occassioned by the rise of China as a serious competitor to the US!

Posted by: nisses | Jul 29 2026 22:03 utc | 73

Posted by: titmouse | Jul 29 2026 21:48 utc | 68

Individually 3D printing the Patriot interceptors would probably be 10x faster than the current production method which appears to be two six man teams of greybeard artisans, one in the Ozarks and the other in Amish country. Ergo, it will never happen.

Posted by: ChatNPC | Jul 29 2026 22:03 utc | 74

“The silence surrounding the outcome to the Netanyahu meeting yesterday in the Oval Office speaks for itself. No American government official came to the airport to receive him, and no red carpet was laid out for him. The visit bombed. Israel is adrift — with its ‘Greater Israel’ strategy now bleeding, for lack both of troops and coherence.
Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 19:03 utc | 26

Etan Nechin

Whoever took this photo of Netanyahu coming through the White House side entrance should get a Pulitzer

https://x.com/Etanetan23/status/2082264397494329494

Posted by: Menz | Jul 29 2026 22:05 utc | 75

They’ll have to learn Iran’s technique of just letting the weapons hit where they’re gonna hit.
Posted by: Chad McDougal | Jul 29 2026 18:46 utc | 22

Har har.

Or they could just set fire to $16 million in cash. Same effect as shooting four missiles and intercepting nothing. Except without the potential for collateral damage.

Posted by: Centinel | Jul 29 2026 22:05 utc | 76

Netanyahu is pestering trump to allow the jews to use their nukes, on teheran and other places. I guess trump is reluctant to allow it and I have an inkling that pres Putin has warned netanyahu from resorting to nukes! Just like he warned the jews from attacking vessels in the caspian sea and erdogan warned the kurds from joining up with israel in its war with Iran!
but then on the other hand, the other sicko, zelensky, has apparently joined forces with netanyahu and has attacked a russian vessel in the caspian. I think the world will be a better place if the world can fit a rope around the necks of netanyahu, of zelensky, of katz and gvir and let the crows feed on their rotten remains.

Posted by: nisses | Jul 29 2026 22:18 utc | 77

FaytuksNetwork·38m

A lot of planes are holding outside Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia and not landing. https://t.co/7qdPqk67PZ

Posted by: MiniMO | Jul 29 2026 22:27 utc | 78

Watch Ted Postol. The real interception rate is less than 10%, maybe less than 5% against ballistic missiles

Posted by: James Walter | Jul 29 2026 22:39 utc | 79

Posted by: Duck n cover | Jul 29 2026 18:20 utc | 16
It is indeed “rope-a-dope” in the sense that Iran is just defending itself and letting it’s enemy exhaust itself, punching away ineffectively.

In this case Iran is Muhammad Ali and the U.S. is PeeWee Herman rather than George Forman.

Posted by: Helen Weals | Jul 29 2026 22:41 utc | 80

In response to
”
A lot of planes are holding outside Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia and not landing. https://t.co/7qdPqk67PZ
Posted by: MiniMO | Jul 29 2026 22:27 utc | 78
”

from Iranintl

Riyadh airport runway temporarily closed – NOTAM

A runway at Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was temporarily closed on Wednesday evening, according to a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) issued by aviation authorities.
The notice said runway 15L/33R at OERK would be closed from 9:00 p.m. UTC on July 29 until 3:00 a.m. UTC on July 30. It did not provide a reason for the closure.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jul 29 2026 22:55 utc | 81

KP: Vanessa Beeley & Ehsan Safarnejad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxIznP1B798

“Independent journalist Vanessa Beeley joins Iranian geopolitical analyst Ehsan Safarnejad for an in-depth discussion on the expanding conflict…”

More on Ukrainian military in Syria & criticism of the Iranian negotiating team.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 29 2026 22:57 utc | 82

psychohistorian | Jul 29 2026 22:55 utc | 81—

EIA Product Inventory figures as of 7/24 show a big drawdown in Crude Oil including SPR while diesel grew some and jet fuel dropped some. By mid-August, the Crude Oil + SPR will drop below 700 million barrels, with the drawdown appearing to be about 20 million barrels per month all of which appears to be SPR, not commercial inventories. The clock is ticking.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jul 29 2026 23:13 utc | 83

meanwhile, back at The Ranch

see the first link. n*zis of a feather flock together

see the 13-second video at the second/third link

https://t.me/RezistanceTrench/55367#
ResistanceTrench mirror

🇩🇪🇮🇱⚡️Germany’s Chancellor Merz on Israel:

Germany has a special responsibility toward the State of Israel.

We cannot and will not support a general sanctions regime against Israel.

That position will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.

——————————-

https://x.com/shaunking/status/2082190231525085551
Shaun King @shaunking

I have to say this daily, but if Muslims did this to ONE Jewish temple, the world would be OUTRAGED.

Israel has now destroyed over 1,000 mosques in Gaza and the West Bank.

It’s the single biggest destruction of holy sites in the modern HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

https://x.com/AbujomaaGaza/status/2082172559106146373
Motasem A Dalloul @AbujomaaGaza

Israeli bombing attack and destroy Al Muttaqeen Mosque in Gaza

Posted by: michaelj72 | Jul 29 2026 23:14 utc | 84

Source: https://eadaily.com/ru/

China plans to transfer a large shipment of man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran, according to Reuters.

Agency sources indicate the deal involves the purchase of 300 to 400 MANPADS, including Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missiles. The shipment will initially be airlifted to Urumqi, in western China, and then transit through Pakistan to Iran.

Posted by: Elber | Jul 29 2026 23:18 utc | 85

Oil markets continue to downplay the scale of the crisis the world faces. What if the Korean stock market is the canary in the coal mine indicating a much higher level of risk? https://bruceohara.substack.com/p/the-korean-barbecue-continues

Posted by: Bruce O’Hara | Jul 29 2026 23:25 utc | 86

Why are Zumwalt class USN Destroyers not being used in the current ME wars?

Because:
– They are almost completely unreliable, massively over priced junks ships.
– They are currently in the shipyards being overhauled yet again. This time to carry hypersonic missile (not yet operational), and now denuded of their main gun armaments. While they could still carry Tomahawks and Standard AAD missiles, and CIWS system, they are at this point non operational.
– The US taxpayers have been fleeced out of billions of dollars on just three ships in this class, all to the benefit of the MIC crooks.
– Its high time to pull the plug on this class of miscreatents……….sent them to the breakers yard……..

Posted by: tobias cole | Jul 29 2026 23:26 utc | 87

Journalist Suhaib Al-Masalma

“The US army begins launching massive raids on Iran”

Explosions reported Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Fars over last hour.

Posted by: Ornot | Jul 29 2026 23:32 utc | 88

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Iraq extends its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the people of Iraq, especially to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), for the martyrdom and injuries of brave individuals as a result of attacks on their headquarters in several beloved Iraqi governorates.

The life of every Iraqi citizen is a TREASURE, and we share the pain of the families of the martyrs and the injured, and we pray to God Almighty to grant their relatives and loved ones patience and solace in this painful and heartbreaking loss.

May God have mercy on the martyrs of the friendly Iraqi people, forgive them, and grant them the vastness of His paradise. We wish a speedy recovery to all the injured.

To God we belong, and to Him we shall return.

Posted by: UWDude | Jul 29 2026 23:36 utc | 89

‘No American government official came to the airport to receive [Netanyahu], and no red carpet was laid out for him.’ — James #26

The pity is that no SWAT team came to the airport to shackle him and bundle him directly into a chartered jet bound for The Hague.

On Monday, I urged exactly this to the Capitol Police in Washington DC. Netanyahu was indicted by the ICC for a war crime on 21 November 2024. Every civilized nation has an obligation to arrest the mass murderer and bring him to justice.

Posted by: Jim H | Jul 29 2026 23:36 utc | 90

MOATS, with George Galloway: Day 152: ‘Never A War He Didn’t Like’

https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgeGallowayOfficial/streams

“Trump-Netanyahu| Iran strikes| Israel settler attacks|

With Scott Ritter & KJ Joh

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 29 2026 23:39 utc | 91

91: KJ Noh

Posted by: John Gilberts | Jul 29 2026 23:41 utc | 92

Trump — finally, it seems — understands that the war which he started in order to crush Iran has flipped — to destroying him. There is effectively no military solution available beyond stopping digging the hole that he is in still deeper…”

Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 19:03 utc | 26

james, I am by no means a poker player, no means at all, but I will see your Alistaire Crook and raise you a Scott Ritter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pl32OmPT7o

Posted by: juliania | Jul 29 2026 23:45 utc | 93

@ Menz | Jul 29 2026 22:05 utc | 75

yes! the photo of netanyahu behind bars was very good!!

Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 23:47 utc | 94

Journalist Suhaib Al-Masalma
“The US army begins launching massive raids on Iran”
Explosions reported Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Fars over last hour.
Posted by: Ornot | Jul 29 2026 23:32 utc | 88

Strange that the price of oil has not budged if that is true and it hasn’t.

Posted by: arby | Jul 29 2026 23:48 utc | 95

@ juliania | Jul 29 2026 23:45 utc | 93

well, you could have fooled me, lol! i will see if i can give scott a listen / read.. cheers..

Posted by: james | Jul 29 2026 23:48 utc | 96

Middle East Spectator — MES
—❗️🇮🇷/🇺🇸 NEW: The U.S. has bombed a pier in Sirik, which it had already bombed 11 previous times
you can’t make this up…..

Posted by: ctiger | Jul 29 2026 23:52 utc | 97

Journalist Suhaib Al-Masalma“The US army begins launching massive raids on Iran”Explosions reported Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Fars over last hour.Posted by: Ornot | Jul 29 2026 23:32 utc | 88 Strange that the price of oil has not budged if that is true and it hasn’t.
Posted by: arby | Jul 29 2026 23:48 utc | 95

But the US President has spoken –
“President Trump to Fox News: ‘We are GOING TO BEAT THE FUCKING SHIT OUT OF IRAN!’”https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/35572

Posted by: tucenz | Jul 29 2026 23:54 utc | 98

We all know the US air defense missiles are minimally effective.

Posted by: oldhippie | Jul 29 2026 20:08 utc | 47

There was an interesting Postal interview where he talked about what happens when a Patriot hits an incoming ballistic missile. Since the Patriot was originally designed to hit aircraft, their main weapon is shrapnel flying sideways out of the missile in a donut shape. So the Patriot detonates when it is alongside the target and only perhaps 20% of the shrapnel will cut the target. The damage caused will typically be deep holes in the bodywork, torn and shredded Aluminium, damage to engines, damage to hydraulics and electromechanical equipment.

So in comes the ballistic missile, and as it enters it’s final descent phase, it does whatever last minute course adjustments are necessary … the remaining fuel is all used up, the engines shut down and it does what the name suggests … it follows a ballistic flight path … that is to say, it falls down out if the sky.

Up goes the Patriot missile and hits the incoming ballistic missile and does a whole heap of damage to the bodywork, engines, hydraulics … but there’s that one thing the Patriot missile cannot disable … gravity. You can damage a ballistic missile but it still keeps right on falling down on a ballistic flight path. Quite likely the torn up Aluminium and cut up fins won’t be quite as streamlined, and the missile might start to wobble or spin, but that doesn’t make a whole lot of difference to what gets hit.

This theory would suggest that Patriots are largely ineffective against ballistic missiles.

Posted by: Tel | Jul 29 2026 23:57 utc | 99

The USA’s economy is a line of dominos waiting for the first one to fall . Trump is telling everyone that its fine and “nothing to see here” . The SPR is still dropping and critical inputs are restricted for agriculture, manufacturing and transport . These appear to be the realities . As everyone is lying and AI’s are the best liars of all, prognostications should be taken with a grain of salt including mine, and the future is still the hardest thing to predict….

Posted by: The fossil | Jul 30 2026 0:06 utc | 100

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