_A_khalifa
This is big !!
==Anti-regime fighters ambu
shed several IRGC vehicles in Nushabad, Isfahan Province, and killed the forces inside.==
2:02 PM · Mar 27, 2026
207.4K
Not verified
https://x.com/_A_khalifa/status/2037591216465019179?s=20
Iran starts to formalize its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz with a ‘toll booth’ regime
Iran starts to formalize its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz with a ‘toll booth’ regime. 3/27/26 (1/2)
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Iran appears to be setting itself up as the gatekeeper for the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important artery for oil shipments.The move could cement Tehran’s de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its own oil flowing to China.
Iranian communications to the United Nations maritime authority and the experience of ships transiting the straitsuggest the creation of something akin to a “toll booth.” Ships must enter Iranian waters and be vetted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.At least two vessels have paid for passage.
Traffic through the strait has fallen by 90%since the start of the Iran war, sending global oil prices skyrocketing and inflicting alarming shortages on the Asian nations that get their oil from Persian Gulf countries via the strait.
Only about 150 vessels, including tankers and container ships, have transited since March 1,according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence shipping information firm.That’s a little more than one day’s normal traffic before the war. Iran’s Kharg Island terminal loaded 1.6 million barrels in March — largely unchanged from prewar monthly loading totals, according to data and analytic firm Kpler. Most of the customers aresmall, private refineries in China that don’t care about U.S. sanctions.
A majority of the ships that have made it through in recent weeks headed east, out of the Gulf;Iran-affiliated ships accounted for 24% of transits, Greece 18%, and China 10% countedby ownership or flag registration. Yet on closer examination, vessels connected toIran accounted for 60% of transitsduring the first part of the war and in thelast few days, some 90%.
Abouthalf of the vessels turn off radio identification systemsthat show their location before going through, and reappear on the other side in the Gulf of Oman. There’s a reason fortheir reluctance and caution. Atleast 18 ships have been hit and at least seven crew members have been killed, according to the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization, which tracks maritime security. It did not specify which nation attacked the vessels.
Lloyd’s List says tolls are paid in yuan, China’s currency
“Iran’s IRGC has imposed a de facto ‘toll booth’ regimein the Strait of Hormuz,” says shipping information firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
Normally ships use a two-lane shipping channel in the middle of the strait. Butincreasingly, vessels are taking a different route, to the north around Larak Island, placing themin Iran’s territorial waters and closer to the Iranian coastline.
Entities that want their vessels to safely pass throughmust submit their detailsto what Lloyd’s List Intelligence refers to as“approved intermediaries” of the Revolutionary Guard, including the cargo, owners, destination and a complete crew list. Approved vesselsreceive a code and are escorted by an IRGC vessel. Oil is prioritized and vessels aresubject to “geopolitical vetting,” Lloyd’s said.
“While not all ships are paying a direct toll, at least two vessels have and the payment is settled in yuan,” Lloyd’s List said, referring tothe Chinese currency. (Who thinks the City of London, that is allowing and probably planned this, will harm and steal from any country?)
Some ships appear tohave been allowed through following diplomatic pressure. Two Indian vessels loaded with liquid petroleum gas have been able to pass, according to Lloyd’s.
https://apnews.com/article/iran-hormuz-shipping-tolls-china-de5159966cde7de7b964b3c2c67eec07
(2/2)
Iran appears to be setting up a permanent system
On Tuesday, the IMO received a letter from the Iranian government saying it “had implemented a set ofprecautionary measures aimed at preserving maritime safety and security.” The letter claimed Iran was acting within the principles of international law.== (so Pirates, Terrorists and religious freaks, can block and blackmail the countries to get through the straights, and/or Kill those that are politically opposed by Iran. What international law cemented that?)
Iran’s parliament appears to be working on abill to formalize feesfor some ships in the Strait of Hormuz, local media reported.
The Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, quoted lawmaker Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi saying “parliament ispursuing a plan to formally codify Iran’s sovereignty, control and oversight over the Strait of Hormuz, while alsocreating a source of revenue through the collection of fees.”
The IMO has condemned the attacks on vessels and called for an internationally coordinated approachto secure passage through the strait that respects freedom of navigation.
An Emirati oil executive calls Iran’s chokehold ‘economic terrorism’
The comment by Sultan al-Jaber, who leads the massive state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., signaled thehardening rhetoric of the United Arab Emiratesas the war nears its one-month mark.
“Weaponizing the Strait of Hormuz is not an act of aggression against one nation,” al-Jaber said in a speech for an event hosted by the Middle East Institute in Washington.
“It is economic terrorism against every consumer, every family that depends on affordable energy and food. When Iran holds Hormuz hostage, every nation pays the ransom, at the gas pump, at the grocery store and at the pharmacy,” he said. “No country can be allowed to destabilize the global economy in this way.”
Iran’s approach may violate international law
Article 19 of the U.N.'s Law of the Sea Treaty states that countries must allow “innocent passage” of peaceful, law-abiding vessels in their territorial waters.
“There’s no provision in international law anywhere to set up a toll booth and shake down shipping. … This is Iran using the element that they have right now, which is control of the Strait of Hormuz,” said Sal Mercogliano, a maritime historian at Campbell University in North Carolina.
The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, saidIran’s collection of fees for passage is “an aggression and a violation. of the United Nations agreement onthe law of the sea.”
Such payments likely run afoul of American and European sanctions on the Guard, a key power center within Iran that controls its ballistic missile arsenal and was key in suppressing nationwide protests in January.
https://apnews.com/article/iran-hormuz-shipping-tolls-china-de5159966cde7de7b964b3c2c67eec07
Every Western country complaining should have joined the U.S. and Israel the first day Iran took over the straight. The radical Muslims invited into the countries, are waiting for the GO signal from Iran!
Iran International English
@IranIntl_En
A video shared with Iran International shows armed motorcyclists moving through streets in Shiraz amid strikes.
6:50 AM · Mar 28, 2026
9,806
https://x.com/IranIntl_En/status/2037844725579858432?s=20
Israeli military says it killed Hezbollah-linked journalist in strike
3 hours ago
The Israeli military said it had killed Al-Manar correspondent Ali Shoeib in a strike, describing him as affiliated with Hezbollah’s Radwan Force intelligence unit.
A military spokesperson saidShoeib operated under the cover of journalism while carrying out activities for the group, including reporting on Israeli troop positions in southern Lebanon.
"The terrorist engaged in incitement against IDF forces and Israeli citizens while serving as a conduit for disseminating Hezbollah propaganda. Even during Operation Northern Arrows, he continued his activities and reported on the location of IDF forces operating in southern Lebanon," the statement said.
Lebanese media reported that the strike targeted a car in the southern town of Jezzine and also killed Fatima Ftouni, a reporter with the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen channel.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603287833
(You never know if Israel is spreading lies, because they lie so often)
Saudi Pipeline That Bypasses Hormuz Hits 7 Million Barrel
Saudi Arabia’s crucial East-West pipeline thatcircumvents the Strait of Hormuz is pumping oil at its full capacity of 7 million barrels a day,according to a person familiar with the matter.
Saudi Arabia has rolled out the contingency planto boost exports through the pipeline to the Red Sea, as the effective closure of the strait due to the Middle East conflict has choked off Gulf oil producers’ main exit route.
Flotillas of tankers have redirected to the port of Yanbu to collect the oil, providing an important lifeline for global supply.
Crude exports viaYanbu have now reached 5 million barrels a dayand the kingdom is alsoexporting about 700,000 to 900,000 barrels a day of oil products, according to the person familiar with the Saudi oil industry. Of the 7 million barrels that goes through the pipeline,2 million are destined for Saudi refineries.
The Yanburoute only partly offsets the hit to supplyfrom shutting Hormuz, through which about 15 million barrels a day of crude shipments passed before the war.But the bypass is one reason oil prices haven’t reached the crisis-level highsof previous supply shocks.
With theHouthis now saying they are entering the war, the concern for the oil market will be that the Red Sea becomes a new front. Still,the Houthis have not given any indicationthey would attack tankers going through the Red Sea and Bab El-Mandeb strait, and at least for now there’s no sign of action in the area.
https://archive.is/iIG0I#selection-1939.4-1979.318
(Do any of these terrorist countries, have any money they make on their own commodities, instead of terrorism?)
Ukraine Rejects Iran’s Claim of Strike on Ukrainian Drone Hub in Dubai
Updated Mar 28, 2026 14:54
Iran claimed it had destroyed a warehouse in Dubai allegedly storing Ukrainian anti-drone systemsand that 21 Ukrainians were at the site, but Ukraine dismissed the statement as false, according to Hromadske on March 28.
Iran claimed it had destroyed a warehouse in Dubai allegedly storing Ukrainian anti-drone systems and that 21 Ukrainians were at the site, Ukrainian outlet reported.
The claim came from Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, in comments published by Fars, an outlet linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran alleged the warehouse was being used to support US forces in Dubai.
Iran also claimedthe site was hit in a combined operation by the IRGC’s aerospace and naval forces.
It further alleged that 21 Ukrainian citizens were inside the facility at the time, but added that their fate was unknown.
Ukraine rejected the claim. “The Iranian regime often conducts such disinformation operations, and in this, it is no different from the Russians,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi told Hromadske. He added that the Iranian statement was “a lie.” (Ukraine lies about everything, they are always trying to announce their fantastic feats.)
Hromadske notedthat Ukraine has previously sent military experts to several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently showed footage of a meeting with Ukrainian specialists there andnoted they had held talks with Emirati officials on air defense and the protection of critical infrastructure.
The report follows earlier threats from Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi, who accused Ukraine of helping Israel with drones and warned that Iran could respond with strikes.
The false assertion also comes amid Ukraine's expansion of practical counter-drone cooperation with partners across the Gulf.
As Kyiv expands its counter-drone cooperation in the Gulf,Ukraine is also seeking reciprocal backing from Middle Eastern partners on sanctions, security ties, reconstruction, and investment.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi statedthat the effort is built around mutual benefit, with air defense and protection of civilian infrastructure framed as a shared challenge.
According to Tykhyi, 201Ukrainian military experts are already helping partnersin the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait counter drone threats,including at the request of the US.(that’s a lie the U.S. and Trump want nothing to do with Zelensky, they won’t even try to stop their own war with Russia, that has killed close to a million of their soldiers and civilians)
The push follows earlier signals from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thatUkraine was prepared to send anti-drone experts, not combat troops, to assist strategic partners facing Iranian-style drone attacks.
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-rejects-irans-claim-of-strike-on-ukrainian-drone-hub-in-dubai-17367
Mar 27, 2026 (Ukraine media propaganda)
Is Iran Fighting Like Russia Now? Ukraine Says Yes. Vlad Litnarovych
Iran has begun adopting drone warfare tactics similar to those used by Russia in Ukraine,Ukrainian military personnel said during a visit to Washington, DC, according to Defense One on March 27.(why is this happening?)
Speaking at an eventhosted by the German Marshall Fund, Ukrainian troopswarned that Tehran’s approach to aerial attacks has evolved significantlyover the past year, increasinglyresembling the strategy Russia has employed throughout its war against Ukraine.
“Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia—that’s all one war,” one member of the visiting delegation said, describing what they see as agrowing alignment among US adversaries. (They are just noticing this!)
According to the Ukrainian military, Iran has shifted away from large, one-off strikes toward a more sustained campaign of smaller, repeated attacks using drones and missiles.
“Now, those tactics are very similar to the Russians we’re fighting,”one Ukrainian servicemember said.
Rather than focusing solely on high-value military targets, Iran is increasingly striking a wider range of objectives—including civilian and economic infrastructure—areas that are often more difficult to defend consistently.
According to Defense One, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have documented similar trends, noting that Tehran has decentralized its operations and given local commanders greater autonomy, effectively allowing them to “fire at will.”
This approach mirrors Russia’s attrition strategy in Ukraine,which seeks to impose long-term economic and political pressure by targeting infrastructure and civilian systems.
According to ISW, Iran appears to be pursuing a similar objective:outlasting the United States rather than defeating it in a direct military confrontation.
Despite US and Israeli defenses successfully intercepting many attacks—including a major Iranian response to US strikes on nuclear facilities last June—theevolving tactics have still led to casualties, damage to military bases, and broader operational disruptions.
Ukrainian officials also pointed to what they described as ongoing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
The visiting delegation reiterated earlier claims from US intelligence and European officials that Russia is providing Iran with targeting intelligence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated thatRussia had supplied Iran with Shahed-136 drones ahead of recent escalations involving US and Israeli forces.
At the same time, Ukrainian troops warned that the broader geopolitical environment is complicating the situation.
Ukrainian personnel said they recently met with Pentagon officials involved in counter-drone efforts. and the Defense Department’s “drone dominance” initiative.
Senior US military leaders haveopenly praised Ukraine’s battlefield innovation,
withSpace Force Lt. Gen. Steven Whitney describing it as “out of this world.”
Earlier, reports emerged that Russia started delivering attack drones to Iran,marking a new phase in military cooperation between the two countries.
The deliveries began in early March—just days after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets—and are expected to be completed by the end of the month. The total number of drones transferred has not been disclosed.
(https://united24media.com/latest-news/is-iran-fighting-like-russia-now-ukraine-says-yes-17340
(Why are American Military collaborating with Ukraine? Everything told by Ukraine should be taken with a grain of salt.)
Steve Guest
@SteveGuest
MARCO RUBIO FROM THE TOP ROPE:
Reporter: How do you feel about the Iranian Foreign Ministeraccusing the US and Israel of genocide?
Marco Rubio:The Iranian? He's an expert in genocide. They've killed thousands.
Every problem in the Middle East is Iran. Hezbollah? Iran. Shia militias destroying and threatening Iraq? Iran. Hamas! Iran. Houthis? Iran. Assad in Syria?Iran. Everywhere you turn, they're behind all of it.
9:53 AM · Mar 28, 2026
·12.5K
https://x.com/SteveGuest/status/2037890720770531694?s=20
(Politico loves this may be happening, they are intentionally pushing this complaint by a small group. But they only “supposed” by their poll, that only less half of them (small group at CPAC) are griping, mostly those who have never gone to war, to understand the dynamics of this situation. They should be more angry with Israel.)
‘He’s lied about everything’: Iran war puts Trump on shaky ground with young MAGA men
Their frustrations and anger with the conflict were on full display at CPAC this week.
3/28/26
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS — Joseph Bolick feels betrayed by President Donald Trump. And it’s because of the war in Iran.
The 30-year-old Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran voted for Trump in 2024. But at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference gathering this week he sported a hat emblazoned with “America First” — a slogan Trump championed during his campaign, along with the promise not to start new wars in foreign countries. (He didn’t start this war, it’s been ongoing in Iran forever. )
“He’s lied about everything,” said Bolick. “If you go into a war where there’s no end game, how is it going to end? There’s no clear objective.”
Bolick is part of acohort of young MAGA loyalists who are increasingly frustrated with Trump over the war in Iran. While Trump’s decision to join Israel in attacking Iran has rallied war hawks and his older supporters, it has alienated many of the young men who swung toward the GOP in 2024. That split is resonating among not only the rank-and-file, ==but also (fake) conservative media influencers and some corners of the White House.
The generational divide was on stark display at CPAC, the annual conservative base-rallying gathering, where some young MAGA loyalists expressed deep frustration and even anger at the Trump administration’s choice to reignite conflict in the Middle East. One month into the war, Trump’s shaky ground with young men threatens to fracture an already-fragile GOP coalition ahead of a hostile midterm in November.
At the conference in north Texas, some attendees carried around Iranian flags, pledging loyalty to the U.S. mission overseas, while others donned America First hats and preached about the need for anti-interventionism.
“Trump and Republicans in general are going to have major issues in the midterms, in 2028, if we can’t wrap this up in a relatively quick amount of time,” said 21-year-old Andrew Belcher, president of the Ohio College Republicans. He added that Trump is doing “relatively poorly” with hyper online young men who are influenced heavily by media figures like Tucker Carlson and other isolationists in the GOP.
A POLITICO poll this month found that Trump voters largely continue to back him. But men who self-identified as “MAGA Republicans” and voted for Trump in 2024 are deeply split by generation over their trust in the president and their view of the war, especially if the number of U.S. casualties rises.
The contrast was striking, even with the larger margins of error that come from the smaller sample sizes:More than 70 percent of those over 35 believe Trump has a plan, compared with 49 percent of those under 35.. A 66 percent majority of older MAGA men are willing to sacrifice American lives in order for the U.S. to achieve its goals in Iran,compared with less than half of younger MAGA men who say the same. And the younger men are significantly less likely to say the war is aligned with MAGA principles and in the interests of American people. (Fuck them, nothing is aligned with MAGA policy, but when the President is forced into war, he will never cower. These youngins have no idea the danger the world is in today because of Iran.)
Some of the most prominent MAGA voices are opposed to the Iran war, like Carlson and Megyn Kelly, along with influential figures like Joe Rogan, who holds tremendous sway with young men.There’s even growing consternation among younger, more-right wing White House staffers, saidone personfamiliar with the dynamics who was granted anonymity to discuss them.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/28/iran-trump-maga-men-divide-cpac-00849378
PS: Most Americans don’t like the war, but it’s been the shortest war in America and many understands why we went it. Americans have to understand how deadly Iran is the world and U.S. These “young man” are accepting the lies of republicans that hate Trump.)
Eric Daugherty
@EricLDaugh
🚨 WOW! Several thousand cherry blossoms gifted to America by Japan are FULL BLOOM in Washington DC
PM Sanae Takaichi is adding EVEN MORE, gifting America and President Trump 250 cherry blossoms for America250 ❤️
JAPAN IS A GREAT ALLY OF AMERICA 🇺🇸🇯🇵
9:50 AM · Mar 28, 2026
55.9K
https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/2037890083886420038?s=20
IRGC-linked media says Iran reviewing exit from NPT
2 hours ago
Iran’s IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency said on Saturdaythat some institutions in the Islamic Republic, including parliament, were urgently reviewing a potential withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT).
According to the report, a consensus was forming thatthere was no justification for Iran to remain in the treaty.
Iran remains a signatory to the NPT, which aims toprevent the spread of nuclear weapons while allowing peaceful nuclear activity.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603281882
Strikes and air activity heard in several Iran provinces
3 hours ago
Blasts and air activity were heard in several Iranian provinces on Saturday, according to eyewitness accounts sent to Iran International.
A heavy explosion was reported at 1:15 p.m. in the Tehranpars area in eastern Tehran, with the blast shaking windows and glass.
Fighter jet sounds were heard at 1:00 p.m. in Chaboksar, in Gilan province in the north.
In Bushehr, in southern Iran, an area near the sixth tactical air base was targeted in an airstrike at about 2:00 p.m.
Bam, in Kerman province in southeastern Iran, was also reported to have been targeted at 11:00 a.m., with air defense activity heard again at around 1:00 p.m.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603285970
Explosions and strikes reported across several Iranian cities
6 hours ago
Explosions, missile strikes, and othermilitary activity were reported across several Iranian cities on Saturday, according to eyewitness accounts sent to Iran International.
The capital Tehran saw a series of strikes overnight. A government building in the Tochal-Velenjak area was hit and destroyed at 1:10 a.m. Several heavy explosions were also heard in Hakimiyeh between midnight and 1 a.m.
Multiple blasts and bright flashes were then reported in Lavizan at 1:04 a.m. An explosion was reported on the Simon Bolivar street at 2 a.m., and at about 3 a.m. the satellite research center at Iran University of Science and Technology was hit, with the blast wave damaging nearby buildings.
Several explosions were also heard at 2:03 a.m. in Shahin Vila in Karaj, west of Tehran.
In central Iran, a heavy explosion was reported at 1:35 a.m. at an army artillery site in Isfahan.
Further west, a missile struck in Borujerd, a city in Lorestan province, at 4 a.m.
In the southwest, multiple missile launches were reported from Shadgan in Khuzestan province.
Later on Saturday, warplanes and an explosion were heard near Mount Derak in Shiraz, insouthern Iran, while several warplanes were reported flying at low altitude over Hamedan in the west at 11:46 a.m.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603288116
Blasts and low-flying warplanes reported in Isfahan
8 hours ago
Updated: 12:44 GMT
More than 40 explosions were heard across Isfahan early on Saturday and parts of an artillery facilityon Artesh Street were hit, according to eyewitness accounts sent to Iran International.
Widespread attacks and multiple explosions were reported across the city from about 1:30 a.m.
At least two fighter jets were heard at 1:40 a.m., followed by several heavy explosions in different areas, including the southwest of the city.
Targets in military areas in Farahabad were hit at about 2:10 a.m., with aircraft reported flying at low altitude.
In Shahreza, south of Isfahan,fighter jets were heard at about 6:30 a.m., followed by an explosion and black smoke rising near the Tharallah military base.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603283497
(Why aren’t citizens reporting anymore?)
LIVEupdated 12 minutes ago
US Marines arrive in CENTCOM region as Yemen’s Houthis join Iran war
Summary
• US Central Command said Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli arrived in its area of responsibility on March 27, deploying a force that includes roughly 3,500 personnel.
• Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen said on Saturday that they had joined the Iran war by launching a barrage of missiles at Israel.
• Attacks on Islamic Republic positions across multiple areas of Iran continued late Friday into early Saturday.
• Iran remained under a nationwide internet blackout on Saturday, four weeks after authorities cut global access, NetBlocks said.
• Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian warned regional countries on Saturday not to allow Tehran’s adversaries to use their territory to wage war against the country.
• Trump's special envoySteve Witkoff said the US will likely meet Iran this week and expects Tehran's response to its 15-point proposal. Iran, however, says it has yet to decide after the latest strikes on its infrastructure.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202603261868
1 hour ago
US says naval group with 3,500 Marines enters CENTCOM region
US Central Command said Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli arrived in its area of responsibility on March 27, deploying a forcethat includes roughly 3,500 personnel.
The Tripoli serves as the flagship of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, whichalso brings transport and strike fighter aircraftalong with amphibious assault and tactical capabilities.
The deployment comes amidspeculation that US Marinescould be used in a potentialground operation, including scenarios involvingIran’s Kharg Island.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202603261868#202603284940
UPDATE: 12 US service members injured in Iranian attack
Fox News’ Mike Tobin reports the latest on Operation Epic Fury after an Iranian attack on a Saudi air base injured 12 U.S. service members and damaged aircraft.
8:40
https://youtu.be/H_6gXopNgpM