Jolted by downing of F-15 plane, Trump seeks ‘48-hour ceasefire’; Iran rejects | Janta Ka Reporter Janta Ka Reporter Apr 3, 2026
Faced with a series of military setbacks against Iran, US President Donald Trump has reportedly asked for a 48-hour ceasefire, but the Islamic Republic has rejected the request. Meanwhile, the US military has claimed to rescue one member of the F-15 crew, while the fate of the other remains still unknown. Elsewhere, there are reports of two US blackhawk helicopters being hit by the Iranians as they conducted a rescue operation inside Iran. There are also reports of a US A-10 military aircraft crashing in the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz. Rifat Jawaid captures the day's spectacular events.
Transcript
Since I posted my last video, things have only gotten worse for the rogue regime of Donald Trump and his terrorist Israeli boss Benjamin Netanyahu. The US military has confirmed the news of the downing of its Ffighter jet by the Iranians. But what's even more embarrassing for the Americans is their inability to find at least one of the two crew members. And this is what is making them increasingly uncomfortable. Then there is a news of not one but two American Blackhawk helicopoters taking a direct hit from the Iranians and American AWarthog attack aircraft crashing in southern waters near the state of Hormos. This has prompted the Iranians to launch brutal trolling of Trump and his administration. This would be the broad focus of my video tonight. Also in this video, Iran releases another Lego video, this time targeting Pete Hex's shady personal life. So, please stay tuned. So, it's official. Iran indeed shot down an American F-fighter jet today. The news has sent shock waves across the US as media outlets went berserk in registering their shock over this development. Breaking news coming into Fox News Channel. The president has now been briefed on a downed F-fighter jet in Iran. This is a US fighter jet. We are also told a statement from Sentcom is expected shortly. Pamela, the breaking news is that three US sources now confirm that a US fighter jet has been shot down over Iranian territory and that US forces have now launched a search and rescue operation to rescue the downed pilots. Okay, so breaking news out of the war with Iran. By now, you've likely heard that an F-E was shot down over Iran. As it emerges, there were two crew members on board this fighter jet. The US military says it has rescued one of them, but the fate of the other is not known. The F- has one pilot and another weapon system officer. The identity of the crew member rescued has not been disclosed yet. The US military was quick to send its Blackhawk helicopters to search for its missing crew, but it faced a barrage of attack from locals. This prompted the Blackhawk helicopters to run for safety. The Iranian military has released this video of local residents firing at the Blackhawk helicopters. I'm Nuna's army. What's up? What's up? Now, reports have emerged that at least two helicopters were damaged in the attack and they had to perform an emergency landing across the border in Iraq. This is Brandon Vikat on Steve Bannon show. Uh Brandon, I think they're reporting in the uh near the town of Isa in Kuzan, which I believe is near the Iraq border. It's where a lot of the horrific Iraq Iran war took place. Um give us what we know so far. I think there's an FF-E that's down. Yeah. And the Americans we have sent in. It looked like forces strike eagle. We've sent in Blackhawks and others Cgunship uh to uh retrieve the pilots. Give us what we know. Yeah, it looks like there's a search and rescue s operation going on. And one of these videos that you were showing I saw earlier because they apparently the locals are shooting at our Blackhawks uh and the CThey were apparently midair refueling. Um, and they were flying low and people on the bridge started shooting at at our planes. Um, but they are looking for the pilots. It's a two-seater, so my assumption is that our guys got out. Um, we've got some pretty great ejection systems, so I I'm sure that our guys survived. Um, and hopefully they are, you know, laying low. the locals. There's a local news report in that district of Iran in which the um the anchor of the news uh there is encouraging all the locals to go out and uh arrest the pilot pilots and and hand them over to the IRGC. Even a reporter working for right-wing American TV channel Newsmax tweeted this and I quote, "Breaking. Two US officials have now confirmed to Newsmax that one of the pilots has been rescued and is undergoing medical treatment. The status of the second pilot is unknown. Search and rescue operations continue. We have seen video of SCaircraft and hello in the skies. One source tells me a Blackhawk may have also been hit over Iran while conducting rescue ops to find the second F-pilot. I'm told the Blackhawk was tailed by a trail of smoke as it crossed into southern Iraq from Iran today. End quote. Iran has announced a cash reward for anyone who can find the missing pilot of the downed F-and hand him or her over to the IRGC. And Jennifer, quickly, we just have a few moments here. Our our thoughts immediately go to that second pilot. Um, I imagine the search, the rescue, it is ongoing. Any news on the second pilot? There is no news at this point in time, but as you can imagine, we've seen the images of the Paveh Hawk helicopters. Those are the special forces helicopters that are part of that search and rescue mission. They were being air refuelled over uh in daylight over uh the contested area. We've seen the image of the the pilot seat and the uh the parachute that it that was part of the ejection mechanism. Uh it looks like that worked and and that is very good news. But the Iranians have put out a reward for that second American uh or for both Americans. And so it is a very very uh tenuous time right now. But those crew members and pilots would have been given uh sear training, survival and evasion training. and we are now thinking of them, thinking of their families and and hoping that as the sun goes down uh now over Iran that it will be easier for the search and rescue uh operation to continue. What's worrying for the American military is the fact that it's already nighttime in Iran and given the difficulty and vast geographical terrain of the country, it's going to be an uphill task for them to find the missing pilot. The American military is literally racing against time and also the Iranians to find its crew members safe. So it has become nighttime in Iran now. Um one of our earlier guests said that gives us an advantage because we are so advanced in our technology to pinpoint a down pilot with the technology that we have available in the emergency radios and everything else. Uh how critical is it with every minute that passes to find this airman? Well, obviously very critical because if the bad guys find him first, then we have a prisoner of war situation uh which as we've seen from Israel's war uh in Gaza uh can make things very complicated. It's almost a hostage situation when you're talking about the Iranians. We don't know how they would treat our pilot. Uh you know, they probably wouldn't treat him very well and then he would become a bargaining chip in the ongoing very shaky uh diplomatic situations. Retired Colonel Keith Nightingel told Channel News in the UK that the fact that the Americans have still not been able to find the second crew member is a bad news. Nightingle suspects that the second pilot could well have been captured or killed. The fact that they rescued one pilot and not the other causes concern with me. Uh, you know, the ejection seats are quite close and they would have landed on the ground at about the same time. uh and pretty close together. Uh which in my mind leads me to a worst case situation uh that the individual uh was, you know, probably incapacitated or killed uh you know during the ejection process or on the ground by some local. What might the Iranians do with the second person aboard that craft if they were to discover assume if we assume that uh he or she was captured uh this will be a major media event uh and that person will be paraded in front of television uh at infan item uh and held as a hostage as part of the negotiations uh that ostensibly are going on between Iran and the US. Elsewhere, Iranians are believed to have shot down another American plane, this time an AWarthog attack aircraft near the state of Hormos. The American military has not commented on this development yet. In fact, the Sentcom has gone silent on social media since the news of the downing of the F-emerged. Not just the US Sentcom, but even the motormouth US President Donald Trump has lost his voice. He gave a short interview to NBC, but did not refer to the setbacks that his military has received by the Iranians. Americans and Israeli terrorists have hit Iran very hard by showcasing their bravery on educational institutions and hospitals. Today they bombed Meharabad in international airport and Shahid Bahti University. Their target at the Shahid Bahashti University was its plasma and laser center. The US and Israel have so far bombed over schools and medical centers. This requires some bravery. It's not easy. Trust me, it's not easy. And that's what the rogue and morally bankrupt pedophiles and war criminals from the US and the settler colony have been showcasing since th of February. Then the deranged occupant of the White House posted this on truth social. He wrote and I quote, "Our military, the greatest and most powerful by far anywhere in the world, hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next. then electric power plants. New regime leadership knows what has to be done and has to be done fast. President Donald J. Trump. End quote. Meanwhile, Iran has continued to troll the US with its quirky social media post. The Twitter handle of the Iranian embassy in South Africa shared the photos of sacked American army generals and attorney general Pam Bondi with this caption which read and I quote, "The regime change happened successfully, MAGA." End quote. Then someone shared the photo of Iranian professor Muhammad Mandi as the next US president with this caption which read and I quote, "Professor Mirandi, a US citizen born in Richmond, VA, has the constitutional right to run for president. His exceptional intelligence surpasses that of Trump and Biden and he has the courage to take a stand against uh Zionist terrorists in America." end quote. Marandi was equally brutal in his response as he wrote and I quote, "I'm not eligible. My name isn't in the Epstein files." End quote.
Meanwhile, a person no less than the former head of America's counterterrorism department, Joe Kent, has showered praises on Iran and how the Islamic Republic has outsmarted the US in the ongoing war. I think the Iranians uh studied the wars of the last uh two decades to their to their their east and to their west and they they saw that essentially you can win by not losing. And so I think for them to keep enough of their leadership alive and they obviously have a lot of depth in their leadership and I think their leadership has only been strengthened because of the strikes that we've taken I think that there's a lot of uh support right now for the regime whereas just a couple months ago there there probably was less. Um, but also they they've done a very impressive job with being able to to manufacture and disperse their ballistic missiles and their drone capability. And I mean, anybody who can look at a map of the Straits of Hormuz, it's a pretty pretty narrow section there that if they can every now and again get a drone, every now and again get a ballistic, every now and again get some mines and that, then they mess with world energy and they and they know it. And I think the way that they're um they're using the Chinese and and other world powers say, "Hey, you guys can get your oil through. Uh we're not going to trade in the dollar. Um but you guys are welcome to use the Straits of Hormuz." I think it's very shrewd of them. Um and they also just know politically that this is not going to be a popular war as it drags out. So I I think that they they've found kind of their steady state right now where they realize they can continue to strike targets in the Middle East. they can make this very uncomfortable uh for the GCC countries which for now we sort of have the support of but I think that erodess more and more we're already seeing a lot of fraction uh fractures in our relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is key uh for us to be able to project power against Iran as well. So right now I I personally don't see uh very many downsides for the Iranians. For what today's hammering by the Iranians have done to Israeli lab Trump is that he is now reportedly begging for a ceasefire. According to the Iranian media, Trump requested Iran for a hour ceasefire, but Thran has rejected this request. A little bit of breaking news coming out of the Middle East. uh hearing in the last few moments from the Reuters news agency that Iran has rejected a US proposal for a hour ceasefire. That's according to an unnamed source speaking to the FAR news agency. Iran rejecting a US proposal apparently for a hour ceasefire. I will leave you with the latest edition of the Iranian Lego series. Tonight they have targeted Pete Hex's history of infidelity. Watch this video first to understand the context of the Iranian Lego video. Many of your work colleagues have said that you show up for work under the influence of alcohol or drunk. I know you've denied that, but you would agree with me, right, that if that was the case, that would be disqualifying for somebody to be Secretary of Defense. Senator, those are all anonymous false claims. And the totality, they're not they're not anonymous. The letters on the record here. On the record, people record with names for Freedom, Concerned Vets for America, and Fox News. One of your colleagues working hard every day. One of your colleagues said that you got drunk at an event at a bar and chanted kill all Muslims. Another colleague, not anonymous, we have this said that you took co-workers to a strip club. You were drunk. You tried to dance with strippers. You had to be held off the stage. And one of your employees in that event filed a sexual harassment charge as a result of it. Now, I know you denied these things, but I isn't that the kind of behavior that if true would be disqualifying for somebody to be Secretary of Defense, Senator, anonymous false charges. They're not anonymous. And and I'll just conclude and say this to to the chairman. You claimed that this was all anonymous. We have seen records with names attached to all of these, including the name of your own mother. Now, enjoy this Lego video. Just in case I'm forced to take down this video by YouTube, you can watch it on our Telegram channel. Details on the screen and also in the description of this video.
Yo, Bex, this one's specially for you. You punk ass rapist Straight from Iran. Your tattoo cover clown with that capp ink on your arm. Think you a crusader? Nah, just a drunk infidel in a fake uniform. chance to kill all Muslims. Wasted in the hotel lobby. Sexual assault settlement in Monteray. Blocked the door. Took a phone. Paid her off. Quiet cuz me too was on. Now you secretary. What a joke, bro. Cheated on wives. Multiple affairs. Kids in the mix. Family man. Hell no. Handy with women at Fox. Drunk on the job. Your own team say, "Yo, this dude toxic." Couldn't even guard Biden's inauguration. Your own military said next book called American Crusade. Dreaming holy war but reality check. You just a fail bat turn TV clown slipping on your own mess. Trump picked you cuz you kissed the ring. But wait, funny part ain't coming. The dude you sucking up the for that secretary gig. Trump himself was Bill Clinton's top sucker giving blue j back in the day. Real talk. You out here blowing for access but he the original BJ queen. You thought our missiles max Cute rookie mistake. We hitting the bow. Worshiping Epstein Island crew, the ones who hurt the kids. Revenge for every American soul. You and Trump's dirty crew oppressed and dead. We taking payback for the girls. You broke the wives. You broke the Muslims you hate. Every victim screaming in the dark. Iran got you on the plate. You threw everything at us. All your cards, all your might. We still operating on % power. Laughing while you fight. We see everything. Know every secret, every dirty Epstein link. You hide where you least expected in the shadows we riding. No place to slide. This ain't full force, just the warm up. Persian flow with the rap. Pete, you done roasted raw sending this heat. Feel the math. Drop the mic. Infidel clown. We coming.
That's it for me. Thank you very much for your support of this platform and our journalism. If you haven't subscribed to my channel, please do so because that's one of the many ways you can support independent journalism. God bless you all.
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The term "BJ queen" can refer to a few very different things depending on the context—ranging from 18th-century European history to modern pop culture and drag terminology.
1. Historical & Social Context (London, 18th Century) In the 1700s and 1800s, particularly in London, the term was associated with "Molly Houses" (clandestine meeting places for gay men). The term was used within these subcultures to describe men who adopted flamboyant, feminine personas or specialized in specific roles within that community....
Because the term uses a common shorthand for a sexual act [Blow Job], it is frequently used in explicit or adult contexts. In those cases, it is not a historical or cultural title but a slang descriptor for someone's perceived skill or preference in that specific area.
Will There be a Ground Invasion of Iran? (w/ Col. Larry Wilkerson) | The Chris Hedges Report The Chris Hedges YouTube Channel Apr 3, 2026
As the US prepares to escalate the war on Iran with a potential ground invasion, Col. Wilkerson divulges the long reticence of US military planners to engage Iran, and the folly of such an endeavor.
Transcript
The contradictory statements emanating from the Trump White House about the war on Iran are evidence of panic. This panic caused by the inability to halt Iranian attacks, open the straight of Hormuz, or cope with a mounting global financial crisis means the Trump administration is now considering conducting ground operations, perhaps attempting to seize the Persian Gulf Islands of Abu Musa and the greater and lesser tombs, Lark and Car Islands. The United States has deployed the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group with the st Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about sailors and marines in addition to transport and strike fighter aircraft as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets. It has deployed the boxer amphibious ready group with about Marines equipped with FB lightning stealth fighters, MVB Osprey tilt rotors and attack helicopters. The US has also deployed paratroopers of the first brigade combat team of the nd Airborne and is reportedly considering augmenting these forces with another troops. What will a ground attack look like? How risky will be air or amphibious assaults? Will these assaults result in large casualty rates? Can they force Iran to capitulate? Will they reopen the straight of Hormuz to international shipping? What will such an assault, especially on Carg Island, which lies miles off Iran's coast and processes % of the country's oil exports mean for the global economy? Or will a ground war rather than end the conflict widen and prolong it? Will we find ourselves sucked into a quagmire as we did in Iraq and Afghanistan? One that perhaps will end in humiliating defeat. If US troops land on one or more of these Iranian islands, how effective will Iran's anti-ship cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, underwater drones, and mines be in thwarting an assault or an occupation? The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has so far stayed out of range of Iran and operates in the Arabian Sea. Could it move closer to support an amphibious assault? Is an amphibious assault so risky that the only way to take these islands will be from the air? And if US forces did occupy one or more of these islands, what kind of damage could Iran's surfaceto-air missiles and air defense drones inflict? How would US forces on these islands obtain logistical support given the difficulty of maneuvering in the narrow straight? Joining me to discuss what may be the next stage of the war on Iran and its potential consequences is Lawrence Wilkerson, a retired Army Colonel and the former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colon Powell. He is a Vietnam War veteran who attended airborne school, Ranger School, and the Naval War College, and who is a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, logged over hours on combat missions. He went on to serve as deputy director of the Marine Corps War College at Quantico, and was executive assistant to Admiral Steuart A. Ring, United States Navy Pacific Command, and Director of the United States Marine Corps War College. He has taught at the College of William and Mary and George Washington University. He is a senior fellow at the Eisenhower Media Network, a group of former military, intelligence, and civilian national security officials who describe themselves as offering alternative analyses untainted by Pentagon or defense industry ties and countering Washington's establishment narrative on most national security issues of the day. So before we begin with some of the specific questions that I raised in the introduction, just give us your view, Larry, of where we are with this war. That's difficult to do because the president and the secretary of war defense have not been very articulate in expressing what their mission is and what their purpose is. But let me back up for a moment and paint a little geostrategic landscape that I think is behind this war and is not talked about by many people primarily I think because they don't understand it historically or currently. We really are for some reason actually trying to stop China from executing its probably potentially at least most dangerous space road initiative to our interest. Now that assumes that it is enimical to our interest. I think we have made that assumption. That road would come up through Iran and trace Alexander the Great's route all the way up through the what would be the or so miles of shoreline on the Persian Gulf on the eastern side and all the way up to the Caucases. It would link China's Pacific ports just as the other three base road initiative railroads do through Russia and the Caucases with Europe in a way that would reduce its shipping time from something like a day and a half to two days depending on which way you go to about hours. Trains have already pied these railroads including the one going through the southern part of Iran. If that happens, then all maritime nations, leading of which is the United States, of course, the protector of the seas, will no longer have seas really worth protecting in the sense of commerce because commerce will be basically landorn. At least % of it will come out of Asia and go to Europe and elsewhere on the land. Uh you'll have to get on some kind of boat to get to South America, I guess. But nonetheless, this is a monumental change and it's one we're fighting tooth and nail. Whether Donald Trump knows any of this or Pete Hathth knows any of this, I have no idea. But that is, I think, behind a lot of what we're doing. It's also behind Ukraine because Ukraine stopped the very central railroad which was already making -hour trips into the heart of Europe going all the way to Brimavan and La Hav and other places like that critical to European trade if it were not dumbbraided as it were by the war going on in Ukraine. So, and and think about that for a moment as to why Joe Biden and others Blinkin and Sullivan might have had some reason for doing Ukraine as it were rather than what they've been telling us or what they did tell us. This is all about China and it's all about stopping China. Which is to say, I'm not sure that any of this administration that is functioning in front of us every day knows anything about this other than that their masters have told them to do this. and we can talk about who their masters are back in the shadows, but I think that's ultimately what we're looking at. So, it's much more consequential in this struggle between the rising power and the declining power, and there's no question about that now, than people think or know. Uh and so it has these ramifications that make things that look tactically and even operationally stupid at the moment and yet are tied to this much bigger tapestry of geopolitical and geostrategic reality. Declining power, rising power. Where is Russia going to go in all this? Russia has a choice. She's both maritime power and land power principally the latter as Mckender made clear. Um, but she does have a formidable maritime capability now growing every moment by her Arctic coastline and the receding ice in the Arctic. So, she's got a choice to make and she hadn't made it yet. It looks like she's going with China, but there's this relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, which is kind of strange really if you think about it. Unless you understand what Putin wants, which is a better relationship with Washington, and maybe even a helping hand. Not to Europe, not to NATO, not to the transatlantic link. he's destroyed those or is destroying them, but to Washington because he sees there's something left there worth being friendly with. So, we got to work all of that into what we're talking about right now. And what we're talking about right now is throwing a sledgehammer into that. That is awesome because what Iran is doing is upsetting everybody's plans to the tune of Muhammad bin Salman being so un incredibly insulted by Donald Trump in southern Florida recently that now he's thrown his lot in with Zalinski and has changed his routing of his pipelines and other things to avoid Israel and to go through Syria instead. I mean, these are monumental changes that this hugely, hugely wealthy sovereign wealth fund is making almost overnight because of the insults that Trump hurled at NBS. And then you've got Iran and what Iran can do to this whole business I've just talk I've been talking about in Southwest Asia, which is if it executes its second tier of targets. The first tier, back up a little bit. The first tier was so devastatingly done and so indicative of fine intelligence that it was unbelievable to many of the regional powers. They hit Bahrain and destroyed the fifth fleet headquarters and destroyed the largest oil refinery in the Gulf. Been there for years and put the Bahraini royal family and fleet flying away. Um, they hit Erbil where they had hit a number of times before in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. They had hit hit it before with minor missiles just to let the Israelis and the CIA and MIknow that we that Iran knew they were there. They hit it this time and just blew it out. They hit our embassy in Baghdad. We're operating on only emergency personnel there now. And oh by the way in Bahrain we sent people back with a suitcase a kit back to Norolk that have now landed in Norolk. That's how Marco Rubio did his in neo business so incompetently. And now the citizens of Norolk and Chesapeake and other areas, Hampton Roads are having to uh support these people who've come back with nothing, no shirt on their back other than the shirt on their back and nothing, just the kit back. That's what they were told and they were gone because Bahrain was struck so fiercely. Well, all to say they have a second tier of targets or maybe a third, but the second tier is much more devastating. The first tier of targets was essentially as they said, "We're not going to hit you if we don't have to, Prince Sultan Air Base. We're not going to hit Saudi Arabia. We're going to hit the US." Al Yudid, we're going to hit the US. We're not going to hit you, cutter. They had some incidental damage. They even apologized for a lot of it. This time, that's not a criterion. This time they're going to hit it to devastate it, to devastate the region, to devastate Saudi Arabia, to devastate the Emirates, all the other countries. Maybe Oman will be spared. I suspect it will. Uh but this would be a devastating blow to the global economy because we're talking about places like Rosador in Saudi Arabia where it's barrels a day or like UNICE in Saudi Arabia where it's % of the world's best supply of best oil. Uh % this is a huge blow and we've already talked about things like ura and helium and other things. Taiwan maybe got about days left. Um and Taiwan is not included in Yes, China, you can go through this straight. Taiwan cannot go through the straight. So this could be depression producing on the globe if they hit these other targets and they shut down. And at the same time, the Houthis renew their vigorous pursuit of closing the Red Sea to most traffic that is not, you know, supportive of uh taking out the Israelis, if you will. Um then we've got two of the most important waterways in the world, Red Sea even and the Babel Mandeb even more important than the Straight of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf taken out of commission. Um we could have a global uh not just recession, we're close to recession right now, two quarters in a row. We could have a global depression that would impact a lot of the world. even ultimately Russia which looks like it's sitting in the catbird seat right now but might not be if all of a sudden things turn sour for them in this global economy that is not going to be operating anymore. All to say this is a much much more serious struggle than anyone in the primmaaccia team leading this country America seems to understand. And that is incredibly worrisome because all Trump seems to know when he hits something like that is doubling down, reinforcing strategic failure and all the faults that one can cite about someone who gets in a mess of his own making that he doesn't know how to get out of. When you talk about hitting second the the second tier targets, is this contingent upon uh the threat to hit oil refineries, oil processing centers on in places like Car Island? What is it that will trigger that second tier assault? I don't know exactly. I'm not sure anyone in the intelligence community knows either. I'm not sure the Iranians have come to a final decision about it. I listened to foreign minister Abasari's remarks to Al Jazer English the other day and he was very definitive about both things and he usually speaks in English. He's very competent in English but he chose to speak in Farsy here and let the uh Alazer English translator do it. Um, and he seemed a little bit less smooth perhaps when he was describing some of the aspects of Iran's position and what it was in resolution and they weren't abandoning that position. Um and and that I I think I heard that they were going to wait and see what happens with this next iteration of Trump's war before they actually decide to execute this much more dangerous to the global economy portion of their their campaign campaign plan if you will. And I can understand that and I can understand I you know I think Labra and Wangi in China and now Arachi are three of the finest diplomats in the world. Um and I listen to him when he talks and I listen to Wangi and I listen to Sergey Lavra. Um we have nothing to match them. We have nothing to even come close to them which is a huge deficit right now. When he says what he says and he says it with the resolution that he can say it with. I think what he is indicating is, you know, we're prepared to go to the wall. We are prepared to go to the wall. And what that means is we are prepared to do everything in our power not only to is we have stated as a clear objective, rid Southwest Asia of US military presence, but we're also prepared to half the freaking region in order to do it. And that's really disturbing, especially when you know the position that Netanyahu has privately said he's in now. Um, he's very, very hardpressed in Lebanon. He's not winning in Lebanon. Um, he's hardpressed in the West Bank. He's winning there because he's now given very draconian orders to the IDF to join the settlers. Yeah. Wipe them out. Get rid of them just like he did in Gaza. Um, so that's the unknown in this for me is how attached is Trump to BB Netanyahu and will he go to his destruction and major destruction to the American empire for BB or will he stop it somewhere? And then if he does stop it, what then will BB do? Well, that's the the fear all of us have whether he'll reach for the nukes. Um it's I think probably both you and I don't discount that possibility. No, not at all. And now with Ted Postall having he called me at William and Mary the other day to make sure I understood I understood what he was talking about and we talked at some length and I understand what he's talking about. He believes and I have every reason to believe him. Not just because he's given me good information in the past about nuclear issues, but because I dealt with the AQ KN network in when we were trying to break it up and I saw what was happening with the North Koreans in particular and the Iranians. And one of the things that I saw was not necessarily related to nuclear technology so much as it was to how to do things underground which the North Koreans had perfected. I mean absolutely we missed we the the empire on the peninsula for how many years? We missed that first nuclear test. We had to get a seismic report from Geneva. look at that seismic report and then only when we saw that something had occurred that we couldn't explain put our assets in the air and on the ground to detect a second test which we did detect and we knew they'd do a second one and they did and we detected it. So here's what Ted told me about Iran. Remember what I just told you about North Korea who taught Iran everything they knew. Iran, Ted says, has enough highly enriched uranium underground intact and enough knowledge of warhead technology and matching that warhead to one of their better missiles like the Kuram Shaw. And it's probably going to do that underground. It's going to do that. And I don't know what it's going to do from that point on. Is it going to use that missile against Israel or is it just going to hold it in obeyance and use it as a a threat, if you will, when the time comes that they are absolutely convinced BB's going to use one or two or more. I think militarily he's got to use more. One would not do anything to that country. It's too big. It's just too big. he'd have to use probably or on strategic targets that he thinks are the underground powerhouses of Iran, ballistic missiles, nuclear program, and so forth. So, we'd we'd be looking at that and if Iran's intelligence, which I think has become much better now and much better even than MSAD, which I didn't think I would ever say, but I'm saying it. um when when that their intelligence tells them that BB is getting ready to shoot, watch out for Israel because it's much smaller than Iran and couple of nuclear weapons would pretty much end Israel. Just as a footnote, the tragedy of course is that the Obama administration had hammered together, I think, a very effective agreement with Iran. You had American inspectors. uh Trump ripped it up uh and then by assassinating the supreme leader who had for decades prohibited the production of a nuclear weapon uh on religious grounds. they essentially have now opened up uh the real possibility that Iran will use as you pointed out and and Ted Postol is this MIT expert that people should uh look up. Uh they've really paved the way for Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. I think you're right and uh you're right too about the Israeli habit of killing people. go back and look at Nazala. Nazala was as much a political man as he was a terrorist. If you if you even call Hezbollah a terrorist. Um and he got they got rid of him. Uh and now they're paying the price for that in many respects because there's no one there, I don't think anymore, who's even interested vaguely in politics. They're just interested in bringing pain on Israel and they're doing it. I don't know if you've seen these videos, but you see a column of Macavas and you see the Macavas moving an administrative road march even into southern Lebanon. Macava being the Israeli main battle tank. And you see this vaunted Israeli armored corps getting out of their tanks and running because the drones are picking them off one by one. Well, they're also they're also masked together and I've been enough in enough war to understand that that is you don't do that. You space your tanks out and I don't understand what they're doing. They I think they got just got too uh too full too full of hubris, the hubris of success. Um, I watched them do the same thing on uh the the IDF spent too many years on garrison duty. You know, butt stroking Palestinians when they didn't want them to come to work that morning or you can't put a military like that on garrison duty for years and only intersperse it with things like operation castled where you kill everything in sight uh without contaminating your military. So I wasn't surprised when I saw some of the things they were doing in Gaza. But now you've got Napali Bennett and others like him, even some members of Netanyahu's own coalition who were furious at Netanyahu for not finishing Gaza, for going off and doing Lebanon without finishing Gaza. They want him to go clean those tunnels out and kill those Hamas fighters. And he hasn't done it. And they know they're not going away. So they they've got a Penser movement operating on them now to a certain extent with the only relief on the one end being Trump's grand city which Tony Blair crook of all crooks is going to run for him. Right. And that's a pipe dream too. Right. And that the UN associated itself with it by security council resolution just made me ill. No, it was a very shameful day the in the sham peace plan. I want to ask about where we are. you know, somebody who's who understands military tactics and strategy. So, you have the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group that's hundreds of miles away. Um, you have this in How about How about ? How about how how far? How about ? Is it ? Oh, okay. Where are they? Down by Diego Garcia. I don't know where they are. Well, that's a big ocean. That's a big ocean. Yeah. So uh but you do have the movement of uh as I mentioned uh these uh the uh tripley amphibious ready group they are moving these troops into the region. They're talking about bringing in another troops. Uh it's the war is costing us close to a billion dollars a day. uh there must be heavy incentive to use these forces, use this equipment. I can't I'm going to ask you because you know far more than I do. I can't given the configuration of the strait imagine a successful amphibious assault, but I'll let you deal with that. What what do what do you think is coming? All I can figure, Chris, is that they are they're posturing to a certain extent. Um, and they're only going to use in the actual execution perhaps on the flanks they might use some of the other forces just for protection, but they're only going to use a small element much the way they did in Venezuela. And they're going to go after something that's really key like that uranium that Ted was talking about. And they know they have intelligence. They'd have to to do this where it is. Um, and they're going to go after it and they're going to try to seal it up and extract it. I think that's a a fancy dream. I I don't see how they're going to do it, no matter how they marshall their their forces. Now, on the other side of the coin, not penetrating into Iran in any significant way, but still threatening something extraordinarily valuable to Iran, Car Island, might be doable in the sense that your ospreys might have the legs, they might have the range, they might not have clutch failure over the target and kill the Marines just because they're in an Osprey. uh which having spent time with the Marines, they that was almost dreaded that one most dreaded aspect of being a Marine was getting on an Osprey, but you can explain. I had a Marine general actually say to me, you know, I'm not sure what I'd do to a Marine who walked up to the door in a training mission or a combat mission even and said to me, I'm not sure I want to get on that bird because he would have reason to do so. Uh but anyway, they only have about a maybe maximum mile range. And they probably are going to have to loiter in order to get anything off of them and onto Car Island. And then they've got to come back and do whatever extraction they're going to do. If they're going to do it that way, maybe they might bring the boat up or triple E or something like that and do it with that. But all of that is so fraught with if Iran really does have the drones that we think they have and does have even more sophisticated missiles along that Persian Gulf, miles of of terrain that it is, then that's fraught with problems. I mean, you're going to get the Osprey shot down. You're going to get the Marines killed in route. You're going to get them killed while they're landing. Um, and you're going to have a hard time establishing a beach head, so to speak. Um, I just don't know how they're going to do it. I I could see it being done if everything went perfectly and there wasn't as much of an opposition as I'm imagining there is and if you had some way of suppressing that opposition as you were going in. But I don't see the wherewithal to do that in the way that it would have to be done. And I don't see the timing and the geography contributing to it being done because it's so difficult. I mean, just take a look at how we got into Iraq for two wars. We used the probably the world's greatest uh onward movement facility, certainly in Southwest Asia, that was in Kuwait. And we did two wars that way. We flowed the troops in and they flowed into Iraq and they did their business in Iraq. they had time and and space to get ready to do what they were going to do in Kuwait. Well, Iran hit that. They hit that facility. And last time I saw it, it was burning. So, I I don't know that they can use that facility now. They might could use Kuwait, but then look at the map. Look at where they have to go from Kuwait to get where they got to go. They either go through Bazera or that area of Iraq or they go straight from Kuwait to Carg or they come in by some other secuitous way up the Gulf maybe and they're vulnerable that whole way if what I'm being told about Iran's capacity to defend that terrain is what it is.
Would they Larry would they be coming in on helicopters? Would is that would they be flying out of Kuwait on helicopters?
Well, no. They'd be the Ospreys. They'd be in the Ospreys. the the tilt rotor. It It's a helicopter and a um and I could see it happening if everything were exquisitely done and the Iranians were suppressed or don't have the capacity that I'm told they do have. Um but I can't see it done in the face of that capacity and the difficulty of the mission. I see a lot of deaths. I see a lot of problems. I don't see a Venezuela at all. Well, the Iranians have batteries all along the coastline, right? That's what you know, I met with President Amadinajad along with Frank Wisner uh just a couple others uh couple of Maline Albbright's people too in New York when he was there for the UN General Assembly. And my mission with Amadinajod was to convince him. We each each of us Tom Pickering, Frank Whisner, me, a couple of others had a fiveminut spiel for President Lama. Mine was to create an inc agreement incidents at sea agreement like we have with the Soviets but with the Iranians. so that if we had an incident in the Gulf or in the strait or in the nor northern Arabian Sea or Sea of Oman, we would go immediately to the protocols and not start a war. And one of the things he did when I finished my spiel was he looked at me and he said, "Now, let me ask you a question, Colonel. Iran has roughly nautical miles shoreline on the Persian Gulf. The United States has none. What's the problem? And then big smile, why are you there? And you know there's no comeback for that. He's right. It's his sea. It's his territory of water. And why do you need an ink sea agreement? You need it because of the United States, not because of Iran. But I I relate that because he convinced me as did his advisors with whom I spoke afterwards. He was mostly in Farsi. They were pretty good in English. And his foreign minister was very good in English. They convinced me that that shoreline is armed to the teeth. So if that's the case, and wouldn't it be very armed to the teeth around Card? Yeah. I mean, that's the Forbidden Island. That's the pressure. That's that's where super tankers can load simultaneously. That's n% I think of their oil exports out of car. Yeah. So, but all of these islands, all of these islands are small. So, once you occupy them, you you can just reordinance upon you're just exposed occupied forces. Of course, you'd be reigning ordinance on car on your own facilities, but who's to say they wouldn't do that? You can always build them back. Well, the the Israelis did that on October th. They blew up eras. Yeah. Yeah. Killed a lot of their own soldiers. There there there pros and cons there. I was talking to an oil man, Gary Voggler, who was our oil man in Iraq for months. Um, worked out of the Iraqi oil ministry, and he told me that the destruction in Bahrain would be extremely complicated if you tried to rebuild that refinery. So, we're talking about roughly the same kind of facilities in terms of difficulty. It'd be hard to rebuild it if it were completely destroyed. So, they wouldn't want to do that, I don't think. But, would they do it in order to kick an aggressor off?
Probably. One of the things that's, you know, I've have been involved in the Middle East, spent seven years there, of course, but going back decades, I mean, BB's been pushing this war with Iran for four decades, but there has been such resistance within the Pentagon. It doesn't matter whether it's a Republican administration, a Democratic administration, the Pentagon has just adamantly put up roadblocks to this. Trump of course took the bait. But explain why there was such resistance.
One reason is my old boss at the Marine Corps Combat Educational Development Command at Quantico, Virginia, Lieutenant General Van Reiner, RIP, whom I met in Williamsburg recently, and had __ years old and had an opportunity to review our betting if you will. He did a war game, I think at the request of the Pentagon. He's a very very capable man at simulating. at wargaming and so forth. And it was called Millennium Challenge. And we got our ass handed to us. It was Iran. We staged it in the Gulf, and Iran handed us our rear end. It was so bad that they even ordered him to redo the game, and he did, and got the same results essentially, and then he went away. That's part of the reason, because people have memories in the Pentagon, and they know how difficult that war was, and would be, and they also know that in the intervening two plus decades, Iran has gotten much much better.
For example, when we were doing Operation Earnest Will, reflagging Kuwaiti tankers, and escorting them through the strait, essentially the same scenario they are talking about right now. We lost Bridgetton; not sunk, but a big big ship was hit. The Captain was furious with us. Then we almost lost a DD, a destroyer. Sadam Hussein shot another ship with two exocet missiles. And then we shot down an Iranian Airbus by accident from an AEegis cruiser Venzens and killed innocent civilians. And then Khamenei threw in the towel, saying he could not possibly fight both Iraq and the United States.
But I say that because that was then, and we had grievous difficulty in doing what we had to do. Then was then. Now they have learned multitudes of lessons. They have built all manner of defenses. They have consulted with people like the Russians and the Chinese. They are getting help right now from both of those countries.
Well, intelligence, don't they have? I think that's one of the reasons they've had such precision strikes is they have both Iranian Chinese satellites working on their behalf.
I think you're right. and we've made some demarches to Moscow over that. But I don't think Moscow gives a hang as long as Zelinsky is shooting Putin's oil facilities with his weaponry, they're not going to give a hang.
All to say, Iran's a lot better, a lot smarter, and resolute.
And when you listen to Aragchi, you get the resolution in spades. We are not going away. We are in your face. We don't trust you. You were duplicitus. You torpedoed negotiations not once but twice with military action in the middle of them. Why would we listen to you now?
I want to ask you about General Kaine. He's an Air Force officer. And as you well know, I once wrote a book, and John McCain and I wrote the introduction to the book, and it could not be radically different. It was a book on war, and I said that's because he was __ ft up in the air, and he doesn't have any idea what was happening on the ground. And Kaine comes out of the Air Force, while this is potentially a ground operation.
Well, you made your point with the fact it's an air operation. No bomb. What was it? They're trying to break the regime with an air operation, but it hasn't worked. So now they are contemplating a ground operation. LBJ once onvinced George Paul that we weren't going to win in Vietnam. That's my belief; I'm standing by it; I got the primary documents to prove it. And when LBJ was told about Rolling Thunder, I guess it was more bombs on North Vietnam than we dropped on Germany, he said, "Oh, Ho ain't gonna be moved by no bombs." He was right. And no country is going to be, they're just going to be made more resolute.
I walked into Powelll's office one day in a miff, and I closed the door, and I said, "General, we don't ever want to make an air force officer chairman of the joint chiefs of staff again." He looked at me and he said, "Why do you say that?" I said, "Because they don't understand ground warfare." He said, "You're right. We'll work hard on it." Facetious, but it's true. Kaine does not understand ground warfare. And the people who do understand ground warfare underneath him, and around him, are, I think, being either removed by Hegseth in the past six months or so, or are too timid to speak up to Kaine in a way that would be decisive, or convincing, or get them fired. Probably the latter. The one or two that have, the Navy three star for example. oddly enough Navy, who was director of the joint staff, I think that's the reason they sent him back to the fleet, is what Hegseth, said and maybe one or two other people. And I thought surely that this recent bruhaha with Hegseth with Randy George, the chief of staff of the army, and the chief chaplain, I figured that George was leaving because of this war, or had been fired because of his objections thereto. But what I'm hearing is it's all about -- and this makes sense, but not nearly as much as the war would, it's all about the breeder general promotion board that Hegseth interfered with, unprecedentedly interfered with, and kicked the two black officers, and the two women, off the promotion list. And that got George's goat.
He's the chief of staff, right, of the army?
Yeah. And then the chaplain was because Hegseth has demoralized the Chaplain Corps. He's eliminated a whole bunch of the diversity in the Chaplain Corps. We're down to Christians and Jews now, if you will, and taking their rank away really demoralized the Chaplain Corps. And they don't like these prayer meetings he's having every week in the Pentagon. So it wasn't so much over the war, but I got to believe that some of that was just staying in their guts, that they don't like this, especially the ground pounders, the soldiers.
Yeah, that rhetoric by Hegseth, as someone who spent many years in the Middle East, is just not playing well in the Muslim world, I can assure you.
It's insanity. And the tattoos are insanity, too. Yeah. Pound them back.
Aragchi had a wonderful comment. "'Pound us back to the stone age?' Does he know what we were in the stone age?'" Then he shows a map of the Persian Empire.
Where do you think we're headed?
I mean, clearly the Iranians will determine when this ends. They show very little sign of wanting a ceasefire or an agreement. I don't know why they would trust the Trump administration, because Trump attacks both in June, and now when they are negotiating, and will kill negotiating teams as he did with Hamas. So they can inflict a lot of pain.
I found Trump's speech kind of fascinating in that it just didn't make any sense, it was all over the place. Where do you think we're going? What's next? I know it's hard to predict, but I think Haaretz had it right in a headline about a week and a half ago or so, when it said all Iran has to do to win is not lose.
Right. The United States, to win, has to have a spectacular victory, and so does BB. So that's not going to occur. Iran is not going to lose. I think they'll fight till the last person standing. So it's disaster. I don't see any way we extract ourselves from this other than, as I said, having the wisdom to say something like, "Well, we won. We're out of here." But I don't see how we do that. Especially this man, Trump. I don't see how he does it.
Do you think they'll deploy ground troops?
They may try something small. They may, because as I said, we simply don't have the forces to try anything large, and certainly nothing large enough, which would take somewhere between -- and this goes back to my war game experience with Iran. And in some cases we used to have responsibility for the Persian Gulf in that area at Pacific Command when I was there. There wasn't any central command, except a little tiny colonel in Florida. We were the force provider for them. We were the planner for them. And when we were doing this, we estimated that --
Let me give you an example of a specific plan we were working on. You remember when the Russians invaded Afghanistan, and we military people, we thought this can't be about Afghanistan. It's got to be those warm water ports they want. So they're going to pour through Iran down to Bander Abbas, and Chabahar, and get their warm water ports. This is an age-old great game objective.
I just want to interject. My father was an intelligence officer in Iran during World War II, and they were doing precisely that, stopping the Russians.
Well, we started planning in the Zagris Mountains, and elsewhere, and we concluded we don't want to fight there. But we did come up with a plan, and it was __ million men, and it was probably years, and investing Iraq was not part of it. That is to say, we weren't planning on occupying the country, but we were planning on keeping enough forces there to have the country meet our interest, if you will. And that costs a lot of money. Fast forward to today, it would be somewhere around __ trillion dollars. And we don't have those men. And if we had a draft, half of our __ year old cohort would go to Mexico or Canada overnight. Not to mention the fact that it would be a very costly conflict.
Yes. Very, in blood and treasure. So is it is your best guess that perhaps if we do see something on the ground, it would first be an attempt by special forces to hit suspected uranium sites, or do you think that they will try and take some of these islands, or what is your feeling?
I think it'll be small, and I think it'll be aimed at a precise target, or target set. It might be the uranium, it might be Kharg Island, it might be somewhere else we're not even thinking about right now. But first of all, I don't think it'll be very successful, and second, I think it's going to get some Americans killed.
Yeah.
And we already have more deaths than you know about.
Well, that's the other thing I wanted to ask you. Oftentimes in war the casualty figures are not released in real time.
They are never released in real time really. I mean, look at the battle of the bulls, the German counter offensive in the Arden, with __ plus casualties. And New York papers in Washington, what they call the other Washington paper at that time --
Washington Star --
Was it Star? Yeah, and they had a morning and an afternoon edition. They didn't carry those casualties. Eisenhower wouldn't allow it. You can't shock the American people that way. But today, the American people aren't ready for many casualties at all. So, you have to be very careful. You remember Rumsfeld? Rumsfeld was really uneasy about letting these numbers out of the bag as it were. When the insurgency started, and anybody around here says "insurgency," he'll fire them. Right. There there's no insurgency.
The other thing they put a ban on was when the remains were returned at Dover, they couldn't recover them.
Do you have any sense of where we are in terms of casualties? Any guess?
I think we're well over a hundred, and it includes some civilians that got injured in the fracas in Qatar, and Prince Sultan. I don't know how many casualties are Saudi, or Bahraini, or whatever. Probably quite a few. And this business of sending these people back to Norfolk with nothing but a kitbag is typical Navy. But the Navy really isn't to blame in the sense that nobody gave them any NEO, non-combatant evacuation operation instructions. And I'm sure that they didn't do that, if they even thought about it. It might be that they're just totally incompetent. But if they didn't think about it at all, it probably was because we have not filled about __ % of the embassy staffs in that region with Donald Trump. We don't have ambassadors in those countries. And secondly, they didn't want to give warning. You know, if you do a NEO, you're giving your enemy warning.
Yeah. Great. Thank you, Larry. And I want to thank Max, Sophia, uh, and Thomas who produced the show. You can find me at chrisedges.substack.com.
Trump Fails In War: 1500 US Troops Flee Bahrain As Iran Bombards Israel, America's Arab Friends Hindustan Times Apr 4, 2026
Signs of strain are emerging in the U.S. military posture as evacuations from key Gulf bases raise questions about the war’s trajectory. Following repeated Iranian missile and drone strikes, hundreds of sailors and families were reportedly rushed out of Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. Satellite images showed visible damage, while accounts described hurried exits with minimal belongings. Even as Washington projects strength, intelligence assessments suggest Iran retains significant strike capability. The developments are fueling speculation over whether the U.S. is recalibrating its strategy amid rising risks in the region.
Transcript
As Iran keeps striking back and US bases come under fire, is a visibly shaken Trump now quietly planning an exit from the Iran war he said he could control as missiles tied to Majaba Kame's command slam into Gulf bases. Is Trump's first instinct now to rush sailors and families home rather than dig in? When hundreds of sailors and their families flee Bahrain in hurry-up evacuations, does it look like Washington is bracing for a longer war or edging toward the exits? And all this is happening while US intelligence quietly admits Iran is still poised to wreak absolute havoc across the region with what it has left. After a month of USIsraeli strikes, if roughly half of Iran's missile launchers and drones are still loaded, has the air war really changed tan's core capabilities? As Majaba's IRGC missiles find their mark on US bases in the Gulf, Trump is scrambling to get exposed troops and families to safety as fast as planes can fly. [music] Reports say the US has already begun emergency evacuations of sailors and military families from key bases across the Middle East. According to NPR, hundreds of sailors were pulled out after Iranian missile and drone attacks hammered the US fifth fleet base in Bahrain. The Bahrain facility, home to the US Navy's fifth fleet, was hit multiple times in the early days of the war, proving how vulnerable it sits to Iranian fire. That base lies only about 124 nautical miles from Iran's coast, well within range of the missiles and drones Thran has been firing. Satellite images from late February to early March show at least seven buildings at or near the base damaged by the barges. NPR reports that roughly 1,500 sailors, family members, and even pets have already been relocated back to the United States. Some evacuees were routed first through Italy and Germany before being assigned to new stateside bases. Many arrived in America with only what they could stuff into a backpack after being told to leave in a matter of hours. Officials acknowledge evacuations at other regional facilities as well, though the full list and numbers remain undisclosed. American Legion Post Vice Commander Keith Shenzy said, and I quote, "They literally told them, "Get what you can get in a backpack. You've got to go. They came with no uniforms, nothing, just the clothes on their back." unquote. Before the US launched its first major strikes on Iran on February 28th, around 8,000 people were stationed at the Bahrain base, underscoring how big the footprint was. US intelligence now assesses that Iran's missile and drone power is far from destroyed, warning that weeks of strikes have not broken its ability to hit back across the region. The assessment says roughly half of Iran's missile launchers are still intact even after weeks of heavy US and Israeli strikes on its military infrastructure. CNN reported this US intelligence warning, citing multiple anonymous sources who described Iran's remaining firepower as a serious ongoing threat. The same assessment says Iran still has thousands of one-way attack drones in its arsenal, giving it plenty of capacity for further waves of trikes. One source warned that Iran is still very much poised to wreak havoc throughout the Middle East with enough missiles and drones left to sustain the conflict. Roughly half of Iran's missile launchers remain intact despite 5 weeks of USIsraeli strikes. Thousands of one-way attack drones have survived, leaving around 50% of Iran's drone arsenal still in play. A large share of Iran's coastal defense cruise missiles is intact, keeping the Strait of Hormuz under threat. Iran's launchers and cruise missiles have been moved underground into tunnels and caves, complicating US targeting. The IRGC Navy retains roughly half its power with hundreds, if not thousands, of small boats and unmanned vessels left. An intelligence source says Iran can still wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region despite heavy losses. The intel report says Iran's military has been degraded and key leaders killed, including KA and security chief Ali Larajani. 4 minutesSentcom says US forces have hit more than 12,300 targets inside Iran since the war began, underscoring the scale of the ongoing air and missile campaign. Pentagon chief Pete Hegth says Iranian ballistic missile and kamicazi drone attacks are down about 90%, pointing to what he calls major progress in degrading Iran's strike power. Pentagon spokesperson Shawn Parnell has dismissed reports about Iran's remaining capabilities as completely wrong, insisting Tyrron is far weaker than some intelligence leaks suggest. Israeli officials put the share of Iran's remaining operational launchers even lower, estimating that only about 20 to 25% are still able to fire after weeks of strikes. Trump said US operations in Iran could be wrapped up in 2 to 3 weeks. suggesting the war was entering its final phase and could be brought to a close quickly. We totally obliterated those nuclear sites. The regime then sought to rebuild their nuclear program at a totally different location, making clear they had no intention of abandoning their pursuit of nuclear weapons. They were also rapidly building a vast stockpile of conventional ballistic missiles and would soon have had missiles that could reach the American homeland, Europe, and virtually any other place on Earth. Iran's strategy was so obvious. They wanted to produce as many missiles as possible, and they did with the longest range possible. And they had some weapons that nobody believed they had. We just learned that out. We took them out. We took them all out so that no one would really dare stop them. And their race for a nuclear bomb, a nuclear weapon, a nuclear weapon like nobody's ever seen before. They were right at the doorstep. For years, everyone has said that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. But in the end, those are just words if you're not willing to take action when the time comes. As I stated in my announcement of Operation Epic Fury, our objectives are very simple and clear. We are systematically dismantling the regime's ability to threaten America or project power outside of their borders. That means eliminating Iran's navy, which is now absolutely destroyed, hurting their air force and their missile program at levels never seen before, and annihilating their defense industrial base. We've done all of it. Their navy is gone, their air force is gone. Their missiles are just about used up or beaten. Taken together, these actions will [ __ ] Iran military, crush their ability to support terrorist proxies, and deny them the ability to build a nuclear bomb. Our armed forces have been extraordinary. There's never been anything like it militarily. Everyone is talking about it. And tonight, I'm pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion. As we celebrate this progress, we think especially of the 13 American warriors who have laid down their lives in this fight to prevent our children from ever having to face a nuclear Iran. Twice this past month, I have traveled to Dover Air Force Base, and it's been something. I wanted to be with those heroes as they return to American soil. and I was with them and their families, their parents, their wives, the husbands. We salute them. And now we must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives. And every single one of the people, their loved ones said, "Please, sir, please finish the job." Every one of them. And we are going to finish the job. And we're going to finish it very fast. We're getting very close. I want to thank our allies in the Middle East, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. They've been great, and we will not let them get hurt or fail in any way, shape, or form. Many Americans have been concerned to see the recent rise in gasoline prices here at home. This short-term increase has been entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers and neighboring countries that have nothing to do with the conflict. This is yet more proof that Iran can never be trusted with nuclear weapons. They will use them and they will use them quickly. It would lead to decades of extortion, economic pain, and instability worse than we can ever imagine. The United States has never been better prepared economically to confront this threat. You all know that we built the strongest economy in history.
Handala Avenges Khamenei? Israel's Elite Spy Unit 9900 Data Leaked: Netanyahu Compromised In War? Hindustan Times Apr 4, 2026
A hacker group named Handala claims it has exposed the identities of dozens of senior Israeli intelligence officials linked to Unit 9900, one of Israel’s most advanced geospatial intelligence divisions. The alleged leak includes details of around 50 officers involved in satellite imagery analysis, drone surveillance, and battlefield planning. While the claims remain unverified, the incident raises serious concerns about cyber warfare escalation and the security of intelligence personnel amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Transcript
Pro-resistance hackers claim a major breach of Israel's elite intelligence network, compromising sensitive operational data. Handala announces it unmasked dozens of top Israeli intelligence officers through the extensive data extraction. Around 50 members of Elite Unit 9900 allegedly exposed in what hackers describe as a massive coordinated leak. Israel's critical eyes in the sky unit sustains direct hit with core strike planning capabilities now targeted in emerging cyber warfare front strategic leaks prove more devastating than conventional missiles against key infrastructure. Handala has claimed it exposed the identities of dozens of senior Israeli intelligence officials including those working in sensitive cyber and surveillance roles. The hacker group further claimed it published details of about 50 officers serving in the Israeli military's unit 9900, a highly specialized unit within the armed forces. Unit 9900 is regarded as one of the most advanced geospatial intelligence divisions in the world, handling complex analysis of visual and satellite data. The unit plays a key role in processing satellite imagery, drone surveillance footage, and highly detailed 3D terrain mapping for operational planning. Unit 9900 is believed to support reconnaissance missions, battlefield awareness, and the targeting component of many strike operations carried out by Israel. Some reports suggest its intelligence products have been used in high-profile operations, including precision strikes and targeted actions in conflict zones. If verified, the leak would represent one of the most significant exposures of Unit 9,900's personnel data in recent years. The group framed the disclosure as a symbolic blow to the Israeli intelligence systems perceived myth of invincibility and technological superiority. Exposure of personnel identities could raise serious security concerns for those operating undercover or working on sensitive overseas missions. The hackers also portrayed the leak as a warning to individuals and agencies involved in cyber and intelligence warfare, particularly against Palestinian and regional actors. However, there has been no independent confirmation of the exact scale authenticity of the claims and Israeli authorities have not yet provided detailed public verification. Recall that just days ago, an Iranbacked hacking group also targeted Israel's air defense network during the ongoing war, highlighting the expanding digital front. On April 2nd, the Halala activist group announced it had breached a company directly tied to Israel's air defense systems. The group says it hacked PSK Wind Technologies, described as a key designer and operator of Israel's integrated command and control networks. Handala claims it gained full access to data on Israeli command centers and critical defense infrastructure, not just a few stray files. The leaked material allegedly includes blueprints of communication systems and operational details of Israel's air defense network. The hackers say they have already passed this intelligence to resistance missile units to help plan future strikes with greater precision. In its statement, Handala warns that Israeli defense networks will no longer enjoy the level of security they once took for granted. The group calls this hack the beginning of the collapse of Israel's false sense of security, framing it as a psychological as well as technical blow. Handala also warns that no military system, however advanced, will remain safe from future cyber attacks by the so-called resistance axis. In its statement, Handala said, "Israeli command centers and defense infrastructure will no longer enjoy their previous level of security. Future resistance operations can be planned and carried out based on the intelligence obtained in this attack. This is only the beginning of the collapse of Israel's false sense of security. No system, regardless of its technical sophistication or militarygrade design, is immune to the cyber capabilities of the resistance." This cyber claim comes right after Iran linked missile strikes physically damaged a major cloud facility in Bahrain on April 1st. A Financial Times cited report says Amazon's cloud computing infrastructure in Bahrain was hit and set on fire in that Iranian attack. Iran's guards had already threatened to go after US tech giants, naming Google, Apple, Microsoft, and others as part of their wider retaliation playbook. The PSK wind breach comes barely a week after Handala went after US security infrastructure, showing how its footprint is spreading from Washington to the Gulf and now into Israel's air defense brain. On March 27th, the proan propalestinian group Handala claimed it had breached FBI director Cash Patel's personal email account. The hackers then posted personal photos and documents online, crowning Patel as their latest high-profile target. The dump included images of Patel smoking cigars, writing in a convertible, and posing with bottles of rum, clearly meant to embarrass him. A US Justice Department official has confirmed his inbox was compromised and said the data appears authentic. The leaked cash is said to mix personal notes with work-related emails stretching from about 2010 to 2019. Handala calls itself a pro Palestinian vigilante crew, but Western researchers trace it to Iranian cyber units like Void Manticor. And recently claimed a massive hit on US medical tech giant Striker, saying it wiped more than 200,000 systems and exfiltrated tens of terabytes of data. Cyber researchers see Handala as just one online persona fronting for Iranian state-backed cyber spies. Separate reports say top US defense contractor Loheed Martin has also been breached by proaron hackers tied to the same ecosystem. The group claims to have 6 minutesaccessed sensitive data on 28 senior Loheed engineers working inside Israel. Those engineers were allegedly warned to leave Israel within or face unspecified danger to their homes. Andala's statement urged Lockheed staff to halt all cooperation with Israel's military machine altogether. together. for the good of our nation. Let's work together and let's truly make America great again. The fastest news breaks requested PM saying that we will lab to speak to Putin and to Zalinski. The biggest news makers. The relationship with India is probably the most important bilateral relationship the US will have for the rest of this century. The capital delivered quite an election result today. Expert analysis. The milliondoll question today is how to stop this dance of death. Ground reports. I'm standing at the crossroad of the Kuma. 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BREAKING: THEY JUST DID IT... And Trump LIED!! Harry Sisson Apr 4, 2026
Harry Sisson reacts to the late night breaking news in Iran about an American troop being rescued.
Transcript
All right, folks. We have some fantastic breaking news in the middle of the night. It is 12:45 in the morning when I am filming this, but the second American lost in Iran has been rescued. He was an American that was part of this F-15 fighter jet that was downed in Iranian territory, deep in Iranian territory. One got rescued yesterday. The second just got rescued now. And Donald Trump has already put out a statement about it, and he somewhat lied in the statement, which we will talk about in just a moment. But I want to give you the latest on this story because it's truly great news. Seeing an American in Iran get rescued who really shouldn't have been there in the first place, but seeing an American get rescued regardless is fantastic. So, let's get into it. This is from the New York Times. Commando saved crew member of US war plane shot down deep in Iran. An Air Force officer whose fighter jet had been shot down in Iran was rescued by US special operation forces in a risky Saturday night mission that took commandos deep into enemy territory, said current and former US officials briefed on the operation. The rescued followed a life ordeath race between US and Iranian forces that stretched over two days to reach the injured airman who was a weapons officer. The official said in the end, US commandos extracted the officer in a massive operation that involved hundreds of special operations troops. There was no US casualties, which is fantastic among the rescue team. A senior US military official said all the commandos and the weapons officer returned safely. Crucial. Rescue planes flew to Kuwait to treat the injured weapons officer. So, that is fantastic news. And of course, according to these sources, this was a very, very complex operation that took the rescue team deep into Iran. And there was some fighting on the ground during these rescue operations for the first and the second airmen. But thankfully, they were rescued. The two crew members of the F-15E Strike Eagle, the first lost to enemy fire in the month-long war, had been ejected from the cockpit on Friday after Iran's military struck their plane. The jet's pilot was quickly rescued, but its weapon system officer could not be found, which was the second American, setting off an urgent search with major consequences for President Donald Trump. And the war the United States and Israel launched on February 28th, finding the down airmen who had been hiding with little more than a pistol as defense had been the US military's highest priority over the last . And this is the latest from Fox News, who reported on this, of course, in the middle of the night. This is a Fox News alert. John Richson live in New York. The missing crew member from the F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iranian territory Friday has been rescued after an hourslong search. There was reportedly a heavy firefight before the crew members were taken safely out of Iranian territory. For now and more on this, we go to our chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin on the phone who's confirmed and reporting on the details of all of this. Jennifer Rich, that's right. I can confirm that the second crew member of the downed F-15E fighter jet has been rescued and that he and the members of the rescue team that extracted him from behind enemy lines in Iran are all safely out of Iran. That is according to two senior US officials and multiple well-placed sources in the region. Wow. Good. And then we have some more here on the specifics of everything. That is according to two senior US officials and multiple well-placed sources in the region. The weapon systems officer we're told ejected along with the pilot when their F-15E Strike Eagle went down. They were flying and they were struck on Thursday night. There's been a for the last there's been a manhunt for the weapons systems officer who used sear training survival evasion resistance and escape training to evade capture. He hid on an elevated ridge after hiking away from the wreckage and put out an emergency beacon. But it took these last two days for uh the rescue teams to actually reach him. Um because there were so many Iranians trying to also reach him. They the Iran Iran had put out a um a reward for finding the American. Uh I understand there was a massive firefight uh as well as a number of aircraft that had to be destroyed. Uh we reported on Friday that two helicopters as part of the rescue efforts were were hit and some of the crew members on those rescue helicopters were injured. Uh we also now know more details about the A10 Warthog that crashed on Friday in Kuwait. It was part of the rescue mission. It was flying cover and uh firing suppressive cover uh to try and keep the crowds away both from the the wreckage as well as uh to protect the the airman who was hiding in that what we now know was an elevated ridge. Um but right now we are told that a lot of the details will not be coming out because it was such a complex mission and um but we can report now that both the second crew member of that F-15E and all of the rescue teams are safely out of Iran. Rich Jenn has to be a movie about this one day. I mean that is fantastic that this soldier has been rescued. I can only imagine how complex things were behind the scenes. I mean, they had to go deep into Iranian territory in a mountainous region that, you know, I imagine was pretty difficult. And there's a couple of points I do want to make here that first and foremost, I'm happy that an American has been rescued. But second, I do think in conjunction with this story, it's important to remember the broader point that this war should not be happening in the first place. Donald Trump should not gotten of gotten us into this position where we had to do this very risky rescue mission. And thankfully nobody was injured. There are no casualties. But it couldn't have it could have gotten even worse because of Donald Trump. Because of him keeping us in this war. We shouldn't have been here. We don't have to be here. And Donald Trump yet is still continuing this war. Still continuing and escalating by the day. So this war shouldn't have happened in the first place. And second of all, Donald Trump is already taking credit for this operation. He's already taking credit for this rescue, which is absurd because we know that Donald Trump has no idea what he's doing. We know that Donald Trump has no idea what he's talking about when it comes to the military. He is clueless. He's an idiot when it comes to the military and the operations. And he doesn't deserve the credit. It's the brave men and women in the military who did this operation, who are actually on the ground conducting it, rescuing this soldier who deserve the credit. And as I mentioned, Donald Trump put out a statement where of course he is taking credit. He said, "We got him. My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States military pulled off one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history for one of our incredible crew member officers who also happens to be a highly respected colonel and who I'm thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound. This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being 7 minuteshunted down by our enemies who were getting closer and closer by the hour. But was never truly alone because his commander-in-chief, Secretary of Defense, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow war fighters were monitoring his location for a day and diligently planning for his rescue. You know, this is just like like again, great news that this person has been rescued, this soldier has been rescued. But this is such a Trump statement where he really tries to loop himself in his administration in at any opportunity to get credit. He's saying, you know, I was always by his side. You know, Pete Hexth was always by his side. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs was always by his side. That I believe the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. But Donald Trump and Pete Hexath, I'm just not so sure. At my direction, the US military sent dozens of aircraft armed with the most lethal weapons in the world to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but we be just fine. And this miraculous search and rescue operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave pilot yesterday, which we did not confirm because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. But this was confirmed in the media. This is the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been rescued separately deep in enemy territory. We will never leave an American war fighter behind. Uh debatable with Donald Trump. The military won't. They have that motto of no man left behind. Donald Trump, on the other hand, does have a history of just completely disregarding our service members and has shown that in the Middle East as well in this war. The fact we were able to pull off both of these operations without a single American killed or even wounded just proves once again we've achieved overwhelming air dominance and superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that all Americans, Republicans, Democrats, and everyone else should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional and lethal military in the history of the world. God bless America. God bless our troops and happy Easter to all. Now, two final things I want to comment on here. He keeps saying we we we were able to pull this. Who's we? You You were not doing that. Donald Trump was not on the ground with a with a firearm searching in these hills. He was not flying any of these jet. It's not we. It's them. You he he's really trying to take credit away from the American service members who did this. And he's trying to again insert himself into the equation when Donald Trump played a very small part, if any. I'm sure he authorized the planes as he said, but it's not we. It's not we. And finally, he also says that we've achieved overwhelming air dominance and superiority over the Iranian skies. If that were the truth, this plane would have never been downed in the first place and the straight of four moves would be open. Donald Trump somehow is lying in this post, which is baffling to me for I think any rational human who's thinking about what just happened, the rescue of an American, and Donald Trump finds a way to number one make it about himself and number two lie in the post announcing it. It's like such a Trump thing. But anyway, I wanted to bring you this news as immediately as soon as we got it. And uh I appreciate you being here. Let me know in the comments what you think about this. Another American save, which is fantastic. I hope he's able to go home to his family and his loved ones and get treated for any of the injuries. Just, you know, get him out of there. He's done his service, right? So, make sure to subscribe down below. Drop a like on the video. Comment. Let me know what you think about this story. As I always say, I greatly appreciate you and I hope you have an amazing rest of your day.
Mojtaba Shows Armed Women Fighters As Trump Eyes Hormuz, Warning US Marines Of Fierce Battle | Iran Hindustan Times Apr 4, 2026
Iran has sent a powerful message as tensions with the U.S. escalate over the Strait of Hormuz. A video showing armed women training with rifles has gone viral, signaling a nation prepared for total defence. The clip emerged just after Donald Trump floated plans to seize Iran’s oil and reopen Hormuz, intensifying rhetoric. With U.S. troop deployments rising but still far below invasion levels, analysts warn any ground operation could prove extremely costly. From mass mobilisation to symbolic displays, Tehran is projecting readiness for a prolonged and difficult conflict.
Transcript
As Trump talks openly about oil, hormuz, and regime change, is Iran now replying with a farer message that whole layers of its society are ready to bleed for that fight? If Trump thinks the worst is over after weeks of strikes, has he actually seen nothing yet from Iran's layered ground forces, which are built to fight long after the missiles stop flying? When Thran releases haunting clips of women training with assault rifles, is it warning US Marines that the people waiting on shore will not all be men in uniform? And with a challenge, do you really know Iranian women? Is Iran sending a direct threat that any American landing force could find armed civilians on every street? By flashing footage of women with assault rifles, is tan trying to turn them into the new frontline symbol of a nation gearing up for total defense. As Trump talks about seizing oil and opening Hormuz, Iran is replying not with policy papers, but with footage of armed women who say they are ready to fight. One video shared by Iran's consulate in Mumbai shows women training with assault rifles. The caption pointedly warns Iran's enemies and asks, "Do you really know Iranian women?" Turning the clip into a direct psychological shot at US forces. The timing is no accident. The clip dropped just a day after President Trump threatened Iran over its oil and control of the Hormuz choke point. On April 3rd, Donald Trump said the US could open hormuz, take the oil, and make a fortune, openly tying military action to potential spoils. He described it as a potential gusher for the world, hinting that seizing Iranian oil could be sold as both strategic and profitable. He then doubled down with another post, keep the oil, anyone, pushing the rhetoric from deterrence toward outright resource grab. Meanwhile, Iran has effectively blocked the straight of Hormuz, disrupting a route that normally carries around a fifth of the world's oil. Washington has promised for weeks that it will reopen Hormuz, but so far that plan exists more in speeches and interviews than in executed operations. On March 27th, the US sent about 3,500 Marines and sailors aboard the USS Tripoli into the region as a visible ramp up. Those forces join thousands already in place, pushing total US troop numbers in the broader theater above roughly 50,000. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is now on station as part of what the Pentagon calls expanded options if Trump orders a move. Washington has also flown in around 2,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, adding a fast deploy ground punch. Behind closed doors, officials are reportedly weighing whether to send those forces toward a ground move to seize Kag Island, Iran's key oil hub. But military experts caution that even 50,000 troops are far too few for fully invading a country as large and complex as Iran. Iran's vast size, a population around 93 million and rugged terrain make any talk of long-term occupation an extremely hard proposition. Analysts point out that the 003 invasion of Iraq, involved roughly 250,000 coalition troops. many times more than the US has in theater today. So, as Trump weighs his next move, Iran is working just as hard to project the image of an entire nation ready for total defense. From women holding rifles on camera to layered ground forces offcreen, Tan's message is simple. Any war over hormuz and oil will be long, bloody, and costly for whoever tries to come in.
WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue. At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!
April 04, 2026 10:08 PM
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Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran. The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close. He is a highly respected Colonel. This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to “man and equipment.” It just doesn’t happen! The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran. An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all! I will be having a News Conference, with the Military, at the Oval Office, on Monday, at 1:00 P.M. God Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Apr 05, 2026, 5:52 AM
*******
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP
Iran claims to inflict heavy losses on US military; Trump flaunts pilot’s rescue | Janta Ka Reporter Janta Ka Reporter Apr 5, 2026
US President Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to announce the rescue of the second crew member, a colonel, from a downed F-15E fighter jet in Iran. In contrast, the Iranian military claims to have downed two American C-130 transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters during the operation. Trump has also repeated his ultimatum to Iran, warning that the U.S. will target the country's bridges and power plants on a designated "Power Plant Day" this Tuesday if the Islamic Republic does not immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Rifat Jawaid examines the competing claims and escalating tensions between Trump and Iran.
Transcript
Last night or early morning if you happen to live in Europe, Africa or Asia, Donald Trump announced the rescue of a second crew member of an F- fighter jet from Iran. He took to social media to hail it as a huge American military achievement. But what he didn't tell you were the heavy losses suffered by the Americans as a result of the ferocious Iranian attack. This is what is making the US military generals extremely jittery about a possible ground invasion of Iran. This will be the broad focus of my video today. Also in this video, a new Iranian Lego clip capturing the recent American military losses in Iran. So, please stay tuned and happy Easter to everyone who is celebrating this festival. The deranged occupant of the White House, Donald Trump, dominated social media conversations over the weekend as many people discussed his health condition following reports that he had been admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. Of course, the White House did not comment on these speculations. Therefore, it's difficult to say anything convincingly about Trump's health. But his disappearance from public engagement since Friday did raise some eyebrows. Trump didn't even do a media interaction, which he always does on Fridays before leaving for Mara Lago. However, late into Saturday night, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce the recovery of the second crew member of the downed F-fighter jet from Iran. He wrote, and I quote, "From President Donald J. Trump. We got him. My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States military pulled off one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history for one of our incredible crew member officers who also happens to be a highly respected colonel and who I'm thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound. This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran being hunted down by our enemies who were getting closer and closer by the hour. But was never truly alone because his commander-in-chief, Secretary of War, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and fellow war fighters were monitoring his location hours a day and diligently planning for his rescue. At my direction, the US military sent dozens of aircraft armed with the most lethal weapons in the world to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous search and rescue operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave pilot yesterday, which we did not confirm because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been rescued separately deep in enemy territory. We will never leave an American war fighter behind. The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations without a single American killed or even wounded just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming air dominance and superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that all Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal military in the history of the world. God bless America. God bless our troops and happy Easter to all." End quote. Though there was something unusual about this social media post by Donald Trump. They started with the sentence from President Donald J. Trump. I don't remember him ever starting his social media post in the third person unless of course someone else has written this post on his behalf. This would further fuel social media speculations about his health conditions. Anyway, returning to his social media post, what this did not reveal were the heavy losses suffered by the US military as claimed by the Iranians. In fact, Fox News kind of gave it away in the immediate aftermath of the rescue operation when its reporters spoke about the serious injuries sustained by the rescue crew member as a result of firing from the Iranians and also the fact that the US military had lost at least two aircraft. Listen to Fox News's chief national security correspondent, Jennifer Griffin. Uh, we don't know the condition of the airmen at this point. I can tell you that uh the injuries uh are likely to be uh serious. Uh we know that uh that the uh that the pilot still remains in the region getting treatment. That suggests to me that the medical condition of the pilot is such that he cannot travel onto land stool yet. Um must be stabilized before you can can do that. So uh this is still a very serious situation. a number of of US service members were injured during the rescue mission. We knew on Friday that two of the uh military helicopters were struck by enemy fire uh as part of that rescue mission. And then we now we know more details about the A-Wartthog that crashed on Friday. that A-Wartthog was providing suppressive fire and flying cover for the rescue operation as they were trying to find this uh they were in a race against the clock to find this second airman who had ejected from the plane and was hiding in in that ridge line. Um but we know that that Warthog crashed in Kuwait and the pilot of that plane also had to eject and be rescued. Um, but he is safe as well, I'm told. And, um, good news tonight. Uh, but I think when when all is said and done and we learn the details of this rescue mission, it really will be, uh, the stuff of Hollywood. Within hours, the Iranian media released the video of the burned wreckage of fighter jets and helicopters from Isvahan. They claimed that this was the wreckage of two burned USCrefueling planes and two military helicopters. Now, if true, this is a further blow to the Americans given that the Ctransport planes have at least three to four military personnel on board. Watch this Sky News reporter here. In Donald Trump's truth social post, he says, um, you know, we got away with this scot-free basically. But we're now hearing from Iranian state media that a Cwas shot down as part of that search and rescue process. Now, a C transport or refueling planes. They are the big ones that we saw on video refueling two black helicopters in the on Friday in the first day of the search. This is obviously coming from Iranian state media quoting a police commander in the Isfahan region um saying that they'd shot down a C Now there are three or four crew members at least on those kinds of planes. Whether that is or is not the case, you know, we don't know. We can only take Iranian state media's word for it. Um but that is something that we will have to see whether it is confirmed. I think Donald Trump never lets the truth get in the way of a good truth social post. The IRGC's Kathmal Amba Brigade spokesperson released a statement mocking the US rescue operation of its crew member.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE SO-CALLED RESCUE OPERATION OF THE US ARMY, WAS WRITTEN AS A DECEPTION AND ESCAPE OPERATION UNDER THE PRETEXT OF RESCUING THE PILOT OF ITS DOWNED PLANE AT AN ABANDONED AIRPORT, ENDED IN COMPLETE FAILURE WITH THE TIMELY PRESENCE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN. IT WAS DETERMINED IN ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATIONS, TWO C-130 MILITARY TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT AND TWO WERE DESTROYED BY THE FULFILLMENT OF THE DIVINE PROMISE AND THE HELP OF ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY AND THE FIRE OF THE HOLY WRATH OF THE ARMIES OF ISLAM, THIS ACTION INCREASED THE LEVEL OF SUCCESSIVE FAILURES OF THE US ARMY. IT WAS PROVEN TO EVERYONE THAT THE WEAK AND BANKRUPT US ARMY IS NOT CONSIDERED A DOMINANT AND SUPERIOR FORCE IN THIS IMPOSED WAR AGAINST THE DIVINE WILL OF THE ARMED FORCES FOLLOWING THIS ARROGANT AND VICTORIOUS OPERATION, THE DEFEATED US PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO ESCAPE THE BATTLE OF DEFEAT THROUGH CONFUSION AND LIES THROUGH PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE, CONTINUES HIS RUMORS AND PROJECTIONS AS IN THE PAST. ALTHOUGH THE REALITY OF THE FIELD OF SELF-PROCLAIMED SUPERIORITY IS THE POWERFUL ARMED FORCES OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN. AND VICTORY IS ONLY FROM ALLAH, THE MIGHTY, THE WISE.
The US military for its part claims to have destroyed two Cplanes to ensure that they were not captured by the Iranians. Meanwhile, Trump has just posted on truth social again warning to blow up Iranian power plants if they did not end the blockade of the state of Hormos by Tuesday. He wrote and I quote, "Tuesday will be power plant day and bridge day. All wrapped up in one in Iran. There will be nothing like it. Open the effing straight, you crazy bastards, or you will be living in hell. Just watch. Praise be to Allah. President Donald J. Trump. End quote. Top generals of the US military have already been uncomfortable about continuing with Trump's madness regarding Iran because they saw how this would end in an epic disaster. Trump was quick to sack anyone who appeared to or even reportedly opposed his slavery to Israeli war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump would rather get rid of his top generals than face a challenge to his subjugation to a foreign settler colony called Israel. Listen to this military affairs reporter from the Washington Post on CNN. There are thousands of troops deployed to the Middle East right now as we all wait to see if the US is going to commence with a ground operation in Iran. Is there a sense that there's any confidence that there's a well give us the sense of confidence in HEGs leadership among those who are directly impacted in the US military? I think it's pretty divided. Um I I don't think by any means it's it's universally against. There are there are people who really kind of buy into his lethality uh rhetoric. Uh but there is significant concern that he's uh perhaps not fully appreciating the gravity of this situation particularly when you look at things today like the pilot down on the ground. This is something that was a foreseeable circumstance in a serious uh campaign with numerous aircraft up against a country that also has anti-aircraft. Now, this explains why Europe has chosen to stay away from joining Trump and his Israeli boss Netanyahu in this illegal war against Iran. There are reports that French President Emanuel Macron could even have struck a secret deal to have his ship pass through the state of Hormos by paying a toll to the Iranians in the Chinese currency. Watch this epic encounter between CNN's Becky Anderson and French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confablu. This would give you a good idea on what France may be doing behind the scenes. A Frenchowned vessel navigated the straight of Hormuse on Thursday. According to tracking data, did the French government or any French representatives coordinate with Iran about that ship? Well, I leave it to the to the company. It's called CSGM which is indeed a French a French company and to communicate on that I won't have much uh commentaries on it but it shows what is important is that this situation uh cannot last we need to have this restoration of the freedom of navigation in as soon as possible because our world economy depend on it. So Iran does appear to have implemented a de facto toll system at this point. So you must know whether a fee was paid for the friendship to pass. Yeah. Once again, I won't I won't be uh more more precise on this. It's really for the for the company to say how it's uh how it did it and how it communicates uh on this. But it's extremely important to have uh this restoration of the of the straight of form. We are doing national measures to uh moderate the prices uh in France but we have to go and have the solution at the root and the root is a straight of meanwhile Iran has retaliated against the Israeli and US strikes on his civilian infrastructure. Iran fired more ballistic missiles targeting the Tel Aviv and Naggev areas of Israel. Explosions were also heard in Kuwait as it emerged that the Americans were using the Kuwaiti base to launch missiles against Iran. I will leave you with another Lego video from Iran. This one mocks the downing of US F-fighter jet and the Americans failed rescue operation. These guys ability to respond to going sun in Iran is more impressive than my own ability to respond to breaking news from the region. Yeah, you sent the jets. We sent them down. Rescue fell. Now you're losing clowns. No cease fire. Watch this. Jet down. Jet down. Jet down. Jet down. Trump screaming. Losing ground. Losing ground. Rescue mission. More birds gone. hours we said no carry on carry on jet down lighting raw jet down no cease fire we strike back all night long you thought your fines on the sky we locked on target made two more fly one rescue one still lost in the dust rescue choppers running out of turn in the rust from talking finish the job on TV but every j you send is a gift back to me You beg for Thought we need a stop. We laughed in your face. Keep taking the L. Pop pop. Jet down. Jet down. Jet down. Jet down. Trump screaming. Losing ground. Losing ground. Rescue mission. More birds gone. In hours we said no. Carry on. Carry on. down. Ling down. No cease fire. We strike back all night long. Sacred defense. Lion still flying high. You lose my planes, we own the sky. That's it for me. Thank you very much for your support of this platform and our journalism. If you haven't subscribed to my channel, please do so because that's one of the many ways you can support independent journalism. God bless you all.
US aircraft destroyed during the American mission to find a stranded airman in Iran, April 5, 2026.
Iran's downing of two American warplanes marks one of the rarest direct attacks on US forces in more than 20 years, a report said.
The last time a US warplane was shot down by enemy fire in combat was an A-10 Thunderbolt II during the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, according to retired US Air Force general and former F-16 fighter pilot, Houston Cantwell, the Associated Press reported.
He said the US has been "flying combat missions" in Iran over the past five weeks, and US invading jets and drones "are being shot at every day."
On Friday, Iran shot down a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet in an attack that left the two pilots missing.
According to Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran program senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank, it is possible that Iran fired at the F-15 with a surface-to-air missile.
Taleblu said it is also more likely that a portable, shoulder-fired missile was used in downing the warplane.
A US A-10 attack aircraft also crashed after being hit by Iranian Armed Forces. The Iranian Army also managed to shoot down two Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 transport plane early Sunday morning.
According to the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the enemy flying objects came under fire during a desperate mission to retrieve the pilot of the F-15 jet.
In a separate statement, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) also confirmed that its forces have destroyed several US warplanes that were conducting a desperate mission to rescue the pilot.
The US, the IRGC said, "once again suffered a humiliating defeat."
US President Donald Trump said in a social media post that his country's military "got" the pilot during an operation, one day after rescuing another pilot.
The two aircraft used by the US military during the so-called rescue mission, which were subsequently destroyed by the IRGC, cost more than $100 million each.
Iran's Armed Forces have also shot down two invading drones, including an MQ-9 and a Hermes-900, over Isfahan Province on Sunday
Iran CLASHES with US Special Ops Over Downed Pilot, Trump in SHOCK | Mohammad Marandi Danny Haiphong Streamed live 86 minutes ago #iran #f15 #trump
Iran just confronted US Special Ops attempting to rescue the missing pilot following the historic downing of the F-15E fighter jet. Trump has responded and Prof. Mohammad Marandi joins to break down the latest developments in the war that is changing the world forever.
Transcript
Welcome everyone. Welcome back to the show. It's your host Danny Haiphong. I am joined once again by Professor M ammad Mandi from Iran. Professor Marandi, thanks so much again for joining me today. Thank you Danny. It's always a pleasure being on your show. Yes. Hit the like button everyone. We're going to get into the latest updates now. That helps boost the show as we do it. So first we have to talk about this rescue operation. Uh the United States is claiming major success in this operation. I can just pull up right now. I won't read the whole thing, but here is what Donald Trump announced in his true social talk about how we got him. And then that was a a daring search and rescue operation. Uh he's safe and sound now. This is a downed pilot of the F- down by Iran two days ago. The brave warrior was behind enemy lines, treacherous mountains of Iran. And he had the president, the war secretary, everyone by his side, the Joyce chiefs of staff hours a day and they got him out. He they they he did admit that he sustained injuries but will be just fine. But Professor Mirandi, Iran is saying something quite different here and I want to be sure that people get this perspective because they may not get it anywhere else. Uh Iran is calling this operation an absolute failure. Uh here is what um Iranian media. Let me just find it here. Well first let's look at the aftermath of what they claim the military have done. This is what Iran released. These are the wreckages of all of the aircraft that were It looks pretty victorious to me. Yeah. that were involved in this two MC. Can you hear them bombing? Can you hear the bombing? I cannot, but I I totally believe you. Uh I don't know if the audience can. Everyone, please let them know and I'll I'll see. But yeah, I mean this is the barbarism that's going on right now in Iran, everyone. And this is what US special ops the Air Force special ops that were trying to rescue the air the the down pilot. This is what happened. Uh, two MCaircraft were destroyed, four helicopters were destroyed in this operation. Iran is even saying that this wasn't even an operation to rescue the pilot. That there was actually maybe more to this [LC: Uranium kept in Isfahan facility]. But nonetheless, these MCs cost $__ million, Professor Marandi, not to mention the fact that the justification for why these aircraft are destroyed by the United States is that they were stuck in the sand while they were trying to leave and that forced them to destroy their own aircraft. Iran is saying that they didn't destroy their own aircraft. It was Iran who did it, and that the United States was actually trying to kill the pilot, and kill those who were a part of the rescue operation, knowing it would fail.
So, first of all, what do you make of this? Obviously, there's a lot of fog of war here and that the US really needed a win, but I'm I'm curious your reactions and your thoughts, especially given the context of where this war is right now. I didn't hear the Iranians say that they wanted to kill the pilot. Oh, no, no, no, no. That the United States was trying to kill their No, I mean, yeah, I haven't heard that. I haven't heard that myself. But what the Iranians are saying is that these two planes were not stuck in the sand and that the Americans and their that the planes were damaged. They were fired upon and that on the ground and that this is what I've heard and that um the Americans had to leave. And they also believed that this was um not simply about some rescue operation for a pilot, but that these planes and their the soldiers were there for something bigger. but it went wrong and they didn't have the time to carry out whatever it was they wanted to do and they had to swiftly retweet retreat. Uh I personally don't think that this was a success by any means. Destroying two planes and four helicopters having the the during the previous day two other planes and two other helicopters destroyed that's not a good sign. Uh some people would say well why why didn't and these were just locals villagers you know people living in that area they took their arms and sought sought out these invaders but some people would say well why didn't Iran have their armed forces there Iran is a huge country it's the size of the UK Germany France combined and even bigger And so um in some areas there it's very the population is is is quite low. So the air defenses and the military presence tends to be where we have large populations and the terrain there I think is evident of the fact that there isn't much going on. But in any case this is definitely not a success. having to destroy and bomb two damaged planes or even if they say they weren't damaged but two damaged planes and four helicopters alongside them. Apparently there are four helicopters. That's not a success. in order assuming that this is just about retrieving a single injured pilot and I saw something I think it was on Sky News where someone I saw a clip where they were saying they were talking about this pilot and you saw there was wallto-wall coverage when they slaughtered what was it little girls at an elementary school. We didn't see any wallto-wall coverage. Actually, we didn't see any coverage, but um and then one of these people who was on the show on Sky News was saying, you know, they're seeking him out and they're trying to find him and this puts a a human face on this um this whole war. And I was wondering like the guy who bombs kids, that's the, you know, that's the human face of it all. and all those kids slaughtered and all those women slaughtered and all those workers in factories who were burned alive by the Americans and Israelis and the fact that Trump wants to send Iran back to the stone age. Yeah. You don't see any Western media outlet say these, you know, sending Iran threatening to send Iran back to the stone age is these are threats of crimes against humanity. You don't see any outrage in the Guardian or among these left European leftists who pretend to be, you know, anti-imperialists. You don't see anything from anyone. And that just shows the utter moral bankruptcy of the entire political class in the West. And I'm not just talking about Democrats and Republicans. I'm talking about those sort of mainstream critics um of US foreign policy. you know to to the language that Trump is using to dehumanize and of course all of them are complicit. I mean, all these people who've been saying the Iranian regime is this and and lying, you know, even people like um anyway, even like the so-called leftists and and and others who um who've been who are sort of on the margins of the mainstream political sphere who on the one hand they say don't attack, don't bomb. Yes, they're bad. They're evil. They murder. They slaughter tens of thousands of peaceful protesters and all that nonsense. Um, and of course, just today, Trump admitted that he was sending weapons to the protesters, according to a Sky News, according according to Fox News journalists who spoke to him today. But of course, that's all ancient history. They'll just repeat the same nonsense over and over again. But it is quite stunning that um we are living in a in a day and age where the the leader of the United States can threaten to send people back to the stone age repeatedly and no one no one is saying this is a monster. You know these are monsters who are in charge and that basically means that they're all monsters. That means everyone at the New York Times, in the Guardian, you know, all these in the Washington Post and Fox News, MSNBC, BBC, they're all monsters. There's there's no difference between any of them because um they many of them have Twitter accounts. I don't see anyone any of them screaming and pulling their hair out for these threats being made against the Iranian people. But in any case, this is no victory and they can pretend that it's a victory. It's all been a victory. The whole this war was supposed to be over in two days and then our missiles were supposed to finish in one week and here we are into the sixth week and the Iranians are hitting hard. there's it targets in in this sinister apartheid regime this genocidal regime and and across the Persian Gulf at US affiliated assets. So and the straight of hormones is controlled by Iran. So if this is all a big victory for Trump well okay. Yeah. Well, , yeah, people may forget, especially in the West, that, , this F-was shot down trying to enter Iranian airspace in the south. And, what was it trying to do? Well, it was obviously going to conduct strikes against Iran, likely, if not entirely, on civilians and civilian infrastructure. So, that's really the the the base of where we should be starting. Of course, the Western mainstream media doesn't do that, but here's the Fars News report. I couldn't find the link, but this is from someone. And just one thing before you continue, Danny. Sure. Almost exclusively, the targets are now civilian because they have failed to take out Iran's defense capabilities. They're all deep underground. Iran's air force in underground tunnels. Iran's air defenses. I've tweeted I've tweeted a clip of Iran's air defenses underground. Iran's air defenses deep underground. They take them out when they need them. Their air force, they bring them out when they need them. Iran's navy, as I think I said before on your show, all deep underground alongside the coast of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Speedboats with missiles, all prepared. Nothing of significance in the Navy. They bombed a few ships that are were in port that are not used for fighting. Yeah. And so the air force, the air defense, and of course the drone and missile say underground cities, their factories, they're all intact. And that's why Iran is firing missiles and drones on a daily basis. That's why they are still shooting down planes and they get frustrated and they start bombing more and more civilian targets. They bomb apartment blocks. They bomb hospitals. They've they've what they've been doing in in the last few days is looking for new types of civilian infrastructure to target. So now they're start targeting universities. They're bombing universities. They bombed the Shah Besi University couple of days ago. Before that in Tehran they bombed the sorry another technical university. They're bombing universities. They're bombing, you know, all sorts of civilian infrastructure. And and of course simultaneously in in Lebanon, they're they're bombing am and today they bombed an ambulance in in Iran as they they've been doing that regularly. When they see an ambulance, they try to they they bomb it. Uh they bomb truck drivers. I have a I may have told you this last time. I'm not sure if I if I if this is a repetition. Sorry. A friend of mine, his brother-in-law has a business and he hired two truck drivers to take goods from their city to another city and they bombed them and killed both drivers and destroyed the two trucks that belong to the drivers. So, um you know this is this is the sort of these are they bombed a a big bridge that was on was completed. People were um like the car bridge, right? Is that what it's called? Yes. Yes. in Karachi and um it was it was new newly built. It was I think about to be inaugurated and people were picnicking under the bridge and then you know lots of people were badly wounded and many killed, families, children when all the rubble and shrapnel fell down upon them. But in the west it's okay. I mean the New York Times doesn't care. The Guardian doesn't care. Uh they they you know they just four or five nights ago I said this on another show four or five nights ago very close to where I am right now a minute walk minute walk at most in a place near called um Arish Square they bombed a gathering of people I told you about these gatherings every night there are gatherings of people across tan and across the country in defiance of the of the Trump regime and the Z the the Epstein coalition and they fired missiles at them just away from here and a woman was killed. They killed a protester, someone who was defending the Constitution and the armed forces and they did that I I think I told you on the last Friday of Ramadan also where I was there and there's footage of it. I think you may you probably recall where people were on the streets and they bombed it. They fired missiles at the demonstration. There's actually a very interesting footage of a young woman, a PhD student of the UN at from the University of Tehran in fact where she was talking about why is it that people don't run away and why is it they chant aloh and while she did it while she was speaking the the missile blew up behind her. I don't know if you saw that clip. Mhm. You would think that in Western media that clip would go viral and that she would be invited on all the news channels, the BBC, Sky News, ABC, NBC, CBI. I mean, she'd be all over the place telling her story. A woman, you know, but they won't do that. That's, you know, that goes against the rules. So, all these young women who are on the streets at nights under fire, they don't stampede. They don't run away. or during the days when they gather, you know, these teenagers who can just joke can just go home and do what teenagers do, they go they stand their ground on the streets. These are the these are and they want to emancipate these women. these young women, these young women have to go and emancipate these, you know, regime affiliated activists in the United States and across Europe and these fake leftists and former presidential candidates and former Gian government ministers. I don't know if you hear the car. is carpet bombing. Bomb after bomb after bomb. That's carpet bombing. Yeah. So yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah, Professor Ronnie, I mean, those are all great points. Th this is I think why we will never see a US victory in this war because it's people the ordinary Iranians alongside their I cannot maybe the audience can I cannot though but I we've heard it before on this program it's for sure um an absolute crime what's going going on right now. Uh, just one . Yes, there's a demonstration right here, but people are gathered. I heard I heard a blast. I heard a blast right when immediately when you said, "Yeah, lots of blast." Yeah, very close by. And there are people on the streets very close by. So yeah, this is this they're still bombing. Anyway, let's go. Absolute criminal and and well, just to wrap up this point on what happened in this ridiculous operation versus Ronnie that goes in line with everything that you said. Um this is according to Fars News citing local sources. Um of course we already went over the destruction of the aircraft, the transport planes, the helicopters. They also say Reaper drones, Hermes drones. Uh but this is this is the thing. Uh field sources do report killing of several American forces. I think Iran has said that about nine people were killed on their side. Um but un unclear how many Americans died in the so-called operation which we don't even know was a rescue operation to begin with. Lots of fog of war. It all comes from Ron V, the Sensecom silent throughout this whole ordeal from the beginning of the downed aircraft all the way up until now. Um, and now we have President Marandi, as you're hearing the bombs go off behind you. We are having Donald Trump on Easter. People have to remember this is Easter Sunday, right? This is supposedly the holy war, you know, , super , godly president that he claims to be. on Easter Sunday, he's giving out ultimatums, Professor Arandi, to Iran. Absolutely ridiculous ultimatums. Uh here they are. Uh today, he said, Tuesday is power plant day in bridge day all wrapped up into one. There will be nothing like it. Open the effing straight, you crazy bees, or you'll be living in hell. Just watch. Praise to Allah. And then Professor Marandi, he put out the time of the deadline. Uh here we go. Which is a delayed deadline, by the way. p.m. Eastern time. Uh hours. So I mean, first of all, what do you make of this? This is in terms of the overall shape of the war. The bombings continue. Uh the United States media though is reporting that um these bombings are going to have to be you using different weapons very soon because they're running out of these JSONs, standoff strikes. Uh we might see more F-s, more F-s, more aircraft down soon as they have to get closer. But what do you make of these threats on Easter Sunday? Uh pray, you know, just distastefully, disgustingly, in a totally racist fashion, you know, citing Allah. I mean, what how do you react to this? How do you think Iran is reacting to this? He's a psychopath. And Iranians all you know know he's a psychopath and um Iranians in particular are disgusted with those Iranians in the diaspora who've been calling for the war and you know and there was one of these women from the diaspora apparently I haven't seen this myself she went on a show and she was continued to call for Trump to bomb Iran. And then the host said, "Well, you know, civilian targets are also being like he hit a bridge." And she said, "No, no, he he didn't. He he always lied. He didn't hit the bridge." And she I didn't see this myself, so I'm I'm a bit vague. I may get it wrong a bit. And then the host said, "But he's he claimed that he hit the bridge." So because she was saying, "No, he didn't hit the bridge." And then the host said, "Well, he claimed that he hit the bridge." He said, "Well, Trump Trump always lies." So this is how how detached from reality. These people have to become live on air in order to justify the the the crimes being committed against the Iranian people. And of course, those Trump supporters, the MAGA base, they are all implicated in crimes against humanity because they support it. So they they're they're partners in crime and you know there's no but also all those who may repeated the lies of some thousand or now Trump says some thousand today he said or so those who repeated these lies whether it's what's that guy's name whatever maybe it's best not to mention people all these people are complicit in crimes against humanity every single one of them those who repeated the lies of the regime murdering um people on the streets they're they're all criminals every single one of them they're all criminals yeah and first Prof. Marandi now that we have you know got into this ultimatum another one by Donald Trump drops news is saying that his whole thinking right now is he wants to get this war wrapped up in a couple of days and if not he just wants to blow everything to hell. That is the way he's thinking about it. But Iran does not seem phased by this. And now even the western mainstream media has to admit that not only is Iran not fazed by this, but Iran has the means to not be. It's not even just it's not a it's not just a psychological it there's a material backing to this why they aren't phased. It's because they can continue to keep going. And before the show, we were talking about these decoys and and this is the New York Times admitting that Iran is quickly repairing its missile bunkers according to US intel alone. And these are conservative estimates, conservative assessments. But here it says Iran is deploying significant number of decoys and the United States is not sure how many of apparent launchers it has destroyed were real. While the US has an estimate of Iranian missile launchers from before the war, that number was not precise. It's been difficult to assess how many launchers may be in bunkers or caves struck by American or Israeli air strikes. So, they're not even sure at all this whole war other than the civilians, the infrastructure, anything else they've been trying to hit. They're not even sure if they're hitting anything. And Iran has shown every single day, I mean yesterday, Bahrain, UAE, Hifa, every Beera, these are Israeli sites. Um, every day, every single day, it doesn't stop. And so that makes me wonder, Professor Rondie, did this ultimatum is it is it purely meaningless? And do you believe that the United States, Donald Trump, is really trying to seek a quick exit out of this? Well, there are a number of things there that we have to discuss. One is that yes, he is seeking a way out. And as we speak, he is apparently seeking a way out, but we have to see what he actually does because what he was proposing before was complete nonsense and the Iranians are not going to accept it. The Iranian demands are quite clear and of course key to all those demands are is control over the straight of Hormuz and have no doubt that after this war continue to control the straight of Hormuz and already two countries besides Oman in the Persian Gulf, they have spoken to the Iranians and have agreed to work within the framework of this new situation. And so, um, we but we have to see what Trump does because nothing that Trump says has any meaning. He's constantly flip-flopping. And a signature by Trump is meaningless. He's, you know, he's a serial liar. He's a he's a psychopath. So, for the Iranians, negotiating with the United States is meaningless. The facts on the ground have to change. And not just in the Persian Gulf, but also across West Asia. The facts on the ground have to change. Part of that change Iran is already implementing. It is changing the status quo. It is changing the status of the straight of hormones. That is permanent and there's nothing that the Americans can do about it, meaning the the regime in Washington. So, but we'll have to see how that plays out. Whether he carries out some further monstrous attacks against Iran, that remains to be seen. But as we've discussed repeatedly before and as I've been saying for seven, eight years now, actually someone reminded me that I did a I spoke on Press TV years ago, I don't know where the clip is, but years ago before Corona, few years before Corona, I said that if you know, if something happens like what we're seeing today, Iran will destroy all the countries in the Persian Gulf. And it went viral. That was the first thing I that I actually said that went viral. And this is not new. It was clear as day from the beginning that this sort of aggression would would carry out would would lead to this sort of response. And for Trump and the the United States not to know how many missiles we have and then based upon their ignorance launch a war not to know that we deployed. I knew that we deployed. I knew and I'm not in government. I knew that we had deployed tens of thousands if not more um decoys um and many of them are very advanced. They I think a lot of Chinese and they're they actually produce heat and so they've been bombing decoy air defenses deep deco de decoy planes decoy um missile launchers decoy trucks for for weeks and they continue to do so spending billions of dollars and and you know wearing out their jets destroying decoys, you know, each I don't know how much each cost, probably like a drone. But in any case, , for them not to know this, but but then again, they don't know anything about Iran, what do they know when they keep saying that the so-called regime is unpopular, it kills its own people. Well, the people are the ones on the streets and they're the ones who defy their air strikes. So where are those American and European public intellectuals who've been you know talking nonsense about Iran and contributing to this narrative of an unpopular regime. People are you know they're completely no one is going to rally around a flag of a its own people on the streets tens of thousands of people. No one should believe that. That is they say they they use this rally around the flag argument to say that no despite the fact that no that they kill all these people. No, that's a lie. If they had killed peaceful protesters and tens of thousands of people on the streets, who would rally around such a flag? No one would. That's why Saddam Hussein his regime collapsed so easily. That's why it was a walkover because people were sick and disgusted, sick and tired of the regime. So the only reason why Saddam could fight against Iran was because both blocks were behind him. They gave him chemical weapons. The entire Arab all the Arab regimes were were funding him and sending in troops to help him and sending people to work so that he could take ordinary people to the front lines and people to take their jobs. That's why he could fight. When when that was all gone, when the Americans invaded Iraq, there was no real resistance. It was only after the regime fell that gradually we saw people begin to resist, but not for Saddam Hussein. So that rally around the flag nonsense is is not a valid argument. Yes, they rallied around the flag, but around what they consider to be the legitimate government. That is that is the reality. But these people in the west, they're as ignorant about the the reality on the ground, on the streets of Tehran as they are about the the reality under the ground in Iran's missile bases and drone bases and naval bases and air force bases and air defense bases. Yeah. If anyone knows anything about history, if the Iranian government was doing, what the United States mainstream corporate media, what think tanks, the Pentagon, CIA, what they all say about Iran if it were true, they would be aligning with Iran. They would be aligning with Iran. They would not be at war with you know, you know, Danny, there's a good book and I advise all your viewers to buy it. I've I've actually spoken about it elsewhere. It's called Going to Tean. It's written by Flint and Hillary Leverett. They worked in the white house under Condoleeza Rice. He was the head of the Middle East and she was the head of the Persian Gulf in the National Security Council of the United States. Very important people. And um that's where they met and got married. But in any case, they um they Clint resigned during because of the Iraq war and they wrote a book called Going to Thran and they and they deal with a lot of the myths about Iran and I think it's very much worth reading but also the whole the book is basically saying that um the United States should should try to come to terms with Iran. And it it talks about the history of Iran and post there are very few good books in English on Iran. They're they're almost all garbage. But but this is a quite a good book. I don't agree with everything in it. And but it's a a very good book and you know if if the United States and they were hammered by both Democrats and Republicans. All the the corporate media attacked them left and right. These were people who, you know, they weren't like leftists or, I don't know, , obscure political, you know, figures. They were people who were in the center of everything that was happening. And so they were hammered and marginalized. But if they had listened instead of attacking them, we wouldn't be where we are today. Instead of listening to the what you know Joe Kent admits was are the Zionists and the Israeli regime that pushed the US towards war instead of listening to them US analysts had listened to these people but they can't listen to these people because they get their money from these oligarchs and the Epstein class. So that's why all the analysts write the way they do. That's why all the you know experts who get published in good publishing companies that's why they write with in the way they do because they you know that's how you make your living and that's how these two people were marginalized. Hillary man lever is Jewish you know attacked and slandered but it's a good book to read. But in any case, the United States chose death and destruction for the last two and a half decades. And I believe all of these wars that we've seen, these countless wars, were to bring us to this war. Yeah. Yeah. Remember what Wesley Clark said, , seven countries in five years ending with Iran. Well, those five years took years, but that's what happened. Yeah. Yeah. That's what happened. And then Iran has been preparing every step of the way. And so that begs the question then, Professor Moran, the you know, if we look at the landscape of what General Wesley Clark said, a lot of people have made note that you know, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, you know, I think Somalia, Sudan, um Iraq, and then or was it Afghanistan, I think it was Afghanistan, Somalia, and then Iraq. Um you know all those countries have faced some level some very extreme levels some less extreme levels of destruction um and many note that Iran is the only one left but yet here we have now I mean when I read the reports of what Iran is saying about its um you know it's operation true promise now there's a whole section on joint coordination with Hezbollah and Iraq and Ansarallah and Yemen Uh and this is very you know it seems to have come as a surprise that every single day now they're still despite you know what are we on week five of USIsraeli strikes yeah week six oh yeah we're now into week six I think the first day of week six now that we're here professor Marandi these operations are not letting up I mean just yesterday Kuwait was hit very hard energy um as well as a naval base So strikes on energy on naval base. Uh Iran is saying they've killed US personnel um in the UAE overnight. Um Israeli targets were hit. Um you know multiple ships in the street of Hormuz were denied pass.
So Iran is very active despite supposedly being isolated if if we take the formula that was supposed to happen. So what went wrong here? Professor Marandi, why and how does this shape the future of like how this war will conclude? It's the arrogance of empire. You know, you underestimate the the other the other is backward. It's third world as they, you know, they like to say the they're they're despotic. They're broken. They're not sophisticated like us. They're, you know, they're camel jockeyies. their sand so and so and that's how they that's how they view so they they look down upon every you know at everyone else and here they've they've they've had to confront the reality that the Iran is a very sophisticated country under maximum pressure sanctions and while the United States has been undermining it through terrorism as we saw two three months ago during those that armed U insurrection that these westerner these western elites pretend. Um you know all despite all that Iran has been able to develop indigenous technology to adv have a advanced missile system, advanced air defense systems that are underground and we are seeing them still being used. Uh the Iranians have better missile systems than the United States does despite all this. And um and then you have a nation, a country where the leader was martyed on the day on day one of the war and so were senior commanders who were not with him but they were elsewhere in a different meeting. He was martryed. He refused to leave his home because he said other ordinary Iranians have many have nowhere to go. And despite losing those commanders and him, within an hour the military response began. And despite the fact that we didn't have a leader for a week, the country was completely stable. There was no rush on shops or supermarkets or gas stations or petrol stations at all. Nowhere. Not for a day, not for an hour. Everything was going on as normal. And that's basically because the people were with the state. people with the Islamic Republic and they they basically for a whole week before according to the constitution in accordance with the constitution a new leader was chosen they were leading the country the population was leading the country the people were running the show they were running the bureaucracy and the armed forces without a leader of course the you know the constitution states that a three-man leadership is to take charge. But you know under those circumstances where the superpower and it's all its regional proxies and even countries like the regime in Azarbaijan and they're the one regime they're contributing to the to the war through different means through allowing Awax jets to fly over and of course providing the Israeli regime to with cheap fuel to help it carry out its genocide in Gaza. Despite all that, you saw we saw the resilience of the Iranian people keep the country not just afloat, but to create this impressive and extraordinary push back where Iran against the collective west, I mean, Western regimes are too afraid to bring their boats and and and soldiers here because they know what would happen. But they contribute in other ways to to to the war by helping the United States. All this whole you know these Arab dictatorships. So this entire front was created against Iran and the Axis of resistance. And by the way the same can be said about Lebanon. We had this discussion together multiple times. The Hezbollah is incapable. It's a lot of people said it was dead. It's gone. It was dead. But now we're seeing Hezbollah and and the Israeli regime is so frustrated that instead you know instead of targeting Hezbollah they target homes and apartments and western media contribute to them ecing class controlled media. Their journalists are in Beirut in in Gaza they pretended that since they're not there they cannot confirm anything. They are in Beirut but they won't tell the story. They'll say that Hezbollah is hitting the Israeli regime is hitting Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut. In other words, bombing apartment blocks, slaughtering people. So, Western media tries to give them cover as much as possible, whereas those journalists all know they're lying and they're misleading the people. So across the board we are seeing miscalculation after miscalculation after miscalculation whether it's the to the support that Iran has among the people whether it's military it's whether it's military capabilities are effective or not whether has public public support popular support or whether it has the the capabilities to resist and then there's of course Iraq and the resistance in Iraq and Yemen and if the United States escalates under Trump, then I have no doubt if he escalates and he goes after Iran's vital infrastructure and which is a these are crimes against humanity which he's boasting about and of course no one has a problem with it in the west then the we will do the same all the infrastructure of these Arab family dictatorships within the next days will be gone and those regimes will collapse Iran won't collapse but those regimes will collapse they'll be gone and Whenever there is a new regime, they'll definitely be close to Iran. Th those slaves and indentured servants and workers who many of them are not even from this region. Maybe they'll control the country. Who knows? The people of Bahrain, they'll finally be able to have their own government. And in Kuwait and elsewhere, they'll finally be able to have a government where there's no despot. Uh so I don't think the Americans I I have no doubt that the Americans won't have the upper hand. But all their assets in the Persian Gulf which are trillion worth trillions will be gone and there will be no more oil, no more gas, no more um petrochemicals, no nothing coming from the Persian Gulf for years. So even if we have an agreement and then the straight of Hormuz is open, there are no ships, if there's no oil or gas or LNG or if there's no fertilizer, then what's the point? Yeah. And then if that's the if those are the material conditions Press Marty which are very likely going to be the conditions on the ground then what you have is as you predicted as you have said here many times you have a global economic crisis you have a global econom like that's what that's what the situation will be and that will you know we're already headed there and um you know for and imagine like let's just look at India India we we've seen how the Israeli regime does not care about the Indian people or anyone else. A lot of Indians unfortunately because of their worldview they support the Israeli regime and their genocidal policies. What is what has this Israeli war against Iran caused? It's caused this the shutting down of the straight of hormones and now the Israeli regime is every time tries to escalate and destroy Iran's infrastructure to push Iran to do the same. So what will happen to India? The Indian economy will implode. It's already in deep trouble. Does will the Indian government last? There'll be crisis in the country for years. The country is you know it's a very poor country for the most part. So by so you know India, Brazil, any all countries AC they're all they're all going to face a very dark future because of Zionism because of Israel because of Netanyahu and Trump. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I just want I I also want to put out there for Marty, you know, I have this article here you know on this channel the all the sources that we use here on this channel that we discuss it's either especially about war right all you have with wars you have Iranian you have where what Iran is saying and what Iran is putting out there media as well as other kinds of information to help us understand the US side Israeli side. That's really it. So that's how we can glean information of what's going on. Now, , Israeli media is always so interesting, Professor Mandi, because while the hazbara and the, , pensions for lying is really strong, the force of lying is really strong with Israel, , it nonetheless, it's level, it's it's so , as the, um, Maguds would say, it's such a snowflake. it can't really handle any any reaction, any response, any retaliation, any resistance to it that when there is it it automatically panics. And here we and and it actually starts to put out some truth even among all the lies. And here's one IDF admits Israel overestimated damage to Hezbollah, believes Iran can keep firing missiles as long as war continues. You'll see this, this is Times of Israel, you'll see this all over Israeli media almost every single day. you'll see these little nuggets of truth and you know just yesterday president Ronnie Hezbollah they said that they hit Israeli naval assets. I mean this is it's only it the level of retaliation that Israel and the United States faces it doesn't get despite what Pete Hegseth says it's not getting less severe. It seems like it's either just as severe or getting more severe, especially as the more severe, especially as the consequences mount around dwindling air defense interceptors, dwindling standoff long range missiles. Uh and then of course the fact that the longer Iran goes, the more the United States start and Israel start to panic about how can we get what we want out of this and start making really disastrous moves like for example sending US troops into Iraq. I mean this is this has been the level of escalation we've been witnessing for us. What's your thoughts about this? How do you how do you see um the overall trajectory given that we we do get from especially from Israel, the US actually is probably um especially now that it's put itself out front, it feels less trustworthy even than the panicking Israeli media at this point because Israel seems to have a much thinner skin when it comes to what is happening to it. Well, you know, in the past, we used to always hear how brilliant the Israelis were at Hasbar. Actually, they're pretty dumb and they're pretty foolish and they're pretty ignorant. And even their policy right now of of perpetual war and an extended war. The Iranians want to extend this war because they they want the United States to be punished. They want to make sure that this war doesn't happen again. Israelis though don't comprehend the fact that the longer this war lasts every day that it it continues it's going to turn the world further against them because as I was saying earlier when the global economy collapses people are going to say this was done by Trump and Netanyahu and this is all about Zionism. So people across the world are going to attribute their misery to the Israeli regime and Zionism. So already they they all recognize that this is a genocidal and monstrous regime because of Gaza and now because of Lebanon and the unprovoked war against Iran. But now in addition to all that, you're going to have global misery that's really just we're we're we're just seeing the first little bit of what's going to come. There's going to be huge upheaval in the weeks ahead. And it's not going to be pretty. And you know I don't I don't welcome it because people everywhere all of us are going to all your viewers all your listeners all of us everyone's going to be affected in a negative way but everyone is going to attribute this to the Israeli regime and also the Israeli regime is a tiny puny vulnerable weak regime it's its strength comes from all the support it gets from the west and the United States in particular well if there's global economic crisis Not quite sure in future how much an angry American public is going to accept continued support for the Israeli regime as like you know as if it's you know business as usual. So I'm not quite sure this is a smart move by the regime. I think actually it's it's it's going to hurt it a lot. But you know this is again the arrogance of empire. They under they overestimate themselves. They underestimate everyone else and ultimately that's how empires collapse. We've already seen over the last couple of decades how the US empire has been going downhill and I think now with this war it is going to go downhill much faster than anything we've ever seen before. Yeah. And the support for this war is already very low. It's going to get even lower. And yet we have the Trump administration, Donald Trump himself, requesting , believe it or not, Professor Rodney, $ trillion , military defense quote unquote budget. Uh, arguing that everything else needs to be cut in order to make this happen despite the fact that this war already doesn't have public support in any kind of majority, let alone a plurality. Um, it's minority support. But it's only getting worse and it will get worse when those conditions strike, Professor Marandi, that you have outlined that are already happening. So as the economy goes downhill and as as people are paying more at the pump, he wants to take away more money from the people and give it to the the the military-industrial complex that is buaires. But, you know, I I think that reality is going to I mean, unless there's the Trump backs down seriously. Uh I think that the events that are coming, the global economic hardship that's coming is going to change things in ways that we just simply cannot u foresee right now. No. No. we we only see what is already apparent which is despite all of what's been invested. I mean the trillion that feels like a please we need this to rebuild everything that we've lost which is not even going it the reality is is that's not so simple as many analysts on this show have talked about. You can't just throw money at destroy feds, destroy patriots, destroy military bases. You can't just do that. Yep. You know, first of all, one thing that I should point out is that the Persian Gulf region is going to become very warm very soon and the heat and then you'll have sand, you'll have sandstorms, it's going to be dry and these are all desert countries. In fact, Iran, you know, in right now, we have a lot we've had just at during the first couple of weeks of war, we had snow. We had snow on the a lot of snow in the north of Tehran and on the mountains. And it's been raining a lot the last few weeks. And so, the mountains here are full of snow. If you look up the mountains in Tehran, it's it's, you know, it's a very pretty site. But in the Persian Gulf region, these are all deserts and it's going to get hot very fast. And if there is escalation and the United States destroys our critical infrastructure, if it's destroyed on the other side of the Persian Gulf, everyone will have to leave. Tens of millions of people will have to move. But in addition to that, all these weapons of the United States that they put here and they're sensitive, you know, air jets and so on, they're all going to be severely affected by the sand and it's going to be very costly for repairing all of these. So if anyone thinks that those that $trillion dollars is going to go to, you know, futuristic weapons, um I think a lot of it is just going to go to repairing the trucks and the the vehicles and the you know the equipment and the planes and all that. Uh because things are going to go downhill very fast. Yeah. and over a number everyone remember over a number of years in a very limited amount that's how the military-industrial complex works they max and they don't have the they don't have the infrastructure here to protect their their hardware they're not in military bases because Iran has destroyed all those bases so they're out in the desert to the west of Saudi Arabia and in Jordan and elsewhere and so they are more so when they carried out the war against Iraq or both wars, they brought in infrastructure to pro, you know, for a long-term stay to protect their assets. But here, they just rushed them and they're not they're not in places where they would normally stay. But this is going to be, you know, there there are costs, they're hidden costs that are just not being calculated. And also the the cost right now, they say like this war is costing this, I don't know, a couple of billion dollars a day. It's much more than that. the oil and the gas and the the fertilizer and the petrochemicals that these Arab family dictatorships are not exporting right now, they're all damaging the US economy because much of the money goes to US stocks and bonds and a lot of the money also goes to purchasing US weapons that they can't use because they don't even have, you know, like Qatar has people. How are they going to use all those claims? They're basically for kickbacks for commissions for both sides you know people of influence in US government people princes on this side so that money is you know that money is not available because they're not making any money and their their infrastructure is being damaged and if it's destroyed then you know everything changes so the m there's a multi-layer of the damage to the US economy is multi it's going to gradually reveal itself over time. Yeah. And final two points I want you to comment on. There's an audience question. But first I want to put out some breaking news. So you know coming full circle right as we're talking a lot of things are being revealed. Uh first Marens who's a very reliable she does great independent work on military affairs understanding geopolitics. Uh she posted this. So, DDJ Politics, a friend of this show, they published an image. I won't put up here because of issues with censorship, but they've already published an image that they say is proof that in one of these Cs that were downed by Iran in this so-called operation, rescue operation, that there was an American a US pilot in there incinerated essentially. You can you you see it. So, everyone can check that out on X if they want to go to DDJ politics. Nonetheless, Professor Marens is breaking some news about how US forces tried to use an old agricultural air strip in Iran was already prepared for the ambush and then goes into all of the costs of the losses that Iran was able to inflict in terms of the helicopters, the two transport aircraft, and then going into I mean just this alone, Professor Marandi, is devastating. F-AMQdrones, another A damage, Blackhawk helicopters. I mean, this is it just goes on and on and on. And this is only in the last hours or so. So, we're talking about massive damage to what's supposed to be the unflappable, unstoppable, invincible air force on top of all of the damage to the bases, all of the damage to Israel, all of the damage to the Gulf infrastructure, oil, gas. I mean, yeah, to say the cost is what they're saying, two billion, ridiculous. Two billion a day. Absolutely not. The the if you if you count what Hezbollah is doing to Israel, they've destroyed over tanks, that's like $million. So, we're talking about a massive amount of money. Yemen has not yet shut down the rest which will I mean when that happens we are going to see oil if people think oil markets right now are absolutely in crisis we haven't seen anything yet. So your final reaction to this and then the last question um that an audience me a question the audience member had I think it's the only one but I'll look u no there's a couple but here is one of them. How does person Ronnie feel about the world being behind Iran, most of the world? It's it's quite stunning actually how popular Iran has become across the world and how you know Sunnis have been being taught by the Kataris and Erdogan and Saudi Arabia and the Emirates to hate the Shia and they've been taught to be sectarian and you know these regimes have been supporting ISIS and al-Qaeda and and the dirty war in Syria but now everything is being exposed and so we see huge support among Sunnis across the world for the axis of resistance. They see right through the propaganda now. They see right through the the nonsense of you know of of of Syria of of of all the you know all these regimes are supporting are have continued to do business with as usual with Netanyahu and it is the access axis of resistance that's making the sacrifices and we see a lot of cooperation in Lebanon and among the global south you see the left and and much much of the right supporting Iran and in Latin America, in Africa and across Asia, including in India, lots of support. And I I'm, you know, I I find that in in the West there, you know, I I was speaking to one of the your guests, someone who you've had on your show before, a very old friend of mine for for years. he was telling me that in in the west there are people you know not necessarily the majority but a very interesting segment of u people who he knows who um who their the views on the war and on Iran have evolved dramatically. So, you know, this is of course the the doing their own doing.
The the West has behaved so shamelessly and shamefully. I mean, with with regards to Gaza, with regards to Lebanon, with regards to Palestinians, with regards to the entire world, but but especially in these last two, three years that the facade, the mask has been removed and people see the reality of what the you know, Western elites are and people in the west are seeing it. So the world is changing and um that's why I think people should read more about Iran. People should read like I said like the book on going to Tehran that sort of thing and they'll see that Iran is actually my view is that Iran is and axis of resistance. Uh these are shining stars of humanity. I it doesn't bother me if anyone attacks me or calls me names or threatens to kill me or whatever. I don't care. It's we we do what we have to do and this is what I believe and I think a lot of people are hour, beginning to see that the propaganda is just propaganda. hour, Yeah, indeed indeed. Professor Mandi, we I'm just putting up all the rest of the super chat. Somebody asked is hour, the rescue pilot alive? We actually don't know. We only have word from what Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump are hour, saying. Uh, someone brought up a good point here. Will closing the straight over moves and raising the price of oil over $spur the world to significantly reduce the usage of fossil hour, fuels and be positive in the fight against climate change? I mean China's renewable energy sector is certainly going to be booming hour, because of this but I don't know if you have any reaction. hour, Yeah, but this is this is not going to this is not going to be a good thing. hour, This is going to be tragic. We have to always remember Iran did not start this war. If you watch Western media, you think Iran did, right? Iran did not want hour, this war. Iran at no phase did it initiate escalation. At no phase. It waited for the And people criticize Iran. hour, They say, "Why don't you hit them harder? Why the Iranians have moral boundaries." Yes. hour, The Islamic Republic of Iran has moral boundaries based upon its religious beliefs. It has moral boundaries. It's hour, difficult for many people. Oh, the mullas in Iran, these, you know, they killed people on the streets. They gun them down day and night and I don't hour, know, you know, all the nonsense. Women and the women are the one ones who are preserving the revolution. They're the ones on the streets every night on the hour, streets in the cold. It was it was it was it would rain and snow. It was cold. Tean is cold. It's still cold. I mean, hour, Iran is not all a desert. Uh we have forests in the north. We have lots of snow on the mountains of Tehran right hour, now. And these young women you know, speak referring to young women. Young women are on the streets hour, and they've under rain and snow and and less rain now. I mean, the rain, sorry, less less snow now, but still rain. It's been we had heavy rain yesterday, the day before in Tehan. They're on the streets and under threat of death and destruction because these monsters, these pilots, they they fire missiles at them. So, you know, so all these narratives on Iran obviously are nonsense, but but yes, Iran has moral boundaries. So they wait for the other side to escalate. But when the other side escalates, they hit hard. Just like when they hit our petrochemical plants and the bridge, the other day, yesterday, and the day before. Now, you know, all civilian targets, now the Iranians have retaliated. But what do the Iranians do? They say beforehand that they're going to strike. even though it helps the other side prepare itself, it's air defenses, but they say so beforehand and they've been striking petrochemical plants and and other things in in in some of these countries in the Persian Gulf because they have a hour, sense of morality. If in Iran, we don't we didn't want this war. It's been imposed upon us. But hopefully with the defeat of Trump, this madman and psychopath and Netanyahu, this you know the the great evil and Zionism, the great evil of our time, we'll have peace. But no. Um if you suddenly take oil and gas and fertilizer and petrochemicals away from people, it's going to create a global catastrophe and probably starvation. So people have to put pressure on the Trump regime and to bring this madness to an end. We'll see what happens. Yeah. Somebody brought raised the point that two MC As can carry paratroopers or if there's equipment. So what were they doing when they landed only to be abandoned and or destroyed? That means you know of course we don't know how many exactly were on there but the there were likely many casualties if we cannot account for all but also you know there may have been more casual there may have been many casualties I I don't know and if the pilot thing is true then that indicates that they're not telling the truth but why so many troops exactly and so this is more than just about this is what the Iranians are saying that this they were planning something and it didn't go well. Yeah, it seemed like they were testing. I mean, it wouldn't be a surprise if they were using this F-pilot down as a kind of a test run for something, you know, how how far can they go? In any case, the generals they were they were resisting something stupid, obviously. Yeah. That's why they were removed. Yep. Yeah. Yeah. And it failed badly. I mean just the aircraft alone we will I guess we'll more will come out professori on the details as as as things emerge but I want to thank everyone who gave a super chat asked questions of course that's great hour, everyone you know professor Randi said multiple times in this stream that there were bombs overhead that very close you know he's working very hard here so if you want his voice past this stream to be heard after this you hit that like button because that will tell YouTube that this video is worth watching after we are done live. So do that. Uh that's the best free thing you can do. And of course you can support this show in the video description below. I'll be back tomorrow with Justin Podor and John Elmer. They they're going to do a a situ a sit rep here. We're going to get into the military situation that they've been following. p.m. Eastern time tomorrow, Monday, April th. person, anything you want to say before we head out of here? No, no, nothing. Just um thank you and thank your audience for listening and no one should ever be discouraged. That's the reality of human existence and we should just do what we have to do and if we do what we have to do that that is that is enough. So sometimes people get depressed and discouraged. They shouldn't be or they feel guilty for what their government is doing. If they're resisting, if they're opposing it, if they're active, if they're raising awareness, they have nothing to be ashamed of or to apologize for because it's not their doing. Yeah. Yeah. Great. Uh great way to end this program. Everybody hit the like button before you go. We are out for surround will be back.
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https://x.com/IRanMediaco/status/2040778633330168287 Iran News 24 @IRanMediaco BREAKING: New images show wreckage of a downed U.S. C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in the Islamic Republic of Iran 7:08 AM · Apr 5, 2026
US so-called rescue mission 'ended in total failure': Khatam al-Anbiya. The US military’s attempted rescue operation in southern Isfahan ended in total failure, with two C-130 transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters destroyed, according to Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. by Al Mayadeen English Source: Al Mayadeen English Today 13:05 https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... e---khatam
The so-called rescue operation carried out by the US military "ended in total failure," the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya asserted in a statement on Sunday. The operation, planned under the pretext of rescuing a downed pilot at an abandoned airport, was thwarted by the timely intervention of Iran’s armed forces.
According to the statement, the mission, described as a rapid extraction by the US military, was exposed as a deceptive maneuver carried out to mask Washington's military failure.
"Based on prior intelligence and further on-site assessments by experts, it was determined that two C-130 military transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters belonging to the US Army were destroyed," the statement detailed, noting that the swift and powerful resistance from Iran's armed forces had compounded the US' repeated failures in Iran.
As a result, the Islamic Republic of Iran was able to demonstrate once more that the "weakened and bankrupt" US military was not a dominant or superior force in the imposed war on Tehran, particularly when faced with the resolve of the nation's armed forces, according to the statement.
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Zolfaghari further noted that US President Donald Trump's "resorted to psychological warfare and false claims to cover up his defeat, as the ground reality has proven Iran's superiority in battle."
What did the US claim?
Earlier today, US officials told Axios that special forces allegedly rescued the second crew member of the F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran, following an operation that involved confrontations with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and aerial attacks.
On Friday, an F-15 fighter jet was downed over southwestern Iran. Both the pilot and weapons systems officer ejected and made contact with US forces through their communications systems. The shootdown, described by Axios as a "nightmare scenario," triggered an urgent search and rescue mission, while the IRGC mobilized to locate the missing personnel.
The US admitted that during the first rescue, a Blackhawk helicopter came under attack by Iranian forces, resulting in injuries to some crew members. However, Washington claimed it was able to carry out its mission as intended.
The IRGC fully countered the claims, asserting that the mission failed and resulted in additional losses for the US military.
Al Mayadeen English @MayadeenEnglish #WATCH | Footage shows the remains of destroyed #US invading and hostile aircraft in #Isfahan, Iran. https://x.com/i/status/2040702085029638453 #IranWar #WarOnIran #Iran 2:04 AM · Apr 5, 2026
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Fars News Agency @EnglishFars This is the official page of Fars News Agency (FNA) English. We provide you with the latest news reports, photos and videos about Iran and the Middle-East. Iran Tehranfarsnews.ir/showcase Joined September 2013 https://x.com/EnglishFars
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Photos and videos released by Iranian authorities show the wreckage of a US military aircraft destroyed in southern regions of Isfahan in central Iran. The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters of Iran announced on Sunday, April 5, that that Iranian military forces have destroyed several US aircraft in southern Isfahan, thwarting an attempted mission to rescue a downed American fighter pilot.
He said the incident followed desperate efforts by US forces to infiltrate central Iran and extract the pilot.
The spokesman stated that a joint operation involving the aerospace and ground forces, volunteer Basij units, and law enforcement servicemen successfully intercepted and neutralized the incoming aircraft.
He said the operation resulted in the destruction of multiple hostile aircraft and described the outcome as another humiliating defeat for the United States, drawing parallels with the failed Operation Eagle Claw in April 1980.
He added that the downed aircraft included two Black Hawk helicopters and one C-130 military transport plane, all of which were struck and left burning in southern Isfahan.
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Arya Yadeghaar @AryJeay
Fars News’s report on the turn of events re: finding the American pilot.
• Since Saturday night, search operations to find the American pilot(s) have continued in the 3 provinces: Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Isfahan, and Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad. • Isfahan: Around 2 AM today, Iranians in southern Isfahan reported hearing the sound of an airplane flying, and simultaneously, the sound of drones and helicopters was heard in parts of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad. • According to local sources, until about 5 AM, several explosions were heard in southern Isfahan. The IRGC & Army then announced in statements the destruction of 2 MQ-9 and Hermes 900 drones, and the Khatam al-Anbiya also reported the destruction of 2 transport planes (C-130 Hercules) and 2 helicopters. • Some local sources reported that the US attempted to destroy the remains of the crashed aircraft and even the bodies of killed American forces. • Field sources also report the killing of several American forces by Iran’s armed forces. • Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad: During the enemy's early morning attack on a point in Siyah Mountain, a point in Kakan, and the Vozg area of Yasuj city, there were a total of 9 martyrs and 7 wounded. • Some media linked these attacks to the search operation for the pilot and even claimed that American forces were deployed to rescue the American pilot, but official provincial sources denied these claims. • The political and security deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad told a Fars reporter: No heliborne operations were carried out by the US in last night's attacks. • Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari: Investigations by the Fars reporter regarding some media fabrications about Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province and clashes in this province indicate that these claims are false. • Trump, in a media move and without releasing any image of the pilot, claimed to have rescued the 2nd pilot, but his claim is unproven.
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https://x.com/AryJeay
Arya Yadeghaar @AryJeay Noteworthy
Translation:
12:16 / April 5 The rescue operation for American pilots in Iran has turned into a historic failure, reminiscent of a disaster even deeper than Tabas. While the United States claims to be on the verge of an operational leap against Iran, in just the past 48 hours, it has lost two aircraft in the south and one fighter jet in central Iran. Then, in the claimed rescue of this fighter's pilots, it has so far lost two HC-130 special operations aircraft, two Black Hawk helicopters, and two more medium-range combat drones. Additionally, fierce ground clashes have occurred, resulting in serious casualties among American forces. Trump's tweet about rescuing a pilot from Iran was part of a deception operation, and the conflict is ongoing. The United States is bombing the remains of its own aircraft and the bodies of its soldiers to cover up the trail of the disaster that has unfolded. There is a possibility that the pilot has been killed.”
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IDF admits Israel overestimated damage to Hezbollah, believes Iran can keep firing missiles as long as war continues. Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo acknowledges ‘gap’ between post-2024 expectations and Hezbollah’s current capabilities; top intel officer assesses Iran still has over 1,000 ballistic missilesbBy Charlie Summers and Times of Israel Staff Today, 3:56 am https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-north ... -2024-war/
Israeli security personnel secure an area around a rocket partly buried in a field in the Golan Heights bordering Lebanon, on March 19, 2026. (Odd Andersen / AFP)
The head of the Israel Defense Forces’ Northern Command has acknowledged that the military overestimated the damage done to Hezbollah’s capabilities during the 2024 ground offensive in Lebanon, as evidenced since the terror group returned to attacking Israel in recent weeks amid the fighting with Iran.
Separately, a senior Israeli Air Force intelligence officer assessed that Iran will be able to continue launching ballistic missiles at Israel for as long as the war continues, and estimated that the regime still has more than 1,000 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel.
Regarding Hezbollah, Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo met on Tuesday with a group from Misgav Am after one of the northern kibbutz’s residents, 60-year-old Ofer Moskovitz, was mistakenly killed by IDF artillery shelling last month.
In recordings aired by Channel 12 on Saturday evening, Milo could be heard apologizing to the residents, acknowledging that the lethal incident “shouldn’t have happened.”
He then admitted that there was a “gap” between the IDF’s assessment of damage caused to Hezbollah’s offensive capabilities during the 2024 ground operation in southern Lebanon, and the force with which the terror group has been striking Israel’s northern communities in recent weeks.
His comments came more than a month after Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, renewed its rocket and drone fire on Israel amid the US-Israeli war with the Islamic Republic.
Since then, Hezbollah has been firing hundreds of rockets a day, according to the IDF. The vast majority of the daily rocket fire has been directed at Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon, with several dozen projectiles crossing the border into Israel.
Cars burn after an attack that apparently killed Ofer Moskovitz in the northern community of Misgav Am, March 22, 2026. (MDA)
“There is a gap between how we finished [Operation] ‘Northern Arrows’ and what we understood and thought, and how suddenly, we still find Hezbollah [active], Milo said to residents.
“What I’m sure is concerning you all is the steep-trajectory [rocket] fire,” he said, moving to reassure them that the terror group had yet to launch rockets in “very, very large amounts,” and that most of those they did fire were aimed at IDF troops.
Despite his attempts to calm residents’ nerves, Channel 12 reported that a day after Milo’s meeting, the IDF shifted its assessment of Hezbollah’s current capabilities, understanding the terror group to be stronger still than estimated.
The change came in the wake of the heavy rocket barrages launched by Hezbollah at Israel over the course of the Passover holiday, which began Wednesday evening.
Now, officials reportedly estimate that the terror group has hundreds of launchers and tens of thousands of rockets at its disposal.
IDF troops of the 91st “Galilee” Regional Division operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued by the military on April 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)
Before the outbreak of the war triggered by the October 7 Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel, estimates in 2023 put Hezbollah’s arsenal at around 150,000 rockets and missiles.
But the stockpile was widely believed to have been significantly reduced by IDF raids on Hezbollah’s munition storage and production facilities during the year of fighting that ensued after it began attacking Israeli communities and military targets on October 8, 2023.
The group’s ability to smuggle in weapons and parts was also significantly hampered by the loss of Syria as a viable transport route following the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024.
And in 2025, in accordance with the terms of the US-brokered ceasefire, the Lebanese army also began confiscating weapons from Hezbollah as it deployed across southern Lebanon. Just weeks before the new round of fighting began, it declared that the area between the Israeli border and the Litani River had been demilitarized.
Mourners grieve by the bodies of Hezbollah members killed during an Israeli operation on the village of Nabi Chit in the eastern Bekaa Valley, during the funeral in the village on March 8, 2026. (Nidal Solh / AFP)
But Israel, which at that point was maintaining a troop presence in five key locations in southern Lebanon to defend the border, was skeptical about the Lebanese claim, maintaining that Hezbollah was rearming faster than it could be disarmed.
With this in mind, the IDF had estimated that 70-80 percent of the terror group’s rocket fire capabilities had been destroyed in the months of open warfare against the group in the fall of 2024, and damaged further in regular strikes following a ceasefire in December of that year.
At the start of the renewed fighting last month, the IDF believed Hezbollah still possessed thousands of short-range rockets, along with hundreds of longer-range projectiles — a far cry from the tens of thousands it now allegedly believes the group to have access to.
Since March 2, the IDF has said it has killed some 1,000 Hezbollah operatives, including hundreds of members of the terror group’s elite Radwan Force.
More than 3,500 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon have also been struck, including hundreds of command centers, weapon depots, and rocket and missile launchers, according to the IDF.
In the same period, eleven IDF soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, two civilians were killed by Hezbollah rockets, and Moskovitz was mistakenly killed by Israeli shelling.
Iran thought to still have large stock of ballistic missiles
Separately on Saturday, an Israeli Air Force intelligence officer told Channel 12 news that the IDF believes Iran still has more than 1,000 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel.
“The Iranians have more than 1,000 missiles that are capable of reaching Israel,” said Lt. Col. “Tet,” who leads the research on Iran’s missiles and drones in the Air Intelligence Group, the IAF’s intel unit.
At the start of the war, the IDF assessed that Iran had 2,500 ballistic missiles. Iran has since fired over 500 missiles at Israel, as well as hundreds at other countries in the Middle East, and potentially hundreds of missiles were destroyed in strikes.
Missile fire from the Islamic Republic on Israel has slowed to around 10-15 missiles a day in recent weeks, down from around 90 on the first day of the war on February 28.
A senior Western official told the New York Times in a report published Friday that Iran has been firing around 15-30 ballistic missiles across the region each day.
Israeli security and rescue forces at the scene where a missile fired from Iran at Israel caused damage in Tel Aviv, April 4, 2026. (Flash90)
Since the start of the conflict, the military assessed that attacks from Iran would continue as long as the war is active, and the rate of missile fire could even increase.
“In all honesty, I assess it will not reach zero [launches a day],” the officer told Channel 12 news in an interview.
“I think they will continue to launch ballistic missiles. I don’t think it will be significantly more than what we have seen,” he said.
On Friday, The New York Times reported that US intelligence has assessed that Iranian personnel are digging out bombed underground missile bunkers and silos from the rubble, bringing them back into service within hours after being struck by the US and Israel.
The report came after CNN also cited a US intelligence assessment that around half of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers are still intact despite over a month of US and Israeli strikes across the country.
Of the more than 500 ballistic missiles launched at Israel from Iran since February 28, 12 carrying conventional warheads with hundreds of kilograms of explosives have struck populated areas in Israel, causing extensive damage. There have also been more than 30 incidents of missiles carrying cluster bomb warheads hitting populated areas, with over 200 separate impact sites.
The military has reported an interception rate of 92% against attacks heading for populated areas and key infrastructure.
Sixteen Israeli civilians and foreign nationals have been killed in Israel in Iranian ballistic missile attacks, along with four Palestinians in the West Bank.
The Israeli Air Force has conducted hundreds of waves of strikes in Iran in the same period, dropping over 13,000 bombs on Iranian regime and military sites, including air defense systems, ballistic missile launchers, weapon production sites, nuclear facilities, and various headquarters.
The IDF has estimated that some 5,000 Iranian soldiers have been killed in Israeli strikes, along with tens of thousands more wounded, many of them members of the internal security forces and Basij paramilitary force.
U.S. rescue teams were ambushed, suffering losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but according to the U.S., they managed to accomplish the mission.
According to official information, the second American pilot managed to hide for more than 24 hours and was rescued in an operation where, as I have reported in recent days, Iran lets them in, but getting out is the real problem.
It appears that American forces tried to use an old agricultural airstrip in the region, but Iran had already prepared a large-scale ambush.
At least two variants of the C-130, possibly MC-130J, were lost, along with one or more AH-6/MH-6 Little Bird helicopters. There are also reports of two Black Hawks being hit, but which managed to leave the area safely.
Contrary to the official version that the units were destroyed on the ground, the images clearly show damage caused by air defenses on the aircraft wreckage, and this may cast doubt on any other official version of the event, including potentially much larger losses.
The two MC-130J Commando II each cost between US$ 114-165 million, but with special SOF configurations they easily reach US$ 130-165 million per unit, which puts the damage between US$ 260-330 million.
The MH-6 Little Bird costs about US$ 2-4 million in the basic version and US$ 7.5 million in the more equipped variants like the ones used in missions such as this one in Iran.
This is the minimum estimate of the damages, but the losses may be higher when all the assets are accounted for. In the last 72 hours, the damage tally also includes 1 F-15, 1 A-10, 2 MQ-9 drones also shot down, and damage to anther A-10, two Black Hawks, plus one CH-47F destroyed on the ground in Kuwait, bringing the total damage close to half a billion dollars in just the last 3 days.
If the information on casualties released so far is correct, despite the losses, the rescue operation was a success when viewed in isolation.
However, it calls into question everything that has been said by the U.S. so far about Iranian air defenses and reinforces what we have been saying about the gradual deployment of these systems, which, according to my own estimates, Iran still has hundreds of.
In addition, this latest event shows what I had already said: Iran is a master of ambushes, with a highly consolidated asymmetric doctrine developed across multiple conflicts that include wars in Yemen, Syria, and through various proxies.
Iranian ambush capability comes out strengthened, and if the pilot rescue really occurred, the American special forces come out of this operation looking very good.
