"So does the Iranian regime finally fall THIS TIME?" Topic

Systems built around ideology tend to be surprisingly durable; sometimes more durable than the people cheering their collapse expect.

True -- but after 50 years the ranks of the Old Guard true believers has thinned out, and we don't know how many opportunists are in leadership vs true believers. So -- keep smacking the leadership unit all the Nazis are gone and less insane people end up in charge, or the whole thing collapses.

That's certainly one possible outcome. The complicated part historically is that ideological regimes sometimes become more cohesive under sustained external pressure rather than less — especially if the conflict can be framed internally as national survival.

The key variable will probably be the opportunists you mentioned. If they start calculating that the system may not survive, things can unravel very quickly. If they believe it will, they usually defend it harder than the true believers.

Fair question: is the plan actually to achieve a defined military objective, or just to keep bombing in the hope that political collapse magically follows? Gaza was a pretty expensive reminder that punishment and strategy are not the same thing.

TELL ME HOW THIS ENDS: SIX QUESTIONS THAT WILL SHAPE THE OUTCOME OF THE US-ISRAELI OPERATIONS AGAINST IRAN

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Armand

Subject: Yemen's Houthis could still join war, IDF sources say | The Jerusalem Post


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A report from a woman in Tehran: link

Everyone should read this.

My main concern for the people of Iran is that they may well think that US troops *are* coming to save them. At this stage, I do not think that is going to happen, nor should. It is going to be up to the people of Iran to end the reign of their tormentors. But creating a unified, organized military opposition takes time and money. The biggest hope they have is that the "official" soldiers in Iran might not be fanatics for the mullahs, and willing to defy orders if not outright mutiny. Freedom for Iran is indeed my hope and fervent prayer.
But the minimal purpose of this war is an Iran so weak and out of control it cannot threaten the world again in our lifetime. That is not the best outcome, but it is better than the status quo before the attacks were launched.

I pray for this young woman and her compatriots. Trump is right— their freedom is at hand, but they must be the ones to make it happen.

Gaza was a pretty expensive reminder that punishment and strategy are not the same thing.

Expensive for whom? Looks to me like what the IDF set out to achieve in Gaza is exactly what they did achieve. Different situation, though.

Agreed Parz…but how? So what exactly does this woman do now to make that happen? Did she have a choice about her rulers before? Does she now? Who will lead them into the 21 century on short notice and unite the nation?

Trump has said he wants to have a role selecting the next leader. What about the Iranians role? Are they going to form some sort of new government in a couple of weeks? Will they get some help Will there be a return to the previous tyrannical government? Or chaos? I suspect nobody knows for now. A lot of risk here. Again winning the peace is the hard part. And this is the ME.

I think there are two different objectives being discussed. One is Iranian freedom, which would require a political transformation inside the country. The other is weakening Iran so it cannot threaten the region.

Those don't necessarily lead to the same strategy. Air power can degrade military capability, but historically it rarely produces regime change by itself.

Wars sometimes begin with one objective and slowly drift toward the other.

Gaza might depend on how one defines the objective. If the goal was to destroy Hamas's ability to govern Gaza permanently, that question probably isn't settled yet.

However, my Gaza comparison wasn't about tactics so much as strategy. If the idea is that punishing the population will somehow produce liberation from the regime, that's historically a strange mechanism.

Gaza is a tiny strip of land and has been subjected to extremely heavy bombardment for a long time, yet Hamas hasn't simply surrendered. Iran is thousands of times larger, with layered military structures and a large security apparatus.

So I'm genuinely curious what the theory of victory is if the main instrument is airstrikes.

Iran International:

"Conscripts say commanders abandoned them in bases after Khamenei's killing
Following the killing of Ali Khamenei and dozens of military commanders, some officers have abandoned their barracks, leaving soldiers in dangerous conditions and forcing them to remain on guard duty under ongoing bombardment, multiple conscripts have told Iran International."

Ok it looks like the objectives have increased from the original 3 as of today.
You can read for yourselves.

From Iran International:

"US Senator Ted Cruz told Iran International this week that the US-Israel military campaign aims to remove the Islamic Republic from power and diminish Tehran's ability to "terrorize" or harm its neighbors.

"It is not simply enough to degrade part of their arsenal," Cruz told Eye for Iran podcast, adding that strikes have weakened Iran's military capabilities and limited its ability to project force abroad.

Asked whether victory would mean regime change, he said: "Yeah, I believe this regime needs to be removed from power," and argued that doing so would serve US national security interests and support Iranians seeking freedom.

Cruz said the United States and Israel had acted in coordination in recent days.

"We've seen the United States working hand in hand with Israel taking out, number one, the Ayatollah, number two, the senior military leaders of the regime, number three, a great percentage of the missile reserves of the drones," he said.

"We have seen steadily the regime's ability to project force, to terrorize the Iranian people, to murder their neighbors, to murder Americans, all of those have been reduced dramatically."

His comments come as the Trump administration signals the campaign could intensify. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said this week the United States has "only just begun to fight," while Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned attacks across the region would escalate.

Freedom "on the doorstep"

Cruz argued that removing Iran's ruling regime would serve both US national security interests and the aspirations of Iranians living under the tyrinical government.

"Removing from power a government that is seeking to kill Americans is overwhelmingly in America's interest," he said, adding that it was also "overwhelmingly in the interest of the people of Iran of 92 million people who have suffered under tyranny and oppression for 47 years… and I believe freedom is on the doorstep and it is in sight before us."

More than 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown on nationwide protests, making it the deadliest two-day protest massacre in history.

The Republican Senator also suggested Iran's military response across the region is backfiring and strengthening opposition to the regime.

"Well, Iran is doing a great job of building a coalition against this regime," Cruz said. "You look at their military strategy, their military strategy appears to be try to murder as many people as possible and in as many countries as possible."

Iran's missile and drone attacks have spread across the region in recent days, with projectiles reported over or targeting Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Cyprus.

Some strikes and falling debris have also hit residential areas, highlighting how the conflict is spilling beyond military targets and affecting civilians across the region.

Limited ground engagement possible

Cruz also addressed speculation about whether the United States could deploy ground troops, saying he does not foresee an Iraq-style invasion but did not rule out limited ground action.

"Look, what we're not going to see is an extended presence of American troops on the ground. We're not going see a replay of what happened in the war in Iraq. That is not on the table," he said.

"The president has been clear he has not ruled out some limited ground engagement… I could envision it is possible the president will order some sort of limited ground engagements, but I would expect the overwhelming majority of the American engagement on this to be in the air through bombs and missiles and other means."

Iran's leadership question

The question of Iran's leadership has taken on new urgency following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran's clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, has elected Mojtaba Khamenei — the son of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei — as the Islamic Republic's new Supreme Leader, according to informed sources who spoke to Iran International.

The decision would keep power firmly within the ruling system of the Islamic Republic and extend the authority of the clerical establishment that has governed Iran since 1979.

President Donald Trump signaled strong opposition to Mojtaba Khamenei assuming power.

"Khamenei's son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy Rodriguez in Venezuela," Trump said.

"We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran."

Asked during his interview about who should lead Iran next, Cruz said he would not speculate about specific figures but noted there were multiple possible contenders.

"Look, I don't know, and I think that's a decision for the people of Iran to make. And so there are various contenders," Cruz said.

Cruz said he believes Iran's current ruling system should ultimately be replaced by leadership chosen by the Iranian people.

"Yeah, I believe this regime needs to be removed from power," he said.

"What I would like to see is a free and fair election, let the people of Iran choose their leaders."

Message to the Iranian people

Cruz also spoke about his personal connection to people who have lived under authoritarian rule.

"My father was born and grew up in Cuba. My father fought in the Cuban revolution. My father was imprisoned and tortured in Cuba," he said. "My family knows suffering the people of Iran have experienced."

He ended with a message to Iranians protesting the government.

"My message to the Iranian people is your courage is inspiring… You have a moment to reclaim your country, to reclaim your future and to move into an era of prosperity."
"
…
From Truth Social:

"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. "MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)." Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP"

OVI +1

SBm +1

Parz +1

Good points Inca77. But as we see even if the reports are half accurate. The islamists in Iran are taking a horrible beating. On the ground, in the air, and at sea. Of course Iraq is 65% Shia. And they are closely wedded to the islamists of Iran. They have sent some militias as has Hamas and Hezbollah, even the Houthis have sent pro-Ayatollah groups. Many maybe dead or gone by now ?

From what we see those groups are or will be severely attritied. Does the islamist regime, IRGC, Basji, their supporters, etc. have the ability to remain a threat ? As the US/IDF continue to remove their pieces off the board, daily.

The math is simple. Will the US and IDF run out of ordinance/will. Before these islamist elements are unable to continue to survive under this massive air/sea/land campaign. Some IRGC, etc. are abandoning their positions. They see the handwriting on the walls. Written in their islamist blood …. lots of it…

Remember not only the USN and USAF have assets striking the islamsts. But the US Army has ADA assets[Patriot/THAAD] in all of the surrounding Arab nations and even countries within Iran's missile ranges.

The US Army has missile launchers[MLRS] firing into Iran with long range missiles. I.e. M270, M142, ATACMS, and a new more accurate and longer-range PRISM system.

We know the popular paradigm is you can't win a conflict with just air power. However, you prep the battlefield with air assets and FA, etc. to attrite the enemy. Before any ground forces attack.

It is highly Unlikely US troops will be on the ground. But the US is doing supply drops to the Kurds, etc. who are crossing into Iran. They don't like the islamists. Which are in the minority of the rest of Iran's population. 80% hate this islamists regime.

I'd bet IDF SF forces who are already there supporting the Anti-Ayatollah forces. They always have a present there. They are probably working with the Kurds.

Possibly US CIA, Delta, etc. have been there and maybe more are there now. Doing classic SF operations as they did in Vietnam, with e.g. the Montagnards, Huong, etc. And even before that in the PI during WWII. Working will the local guerillas in killing off IJFs, etc.

Now Iran is a huge country. The Kurdish invasion is small in light of that. But that large country can't be controlled by the IRGC, Basji, Shia supporting "out of towners", etc. Along with those elements continue to lose bodies, equipment, often and in large numbers. So that will stretch out the islamist forces. Also causing them to mass. Bring them on the battlefield to combat the Kurds, etc. Which will make them good targets. Massed enemy formations make very "tasty" targets for airstrikes, etc., etc.

The attrition of the islamist elements/assets is a primary objective of the US/IDF attacks. With missile launchers/TELs, missile supply and manufacturing locations. Being the #1 targets. Along with C3. Then IRGC, Basji, etc. positions, etc. It is hard not to see how much the IDF/US has attrited the islamist leadership from the Ayatollah on down.

Yes his son will replace him. But based on the IDF/US record on taking out the islamist leadership, wherever they are. As I said, if we start a dead pool, I'm giving his son 5-7 days. Before he is a Krisy Kritter. Along with anyone who is with him. They can run and hide … but they will only die tired … With the emphasis on they will die.

Bottom line … this islamist gov't can't get nuclear devices of any types or weapons to deploy them.

And free the Persians from these islamist lunatics … Even if most of those militant fanatics have to die. As many of them are doing now.

Good hunting boys !

From CNN:

Read carefully, can be a religious leader and does not have to be a democracy.

Like in Venezuela, the U.S. wants a leader the U.S. can work with.

This fits with previous actions and policies. The US first, before other considerations.

That may NOT be exactly what Israel and Others may be looking for. But I don't think he will care. 😉

"Trump tells CNN he's not worried whether Iran becomes a democratic state

President Donald Trump told CNN Friday that Iran's leadership has been "neutered" and that he's looking for new leadership that will treat the United States and Israel well, even if that's a religious leader and it's not a democratic state.

"Iran is not the same country it was a week ago. A week ago they were powerful, and now they've been indeed neutered," he told CNN in a brief but wide-ranging phone interview."

Legion +1

I'm sure you saw we are up to over 30 ships sunk. 👍

You see the article I posted about lack of Houthi involvement so far?

Interesting when really thinks about it.🤔

Regime change has already taken place. It happened on DAY ONE. 😉

"Ten days ago (February 24, 2026), the head of Iran was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who served as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
Al Jazeera

At that time, Ali Khamenei held the country's highest authority, overseeing the military, judiciary, and all branches of government. However, he was killed several days later, on February 28, 2026, during a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation.

Key details regarding the leadership transition:
Assassination: Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, in airstrikes targeting his compound in Tehran."

Just NOT an agreeable NEW leader yet.

Some may not want to get involved in this, but the fundamentalist in your countries don't care. They will come after you anyway. As numerous countries in the ME have already found out.

From the BBC:

"Four people have been arrested as part of a counter-terrorism investigation relating to Iran, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Police arrested one Iranian and three dual British-Iranian nationals on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

The investigation relates to the suspected surveillance of locations and individuals linked to Jewish communities in London, the Met said.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the arrests were part of "a long-running investigation and part of our ongoing work to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it".

She added: "We understand the public may be concerned, in particular the Jewish community, and as always, I would ask them to remain vigilant and if they see or hear anything that concerns them, then to contact us."
"

Just in. Iran International:

"Ali-Asghar Hejazi, the deputy chief of staff of the office of Iran's Supreme Leader, has been targeted in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran, according to Israeli defense sources cited by The Times of Israel's military correspondent Emanuel Fabian."

35thOVI – I believe that Helen Flanagan used to be on Coronation Street. Now she has a new job as a Commander. Huh.

CNN:

"Gen. David Petraeus on just how successful the U.S. has been in Iran: "We have actually achieved air supremacy, not just air superiority"
"

OldYeller,

Well they are both blonds… be it bottle or natural. 🙂

".
@PressSec
: "What I will tell you is what
@POTUS
has already laid out, which is that the achievable objectives of Operation Epic Fury we expect to last about 4-6 weeks, and we are well on our way to achieving those objectives."
"
We will see.

BREAKING: The US military is prepared to use Optical Dazzling Interdictor Navy LASERS against Iran, equipped on at least 2 destroyers The US is ACTIVELY using precision laser-guided rockets to SHOOT DOWN Iranian drones from air, ground or sea 🔥 Freaking bad*ss. "ODIN t.co/IIqCNcIHwe / X


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A report out of Sri Lanka claims that an Iranian Navy logistics vessel developed "engine trouble" and the ship's crew had to be "offloaded" to shore with Sri Lankan aid. The vessel is now somehow "under way" to a new port in Sri Lankan, potentially under Sri Lankan control.

Awfully convenient "engine trouble," isn't it?

Sounds more like "Please don't sink us! Here, we're giving the ship away! No torpedoes, please!"

And I'm totally fine with that. In fact, any Iranian vessel commander with any actual brains should be finding ways to do that as quickly as possible.

Hilarious bit— Iran's "closing" of the Strait of Hormuz has blocked in (and out) Iran's own "shadow fleet" of oil tankers that supply Russia and China with oil.

Oops.

By the way, the missile that hit Khamanei Sr was an Israeli space weapon— it is launched by an aircraft and carried into space by rocket boosters, after which it arcs back down at an sharp angle to strike its target. This path makes it almost impossible to detect or shoot down with the weapons Iran has available.

On top of that, Israel and the US are reportedly using laser systems to shoot down Iranian drones.

The future is here, and Iran is stuck in the past.

And an Iranian women's soccer team stood at attention to salute the American national anthem at a recent game (outside of Iran, of course).

Parz, check above in thread, pretty sure I have a story about it up there.

I think the Iranians realized the ocean now held dangers other than just storms and big fish. 😉

By the way, the regime *has* changed. When the top 130 leaders in your country are blown to bits, your regime has changed.

35th OVI— Missed that one! I try to keep up, but sometimes stories pass me by.

Parz I understand. I post way too much. But stuff is everywhere on the web right now. 🙂

Just saw this. Seems like a sign that offense by Iran is weakening. The reports of a 90% reduction may be close to true.

"Israel's national airline, El Al, resumed repatriation flights on Thursday morning after nearly a week with no flights since the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran began last weekend. Air traffic and other aspects of civilian travel and commerce have been tightly restricted or scaled back in several countries in the region, as Iran lashed out at Israel and its other neighbors, with waves of drone and missile attacks that hit residential neighborhoods and apartment buildings throughout the Middle East."

Great joke:

When the Catholic Cardinals elect a Pope, it's announced with a puff of smoke.
When the Iranian Council of Clerics elect a new Ayatollah, he *becomes* a puff of smoke.

😂

"Look, Daddy. Imam says every time we see an explosion, a new supreme leader gets his wings."

Clarification from Iran International:

"Trump says Iran 'surrender' may not require formal declaration – Axios

President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with Axios that his demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender" might not require a formal declaration from Tehran.

"Unconditional surrender could be that [the Iranians] announce it. But it could also be when they can't fight any longer because they don't have anyone or anything to fight with," he said.

Trump's comments offered a clearer definition of US war aims as fighting entered its second week, with Washington maintaining that hostilities will continue until Iran is no longer capable of sustained resistance."

Iran International:

Thwarted Iranian terrorist attack.

"Azerbaijani media reported that the country's security service has placed several operatives of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under pursuit for allegedly preparing "terrorist acts" and has foiled their plots.

According to the report, published Friday, March 5, the targets included the strategic Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline, Israel's embassy in Azerbaijan, a leader of the Jewish religious community and the Ashkenazi synagogue in Baku.

Azerbaijani outlets said the operatives' ultimate aim was to spread fear and damage the country's international reputation.

Reports said the group had smuggled three explosive devices into Azerbaijan, which security forces later neutralized.

The report was published one day after an Iranian drone strike on Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan region left four people wounded. According to official statements from Baku, one drone struck the terminal building of Nakhchivan Airport, while another crashed near a school building in the village of Shakarabad.

Iranian officials denied responsibility for the attack and instead blamed Israel.

Since the current war began, Iran has targeted at least 12 countries in the region, according to the report.

Azerbaijani media further reported that two Iranian citizens, Behnam Sahebali Rostamzadeh and Yaser Rahim Zandekian, established criminal contacts with Azerbaijani citizen Tarkhan Tarlanoglu Guliyev to smuggle an explosive device into the country.

Investigators later discovered a container abandoned on Zandekian's instructions in Baku's Sabail district. A search found 7.73 kilograms of C-4 explosive, intended for destroying infrastructure and concrete structures.

Guliyev and another man, Nijat Zamanoglu Aghayev, later retrieved the container and concealed the explosives in a military district of Baku.

Authorities said additional Iranian and Azerbaijani nationals were also identified as participants in the alleged plots.

Following the recent drone strike on Nakhchivan, relations between Baku and Tehran have again grown tense. Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry described Iran's denial of responsibility as "unacceptable" and demanded accountability and an official apology.

President Ilham Aliyev also warned that "the dishonorable individuals who carried out this terrorist act will regret it."

Security investigators said Iranian nationals linked to Azerbaijani citizens in the case had direct ties to the IRGC, in addition to involvement in drug trafficking networks.

According to Azerbaijani media, an Iranian citizen identified as Sajjad Moghadam Sheikhzadeh had received assignments from the IRGC to prepare assassination plots targeting Jewish residents of Azerbaijan.

Investigators named Ali-Asghar Bardbar Sharamini, a senior IRGC intelligence officer, as the planner and coordinator of the operations. Another Iranian national, Hafez Tavassoli, was said to have coordinated activities on the ground.

Azerbaijani media reported that several Iranian nationals, including Zandekian, Rostamzadeh and Sheikhzadeh, have been placed on international wanted lists for their alleged roles in gathering intelligence and organizing sabotage aimed at destabilizing society and spreading fear.

Several Azerbaijani citizens have also been sentenced to prison in connection with the case."

We know it's only been a week. But the US & IDF are doing a lot of damage to the islamists in Iran. They will not give up as they want to get martyred and go to Paradise … Intel, etc. believes they are going be severely attrited in both men and equipment. Before they will no longer be a threat … to anyone.

So seems to me the strikes should continue. The estimate is it will take 4-6 weeks. To remove these lunatics from Iran.

So load more ordinance … Reports are tonight this is the biggest strikes so far.

Plus IDF strikes are attriting Hezbollah in Lebanon too. There is a lot of islamists to be serviced. Until the Mid-East will have peace.

"Saudi Arabia invokes defense pact with Pakistan amid Iranian attacks

Saudi Arabia invoked its Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Pakistan as Iran's drone and missile strikes on the Kingdom continue, including attacks on oil facilities and the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on X on Friday.

Prince Khalid met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to coordinate countermeasures under the pact. He warned that Iranian actions threaten regional security and urged Tehran to exercise "wisdom" and avoid further miscalculations."

Taking the scorpion to one's breast.

Memorial for Khamenei yesterday in New York City.

One could say: Like having a memorial for Adolph Hitler. 😳

As you might expect, a nice spattering of those wearing the normal "protest garb" of recent U.S. protests: the keffiyeh

"Protesters set up images of Khamenei on a table alongside flowers and candles, with signs reading, "Solidarity with Iran." Other pictures included US civil rights leader Malcolm X and George Floyd, and local media noted that the display table also carried copies of the Quran and zines with titles such as "Zionism and Racist Landlords" and "ICE & Friends."

The event was billed as both a memorial for Khamenei — whose death was dubbed by those present as an "assassination by US government forces" — and for "all martyrs of Amerikan [sic] imperialism."

"We must live like the ayatollah did, with his heart for his people, and we must die like he did," a speaker told the crowd."

🙄

"The vigil featured a makeshift memorial table covered with Palestinian keffiyeh scarves, candles and photos of Khamenei, with an observer describing the scene as the "People's Republic of New York.""

"People's Republic of New York."

Well that's probably close to the truth.

"In a flyer announcing the event, organizers called Khamenei's death an "assassination by U.S. government forces.""

Yes, just like the assassination of Hitler's cronies by the Allies.

Some of the quotes and chants from those attending the memorial.

"death to America, death to Israel" in Farsi"

"Throughout his life, Khamenei defended the dignity of the Iranian people and stood firmly against zionism [sic] and the criminal American regime,"

"Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 overthrew the U.S.-backed puppet government, the Iranian people have resisted Western domination and the exploitation of their land, labor, and resources.
"In that time, Iran severed all ties with the zionist [sic] regime and was the first country to host a Palestinian embassy on its soil, all while materially supporting Palestinian resistance and national liberation movements across the world."

Sound like quotes from every protest recently in the U.S.? 😏

Subject: 'Death to America' chanters, counter-protesters clash at NYC Khamenei memorial | The Times of Israel


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Subject: NYC Washington Square Park vigil for Ayatollah Khamenei turns violent


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I did try and get this using the same search criteria with google.. adding ABC, CNN 🦗🦗🦗

I got this when CNN was attached to the google query

"CNN reports from pro-government rally in Tehran and visits hospital

CNN's Fred Pleitgen and Claudia Otto report from Tehran as thousands of Iranian hardliners gather to mourn the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and denounce the US and Israel. They also visit a hospital damaged in an airstrike. CNN operates in Iran only with government permission"

Covering a PRO Government rally in Tehran, Iran. 🙄

There was a counter protest in NYC by Iranians and others thanking the U.S. and Israel. Of course the pro Iranians did not let that go unchallenged.

Iran international:

"Israeli strikes hit 16 aircraft belonging to the Quds Force, which oversees Iran's overseas military operations, at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran overnight, the Israeli military said on Saturday, adding the planes had been used to transfer weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The IDF said the strikes were part of a broader wave targeting military infrastructure in Tehran, including facilities at the airport.

It said Mehrabad Airport served as a central hub for the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to move weapons and cash to Iran-backed armed groups across the Middle East.

Several Iranian fighter jets that posed a threat to Israeli aircraft operating in Iranian airspace were also targeted, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The Israeli military also said measures were taken before the strikes to reduce harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence."

From TWZ:

"Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker became the first ship to be struck by an Iranian uncrewed surface vessel (USV) during this conflict, the Ambrey maritime security firm told us. As we have frequently reported, USVs have been widely used by Ukraine against Russia and, in the Middle East, by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels against commercial shipping.

You can catch up with our latest coverage of Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran in our rolling coverage here.

The ship, the MKD VYOM, was initially thought to have been struck by a projectile on March 1, in a deadly attack about 50 nautical miles north of Muscat, Oman. However, the United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization, which is managed by the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom, gave an updated assessment of the incident Monday morning.

"UKMTO has received confirmation that the vessel was attacked by an Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV), and that the crew has been evacuated to shore," the organization stated. "Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.""

Iran international:

Iranian sailor killed on Dena told father US warned ship before strike
3 hours ago

An Iranian sailor who was killed when the warship Dena was struck by the US near Sri Lanka had called his father shortly beforehand, saying American forces had issued two warnings for the crew to abandon the vessel, a source close to the family told Iran International.

The Iranian navy warship's commander refused to allow the crew to abandon Dena despite the imminent threat, the source added.

The sailor's father said some crew members argued with the commander, and the 32 crew members who survived were mainly sailors who managed to escape on lifeboats, according to the source.

A US submarine torpedoed Dena in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday, about 19 nautical miles from the southern Sri Lankan port of Galle, killing dozens of sailors and significantly expanding Washington's campaign against Iran's naval forces.

The sinking of the Dena — described by US War Secretary Pete Hegseth as a "quiet death" — marked the first time since World War II that the United States had torpedoed an enemy warship, underscoring the widening geographic reach of the conflict with Iran.

An internal US State Department cable dated March 6 seen by Reuters said the US urged Sri Lankan authorities not to return the 32 surviving sailors from Dena and the 208 sailors Sri Lanka rescued from naval auxiliary ship IRIS Booshehr."

I wonder if Iran warns those countries and Ships its missiles hit, beforehand? 🤔

This I thought would start happening. Hitting at future income and abilities to recover. Just wondered if it would be Israel or us.

Iran International:

"Israel on Saturday night initiated attacks on 30 oil storage tanks throughout Iran, Israeli media reported citing officials, with videos showing massive fires in several facilities in Tehran and other cities."

"Define Victory", he asked quietly.
Does anyone REALLY think that "unconditional surrender" is really an option?
How does it end in a satisfactory way?
How many Supreme Leaders will we have to kill before we end up with one that POTUS likes? Oh, wait! We killed him last Thursday! Check the roster…

And are we invading Cuba too? This week, or when we come to a satisfactory conclusion in Iran?

AND… Expect an Executive Order to fix College Football and Basketball!
Busy man.

Subject: Iran International English on X: "The Israeli military said on Saturday it struck several fuel storage complexes in Tehran which it said were used by Iran's military forces. The IDF said Iran's military makes "direct and frequent use of these fuel tanks to operate military infrastructure." Through them, it t.co/9dIvsEnEMA / X


link

So who is Iran hitting the most?

So this graph on TV today.

I grabbed this from The NewArab:

"According to the data, Iran fired two and a half times more missiles and twenty times more drones towards Gulf countries than towards Israel. While around 200 missiles and 100 drones were launched at Israel across 123 attack waves, Iran attacked Gulf states with roughly 500 missiles and 2,000 drones.

The New Arab could not verify the numbers independently, but the figures purport that attacks on Gulf states and other Arab countries during the first four days of the war included 812 drones and 186 missiles directed at the UAE, 92 drones and 74 missiles towards Bahrain, 46 drones and 116 missiles towards Qatar, 36 drones and 13 missiles towards Jordan, five drones towards Oman, 384 drones and 178 missiles towards Kuwait, three drones and two missiles towards Cyprus, 13 drones and two missiles towards Saudi Arabia, in addition to 70 missiles and drones directed at Iraqi Kurdistan.

As for casualties resulting from the Iranian bombardment, according to the institute's data during the same period, 11 were killed and five wounded in Iraq, four killed and 35 wounded in Kuwait, three killed and 68 wounded in the UAE, three killed and four wounded in Oman, 16 wounded in Qatar, one killed and four wounded in Bahrain, and five wounded in Jordan.

The institute also estimates that the Israeli air force had destroyed 300 launch platforms inside Iran by Tuesday, along with more than 100 ballistic missiles, while the US military destroyed 17 Iranian vessels and submarines.

If these figures are accurate, it appears that although Iran considers Israel its primary enemy, it is directing the bulk of its firepower towards its closer neighbours, even those with which it normally maintains relatively good relations, on the grounds that they host American bases."

Come on John. Iran is going to be thrilled to have a leader picked by the US to run their country. It has always worked out well through out history. So will Cuba when we decided to do regime change there too.

Fox:

"The Israel Defense Forces said Saturday it carried out a precision strike targeting commanders from the Quds Force's Lebanon Corps of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IGRC) operating in a Beirut hotel.

According to the IDF, the commanders were working to advance terror plots against Israel from Lebanese territory.

The military said the Quds Force's Lebanon Corps acts as a liaison between Iran's IRGC and the Hezbollah terror organization, supporting Hezbollah's military buildup.

The IDF said it took steps to minimize civilian casualties before the strike, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance.

"Prior to the strike, steps were taken to minimize the chance of harm to civilians," the military said.

Israel added that it will continue targeting Iranian commanders operating in the region."

OVI +1

"Define Victory",

Well for one we probably are not going to tell they enemy too much our victory conditions. And as they say often in DC, etc. "This is an ongoing investigation." …

So this is an ongoing conflict … Things may develop in a number of ways. However, I think the definition in this situation will include:

Iran has no nukes/WMD deployable weapons …

They will no longer support terrorism …

Stop killing your people …

Have a functioning gov't that is not based on islamists dogma/Sheria Law …

That a big list and maybe hard to do all of it in a short amount of time.

How does it end in a satisfactory way?

Read what I posted already above. I don't remember a conflict where the leadership tells the enemy what the victory conditions are.

No matter what is going on … A lot of work to be done …

It is highly Unlikely US troops will be on the ground

Better speak to yer man about that.

link

Well for one we probably are not going to tell they enemy too much our victory conditions.

It's a good idea to have a plan yourself though.

Iran International:

"Israeli military says it will pursue any successor to Khamenei
6 hours ago

Listen to this article
Israel's military warned that it would pursue any successor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as anyone involved in appointing the next leader.

In a statement, the Israeli military said Iran's ruling system was trying to rebuild itself and choose a new leader after Khamenei's killing, and said the Assembly of Experts was expected to convene soon in Qom.

The military said Israel would continue to track "every successor" and "every person who seeks to appoint a successor," and issued a direct warning to those planning to take part in the meeting.

"We warn all those who intend to participate in the meeting to choose a successor that we will not hesitate to target you as well," it said."

Iran International:

"Residents report strikes and military deployments across several Iranian cities
3 hours ago

Messages sent by residents to Iran International described explosions, reported strikes and military deployments across several cities in Iran on Sunday.

In Shahin Shahr near Isfahan, residents reported multiple explosions in the morning, including near a Revolutionary Guards center, the governor's office and other locations.

Another message said a police station at the Attar–Modarres intersection and a Guards base were targeted around 9:15 a.m.

Residents also reported attacks on security and military facilities in other parts of Isfahan province. Messages described strikes on a police command building near City Center in Isfahan and on a police command office on Tohid Street.

Other reported targets included the Guards' Saheb al-Zaman headquarters on Sofeh Boulevard opposite Al-Zahra hospital, a Basij intelligence district, a command headquarters and the Imam Ali barracks in Najafabad.

In nearby Fuladshahr, residents said Guards forces that had entered the Hijab stadium on Saturday were targeted.

Elsewhere, residents reported heavy bombing of army air and naval bases and other military facilities in Bushehr.

In Qom, one message said the Safaieh area was struck around 8 a.m.

Residents in Bandar Abbas reported hearing explosions since the morning and said military facilities at the western edge of the city had been hit by missiles.

Separate messages described security deployments in other cities. In Qazvin, police forces were reported stationed at the 22 Bahman stadium near a health center and a girls' technical school.

In Tehran's Sa'adat Abad district, residents said Imam Sadeq university and a nearby high school had been turned into military positions with checkpoints set up around them.

In Tabriz, residents reported government forces stationed at Imam Ali primary school in the Roshdiyeh area."

Have a functioning gov't that is not based on islamists dogma/Sheria Law …

Ah, so. Like MacArthur writhing Japan's constitution!
The Shia are such malleable and submissive people. That'll be easy. 👍

AXIOS:

"Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump suggested the possibility of a ground operation had not been ruled out, saying U.S. forces could move in at a later stage of the conflict if necessary. "Right now we're just decimating them, but we haven't gone after it," Trump said, referring to Iran's nuclear material. "But something we could do later on. We wouldn't do it now."

Axios reported Saturday that U.S. and Israeli officials have discussed sending special operations forces into Iran to secure the regime's stockpile of highly enriched uranium once Tehran's military capabilities are sufficiently degraded.

The outlet reported that Iran possesses roughly 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, material that could potentially be converted to weapons-grade fuel within weeks.

According to the report, officials have debated whether the material would be physically removed from Iran or diluted on site by nuclear specialists working alongside special operations units, possibly including scientists from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at the challenge earlier this week during a congressional briefing when asked if Iran's uranium would be secured.

"People are going to have to go and get it," Rubio said, without specifying which country's forces might carry out such a mission.

A U.S. official told Axios the operational questions remain complex, including determining the precise location of the uranium and how troops would safely reach and secure it.

"The first question is, where is it?" the official said. "The second question is, how do we get to it and how do we get physical control?"
"

"Define Victory"?

John, how do you define it?

But here you all go.

It is impossible to deny that a tactical victory has already been achieved. (Unless one's hate is just too deep and one swims in self denial. 😏)

But not me saying that, though I agree.

From AI:

"As of March 8, 2026, the U.S. and Israel have achieved a significant tactical victory by severely degrading Iran's military infrastructure, though the strategic victory—defined as the total collapse of the regime or a permanent end to its nuclear program—remains incomplete and contested.

Tactical and Operational Achievements

Military analysts and official reports characterize the current state as a decisive military success:

Air Dominance: U.S. and Israeli forces have established effective control of Iranian airspace, allowing them to strike targets across the country with impunity.

Missile Degradation: Iranian ballistic missile launches have reportedly declined by 90% since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28.

Leadership Decapitation: The opening wave of strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of top military and intelligence officials.
Naval Neutralization: At least 30 Iranian naval vessels have been sunk or disabled, including a drone carrier and the frigate IRIS Dena. "

Regime change? Well one cannot deny the regime HAS BEEN changed already. Over 42 dead including the ayatollah.

Now do we have the leader we want? Obviously the attacks continue. So the answer today would look to be no.

A strategic victory? Not yet, and maybe never. We don't know.

Total change in leadership has always been predicated on the Iranians rising up to overthrow their government. Both the President and his Secretaries have said that since before all this started.

So far our government has told them to shelter until heavy bombing slows or stops.

Now do the Iranian people own firearms?

That old bugaboo of citizens owning firearms come back to bite them in the arse. 😏

"The government of Iran generally does not allow its citizens to own private firearms. Iran has some of the strictest gun control laws in the world, with private possession of handguns, rifles, and even some types of air guns being strictly prohibited or heavily restricted."

Yes that pesky 2nd amendment would have been handy over there.. what??

Even if we left today with just a tactical victory, are we not better off than we were before the attacks?

Iran is already degraded.

Missiles and drone attacks are decreasing daily. I've seen decrease on TV live from Israel by those on the ground.

Their Navy is pretty much staring up from the bottom of the oceans and seas.

They are losing stored oil daily now.

Their armed forces are being degraded daily.

Air Force ??????

Their ally hezbollah made the mistake of helping. Looks like bad miscalculation on their part.

Where are the missiles from Hamas? 🦗🦗🦗🦗

Houthis? They are talking, but so far 🦗🦗

The Iranians managed to p#SS off at least 12 of their neighbors. Some threatened to enter and others have cut off Iranian money in their countries.

Just a few things that come to my mind above.

The U.S. is no longer offering Danegeld to Iran. Or should we call it, BidenObamagild? 🤨

We have the first President since the Iranian revolution, who has stood up to Iran. (We know no other country, other than Israel has).

So a degree of VICTORY has already been achieved. 👍