Day 23 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
We are at the stage of the war where tRump sets a tight deadline for Iran to meet regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Iran states they will attack oil installations in the region if they are attacked. Both sides are escalating. Let’s see who blinks first.
081/365
Day 22 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
tRump’s overnight post on his social media platform detailed some objectives (finally!) for the conflict. Regime change was not mentioned. Not sure how Israel feels about that… tRump says the war is winding down, however intense bombing continues
080/365
Day 21 of the war by the US and Israel on Iran.
After berating NATO members for not deploying to the Strait of Hormuz, tonight tRump is not grateful that the UK has given permission for US bombers to use UK bases for missions to destroy Iranian sites that target the Strait of Hormuz.
079/365
Day 20 of the war of choice by the US and Israel on Iran.
We are at the stage of the war where the US & Israel are keen to state that their objectives in starting and maintaining this war are aligned. Yet another diplomatic disaster in the Oval Office as tRump mentions Pearl Harbour…
078/365
Day 19 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Bombing continues with civilian casualties and the destruction of vital energy infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz is still blocked to most of the international community’s commercial ships. The Iranian regime is still in power. But the US has won?!
077/365
Day 18 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
NATO members and US allies - long-time targets of 47’s bullying, tariffs and threats - have declined his entreaty to provide security for the Strait of Hormuz. And in another blow, a top US counterterrorism official has resigned because of the war. YIKES
076/365
Day 17 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
tRump is now threatening NATO’s future if allies do not do his bidding regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz. State Department diplomats must be shuddering and cringing - bully tactics are unlikely to work, especially after tRump’s insults, tirades
075/365
Day 16 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
The US president says he is not content with a deal proposed by the Iranians to stop the war. However, the Iranian Foreign Minister states that there are no on-going talks and definitely no discussions regarding a ceasefire. The nightmare continues.
074/365
Day 15 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
In yet another about turn, after declaring that the US had “obliterated” the Iranian military, the US president has appealed to allies to provide war ships to defend commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. NB there are no US warships in the Strait..
073/365
Day 14 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Media reports stated earlier in the war that Ukraine was assisting the US in dealing with drone attacks. So to hear that the US is temporarily allowing countries to buy Russian oil is a kick in the teeth. Whatever way you look at it, this is a hot mess.
072/365
Day 13 of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Although we did not see him, & we did not hear his voice, the new Iranian leader’s words about the Strait of Hormuz were defiant: Iran will continue to target the shipping lane where 20% of the world’s oil passes through. Over to you, 47 & Bibi…
071/365
Iran has claimed responsibility for attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on day 12 of the US-Israel war on Iran. The US president’s proposal of providing additional insurance for shipping will all be for nought if crews refuse to work in a conflict zone though.
The war continues.
070/365
The usual pattern of confusion and ambiguity continues: the US president and his Secretary of Defence state that the war is “ahead of schedule” and that it might end soon; but also that it might carry on. It would seem that stock markets & oil prices will determine what happens next.
069/365
On 7 March, from Air Force One, the US president stated that Iran was responsible for bombing a school in Tehran on the first day of the war. However, it appears that a Tomahawk missile caused the death of over 160 people. The Iranians & the Israelis do not have Tomahawk missiles…
068/365
At one point last week, the US president urged the Kurds to get involved in the US and Israel’s war with Iran. YIKES! However by 7 March, he had rowed back from his deeply problematic suggestion. Yet again, tRump spouts off without thinking, without considering the consequences.
067/365
Not really sure why the US president is railing against the British Prime Minister - again! - because as far as I am aware, the UK government is maintaining its stance that it will only engage in defensive action in the Middle East.
Most Britons support Starmer’s approach.
066/365
So the president of the United States no longer wants a negotiated end to this illegal war; only an unconditional surrender from Iran will suffice. Meanwhile there are reports that over a thousand Iranian civilians have been killed. And this is only day seven…
065/365
Wait - WHAT?! tRump says he wants to be personally involved in selecting the next leader in Iran. Just copy and paste from the actions in Venezuela then… It would be amusing if it wasn’t so awful for absolutely everyone.
064/365
Ambiguity and confusion continue regarding the war with Iran. The British Prime Minister reiterates that he has concerns about the legality of the war and the viability of a “day after” plan.
Kudos also to the PM of Spain for his confidence in dealing with the Orange Monster.
063/365
According to the US president, the UK - US relationship is “in peril” because the British Prime Minister did not immediately agree that UK bases could be used to launch strikes on Iran.
It is not a special relationship, it has always been toxic.
Spain is in the president’s crosshairs too.
062/365
Despite what was said yesterday, that the war with Iran was all about regime change, today the US administration is stating that “Iran posed an imminent threat” to the US. We can only speculate what they will say tomorrow, Inshallah…
061/365
So it seems that the US and Israel have regime change as their top priority in the war with Iran. From air bombardment alone…
Off ramps are already being discussed; but a lack of trust among the parties will make a diplomatic solution almost impossible to achieve.
060/365
So here we are. Again.
US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, but there has not been any compelling arguments regarding why this is happening NOW. Iran has retaliated with strikes in the region. At this time, it is not yet confirmed if the Iranian leader has been killed.
059/365
It does not bode well that diplomatic missions are drawing down some staff in embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv. Travel advice for ex pats and visitors has also been strengthened.
Diplomatic careers can be tough on families in turbulent times and in hostile environments.
058/365
Diplomats in Geneva are stating that the Iran talks in Geneva were a “reprieve” and that the next round will be as soon as next week. This is positive news. The military build up in the region continues. That’s the not so positive news. Extended deployments are not good for morale either.
058/365