Live Thread: War With Iran Continues #4

[240B]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9us2PtdQuY

I play it at 1.5 speed.

[libertybele]

Iran war day 78: Trump, Tehran signal talks as Lebanon truce extended

16 May 2026

Lebanon has welcomed an agreement with Israel to extend a fragile ceasefire by 45 days beyond Sunday’s deadline following talks in the United States, even as Israeli forces continued attacks on towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

At least 12 people were killed on Friday, including three paramedics, according to Lebanese authorities.

.............In Iran

    Iran open to China’s help: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US had sent messages indicating it was willing to continue talks, and that he was open to any support – including from China. “We appreciate any country who has the ability to help, particularly China,” Araghchi said.
    Tehran details toll of attacks on Iranian capital: The municipal government said US-Israeli attacks during the war caused at least 650 impact incidents across the capital, killing more than 1,260 people and wounding at least 2,800. Officials also said about 51,000 homes were damaged, along with more than 10,700 cars and 754 motorcycles, including nearly 150 taxis.
     More ships pass through Hormuz: Iran is allowing more ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state television has reported, because “many countries have accepted the new legal protocols” it has put in place.

War diplomacy

    China signals likely veto on Hormuz resolution: China’s UN envoy Fu Cong criticised a proposed US-backed Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz as “not right” in both timing and content, signalling Beijing would likely oppose the measure alongside Russia.........................

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/16/iran-war-day-78-trump-tehran-signal-talks-as-lebanon-truce-extended

[Hoodat]

https://twitter.com/_A_khalifa/status/2055495386622730519

[Cyber Liberty]

As I said.....

[BobfromWB]

Iran war day 78: Trump, Tehran signal talks as Lebanon truce extended

16 May 2026

Lebanon has welcomed an agreement with Israel to extend a fragile ceasefire by 45 days beyond Sunday’s deadline following talks in the United States, even as Israeli forces continued attacks on towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

At least 12 people were killed on Friday, including three paramedics, according to Lebanese authorities.

.............In Iran

    Iran open to China’s help: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US had sent messages indicating it was willing to continue talks, and that he was open to any support – including from China. “We appreciate any country who has the ability to help, particularly China,” Araghchi said.
    Tehran details toll of attacks on Iranian capital: The municipal government said US-Israeli attacks during the war caused at least 650 impact incidents across the capital, killing more than 1,260 people and wounding at least 2,800. Officials also said about 51,000 homes were damaged, along with more than 10,700 cars and 754 motorcycles, including nearly 150 taxis.
     More ships pass through Hormuz: Iran is allowing more ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state television has reported, because “many countries have accepted the new legal protocols” it has put in place.

War diplomacy

    China signals likely veto on Hormuz resolution: China’s UN envoy Fu Cong criticised a proposed US-backed Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz as “not right” in both timing and content, signalling Beijing would likely oppose the measure alongside Russia.........................

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/16/iran-war-day-78-trump-tehran-signal-talks-as-lebanon-truce-extended

"Trump also suggested he could be open to Iran placing its civilian nuclear programme on hold for two decades, provided Tehran demonstrates what he described as a genuine commitment to a broader agreement."

--

What is the Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz?

AI:
"The primary UN Security Council resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz is Resolution 2817, adopted on March 11, 2026, which condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf states and shipping in the strait. It passed with 13 votes in favor and abstentions from China and Russia, who criticized the text for not addressing the US and Israeli strikes that triggered the conflict.

Following this, the US and Bahrain floated a revised draft resolution in May 2026 to demand Iran cease attacks, remove mines, and end illegal tolling. This new draft gained support from over 110 co-sponsors, but faced vetoes from Russia and China, who argued the text was unbalanced and failed to address the root causes of the war. "

So much for 47's efforts with Xi, if they veto it. Putin certainly will.

[Free Vulcan]

Arthsh is above ground and at the mercy of money;
The IRGC and their families are below ground in hardened bunkers with years of supplies;

You figure it out.

And if they're holed up underground, they're can't be out to do much damage. What they are not is operational.

Did you really think that one thru?

[libertybele]

"Trump also suggested he could be open to Iran placing its civilian nuclear programme on hold for two decades, provided Tehran demonstrates what he described as a genuine commitment to a broader agreement."

--

What is the Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz?

AI:
"The primary UN Security Council resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz is Resolution 2817, adopted on March 11, 2026, which condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf states and shipping in the strait. It passed with 13 votes in favor and abstentions from China and Russia, who criticized the text for not addressing the US and Israeli strikes that triggered the conflict.

Following this, the US and Bahrain floated a revised draft resolution in May 2026 to demand Iran cease attacks, remove mines, and end illegal tolling. This new draft gained support from over 110 co-sponsors, but faced vetoes from Russia and China, who argued the text was unbalanced and failed to address the root causes of the war. "

So much for 47's efforts with Xi, if they veto it. Putin certainly will.

I'm waiting for Trump to stop dinking around with China and Ruissa and resume action against Iran and finish the job.  This has turned  into a 'stalemate' at best  for the  United States. 

[mystery-ak]

Oh brother..

Trump warns Iran's 'clock is ticking': Move 'fast' or 'there won't be anything left'
Fox News
Published May 17, 2026 1:06pm EDT | Updated May 17, 2026 1:22pm EDT

President Donald Trump renewed his stern warnings for Iran to come to peace and end its nuclear weapons aspirations Sunday.

"For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

"TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!"

Trump's post came after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Trump, fresh off his trek to meeting China's Xi Jinping face to face, is weighing restarting military action on Iran, Fox News Digitial reported earlier Sunday.

"Our eyes are also open regarding Iran," Netanyahu said Sunday morning, as translated from Hebrew. "I will speak today, as I do every few days, with our friend President Trump.

"I will certainly hear impressions from his trip to China, and perhaps other matters as well. There are certainly many possibilities, and we are prepared for every scenario."

Trump remains at the White House on Sunday, but no public or press appearances were on his schedule.

The call with Netanyahu came amid regional intelligence assessments on Iran that restarting of military strikes might be coming because of Trump's frustration with Iran's tactics amid the closing of the Strait of Hormuz and the rejection of his demand to give up nuclear weapons aspirations.

"The prevailing assessment inside Iran is that President Trump may resort to restarting military action, and Tehran is now deliberately pursuing a strategy of 'deception and delay' with the hopes that buying time will complicate any potential return to war," two regional intelligence officials told Fox News.

Intelligence officials believe that the Iranian regime thinks it can delay developments and stretch the crisis out for at least two more weeks, so that the situation could become more difficult for Trump to restart the military campaign, both politically and operationally.

These sources say Iranian officials are looking at the World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary as a backstop that could work in their favor.

Fox News has reached out to the White House for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

The impact of the U.S.-led blockade is becoming increasingly visible inside Iran, according to a senior Israeli official.

Early signs of a developing fuel crisis started emerging over the weekend, including long lines at gas stations and growing public discontent over fuel shortages, and distribution problems.

Prices continue to rise, unemployment is climbing and inflation is accelerating sharply.

"It’s getting exponentially worse," the official added.

Fox News' Trey Yingst and Yonat Friling contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-warns-irans-clock-ticking-move-fast-there-wont-anything-left

[libertybele]

Oh brother..

Trump warns Iran's 'clock is ticking': Move 'fast' or 'there won't be anything left'
Fox News
Published May 17, 2026 1:06pm EDT | Updated May 17, 2026 1:22pm EDT

President Donald Trump renewed his stern warnings for Iran to come to peace and end its nuclear weapons aspirations Sunday.

"For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

"TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!"

Trump's post came after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Trump, fresh off his trek to meeting China's Xi Jinping face to face, is weighing restarting military action on Iran, Fox News Digitial reported earlier Sunday.

"Our eyes are also open regarding Iran," Netanyahu said Sunday morning, as translated from Hebrew. "I will speak today, as I do every few days, with our friend President Trump.

"I will certainly hear impressions from his trip to China, and perhaps other matters as well. There are certainly many possibilities, and we are prepared for every scenario."

Trump remains at the White House on Sunday, but no public or press appearances were on his schedule.

The call with Netanyahu came amid regional intelligence assessments on Iran that restarting of military strikes might be coming because of Trump's frustration with Iran's tactics amid the closing of the Strait of Hormuz and the rejection of his demand to give up nuclear weapons aspirations.

"The prevailing assessment inside Iran is that President Trump may resort to restarting military action, and Tehran is now deliberately pursuing a strategy of 'deception and delay' with the hopes that buying time will complicate any potential return to war," two regional intelligence officials told Fox News.

Intelligence officials believe that the Iranian regime thinks it can delay developments and stretch the crisis out for at least two more weeks, so that the situation could become more difficult for Trump to restart the military campaign, both politically and operationally.

These sources say Iranian officials are looking at the World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary as a backstop that could work in their favor.

Fox News has reached out to the White House for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

The impact of the U.S.-led blockade is becoming increasingly visible inside Iran, according to a senior Israeli official.

Early signs of a developing fuel crisis started emerging over the weekend, including long lines at gas stations and growing public discontent over fuel shortages, and distribution problems.

Prices continue to rise, unemployment is climbing and inflation is accelerating sharply.

"It’s getting exponentially worse," the official added.

Fox News' Trey Yingst and Yonat Friling contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-warns-irans-clock-ticking-move-fast-there-wont-anything-left

Oh brother is right.  We keep hearing 'warnings and threats' to Iran .... here we sit. 

What to believe anymore?  I think we've been misled as our SOW and generals miscalculated the strength and resilience of Iran.  Then there's Israel -- who knows what they've got planned?  It seems that Trump may have tied Bib's hands and that's why he announced that he wanted to be free of relying on the U.S.,  both financially and militarily.

All I can say is send our troops home as we are going to need them to defend our mainland.

Just my perspective.

[BobfromWB]

And if they're holed up underground, they're can't be out to do much damage. What they are not is operational.

Did you really think that one thru?

Yes - you misunderstood - they are holed up in their bunkers, busy reloading launchers dug out ready to launch, if 47 attacks again. They are far from harmless teddy bears.

They are operational - most of them. Remember, they spent 47 years planning all the eventualities - war gaming, if you will.

What hit them was expected, if attacked, and they survived - a victory over the Great Satan. Now after 47 gave them months to regroup an rearm, they will be ready to go again.

[BobfromWB]

Oh brother is right.  We keep hearing 'warnings and threats' to Iran .... here we sit. 

What to believe anymore?

All I can say is send our troops home as we are going to need them to defend our mainland.

Just my perspective.

Then Iran won, China and Russia will be in for the spoils, after Iranian nukes, mounted on copied North Korean ICBMS, take out major US cities.

If anything, we need to use our troops to get the uranium and plutonium, to secure the Strait, to arm & train the Persians to kill all their Arab rulers: the Mullahs and the IRGC.

[Cyber Liberty]

Then Iran won, China and Russia will be in for the spoils, after Iranian nukes, mounted on copied North Korean ICBMS, take out major US cities.

If anything, we need to use our troops to get the uranium and plutonium, to secure the Strait, to arm & train the Persians to kill all their Arab rulers: the Mullahs and the IRGC.

For what it's worth, I agree with this.

[240B]

The whole thing is just bizarre. I have lost track of this so-called 'war'. In my mind it has become something that happened once upon a time, a long time ago.
I do not know and cannot imagine what caused Trump to surrender to Iran. I do not know and cannot imagine what he may or may not do in the future.

I do know that in Trump's mind, if he will just give them 60 more days, Jesus will somehow imbue them with the Holy Spirit and they will suddenly become nice civilized people who want peace, or something like that? Then they can "make a deal" which will be completely meaningless.

It is all too weird for me.

[libertybele]

Then Iran won, China and Russia will be in for the spoils, after Iranian nukes, mounted on copied North Korean ICBMS, take out major US cities.

If anything, we need to use our troops to get the uranium and plutonium, to secure the Strait, to arm & train the Persians to kill all their Arab rulers: the Mullahs and the IRGC.

I absolutely agree with you.  But it's not happening and doubtful that it's going to happen.  That's why I stated send our troops home we're going to need them to defend our mainland.

Trump's is pussy-footing around, meanwhile everyone else is regrouping, re-strategizing and rebuilding.  So, more stern words coming out of Trump's mouth is becoming insulting to the intelligence of Americans.

[DCPatriot]

The whole thing is just bizarre. I have lost track of this so-called 'war'. In my mind it has become something that happened once upon a time, a long time ago.
I do not know and cannot imagine what caused Trump to surrender to Iran. I do not know and cannot imagine what he may or may not do in the future.

I do know that in Trump's mind, if he will just give them 60 more days, Jesus will somehow imbue them with the Holy Spirit and they will suddenly become nice civilized people who want peace, or something like that? Then they can "make a deal" which will be completely meaningless.

It is all too weird for me.

"TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE"...a phrase we would add occasionally in real estate contract contingencies.  It saved my clients' bacon and/or backside more than once.

It holds a special meaning when pertaining to "DROP DEAD" dates for all parties to the contract acknowledge.

[libertybele]

The whole thing is just bizarre. I have lost track of this so-called 'war'. In my mind it has become something that happened once upon a time, a long time ago.
I do not know and cannot imagine what caused Trump to surrender to Iran. I do not know and cannot imagine what he may or may not do in the future.

I do know that in Trump's mind, if he will just give them 60 more days, Jesus will somehow imbue them with the Holy Spirit and they will suddenly become nice civilized people who want peace, or something like that? Then they can "make a deal" which will be completely meaningless.

It is all too weird for me.

It is too weird.

Calling upon JD Vance and Rubio to help get things together here ... I'm beginning to think Trump is not at full capacity anymore.  He went in with full guns blazing .... and then ... slowed things down to a near crawl.  Something has changed either in him or those in his circle have told him he has to back off.

Maybe he backed off in order to make his 'deals' with China?? 

[BobfromWB]

The whole thing is just bizarre. I have lost track of this so-called 'war'. In my mind it has become something that happened once upon a time, a long time ago.
I do not know and cannot imagine what caused Trump to surrender to Iran. I do not know and cannot imagine what he may or may not do in the future.

I do know that in Trump's mind, if he will just give them 60 more days, Jesus will somehow imbue them with the Holy Spirit and they will suddenly become nice civilized people who want peace, or something like that? Then they can "make a deal" which will be completely meaningless.

It is all too weird for me.

Usually its the loser in a war that wants to make a deal, but it seems 47 has reversed the rule, making the US look like the loser to the rest of the world, allowing the Iranians to declare, if not out right victory, then victory over the Great Satan, and so rise to the level of a power to be reckoned with, at least in the ME; if Iran gets nukes, then it becomes a power in the rest of the world's eyes.

[BobfromWB]

I absolutely agree with you.  But it's not happening and doubtful that it's going to happen.  That's why I stated send our troops home we're going to need them to defend our mainland.

Trump's is bleep-footing around, meanwhile everyone else is regrouping, re-strategizing and rebuilding.  So, more stern words coming out of Trump's mouth is becoming insulting to the intelligence of Americans.

Unless 47 finishes what he started and gets unconditional surrender, history will not look kindly on him.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

And if they're holed up underground, they're can't be out to do much damage. What they are not is operational.

Did you really think that one thru?

I agree.  At this stage, likely to have depleted most of their materials and have no way to replenish with assets frozen and no income from oil.  They need cash to do that.

Absolutely ludricrous for some here to say 'Iran won'.

[Fishrrman]

240b wonders:
"I do not know and cannot imagine what caused Trump to surrender to Iran. I do not know and cannot imagine what he may or may not do in the future"

As I've posted more than once before:
Mr. Trump "saw the elephant".
And, after seeing it (and the future that comes with it), he is unable to keep going and to do what would be necessary to "win".

(I used the term "seeing the elephant" as did young Levi in Michner's "Centennial" TV series some years ago. Once he saw it, he could go no further, and had to turn back...)

[libertybele]

Unless 47 finishes what he started and gets unconditional surrender, history will not look kindly on him.

If he doesn't finish what he started, we're not going to have much of a country left.  The Muslims, Palis, and anti-Christians are already here and must of us don't speak Chinese. We'll be taken over by one of those if not by all of those. That's the situation we're staring at.

Several weeks ago, I thought, ok, Trump has some kind of plan, but then he kept giving Iran extensions.  Then I thought ok, when he's done with China, he'll act.  Nope.  The news of the days has said he's opened the door for 500,000 Chinese and they'll be buying up our farmland. 

WTH??  Of course, I'm hoping Trump has a few cards in his back pocket to play and we'll be acquiring the Strait and obtaining uranium.

[240B]

I agree.  At this stage, likely to have depleted most of their materials and have no way to replenish with assets frozen and no income from oil.  They need cash to do that.

Absolutely ludricrous for some here to say 'Iran won'.

Everyday the Mullahs and the IRGC remain alive is a 'victory' to them from their point of view.
Plus, they have learned that they can shutdown any American military operations 'at will'.

All Iran does is to tell Trump that they are ready to "make a deal" and he stops everything immediately.
Then he gives them 10 or 30 or 60 more days which they use to dig out missiles and drones, to import weapons,
to kill more dissidents, to harass ships in the gulf, and to fire on their neighbors.

And even if Iran signs a 'deal', it will be completely meaningless. Nothing makes any sense?

[Smokin Joe]

Everyday the Mullahs and the IRGC remain alive is a 'victory' to them from their point of view.
Plus, they have learned that they can shutdown any American military operations 'at will'.

All Iran does is to tell Trump that they are ready to "make a deal" and he stops everything immediately.
Then he gives them 10 or 30 or 60 more days which they use to dig out missiles and drones, to import weapons,
to kill more dissidents, to harass ships in the gulf, and to fire on their neighbors.

And even if Iran signs a 'deal', it will be completely meaningless. Nothing makes any sense?

Just a few sorta random thougts.

Any lower priority site or sites which were destroyed that do not contain high priority materials will not be dug out, except maybe for bodies. (likely last on the list).

Maximum effort will be placed on digging out the sites with the most surviving gear and personnel. Those efforts will have been observed from orbit and those will appear on any subsequent target list. The amount of damage done will translate into difficulty and duration of debris removal efforts, which can be gauged by the type and volume of traffic to and from the site.
Not only will this assist in BDAs (Bomb Damage Assessments) but can be used to configure any follow-on strike packages for maximum effectiveness, at those and other locations.

Priority sites for recovery will help denote which targets are the most important.

The pause also exposes alternate supply methods and routes, and may expose those who are running the show there and their hidey holes as well through tracking traffic to/from those locations. If not directly, they will expose communication hubs which can be targeted for future destruction. Swarms of 'fast boats' will return to their respective staging/base areas, which exposes those targets as well. Even fueling/maintenance facilities are worthy targets likely visited regularly, if the boats themselves are dispersed.

For now, there is a lot of intel that can be gathered to shape any follow-on action, and the more confident the Iranians are of having "won", the more there will be in both value and amount.

[libertybele]

Tuesday????  Why not tonight?  Why not Monday??  Is he not back at the WH?

Trump to convene Situation Room meeting as Tehran threatens US Gulf bases

President Donald Trump is expected to convene a Situation Room meeting with his top national security advisers on Tuesday to discuss potential military options against Iran, according to reports.

The meeting, first reported by Axios, comes as Trump intensified pressure on Tehran over the weekend, warning Sunday that “the clock is ticking” for Iran and declaring that “there won’t be anything left of them” if Iranian leaders do not “get moving, FAST.”

The United States and Iran appear locked in a standoff after Trump rejected Tehran’s latest response to a U.S. peace proposal as “totally unacceptable,” while declaring the ceasefire to be on “life support.”

The standoff centers on Iran’s nuclear program and weapons ambitions. ..........

https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/trump-iran-war-china-hormuz-may-17

[libertybele]

Just a few sorta random thougts.

Any lower priority site or sites which were destroyed that do not contain high priority materials will not be dug out, except maybe for bodies. (likely last on the list).

Maximum effort will be placed on digging out the sites with the most surviving gear and personnel. Those efforts will have been observed from orbit and those will appear on any subsequent target list. The amount of damage done will translate into difficulty and duration of debris removal efforts, which can be gauged by the type and volume of traffic to and from the site.
Not only will this assist in BDAs (Bomb Damage Assessments) but can be used to configure any follow-on strike packages for maximum effectiveness, at those and other locations.

Priority sites for recovery will help denote which targets are the most important.

The pause also exposes alternate supply methods and routes, and may expose those who are running the show there and their hidey holes as well through tracking traffic to/from those locations. If not directly, they will expose communication hubs which can be targeted for future destruction. Swarms of 'fast boats' will return to their respective staging/base areas, which exposes those targets as well. Even fueling/maintenance facilities are worthy targets likely visited regularly, if the boats themselves are dispersed.

For now, there is a lot of intel that can be gathered to shape any follow-on action, and the more confident the Iranians are of having "won", the more there will be in both value and amount.

All great points; thank you for your insight. 

[mystery-ak]

Tuesday????  Why not tonight?  Why not Monday??  Is he not back at the WH?

I know...just end it once and for all...get it over with.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Just a few sorta random thougts.

Any lower priority site or sites which were destroyed that do not contain high priority materials will not be dug out, except maybe for bodies. (likely last on the list).

Maximum effort will be placed on digging out the sites with the most surviving gear and personnel. Those efforts will have been observed from orbit and those will appear on any subsequent target list. The amount of damage done will translate into difficulty and duration of debris removal efforts, which can be gauged by the type and volume of traffic to and from the site.
Not only will this assist in BDAs (Bomb Damage Assessments) but can be used to configure any follow-on strike packages for maximum effectiveness, at those and other locations.

Priority sites for recovery will help denote which targets are the most important.

The pause also exposes alternate supply methods and routes, and may expose those who are running the show there and their hidey holes as well through tracking traffic to/from those locations. If not directly, they will expose communication hubs which can be targeted for future destruction. Swarms of 'fast boats' will return to their respective staging/base areas, which exposes those targets as well. Even fueling/maintenance facilities are worthy targets likely visited regularly, if the boats themselves are dispersed.

For now, there is a lot of intel that can be gathered to shape any follow-on action, and the more confident the Iranians are of having "won", the more there will be in both value and amount.

Yes, there are machinations well behind the scenes happening.  In a military endeavor, it is the height of foolishness to make any of your actions known to anybody on what, when, where, how and why.

Great point that making the enemy optimistic exposes them.

We need support for our military, not discouragement.

[Cyber Liberty]

Yes, there are machinations well behind the scenes happening.  In a military endeavor, it is the height of foolishness to make any of your actions known to anybody on what, when, where, how and why.

Great point that making the enemy optimistic exposes them.

We need support for our military, not discouragement.

Hear, here!  I say that and I get called a troll....

[Hoodat]

Then Iran won, China and Russia will be in for the spoils, after Iranian nukes, mounted on copied North Korean ICBMS, take out major US cities.

If anything, we need to use our troops to get the uranium and plutonium, to secure the Strait, to arm & train the Persians to kill all their Arab rulers: the Mullahs and the IRGC.

The easiest way to accomplish that is through regime change.

[Hoodat]

https://twitter.com/WarMonitor3/status/2056070533167415488

[libertybele]

I know...just end it once and for all...get it over with.

Patience right now isn't easy, but perhaps Trump is doing things his way .... 

[Hoodat]

World Source News
@Worldsource24

Iranian officials say Tehran is prepared to seize the coastlines of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain if the United Arab Emirates attempts to seize Iranian-controlled islands in the Persian Gulf.



12:45 PM  ·  May 17, 2026  ·  8,398 Views

https://x.com/Worldsource24/status/2056068527509954722

[BobfromWB]

I agree.  At this stage, likely to have depleted most of their materials and have no way to replenish with assets frozen and no income from oil.  They need cash to do that.

Absolutely ludicrous for some here to say 'Iran won'.

As far as the Mullahs and the IRGC are concerned that they survived, so far, means to them they won; its only Westerners that imagine Iran lost.

47 has to affect an unconditional surrender by the Arab Mullahs and the IRGC, along with the removal of the uranium and plutonium, & the Strait open. Plus, there has to be some mechanism to rid the country of the 12ers for good.

Only in that way will 47 be seen as a victor, and not a loser.

[BobfromWB]

The news of the days has said he's opened the door for 500,000 Chinese and they'll be buying up our farmland. 

Not only that, but China will be building factories in the US - employment right?

Speculation:
Staffed by Chinese and much, if not all, of the work force will likely be Chinese also - Americans can apply but they must speak and read Mandarin fluently.

[240B]

World Source News
@Worldsource24

Iranian officials say Tehran is prepared to seize the coastlines of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain if the United Arab Emirates attempts to seize Iranian-controlled islands in the Persian Gulf.



12:45 PM  ·  May 17, 2026  ·  8,398 Views

https://x.com/Worldsource24/status/2056068527509954722

Baghdad Bob is alive and well. This is complete nonsense. But it demonstrates the delusional world of the IRGC.
In the minds of the IRGC, they are still a major global power. They instill fear and awe from every nation on Earth.
This is a mentality that Western minds (Trump) cannot or will not comprehend.

[Cyber Liberty]

World Source News
@Worldsource24

Iranian officials say Tehran is prepared to seize the coastlines of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain if the United Arab Emirates attempts to seize Iranian-controlled islands in the Persian Gulf.



12:45 PM  ·  May 17, 2026  ·  8,398 Views

https://x.com/Worldsource24/status/2056068527509954722

The Iranians are insisting on being blown to smithereens. We should accommodate them.  Let's start by bombing the power plants being used to pump crude oil into the Persian Gulf. then work our way down.  It's passed time to do so, now that we've laid  down the law to China.

[mystery-ak]

Iran threatens to 'deactivate' US bases in Persian Gulf as Trump warns 'clock is ticking'

IRGC spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned Sunday that U.S. military bases in the southern Persian Gulf would be “deactivated” as the U.S. maintained its blockade of Iranian ports and the IRGC enforced its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Zolfaghari's remarks came around the same time as President Donald Trump urged Iran to make peace and abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions, saying the “clock is ticking.”

“In the past 24 hours, the IRGC Navy did not allow any vessel to pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” Zolfaghari said in a post shared on X.

“In the near future, all U.S. military bases in the southern Persian Gulf will be deactivated,” he warned.

“We will build the New Order,” he said.

Zolfaghari’s comments also came after the UAE suffered a drone strike Sunday that sparked a fire at an electrical generator outside the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region.

“The original model of a Shahed-136 drone attack looks like this,” Zolfaghari said in another X post on Sunday, that included what looked like a drone strike diagram.

“The fact that we have not yet treated you this way is out of consideration for our Muslim brothers and sisters in the UAE,” he added.

“But our patience has its limits,” he warned.
Posted by Emma Bussey

[BobfromWB]

Just a few sorta random thougts.

Any lower priority site or sites which were destroyed that do not contain high priority materials will not be dug out, except maybe for bodies. (likely last on the list).

Maximum effort will be placed on digging out the sites with the most surviving gear and personnel. Those efforts will have been observed from orbit and those will appear on any subsequent target list. The amount of damage done will translate into difficulty and duration of debris removal efforts, which can be gauged by the type and volume of traffic to and from the site.
Not only will this assist in BDAs (Bomb Damage Assessments) but can be used to configure any follow-on strike packages for maximum effectiveness, at those and other locations.

Priority sites for recovery will help denote which targets are the most important.

The pause also exposes alternate supply methods and routes, and may expose those who are running the show there and their hidey holes as well through tracking traffic to/from those locations. If not directly, they will expose communication hubs which can be targeted for future destruction. Swarms of 'fast boats' will return to their respective staging/base areas, which exposes those targets as well. Even fueling/maintenance facilities are worthy targets likely visited regularly, if the boats themselves are dispersed.

For now, there is a lot of intel that can be gathered to shape any follow-on action, and the more confident the Iranians are of having "won", the more there will be in both value and amount.

All of that assumes 47 will go back at it and not stop until he obtains an unconditional surrender and does NOT make a deal; in war, deals are for the losers.

The flaw is that at least one very major installation cannot be taken out by bunker busters - they tried and failed - the rock is too hard and the installation is too deep [ 2 miles, by some reports ]. Only troops can take it out permanently.

[BobfromWB]

Baghdad Bob is alive and well. This is complete nonsense. But it demonstrates the delusional world of the IRGC.
In the minds of the IRGC, they are still a major global power. They instill fear and awe from every nation on Earth.
This is a mentality that Western minds (Trump) cannot or will not comprehend.

Well, the IRGC has something like 100,000 troops - more than enough to take the coasts and overwhelm the local military.

But they will have a hell of a time getting them across all that open water in go-fasts and other Tupperware boats.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

All of that assumes 47 will go back at it and not stop until he obtains an unconditional surrender and does NOT make a deal; in war, deals are for the losers.

The flaw is that at least one very major installation cannot be taken out by bunker busters - they tried and failed - the rock is too hard and the installation is too deep [ 2 miles, by some reports ]. Only troops can take it out permanently.

There is no flaw if that installation(if it exists at all) is unusable as we know where it is and must open up to fire any weapon.  That's called vulnerability in military terms.

If we do not know where it is, how does anyone know it exists?  Because Tehran Ted (Baghdad Bob's twin) said so?

[Smokin Joe]

Baghdad Bob is alive and well. This is complete nonsense. But it demonstrates the delusional world of the IRGC.
In the minds of the IRGC, they are still a major global power. They instill fear and awe from every nation on Earth.
This is a mentality that Western minds (Trump) cannot or will not comprehend.

It is very similar to the oriental concept of 'face'. Unless utterly defeated (likely killed) they will try to maintain 'face', even in the presence of a superior adversary, and that includes denying that that adversary is superior.

[libertybele]

Netanyahu 'blunder' threatens US-backed Israel-UAE alliance at critical moment with Iran: analyst

The U.S.-brokered alliance designed to counter Iran in the Middle East is showing signs of strain amid tensions between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, an analyst says, as the possibility of a broader conflict with Tehran intensified Sunday.

The friction first surfaced May 13 after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he held a "historic breakthrough" meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a "secret visit" to Al Ain near the Oman border.

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a swift denial following the announcement.

The ministry said, "Its relations with Israel are public and were established within the framework of the well-known and publicly declared Abraham Accords. These relations are not based on secrecy or clandestine arrangements."

It added, "Therefore, any claims regarding undisclosed visits or arrangements are baseless unless issued by the relevant official authorities in the UAE."

"The stakes are high," Middle East Institute analyst Natan Sachs told Fox News Digital.

"I imagine the Israelis are working overtime to mend relations with the UAE, but it is too early to tell," he said.

President Donald Trump spoke with Netanyahu on Sunday as tensions over Iran escalated and with the Israeli leader saying he was "prepared for every scenario."..............

https://www.foxnews.com/world/netanyahu-blunder-threatens-us-backed-israel-uae-alliance-critical-moment-iran-analyst

[verga]

Somebody message me when we start bombing again.
TIA

[rustynail]

Tuco Benedicto Pacífico Juan María Ramírez says 'Hi!'

[BobfromWB]

There is no flaw if that installation(if it exists at all) is unusable as we know where it is and must open up to fire any weapon.  That's called vulnerability in military terms.

If we do not know where it is, how does anyone know it exists?  Because Tehran Ted (Baghdad Bob's twin) said so?

We know where the installation is because, as I wrote, we bombed it already. The bunker is under a mountain [ name of installation begins with a 'Y' ]. Way up thread there are diagrams and descriptions of how it operates & how repairs are affected. The IRGC is quite proud of it and shot many publicly-released videos of the interior - corridor after corridor lined with missiles and launchers.

Its not just one spot, but hundreds of spots over many square miles. And those were just the known ones since they are quite capable of digging up and making a new launch point. Its all supported by miles of huge underground tunnels with AI switching missiles from one tunnel to another, from one launch point to another.

As I said it cannot be taken out by bombs, but only by troops. Which is a flaw in US planning/thinking that it can be subdued by bombing [ which was in reply to another poster ].

[mystery-ak]

‘Clock Is Ticking’ for Iran to Accept a Deal, Trump Warns: ‘Get Moving, FAST, or There Won’t Be Anything Left’

President Donald Trump warned Sunday that the “clock is ticking” for Iran to strike a deal to bring the conflict to an end, urging Tehran to move quickly toward an agreement as he warned the regime risks being “hit badly” if negotiations continue to stall amid mounting questions over whether diplomacy can prevent renewed fighting.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/05/17/clock-ticking-iran-accept-deal-trump-warns/

[IsailedawayfromFR]

We know where the installation is because, as I wrote, we bombed it already. The bunker is under a mountain [ name of installation begins with a 'Y' ]. Way up thread there are diagrams and descriptions of how it operates & how repairs are affected. The IRGC is quite proud of it and shot many publicly-released videos of the interior - corridor after corridor lined with missiles and launchers.

Its not just one spot, but hundreds of spots over many square miles. And those were just the known ones since they are quite capable of digging up and making a new launch point. Its all supported by miles of huge underground tunnels with AI switching missiles from one tunnel to another, from one launch point to another.

As I said it cannot be taken out by bombs, but only by troops. Which is a flaw in US planning/thinking that it can be subdued by bombing [ which was in reply to another poster ].

Any time an opening is made to fire a missile, it can be targeted.

You make it seem like an impregnable fortress as you are relying on the IRGC's information hub.

And that is a flaw in your analysis.

[BobfromWB]

Any time an opening is made to fire a missile, it can be targeted.

You make it seem like an impregnable fortress as you are relying on the IRGC's information hub.

And that is a flaw in your analysis.

Yes the targeting of any particular missile hole has been taken into account by the IRGC. They just make a new one, if the old one cannot be dug out.

I have no idea who drew up the online documents - its too far back. The US has repeatedly targeted these sites, but they are repaired within hours of a strike, according to DOW information released some time ago. If that is not good enough for you I don't know what to more to say. Else you are just being a contrarian.

[mystery-ak]

Sen. Lindsey Graham calls for Trump to create 'circle of death' around Iran's nuclear sites
Samuel Chamberlain


Sen. Lindsey Graham called Sunday for US forces to strike anyone who comes within a certain distance of Iran’s nuclear material that has been entombed since last summer’s airstrikes on three atomic facilities by American forces.

“He wants to get the nuclear dust,” Graham (R-SC) said of President Trump on NBC News’ “Meet The Press”. “There’s another way to do it, and I talked to him about it yesterday.


Vantor satellite image shows tunnel construction activities and a large spoil pile near the Natanz nuclear complex at Pickaxe Mountain. DigitalGlobe/Getty Images

“Draw a circle around where we know it’s at. Call it the circle of death. Anybody [who] goes inside the circle is going to die until we can find a way to deal with this. The goal is to make sure they can’t retrieve it. They can’t make a dirty bomb. They can’t further enrich — their enrichment capability has been obliterated at least for a couple years.”

more
https://nypost.com/2026/05/18/world-news/sen-lindsey-graham-calls-for-trump-to-create-circle-of-death-around-irans-nuclear-sites/

[mystery-ak]

Iranian president acknowledges 'harm' suffered from US attacks, urges officials to 'face reality'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian admitted that Iran has "suffered harm" from U.S. attacks and urged his fellow officials to "face reality.

Pezeshkian made the comments during a meeting of the Government Information Council televised by Iranian media.

Iran's leaders "should avoid any tone or voices that create division, but we must also face reality; It is not the case that we have not suffered harm," Pezeshkian said.

"Anyone in a position of leadership must speak honestly and transparently to their society and their people," Pezeshkian told officials. "Misleading information, false messaging, or portraying a reality in which 'they are collapsing while we are prospering' is unacceptable. The truth is that both we and others face challenges."

Pezeshkian nevertheless said that Iran "will not bow to pressure."

"We will not sacrifice our country's dignity and honor for comfort or convenience. We have valid reasons and clear justification, and we are fully capable of defending our nation's rights with strength, backed by our people," he said.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom