Live Thread: War With Iran Continues #6

[mystery-ak]

Any U.S. operation targeting Iran’s fortified nuclear facilities would carry major risks because Tehran would likely know an attack was coming and has prepared defenses, retired CIA station chief Dan Hoffman warned Sunday morning.

“There’s no element of surprise here,” Hoffman told Fox News' "Fox & Friends Weekend." “Iran would know we’re coming, and presumably they’ve got a plan to defend that site with booby-trapped explosives, among other things.”

Hoffman said intelligence on the location of Iran’s centrifuges, enriched uranium and nuclear scientists would shape the military options presented to President Donald Trump.

Those choices could include additional airstrikes or a ground operation requiring a secure air corridor and defensive perimeter.

Both approaches would be “highly risky,” he said, particularly because Iran retains dispersed ballistic missiles and drones capable of striking U.S. forces and bases across the region.

Hoffman said Trump’s national security team is likely reviewing those options ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned visit to Washington next week.

Posted by Eric Mack
Fox News

[mystery-ak]

The U.S. military has paused its airstrikes on Iran after nearly two weeks of intensifying bombing, while diplomatic efforts have pushed forward to try to avert a return to all-out war.

But it remains to be seen whether the U.S. and Iran are at an inflection point in a mercurial conflict that will reach the five-month point Tuesday.

President Donald Trump both has threatened more strikes and said talks are pressing on.

Adding to the uncertainty is the impact of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned visit with Trump next week in Washington. Israel, which launched the war alongside the U.S. on Feb. 28, has been notably absent from the renewed American attacks over Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor through which 20% of the world’s oil normally flows.

“The Iranians understand that perhaps it could get worse because Israel could come into the conflict,” said Michael Singh, managing director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

On the other hand, Israel’s lack of involvement so far “may signal to the Iranians that we’re looking to limit the conflict.”

Singh, who was senior Middle East director on the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration, said he was hesitant to read too much into the lull in fighting.

“If it turns into a multiday pause, that’ll be something significant,” he said. “But it’s hard to know. Is it an operational pause? Is it a pause to allow for some kind of behind-the-scenes diplomacy?”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted by Eric Mack

[mystery-ak]

Iran FM says technical and political talks with Oman under way as 13-night streak of strikes ends

Technical and political consultations between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz are ongoing, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said early Sunday morning, describing the talks as productive.

The diplomatic push comes as U.S. military strikes against Iran remain “on a hold,” according to the Department of Defense.

The U.S. military said its naval blockade of Iran remains in full effect, despite the pause in attacks.

President Donald Trump has, for now, stepped back from plans to expand U.S. strikes, giving diplomacy an opportunity to work as he sits on a major assault on Iranian infrastructure.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Posted by Eric Mack

[mystery-ak]

Iran's leaders turn on each other as hardliners push for wider conflict
Caitlin Doornbos

WASHINGTON — Iran’s leaders are fighting each other almost as much as they’re battling the West, with some senior politicians scrambling to save US talks while the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leans into the renewed war, regional sources told The Post.

With Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei out of public view, there’s no one left to force the rival factions back into line — meaning the future of the conflict may now be decided by a power struggle in Tehran, not by Washington.

The growing divide has exposed what the sources describe as two competing centers of power inside Tehran: civilian leaders trying to preserve a fragile diplomatic track and military hardliners determined to keep up pressure through confrontation.

more
https://nypost.com/2026/07/25/world-news/irans-leaders-at-war-with-each-other-as-hardliners-push-for-wider-conflict/

[IsailedawayfromFR]

WarMonitor🇺🇦🇬🇧
@WarMonitor3

Ukraine has stuck several Russian vessels in the Caspian Sea which reportedly were headed toward Iran with supplies and weapons.

10:12 AM  ·  Jul 25, 2026  ·  174.4K Views

https://x.com/WarMonitor3/status/2081034810055622657

Seems that Ukraine is being supplied intelligence from the US, just like Iran is being supplied by Russia/China.

I wonder who has the better intelligence agency?  Likely Israel surpasses them all.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Seems that Ukraine is being supplied intelligence from the US, just like Iran is being supplied by Russia/China.

I wonder who has the better intelligence agency?  Likely Israel surpasses them all.

Would that be the Mossad that missed the Hamas military build-up and battle rehearsals on its own border or the Mossad that back in February missed Iran's ability to mess with the Strait of Hormuz?   

[Right_in_Virginia]

Mossad Commentary
@MOSSADil
·
8m
🇮🇱 🤝 🇺🇸 NETANYAHU TO CONVENE SECURITY CABINET AHEAD OF WASHINGTON TRIP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene Israel’s security cabinet at 1 p.m. Sunday ahead of his Monday trip to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump.

The meeting comes as the Trump administration weighs its next steps on Iran after pausing nightly strikes over the weekend. Trump reportedly wants to give diplomacy more time, while Israeli officials say they remain prepared for renewed escalation.

Netanyahu vows expanded operations against West Bank ‘terrorist strongholds’
Katz accuses Democrats chief Golan of ‘blood libel’ for blaming deadly Friday shootout on settlers, government; cabinet meeting moved underground for unspecified security reasons
Times of Israel, Jul 26, 2026

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed at a cabinet meeting on Sunday to expand operations against Palestinian “terrorist strongholds” in the West Bank, after a deadly Friday shootout sparked when settlers illegally entered a Nablus-area village.

Katz took Democrats party chief Yair Golan to task for blaming the gunfight on settler extremists and the government. Other ministers at the meeting called for a harsh response against Palestinians, and for the Israel Defense Forces to give troops greater leeway to open fire, according to leaks carried by Hebrew media.

The weekly cabinet meeting was held in a secure underground location for unspecified security reasons, amid concern of an escalation in the war with Iran, even after the US over the weekend paused its nightly strikes on the Islamic Republic.


https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-vows-expanded-operations-against-west-bank-terrorist-strongholds/

[BobfromWB]

O Good Grief. Sounds like the US has signaled its surrender. And its back to "talks", diplomatic solutions, etc., more of the same. The IRGC has survived. If the political wing gets to uppity, the problem is quickly solved with a relatively low expenditure of ammunition.

As for the "munitions depletion," how the military procurement of weapons fell so low as to allow even the completion a relatively small action, must be laid and the feet of 0bama and Biden, and their respective Congresses and Joint Chiefs: lots of money for many very expensive toys, little for the weapons they require.

Seems like any major conflict we would lose because we would run out of bombs and missiles before the conflict was more than a month or so old. Evidently, 45-47 was never told about how dangerously low our munitions stocks were. Congress was too busy to investigate munitions status, focusing rather on gaining lucrative contracts for the Pentagon's fancy toys to be made in their districts.

Now, we are practically disarmed, with near total reliance on relatively few "wonder weapons" delivered by expensive platforms.

[BobfromWB]

Seems that Ukraine is being supplied intelligence from the US, just like Iran is being supplied by Russia/China.

Yes its well known that Ukrainians are to stupid to do their own intelligence gathering, and are incapable of fighting their way out of a paper bag.

/s

[mystery-ak]

President Donald Trump has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping against helping Iran target American forces in the Middle East, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Sunday.

“The president," Waltz told Sunday's “Face the Nation” on CBS, "has put both on notice, frankly, that they should not be assisting and that bad things will happen if they are."

Waltz pointed to the close military relationship between Russia and Iran, including Tehran’s past transfer of drones and drone technology to Moscow for use against Ukraine.

His comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged that Russian satellite surveillance of U.S. military installations in the Gulf had been shared with Iran.

Waltz did not confirm the claim, saying Zelenskyy’s statement and Trump’s warning should “stand on their own.”

Posted by Eric Mack
Fox News

[mystery-ak]

O Good Grief. Sounds like the US has signaled its surrender. And its back to "talks", diplomatic solutions, etc., more of the same. The IRGC has survived. If the political wing gets to uppity, the problem is quickly solved with a relatively low expenditure of ammunition.

As for the "munitions depletion," how the military procurement of weapons fell so low as to allow even the completion a relatively small action, must be laid and the feet of 0bama and Biden, and their respective Congresses and Joint Chiefs: lots of money for many very expensive toys, little for the weapons they require.

Seems like any major conflict we would lose because we would run out of bombs and missiles before the conflict was more than a month or so old. Evidently, 45-47 was never told about how dangerously low our munitions stocks were. Congress was too busy to investigate munitions status, focusing rather on gaining lucrative contracts for the Pentagon's fancy toys to be made in their districts.

Now, we are practically disarmed, with near total reliance on relatively few "wonder weapons" delivered by expensive platforms.

Agreed on all points..

[mystery-ak]

Hope this is true


Despite narratives the Congress is underfunding Pentagon weapons stockpiles, the military has all the weapons it needs to continue operations against Iran, according to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz on Sunday.

“The U.S. military," Waltz told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” "has everything that it needs to conduct this campaign as effectively as it needs to be.”

Waltz acknowledged that years of support for Ukraine and operations against the Houthis had strained some inventories, but said the Trump administration is rebuilding stockpiles and investing in cheaper munitions and new technology.

He also sharply criticized officials leaking information about U.S. weapons supplies, saying those responsible “deserve to be in jail.”

Posted by Eric Mack

[mystery-ak]

The U.S. may be using the pause in strikes on Iran to reposition forces for a larger military operation, including the possible deployment of ground troops, retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward said Sunday.

"Any singular bomb isn't the answer to the overall efforts and capabilities have, and I think the real options they may be preparing now for his boots on the ground to really show the Iranian people that we're moving to the end of this government in Iran," Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told “The Sunday Briefing,” noting "he's come to the realization – he tried to MOU; he gave them the opportunity; they responded with aggression going after the Straits.

“I think the president’s preparing to go the full way on this,” Harward concluded, arguing the pause could allow the military to prepare for “the next step of escalation.”

Posted by Eric Mack

[BobfromWB]

Hope this is true


“The U.S. military," Waltz told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” "has everything that it needs to conduct this campaign as effectively as it needs to be.”

Key weasel words: everything that it needs to conduct this campaign as effectively as it needs to be.

[Right_in_Virginia]

World leaders jockey for meeting with Trump on sidelines of Graham's funeral
Politico, Jul 26, 2026

World leaders are pushing for a meeting with President Donald Trump next week, as longtime American allies head to Washington for Lindsey Graham’s funeral.

“At the invitation of President Trump, [Israeli] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will depart for Washington on Monday,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Friday, adding that a White House visit is scheduled for Tuesday.

The White House has not confirmed the meeting with Netanyahu will take place and did not respond to a request for comment on his announcement.

The White House separately confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Tuesday. Following the longtime South Carolina senator’s death, Zelenskyy eulogized Graham as “a staunch advocate for bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine.”


More:  https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/24/donald-trump-world-leaders-meeting-graham-01011331.

[Idiot]

O Good Grief. Sounds like the US has signaled its surrender. And its back to "talks", diplomatic solutions, etc., more of the same. The IRGC has survived. If the political wing gets to uppity, the problem is quickly solved with a relatively low expenditure of ammunition.

As for the "munitions depletion," how the military procurement of weapons fell so low as to allow even the completion a relatively small action, must be laid and the feet of 0bama and Biden, and their respective Congresses and Joint Chiefs: lots of money for many very expensive toys, little for the weapons they require.

Seems like any major conflict we would lose because we would run out of bombs and missiles before the conflict was more than a month or so old. Evidently, 45-47 was never told about how dangerously low our munitions stocks were. Congress was too busy to investigate munitions status, focusing rather on gaining lucrative contracts for the Pentagon's fancy toys to be made in their districts.

Now, we are practically disarmed, with near total reliance on relatively few "wonder weapons" delivered by expensive platforms.

[DCPatriot]

WarMonitor🇺🇦🇬🇧
@WarMonitor3

Ukraine has stuck several Russian vessels in the Caspian Sea which reportedly were headed toward Iran with supplies and weapons.

10:12 AM  ·  Jul 25, 2026  ·  174.4K Views

https://x.com/WarMonitor3/status/2081034810055622657

Perhaps, he's looking for a pat-on-the-head and a better outcome when Z meets up with POTUS in Washington, this week.

[Hoodat]

Perhaps, he's looking for a pat-on-the-head and a better outcome when Z meets up with POTUS in Washington, this week.

Perhaps the US and Ukraine have the same enemy.

[mystery-ak]

Ending the U.S. campaign against Iran now would be a “huge mistake,” according to Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who urged the Trump administration to maintain pressure on Tehran while avoiding the deployment of American ground troops.

“We need to stay the course, at least for a few more months,” Kennedy told CBS's "Face the Nation," arguing that Washington should not “cut and run” despite rising energy costs.

The U.S. should tighten sanctions on Iranian oil, continue its blockade and consider bombing Pickaxe Mountain, according to Kennedy.

Kennedy did criticize the timing of a U.S. civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, saying it could send the wrong message while Washington is fighting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“The world’s on a hair trigger,” Kennedy said, adding that the Saudi deal might make sense in the future but is “not good timing” during the Iran conflict.

Posted by Eric Mack

[mystery-ak]

Ann Coulter
@AnnCoulter
NYT:  "Now Mr. Trump has three main options [in Iran]: military escalation, economic crackdown or declaring victory and getting out."

No. 1 has been tried for the past 5 months with no effect.  No. 1 has been tried since 2018 with no effect. No. 3 can't be done because Israel is against it, so everyone will blame Vance and call him an antisemite.
1:08 PM · Jul 26, 2026
·
28.5K
 
Views

[Hoodat]

World Source News
@Worldsource24

I24News:

The U.S. lack of interceptors is just an excuse to pause the war; there is no shortage of interceptors, The leadership in Israel doesn't know why the US decided to talk to the Iranians again.

Last edited
1:24 PM  ·  Jul 26, 2026  ·  5,338 Views

https://x.com/Worldsource24/status/2081445534720459115

[Cyber Liberty]

World Source News
@Worldsource24

I24News:

The U.S. lack of interceptors is just an excuse to pause the war; there is no shortage of interceptors, The leadership in Israel doesn't know why the US decided to talk to the Iranians again.

Last edited
1:24 PM  ·  Jul 26, 2026  ·  5,338 Views

https://x.com/Worldsource24/status/2081445534720459115

Gee, maybe it's Trump that's calling the shots on what the US military does in Iran and not Israel?  Weird, I know....

[BobfromWB]

World Source News
@Worldsource24

I24News:

The U.S. lack of interceptors is just an excuse to pause the war; there is no shortage of interceptors, The leadership in Israel doesn't know why the US decided to talk to the Iranians again.

Last edited
1:24 PM  ·  Jul 26, 2026  ·  5,338 Views

https://x.com/Worldsource24/status/2081445534720459115

Maybe there is another explanation. There is a story today about the Intel community massaging 45's Daily Brief eliminating any references to China's 2020 election interference because they knew better. Perhaps something similar is going on here - 47 isn't getting all the information in his Daily Brief because the Intel community knows better.

[Smokin Joe]

It’s becoming obvious that Iran isn’t going to let Trump out of this

They have the good fortune of not having to worry about a midterm election

They also know that Donald Trump is very unpopular and his war is also very unpopular with the American people and his party is facing a devastating midterm


Will they continue these strikes  even after the midterms?

Oh, they watch The View and CNN and read the NYT?

[mystery-ak]

Iran sold $11.5 billion worth of oil during the war and another $6.5 billion during the subsequent ceasefire, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad claimed July 25, according to Reuters.

Paknejad also said the lower risk to tanker traffic during the ceasefire boosted exports and had allowed Iran to sell part of its roughly 100 million barrels of stored crude oil and gas condensate.

The combined $18 billion in sales generated more than 60% of the oil revenue projected in Iran's annual budget, Paknejad claimed, according to the outlet.
Posted by Emma Bussey

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/MKhamenei_ir/status/2081426506073391123