West Asia News and Discussions

[Amber G.]

Per news reports, Chabahar port was a target - not clear whether some military facility there was hit or also civilian infrastructure relevant to India.

Sat images etc...confirm no real damage

[uddu]

Shia dominated areas across the world will see protests.
https://x.com/i/status/2027947539073208765
@sunandavashisht
Kashmir will see bigger protests than Tehran today. Converted crop must prove their loyalty fiercely !

https://x.com/ANI/status/2027946148124889268
@ANI
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Kashmiri Shia Muslims in Srinagar stage a demonstration against the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been killed in Israeli and US strikes

[uddu]

Any idea whether these are U.S military related areas being attacked or Civilian areas?
Iran’s Swarm Attack Hits Dubai After Vowing Retaliation; Gulf Involvement Called ‘Big Mistake’ |N18

[Amber G.]

Seeing on live TV - US Consulate is being attacked by Mob... Unbelievable ..

[rajkumar]

Any idea whether these are U.S military related areas being attacked or Civilian areas?
Iran’s Swarm Attack Hits Dubai After Vowing Retaliation; Gulf Involvement Called ‘Big Mistake’ |N18

Civilian areas in Dubai

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international ... 972_4.html

[uddu]

Iraq is part of Shia Crescent
https://war-in-middle-east.blogspot.com ... -east.html
US Embassy in Baghdad Attacked as Iran-Linked Violence Sparks Panic in Iraq Amid Wider Conflict

[rajkumar]

Seeing on live TV - US Consulate is being attacked by Mob... Unbelievable ..

This is in Karachi

[uddu]

Seeing on live TV - US Consulate is being attacked by Mob... Unbelievable ..

This is in Karachi

Israel Iran War Update : पाकिस्‍तान में अमेरिकी एंबेसी पर हमला | Netanyahu | Khamenei | Trump

[uddu]

IDF Launches Fresh Wave Of Strikes, Iran Tense As Khamenei's Death Creates Power Vacuum | What Next?
IDF launches a fresh wave of missiles, hitting about 30 targets in Iran and targeting Iran’s missile launchers. Watch to know more.

[uddu]

Some of them are intercepted missiles falling in civilian areas.
Dubai Airport Damaged, Burj Al Arab Fire After Iran Attack | Firstpost LIVE | N18G
Iranian retaliatory missile and drone strikes hit the UAE overnight, damaging key sites in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A concourse at Dubai International Airport sustained minor damage, injuring four people. Debris from an intercepted drone caused a fire on the Burj Al Arab's outer facade, while another blaze broke out near a hotel on Palm Jumeirah. In Abu Dhabi, one person was killed and seven were injured. UAE air defences intercepted multiple missiles, but falling debris caused fires and panic. Flights were suspended, airspace was closed across parts of West Asia, and residents were urged to stay indoors as tensions sharply escalated.

[uddu]

Who Is Ahmad Vahidi? Iran's New Revolutionary Guards' Commander-In-Chief After Khamenei's Death
Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was appointed commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death

[uddu]

Iran's Defence Minister Amir Aziz Nasirzadeh Confirmed Dead In Deadly US-Israel Strikes
Iran's Defence Minister Amir Aziz Nasirzadeh Confirmed Dead In Deadly US-Israel Strikes | Iran-Israel War

Iran's Defence Minister Amir Aziz Nasirzadeh was confirmed dead in deadly US-Israel strikes on Tehran—IRGC commander Mohammed Pakpour was also killed. Escalating conflict sees US President Trump vow to end Iran's nuclear threat as Tehran retaliates with missiles on Israel and Gulf bases. World braces for wider war.

[uddu]

'200+ Aircraft Struck 500 Iran Targets': Inside Israeli Air Force's Largest-Ever Attack, Watch
The IDF said that over 200 Israeli Air Force aircraft had struck 500 Iranian targets, in the largest aerial attack ever conducted by Israeli forces. IDF videos showe two major initial waves of attacks. Watch this video for more information.

[rkirankr]

The US now controls almost all oil energy sources or has influence. Replacing dollar as international currency is years away. India should take lesson from this and have plans foe protecting its leadership.

[drnayar]

apparently the B2 was used to deliver the GBU-57A/B MOP to take out Khameneis bunker

"Due to its size and weight, the GBU-57 MOP can only be carried by the Northrop B-2 Spirit strategic bomber and the B-21 Raider" wiki

[drnayar]

The war in the middle east and free Baluchistan with the Afghan "contribution"

As of March 1, 2026, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) stands to gain significantly from a regime change in Iran and the establishment of a "Free Balochistan" through enhanced regional stability, the removal of hostile maritime threats, and the potential integration of new, high-efficiency transit routes.

1. Elimination of Maritime Hostility
Securing Chokepoints: Currently, Iran’s "Axis of Resistance" and proxy groups like the Houthis pose direct threats to IMEC’s maritime legs. A regime change that dismantles these networks would secure the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, reducing insurance premiums and ensuring the safe flow of goods from India to the UAE.
Removing "Coalition of Losers" Opposition: The current Iranian regime views IMEC as a strategic threat to its regional influence and has actively promoted rival corridors like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). A more cooperative government could align these projects rather than sabotage them.

2. Strategic Connectivity in Balochistan
Stabilising Gwadar and Trade Hubs: Balochistan hosts the world’s largest deep-sea port at Gwadar. While currently a centerpiece of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a "Free Balochistan" could potentially pivot this infrastructure toward IMEC, providing an additional, highly efficient alternative to existing Gulf ports.
Bypassing Continental Rivalry: The IMEC was specifically designed to bypass the geographical hurdles of Pakistan and Iran. A friendly, independent Balochistan would provide a direct land or sea bridge that further reduces the 6,400km journey between India and Europe.

3. Economic and Infrastructure Integration
Access to Energy and Resources: A reformed Iran could transition from a regional adversary to a key energy supplier for the corridor, integrating its vast natural gas and oil reserves directly into IMEC’s planned energy pipelines.
Logistics Efficiency: Integrating stable Iranian and Baloch territories could further enhance IMEC’s goal of reducing transshipment times by 40% and logistics costs by 30%. This would solidify the corridor as the primary "lifeline" for East-West trade, potentially generating over $21 billion in annual export growth for India alone.

4. Regional "Corridor of Peace"
Normalization of Ties: IMEC is often referred to as a "corridor of peace" intended to foster economic cooperation. A democratic or pro-Western shift in Iran would remove the "shadow of war" that currently delays private sector investment and infrastructure development in the Middle East.
Countering BRI Dominance: By removing the current regime’s dependence on China for financial and security support, IMEC could more effectively serve as a Western-backed alternative to China’s regional dominance.

[Tanaji]

NDTv reporting USS Abraham Lincon hit by 4 missiles

[uddu]

Iranian Mijjile vs Indian Ashok Leyland Built Quality
https://x.com/Kunal_Biswas707/status/20 ... 8081507486
@Kunal_Biswas707
Iranian missile shrapnel hits Indian Ashok Leyland bus but gets deflected.

+1 for Ashok Leyland.

[uddu]

https://x.com/i/status/2027926867899257319
@RShivshankar
Burj Khalifa struck by an Iranian drone.
Symbol of Dubai's modernism and an attempt to emerge from the shadows of a monoculture struck by an alleged Iranian drone.
IN ITS DEATH THROES IRAN'S REGIME PROVING THAT IT IS A THREAT TO HUMANITY.

[uddu]

https://x.com/ShivAroor/status/2028022502912626764
@ShivAroor
8 pro-Iran protesters killed outside US Consulate in Karachi after they vandalised & stormed the building. (Totally peaceful protests in India, unlike Pakistan)

[uddu]

https://x.com/Varun55484761/status/2027990002622468480
@Varun55484761
U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler Destroyed Chinese-made YLC-8B Anti-stealth Radar and Type 305A Radar in Iran.

US used non stealth aircrafts to confuse Chinese Anti-Stealth radar, if it is a stealth aircraft Chinese radar would detected it around 2000 kms.

[uddu]

https://x.com/i/status/2028019596939452746
Just IN

Iran strikes Oman for the FIRST TIME, drones HIT the Port of Duqm, injuring 1 worker.

Oman had maintained friendly ties with Iran, but still its port has now been targeted.

[uddu]

Iran's 7, 8th Wave Of Strikes: IRGC's Fresh Explosions In Dubai, Bahrain| Tehran's Fury Unending?

[uddu]

No news of Israeli Jerincho-II missile launch on Iran. Air Strikes and U.S launch of Cruise missiles air strikes and drones. They can launch it over Syria and Iraq to Iran. Mostly all of them are Nuclear armed and limited in numbers.

[uddu]

There may come a time soon, where, if the war is not brought under control by the U.S and Israel, we may have to step in to protect countries that are friendly with us in the middle east. MRSAM and Akash could get deployed to prevent the barrage of missiles coming in from Iran. Oman and UAE could see land based deployment if not for destroyers and frigates in their waters. Probably the ships are somewhere in the area monitoring the situation.

[uddu]

Arnab Explains Why US-Iran War 'Might Not End Soon' as Middle East Is on the Edge I Strait of Hormuz
Arnab Explains Why US-Iran War 'Might Not End Soon' as Middle East Is on the Edge I Strait of Hormuz

Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency amid escalating military action against Iran and rising fears of a broader regional conflict. The declaration, made early Saturday by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, came after reports of explosions in Iran’s capital of Tehran, air-raid sirens sounding throughout Israel, and heightened military alerts along the northern border with Lebanon.

According to official Israeli military communications, the country has shifted its internal readiness posture to “Essential Activity”, suspending educational activities, large gatherings, and non-essential work across the nation. The public has been instructed to abide by safety protocols released through the Home Front Command’s official channels and apps, including staying in proximity to protected shelters in case of incoming missile threats.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the architect of the country's anti-US stance, was killed in the joint military operation, carried out by the United States and Israel, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday. This marks a dramatic escalation in tensions across the Middle East. Iran state television began broadcasting Quranic recitations following the confirmation. Iran also declared 40 days of public mourning and announced a seven-day national holiday.

US President Donald Trump said military action would continue “through the week or as long as necessary.” In a statement, Trump called the development the “greatest chance” for the Iranian people to “take back” their country.

Ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz have received radio warnings allegedly from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stating that “no ship is allowed to pass,” according to an official from the EU Naval Force Aspides who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official said multiple vessels reported VHF radio transmissions delivering the warning, though Tehran has not issued any formal confirmation of an order to close the strait. Iranian authorities have historically threatened to block the narrow shipping lane in retaliation for military or economic pressure against the country.

The strait is considered the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoint, linking major energy exporters such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates to global markets via the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption in passage through the waterway could affect global oil supplies and shipping costs.

[ricky_v]

^^ imo the us has got its dik out and is looking to bend over and fuk everything in its path, no point in getting involved once a conflict has started, the outcome should be countries getting banding together before any conflict for mutual assistance, which the us mic may or may not respect. And the rate at which its going, the remaining 3 years are going to be a jolly good time for alliance acronym crunchers

[uddu]

AI on the Battlefield: How Claude Helped US Strike Iran | Vantage with Palki Sharma
Artificial intelligence is now part of the battlefield. During the strike on Iran, the United States used Anthropic’s Claude platform to process intelligence, map targets, and simulate military scenarios.

Just days earlier, President Donald Trump had restricted the platform’s use within the US military, citing national security concerns. Yet Claude remained embedded in operational systems, with officials indicating it could take up to six months to transition away.

Reports say the operation was intelligence-driven, with months of surveillance preceding the strike. AI did not make decisions, but it accelerated analysis, compressing timelines and reshaping how modern military planning unfolds.

[Amber G.]

Trump ‘too mentally incapacitated’ to understand he set stage for Iran nuclear development

I agree..on technical, nonproliferation grounds, JCPOA negotiated under Barack Obama did significantly constrain Iran’s nuclear program while it was in force. It capped uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent (far below weapons-grade), sharply reduced Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, limited the number and type of centrifuges, and subjected facilities to intrusive inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Together, these measures extended Iran’s estimated “breakout time” to roughly a year, providing early warning and strategic breathing room.

After the U.S. withdrawal in 2018, Iran gradually scaled back compliance, increasing enrichment levels and reducing inspection transparency. From a purely technical arms-control perspective, the deal had been effective at keeping Iran’s nuclear activities capped, monitored, and slower to weaponize while it remained fully implemented.

[uddu]

https://x.com/Sajwani/status/2028108730542465303
@Sajwani
706 bombs fired at civilians and civilians infrastructure in my county. What empathy do you want me to have on them !!

[uddu]

Iran War Spreads, Beirut Rocked By Explosions As Israel Bombs Lebanon After Hezbollah Rocket Attack
Israeli forces launched strikes on Lebanon including the capital Beirut after Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

[rkirankr]

India should go back to buying more Russian oil and blame Trump for unsettling a region

[stephen]

Seems the US lost 3 F-15s over Kuwait to friendly fire.

"US Central Command has just now said three of its F-15 jets "flying in support of Operation Epic Fury" - the US operation against Iran - "went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident".

All six crew ejected safely and have been recovered, it says."
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cy0dp1l57nxt

[ritesh]

There may come a time soon, where, if the war is not brought under control by the U.S and Israel, we may have to step in to protect countries that are friendly with us in the middle east. MRSAM and Akash could get deployed to prevent the barrage of missiles coming in from Iran. Oman and UAE could see land based deployment if not for destroyers and frigates in their waters. Probably the ships are somewhere in the area monitoring the situation.

Why so Uddu bhai, let's not get involved in the American lust for violence and keep our powder dry. May be we can take some advantage of Afgan Porkistan skirmish instead.

[Prem Kumar]

A smarter approach will be to sell Akash/Kusha etc to all the Middle East countries who were attacked by Iran

[williams]

A smarter approach will be to sell Akash/Kusha etc to all the Middle East countries who were attacked by Iran

I like that. We should be advertising - "Look we got similar Chinese missiles/drones and our ad system protected us much better than your US designed system" and sell them.

[uddu]

Why so Uddu bhai, let's not get involved in the American lust for violence and keep our powder dry. May be we can take some advantage of Afgan Porkistan skirmish instead.

If the U.S and Israel fail, who else is there to protect our interests in the Gulf. Especially when the causalities rise for U.S, they will withdraw leaving Israel to fight the war alone. Meanwhile the attacks on UAE and Oman if that continues, we have to step in in the defensive role, to give protection until there is some agreement with Iranians to leave our area of influence out of their attacks. This could follow with sales of Akash+AAD and training to UAE+Oman forces.

[uddu]

Indian crew killed in the Tanker attack
Top Developments: Fighter Jets Crash in Kuwait, Iran's Drones Strike Saudi Refinery | Spotlight
Tensions across West Asia escalated sharply after an Iranian drone strike targeted a major Saudi oil refinery along the Gulf coast, triggering a fire that was later extinguished. Saudi authorities said two drones were intercepted near the Ras Tanura complex, a key global energy hub. Meanwhile, several US fighter jets crashed in Kuwait, though all crew members survived. Iran also claimed it fired cruise missiles at the US Ali Al Salem Air Base. The fresh wave of attacks has deepened regional instability, rattled energy markets, and heightened fears of a wider conflict spreading across the Gulf.

[uddu]

BREAKING: New Videos Show Israel Carpet Bombing In Tehran, Multiple Explosions Rock Capital
BREAKING: New Videos Show Israel Carpet Bombing In Tehran, Multiple Explosions Rock Capital

Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency amid escalating military action against Iran and rising fears of a broader regional conflict. The declaration, made early Saturday by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, came after reports of explosions in Iran’s capital of Tehran, air-raid sirens sounding throughout Israel, and heightened military alerts along the northern border with Lebanon.

According to official Israeli military communications, the country has shifted its internal readiness posture to “Essential Activity”, suspending educational activities, large gatherings, and non-essential work across the nation. The public has been instructed to abide by safety protocols released through the Home Front Command’s official channels and apps, including staying in proximity to protected shelters in case of incoming missile threats.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the architect of the country's anti-US stance, was killed in the joint military operation, carried out by the United States and Israel, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday. This marks a dramatic escalation in tensions across the Middle East. Iran state television began broadcasting Quranic recitations following the confirmation. Iran also declared 40 days of public mourning and announced a seven-day national holiday.

US President Donald Trump said military action would continue “through the week or as long as necessary.” In a statement, Trump called the development the “greatest chance” for the Iranian people to “take back” their country.

[uddu]

Opposition Questions PM Modi Silence On Khamenei Death; Ranganathan Slams Iran Sympathy
The Opposition has questioned the silence of PM Narendra Modi and the lack of condolences following reports around Ali Khamenei. Author Anand Ranganathan said India was never a true ally of Iran under Khamenei and called reports of Indians wanting revenge “disturbing.”