West Asia News and Discussions

[chetak]

<img]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HDSYg_3aIAA ... name=large[img>

Pakistan And USA Now:
Hold the rare distinction of loosing HVAA in any war!

Amber ji

The fatalities in this crash have now been revised upward from four to six

no further details

[g.sarkar]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/ ... t-violence
Trump calls Iran leaders ‘deranged scumbags’ as Middle East violence spirals
Tehran residents report relentless bombing with US and Israeli planes launching wave of attacks
Jason Burke in Jerusalem and Deepa Parent, Fri 13 Mar 2026
Donald Trump has said Iran will be hit “very hard” in the coming days, describing leaders of the regime as “deranged scumbags” who it was a “great honor” to kill, as Tehran residents reported relentless bombing and violence continued to spiral across the Middle East.
The US president’s comments, which signaled an intensification of the US-Israeli campaign, came as Israeli and US warplanes launched successive waves of attacks on the Iranian capital and elsewhere on Friday. One strike reportedly hit close to a square near Tehran University where crowds were gathered in support of Iran’s regime. The area is home to many government buildings.
Video published by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency showed a plume of grey smoke rising as demonstrators screamed “Death to Israel!” and “Death to America!”
Across the region, there was more chaos, bloodshed and destruction, with further Israeli strikes in Lebanon, where 800,000 people have been displaced; new missile and drone attacks by Hezbollah and Iran on targets in Israel; and fresh Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gulf states.
The US said six servicemen were killed in an accident involving a tanker plane used for mid-air refuelling, which crashed in Iraq. Also in Iraq, a French soldier was killed in a drone strike by a pro-Iranian militia group.
In a post on social media, Trump wrote: “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today … They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so!”
Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, told a press conference in Washington on Friday that Iranian leaders were “desperate and hiding, they’ve gone underground”.
.......
Gautam

[A_Gupta]

The US 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is being deployed to the Gulf.
https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/u ... 830117/amp

[bala]

The following is strait of hormuz. Note the hilly terrain shown.



Q: is it possible to cut a canal in the land mass and allow ship traffic via the short stretch of the canal. This would provide safe passage for all oil tankers and others like gas, food and so on.

[Mukesh.Kumar]

The following is strait of hormuz. Note the hilly terrain shown.



Q: is it possible to cut a canal in the land mass and allow ship traffic via the short stretch of the canal. This would provide safe passage for all oil tankers and others like gas, food and so on.

Short answer. No. Plus if you look closely the area is a mix of UAE and Oman. Enclaves.
So long answer. Very difficult physically and politically
A close look at this topography map will show that average height there is above 200 m easily and the mix of igneous and sedimentary rocks are not easy to excavate. Even if you solve the political and geographical challenges even them you will end up with a canal which is vulnerable to middle strikes on success of the gorge which can block it anytime.



Edited later- Better visualization here.

[Amber G.]

Pakistan And USA Now:
Hold the rare distinction of loosing HVAA in any war!

Amber ji

The fatalities in this crash have now been revised upward from four to six

no further details

Meanwhile : Iranian Sabereen News claims this is the “Exclusive footage of the downing of the American KC-135 aircraft west of Iraq, which the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced as their target.”.
G
(From Ohio National Guard is saying (3 of the airmen who died belong to Ohio National Guard) and Ohio Governor is officially saying that two air crafts (Both KC-135) collided/had accident , one was able to land but the other did not.

[Amber G.]

Meanwhile: Donald Trump claims the U.S. carried out a major bombing raid on Iran’s Kharg Island, saying U.S. forces “totally obliterated” military targets there... and this and that..

[uddu]

The following is strait of hormuz. Note the hilly terrain shown.



Q: is it possible to cut a canal in the land mass and allow ship traffic via the short stretch of the canal. This would provide safe passage for all oil tankers and others like gas, food and so on.

Short answer. No. Plus if you look closely the area is a mix of UAE and Oman. Enclaves.
So long answer. Very difficult physically and politically
A close look at this topography map will show that average height there is above 200 m easily and the mix of igneous and sedimentary rocks are not easy to excavate. Even if you solve the political and geographical challenges even them you will end up with a canal which is vulnerable to middle strikes on success of the gorge which can block it anytime.



Edited later- Better visualization here.

They could agree to let Oman have a share in the oil and gas business by completing the Pipeline and let the oil and gas be loaded at Duqm port rather than have complete control of the loading at their own ports, which are in the strait of Hormuz. Especially during such situations, the pipeline will come of good use and is very cheaper to lay and maintain rather than a new canal which can get disrupted if one missile hit one tanker or get mined somehow.
Even the IMEC can have a link from Oman to Saudi Arabia along with the UAE one. It seems the UAE did not agree to such a situation because it will make them lose a major part of the business.

[chetak]

An Arab gentleman is sitting in a millionaire’s restaurant in Dubai having lunch when a disheveled homeless man walks in and sits down next to him. The man says, “I have a golden lighter. You're gonna want to buy it, but I should warn you, it costs a million dollars.”

The Arab laughs and says, “Have you lost your mind old man? A million dollars? That lighter isn’t even worth one dollar!”

The homeless man calmly clicks the golden lighter. Suddenly, a genie pops out and says, “Sir, what do you wish for?”

The whole restaurant goes quiet as the man tells the genie, “Bring me a cup of tea with sugar.” The genie claps his hands and—poof!—with a flash of fire, a glass of tea appears on a tray with sugar and a spoon.

The Arab rubs his eyes, stunned by what he just saw. Without hesitation, he grabs the lighter and writes the man a check for one million dollars.

“Not so fast,” says the homeless man. “How do I know this check is good?” So they both go to the Arab’s bank and cash the check. After the money is confirmed, they shake hands and go their separate ways.

The Arab rushes home to his palace, excited. Sitting at his grand table, he clicks the golden lighter. Sure enough, the genie appears again. “Sir, what do you wish for?”

The Arab smiles and says, “First, I want the million dollars I paid for you back. Then I want a new super yacht, my own Lear private jet, the latest Rolls Royce in my garage, and a foolproof iron-dome to protect them from Iranian missiles.”

The genie looks embarrassed and says, “I’m very sorry, sir… I can only serve tea or coffee. Would you like sugar with that?”

This is exactly what the US has done with the Arabs

[bala]

Another roundup of things happening in the area

Iran War Day 14: US Hits Kharg Island, Gives Iran a Final Hormuz Warning • Lt Gen Ravi Shankar

On Day 14 of the escalating conflict, the United States executed a major military operation targeting Kharg Island, the strategic epicenter of Iran's oil export economy. Authorized by President Donald Trump under Operation Epic Fury, US Central Command deployed B-2 stealth bombers to systematically obliterate military installations on the island.

[uddu]

How US Air Tanker Crash?

[uddu]

Trump avoided another headache for India by not naming India in the list of countries that he expect will send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The Anti-India, Repeat Trump Opposition must have had a field day claiming Modi send Warship because Trump asked.

It is expected of Japan, Korea to send their warships to escort their tankers. They will not be able to hold out for long without oil. France also got good Anti-Air capable warships. The others like Germans may not come. Trump is forcing this action by not deploying U.S warships in the Strait. Eventually more countries could end up joining the war along with U.S if the Iranians target any of these warships.

Donald Trump says he hopes UK and China will send warships to Strait of Hormuz
In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump claims "many countries" will send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz.

He wrote "hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK" will be among them.

"In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water."

[Kati]

WSJ reporting:

Five Air Force Refueling Planes Hit in Iranian Strike on Saudi Arabia

By Lara Seligman and Shelby Holliday

Five U.S. Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, according to two U.S. officials.
………

[Amber G.]

As someone posted: White house has spoken- வாயில்லைனா நாய் கவ்விட்டு போயிடும்!
One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!" - President DONALD J. TRUMP

Meanwhile:

[Amber G.]

US citizens should leave Iraq now, US embassy in Baghdad issues advisory on a day strikes happened on its compound.

[g.sarkar]

https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/ch ... ce-176383/
Chinese satellite imagery spells end of US space intelligence dominance
Chinese satellite imagery highlights damage to US bases after Iranian missile strikes.
ABHINANDAN MISHRA, March 15, 2026
NEW DELHI: Chinese commercial satellites have been releasing satellite imagery indicating damage to US military assets and installations in the Middle East following Iranian strikes, underscoring a major shift in the balance of global satellite surveillance and challenging the long-standing dominance of American space-based intelligence.
Satellite images circulating in recent days show damage patterns and debris around US military infrastructure in the region, including radar installations linked to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system deployed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Analysts examining the images say the site appears to have sustained strike impacts during Iranian missile attacks earlier in the conflict.
The imagery has largely come from Chinese satellite networks and geospatial intelligence platforms that continue to release photographs of military installations, deployments and strike damage across the region.
At the same time, at least one major American commercial satellite imagery company temporarily restricted the release of certain photographs after satellite pictures revealed the impact of Iranian attacks on US bases. This was presumably done on the orders of the Pentagon.
Apart from the concerns that high-resolution imagery could enable Iranian adversaries to conduct battle damage assessment and refine targeting, the Pentagon, it is understood, wanted to keep a lid on the damages that its assets have suffered in the ongoing war that started on 28 February.
The contrast has drawn attention to the growing influence of China’s commercial earth observation industry, which operates outside the regulatory and political constraints affecting many Western providers.
Chinese firms have in recent days also published satellite imagery mapping US military assets across the Middle East, including aircraft positions at regional air bases, naval deployments and air defence systems. The images identify installations across several countries and have circulated widely among analysts and on social media.
......
Gautam

[Cain Marko]

WSJ reporting:

Five Air Force Refueling Planes Hit in Iranian Strike on Saudi Arabia

By Lara Seligman and Shelby Holliday

Five U.S. Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, according to two U.S. officials.
………

This was later refuted?

https://www.jpost.com/international/article-889882

[g.sarkar]

https://www.rediff.com/news/report/just ... 260315.htm
'Just for fun': Trump warns of more strikes on Iran's Kharg Island
Hemant Waje, March 15, 2026
Donald Trump has hinted at potential further military strikes against Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub, raising concerns about escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf and the security of global oil supplies.
United States President Donald Trump stated that the country might conduct further military operations against Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub.
In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, Trump asserted that previous American strikes had "totally demolished" the majority of the island's oil infrastructure. He further remarked that the US "may hit it a few more times just for fun."
Throughout the ongoing hostilities, US forces have launched airstrikes against military installations on the island, striking numerous targets, including missile storage facilities and various defence sites.
While earlier reports suggested that the oil export infrastructure remained largely undamaged, Trump announced on Saturday that the US had indeed struck the island, which he described as a vital hub for Iran's oil trade.
The President claimed that US forces had "obliterated" military installations on Kharg Island. Located in the Persian Gulf, the site serves as the primary gateway for Iran's crude oil shipments to international markets.
Although the terminals themselves were not the primary focus of the recent strikes, Trump cautioned that energy infrastructure remains a potential target if Tehran continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
......
Gautam

[Amber G.]

Nations Respond With Caution to Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz

Nations Respond With Caution to Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz
President Trump has urged China, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea to send warships to help reopen the waterway, even though they were not involved in the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.

Here is how these nations have responded so far:

Britain: The British government was already looking at “any options” to help restart shipping in the region and was in talks with allies, Ed Miliband, the energy minister, said on Sunday, without disclosing details. “It is very important that we get the Strait of Hormuz reopened,” he told the BBC in an interview, but he reiterated Britain’s position that the “best and simplest way” for that to happen was to de-escalate the fighting.

Japan: Japan’s pacifist constitution limits military engagement in wars and a senior Japanese official warned that any decision to deploy warships would face “high hurdles.” Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, told the Japanese public broadcaster NHK on Sunday that the country would have to be cautious. The issue may come up when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Mr. Trump meet in Washington on Thursday.

South Korea: The office of President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea said in a statement that it would “communicate closely with the United States,” but did not make any commitments.

China: China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, has not publicly responded to Mr. Trump’s remarks but has previously called for the cessation of hostilities.

France: France has also not responded publicly. President Emmanuel Macron has said that his government would be willing to use its navy to escort ships but only if the conflict stabilized. Last week, Mr. Macron wrote on social media that he had spoken with President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran and told him that Tehran needed to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and reopen it to shipping.

[Cyrano]

[chanakyaa]

Nations Respond With Caution to Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz

There are repeated calls being made for countries including Asian countries to assist reopening of the strait. Visit of Sanae Takaichi this week will be key. It is possible that sends it ships with or without choice. Why ? It is viewed as an ally and its ships are not allowed to pass? Which means that the only way to be effective is if the countries are ready for conflict.

[chetak]

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/uaes-bi ... r-11220357

UAE's Big Action Against 19 Indians Over 'Misleading' Posts Amid Iran War

UAE's Big Action Against 19 Indians Over 'Misleading' Posts Amid Iran WarIn the UAE, such acts constitute crimes punishable under the law by imprisonment for at least 1 year and a fine of at least AED 1,00,000.