Category: Middle East

Iran: US pledges to protect Hormuz vessels during Iran strikes

Washington will “become the guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz for a 20 percent fee, sez Trump.

Iran said on Saturday it has once again shut the Strait of Hormuz to traffic. The US has maintained it remains open.

“Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing,” US Central Command wrote early on Sunday.

US launches new wave of strikes against Iran, aimed at ‘degrading’ military

Sunday’s attacks follow three previous days of tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and US as a June ceasefire deal frays.

  • US forces are “positioned and prepared” to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz despite “Iranian aggression”, CENTCOM says.
  • Iran claims attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman with missiles and suicide drones as fears rise of a return to full-scale war in the Middle East.
  • The US military says it struck more than 140 targets in Iran with explosions reported in the southern port cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, Bandar-e Deyr, Jask and Asaluyeh
  • The hostilities come after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared the Strait of Hormuz “closed until further notice” and said it fired at a ship attempting to transit through what it called an unapproved route.

Gulf tensions rise as Iran strikes Qatar, disrupting mediation efforts

Iran hit Kuwait and Bahrain following US attacks while avoiding Qatar since early April.

Sunday’s attack on Qatar targeted a state whose mediation efforts have been central to attempts to broker a ceasefire between the US and Iran.

In Tehran, life for more than 10 million people has carried on mostly as usual since the capital has not been recently attacked. But the economy is in the doldrums and the outlook is increasingly uncertain, more than four months after the US and Israel began their aerial campaign.

Here’s the latest:

  • The UAE says two of its national tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles, as India summons Iran’s deputy ambassador after an Indian crew member was killed and several others were wounded in the attacks.
  • The US has carried out more strikes on Iran, with Iranian media reporting explosions on Kish and Qeshm islands, as well as Bushehr and Bandar Abbas.
  • Iran says it attacked US military sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and two oil supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • US President Donald Trump says a US blockade will be reinstated on Iranian ports in the coming hours, and Washington will “become the guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz for a 20 percent fee.

Hormuz cargo fee ‘would be fundamentally wrong’: Hapag-Lloyd

Charging fees for passage through international waters “would be fundamentally wrong”, German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd says.

China urges US and Iran to restore safe passage through Hormuz

China called on the United States and Iran to restore safe passage through the crucial Strait of Hormuz after fighting reignited over how the strategic waterway should be managed.

Trump says US will become ‘guardian’ of Strait of Hormuz and collect tolls

UNHINGED IRAN STRIKES OMAN, BAHRAIN, JORDAN AND KUWAIT

Trump:

“We’re ⁠going to keep the ​strait, ‌and we’ll probably run ⁠it. ​We’ll become the guardian of the ⁠strait. Maybe we’ll ​call it the guardian angel of the strait. ⁠And we should be reimbursed for that.”

We guarded the strait for 50 years, and we never got paid for it. We guarded it for nothing, but now we will make money.

Trump says US ‘reinstating’ Iran blockade, will charge ships for passage

  • President Donald Trump has said the United States is “reinstating” a blockade on Iran as he looks to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz and said the US will “get paid a lot of money” for guarding the strategic waterway.
  • Iran claims attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan saying it hit US military sites in retaliation for Washington’s renewed bombardment of its southern coast.
  • The US attacks on Iran come amid an intensifying standoffover Hormuz with explosions reported in the port cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask as well as Qeshm Island.
  • Heavy exchanges of fire come a day after the US military said it hit at least 140 targets in Iran and Tehran launched retaliatory attacks.

  • Trump says US will become ‘guardian’ of Strait of Hormuz and collect tolls

    “We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving,” Trump said on Truth Social.

    “The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” he added.

    “The process and formation will begin immediately,” he said.

    In a statement, the UN’s shipping ‌agency said it opposed any imposition of fees to cross the strait.

The English are being terrorised by their own government

“Marginalised communities increasingly targeted.”

UK arrests 12 over extreme right-wing ‘terror’ threat to Muslim event

Anti-immigration demonstrations have flared again as far-right political parties and groups have fanned the flames of intolerance across Britain (File: Getty Images)

Arrests come against a backdrop of rising racial tensions and hate crimes across Britain.

British police have arrested 12 people in connection with an “extreme right-wing” terrorism threat targeting an Islamic gathering held in eastern England over the weekend.

The arrests were made across the country on Sunday and Monday, with the detainees aged between 27 and 82. Eleven of the suspects are men, while one woman has also been detained.

So an Islamic terrorist org is being protected from English people who protest?

The decrepit Australian gov’t employs an “Islamophobia envoy”

Screenshot
Former Australian Federal Police detective superintendent David Craig has labelled advice to redraw the definition of terrorism as naive and “blatantly stupid”.
 
Islamophobia Envoy Aftab Malik feared defining terrorists by motive stigmatised the Muslim community in a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
 
Islamophobia Envoy Aftab Malik feared defining terrorists by motive stigmatised the Muslim community in a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Continue reading The English are being terrorised by their own government

Bolt loses it: Hanson, admit you were a ‘fool’ for meeting with far-right thug Tommy Robinson

#OPINION – What was Hanson thinking when she recorded a podcast with British far-Right thug and convicted “Christian” criminal Tommy Robinson, writes Andrew Bolt ✍️ https://bit.ly/4yhFRK1…

Bolt: Hanson, admit you were a ‘fool’ for meeting with far-right thug

Pauline Hanson shouldn’t have met with British far-right thug Tommy Robinson. She needs credibility, and must attract quality candidates to convince voters One Nation can form the next government.

Here’s a Grok take:

Andrew Bolt has been strongly critical of Pauline Hanson’s recent meeting and podcast with Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), calling it a foolish mistake that damages her credibility.Background on the meeting

  • Pauline Hanson, One Nation leader, met Tommy Robinson in the UK during a trip that included CPAC Great Britain. They recorded a podcast interview, walked through Luton (which Robinson presented as an example of failed multiculturalism and “Islamification”), and Robinson praised her as one of the “bravest” people, a “fearless” fighter for Australia who could be the next leader.

  • This followed Robinson’s controversial interview with Karl Stefanovic (which contributed to Stefanovic’s exit from Nine) and Hanson’s defense of it. Hanson has highlighted UK issues with immigration and radical Islam as warnings for Australia.

Bolt’s reaction

 
Bolt has repeatedly described Robinson as a “thug,” “bully,” “egomaniac,” and “public menace” who “hides behind the flag while doing dirt on it and on England.”

Continue reading Bolt loses it: Hanson, admit you were a ‘fool’ for meeting with far-right thug Tommy Robinson

Faking Outrage in Ireland

Outrage? Who is outraged? Condemnation? Really? Who is shocked? Are you shocked? What is this ‘horror’ all about?

Of course, if the illegal migrants wanted to stage a bonfire to burn white people or a church, the police would have helped them!

Israel launches major attack with over 100 missiles on Iran

U.S. Central Command launched another wave of strikes against Iran. The operation, which began at 5 p.m. ET, aims to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Virgins!

Protesters hold a banner depicting Donald Trump with a target symbol during a demonstration, surrounded by flags representing various political factions.

 Iran Plotted to Assassinate Trump During Turkey Visit, Prompting Secret Plane Swap, Israel’s Channel 12 Reports

Iran reportedly planned to assassinate President Donald Trump during his recent visit to Turkey, according to explosive new details reported by Israel’s Channel 12.

Israeli journalist Yaron Avraham reported Sunday that foreign intelligence services uncovered information indicating that the Iranian regime intended to “eliminate” President Trump while he was in Turkey.

According to Channel 12, the intelligence was immediately passed to American officials and ultimately led security officials to change the aircraft Trump used for his return flight to Washington.

Continue reading Israel launches major attack with over 100 missiles on Iran

Iran keeps firing missiles at neighbouring states

US Launches Strikes Against Iran After Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz and Attacks Ship

Naval ship launching a missile at night, with flames and smoke visible against a dark background.

US Central Command Releases Footage From Latest Strikes Against Approximately 140 Iranian Military Targets

US Central Command released footage of strikes against Iranian military targets, following Saturday’s strikes against “approximately 140 Iranian military targets,” the military said. 

The attacks on Saturday were launched by “land- and sea-based fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels,” CENTCOM announced. “Targets included Iranian missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance locations.”

CENCOM further notes that more than 300 targets were hit in total during the week.

Additional footage released by CENTCOM appears to show the various strikes executed throughout the week. The video’s description reads, “U.S. Central Command forces striking Iranian military targets after launching aircraft and cruise missiles in response to Iran’s attack on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz during the week of July 6-11, 2026.”

Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies aged 74

Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies aged 74

Lindsey Graham speaking passionately into a microphone at a political event, gesturing with his hand to emphasize his points.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Passes Away Unexpectedly at 71 Following “Sudden Illness”

Missiles and drones fired at Gulf states after night of US strikes on Iran

Three people, including one child, injured by falling shrapnel in Qatar as attacks also reported in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan.

Air defence systems in Gulf states and Jordan have shot down Iranian missiles and drones after a night of US air strikes on Iran.

The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain sent out warnings to residents on Saturday night and Sunday morning about incoming missiles and drones.

Kuwait said its military responded to attacks on its territory early on Sunday. In Qatar, the Ministry of Interior said three people, including one child, were injured by falling shrapnel after warnings of attacks were sent to residents.
 
Three missiles from Iran fell in Jordan without causing any casualties, authorities there said. Air defences in the UAE were also activated after reports of incoming missiles and drones from Iran.
 

Warning sirens blared out three times in Bahrain on Sunday morning to warn of incoming attacks.

Trump Wants Syria to ‘Fight Hezbollah’ in Lebanon

That’s not working. That’s not the way to do it.
 
Both Israel and Lebanon are appalled. Trump sees Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa as a “strong leader,” someone who can take on Hezbollah and deal better with it than Israel. That is not how either Beirut or Jerusalem sees things.

 

Previous blog entry:

So China will not get supplies?

Continue reading Iran keeps firing missiles at neighbouring states

Japan’s Shinto Temples are Burning

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Japan Daily (@japandaily_jp)

Turning back the clock in Turkey

They always win. But they are always tense. Often, they look pensive and unhappy. They are angry, always ready to pick a fight. And they do fight.

They want to make a fake country; sin-free and dry. For that, they want everyone’s admiration and gratitude. Not everyone agrees. They won’t find peace until they make the other half of Turkey precisely as the half they command: ostensibly sin-free, so dry and privately full of sin.

Full command over nearly one half of Turkey does not satisfy them. Poor chaps; they are always angry.

BURAK BEKDÄ°L is one of those secular Turks who don’t like to see the headbangers take over. But he is also wrong when he claims its only 50% of Turks that wants to turn the clock back. Erdogan clearly has a majority.

 Greek MEP Afroditi Latinopoulou stunned the EU Parliament:

“If Israel falls, the gates of hell will open for all of us. Palestinian state does not exist.”

Continue reading Turning back the clock in Turkey

Bostom: From the Barbary Pirates to Today’s Islamic Supremacy

Muhammad declared war on the world in the 7th century. That war (Jihad) never stopped, it is permanent and relentless. Jihad is driven by Islamic ideology & supremacy. Western leaders talk about ‘forever wars’ as if peace could by achieved by ‘making deals’ like paying tribute (Jiziya).

They are ignorant of history.

The Barbary States, Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, controlled key routes along the Mediterranean, and for centuries they financed themselves by capturing ships and ransoming crews. European powers typically paid annual tribute to avoid attacks, treating it as a cost of doing business.
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When the United States became independent after the Revolution, it lost the protection of the British Navy and suddenly found its merchant ships exposed. With no real navy of its own, America had little leverage. By the 1790s, U.S. diplomats were negotiating payments, gifts, and even building ships for Barbary rulers just to keep American sailors safe.
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The financial burden was enormous for a young nation still struggling with debt. In 1797, nearly one‑fifth of the entire federal budget went toward tribute, a staggering figure that sparked outrage among politicians and the public. The humiliation was just as painful as the cost: American captains were seized, crews were enslaved, and the U.S. found itself forced to negotiate from weakness.
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This period exposed how vulnerable the country was without a navy capable of protecting its commerce. The debates in Congress became fierce, with leaders arguing that paying pirates was unsustainable and dishonorable for a sovereign nation.
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The breaking point came when the Pasha of Tripoli demanded even higher payments and declared war on the United States in 1801. Instead of giving in, President Thomas Jefferson sent newly built American warships to the Mediterranean, marking the birth of the U.S. Navy as a global force.
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The First Barbary War (1801–1805) and later the Second Barbary War (1815) ended the tribute system and proved that the United States could defend its interests abroad. The Barbary conflict became a defining moment in early American identity, a shift from vulnerability to capability, from paying for peace to enforcing it.

6/23/24 on WPRO with Matt Allen: Per Iran’s JIHAD Constitution, what a real “forever war”-JIHAD-looks like: “You can receive these blows in perpetuity (from Barbary or Iran’s Shiite jihadists), or you can strike back at them as Jefferson did, & as POTUS Trump did Saturday (6/21/25)”
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The Islamic Rep of Iran is a Constitutional JIHAD TERROR STATE, “An Ideological Army,” whose goal is “fulfilling the ideological mission of jihad in Allah’s way; that is, extending the sovereignty of Allah’s law throughout the world,” per Qur’an 8:60 http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/iran-constitution.html
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Thomas Jefferson & John Adams in 1786 explaining the timeless, unprovoked jihad aggression–sanctioned by the Quran & Muhammad’s sacred example– of the Barbary jihadists of North Africa, in their own words https://founders.archives.gov/doc…/Jefferson/01-09-02-0315
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“We took the liberty to make some inquiries concerning the Grounds of their pretentions to make war upon Nations who had done them no Injury, and observed that we considered all mankind as our friends who had done us no wrong, nor had given us any provocation.
 
The (Tripolitan, modern Libya) Ambassador answered us that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.