Iran War

Why Is the Free Press Going Easy on Iranian Tyrants?– www.newsbusters.org

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

The concept of freedom of the press isn’t ruined by criticism of the press. But when liberal TV hosts roll out their lectures, they sound a little like the president they routinely attack. Any criticism of their work must be Fake News.

MS NOW host Ana Cabrera expressed indignation on March 16 after FCC chairman Brendan Carr tweeted that broadcast stations should watch what they’re airing on the war in Iran: “Freedom of the press has been such a huge, huge underpinning of the democracy in this country, right? In order to hold people in power accountable to be that government watchdog.” But Carr is “squashing” press freedom with a simple tweet.

NPR media reporter David Folkenflik lamented Carr wanted to “get in the weeds of what’s said,” but allowed that “you can argue there are good principles involved about wanting to make sure certain kinds of coverage is fair to all sides” – yet the government shouldn’t interfere.

Death of Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani tests regime resilience, risks hardline shift– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Dr Dorsey pointed out that there may also be a hardening of the lines on both sides of the war following the security chief’s death.

“You could see Israel, the United States, seeing this as a major body blow that sets the stage for trying to finish Iran off,” he said.

Already, Iran has retaliated for the assassination of its security chief, targeting Tel Aviv with missiles carrying cluster warheads, which are difficult to intercept.

Larijani’s death is also likely to lend more power to the more radical leaders and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, said Dr Mehran Kamrava, professor of government at Georgetown University Qatar.

“As an insider with deep connections within the Islamic Republic’s deep state and with impeccable revolutionary credentials, he would have been indispensable to any decision to end the current war,” Dr Kamrava told CNA.

“His death is likely to strengthen the hands of President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi on the one hand, and the more radical, less compromising commanders of the Revolutionary Guards on the other.”

Iran launches deadly missile attacks on Israel, Gulf states as war spirals with no end in sight– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 1

Blurb:

Israel’s defense minister said Wednesday that the country would escalate its war against Iran, and its parallel assault on the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon, clearly signaling an escalation of the conflict in the heart of the Middle East.

“The intensity of attacks in Iran is increasing. We are in the midst of achieving a decisive outcome,” Katz said in his video message, shared on social media.

“Israel’s policy is clear and unequivocal: no one in Iran has immunity, and all are targeted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have authorized the IDF to neutralize any senior Iranian official for whom an intelligence and operational opportunity arises, without the need for additional approval. We will continue to intercept and hunt them all,” he said.

“Significant surprises are also expected throughout today across all arenas, which will escalate the war we are conducting against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.”

Starmer says ‘we can’t lose focus’ on Ukraine amid Iran war during Zelenskyy visit– www.euronews.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Tuesday for talks on peace and sanctions on Russia.

The meeting comes at a time when the Iran war has revived Russia’s ailing economy through increased oil revenue, robbed US-brokered talks to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine of momentum and could soon limit Kyiv’s access to vital Western air defence systems that are needed in the Middle East.

“We can’t lose focus on what’s going on in Ukraine and the need for our support,” Starmer said alongside Zelenskyy for talks at 10 Downing Street, which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also attended.

“Putin can’t be the one who benefits from the conflict in Iran, whether that’s oil prices or the dropping of sanctions,” Starmer said. “It is really important we keep our resolve in relation to supporting Ukraine, doing everything we can to weaken the hand of Putin.”

Inside Iran’s children’s wards: The painful human cost of US-Israel airstrikes | World News– news.sky.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

The human cost of Israel and America’s air campaign on Iran is mounting, nowhere more painfully felt than in the children’s wards of its hospitals.

In the intensive care unit of one, four-year-old Anita lies in a coma with severe head injuries a few days after being pulled out of the rubble of her home when it was destroyed in an air strike.

Her mother Zeiba was in torment, clutching her tiny hand and begging her to wake up. Doctors say she almost certainly never will.

How to Stop Iran’s Dangerous New Sejjil Missiles › American Greatness– amgreatness.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

The Islamic Republic has unveiled a new and dangerous weapon: the Sejjil missile. It can be set up and launched with minimal delay, making it harder to hit with preemptive strikes. Iran has only a few hundred, but they are produced indigenously. Fortunately, there is a simple way to stop production for good.

The Sejjil’s menace stems from its design for speed in deployment. Unlike Iran’s older liquid-fueled Shahab missiles, which take hours to prepare, leaving them vulnerable to preemptive strikes, the Sejjil runs on solid propellant. That means it is ready to be fired from road-mobile launchers in mere minutes, vanishing before countermeasures kick in.

Iranian state media claim it also has mid-descent maneuverability that allows it to dodge interceptors—they call it the “dancing missile”—but that has not been confirmed. There is no sign of side thrusters or similar features seen on other Iranian missiles that would make maneuvering possible.

Joy Reid: Trump’s America Only ‘Marginally Better’ Than Iran Under Brutal Islamic Regime– slaynews.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Far-left podcast host Joy Reid argued that the United States is only “marginally better” than Iran, even after the brutal Islamic regime recently slaughtered tens of thousands of protesting citizens.

During the January anti-regime protests, thousands of Iranians were killed by their own government.

Estimates of the number killed vary substantially, hampered by the ongoing internet shutdown.

The Iranian government has acknowledged more than 3,000 dead.

However, the US-based organisation HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency), whose figures have been reliable during previous crackdowns, says it has verified more than 6,000 dead and has more than 17,000 more recorded deaths under investigation, giving a possible total of about 22,000.

Iran hits UAE energy supplies, tanker struck near Strait of Hormuz– www.cnbc.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

A fresh wave of attacks on the United Arab Emirates’ energy infrastructure has ramped up concerns over prolonged supply disruptions amid the Iran war.

It comes after the world’s largest ultra-sour gas development was struck by a drone, a fire broke out in the UAE’s Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, and another tanker was hit near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The UAE also reopened its airspace on Tuesday after a brief shutdown following a fire caused by an Iranian drone attack hitting a fuel tank.

Operations at the UAE’s massive Shah gas field remained suspended on Tuesday following a drone attack, which caused a fire at the facility, according to Abu Dhabi authorities. No injuries were reported from the incident.

The Shah gas field is located about 110 miles southwest of Abu Dhabi and is operated by a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. and Occidental Petroleum Corp. It has the capacity to produce 1.28 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day and 4.2 million tons of sulfur per year.

Top intelligence officials to testify before Senate panel as Iran war escalates– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Joe Kent, who led the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Tuesday, saying he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.”

“Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent wrote in his resignation letter to Mr. Trump.

Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and some in the media of waging a “misinformation campaign” that was “used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory.”

“This was a lie,” he said, urging Mr. Trump to “reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for.”

In a post on X, Gabbard appeared to respond to Kent’s letter, saying the president “is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat.”

Trump adviser slammed for saying Iran price hit is ‘last of our concerns’– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Democrats are lambasting a top Trump adviser for dismissing concerns that high oil prices brought on by the war in Iran will raise costs for American consumers.

The adviser, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, acknowledged that a prolonged war would “hurt consumers” in a Tuesday morning interview on CNBC.

“We’d have to think about, you know, if that continued, what we would have to do about that,” he said. “But that’s, like, really the last of our concerns right now, because we’re very confident that this thing is going ahead of schedule.”

Hassett made the comment in the context of arguing that the economy is “fundamentally sound,” and would not be disrupted if the war in Iran were extended for a significant period of time.

U.S. Embassy Targeted In Major Drone, Rocket Attack– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad came under a heavy barrage of rockets and drones early Tuesday in what Iraqi security sources described as one of the most intense attacks on the capital since the war erupted.

Witnesses said two drones were shot down by the embassy’s C-RAM defense system, while a third struck a building inside the embassy compound, sparking a fire and sending thick smoke into the sky.

Video seen by CNN showed air defenses intercepting what appeared to be a drone over Baghdad. The clip captured the moment it was hit, followed by a blast about 1,000 meters from the embassy compound.

“There it is, there it is,” a voice is heard saying in the video as the drone was intercepted.

Internet Erupts As Possibly Dead New Supreme Leader of Iran Was Maybe LGBTQ – RedState– redstate.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

The irony is thicker than the haze described by the band Deep Purple in their classic hard-rocking tune, Smoke on the Water. The new Supreme leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei (son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) — who nobody is sure is even alive or dead — may be (have been?) gay.

This, in one of the most anti-LGBTQ regimes in the world — one that is reportedly prone to hanging homosexuals in the public square. Not surprisingly, the internet went wild with memes and jokes.

Although the conflict with Iran is anything but funny, sometimes humor best exposes the absurdity of the backward regime and its murderous leaders (the ones who are still left breathing, anyway).

Iran Missile Strike Hit Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem– gellerreport.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

A near disaster took place in Israel. Iran launched missiles into the Old City of Jerusalem. The missiles were intercepted. However, the debris landed just a few feet away from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. One of the most sacred sites in Christianity, believed to be the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.

Just a reminder, the only reason Christian holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem remain standing, is because it is part of Israel. If the Palestinians controlled the Old City of Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter, all traces of Christianity would be attacked and destroyed. Exactly what the Palestinians have tragically done to the once flourishing Christian community in Bethlehem.

What Happens When There’s Not Enough Regime Left to Change? – PJ Media– pjmedia.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Ali Larijani, the closest thing Iran’s Islamic Republic currently has (er, had) to a political leader, is believed dead following an Israeli airstrike Tuesday. And that’s just the start of today’s good news concerning Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion.

It seems like only yesterday [It was only yesterday, Steve —Editor] that we discussed how Iran’s regime losses — from the topmost echelons all the way down to Basij street-thug enforcers — make the country increasingly ripe for regime change.

Well, yesterday’s news of limited drone strikes on individual Basij thugs pales in comparison to today’s news from Mossad Commentary [unofficial]: “Overnight strikes reportedly killed ~300 Basij commanders and field officials, targeting key command, logistics, and operational centers across Tehran.”

Facilities hit include “vehicle repair units, Mohammad Rasoulollah Corps HQ, Imam Hadi command center, and Imam Ali battalions.” The result is that “the Basij’s capability to mobilize against protests and maintain internal control” is severely degraded.

It’s this big a deal:

‘I Hope This Wakes People Up’: Shawn Ryan Defends Trump Official Who Quit Over Iran War– dailycaller.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Podcaster Shawn Ryan said Tuesday he hoped the resignation of National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC) Director Joe Kent “wakes people up” about the war with Iran.

Kent announced his resignation in a Tuesday post on X that included an image of his letter to President Donald Trump, claiming that Iran did not pose an “imminent threat” to the United States. Ryan described Kent’s resignation as “unfortunate” in a Tuesday post. (RELATED: Pentagon Confirms Six Servicemembers Dead In Tanker Crash)

“Sometimes the most impactful statement you can make is a strong resignation. It’s unfortunate it’s come down to this. God’s speed @joekent16jan19, I hope this wakes some people up,” Ryan, a former Navy SEAL, posted.

“And for everyone else who’s just falling in line to keep your position of power, take note,” Ryan added in a second post.

Anchored Oil Tanker Hit by Strike as Iran Begins Targeting Some of World’s Most Critical Oil Infrastructure– www.westernjournal.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Iran launched vicious attacks Tuesday on oil-producing Arab neighbors, hoping to drive up oil prices to outlast the United States and Israel.

An anchored tanker was struck off the coast of the United Arab Emirates just south of the Strait of Hormuz, according to The New York Times. The tanker sustained minor damage.

The port of Fujairah is strategically important because it is the terminus of a pipeline that can move oil to tankers from inland wells without passing through the strait, which Iran has closed to shipping.

At least 17 ships have been attacked in or near the strait since the U.S. and Israel began fighting Iran in late February.

The UAE was also attacked Tuesday by Iranian missiles and drones. The nation’s defense ministry said the attacks were being repelled.

Iran also launched drones at the UAE’s Shah gas field. Operations were later suspended, according to CNBC.

Vocal Antisemite Joe Kent Resigns As Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Over Iran War– gellerreport.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

It is almost comical that the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center would oppose defeating the world’s largest sponsor of terror. Wrong man for the job. Thank you for resigning.

He blamed the Jews.

We have enough anti-semites destroying the country.

Joe Kent, a Trump counterterrorism admin, resigned Tuesday over the war in Iran.

Kent said he could not “in good conscience” back the war, and said he believed Iran posed no threat to the U.S.

Kent is a former political candidate and veteran who was deployed to combat 11 times. His wife was killed in action in 2019.

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation Tuesday, saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration’s war in Iran.

ABC News Left Out Crucial Context In Story About Iran Drone Threat To California– www.westernjournal.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

ABC News’ Wednesday report on an alleged Iranian drone threat to California did not initially include that the information was “unverified.”

“We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran,” ABC News reported the late February alert stated.

However, the outlet noted in an updated version of the article on Thursday — which included an editor’s note — that the full alert reportedly included the word “unverified” between “acquired” and “information.”

Israel kills 2 senior Iran leaders as allies reject Trump’s call for Strait of Hormuz help– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement Tuesday that the commander of Iran’s feared Basij paramilitary force was among the senior leaders killed in overnight strikes in Tehran, and the Israeli defense minister Israel Katz later confirmed that Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was also “eliminated.”

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to c

What Iran Attacks On UAE Reveals About The Drone Swarm Campaign– www.ndtv.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

The recent Iranian strike campaign against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has largely been viewed through images of drones striking skyscrapers and residential buildings. But it can also be understood through the dataset emerging from daily interception reports. Beginning on February 28, Iranian forces have launched nearly 1,800 drones and missiles towards the UAE, according to compiled data and interception timelines based on the daily releases shared by the UAE’s Ministry of Defence.

While interception rates remained high and protected key locations, a closer examination of the data reveals a structured operational campaign. The pattern suggests that Iran’s objective was not necessarily infrastructure destruction but imposing economic and operational strain on advanced air-defence networks.

Gulf States Press US to Neutralize Iran For Good– gellerreport.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

At the same time, these sources and five Western and Arab diplomats said Washington was pressing Gulf states to join the US-Israeli war. According to three of them, US President Donald Trump wants to show regional backing for the campaign, to bolster its international legitimacy as well as support at home.

“There is a wide feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country,” said Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center and familiar with government thinking.

“At first we defended them and opposed the war,” he said. “But once they began directing strikes at us, they became an enemy. There is no other way to classify them.”

Tehran has already demonstrated its reach, attacking airports, ports, oil facilities and commercial hubs in the six Gulf states with missiles and drones while also attacking Israel and disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — the artery carrying about a fifth of global oil and underpinning Gulf economies.