Iran ; explosions across Tehran following Israeli and US strikes, 28 February 2026

[Ruminations]

I’ve been following this closely but have not heard any confirmation about hitting a possible nuclear threat in Iran. I would think this strategic attack would focus on that first. Has anyone seen that confirmation yet? IMHO Thanks in advance.

IMO, that objective is merely a pretext.

The point was to win on the betting markets and distract from national problems.

The leaders of US and IS have documented criminal histories and have reason to fear incarceration in their respective countries.

In the US in particular, many people who tolerate financial crimes and assaults on adult women draw the line on abuse of children. It's all coming out now.

So, wait for the stock market to close (and school in Iran to open), place your bets on insider information, then bomb like crazy.

There is no regime change without tremendous support on the ground. That is the military experience for decades.

MOO

 

[Ruminations]

Snipped by me for focus,

This much seems reasonable to me. It doesn't seem to have such political Trump-focused aims. It doesn't even mention regime change, though I think that is a reasonable part of the aims inasmuch as it's the choices of the current regime, their decisions to facilitate terrorism that have made their country a target.

I'm trying to sort of ignore the lousy messaging coming from the president and the politics of him and his administration and look at it purely from the perspective of perceiving what Hegseth has said here to be the main goals of the operation/war. And in this sense I would see all the years through different presidents and administrations as attempts to avoid this, but with the actions of Iran and their subsidiary terrorist groups over the past 2 years or so, I can see that it's reached a point where Iran can't be trusted to stop supporting terrorist groups, and I can agree that waiting until after they have working nukes is not the best option. Imagine an Iran that says you can't go after terrorist groups that we're supporting, because they're under our nuclear umbrella?

I don't know if better diplomacy could have changed this, I only see that it hasn't.

We've tried bombing. It doesn't work. I only see that bombing hasn't changed things.

MOO

 

[justtrish]

I’ve been following this closely but have not heard any confirmation about hitting a possible nuclear threat in Iran. I would think this strategic attack would focus on that first. Has anyone seen that confirmation yet? IMHO Thanks in advance.

I think the first objective was to get launchers and missile stockpiles, military headquarters, and other military targets. They want to take out the ability to shoot down our planes and for them to launch missiles at other countries. Once they have hit as much of that as possible, they can bring the B1's in to hit the nuclear sites. They can't move those nuclear sites quickly and they aren't going anywhere so getting the launchers and missiles they could move around would make the most sense. I wouldn't be surprised if the B1s are in the air at this point. They have already been used to take out missile building sites. They typically take off from the US and fly nonstop to their target and back without landing. This is what was used the first time we bombed their nuclear facilities. IMO

 

[Ruminations]

An incredible read detailing a meeting between American diplomats and Khamenei. It paints a picture of a man who was
obsessively anti-American, highly distrustful, and deologically entrenched. There is just no way that he was making a deal with the Trump administration.

The surreal experience of meeting Khamenei | Brookings

Jeffrey Feltman reflects on his experience as one of the only Americans to meet Iran's now-deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

www.brookings.edu

Almost no traditional allies trust the USA anymore.

It is really sad how my country has lost its international credibility.

MOO

 

[Ruminations]

yep, i believe you and am sorry for what you went through and i get all the 9/11 stuff. I'm talking about what's typical of americans, not a blanket rule. and, as I think you'd agree, your experience is not typical of Americans. maybe 2 or 3 percent of the country experienced 9/11 up close like that.

the rest of us just saw it on TV or *maybe* knew someone who died. and yet it shocked us all to the core. because war is terrible. and that had gotten invisible in our sanitized, bubble-wrapped existence. why wasn't it cool and exciting like in the movies?

It was horrific, the 911 attack. I could see the destruction from the high point of a park in my town.

Many people that live in my town died, but "luckily" I didn't know them.

It taught me, I will never be a part of doing something like that to another person, ever.

Being attacked on US soil made war less abstract to me.

MOO

 

[sapphire blue]

Australians are already being asked not to stockpile fuel.


The energy minister, Chris Bowen, says there is no immediate threat to Australia’s fuel supplies, and is warning households not to stockpile or panic-buy petrol.

There is no need to rush to the service station and fill up. I do understand people’s concerns, but it’s important that people know we do have a good stock of petrol in reserve. In Australia, there is no immediate threat to petrol supplies in Australia. There will be challenges in this difficult environment in the Middle East, the strait of Hormuz is a very important supply chain for the world.

So there are real challenges, but there is no need for panic buying, we just make the situation worse.

PM tables election review in question time – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

We have reserves for 34 days of diesel and 36 days of petrol. Under the previous government we were down to 19 days of fuel reserves.

The problem is this country needs fuel, without it transportation of goods will stop, leaving shortages of foods.

 

[Simply Southern]

I’ve been following this closely but have not heard any confirmation about hitting a possible nuclear threat in Iran. I would think this strategic attack would focus on that first. Has anyone seen that confirmation yet? IMHO Thanks in advance.

Here ya go ….

Satellite images show Iranian sites before and after airstrikes

The satellite images show damage to sites including the Choqa Balk-e drone facility and former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound.

www.cbsnews.com

…. The satellite images show damage to sites including the Choqa Balk-e drone facility, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound, the Natanz nuclear complex and a radar system at Zahedan airbase.

….Satellite images from late January showed roofs had been built over damaged buildings at Natanz and other sites, potentially indicating Iran was trying to salvage materials from the facilities.

Satellite imagery shows Iran's Natanz nuclear complex on March 1, 2026.SATELLITE IMAGE ©2026 VANTOR

Satellite imagery shows damage to Iran's Natanz nuclear complex on March 2, 2026.SATELLITE IMAGE ©2026 VANTOR

 

[Elley Mae]

The Iranian negotiators reportedly told Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner "directly and with no shame" that they control 460kg. of 60% enriched uranium, and were aware that it could be quickly enriched to 90% in order to make nuclear bombs, Witkoff said.

The Iranians were proud that they had evaded all oversight protocols to achieve this, he added.

Steve Witkoff: Iran has enough uranium for 11 nuclear bombs | The Jerusalem Post

Iran claims it possesses 460kg of 60% enriched uranium, enough to build nuclear weapons in a few years. Notably, Iran would have needed at least two years to actually make a nuclear bomb.

www.jpost.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

• U.S. EMBASSIES UNDER FIRE: The U.S. shut its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after drone attacks as Iran retaliates across the Middle East. The U.S. also urged Americans in the region to "DEPART NOW!" and ordered nonemergency personnel in six Gulf states to leave.
• ISRAELI TROOPS IN LEBANON: The Israeli military said its forces were now operating on the ground in neighboring Lebanon where they would "advance and seize additional" territory, escalating its campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. Israel also launched new airstrikes on Beirut and Tehran.
• Live updates: U.S. shuts embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait after drone attacks; Israeli troops stage incursion into Lebanon

The Israeli military said it had seized areas of southern Lebanon on Tuesday in its escalating conflict with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, as the State Department closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after drone attacks and urged Americans to depart immediately from 14 Middle East countries.

As Iran expanded its retaliatory strikes and the regional conflict widened, the Trump administration signaled that the assault on Iran could go on for weeks. The Israeli military said that it was carrying out additional strikes in Iran, and had targeted weapons storage facilities in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, as Hezbollah said it had fired attack drones at Israel.

March 3, 2026, 8:50 a.m. ET
Israel’s air force is bombarding the Iranian capital of Tehran, the Israeli military just said in a statement. Iranian media reported explosions could be heard in the city. It was not immediately clear what Israeli forces were striking; over the past three days, they have assassinated top Iranian leaders and attacked government buildings.

Iran Steps Up Retaliatory Strikes as U.S. Prepares for Long War: Live Updates

The U.S. urged Americans to leave 14 countries, and closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after drones hit them. Israel’s military intensified operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah, which fired rockets into Israel.

www.nytimes.com

War with Iran: Israel said it is conducting “simultaneous strikes in Tehran and Beirut,” targeting Iranian military sites and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, as its troops intensify their push in Lebanon. The UN has also confirmed damage to a nuclear facility in Iran for the first time since the US and Israel launched a military attack on the country.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-03-26

 

[missy1974]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2028840911623348663

 

[bestill]

A ⁠magnitude-4.3 earthquake has ⁠struck the Gerash ⁠region in Iran, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake ⁠was at a ⁠depth of ⁠10km (6.21 ⁠miles), ⁠USGS said.

Israel Iran War Live Updates: US Orders Evacuation from Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait as Israel Pounds Beirut, Tehran

US-Israel and Iran War Live Updates: The West Asia conflict expanded to include Iran-backed militias on Monday with an attack by Hezbollah on Israel. Israel struck back against the group in Lebanon while the United States pounded targets in Iran.<br /><br /><b>Top Updates: </b><br /><br...

www.timesnownews.com

I have major doubts this was an earthquake. JMO

 

[connie9030]

A senseless war of choice, not a necessary war-- American men and women will die- for nothing.
Obama had a truce with Iran to ensure they would not be a nuclear threat: in his first term Trump terminated that agreement. Trump stated when he campaigned that America was involved in too many wars, including Iraq and how he would avoid doing the same

 

[Jade]

The Iranian negotiators reportedly told Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner "directly and with no shame" that they control 460kg. of 60% enriched uranium, and were aware that it could be quickly enriched to 90% in order to make nuclear bombs, Witkoff said.

The Iranians were proud that they had evaded all oversight protocols to achieve this, he added.

Steve Witkoff: Iran has enough uranium for 11 nuclear bombs | The Jerusalem Post

Iran claims it possesses 460kg of 60% enriched uranium, enough to build nuclear weapons in a few years. Notably, Iran would have needed at least two years to actually make a nuclear bomb.

www.jpost.com

However, as Iran manufactures its own centrifuges to enrich the material, there is almost no way to stop them, and they have an endless supply, Witkoff stated.

Steve Witkoff: Iran has enough uranium for 11 nuclear bombs | The Jerusalem Post

imo

 

[CrimeDawg123]

The Iranian negotiators reportedly told Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner "directly and with no shame" that they control 460kg. of 60% enriched uranium, and were aware that it could be quickly enriched to 90% in order to make nuclear bombs, Witkoff said.

The Iranians were proud that they had evaded all oversight protocols to achieve this, he added.

Steve Witkoff: Iran has enough uranium for 11 nuclear bombs | The Jerusalem Post

Iran claims it possesses 460kg of 60% enriched uranium, enough to build nuclear weapons in a few years. Notably, Iran would have needed at least two years to actually make a nuclear bomb.

www.jpost.com

It's good to see the real estate developers weighing in.

 

[Friday Fan]

I have major doubts this was an earthquake. JMO

Iran is sesmically very active. 4.3 is nothing. This was verified by the USGS at 6.1 miles deep.

 

[justtrish]

The Iranian negotiators reportedly told Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner "directly and with no shame" that they control 460kg. of 60% enriched uranium, and were aware that it could be quickly enriched to 90% in order to make nuclear bombs, Witkoff said.

The Iranians were proud that they had evaded all oversight protocols to achieve this, he added.

Steve Witkoff: Iran has enough uranium for 11 nuclear bombs | The Jerusalem Post

Iran claims it possesses 460kg of 60% enriched uranium, enough to build nuclear weapons in a few years. Notably, Iran would have needed at least two years to actually make a nuclear bomb.

www.jpost.com

Not at all surprising. They have never had a desire to quit their nuclear weapons program, and they were never genuine in any negotiations or deals over the years and we knew that. Maybe if they broadcast these meetings for all to see then there would be support for what is happening right now. Negotiating with terrorists and regimes that support, fund, and carry out terrorist acts on others AND their own people should not even get a seat at the table. IMO

 

[Lebowski]

The Iranian negotiators reportedly told Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner "directly and with no shame" that they control 460kg. of 60% enriched uranium, and were aware that it could be quickly enriched to 90% in order to make nuclear bombs, Witkoff said.

The Iranians were proud that they had evaded all oversight protocols to achieve this, he added.

Steve Witkoff: Iran has enough uranium for 11 nuclear bombs | The Jerusalem Post

Iran claims it possesses 460kg of 60% enriched uranium, enough to build nuclear weapons in a few years. Notably, Iran would have needed at least two years to actually make a nuclear bomb.

www.jpost.com

bbm

there weren't really protocols to evade. just standard NPT stuff that's trivial to get around. we basically put them on the honor system when we strangely gave up the right to conduct serious oversight.

 

[Friday Fan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2028840911623348663

I hope they all went bye-bye

 

[imstilla.grandma]

U.S. President’s Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff stated this in an interview with Fox News.

“At the first meeting, both Iranian negotiators openly stated that they possess 460 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% and understand that this amount could be used to produce 11 nuclear bombs. That was the basis of their initial negotiating position,” Witkoff said.

According to him, the Iranians were “proud” that they had managed to bypass all types of monitoring protocols to reach that level of uranium enrichment.

“They manufacture their own centrifuges for uranium enrichment. That makes them almost impossible to stop. They have an unlimited supply of this material,” the official added.

Witkoff: Iran Claims It Could Build 11 Nuclear Bombs

Iranian officials told the U.S. delegation during talks that they are capable of building 11 nuclear bombs.U.S. President’s Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff stated this in an […]

militarnyi.com

The Strait of Hormuz is closed," declared Iranian Brig. Gen. Ebrahim Jabbari, an adviser to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, vowing that any ships that passed through it would be set on fire.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari vowed that Iranian attacks on the gas-rich country "will not go unanswered."

Iranian drones strike U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia as war widens

The conflict escalated further on its fourth day, with Israel sending new ground troops into Lebanon and explosions ringing out in Iran's capital.

www.pbs.org

 

[connie9030]

The Iranian negotiators reportedly told Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner "directly and with no shame" that they control 460kg. of 60% enriched uranium, and were aware that it could be quickly enriched to 90% in order to make nuclear bombs, Witkoff said.

The Iranians were proud that they had evaded all oversight protocols to achieve this, he added.

Steve Witkoff: Iran has enough uranium for 11 nuclear bombs | The Jerusalem Post

Iran claims it possesses 460kg of 60% enriched uranium, enough to build nuclear weapons in a few years. Notably, Iran would have needed at least two years to actually make a nuclear bomb.

www.jpost.com

Yes, the JCPOA agreement had limited, temporary, and reversible constraints on Iran’s nuclear program—known as "sunset provisions—which could allow Iran to become a threshold nuclear state. The agreement also left out Iran's ballistic missile development and its support for regional proxies.