US and Israeli strikes against Iran - 28 February 2026, Media, Maps & Timelines *NO DISCUSSION*

[Vaderman]

The U.S. Now Has Over 50,000 Troops in the Middle East

The arrival of 2,500 Marines and another 2,500 sailors is keeping the number of American troops in the region at roughly 10,000 more than usual.

www.nytimes.com

The arrival of 2,500 Marines and another 2,500 sailors is keeping the number of American troops in the Mideast region at over 50,000 — roughly 10,000 more than usual — as President Trump decides on his next step in his month-old war in Iran.

While it is still unclear just what the Marines, from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, will be charged with, U.S. officials say the president is weighing whether to try a larger attack, like venturing to seize an island or other ground as part of Mr. Trump’s effort to open the Strait of Hormuz.

 

[JennieM]

2m ago

Tump says ceasefire could be reached quickly - report​

Donald Trump has said a ceasefire deal in the Middle East war could be made fairly quickly, the Financial Times is reporting.

He also said indirect talks between the US and Iran via Pakistani “emissaries” were progressing well, news wires quoted the FT as reporting.

The US president said the number of Pakistan-flagged oil tankers that Iran had allowed to pass through the strait of Hormuz had now doubled to 20, the FT said.

Trump said Iran’s parliamentary speaker had authorised the additional tankers.

Middle East crisis live: Houthis launch drone attack on Israel; UN peacekeeper killed in Lebanon

Netanyahu says decision is aimed strengthening Israel’s security along ⁠the northern ⁠frontier; Iran’s parliament speaker says forces ‘are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

22m ago

Iran war to last into June at least, analyst predicts​

Patrick Commins

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s top geopolitical strategist has warned that the Middle East conflict is likely to last “at least into June”, saying Donald Trump will not be able to unilaterally extract himself from his war on Iran.

Madison Cartright said we shouldn’t hope for a repeat of the Taco trade (or “Trump Always Chickens Out”) that had been a feature of his coercive trade policies.

Tariff policy was the prerogative of the president. But he cannot unilaterally decide when to end the war with Iran.

As Australia’s national cabinet sits down to develop a united strategy to deal with the fuel crisis, Cartwright laid out why federal and state leaders should be planning for a longer conflict that stretches the country’s limited fuel reserves.

Middle East crisis live: Houthis launch drone attack on Israel; UN peacekeeper killed in Lebanon

Netanyahu says decision is aimed strengthening Israel’s security along ⁠the northern ⁠frontier; Iran’s parliament speaker says forces ‘are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire’

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

2m ago
Donald Trump has also said he wants to “take the oil in Iran” and could seize the export hub of Kharg Island, the Financial Times is being cited as reporting.

Middle East crisis live: Houthis launch drone attack on Israel; UN peacekeeper killed in Lebanon

Netanyahu says decision is aimed strengthening Israel’s security along ⁠the northern ⁠frontier; Iran’s parliament speaker says forces ‘are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire’

www.theguardian.com

 

[TalkToTofana]

From CBS News: Rep. Jim Himes accuses Trump of "flat-out lying" about negotiating with Iran

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Sunday accused President Trump of "flat-out lying" about negotiating with Iran last week amid market turmoil and the ongoing war.

"Last Sunday, he realized, 'I've got a financial cataclysm in the market,' so he just made that statement up," Himes said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" after Brennan asked if he thought Mr. Trump hadn't been engaging in diplomacy because he hadn't been briefed as a member of Congress.

One week ago, the president announced that he would push a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, after he had threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the country failed to concede to the U.S. demand. Iran had threatened to attack U.S. and Israeli energy and infrastructure throughout the Middle East in response to that ultimatum, while stock futures had signaled close to a 1% decline and oil prices soared to $112 a barrel. Stocks rose and energy prices dropped in the immediate wake of the announcement, but neither pattern held up.

"The Iranians have now realized they have the reins," said Himes. "Gasoline prices are up more than $1 a gallon. They have realized, 'Holy smokes, we've got a lot of leverage here.'"

Iran's Foreign Ministry characterized Mr. Trump's sudden move to delay the deadline as "part of efforts to lower energy prices and buy time for the implementation of his military plans," Iranian state media reported shortly after his announcement, which the president insisted could lead to swift resolution of the conflict. His initial five-day pause in strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure was later extended through April 6 in the U.S., or April 7 local time in Tehran.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038513178934460602

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038488068722725181

 

[Dotta]

"Rockets fell on a factory in Israel. ​

Footage shows a massive fire.​

Following Iranian missile strikes,
an agrochemical factory near Be'er Sheva caught fire.

Authorities urged residents to stay away from the industrial zone due to the toxic substances.
No one was injured.
Videos appeared online showing huge clouds of black smoke."

Rakiety spadły na fabrykę w Izraelu. Na nagraniach widać ogromny pożar

Po irańskim ostrzale rakietowym zapaliła się fabryka agrochemiczna koło Beer Szewy. Władze wezwały mieszkańców, by trzymali się z dala od strefy przemysłowej z powodu trujących substancji. Nikt nie został ranny....

wiadomosci.wp.pl

 

[Dotta]

"Palm Sunday Scandal in Jerusalem:​

Netanyahu Reacts.​

'I have instructed the appropriate authorities
to grant Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch,
full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem',
B. Netanyahu said on social media.

Earlier,
the Jerusalem Patriarchate reported that Israeli police turned away Cardinal Pizzaballa and Brother Ielpo on their way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher."

Skandal w Jerozolimie w Niedzielę Palmową. Jest reakcja Netanjahu

"Poleciłem odpowiednim władzom, aby kardynał Pierbattista Pizzaballa, patriarcha łaciński, uzyskał pełny i natychmiastowy dostęp do Bazyliki Grobu Świętego w Jerozolimie" - przekazał w mediach społecznościowych...

wiadomosci.wp.pl

 

[Dotta]

"IRGC Navy Commander Dead, ​

Iranian Authorities Confirm.​

Iranian authorities confirmed on Monday
the death of Alireza Tangsiri,
commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy,
Reuters reported, citing state media.

The IRGC statement said Tangsiri died from injuries sustained in an enemy attack."

Nie żyje dowódca marynarki wojennej IRGC. Władze Iranu potwierdzają

Władze Iranu potwierdziły w poniedziałek śmierć dowódcy marynarki wojennej Korpusu Strażników Rewolucji Islamskiej (IRGC) Alirezy Tangsiriego - podała agencja Reutera, powołując się na państwowe media. Jak...

wiadomosci.wp.pl

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038554961970131041

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038589978498748611

 

[sds71]

MADRID, March 30 (Reuters) - Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its ‌previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038571658449965351

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Satellite view of Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Iran.

Gallo Images | Gallo Images | Getty Images
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. will “completely” obliterate Iran’s electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz is not “immediately” reopened and a peace deal is not reached “shortly.”

“The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

“Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched.’”

Trump says U.S. will destroy Iran’s oil wells, Kharg Island without deal to 'immediately' reopen Hormuz Strait

Donald Trump warned the U.S. will completely obliterate all of Iran's electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if a peace deal is not reached.

www.cnbc.com

 

[otto]

"It is Donald Trump's "favorite plan" to seize oil in Iran, and that could mean capturing the strategic island of Kharg. "Maybe we do that, maybe not," he claimed. It turns out not to be the first time Trump has suggested capturing Kharg.

In 1988, long before he was president, he already mentioned it in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian. "I would deal with Kharg Island," he said. "I would go there and take it. Iran can't even defeat Iraq, but it does bully the United States. It would be good for the world to deal with them."

Two weeks ago, Fox News asked Trump a question about that interview. He said that taking Kharg "was not high on his priority list." But he could change his mind "in a matter of seconds."

Taking over Kharg might be possible, but not as obvious as the American operation in Venezuela, writes business journalist Nick Marsh for the BBC. "It would require significant manpower and change nothing about who controls the Strait of Hormuz. All tankers leaving a US-controlled Kharg would still be vulnerable to Iranian attacks."

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/liveblog/trump-dreigt-met-aanvallen-energieinfrastructuur-als-er-geen-a~1774500481071/

 

[otto]

"US President Donald Trump said in an interview with the British business newspaper Financial Times that the US "could take over the oil in Iran". The US could possibly also take over the island of Kharg , a hub for the export of Iranian oil.

"Honestly, it is my favorite plan to seize the oil in Iran. But some stupid people in the US say: 'Why are you doing that?' But they are just stupid people," he is quoted as saying.

That step could mean that Kharg is taken. "Maybe we take that island, maybe not. We have many options," Trump said. "It would also mean that we have to stay there [on Kharg] for a while." When asked about Iranian defenses on Kharg, he replied: "I don't think they have any defenses. We could take it very easily."

Trump's remarks come at a time when 3,500 American troops have arrived in the Middle East. It is feared that further escalation could make American troops vulnerable to Iranian attacks."

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/liveblog/trump-dreigt-met-aanvallen-energieinfrastructuur-als-er-geen-a~1774500481071/

 

[otto]

"The MAGA movement is concerned: how can this still be reconciled with 'America First'? Some see a president doing what his predecessors did not dare to do, others a breach of his election promise not to start new wars.
...

At first glance, everything is as usual at CPAC, one of the largest gatherings of conservative activists. Allegiance to the flag is sworn, the national anthem blares through the hall, and a rabbi leads the morning prayer. Country hits like Red Dirt Road blast through the speakers , and the 'mainstream media' get a dressing down. "The fake news is sitting at the back of the hall again."
...

It is not very busy, and that is difficult to separate from the absence of the main helmsman here: for the first time in ten years, Trump is absent. According to the White House, he could not attend due to his "intensive involvement in the ongoing conflict with Iran".

Trump is in Florida, was on the golf course like almost every weekend, and spoke at a conference with Saudi investors.
...

Unlike the invasion of Venezuela, Trump has still not managed to properly explain the necessity of his war with Iran ... "No more wasting blood and money abroad," says one of those present. "Let Europe, Asia, and the Middle East solve their own problems. They can't count on their 'Uncle Sugar' anymore!" Few are keen on ground troops. "Bomb them flat, but if you can't strike a deal: come home."

"This is not America First, and I do not think that has ever been in America's interest," says Viswanag Burra."

Trumps achterban verdeeld over oorlog: America First of Make Iran Great Again?

De aanhang van de Amerikaanse president is verdeeld over het sturen van troepen naar Iran. Beide kanten van de achterban laten van zich horen op de CPAC-bijeenkomst.

nos.nl

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038661074870849548

 

[Dotta]

"Egypt's President Warns of Oil Over $200,​

Appeals to Trump.​

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
called on Donald Trump to halt war with Iran.

He also warned that attacks on the energy infrastructure of Gulf states
could push oil prices above $200 a barrel,
Reuters reports.

Sisi warned that
the war in the Middle East would trigger two parallel shocks:
supply shortages and rising prices .

He noted that the full scale of these effects has not yet been felt worldwide.

"I fear that attacks on energy facilities, both production and refineries, will have very serious consequences for the global economy and fuel prices'."

"Proszę, panie prezydencie". Przywódca Egiptu zwrócił się do Trumpa

Prezydent Egiptu Abdel Fattah as-Sisi wezwał Donalda Trumpa do powstrzymania wojny z Iranem. Ostrzegł też, że ataki na infrastrukturę energetyczną państw Zatoki Perskiej mogą wywindować ceny ropy powyżej 200...

www.money.pl

 

[Dotta]

"Iranian missile fire on Haifa. ​

Refinery on fire.​

Israeli media reported a fire at the Bazan oil refinery in northern Haifa,
caused by an Iranian missile attack.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection
insists there is no risk of leakage of hazardous substances or danger to the public.

The refinery had previously been targeted by Iranian attacks on March 19.

Bazan complex is the largest in Israel and accounts for approximately 60 percent of the country's fuel production."

Irański ostrzał rakietowy w Hajfie. Rafineria w ogniu

Izraelskie media poinformowały o pożarze na terenie rafinerii ropy naftowej Bazan w północnej Hajfie w wyniku irańskiego ataku rakietowego. Resort ochrony środowiska przekonuje, że nie ma ryzyka wycieku...

wiadomosci.wp.pl

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038694623128776918

"Israeli troops ski into southern Lebanon from territory in Syria.
The cross-border operation was the first of its kind by the IDF."