Trump doubles down on controlling Strait of Hormuz... as Iran's president begs for fighting to end while smell of 'burning flesh' lingers on Tehran streets

UK Daily Mail ^ | 21 August 2026 | STEPHEN M. LEPORE

[dennisw]

Earlier Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in public remarks that he believes it would be 'better to end the war today while we are in a position of strength and dignity.'

Pezeshkian claimed that Tehran made zero 'concessions' to the US when it signed a memorandum of understanding with Trump in June.

However, Iranians are dealing with a worsening cost of living crisis due to the country's inability to export oil, The Financial Times reported.

Trump warned Thursday he will launch a campaign to crush Iran's economy and threatened 'tremendous' punishment on any country that does business with Tehran.

The impact of the US attack that killed Ayatollah Khamenei is still there, as an Iranian Shiite cleric said Friday that they still smell 'burned flesh' near the ex-supreme leader's compound.

'Our leader had a frail body, but contrary to reports that seven or eight bombs were dropped on the site, they hit the Supreme Leader's compound with 110 bombs and missiles,' he told Iranian media.

'Someone told me that when you go near the Supreme Leader's compound, you can still smell burned flesh. I went there myself and found it was true — you can still smell burned flesh,' the cleric said at a gathering of supporters in Tehran's Tajrish Square.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had similarly said last week that the US would soon be ramping up efforts at economically isolating Iran, as part of a two-pronged approach with a US naval blockade.

'It will be a combination of economic isolation, like the world has never seen before,' Bessent told conservative television network Newsmax.

The US Treasury has for months been carrying out an effort, dubbed Operation Economic Fury, aiming to cut off Iran's funding with targeted sanctions.

---

TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS:

[Track9]

The Daily Fail must have a list of stupid things to say.

[Flint]

"contrary to reports that seven or eight bombs were dropped on the site, they hit the Supreme Leader's compound with 110 bombs and missiles,' he told Iranian media.

Not only is he dead, he's really really dead. DRT!

[dennisw]

Hormuz straits
BEFORE this war 20 million barrels daily of crude were getting out on tankers.

NOW
15 million barrels oil are getting out. 8-9 via the US Navy escorting ships through the Oman waters of Hormuz. 5-6 via oil pipelines that dodge the Hormuz straits.

[PGalt]

“Burning flesh” “Supreme leader” of these MoFos. GREAT.

[bert]

That is old news.

The tanker flow is much greater at present

[Texas Eagle]

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in public remarks that he believes it would be 'better to end the war today while we are in a position of strength and dignity.'

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

---- "BEFORE this war 20 million barrels daily of crude were getting out on tankers. NOW 15 million barrels oil are getting out. "

Kudos on mentioning the simple math. While the world market is squeezed ( by many things ), and while energy prices rise because of squeezes, energy is available "at a price."

It is fascinating to watch the financial actions play out.

[thegagline]

The tanker flow is much greater at present

Keep telling yourself that

[ClearCase_guy]

Also, Venezuela is producing about 1M more barrels a day than it was in 2020. So that adds to the world market.

[dennisw]

Thanks. Just let me adjust that to 20 million barrels per day of crude plus refined products such as jet fuel, gasoline, diesel. The Middle East has oil refineries. Iran is lacking in them so must bring in gasoline and diesel.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

--- "Also, Venezuela is producing about 1M more barrels a day than it was in 2020. So that adds to the world market."

A fine observation. Given differing views on "market," one view does a zero sum analysis, while another does a dynamic and therefore changing analysis.

Those who favor 'sole source' and 'just in time delivery' seem to be of the former views, while those who favor inventories and longer term planning seem to favor the later.

[McGruff]

“...smell of ‘burning flesh’ lingers on Tehran streets”

Tabloid journalism at it’s peak.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

--- " The Middle East has oil refineries. Iran is lacking in them so must bring in gasoline and diesel."

Another fine observation on this one thread! Yeah!

Changing the frame of reference for one moment, it is a little like the idiot Democrats in California, hating petroleum production and driving away refining, but growling about higher prices. As we've family and friends in California, we regularly compare fuel prices with them. A diffence of from $1.50 to $2.20 more for them, all ultimately "courtesy" of government.

Iran's government to date needs a next revolution. Mullahs atop the system is akin to the California Democrat "super-majority," Recipes for disasters ongoing as we watch.

[Wilderness Conservative]

Another version of Groundhog Day nobody is watching. Give the popcorn to the feral pigs.

[CandyFloss]

I wonder how the Chinese are getting their oil from Iran.

[Bon of Babble]

Trump warned Thursday he will launch a campaign to crush Iran's economy.

[C210N]

'Someone told me that when you go near the Supreme Leader's compound, you can still smell burned flesh. I went there myself and found it was true — you can still smell burned flesh,' the cleric said...

No, no, Pezeshkian, it's NOT burned flesh... it's more like burned sulfur.

As in fire and brimstone.

[Alas Babylon!]

I believe the tracker uses the AIS transponders of the ships to track their position and movement. The number is low because ships are deliberately turning off AIS. The U.S. convoy throughput is real, and AIS dashboards simply cannot see it.

The US Navy is ordering them to do so if they want to be escorted. They cannot be tracked via an offline AIS transponder.

[rktman]

Awwwwwww. Poot Iranian prez. Now, about this bone bruise on my left elbow....