Free Republic

When anti-regime protests spread like wildfire throughout Iran in mid-October of 2022, the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was quick to lay the blame on the usual foreign suspects. “I say explicitly that these riots and this insecurity were a design by the U.S. and the occupying, fake Zionist regime and those who are paid by them,” he told a class of cadets at a police college in Tehran. He suggested that the ultimate goal of the U.S. and Israel was regime change in Iran. This elicited a response on Twitter from Iranian rapper Hichkas, who defended foreign support for...

The economic significance of Kharg Island to Iran renders it especially susceptible to potential military threats. However, experts suggest that any effort to capture it would likely necessitate a ground troop operation, which the U.S. seems hesitant to pursue. Experts further state that if Washington aims to intensify pressure beyond airstrikes, capturing or incapacitating Kharg Island’s oil infrastructure could strip Tehran of one of its most crucial financial resources. Given its pivotal role in global energy supply chains, any assault on the island might also cause a sharp increase in international oil prices, rendering it one of the most critical...

Assassinating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and nearly all of Iran’s top military and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers on the first day of the war was an incredible turning point in which all of the IDF’s air and intelligence power combined to change the course of history, an IDF senior officer told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. “Assassinating the supreme leader and all of the top echelon of the Iranian military and the IRGC in around half a minute was made possible by a giant and incredibly coordinated airstrike, which took months of planning,” the senior officer said. In 40 seconds...

“The United Nations Security Council has overwhelmingly condemned Iran's recent attacks on civilian infrastructure and targets across the Middle East, including hotels, airports, oil refineries, and cargo ships. In a resolution drafted by Bahrain and co-sponsored by a record 135 countries, the Council called out Iran's practice of "targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure" as "reprehensible" and a threat to international peace and security.”

What's Going On With Shipping?

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was a no-show at his own succession rally in Tehran — and observers speculate that he’s either wounded or hiding out in fear. As thousands gathered on Monday to celebrate Khamenei’s appointment as the country’s new supreme leader, the nepo-baby mullah was represented by a mere portrait — one that was half the size of dad Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s. The portrait of the dead leader took up the center of the stage, according to state media footage of the event. “It’s either he’s out cold in a hospital, or he’s scared and hiding...

A Toronto Police constable who took a photo with Mayor Olivia Chow while on the "Muslim Liaison Unit" has been suspended after being arrested by Peel Regional Police and charged with multiple criminal offences. Peel police confirmed that Farhan Ali, 39, faces several charges following an investigation. Officials said Ali “has been arrested and charged” with “three counts of sexual assault, three counts of assault and four counts of mischief.” Authorities have not released further details about the allegations. Sources told the Toronto Sun that the accusations are not directly connected to Ali’s duties while in uniform or on active...

What a statement Mayor Zohran Mamdani could have made — if he’d hosted those two hero cops instead of a terror sympathizer at Gracie Mansion on Sunday night. NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro literally leapt into action on Saturday to nab the ISIS-inspired alleged bomb throwers, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, outside the mayor’s official residence. Having the two Finest at a Gracie Mansion meal the next evening would’ve signaled major respect for the men and women in blue who keep the city safe, and a rejection of the hateful brand of Islam that inspired the suspects

A majority of voters favor President Donald Trump’s decision to order the U.S. military to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile capabilities. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of Trump’s decision to attack Iran

Hezbollah and Iran launched a coordinated strike strategy Tuesday, a national security expert claimed, as reports emerged that deadly cluster munitions were hitting Israel in synchronized attacks. The developments unfolded on day 11 of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign targeting Iran, marking a potential escalation in the widening regional conflict. "Hezbollah has fully joined the war, and it looks like they are now very well coordinated with Iran," Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, told Fox News Digital while speaking from his bomb shelter near...

When Emir Balat, accused of taking part in throwing IEDs at a rally against the Islamization of New York City near the mayoral residence, was being led out by an FBI agent, he raised his right finger upwards in what media accounts incorrectly described as an “ISIS salute”. The New York Post called it “a universal salute for ISIS”. But there is no such thing as an ISIS salute. It’s the traditional Islamic salute used during prayers to their deity and, much like “Allahu Akbar” is used by Islamists proclaiming that they represent Allah and are combating infidels. ISIS...

MP George Galloway has congratulated Hizbollah on its "victory" in Israel. At a news conference in a Beirut hotel, the controversial politician said: "I came here to extend my congratulations to the Lebanese people on a great and historic victory against this aggression. "I want to congratulate the Lebanese resistance and their leading edge, Hizbollah, whose martyrs and her s have achieved this great victory. "And in particular to their leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, whose name now rings in joy around the world." Galloway is in Beirut to present a phone-in radio show for a British radio station. He also...

Sirens blared in Tel Aviv early Wednesday as the city came under attack amid another wave of Iranian strikes. Fox News correspondent Nate Foy said despite Israel's strong air defense, half of the missiles are hard to defend against because half of the missiles are cluster munitions. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it detected a waved of missiles launched from Iran, which still possess the ability to strike despite its depleted capabilities, he said on "The Ingraham Angle." Explosions could be heard in the distance. Foy noted that some Israelis have chosen to continue with daily life despite the...

BY SETTING UP A RECORD OF FAILING TO RESPOND TO ANY CRISIS QUICKLY OR DECISIVELY. If Israel finds herself facing or expriencing imminent attacks - can Obama hide behind the fact that history will show he is often slow to respond? And when he does respond - the response is more academic than decisive. So Israel can seemingly be left to suffer possible extinction due to failed operating procedures rather than it being an objective of Obama's. Which I truly believe it is his objective.

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell on Tuesday after hitting an over three-year high in the prior session as US President Donald Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could end soon, easing concerns about prolonged disruptions to global oil supplies. Brent futures fell $6.28, or 6.35 percent, to $92.68 a barrel at 10:24 a.m. Saudi time, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was down $6.24, or 6.58 percent, to $88.53 a barrel. Both the contracts fell as much as 11 percent earlier before paring some losses. Oil surged past $100 a barrel on Mondayto hit their highest since mid-2022, ‌as...

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has told Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi in a call that violation of Turkiye’s airspace by Iranian ballistic missiles was unacceptable, Reuters reports, citing a Turkish Foreign Ministry source. The source said Araqchi told Fidan that Tehran had conducted a wide investigation into the missiles, adding Fidan reiterated Turkey’s demand for all sides to refrain from steps that could put civilians at risk and told Araqchi that Ankara would take measures against missiles targeting it.

Begging for a Way Out. White Flag in Beirut? Hezbollah Makes Desperate Plea for Ceasefire Talks. In a stunning reversal, Hezbollah leadership has reportedly initiated secret feelers for a ceasefire negotiation as Israel debates whether to accept a strategic surrender or move for the total elimination of the group. Eliana Fleming

At present, there is no sign of de-escalation in the Iran conflict. The Strait of Hormuz has become a geopolitical chokepoint that could plunge the global economy into a severe crisis. While European governments work on emergency plans to mitigate soaring energy prices, the maritime insurance market is experiencing a seismic shock. War is raging in Iran. Amid the fog of propaganda, it is increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction, to distinguish AI-generated material from actual bomb strikes, and to see behind the carefully woven veil of media spin and national interests. Yet, we attempt here to make sense...

An Israeli source added to the Post that UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka will arrive in Israel on Monday amid the ongoing escalation. Hezbollah has instructed its members to confront the Lebanese army should it attempt to intervene with the group's activities, a source familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post. “The instruction is very clear: if the Lebanese army attempts to dismantle a position or prevent rocket fire, confront them,” the source said.

President Trump revealed Monday that he will confer with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about when to end the military campaign against Iran, suggesting the decision would be “mutual” between the US and its Middle Eastern ally. “I think it’s mutual… a little bit,” Trump told The Times of Israel in a phone interview, adding that he and Netanyahu have “been talking.” “I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,” the president added. Trump previously suggested that the war against Iran could last approximately four weeks, but other members of his administration...