Iran

1856 Treaty of Friendship and Commerce

1856-02-22 Treaty of Friendship and Commerce

1914 Sykes-Picot Agreement

1914-01-01 European imperial powers began plans to partition up the Ottoman Empire region after World War I, including holding secret negotiations in 1915 called the Sykes-Picot Agreement which was signed May 16, 1916. This caused much resentment from Arabs and Muslims.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-16/britain-and-france-conclude-sykes-picot-agreement

https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2016/sykes-picot-100-years-middle-east-map/index.html#:~:text=The%20borders%20of%20the%20Middle,shaped%20for%20years%20to%20come.

1917 Balfour

1917-11-02 The British Foreign Secretary Arthor Balfour pledged British support for establishing a national home for the Jewish people, AKA Israel, to support Zionist aspirations. This led to plans to divide up the heart of the region in places where Palestinians already lived. This was created without local consent and against the will of the region’s inhabitants.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41765892

https://www.palquest.org/en/highlight/157/balfour-declaration-2-november-1917

1918 European Colonialism

1918-11-11 World War I ended, but much of the Arab region did not regain independence. Rather, control was handed over to European colonial powers and carved up amongst themselves. Most Arab nations did not gain independence until after World War II.

https://education.cfr.org/learn/reading/middle-east-timeline#:~:text=Ottoman%20Empire%20Falls%2C%20Europe%20Redraws,national%20identities%20in%20the%20region.

1943 Lebanon Independence

1943-11-22 Lebanon gained its independence.

https://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon/French-mandate

1946 Syria, Jordan Independence

1946-04-17 Syria gained their independence.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703995

1946-05-25 Jordan gained their independence.

https://history.state.gov/countries/jordan

1947 Nakba Ethnic Cleansing

1947-12-31 Israel began carrying out the Nakba, or ethnic cleansing, of Palestinian Arabs in the region. It began with displacement of 700,000 people and grew into a genocide which lasted all the way through 2026.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakba

1948 State of Israel

1948-05-14 The State of Israel was created without the consent of the people who lived there, involving things like mass displacement, dispossession, military defeat, occupation, and watching Western powers impose their will on the region.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-14/state-of-israel-proclaimed

1948 Arabs go to War

1948-05-15 Arabs went to war with Israel for the first time. Israel expanded. For clarity, the Arab nations like Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Iraq were all secular nationalist governments, not religious regimes. Many of them were openly against Islamist movements like the Muslim Brotherhood. The conflict with Israel was not a religious holy war. It was a political and anti-colonial struggle. Zionism was seen as a geopolitical project backed by Western powers for domination.

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/arab-israeli-war

1953 US CIA Coup

1953-08-15 The coup was organized by the US CIA. After the Iranian coup, the US framed the Middle East as inherently chaotic and a threat to Western interests. The US toppled a democratically elected government August 19, 1953 after the leader, Mosaddegh, threatened Wester oil interests by nationalizing the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Prior to this coup, Christians, Jews and Muslims coexisted in the region. The US intended to install a Western-friendly monarchy. The US backed the Shah of Iran and put him into power to rule for the next 25 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat#:~:text=On%2019%20August%201953%2C%20Prime%20Minister%20of,under%20the%20name%20TP%2DAJAX%20Project%20or%20Operation

https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/iran-coup/

1954 AIPAC Founded and Sponsored by Kushner

1954-01-01 The American Israel Public Affairs Committee was founded and would become the second most powerful lobbyist group in America, promoting pro-Israel including advancement in Israel’s interests. One of the prominent sponsors of AIPAC was Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIPAC

https://www.businessinsider.com/charles-kushner-trump-super-pac-donation-jared-pardon-2024-gop-2023-8

1956 Suez Crisis

1956-10-29 Israel launched an attack on Egypt, the Suez Crisis.

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/suez

https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/egyptian-independence-1919-22/#:~:text=The%20British%20declared%20limited%20independence%20for%20Egypt,elections%20was%20established%20a%20few%20weeks%20later.

1957 Atoms for Peace

Eisenhower created the Atoms for Peace, where we gave Iran their first nuclear reactor and nuclear materials under the Western-friendly Shah installed in 1953 under the US CIA Iranian coup.

https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/online-documents/atoms-peace#:~:text=President%20Dwight%20D.%20Eisenhower’s%20Atoms%20for%20Peace,Eisenhower’s%20deep%20concern%20about%20%22Atoms%20for%20War%22.

https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/publications/magazines/bulletin/bull54-4/54401210304.pdf

1967 Six Day War

1967-06-05 During the “Six Day War” Israel captured territory from Arabs in under a week. To be clear, this war was not about religious fundamentalism. The slogan “Palestine is Arab” became a rallying cry, not because of religious fundamentalism or anti-Jewish sentiment, but in attempt to reclaim a sense of pride and agency.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Six-Day-War

1973 Yom Kippur War

1973-10-06 Yom Kippur War: Arab states led by Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel. The US airlifted arms to Israel (Operation Nickel Grass), and the 1973 oil crisis was prompted. Israel won, although there were heavy casualties on both sides.

https://www.history.com/articles/yom-kippur-war

1979 A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED

1979-07-03 The US launched Operation Cyclone to destabilize the Soviets before they invaded Afghanistan and to arm and finance Afghan fighters after the invasion. The US, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan funneled billions of dollars into it. Fighters saw themselves as religious freedom fighters against the Soviets, then later against the West and Israel. Religious fundamentalism was not noted by the US, so long as the fighters were anti-communist.

https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/nation-building/#:~:text=In%20July%201979%2C%20U.S.%20President,the%20training%20and%20the%20weapons.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-worldhistory/chapter/34-6-4-the-united-states-and-the-mujahideen/#:~:text=and%20Latin%20America.-,Operation%20Cyclone,the%20Democratic%20Republic%20of%20Afghanistan.

1979-11-04 The US Embassy was seized in Tehran with support from Ayatollah Khomeini. The Shah of Iran was swept out of the country and sent to the US for protection. Sixty-six (66) Americans were held hostage for 444 days. After this was the rise of the Iranian or Islamic revolution and eventual rise of Islamist movements like Hamas. This was the first time an Islamic movement successfully overthrew a secular Western-backed monarchy. Led by Ayatollah Khomeini.

https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/short-history/iraniancrises

1979-11-20 The Siege of Mecca: Saudi Arabia had complicit military and economic ties with the US including enriching themselves with oil money, which Islamic radicals despised. Armed Islamic radicals seized Mecca.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Mosque_seizure#:~:text=Article,to%20them%20as%20Juhayman’s%20Ikhwan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Mecca_(683)#:~:text=Siege%20of%20Mecca%20(683)%20%2D%20Wikipedia

1979-12-01 The Saudi royal family made a bargain on the ultra-conservative religious doctrine Wahhabi Islam and export this ideology to places like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt, Sudan, and others. In exchange, it would try to keep local radicals in check and maintain their control.

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-saudi-deal-is-a-faustian-bargain/

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2015/01/29/an-unholy-pact

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/maureen-dowd-saudis-medieval-barbarity-is-enabled-by-us-faustian-pact-1.3670842#:~:text=Faustian%20deal,obliterated%20under%20a%20black%20tarp.

https://www.vox.com/2015/1/19/7559007/saudi-arabia-punishments

1979-12-24 The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet%E2%80%93Afghan_War

https://www.history.com/articles/1979-soviet-invasion-afghanistan

1979-12-31 Osama bin Laden, the son of a wealthy Saudi businessman, emerged. He used his family wealth to build a jihadist infrastructure and network.

https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/osama-bin-laden

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/osama-bin-laden-forms-al-qaeda

1981

1981-05-25 The Gulf Cooperation Council was established in the Middle East to unionize Gulf states.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2597010/amp

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/gcc.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Cooperation_Council

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/4/what-is-the-gcc

1985 Iran Contra Affair

1985-11-01 The Iran-Contra affair took place. The Regan administration sold arms to Iran in exchange for securing the release of American hostages in Lebanon. The funds helped support Nicaraguan rebels. This was the same era that the US was sending weapons to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war.

https://webhelper.brown.edu/cheit/Understanding_the_Iran_Contra_Affair/i-thebeginning.php

https://www.britannica.com/event/Iran-Contra-Affair

1987 Hamas Founded

1987-12-01 Hamas was founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and members of the Muslim Brotherhood. This is when religion became central to the narrative of the resistance in the Middle East, right after multiple failed attempts to regain freedoms, agency, and hope. Basically, messages became “you tried it their way, now try it our way”. This is when places like the Mosque became a place for political refuge and social cohesion, much like Black churches during the Civil War.

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/doctrine-hamas#:~:text=Since%20its%20creation%20in%20December,statement%20in%20the%20late%201980s.

1989 Soviets Withdrew from Afghanistan

1989-02-15 The Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_withdrawal_from_Afghanistan

1990 Gulf War

1990-08-02 The US installed military bases during the Gulf War on places Muslims considered sacred land.

https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/art/exhibits/conflicts-and-operations/the-gulf-war-1990-1991–operation-desert-shield–desert-storm-.html

2001 9/11 & Iran Helped US Locate Taliban

2001-09-11 The World Trade Center towers were struck by aircraft. Bin Laden saw the US as the protector of Israel, the guarantor of the Saudi monarchy, and the occupier of Islamic holy lands by way of military bases.

2001-10-01 Iran helped the US locate the Taliban.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan#:~:text=in%20your%20browser.-,Nov.,Taliban%20flee%20southward%20toward%20Kandahar.

https://www.cfr.org/timelines/us-war-afghanistan

https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/middle-east/operation-iraqi-freedom.html#:~:text=Operation%20Iraqi%20Freedom%20(OIF)%20began%20on%20March,and%20importing%20weapons%20of%20mass%20destruction%20(WMDs).

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/sykes-picot-at-100-part-1/

2002 Bush Declared Iran Axis of Evil

2002-01-29 Bush called Iran the Axis of Evil during a speech.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tehran/axis/axis.html

https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020129-11.html

2003 Rise of ISIS and Al Qaeda

2003-04-09 The collapse of the Iraqi state facilitated the rise of groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda.

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/timeline-the-rise-spread-and-fall-the-islamic-state

2006 Christians United for Israel Founded

2006-01-01 The lobbyist group Christians United for Israel was founded and would become a very powerful force in American government, promoting pro-Israel including advancement in Israel’s interests.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christians_United_for_Israel

2016 Iran Nuclear Deal

2016-01-16 Obama tried to compile a plan for Iran to keep a limited nuclear plan for nuclear energy, while lifting sanctions and ensuring they aren’t building nuclear weapons.

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/328996

2016

2016-04-27 In 2016, 2020, and 2024 Trump campaigned against any wars in the Middle East and bashed his predecessors for it. He even claimed Kamala Harris would start a war in Iran if she had won the presidency.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-campaign-endless-wars-iran-no-end-date-rcna261323

April 27 2016 transcript:

https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/04/28/Transcript-Donald-Trump-s-Foreign-Policy-Speech-April-27-2016?utm_source=chatgpt.com

January 8 2020 transcript:

https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-iran/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

November 4, 2024 video:

2016-09-21 For timeline context only Trump reportedly said he wanted to take the oil from Iraq. He stated, “You’re not stealing anything. We’re reimbursing ourselves”.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/21/donald-trump-iraq-war-oil-strategy-seizure-isis

https://theweek.com/speedreads/809323/trump-reportedly-thinks-idiots-dont-take-iraqs-oil-repayment-war

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trumps-talk-keeping-iraqs-oil-sparking-concerns-082724997–politics.html

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/trumps-baffling-plan-to-pillage-syrias-oil

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/trumps-take-the-oil-madness/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/20/james-mattis-surprise-iraq-visit-oil-defense-secretary

2017 Kushner Conflict of Interest

2017-01-01 Sources reported that Jared Kushner is close friends with Netanyahu and Muhammed bin Salman, and even though he is not part of the White House staff he has helped broker Abraham Accords. He has business ties with Saudi Arabia, and this is a huge conflict of interest that the US government has been overlooking since Trump took office his second term.

https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/when-netanyahu-slept-at-the-kushners-and-other-media-tales-of-trumps-jewish-confidantes-481486

https://www.npr.org/2025/10/23/nx-s1-5582806/jared-kushner-mideast-business-ceasefire

2017 Trump Moved an Embassy

2017-12-06 Trump moved the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-keeps-promise-open-u-s-embassy-jerusalem-israel/

2018 Trump Withdrew from Iran Nuclear Deal

2018-05-08 Trump withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA).

https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/trump-exits-iran-nuclear-deal#:~:text=May%208%2C%202018%20%7C%20Joe%20Barnes

https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-ending-united-states-participation-unacceptable-iran-deal/

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounders/what-iran-nuclear-deal

2018 NBS Killed a Journalist

2018-10-02 Trump ignored the fact that Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45812399

2020

2020-01-08 In 2016, 2020, and 2024 Trump campaigned against any wars in the Middle East and bashed his predecessors for it. He even claimed Kamala Harris would start a war in Iran if she had won the presidency.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-campaign-endless-wars-iran-no-end-date-rcna261323

April 27 2016 transcript:

https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/04/28/Transcript-Donald-Trump-s-Foreign-Policy-Speech-April-27-2016?utm_source=chatgpt.com

January 8 2020 transcript:

https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-iran/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

November 4, 2024 video:

2020 Trump Ordered Assassination

2020-01-06 Trump ordered the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, the leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-did-the-pentagon-ever-give-trump-the-option-of-killing-soleimani/

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-authorized-soleimani-s-killing-7-months-ago-conditions-n1113271

2020 Abraham Accords

2020-09-15 The Abraham Accords were officially signed as an agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. It was sponsored by Trump.

https://www.ajc.org/abrahamaccordsexplained#:~:text=On%20September%2015%2C%202020%2C%20leaders%20across%20the,to%20investment%20and%20growth%20in%20the%20area.

2022 Saudi Arabia Invests in Kushner

2022-04-10 Saudi Arabia invested $2B into Jared Kushner’s private equity company.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/10/us/jared-kushner-saudi-investment-fund.html

2024

2024-11-04 In 2016, 2020, and 2024 Trump campaigned against any wars in the Middle East and bashed his predecessors for it. He even claimed Kamala Harris would start a war in Iran if she had won the presidency.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-campaign-endless-wars-iran-no-end-date-rcna261323

April 27 2016 transcript:

https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/04/28/Transcript-Donald-Trump-s-Foreign-Policy-Speech-April-27-2016?utm_source=chatgpt.com

January 8 2020 transcript:

https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-iran/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

November 4, 2024 video:

2025 June - Trump Bombs Iran

2025-06-21 Trump announced the US had “completely and totally obliterated” Iranian nuclear sites.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/trump-said-obliterated-irans-nuclear-program-now-says-us-may-bomb-iran-rcna260383

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/read-trumps-full-statement-on-iran-attack#:~:text=Iran%20is%20the%20world’s%20number,We%20tried.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/24/politics/nuclear-program-iran-trump-strike#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThey’ve%20been%20enriching%20well,the%20claim%20on%20social%20media.

2025 December

2025-12-28 Protests started in Iran after currency collapse and inflation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgjw8wxl3d6o

2026 January

2026-01-08 Iranian authorities had imposed a near-total internet shutdown.

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/15/nx-s1-5678567/iran-internet-blackout-starlink

2026-01-12 Trump threatened “strong” military action in Iran stating on Fox that he has “put Iran on notice”.

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/12/g-s1-105652/trump-military-action-iran-protests-deaths

2026-01-22 Trump created his own “Board of Peace”, consisting of founding countries such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Hungary.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/22/world/trump-board-of-peace-explainer-intl-hnk

2026 February WAR WITH IRAN

2026-02-14 At the annual Munich Security Conference Senator Lindsey Graham called for a regime change in Iran, stating, “If we back out now, it’ll be the biggest mistake we’ve made, far worse than the Syrian red line, far worse than Afghanistan”.

https://abcnews4.com/news/local/itd-be-the-biggest-mistake-sen-graham-on-if-us-stopped-pushing-for-change-in-iran-tehran-protests-donald-trump-cnn-ali-khamenei-lindsey-graham

2026-02-20 Trump gave Iran a 10-to-15-day deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear deal or face “really bad things”.

https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260219-trump-iran-nuclear-deal-deadline-tehran-threatens-retaliation-us-bases

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/feb/20/us-iran-nuclear-deal-trump-agreement-strikes-latest-news-live-updates

2026-02-26 Trump sent two corrupt real-estate brokers – Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – to Geneva to discuss nuclear talks with Iran. This came two days before the US and Israel surprise-attacked Iran and launched missiles, including killing 170 schoolchildren.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-officials-say-diplomatic-path-was-at-dead-end-when-trump-approved-iran-strikes/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-steve-witkoff-iran-enriched-uranium-11-nuclear-bombs/

https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/03/witkoff-kushner-trump-fail-diplomacy-iran-ukraine-gaza/

2026-02-28 The US, in joint efforts with Israel, bombed Iran. Only one of the news outlets reported over 200 people including 170 schoolchildren were killed on the first day of bombings. The US did not seek Congressional or international approval and did not provide proof there was an imminent threat warranting the bombing. For context, Trump stated several months ago that the US already destroyed nuclear bombs in Iran and ran on the platform that the US would never start a war in the Middle East. Trump said after the bombing, “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take”.

https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-crisis-live-explosions-tehran-israel-announces-strike-2026-02-28/

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/why-trump-war-iran-benefits

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/28/middleeast/maps-iran-tehran-attack-vis-intl

https://www.cfr.org/articles/gauging-the-impact-of-massive-u-s-israeli-strikes-on-iran

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/02/28/special_report_us_israel_launch_unprovoked

2026 March Week #1

2026-03-01 The US State Department had made no plans on how to evacuate American citizens from the region. They only told them to find their own way out.

https://www.usnews.com/news/u-s-news-decision-points/articles/2026-03-05/u-s-tells-citizens-in-the-middle-east-to-leave-but-how

https://www.kvue.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/americans-stuck-in-the-middle-east-recount-finding-their-way-home-with-little-government-help/616-87d51366-6651-4d87-b34a-9cb39e2a0169

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/04/evacuation-middle-east-iran-war-00812898

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/americans-trying-to-evacuate-middle-east-frustrated-with-government-response/

2026-03-01 An oil shortage anywhere is an oil shortage everywhere. After Trump decided to pick a war with Iran on February 28, 2026 (with no imminent or immediate threat from the country) oil prices soared due to global oil market shortages, bombings and blockades. Amid the war in Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was shut down. Trump would later announce plans to purchase oil from Russia.

https://time.com/7382335/iran-war-trump-energy-crisis/

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-jumps-us-iran-conflict-escalates-disrupts-shipping-2026-03-01/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/5/will-the-us-benefit-from-the-oil-crisis-sparked-by-the-war-on-iran

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/04/nx-s1-5736104/iran-war-oil-trump-israel-strait-hormuz-closed-energy-crisis

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy031d1ny7jo

https://www.dw.com/en/why-the-us-says-india-can-buy-russian-oil-again/a-76250096

2026-03-02 During a briefing, Pete Hegseth vowed there would be no “stupid” Rules of Engagement concerning the war in Iran.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/hegseth-insists-the-iran-conflict-is-not-iraq-and-is-not-endless

https://www.military.com/feature/2026/03/05/hegseths-stupid-rules-of-engagement-line-and-what-roe-actually-do.html

2026-03-02 Six American soldiers were killed in Kuwait.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/02/politics/six-soldiers-killed-in-iranian-strike-kuwait

2026-03-03 Several sources reported that servicemembers were calling in complaints because their commanders were framing the war in Iran as a biblical mandate, and that commanders were telling them Trump was anointed by God to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation reported receiving hundreds of complaints from servicemembers across all branches of the military.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/03/03/military-officers-accused-of-framing-iran-war-biblical-mandate.html

https://www.newsweek.com/us-commander-said-trump-anointed-by-jesus-to-attack-iran-report-11615046

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/4/why-are-the-us-and-israel-framing-the-ongoing-conflict-as-a-religious-war

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/us-israel-iran-war-christian-rhetoric

https://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/2026/03/mrff-inundated-with-complaints-of-gleeful-commanders-telling-troops-iran-war-is-part-of-gods-divine-plan-to-usher-in-the-return-of-jesus-christ/

2026-03-04 News outlets published the names of the children killed by the U.S. Tomahawk missile that hit the school in Minab, Iran.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/names-and-ages-children-iranian-school-strike

https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2026/03/06/iran-girls-school-strike/88968796007/

2026-03-04 Numerous explanations emerged as to why the US started a war with Iran.

Trump said it was because he believed Iran was about to strike first. Trump also said it was because Iran was developing long range missiles that would threaten European allies, despite a Defense assessment from 2025 stating to the contrary that Tehran would not have ballistic missiles until 2035.

Mike Johnson said that Iran had a “misguided religion”, while other leaders also indicated this was to crush the theocratic government.

High-ranking Iranian officials deemed this a holy war (Jihad).

Marco Rubio said it was because Iran would retaliate if Israel struck first so that’s why the US struck ahead of the Israeli Defense Forces.

Pete Hegseth said Iran had an arsenal of ballistic missiles and killer drones which they were allegedly using to create a shield for “nuclear blackmail ambitions”.

The Omani foreign minister said they were making substantial progress in talks with the US before the strikes. Trump said he wasn’t happy with how the talks were progressing and that “they’re not willing to give us what we have to have”.

Jewish news sources reported that the US did what Netanyahu had “wanted to do for years”.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/04/world/politics/trump-rubio-reasons-us-iran-war/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-us-attack-iran-trump-administration/

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/03/middleeast/iran-us-israel-what-we-know-intl-hnk

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/jd-vance/vance-anti-war-posture-collides-hawkish-views-iran-rcna261585

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/netanyahu-war-election-victory

https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/

2026-03-05 The US sunk an unarmed Iranian naval ship in international waters that was participating in naval exercises hosted by India. The Sri Lanka Navy recovered 87 bodied and 32 survivors.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-warship-iris-dena-india-14916ad657e50f048bbeb42b38224ecb

https://www.military.com/daily-news/investigations-and-features/2026/03/05/iranian-ship-was-leaving-indian-naval-exercise-when-sunk-raising-concerns-new-delhi.html

2026-03-05 In reference to the war in Iran, Trump stated, “It’s over when I want it to be” and “We don’t want them to put anybody in there unless it is approved by us”.

https://abcnews.com/International/live-updates/iran-live-updates-idf-targets-iranian-internal-security?id=130743836&entryId=130805767

https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/david-muir-donald-trump-iran-36827739

2026-03-05 Marine Veteran Brian McGinnis was forcibly removed from a Senate hearing after protesting the US war campaign in Iran. His arm was broken.

https://www.military.com/feature/2026/03/05/brian-mcginnis-removed-senate-hearing-after-protest-over-us-policy-toward-israel.html

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/tim-sheehy-iran-war-protester-senate-b2932413.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/video/marine-veteran-has-arm-broken-during-protest-against-war-in-iran-258740805765

2026-03-05 The US asked Ukraine for help shooting down Iranian drones.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-asks-ukraine-for-assistance-in-shooting-down-iranian-shahed-drones-in-middle-east/

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-says-he-discussed-ukraine-iran-conflicts-with-putin-2026-03-09/

2026-03-05 The war in Iran quickly became a global one with more than 20 countries involved.

https://www.wired.com/story/every-country-directly-impacted-by-the-war-on-iran/

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/middle-east/iran-us-israel-war-uae-qatar-dubai-b2935279.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/1/us-israel-attacks-on-iran-death-toll-and-injuries-live-tracker

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/IRAN-CRISIS/MAPS/znpnmelervl/

https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/03/07/BU3H6DJF2JHFNJJ4A2CKCPROSE/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeqQ8DBCYmk&list=WL&index=6&t=4s

2026-03-06 In a social media post, Trump demanded “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” from Iran.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/3/6/iran-live-trump-says-iran-being-demolished-tehran-keeps-up-gulf-attacks

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-06-26

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/06/trump-iran-war-unconditional-surrender

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116182551337254643

2026-03-07 Trump wore his campaign merch to a dignified transfer of the first six fallen soldiers who died in Kuwait after the US bombed Iran. Trump then used that picture in a fundraising campaign. A fundraising email from a Trump-linked PAC reads, “This is President Donald J. Trump. I made a special announcement to the public an hour ago. For the very first time ever, I’m opening up spots on the National Security Briefing membership. Claim your spot”. Then it offers a link to donate.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/07/trump-us-service-members-killed-kuwait

https://www.salon.com/2026/03/09/fox-news-erased-fallen-soldiers-to-make-trump-look-better/

https://apnews.com/article/baseball-cap-fox-news-trump-dover-dignified-transfer-29a8f2c1a4a6b2218d18daa2eb5109d9

https://www.fastcompany.com/91505360/trump-wears-hat-dignified-transfer

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/13/politics/trump-fundraise-email-soldier

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/us/politics/fund-raising-email-trump-ritual.html

https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2026/03/16/trump-email-says-donors-can-get-national-security-updates-qanon-deep-state-news/89182701007/

https://people.com/trump-promises-donors-access-national-security-briefings-11925725

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-reaaaaaally-didnt-journalist-asking-152826530.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXqZNuxKUlQ&list=WL&index=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qepYRy2BTAg

2026 March Week #2

2026-03-08 The son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khameni, took over as supreme leader of Iran. Trump told Time Magazine, “I’m not going through this to end up with another Khamenei. I want to be involved in the selection”. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said, “I believe it’s just a matter of time before he meets the same fate as that of his father – one of the most evil men on the planet”.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/9/trump-slams-mojtaba-khameneis-appointment-as-iran-projects-defiance

https://time.com/7383160/trump-comments-about-new-iran-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-not-happy-iran-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei/

2026-03-08 During an interview on 60 Minutes, Pete Hegseth answered the question “Will there be boots on the ground in Iran”. He smirked and said, “I wouldn’t tell you that if we did.” The interviewer said the only reason he asked was because earlier in the week Hegseth said there would not be boots on the ground and he wanted to know if that was still the answer., Pete Hegseth responded, “Yes, but we reserve the right and we would be completely unwise if we did not reserve the right to take any particular option, whether it included boots on the ground or no boots on the ground”.

2026-03-09 After US strikes on oil facilities in Iran, toxic “black rain” fell over Tehran, shrouded the city in toxic smoke clouds, and rendered air quality toxic to health and environment.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/iran-war-israel-us-tehran-oil-refineries-acid-rain-global-markets-rcna262390

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2026/03/08/black-toxic-rain-falls-on-tehran-after-air-strikes-hit-oil-refineries/

https://time.com/7383099/iran-news-oil-strikes-tehran/

https://ceobs.org/black-rain-the-health-and-environmental-risks-from-tehrans-oil-fires/

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2518718-why-is-black-rain-falling-on-iran-and-how-dangerous-is-it/

2026-03-09 Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox news that the war on Iran would make the US a “ton of money”.

https://people.com/lindsey-graham-brags-make-ton-of-money-iran-war-11922350

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/9/we-are-going-make-a-tonne-of-money-us-senator-graham-on-us-war-on-iran

2026-03-09 The White House launched a meme-based propaganda campaign about the war in Iran. The White House spliced real Iran bombing footage with action-movie clips, tv shows, and video games. They used Braveheart, Superman, Top Gun, Breaking Bad, Iron Man, songs from Toby Keith about 9/11, NFL college football tackles, Major League Baseball home runs, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat, Halo, and fire emojis, among several other things. One actor was quoted as saying he had, “no interest in being part of your propaganda machine”. As though the war in Iran was just a game.

https://abcnews.com/Technology/wireStory/white-house-war-promo-videos-marry-action-movies-130917925

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/nfl-white-house-iran-video-b2937535.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-iran-war-social-media-videos-video-games-football-baseball-rcna263194

https://www.mediaite.com/media/entertainment/trump-white-house-drops-bonkers-war-hype-video-smash-cutting-through-hollywood-clips/

https://kimatv.com/news/nation-world/white-house-posts-action-movie-montage-with-real-iran-bombing-footage-labels-it-justice-breaking-bad-top-gun-maverick-better-call-saul-john-wick-tropic-thunder-deadpool

https://www.vox.com/politics/482361/iran-war-white-house-video-game-propaganda

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/arts/television/iran-war-trump-memes-social-media-videos.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/12/nfl-iran-war-white-house/

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/05/world/video/iran-war-propaganda-call-of-duty-stelter-nc-digvid

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1191452519854617

https://abcnews.com/Politics/white-house-posts-called-hype-videos-combining-real/story?id=130825574

https://x.com/whitehouse/status/2029741548791853331?s=48

https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2029953667600646655

2026-03-10 The first six days of the war in Iran cost American taxpayers $11B.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/12/iran-war-cost-pentagon-00825666

https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-11-26?post-id=cmmmmhvyy00023b6u108rfblm

2026-03-10 Talk emerged about reinstating the military draft. Although no plans were confirmed, GOP leaders didn’t say the option wasn’t on the table.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/03/09/could-there-be-military-draft-trump-administration-says-its-table.html

https://www.sss.gov/about/return-to-draft/

2026-03-10 When asked about the US bombing a girl’s school in Iran, Trump claimed that Iran launched a Tomahawk missile on itself. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth and Karoline Leavitt contradicted Trump’s certainty, saying it was still under investigation.

https://apnews.com/video/trump-claims-iran-also-has-access-to-tomahawk-missiles-when-asked-about-girls-school-strike-85ba5b1dbb6d4f1e96c37fa5567f1b85

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/images-taken-iranian-school-hit-deadly-strikes-show-fragments-us-made-rcna262685

2026-03-10 Strikes on Iranian oil fields wouldn’t just effect gas prices. It would also affect the global fertilizer trade for growing crops and global helium supplies.

https://carnegieendowment.org/emissary/2026/03/fertilizer-iran-hormuz-food-crisis

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/3/18/not-just-energy-how-the-iran-war-could-trigger-a-global-food-crisis

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/20/iran-war-us-farming-impact

https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/assessing-iran-wars-impact-global-fertilizer-supplies

https://www.ifpri.org/blog/the-iran-war-potential-food-security-impacts

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/15/nx-s1-5747927/the-war-in-iran-is-impacting-earths-supply-of-helium

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/19/the-iran-war-is-threatening-supply-helium-what-it-means-for-markets.html

2026-03-10 In under two weeks, the US soldier death toll in Iran reached approximately 170 soldiers.

https://www.wired.com/video/watch/trump-wrongly-claims-iran-has-tomahawk-missiles-when-asked-about-iran-school-strike

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/7/iran-war-what-is-happening-on-day-eight-of-us-israel-attacks#:~:text=At%20least%201%2C332%20people%20have,of%20war%20on%20February%2028.

2026-03-10 In under two weeks, 700,000 Lebanese people had been displaced. Israel launched an attack on the capital and struck civilians in an apartment building.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/world/middleeast/lebanon-evacuations-israel-strikes-bombing.html

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2026-03-10/ty-article-magazine/.premium/northern-war-widens-700-000-lebanese-displaced-1-million-israelis-in-shelters/0000019c-d705-d8f4-a7de-f725987d0000

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-reports-israeli-raid-east-lebanon-war-enters-second-week-2026-03-09/

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2026/03/282069/nearly-700000-displaced-in-lebanon-as-us-israels-war-on-iran-widens/

2026-03-12 Media sources reported up to 3 million people had been displaced so far due to the war in Iran.

https://www.unhcr.org/us/news/press-releases/unhcr-3-2-million-iranians-temporarily-displaced-iran-conflict-intensifies

https://www.en-hrana.org/day-thirteen-of-the-u-s-israeli-war-on-iran-more-than-three-million-displaced/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/12/up-to-3-2-million-people-displaced-across-iran-amid-us-israeli-attacks-un

2026-03-12 A U.S. Air Force KC-135 crashed during combat operations against Iran. Six servicemembers died.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/15/pentagon-identifies-six-airmen-killed-in-kc-135-crash-in-iraq/

https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4432850/loss-of-us-kc-135-over-iraq/

2026-03-12 Trump wrote on Truth Social, “the Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”.

[https://www.espn.com/soccer/story//id/48184550/us-president-trump-iran-skip-world-cup-safety](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story//id/48184550/us-president-trump-iran-skip-world-cup-safety)

https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/trump-says-it-is-not-appropriate-iranian-soccer-team-be-world-cup-2026-03-12/

https://www.instagram.com/teammellifootball/?hl=en

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116216801278101254

2026-03-13 The Pentagon sent Marines to the Middle East after a week of not answering reporters if there would be boots on the ground.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-13-2026-oil-prices-2a86a1f5c5997b70c6586d957074fb0c

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c4gqjyk0vx3t

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/03/13/pentagon-reportedly-sending-more-warships-and-marines-to-middle-east/

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/marines-middle-east-us-deployment

2026-03-13 Pete Hegseth stated that “no quarter” will be shown to Iran. He stated, quote, “We will keep pressing. We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies”. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona stated, “No quarter isn’t some wannabe tough guy line. It means something”. To give ‘no quarter’ means to take no prisoners and kill them instead. This violates the law of armed conflict.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/14/analysts-say-us-threat-of-no-quarter-for-iran-violates-international-law

https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-demands-hegseth-clarify-no-quarters-comment-reaffirm-troops-have-duty-to-refuse-illegal-orders/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/democratic-lawmaker-condemns-hegseth-no-quarter

https://ktar.com/arizona-news/kelly-hegseth-no-quarter/5836584/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmSXS6ptXzc&list=WL&index=10&t=61s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTwyfDfO_r4&list=WL&index=3

2026 March Week #3

2026-03-14 Pete Hegseth chastised the media for reporting truths about the war in Iran. He ranted about reading a headline “Mideast War Intensifies” and offered his own edit “Iran Increasingly Desperate”. One article quoted Hegseth as saying, “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better” in reference to CNN.

https://newrepublic.com/article/207760/pete-hegseth-iran-war-patriotic-media-coverage

https://x.com/atrupar/status/2032430133353591082

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/12/politics/hormuz-trump-administration-underestimated-iran

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/stephen-colbert-torches-pete-hegseths-patriotic-press-demands/

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/14/us/video/the-pentagon-wants-a-patriotic-press-as-hegseth-avoids-hard-questions

https://newrepublic.com/article/207760/pete-hegseth-iran-war-patriotic-media-coverage

https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2026/03/trump-administration-to-media-report-on-the-war-the-patriotic-way.html

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-headline-pete-hegseth-media-b2939663.html

2026-03-14 FCC’s Brendan Carr also threatened the media for reporting on the war in Iran. He wrote on X, “Broadcasters are running hoaxes and news distortions – also known as the fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not. And frankly, changing course is in their own business interests since trust in legacy media has now fallen to an all time low of just 9% and are ratings disasters. The American people have subsidized broadcasters to the tune of billions of dollars by providing free access to the nation’s airwaves. It is very important to bring trust back into media, which has earned itself the label of fake news. When a political candidate is able to win a landslide election victory after in the face of hoaxes and distortions, there is something very wrong. It means the public has lost faith and confidence in the media. And we can’t allow that to happen. Time for change!”

https://x.com/BrendanCarrFCC/status/2032855414233047172

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/16/nx-s1-5748570/fcc-chair-threatens-broadcasters-licenses-over-negative-coverage-of-the-war-in-iran

https://www.cato.org/blog/fcc-threats-fog-war-government-cannot-be-arbiter-truth

https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/post/five-questions-why-fcc-chair-carrs-license-threats-are-empty/

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5786490-fcc-chair-threatens-broadcasters/

2026-03-14 The Ukraine sent military experts to assist the U.S. in countering Iranian drones in the Gulf. Meanwhile, sources reported that Russia and China were providing military cooperation to Iran.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/18/over-200-ukrainian-military-experts-in-gulf-region-to-counter-irans-drones

https://www.afpc.org/publications/articles/how-ukraine-can-help-the-iran-war-effort

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-ukraine-is-helping-the-u-s-defend-against-irans-drone-attacks

https://time.com/article/2026/03/15/iran-war-ukraine-drones/

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2026-03-18/iran-ukraine-drones-russia-allies

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-is-sharing-satellite-imagery-and-drone-technology-with-iran-0dd95e49

https://www.politico.eu/article/iran-abbas-araghchi-says-russia-and-china-providing-military-cooperation/

https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-sharing-satellite-imagery-and-drone-technology-with-iran-report/

2026-03-15 After bombing Karg Island, sources reported Trump had said he’d order more strikes “just for fun”. One news outlets quoted Trump has having said during a phone interview with NBC, “…we may hit it a few more times just for fun”.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/14/us-kharg-island-oil-export-hub

https://politicalwire.com/2026/03/15/trump-says-u-s-may-keep-bombing-just-for-fun/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/may-hit-it-just-for-fun-trump-threatens-more-strikes-on-key-iranian-island-vital-for-oil-exports/vi-AA1YFU7N?ocid=ob-fb-frfr-792

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trump-says-iranian-oil-facility-043310652.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/16/trump-iran-kharg-island-strikes-oil-exports.html

https://www.foxnews.com/world/next-move-iran-seize-kharg-island-secure-uranium-risk-ground-war-escalation

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-threatens-to-knock-the-hell-out-of-kharg-island-in-impromptu-phone-call-with-pbs-news

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV_Z7BhkTnU/

2026-03-16 Trump demanded NATO allies assist with securing the Strait of Hormuz in Iran, but NATO allies refused, saying this is not NATO’s war. Trump stated they had made a ‘foolish mistake’.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/rebuffed-allies-trump-help-defending-strait-hormuz-rcna263917

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/nato-countries-dont-want-get-involved-iran-operation-trump-says-2026-03-17/

https://www.euronews.com/2026/03/17/israel-says-it-has-launched-new-strikes-targeting-tehran-and-beirut-as-war-in-iran-enters-

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/16/nx-s1-5749109/trump-threatens-nato-strait-hormuz-iran-war

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/16/europe/us-allies-trump-help-strait-hormuz-intl

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0434932w44o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCM1HB-Vaag&list=WL&index=9

2026-03-17 The Counter-Terrorism Center director and retired combat veteran Joe Kent resigned over the Iran war. In a letter he wrote, “I 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”. Trump said, ”I always thought he was a nice guy but I always thought he was weak on security”. Two days later the FBI conducted an investigation into Joe Kent for alleged leaks.

https://x.com/joekent16jan19/status/2033897242986209689

https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-war-kent-resignation-e2e17a76d79617a68370f076c0291208

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg4g66r3z40o

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5789309-john-brennan-joe-kent-resignation-signals-maga-fracture/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Kent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on-Q9foLPF0&list=WL&index=2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tut6dmaiojs&list=WL&index=5&t=10s

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/joe-kent-fbi-leak-investigation

https://www.foxnews.com/us/former-counterterrorism-chief-joe-kent-under-fbi-investigation-more-top-headlines

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AXwyCbAm6t4

2026-03-17 Israel reported they killed Ali Larajani. Larajani was one of the powerful figures in Iran who helped direct nuclear negotiations with the U.S. This came days after he participated in a march in Tehran in protest of the war. Israel also reported assassination of Gholamreza Soleimani, Iran’s Basij force commander.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/17/israel-says-it-has-killed-ali-larijani-irans-top-security-official

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24deezq6meo

2026-03-17 A US-Israeli bombing killed a 3-day-old infant, his 2-year-old sister, and their mother and grandmother.

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/17/headlines/iran_says_infant_toddler_mother_and_grandmother_among_latest_victims_of_us_israeli_strikes

https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/three-day-old-infant-among-family-killed-us-israeli-strike-irans-arak

2026-03-18 During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Senator John Ossoff asked, ”So the assessment of the intelligence community is that Iran’s nuclear enrichment program was obliterated by last summer’s air strikes?”.

Tulsi Gabbard replied, ”Yes.”.

Ossoff asked, ”And the opening statement you submitted to the committee last night also stated, quote ‘There has been no effort since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability’ end quote, correct?”.

Gabbard replied, ”That’s right.”.

Ossoff confirmed, ”And that is the assessment of the intelligence community?”.

Gabbard reconfirmed, ”Yes.”

Ossoff then said, ”The White House stated on March 1st of this year that this war was launched and was, quote, ‘a military campaign to eliminate the imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime’ end quote. That’s a statement from the White House. Quote, ‘The imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime’. Was it the assessment of the intelligence community that there was an imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime?”.

Gabbard paused, then said, ”The intelligence community assessed that Iran maintained the intention to rebuild and to continue to grow their nuclear capability.”.

Ossoff asked again, ”Was it the assessment of the intelligence community that there was a quote ‘imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime’ yes or no?”.

Gabbard asserted, ”Senator, the only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president…”.

The questioning continued on like this. Ossoff clarified that it is a false assertion to claim the only person who can determine imminent threat is the President, intelligence assesment is supposed to be independent of political considerations, and that Gabbard had herself stated it was the intelligent community’s assessment that Iran’s nuclear enrichment program was obliterated.

https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-presses-director-of-national-intelligence-on-imminent-threat-posed-by-iran-fulton-county-raid/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3CK1VGnty4&list=WL&index=5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y903e165SDU

2026-03-19 Israel bombed the South Pars gas field, which holds 75% of gas in Iran.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/middleeast/iran-qatar-south-pars-gas-field-explainer-intl

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/19/iran-war-live-updates-oil-prices-gas-field-strikes-pentagon-more-funds-trump-news

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-israel-strike-south-pars-gas-field-trump-threat-oil-gas-prices/

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/live-updates-iran-war-energy-prices-trump-gas-field-israel-qatar-rcna264010

2026-03-19 Pete Hegseth requested another $200B for the war in Iran after entering its third week. For contrast: The war in Iraq cost $815B but that was over the course of 13 years.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-us-pentagon-972ec1bd956a2c3633e6ab7fff389791

https://thehill.com/newsletters/defense-national-security/5792787-gop-grapples-with-200-billion-pentagon-funding-ask-for-iran-war/

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/19/hegseth-iran-war-budget.html

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/politics/iran-war-cost-republicans-congress

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/19/congress-braces-for-200b-iran-war-request-00835914

2026-03-19 Scott Bessent said the US may lift sanctions on Iranian oil.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5791639-bessent-oil-sanctions-lift-iran-conflict/

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-may-remove-sanctions-iranian-oil-stranded-tankers-bessent-says-2026-03-19/

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/us-eases-iranian-oil-sanctions-scramble-contain-energy-prices-handing-rcna264546

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d415g55nno

2026-03-19 Plastics are made with petroleum. The Iran war economic impact would reach consumer plastics such as food packaging, resin and polymer markets…essentially any materials made with plastics. Since plastics are a cheap way for corporations to pad their profit margins, it is to be expected they will also pass this cost onto the consumers. Also, the aluminum market was affected.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-19/iran-war-ripples-are-driving-up-prices-for-plastics-ingredient

https://www.packagingdive.com/news/iran-war-packaging-effects-disruption-oil-aluminum-plastics/815156/

https://www.plasticstoday.com/resin-pricing/iran-war-creates-a-dire-strait-for-resin-pricing

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/iran-crisis-lifts-india-bottled-water-prices-erasing-modi-tax-cut-gains-2026-03-19/

https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2026/03/16/plastic-packaging-costs-surge-due-to-iran-war-squeezing-food-producers.html

https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/chemicals/030326-war-in-the-middle-east-cools-polymer-trade-in-the-americas-fuels-expectations-of-rising-prices

https://www.plasticsnews.com/video-livestreams/polymer-points/pn-iran-conflict-plastic-resin-prices-surging-polymer-points/

2026-03-20 Netanyahu said he acted alone on the South Pars strike in Iran, and Trump claimed the U.S. knew nothing about the attack in advance, but another article reports that Israeli officials told them the strike was coordinated with the Trump administration in advance.

https://thehill.com/policy/international/5792896-netanyahu-israel-energy-infrastructure-strike-iran/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/world/middleeast/israel-iran-south-pars-gas-field-trump.html

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/19/israeli-strike-iranian-gas-field-trump

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/despite-trump-comments-israeli-officials-say-us-knew-iran-gas-field-strike-2026-03-19/

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/middleeast/trump-iran-strikes-gas-sites-pressure-latam-intl

2026-03-20 In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlyn Collins, Scott Perry said he’d like to see Iran pay for the war.

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5793393-scott-perry-iran-war-bill/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/republican-demands-iran-pay-trump-163712593.html

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/scott-perry-iran-pay-trump-war-cost_n_69bd4de2e4b0284f9be0117b

2026 March Week #4

2028-03-22 During a GOP fundraising event Trump told the audience that if you call it a “military operation” instead of a “war” you don’t have to ask for permission. He said, quote, “They don’t like the word ‘war’, because you’re supposed to get approval, so I’ll use the word ‘military operation’, which is really what it is”. He has also referred to the war as “an excursion”.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-says-he-doesnt-want-to-call-iran-conflict-a-war-because-of-need-for-congressional-approval/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cpac-republicans-trump-iran-war-bannon/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/29/cpac-maga-anxiety-iran-war

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/cpac

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xMqVQbctsmo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYZC0-FKEJM&t=16s

2026-03-23 First, Trump threatened to bomb Iranian power plants if Iran didn’t open the Strait of Hormuz. Then on the 23rd he said he’d postpone the bombings for five days. He also announced on Truth Social that the US was having “constructive” talks with Iran about negotiations, but when asked Iranian officials said there were no such talks happening. Trump claimed he sent his son-in-law to conduct the so-called talks on Sunday March 22nd, and when asked by reporters who he talked to, Trump replied, “a top person”.

https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-war-live-trump-deadline-looms-iran-vows-hit-gulf-power-water-2026-03-23/

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-wont-strike-irans-power-plants-for-5-days-trump-says-in-turnaround-on-strait-of-hormuz-deadline

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/23/trump-postpones-military-strikes-on-iranian-power-plants

2026-03-24 In a statement, former Pentagon chief and widely regarded former Marine Jim Mattis said, “I can’t identify a lot of good options” to resolve the conflict (in Iran) without significant loss or long-term commitment. He also said, “I think that what we’re seeing is a situation where targetry never makes up for a lack of strategy”. FYI nicknames: “Warrior Monk”, “Mad-Dog Mattis”, and “General Chaos”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYqQ-ko2Ls&list=WL&index=7&t=8s

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/mattis-trump-iran-strait-hormuz

https://www.militarytimes.com/2013/04/05/mattis-the-man-the-myths-and-the-influential-general-s-deep-bond-with-his-marines/

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2024/10/17/mattis-feared-trump-would-order-a-surprise-nuclear-strike-book-claims/

https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2019/01/01/youre-not-some-p-ssy-sitting-on-the-sidelines-other-mattis-isms-secretary-of-defense-edition/

2026-03-24 House Democrat leaders chose not to force a vote on an Iran war powers resolution until after a 2-week recess in mid-April. Demand Progress Senior Policy Advisor Cavan Kharrazian stated, “This is a moment for anti-war leadership, not hesitation. The House should be on the record now, especially when reporting suggests the votes are there to pass a war powers resolution”. Ryan Grim wrote on social media, “Gregory Meeks is now suggesting he might back away from a War Powers vote just as (and honestly because) it now may have the votes to pass. Dems secretly want this war to continue bc it hurts Trump”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGFkuH7GRX8&list=WL&index=1&t=388s

https://x.com/ryangrim/status/2036631611014594992

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/27/headlines/house_democratic_leaders_delay_vote_on_iran_war_powers_resolution_until_at_least_mid_april

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/house-dem-leaders-waver-on-iran-vote-as-trump-prepares-to-escalate

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-iran-war-powers-resolution-vote-trump/

https://demandprogress.org/house-dem-leaders-waver-on-iran-vote-as-trump-prepares-to-escalate/

2026-03-25 Witcoff said they delivered a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran via Pakistan.

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/3/25/us-iran-mediation-what-are-each-sides-demands-and-is-a-deal-possible

2026-03-25 Even after the White House gave pushback concerning “boots on the ground”, this was the week the Pentagon deployed up to 3000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, 2500 troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with 4500 troops and 3 more ships. This came a day after Trump claimed Iran agreed to having no nuclear weapons, but Trump could not elaborate further. Also this week Israel announced plans to occupy all South Lebanon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQOYVX8fWiw&list=WL&index=13&t=25s

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/25/nx-s1-5759313/israel-says-plan-to-expand-into-lebanon-will-provide-defensive-buffer

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israeli-plan-lebanon-buffer-zone-follows-long-past-invasions-occupation-2026-03-26/

2026-03-25 Watch Adam Mockler arguments about the legality of ICE, free and fair elections, and the Iran war (the meat of the interview is at timestamp 7:33).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_cLP8iiKZw&list=WL&index=5

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cnn-guest-demands-answer-scott-031709832.html

2026-03-26 Hegseth gave a sermon at the Pentagon about God’s involvement in battle, praying for eternal damnation and overwhelming violence in the name of God and claiming the United States as righteous in this war in Iran.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsqVj3G0cmA&list=WL&index=11&t=215s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NrJU2aqGvQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erZ6A5Wmy00

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-christian-worship-prayers-pray-for-violence-pentagon-b2945765.html

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/at-pentagon-christian-service-hegseth-prays-for-violence-against-those-who-deserve-no-mercy

https://www.thedailybeast.com/pentagon-pete-hegseth-prays-for-overwhelming-violence-at-christian-service/

2026-03-26 Trump said he would delay his ultimatum for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on energy infrastructure. The previous deadlines were March 23rd and March 27th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGFkuH7GRX8&list=WL&index=1&t=388s

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/27/headlines/trump_again_delays_ultimatum_for_iran_to_open_strait_of_hormuz

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/trump-pauses-attacks-irans-energy-plants-says-talks-are-going-well-2026-03-26/

2026-03-26 Trump claimed Iran gifted him “eight big boats of oil” which he later changed to ten. Ten big boats of oil. He said, “And they’ll tell you we’re not negotiating. We will not negotiate. Of course they negotiated. They’ve been obliterated”. Who wouldn’t negotiate? They are begging to make a deal. We’ll see if we can make the right deal”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGFkuH7GRX8&list=WL&index=1&t=388s

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-leaks-big-reveal-about-irans-mystery-gift-to-us/

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trump-reveals-present-claims-iran-163102551.html

https://nypost.com/2026/03/26/us-news/trump-says-iran-gifted-him-10-big-boats-of-oil/

2026-03-29 Israel blocked the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Palm Sunday to celebrate mass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyPPkp36nso&list=WL&index=2

https://lpj.org/en/news/joint-press-release-the-latin-patriarchate-of-jerusalem-and-the-custo

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/israel/israeli-police-block-catholic-figures-palm-sunday-mass-jerusalem-holy-rcna265669

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-03/israeli-police-stop-latin-patriarch-of-jerusalem-from-entering.html

2026-03-30 Trump publicly threatened to bomb desalination plants, electric plants and oil wells in Iran. Bombing civilian power and infrastructure is a war crime. When pressed about this during a press brief, Karoline Leavitt said, “Um, look – the president has made it quite clear to the Iranian regime at this moment in time as evidenced by the statement that you just read, that their best move is to make a deal – or else the United States armed forces has capabilities beyond their wildest imagination and the president is not afraid to use them…” at which point the journalist reiterated ‘war crime’ concerns. Karoline Leavitt continued, “That’s not what I said, Garrett, and you’re saying the word potential for a reason, ‘cuz I’m sure some experts are telling you that in your ear to try to ask me that question. Of course, this administration and the United States armed forces will always act within the confines of the law, but with respect to achieving the full objectives of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is going to move forward unabated, and he expected – expects – the Iranian regime to make a deal with the administration”.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/leavitt-melts-down-after-being-quizzed-on-trump-war-crimes/

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-gas-price-4-dollar-gallon-oil-trump-isfahan-desalination-plant/

https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-threat-desalination-plants-war-f624bed66bee79f68454d581ae1d624a

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/30/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump

https://www.usatoday.com/live-story/news/world/2026/03/30/iran-war-live-updates-united-states-donald-trump/89378502007/

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7147083

https://www.dw.com/en/iran-war-trump-threatens-to-blow-up-desalination-plants/live-76586932

2026-03-30 Israel passed a death penalty law specifically for Palestinians.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/1/this-is-an-apartheid-regime-critics-decry-israels-new-death-penalty-law

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/31/israel-death-penalty-law-international-criticism

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8dkd6lnjdo

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/eight-muslim-majority-countries-condemn-israels-new-death-penalty-law-2026-04-02/

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/general-strike-leaves-west-bank-streets-empty-over-death-penalty-bill

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/31/israel-discriminatory-death-penalty-bill-passes

2026-03-31 Israel IDF gave residents in Beirut 1 hour to evacuate before bombing. Israel said it would establish security sites in southern Lebanon and control the entire area up to the Latani river, keeping 600,000+ people from returning home. The defense minister reported plans to completely demolish all homes in that area.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/israel-steps-up-bombing-in-lebanon-as-iran-keeps-stranglehold-on-shipping

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/18/israel-bombs-central-beirut-killing-6-strafes-south-east-lebanon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLOvmLkYq0o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3mMj0gDZe8&list=WL&index=5&t=25s

2026 April

2026-04-03 The U.S. military conducted a Search and Rescue mission for an F-15 fighter pilot who was shot down in Iran.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvImlSbIMu8&list=WL&index=7

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2k1dgz142o

https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/iran-f15-crew-member-rescued

https://time.com/article/2026/04/05/-safe-and-sound-how-a-u-s-airman-shot-down-in-iran-was-rescued-from-a-mountain-crevice/

2026-04-03 Iran dropped anti-Trump administration propaganda videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEj2w9m8srE&list=WL&index=5

2026-04-05 Trump wrote on TruthSocial, “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP”. Several leaders responded with backlash, condemning the unhinged post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6GRMdn8ZD4&list=WL&index=3&t=59s

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5816887-trump-threatens-iran-infrastructure-strait-of-hormuz/

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/05/nx-s1-5774368/iran-war-updates

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/05/trump-iran-threats-politician-reactions

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/04/05/iran-war-live-updates-trump-threat-strait-hormuz–live/89474925007/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg0q6wdzp1o

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/6/trumps-bridge-day-threat-can-a-last-ditch-ceasefire-plan-work

https://time.com/article/2026/04/05/trump-power-plants-iran-hormuz/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/6/trumps-bridge-day-threat-can-a-last-ditch-ceasefire-plan-work

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116351998782539414

https://x.com/mb_ghalibaf/status/2040823145251090462