Panic and confusion emanate from the statements of US President Donald Trump regarding when and how the war in the Middle East will end. On one hand, Trump maintained that the war will end soon; on the other, he spoke of strikes 20 times more powerful against Iran if it closes the Straits of Hormuz and prevents the passage of tankers. Through a series of contradictory statements, the American president said he is not even close to a decision to order a ground intervention in Iran, emphasized that the operation's goals have almost been achieved but also that "we haven't won enough," while expressing dissatisfaction with Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. In this light, while US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the US would show no mercy, reports in American media claim that Trump advisors are suggesting he seek an exit plan from the war. For its part, Iran signals that it is the one that will decide when the war ends, stating there is no longer any room for diplomacy. Furthermore, amidst the global economic and energy crisis, the Revolutionary Guards declare they will not allow a single liter of oil to pass through the Straits of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the Iranian agency Tasnim reported speculations and rumors that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been injured or is even dead. In this war, where propaganda games are obviously present, Israel continues to strike targets in Tehran, Beirut, and southern Lebanon, while Iranian missiles and drones continue to spread terror and chaos across the Persian Gulf states.
Wall Street Journal: Trump advisors tell him to draft exit plan from the war
Advisors to US President Donald Trump are privately urging him to seek a way out of the war against Iran to avoid losing public support, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing sources. According to their information, the American leader is surprised by the fact that Tehran refuses to surrender. The president's inner circle considers it essential to draft an exit plan from the military conflict and present it as a result of achieving the US Armed Forces' goals. The already low level of public support for the operation against Iran, should it turn into a protracted conflict, may decrease even further, the WSJ points out. "When gas and oil prices go up, everything else goes up. As the affordability of goods and services was already a problem, the new price increase will lead to serious trouble," Trump external economic advisor Stephen Moore told the newspaper.
White House denies reports
The Wall Street Journal report was categorically denied by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. "This report is full of nonsense from anonymous sources who, I can guarantee, are not in the same room as President Donald Trump. The president's top aides are working 24/7 to ensure that Operation Epic Fury continues to be a massive success, and the end of these operations will ultimately be determined by the commander-in-chief," said Karoline Leavitt.
Americans spent 5.6 billion on ammunition in the first 2 days of the war
The US Armed Forces spent approximately $5.6 billion on ammunition during the first two days of the military operation against Iran, claims the Washington Post, citing sources from the US government. According to the information, Pentagon representatives informed members of the US Congress of these figures on March 9. Washington Post sources state that the administration is expected to submit a request to lawmakers this week for additional funds for military needs amounting to tens of billions of dollars. The report notes that Pentagon estimates "reinforced the concern of some lawmakers regarding how quickly the US Armed Forces are consuming limited stockpiles of the most modern weapons."
The US underestimated Iranian resistance
A Wall Street Journal report states that the White House underestimated Iran's reactions following the assassination of part of the Islamic Republic's leadership, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and misjudged Tehran's will to resist. According to sources in the US administration, the Trump government had hoped the February 28 attack, which included the assassination of Khamenei, would lead either to the collapse of the Iranian regime or a repeat of the Venezuela scenario, where more pragmatic officials would choose to cooperate with Washington—however, neither scenario has occurred so far. The report points out that the American government appears to have failed in accurately assessing how Iran would react to the killing of its leadership.
Trump: The war will end soon
In his statements, US President Donald Trump claimed the war will end soon and even earlier than the original 4-week plan, although he did not clarify exactly what he means by a US victory. A primary US pursuit was to destroy Iran's missile and nuclear program, although Trump has signaled several times that he would like a... submissive government in Iran. Additionally, Trump warned Iran that he would hit it 20 times harder if it dares to close the Straits of Hormuz. "If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil through the Straits of Hormuz, it will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than it has been hit so far," Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform. "Furthermore, we will easily destroy destructible targets that will make it almost impossible for Iran to ever rebuild as a nation—death, fire, and fury will prevail over them," Trump stated.
Scott Ritter (ex-CIA): Strategic defeat for the US, Iran more resilient
The US failed to achieve its main goal in the operation against Iran, argued former CIA official Scott Ritter. "This is a humiliating strategic defeat. We did not achieve our stated goal of regime change. Instead, it has only become more resilient," emphasized Ritter, who said Washington failed to change the situation by killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "The death of a single individual changes nothing. And since we cannot change this regime, we have lost the war. And now we will lose everything. The Iranians have not exhausted their missiles and are preparing for the next phase of their planned operation," Ritter concluded.
Revolutionary Guards: Not a single liter of oil will pass...
Despite Trump's threats, the Revolutionary Guards declare they will not allow even... a single liter of oil... to pass through the Straits of Hormuz and the Middle East region if the US and Israel attacks continue. Responding to Trump, who said the war would end soon, the Guards maintained that Iran will determine when the war ends. "We will determine the end of the war," the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement. "The equations and the future regime of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces; American forces will not end the war," the Guards emphasize.
Iran: We will continue for as long as necessary
For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is ready to continue the attacks for as long as needed and ruled out the possibility of talks. "The attacks continue, and we are fully prepared to continue striking them with our missiles for as long as needed and for as much time as required," Araghchi told the American network PBS News. Araghchi also stated that negotiations with the United States are no longer on the agenda. "We have a very bitter experience from talks with the Americans," he said, noting that both the American attacks on Iran in June and the current ones took place after unsuccessful negotiations between the two countries. Talks are "no longer on our agenda," the Iranian Foreign Minister added. He also argued that the United States and Israel "failed" to achieve regime change in Iran in the first days of the war and that now they "have no clear direction."
Larger and more destructive missile strikes coming
Iran's armed forces officially announced they are abandoning missiles with a warhead smaller than one ton. The commander of the Aerospace Forces of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Majid Mousavi, stated that attacks will now be carried out exclusively with "heavy artillery," promising that the launch waves will become larger and more destructive. According to Mousavi, the new missiles possess greater range and firing zones, while the intensity and scale of the attacks will increase. Already, today 3/10, the IRGC carried out its 31st consecutive wave of attacks against US and Israeli positions. In the West, it is recognized that Iran is significantly better prepared for the conflict than expected in Washington. According to the New York Times, the IRGC's new strategy was a nasty surprise for the American command, while warnings of new US force losses are becoming increasingly alarming.
Iran struck US base in Iraqi Kurdistan
Iran carried out missile attacks on the Harir base of the US-led coalition in Iraqi Kurdistan, as announced by the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). "The headquarters of the American aggressor army at the 'Harir' base in Iraqi Kurdistan was attacked with five missiles by the IRGC ground forces," the IRGC statement read. The Iranian armed forces did not specify exactly when the attack occurred. The Harir military base of the international counter-terrorism coalition is located in the area of the international airport of the city of Erbil in northern Iraq. Since the start of the escalation around Iran, the base has repeatedly faced attempted drone and missile attacks.
Major General Naeini (IRGC): Trump you are very foolish, Americans are cowards
Major General Naeini, spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guards, gave a harsh response to Trump, telling him he is very foolish. According to the Tasnim News Agency, Major General Naeini gave a categorical response to Trump's "nonsense" as follows: In order to escape the pressure of the war and end the frustration of American soldiers in the region, the lying US President Trump falsely claimed the end of the Iranian armed forces' strength. After his shameful defeats in the war, the criminal Trump uses cunning and deceit to achieve military results, mislead public opinion, and escape psychological pressure. "We have seen nothing but lies from Trump," Naeini said. According to Naeini, American aircraft have left the Persian Gulf area at a distance greater than 1,000 km to remain safe from Iran's powerful missiles and drones. "The cowardly and timid soldiers of Trump's Navy increased their distance to more than 1,000 km... Trump claims a normal and ideal situation for his soldiers in the region, while American soldiers have left US bases with their backpacks and are displaced in regional cities, with some finding refuge in hotels," Naeini pointed out, noting that nearly 10 high-tech American radars have been destroyed across the region.
We are waiting for you at Hormuz
"The Iranian armed forces are waiting for the American naval fleet at the Straits of Hormuz and the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford," emphasized Major General Naeini, who categorically denied that Iranian missiles have been exhausted. In fact, he went on the counter-offensive, questioning why they do not allow journalists and the media to publish images of the strikes and the destruction, and why they are hiding the true number of dead.
Iran destroyed Israel's satellite communication center south of Tel Aviv
The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) announced they destroyed the Ha'ela satellite communication center of the Israeli regime, located south of Tel Aviv. According to the Revolutionary Guards, the center was one of the main communication hubs for airbases with Israel's fighter jets, which were hit and destroyed by drones of the IRGC Space Force during a special operation. The affected facility operated as critical communication infrastructure for the satellite control network of Israel's fighter aircraft.
Netanyahu: Our aim is for Iranians to be rid of tyranny
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the overthrow of the regime in Iran lies in the hands of the Iranian people. "Our aim is to help the Iranian people get rid of the yoke of tyranny," Netanyahu stated during his visit late last night to the National Health Emergency Operations Center. "In the end, it depends on them. But there is no doubt that through the actions taken so far, we are breaking their bones—and our hand remains extended. If we succeed together with the Iranian people, we will bring a permanent end—if such things exist in the lives of nations—and we will bring change," Netanyahu argued.
Tasnim: Rumors that Netanyahu is injured... or dead
The Tasnim News Agency reported that speculation and rumors regarding the possible death or injury of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are increasing. The agency, among other things, claims there are several signs fueling these speculations: such as that almost three days have passed since the last video of Netanyahu was posted on his personal channel and almost four days since the last publication of his photos; that before Netanyahu's last video, at least one and sometimes up to three videos were circulated daily; that on March 8, reports appeared indicating that security perimeter control around Netanyahu's house had increased, specifically to deal with kamikaze drones, while it is said that the cancellation of the scheduled visit of Jared Kushner (Trump's son-in-law) and Steve Witkoff (Trump's special representative) to Israel, scheduled for today, is related to this situation. These speculations have not yet been officially confirmed or denied.
Chaos in the Gulf, missiles and drones intercepted in UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain
The Ministries of Defense and Interior of the United Arab Emirates warned citizens earlier today 3/10 to "stay in a safe place" and follow "warnings and updates" on official websites, as air defenses try to neutralize threats from Iranian drones and missiles. "The Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the interception of ballistic missiles by air defense systems and the interception of drones and ammunition by fighter aircraft," the ministry said in a statement. Sirens also sounded in Bahrain, where a warning was issued for citizens to head to the nearest "safe space" and remain calm amidst the latest air raid sirens. At the same time, the Kuwait National Guard announced it shot down six drones in the northern and southern parts of the country. This announcement comes after the Kuwaiti Army stated it destroyed two ballistic missiles and two drones in the country's airspace yesterday Monday 3/9.
New Israeli bombings in southern and eastern Lebanon
The Israeli armed forces launched new air strikes during the night of Monday to Tuesday on communities in southern and eastern Lebanon, strongholds of Hezbollah, as reported by the official Lebanese news agency ANI. The Israeli Air Force bombed several villages in the areas of Tyre and Jezzine (south) and west of the Beqaa (east), according to the official Lebanese news agency.
New evacuation order in Lebanon
Israel issued a new evacuation order in southern Lebanon, announcing it carried out a series of attacks against a financial institution controlled by Hezbollah. Israeli Air Force aircraft hit "assets and storage areas" of the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association on Monday, as announced by the Israeli military. Israel claimed that Hezbollah, supported by Iran, uses these funds "to purchase weapons and weapon production materials." Furthermore, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning in Arabic to the residents of southern Lebanon to move north of the Litani River, stating that "raids are continuing" in the area. Hezbollah announced it launched missiles toward northern Israel shortly after midnight and also against "concentrations of Israeli soldiers and vehicles" in the border town of Markaba.
Syria accuses Hezbollah of attacks
Hezbollah launched missiles toward Syria from Lebanon during the night of Monday-Tuesday, according to Syrian state media. Syrian army officials said artillery fire launched from Lebanon landed near the town of Serghaya, west of Damascus, as reported by the state news agency SANA. The army accused Hezbollah of targeting Syrian army positions, telling the agency it observed Hezbollah reinforcements on the Syria-Lebanon border. "The Syrian Arab Army will not tolerate any attack targeting Syria," the army said in a statement to SANA. Hezbollah had provided military support to former President Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown in December 2024 by an Islamist coalition hostile to the pro-Iranian Shia movement.
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