India Unveils AI Kamikaze Drone As Global Powers Rush To Acquire Cheap Loitering Munitions
The most visible weapon in the wars across Eurasia, from Ukraine to the Middle East, is the low-cost one-way attack drone. It has forever changed the economics of war and how war is fought on the modern battlefield by enabling swarm strikes at a fraction of the cost of traditional air-delivered munitions. Ukraine and Russia both proved this, and the last five weeks of the U.S.-Iran conflict have really confirmed it.
In many ways, the war in Ukraine accelerated what could very well be warfare of the 2030s, driven by the hyperdevelopment of low-cost consumer technologies that can be dual-use or easily weaponized. From FPVs and AI-enabled kill chains to drone boats, ground robots, and one-way attack drones, the modern battlefield has been transformed by low-cost, scalable, and increasingly autonomous war machines. It is an emerging threat we warned readers about right before the Gulf conflict, because countermeasures against drones are lacking at scale and are unaffordable.
In the Gulf theater, Iran has used these low-cost drones to strike data centers, U.S. military installations, and civilian infrastructure. In a prolonged war of attrition, mass-produced, cheap drones are increasingly likely to prevail over low-production, very expensive interceptor missiles in the long run. The Trump administration has smartly woken up to this new era of warfare and, secretly through the Department of War, deployed its own Iranian-style kamikaze drones (we reported in the first week of the conflict).
Military strategists around the world are now taking notes and copying the drone playbooks being written in real-time by active players in both Eurasian conflicts. As we noted the other week, China has likely already ramped up mass production of Iranian- and Russian-style one-way attack drones.
Taken together, the speed at which these drones are proliferating across battlefields is very alarming, and yet another country appears set to begin mass production: India.
Indian defense news website Indian Defense Research Wing reports that startup HoverIt has developed DIVYASTRA MK2, an advanced long-range strike drone.
“With an operational range projected between 1500 to 2000 kilometers and a flight endurance of 8 to 12 hours, the platform is designed to operate deep inside adversary territory, enabling both persistent surveillance and precision strike missions without immediate reliance on forward bases,” Defense Research Wing wrote in the report.
The report added, “The UAV is expected to incorporate advanced AI-driven swarm intelligence, enabling coordinated operations with multiple platforms for saturation attacks, distributed surveillance, and adaptive mission execution.”
Every serious country with a proper defense manufacturing base will be retooling some production lines for these cheap drones. The problem emerging is that the rapid pace of development and deployment has left much of the world unprepared.
The latest data released by the National Court of Asylum reveals a historic statistical milestone: asylum grants in France have reached an unprecedented peak.
In 2025, a record 78,782 individuals were granted asylum, marking a 12 percent increase over the previous year. The recognition rate has also climbed to an all-time high of 52.1 percent – or 47.1 percent when excluding unaccompanied minors.
The initial stage of the asylum process is managed by the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA). If a claim is denied, applicants may appeal to the National Court of Asylum. While various forms of protection exist, the ultimate goal for many is the status of “refugee,” as it opens rights similar to those of the French in most areas, including social welfare, education, and housing.
The asylum system remains highly accessible, despite President Emmanuel Macron saying year after year that France needs to reduce immigration, just as he did in 2023.
“Are we flooded with immigration? No. You cannot say that. But the current situation is not sustainable, and we need to reduce immigration significantly, starting with illegal immigration. We have a duty to deliver,” the French president said at the time.
France already has the largest Muslim population in Europe, leading to serious cultural, societal, and even security problems. Unlike policies debated or implemented in nations like Italy or Denmark, which seek to reduce the ability for individuals to apply for asylum, France has very generous laws, including allowing those already present on French soil to apply for asylum directly. This creates a significant challenge for the state, as even when applications are denied, authorities have an extremely difficult time removing people. Macron, for instance, stated his goal was a 100 percent deportation rate. France’s actual deportation rate has remained in the teens since then, averaging around 15 percent.
In fact, France has gone from record to record in terms of overall immigration every single year. Last year, Remix News reported that a record 6 million foreigners live in France, after a record 400,000 migrants arrived in the country in 2024. Earlier this year, Remix News reported that a record number of first-time residency permits were issued in 2025.
Nevertheless, despite soaring public pressure, more asylum applications are being approved than ever. Even during the peak of the 2015 migration crisis, France did not grant asylum at these levels. Wars continue to be a major factor. For the second consecutive year, Ukrainians represent the largest group of asylum seekers, followed closely by nationals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan.
Beyond geopolitics, the increasingly broad jurisprudence of the National Court of Asylum plays a pivotal role.
In 2025, the court recognized automatic refugee status for all people from the Gaza Strip, then from the West Bank.
In other words, Palestinians have almost virtually unlimited access to French territory.
The court also recognized an automatic right to women from Iran and Somalia, which are deemed unfriendly states for women.
Similar protections were extended to homosexual individuals from Egypt, Guatemala, and, as of late 2024, Sri Lanka.
According to the BVoltaire publication, there is an “urgent call to reform. Proponents argue that France must consider renegotiating international conventions and amending the Constitution, asserting that both the efficiency of the State and the preservation of French identity are currently at risk.”
Ayatollah Breaks Silence, In Written Message Praises Hezbollah & Shia Leaders Of Iraq
The new, younger Ayatollah Khamenei – who may have been wounded in the early days of US-Israeli strikes, hasn’t been seen in any public way, not even on TV, throughout the war. There have not so much as been any official recent images of him circulated.
But Mojtaba Khamenei has apparently been issuing some limited written statements, mainly encouraging foreign proxies in their joining the war against US and Israeli forces in the region. State media has indicated he’s not making public appearances given the ongoing relentless bombing campaign and the Islamic Republic’s wartime footing.
After a long period of relative silence, a message from Khamenei was publicized on Monday. In the message attributed to him, he “expressed his appreciation to the supreme religious authority (in Iraq) and the people of Iraq for their clear stance against aggression against Iran and their support for our country,” Iran’s ISNA news agency said, referring to the Iraq-based Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Sistani is based in Iraq and has long been a highly revered Shia cleric in the region.
The 56-year old Khamenei has on Wednesday apparently broken his silence again, this time praising Hezbollah for joining the war against Israel. Hezbollah has been launching hundreds of rockets on northern and central Israel, amid an emerging ground campaign in southern Lebanon, also as Israel bombs Beirut from the air.
In the new words carried by Iranian state media, he praised Hezbollah for its “perseverance, steadfastness and patience” against “the most ruthless enemies of the Islamic world.”
Meanwhile, the CIA and Mossad are said to be trying to uncover Mojtaba Khamenei’s whereabouts and status. His 86-year old father did not appear to have been in hiding at all when he was slain by airstrike on the very first day of Operation Epic Fury.
The most likely explanation could be that the younger Khamenei is directing the war from a much more secure and hidden setting, for example a deep underground bunker – or in a remote part of the country.
But some analysts have questioned why he wouldn’t make a video address, even if pre-recorded, offering to the world proof that he is a alive and is running the country and war. As for the most visible day-to-day leader, this is parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Europe is literally paying Indians hundreds of euros a month to “study” while its own students can’t afford rent and are drowning in debt.
In a now-viral video, an Indian student in Europe boasts about the arrangement. He explains how the EU provides him with 1400 euros every single month that covers rent, travel, and meals, with zero student debt, while he still saves 600 euros every single month.
He walks through what he calls “elite scholarship secrets,” noting that a simple bachelor’s degree, a valid passport, and basic English proficiency suffice — adding that “IELTS is not always mandatory” and a certificate from some random school abroad will do.
europe literally paying Indians 1400 euro a month to “study” here while our own students can’t afford rent and are drowning in debt.
this guy is literally bragging about scamming the system with a degree that’s worth less than a high school diploma in the west.
The poster highlighted the post with clear frustration: “literally bragging about scamming the system with a degree that’s worth less than a high school diploma in the west… total subversion of our education system and you are the one footing the bill. Peak comedy.”
In follow-ups, the same account pointed out that the individual admits “you don’t need to be a topper to get 1400 euro a month… a 75% gpa from a third world uni — literally a mediocre 6.5/10 here… you don’t even need a real English test.”
This reflects a broader pattern visible online where some Indians treat European scholarships and student visas as an easy backdoor.
Other posts have referenced credential issues in India, including claims that one can simply buy degrees and credentials in India and use them to secure educational places in Europe with a visa.
The same dynamic has played out for years in the UK. Former universities minister Jo Johnson previously slammed the high drop-out rates among Indian and Bangladeshi students — the highest among international cohorts — with concerns that “one in four” drop out to take up jobs while remaining on student visas.
? ICYMI
‘1 in 4 students from India and Bangladesh drop out of their UK university course. So, come over here, bring your dependents, then just drop out and crack on with your life.’@PatrickChristys asks if we should impose an ‘absolute cap’ on immigration. pic.twitter.com/aGfgk1xOqU
He called for stricter rules requiring overseas students to prove they can support themselves for the full duration of their course to prevent abuse.
More recently, UK Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra flagged a surge in student asylum claims as clear “visa abuse.” She stated: “We’ve seen visa abuse in the case of legal routes, where people have gone legally and then sought to overstay when their visas weren’t extended.”
Official figures showed around 16,000 international students applied for asylum last year after completing courses, with another 14,800 in the first half of 2025.
‘We should change the law to say if you come in on a student or tourist visa, you cannot seek asylum!’
Former Conservative MP Louise Mensch reacts to new reports into how Britain’s visa system is being gamed, with Pakistanis making up a disproportionate number of cases. pic.twitter.com/q5bXTYrF51
Reform leader Nigel Farage has repeatedly called out the absurdity of the student visa route, including how it has allowed foreign students to bring large numbers of dependents.
In one exchange, he put it plainly: “If you come to university in Britain, you can’t just bring your Mum with you.”
He highlighted the previous policy that saw 460,000 study visas issued in 2023 along with 144,000 dependents, describing it as “absolutely batty” and noting that universities had become “drunk on foreign money.”
Farage argued this setup does little to benefit British students and contributes heavily to net migration figures.
Farage has repeatedly argued that the economic case for mass migration has collapsed, pointing out how it drags down GDP per capita and leaves average Britons poorer despite headline growth figures.
This fits a wider picture. A report from the Centre for Migration Control revealed that 1.6 million migrants in the UK are unemployed or economically inactive, costing taxpayers £8.5 billion a year — a figure that does not even include asylum accommodation or foreign student subsidies.
The analysis described the situation as “the very definition of a Ponzi scheme.”
Europe and the UK have spent years importing large numbers of students under the banner of “excellence” and economic benefit. Instead, taxpayers subsidize stipends and visas while native young people struggle with debt and housing costs.
When the arrivals treat the system as a joke — openly bragging about minimal effort for maximum payout — and even bring extended family on the back of student visas, the subversion becomes impossible to ignore.
The response must be straightforward: close the loopholes, enforce real standards, deport those gaming the rules, and put citizens first. Continuing the current approach only accelerates the burden on working people and erodes trust in institutions.
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The rapid evolution of U.S. national security strategy in the Western Hemisphere has taken a decisive turn with the launch of the Shield of the Americas—a multinational initiative that is already reshaping diplomatic, military, and law enforcement cooperation across the region.
The importance of this initiative has come into sharper focus in recent weeks, following former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s reassignment as special envoy and her engagements with Ecuadorian leadership, as well as meetings with leaders across Latin America.
Far from a symbolic gesture, the Shield of the Americas represents a strategic recalibration grounded in urgent realities: transnational crime, migration pressures at their origin, and in the process, intensifying geopolitical ’soft power’ competition.
But at its core, the Shield of the Americas is a coordinated security coalition designed to combat drug cartels, disrupt trafficking networks, and address illegal migration through joint intelligence and military cooperation. Its formation in March 2026 brought together more than a dozen nations from Latin America and the Caribbean, signaling a renewed emphasis on hemispheric alignment, at a time when these threats have become transnational to an unprecedented degree.
The timing is not coincidental. The United States continues to face unprecedented challenges tied to fentanyl and synthetic opioid trafficking—much of it linked to cartel networks operating across borders. These organizations are no longer localized criminal enterprises; they are sophisticated, multi-billion-dollar operations with global reach.
The Shield’s emphasis on intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement acknowledges a simple truth: no single country can address this threat alone.
This is where Noem’s visit becomes especially significant.
Ecuador, her final stop, has emerged as a frontline state in the fight against narcotrafficking, with its geographic position making it a key transit hub for drugs moving from South America to North American and European markets. Recent joint U.S.-Ecuador operations underscore both the urgency of the challenge and the necessity of partnership.
In turn, the Shield provides the institutional framework to scale such cooperation—transforming ad hoc engagements into sustained, strategic collaboration.
Critically, the initiative also reflects a broader geopolitical imperative. The Western Hemisphere is increasingly contested terrain, with China expanding its economic and political influence through infrastructure investments, telecommunications, and resource extraction. The Shield of the Americas explicitly seeks to counter this influence by strengthening alliances and reinforcing U.S. leadership in the region.
In this sense, the initiative is not only about security—it is about shaping the future alignment of the Americas in a rapidly evolving global order.
Skeptics have raised concerns about the militarized aspects of the Shield, noting that its emphasis on coordinated military action represents a departure from more traditional approaches centered on law enforcement. Yet this critique overlooks the scale and sophistication of the threat landscape.
Cartels today operate with capabilities that rival those of insurgent groups, leveraging advanced technology, financial networks, and paramilitary tactics. Addressing such threats requires a commensurate response.
Moreover, the Shield is not solely a military construct. It is a platform for comprehensive engagement—encompassing intelligence sharing, economic cooperation, and governance initiatives. By aligning participating countries around shared objectives, it creates the conditions for more effective, coordinated action across multiple domains.
Noem’s role as special envoy is central to this effort. Her mandate is not merely diplomatic; it is operational, tasked with translating high-level agreements into actionable partnerships on the ground. Her track record has her primed for success. And this week, her engagement with Ecuadorian leadership exemplified this approach, reinforcing bilateral ties while advancing the broader objectives of the coalition.
Ultimately, the importance of the Shield of the Americas lies in its recognition of interconnected realities. Drug trafficking fuels migration; migration strains border systems; geopolitical competition exploits instability. Addressing these challenges in isolation is no longer viable.
The Shield offers a model rooted in collective action, shared responsibility, and strategic alignment. In doing so, it marks a significant evolution in U.S. foreign policy toward the region, one that acknowledges both the risks and the opportunities of a more integrated hemispheric approach.
As Noem’s visit demonstrates, the success of this initiative will depend not on rhetoric, but on execution.
If the Shield can translate its ambitious vision into tangible results—disrupting cartels, strengthening partnerships, and stabilizing key regions—it may well prove to be one of the most consequential security initiatives in the Americas in decades.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.
China has pushed further into heavy unmanned aviation with the first flight of the Changying-8 (CY-8), which it claims is the world’s heaviest cargo drone.
The aircraft combines high payload capacity with short-runway performance, targeting logistics operations across remote, high-altitude, and island regions.
The newly tested Changying-8 (CY-8) blends high payload capacity with short runway performance, signaling a push toward flexible, all-terrain aerial supply systems.
The aircraft completed its first test flight on Tuesday in Zhengzhou, located in central China’s Henan province.
It lifted off after a short ground run of 280 meters and stayed airborne for about 30 minutes.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, engineers used the flight to verify key onboard systems, including avionics, propulsion, and intelligent flight controls.
Built for heavy payloads
The CY-8 stands out for its size and carrying capability. It reaches a maximum take-off weight of 7 tonnes. The drone itself weighs 3.5 tonnes and can carry an equal load.
Its airframe stretches 17 meters long with a wingspan of 25 meters. Engineers designed a fully enclosed cargo bay with a volume of 18 cubic meters.
The aircraft includes both front and rear access doors, allowing faster turnaround during loading and unloading operations.
CCTV described the platform as an “unmanned aerial heavy truck.” The drone relies on twin turboprop engines and supports short take-off and landing operations.
This design allows it to operate on basic runways with limited infrastructure.
“This cargo drone is highly adaptable to its environment, uses twin turboprop engines, and has the ability to take off and land on simple runways in high-altitude areas, as well as perform short take-offs and landings,” said Cai Hangqing, chairman of Beijing Northern Changying UAV Technology, as reported by SCMP.
Developers built the CY-8 to support both civilian and military roles. The drone can switch payload configurations quickly, making it suitable for a wide range of missions.
CCTV reported that operators can deploy it for emergency communications, weather modification, and electronic reconnaissance.
It can also support logistics, disaster relief, and supply delivery in difficult terrain.
The drone’s design focuses heavily on high-altitude performance.
It can operate in regions such as the Tibetan Plateau, where elevations range between 4,000 and 5,000 meters.
Engineers also optimized it for island operations, enabling use on short and simple airstrips.
The CY-8 requires less than 500 meters for take-off and landing.
It also offers a range of more than 1,850 miles, extending its operational reach across remote or strategically sensitive areas.
Expanding global competition
China’s latest drone arrives as competition intensifies in the heavy cargo UAV segment.
Beijing continues to invest in uncrewed systems capable of operating in extreme environments.
Other Chinese projects are already in progress. Air White Whale is developing the W5000, a larger 10-tonne-class cargo drone.
A scaled prototype recently completed its maiden flight.
China has also tested a heavy-lift unmanned helicopter, the Boying T1400. That platform targets operations from mountainous regions to maritime zones.
The United States is advancing similar systems.
California-based Sabrewing developed the RH-1-A Rhaegal cargo drone, which completed its first hover flight in 2022.
A larger variant is expected to reach a maximum take-off weight of 6.25 tonnes.
Unlike the CY-8, Sabrewing’s design uses vertical take-off and landing. This removes the need for runways and enables operations in confined spaces.
The company has already secured collaborative orders from the US Air Force.
China plans to continue flight testing of the CY-8. The developer aims to move toward full-scale production before the end of the year.
First Valero Refinery, Now Largest U.S. Gasoline Pipeline Damaged In Georgia
Colonial Pipeline’s Line 1, the largest U.S. gasoline pipeline running from Houston toward the East Coast, has halted operations after a third-party work crew damaged a section of the line in Georgia.
Bloomberg reported that the line stopped shipping fuel after the damage occurred on Tuesday in Paulding County, Georgia.
“Line 1 is out of service while our team coordinates response and repair efforts,” Colonial said in a statement cited by the outlet.
The outage hits a critical fuel artery that carries about 1.5 million barrels per day of gasoline from Houston to North Carolina, supplying an East Coast market that remains heavily dependent on pipeline deliveries due to limited local refining capacity.
While the rest of Colonial’s pipeline system remains operational, any prolonged shutdown risks further tightening fuel supplies at a time when the war in Iran has pushed the U.S. national average price for regular gasoline to the politically sensitive level of $4 per gallon.
Let’s remind readers that the 380,000-barrel-per-day Port Arthur, Texas, Valero refinery experienced an explosion last week at its 47,000-bpd unit 243 diesel hydrotreater. The good news is that the refinery has since restarted operations.
First a refinery, now a pipeline. One has to wonder whether these “industrial accidents” are early signs of sabotage, particularly at a time when energy infrastructure is being destroyed across Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
Brookfield Infrastructure owned Colonial pipeline down
Is it me or are we seeing tit for tat moves against energy infrastructure? First refineries, now a pipeline. pic.twitter.com/X0B6yyMs68
Four U.S. senators from both sides of the aisle are planning to visit Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea within the coming days to strengthen U.S. alliances that they see as critical to challenging China’s sphere of influence.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who serves as the ranking Democrat member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced the trip on March 28.
Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) will join her on a trip to Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo; and Seoul, South Korea, ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s May summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The trip could cause friction with Chinese leadership, which opposes other countries having relations with Taiwan and sees such activities as a challenge to Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over the independent island.
While Taiwan is backed by the United States for its democracy, Trump’s recent floating of potential arms sales to Taiwan in discussions with Xi has highlighted implications about the future of U.S. policy toward the island.
“This bipartisan delegation demonstrates Congress’s commitment to these alliances and partnerships is unwavering and will endure well beyond any one administration,” Shaheen said in a statement.
The U.S. lawmakers are planning to meet with both political leaders and defense officials during their trip as a display of reassurance to the United States’s Asian allies.
“Our alliance with Taiwan is one of the most strategically and morally significant partnerships America has in the Indo-Pacific,” Curtis said in a statement.
Taiwan’s economic relationship with the United States has been a key concern for the Trump administration, as Washington relies on the island for computer chip production.
Taiwan’s semiconductor production drove a trade imbalance of nearly $127 billion during the first 11 months of 2025. In February, the Trump administration reached a deal with the island that removed 99 percent of its trade barriers with the United States.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers during a visit to Taiwan last year called for the United States to partner more closely with the self-governing island.
That trip resulted in conversations that were “optimistic and forward-looking,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said at the time. Coons visited Taipei last April with Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).
There were also discussions about potential military action against Taiwan by China.
“Of course, there is the possibility that Xi Jinping would decide that this is the right time for the Chinese Communist Party to take aggressive action,” Coons said.
“I think it’s exactly the wrong thing for them to do. I think they would find a forceful and united response.”
Activist Mayor Of Boise Forced To Take Down Pride Flag Flown For A Decade
Conservative states across the US have taken action in recent months to begin the arduous process of removing the stain of the woke movement from America’s streets and public buildings. For the last decade, the far-left ideological crusade has left its mark everywhere while using “marginalized” identity groups as a moral shield.
Though they claim to be acting as a civil rights movement, the reality is that “Pride” and LGBT activist groups are entirely political. The pride flag is a political, ideological and some would argue religious symbol of cultural dominance planted across the country as a means to claim ownership.
The State of Idaho is no longer tolerating this insurgency. On Tuesday, Mayor Lauren McLean was forced to remove the Progress Pride flag from display in Downtown Boise after Governor Brad Little signed HB 561. The bill, brought by Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle, limits local governments to flying only the American flag, state flags, official military flags, recognized tribal flags, and the official flag of an Idaho university or college.
The response from Democrats has been dramatic, to say the least, with a somber proclamation of “Transgender Day” to mourn the loss of the pride flag. Idaho also recently passed one of the strictest laws in the nation against transgenders using incorrect bathrooms and public facilities.
Initial laws passed by the state in 2025 required that only “official flags” be flown on public land and government buildings. However, McLean and city officials attempted to bypass the law by making the pride flag an “official” flag of Boise. Governor Little closed the loophole and instituted fines of $2000 per day for those cities that refuse to cooperate.
Leftist officials held a bizarre ceremony for the removal of the pride flag, which once again shines a light on the cult-like nature of the woke movement.
BREAKING: Boise mayor forced to take city hall’s LGBTQ+ flag down after law passes pic.twitter.com/PUdjgSgETf
Similar reactions have taken place in cities across the US where pride flag have been forced on the populace by city officials and were then removed by the state government.
Boise, Idaho, has flown a Pride flag outside City Hall for more than a decade, primarily during “Pride Month” in June and related events. However, in the last four years under Democrat Mayor Lauren McClean, the flag has stayed flying year-round, often displayed alongside other flags like the U.S., Idaho, City of Boise, and POW/MIA flags.
The presence of radical left symbolism in the middle of one of the reddest states in the US is a reminder that there are progressive controlled cities and leftist activists everywhere. They are not relegated to blue states, and unlike conservatives, they are highly aggressive in their efforts to claim territory and maintain power.
This is often expressed in the concept of “visibility”, which leftists mention often. It’s the idea that the “rights” of activist groups are not being respected unless they are allowed to shove their political symbols in the faces of everyone on a regular basis.
It’s not enough that the public tolerates these groups. The public must be forced to see them at all times, until people accept their activist ideology as sacrosanct. The best possible path forward for Americans is to do the opposite and erase woke visibility as much as possible. Civil rights are not a free license to impose fringe ideological views on the rest of the population.
Oil Spikes As Trump Vows To Hit Iran “Extremely Hard Over Next 2-3 Weeks”, Threatens To Send It “Back To The Stone Ages”
Summary
Trump declares ‘core strategic objectives met’, threatens 2-3 more weeks of bombing, no mention of ceasefire
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has released an open letter to the American people, questioning whether Washington is truly putting “America First” or merely acting as a “proxy for Israel” willing to fight “to the last American soldier.”
Air defenses have been activated in Dubai, taking out 5 ballistic missiles and 35 drones launched from Iran
Iran’s new Ayatollah tweets “I emphatically declare that the consistent policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following on the path of Imam Khomeini and the martyred Leader, is to continue supporting the Resistance against the Zionist-US enemy.”
“Not true”: Iran rejects Trump claim that the “new regime president” asked for ceasefire (which has been Pezeshkian since 2024)
UAE mulls becoming first Gulf country to directly joint US-Israeli war against Iran, lobbies for firm UNSC security resolution.
Trump to Reuters: will be “out of Iran pretty quickly” and could return for “spot hits” if needed. Also says he’s open to exiting ‘paper tiger’ NATO after Iran war is over, angry over lack of help in Hormuz crisis.
Oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy was struck by an Iranian cruise missile in Qatari waters Wednesday.
IRGC has newly vowed to keep attacking with “full intensity and power” – suggesting this is far from over, as ceasefire talks remain theater lacking in much substance. Ayatollah praises Hezbollah in written statement.
Oil Spikes As Trump Vows To Hit Iran “Extremely Hard Over Next 2-3 Weeks”, Threatens To Send It “Back To The Stone Ages”
After 48 hours of messaging triumphalism about US achievements, escalatory warnings tied to the Strait and energy targets, frustration with allies, and signals of de-escalation with a shortened timeline for reduced US involvement… President Trump addressed the nation tonight about the war in Iran.
Trump began by stating that the US is targeting the world’s number 1 State-Sponsor of terror – Iran.
There have been many “swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield” in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, he continued.
Trump describes the military operations as “quick, lethal, violent” and “respected” all over the world.
*TRUMP: IRAN’S NAVY IS GONE, AIR FORCE IN RUINS
*TRUMP: MOST OF IRAN’S LEADERS ARE DEAD
*TRUMP: IRAN’S ABILITY TO LAUNCH MISSILES AND DRONES CURTAILED
*TRUMP: DON’T NEED OIL FROM MIDDLE EAST
*TRUMP: WILL NEVER LET IRAN HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPON
Trump went to explain why he took us to war in Iran, focusing strongly on preventing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and correcting prior Presidents’ mistakes.
“Essentially I did what no other president was willing to do.”
Then came the quasi-mission accomplished moment:
*TRUMP: CORE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES IN IRAN NEARING COMPLETION
*TRUMP: THESE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES NEARING COMPLETION
*TRUMP: MUST COMPLETE MISSION IN IRAN
*TRUMP: WE WILL FINISH THE JOB VERY FAST
*TRUMP: GETTING VERY CLOSE TO FINISHING JOB IN IRAN
*TRUMP: WE ARE ON TRACK TO COMPLETE ALL MILITARY OBJECTIVES
Hormuz is not America’s problem…
Trump again says that other countries who rely on oil coming through the Strait of Hormuz to take control of it: “We will be helpful, but they should take the lead.”
*TRUMP: US HAS PLENTY OF GAS
*TRUMP: WE IMPORT ALMOST NO OIL THROUGH HORMUZ
*TRUMP: COUNTRIES THAT GET OIL THROUGH HORMUZ MUST TAKE LEAD
*TRUMP: COUNTRIES RECEIVING OIL VIA HORMUZ MUST CHERISH IT
*TRUMP ON HORMUZ: WILL OPEN NATURALLY WHEN CONFLICT OVER
And the clarification for American voters:
Trump pins the runup in gas prices entirely on “the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers in neighboring countries that have nothing to do with the conflict.”
*TRUMP: INCREASE IN GASOLINE PRICES DUE TO IRAN ATTACK ON TANKERS
*TRUMP: SHORT-TERM GAS PRICE INCREASE DUE TO IRAN’S ATTACKS
*TRUMP: US NEVER BEEN BETTER PREPARED ECONOMICALLY
*TRUMP: WE’RE IN GREAT SHAPE FOR THE FUTURE
*TRUMP: OIL PRODUCTION WILL SOON BE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER
*TRUMP: ECONOMY WILL SOON COME ROARING BACK
Then came the threats:
*TRUMP: WE WILL NOT LET MID EAST ALLIES GET HURT OR FAIL
*TRUMP: WILL HIT IRAN EXTREMELY HARD OVER NEXT 2-3 WEEKS
*TRUMP: WILL BRING IRAN BACK TO STONE AGE WHERE THEY BELONG
*TRUMP: NEW LEADERS IN IRAN LESS RADICAL, MORE REASONABLE
*TRUMP: IF THERE IS NO DEAL, WILL HIT IRAN’S ELECTRIC PLANTS
*TRUMP: WE HAVE NOT HIT THEIR OIL EVEN THOUGH EASIEST TARGET
*TRUMP: WILL HIT IRAN WITH MISSILES IF WE SEE THEM MAKE A MOVE
*TRUMP: WE HAVE ALL THE CARDS THEY HAVE NONE
And ended on an optimistic note:
*TRUMP: ON THE CUSP OF ENDING IRAN’S THREAT TO AMERICA
Oil had been selling off heading into Trump’s address, with traders looking for clearer signals on whether Washington will end the war in the coming weeks, but started to rally strongly as Trump began speaking as traders did not hear the ‘mission accomplished’ they were hoping for, erasing all of yesterday’s ceasefire chatter…
Not what many were expecting…
“In a triumph of hope against experience, some oil traders had been looking for clarity from Trump’s speech. He has provided no direction, repeating past comments and mixing bravado and threats with the prospect of an imminent end. That has pushed Brent and WTI higher,” said Bloomberg’s Clara Ferreira Marques.
and not one mention of the word ‘ceasefire’ or ‘uranium’.
For crude traders, producers and users, the main takeaway from Trump’s remarks is that the global oil-supply crunch triggered by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz is probably set to persist through April.
Each day the waterway’s been shuttered has translated into the loss of about 11 million barrels, according to an earlier Bloomberg tally.
* * * Grandma was right
* * *
Trump To (almost) Declare “Mission Accomplished”
Trump will use his primetime 9pm ET Oval Office address Wednesday night to declare – against a backdrop of deteriorating poll numbers -that the month-long war in Iran is winding down, and that others need to resolve the Strait of Hormuz blockade, Politico reported. The president telegraphed that message in interviews, social media posts and public comments over the past 24 hours, laying the groundwork for a speech that is expected to claim that all military objectives have been met, according to six people familiar with the planning and granted anonymity to speak candidly. He also intends to slam NATO allies for the biggest unresolved matter of the war, Iran’s ongoing restrictions of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former White House chief strategist, said the president will essentially declare victory, laying out what he’s achieved in Iran and what he will do before the U.S. leaves along with “dumping on the NATO allies – it’s their issue. Two, three weeks, definable objectives. ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’ — and we are hanging around a couple of weeks to conquer some more — maybe even then a ceasefire, while reiterating that the Hormuz situation is the Gulf Emirates’ and the Europeans’ to solve, and declare victory,” he added.
With the conflict ongoing, the speech offers Trump an opportunity to lay out the war’s objectives, what amounts to victory and how he intends to move forward if ceasefire talks sputter. The president’s decision to deliver a major address about the war’s endgame, coming as an additional 2,500 U.S. Marines make their way to the region, may be primarily an attempt to assuage voters’ concerns and Wall Street’s unease about energy markets and the knock-on effects of the strait closure.
“This is a big challenge for President Trump because it’s not his natural environment. It cannot be confrontational. It needs to be reassuring,” one of the people familiar said. “It needs to be very direct because he’s not just communicating with the American people but the Iranians, our allies in the region and our allies in Europe.”
The president’s first primetime address since the war began comes about two weeks ahead of an oft-repeated four-to-six-week timeline for military operations in Iran.
Although Trump has made several public statements declaring that indirect talks with Iran are making progress, there is still little evidence that the two countries are anywhere close to an agreement – and some in the Iranian regime continue to insist that no talks are happening at all. In a social media post Wednesday morning, Trump asserted that Iran “has asked…for a CEASEFIRE!” But he added a key condition for accepting: “We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear.”
* * *
Iran President Releases Open Letter To American People,
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has released an open letter to the American people, questioning whether Washington is truly putting “America First” or merely acting as a “proxy for Israel” willing to fight “to the last American soldier.”
In the Wednesday message, which traces the roots of US-Iran tensions back to the 1953 coup while condemning recent bombings of Iranian infrastructure, Pezeshkian notes that Tehran harbors no enmity toward ordinary Americans. Instead, he urges the U.S. populace to look past “manufactured narratives,” arguing that the perceived Iranian threat is an invention of the military-industrial complex and Israeli political interests.
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
To the people of the United States of America, and to all those who, amid a flood of distortions and manufactured narratives, continue to seek the truth and aspire to a better life:
Iran—by this very name, character, and identity—is one of the oldest continuous civilizations in human history. Despite its historical and geographical advantages at various times, Iran has never, in its modern history, chosen the path of aggression, expansion, colonialism, or domination. Even after enduring occupation, invasion, and sustained pressure from global powers—and despite possessing military superiority over many of its neighbors—Iran has never initiated a war. Yet it has resolutely and bravely repelled those who have attacked it.
The Iranian people harbor no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighboring countries. Even in the face of repeated foreign interventions and pressures throughout their proud history, Iranians have consistently drawn a clear distinction between governments and the peoples they govern. This is a deeply rooted principle in Iranian culture and collective consciousness—not a temporary political stance.
For this reason, portraying Iran as a threat is neither consistent with historical reality nor with present-day observable facts. Such a perception is the product of political and economic whims of the powerful— the need to manufacture an enemy in order to justify pressure, maintain military dominance, sustain the arms industry, and control strategic markets. In such an environment, if a threat does not exist, it is invented.
Within this same framework, the United States has concentrated the largest number of its forces, bases, and military capabilities around Iran—a country that, at least since the founding of the United States, has never initiated a war. Recent American aggressions launched from these very bases have demonstrated how threatening such a military presence truly is. Naturally, no country confronted with such conditions would forgo strengthening its defensive capabilities. What Iran has done—and continues to do—is a measured response grounded in legitimate self-defense, and by no means an initiation of war or aggression.
Relations between Iran and the United States were not originally hostile, and early interactions between the Iranian and American people were not marred with hostility or tension. The turning point, however, was the 1953 coup d’état—an illegal American intervention aimed at preventing the nationalization of Iran’s own resources. That coup disrupted Iran’s democratic process, reinstated dictatorship, and sowed deep distrust among Iranians toward U.S. policies. This distrust deepened further with America’s support for the Shah’s regime, its backing of Saddam Hussein during the imposed war of the 1980s, the imposition of the longest and most comprehensive sanctions in modern history, and ultimately, unprovoked military aggression—twice, in the midst of negotiations—against Iran.
Yet all these pressures have failed to weaken Iran. On the contrary, the country has grown stronger in many areas: literacy rates have tripled—from roughly 30% before the Islamic Revolution to over 90% today; higher education has expanded dramatically; significant advances have been achieved in modern technology; healthcare services have improved; and infrastructure has developed at a pace and scale incomparable to the past. These are measurable, observable realities that stand independent of fabricated narratives.
At the same time, the destructive and inhumane impact of sanctions, war, and aggression on the lives of the resilient Iranian people must not be underestimated. The continuation of military aggression and recent bombings profoundly affect people’s lives, attitudes, and perspectives. This reflects a fundamental human truth: when war inflicts irreparable harm on lives, homes, cities, and futures, people will not remain indifferent toward those responsible.
This raises a fundamental question: Exactly which of the American people’s interests are truly being served by this war? Was there any objective threat from Iran to justify such behavior? Does the massacre of innocent children, the destruction of cancer-treatment pharmaceutical facilities, or boasting about bombing a country “back to the stone ages” serve any purpose other than further damaging the United States’ global standing?
Iran pursued negotiations, reached an agreement, and fulfilled all its commitments. The decision to withdraw from that agreement, escalate toward confrontation, and launch two acts of aggression in the midst of negotiations were destructive choices made by the U.S. government—choices that served the delusions of a foreign aggressor.
Attacking Iran’s vital infrastructure—including energy and industrial facilities—directly targets the Iranian people. Beyond constituting a war crime, such actions carry consequences that extend far beyond Iran’s borders. They generate instability, increase human and economic costs, and perpetuate cycles of tension, planting seeds of resentment that will endure for years. This is not a demonstration of strength; it is a sign of strategic bewilderment and an inability to achieve a sustainable solution.
Is it not also the case that America has entered this aggression as a proxy for Israel, influenced and manipulated by that regime? Is it not true that Israel, by manufacturing an Iranian threat, seeks to divert global attention away from its crimes toward the Palestinians? Is it not evident that Israel now aims to fight Iran to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar—shifting the burden of its delusions onto Iran, the region, and the United States itself in pursuit of illegitimate interests?
Is “America First” truly among the priorities of the U.S. government today?
I invite you to look beyond the machinery of misinformation—an integral part of this aggression—and instead speak with those who have visited Iran. Observe the many accomplished Iranian immigrants—educated in Iran—who now teach and conduct research at the world’s most prestigious universities, or contribute to the most advanced technology firms in the West. Do these realities align with the distortions you are being told about Iran and its people?
Today, the world stands at crossroads. Continuing along the path of confrontation is more costly and futile than ever before. The choice between confrontation and engagement is both real and consequential; its outcome will shape the future for generations to come. Throughout its millennia of proud history, Iran has outlasted many aggressors. All that remains of them are tarnished names in history, while Iran endures—resilient, dignified, and proud.
* * *
Air Defenses Activated in Dubai
Stocks were spooked with 90 minutes to go in Wednesday trading, as this morning’s Trumpian optimism melted like a popsicle in July. Not only has fighting intensified throughout the day, the UAE Ministry of Defence officially stated that air defense systems intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 drones launched from Iran.
🇦🇪 فيديو الدفاع الجوي الإماراتي يقول “الهدف تم تدميره” .. ما أقدر أتجاوزه!
يرسل قشعريرة في القلب لما نشوف الفريق يشتغل بكفاءة عالية لحمايتنا. فخورين جداً. 💪
I simply can’t get over this video of UAE air defense saying “Target Destroyed”. It sends chills to my heart seeing our… pic.twitter.com/XgatfMNopp
US, Iran Discussing Ceasefire In Exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormu: Axios
Ahead of Trump’s address tonight at 9pm ET, Axios reports citing three sources that the US and Iran are discussing a potential deal that would involve a ceasefire in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz “The officials did not say whether those discussions had taken place directly or only through mediators, and they cautioned that it was unclear whether a deal could be reached. But the officials said President Trump was discussing the possibility with officials inside and outside the administration.”As a reminder, earlier in the day Trump claimed on Wednesday that Iran had asked the U.S. for a ceasefire, but stressed he would only consider it if the strait was reopened. In response, Iran countered that it had not requested a ceasefire.
🚨Three U.S. officials told me discussions are taking place about a possible ceasefire with Iran in return for the reopening of the Hormuz strait. The officials said it is unclear if a deal can be reached https://t.co/an8vwqcEj6
Iranian Supreme Leader Vows To “Continue Supporting The Resistance Against The Zionist-US Enemy”
Amid speculation that he is dead or badly wounded, moments ago Iran’s new supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on X that he “emphatically declare that the consistent policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following on the path of Imam Khomeini and the martyred Leader, is to continue supporting the Resistance against the Zionist-US enemy.”
* * *
Iran: Not True that Iran Requested a Ceasefire
Iran has again rejected Trump’s narrative, after he hours ago claimed that “Iran’s New Regime President” has just “asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!” Iran’s Foreign Ministry has responded by saying “there is no truth” to “Trump’s statements that Iran requested a ceasefire.” The Iran FM spox statement continues:
“No decision has been made yet. We have many considerations. Our conditions for ending the war are very clear. We do not accept a ceasefire; We seek a complete end.”
As a reminder, President Masoud Pezeshkian has been Iran’s president since July 2024 – and he’s made public appearances in Tehran, even over the last days. There is not a “new regime president”.
Additionally, Trump is now threatening to bomb Iran “back to the stone age” if Hormuz is not reopened, but just yesterday suggested he’s fine with it staying closed and that ultimately others should open it.
Here’s a clue that the new president of Iran has not in fact begged for a CEASEFIRE:
President Trump has issued new words to Reuters on his highly anticipated speech tonight (9pm ET):
The United States will be “out of Iran pretty quickly” and could return for “spot hits” if needed, President Donald Trump tells Reuters, hours before he was scheduled to make a primetime address to the nation.
Trump also says he would state in the speech that he is considering withdrawing the US from the NATO alliance.
There’s expected to be heavy focus on chastising NATO. If this is indeed the Bush-style ‘mission accomplished’ moment, it may be that he’s ready to blame Western allies for the closure of the Hormuz Strait – a problem which didn’t exist before Operation Epic Fury.
Trump: Iran President has Asked for Ceasefire
President Trump on Truth Social has claimed the US has been directly asked for ceasefire; however, he coupled this with the typical threat of bombing Iran “back to the Stone Ages!!!” Here’s what he said (note: Iran does not have a new president):
Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!! President DJT
And yet the Hormuz question lingers, after just yesterday Trump strangely said the vital energy shipping waterway would “automatically open”. Oil prices initially dumped on the Trump message, and quickly rebounded – perhaps based on the latter part of Trump’s statement. A lot would have to happen – for one Washington is likely to require that Tehran giving up charging a some $2 million fee for tankers to make safe passage. Oil unimpressed…
First Gulf Country to Directly Join War?
The small but wealthy country of United Arab Emirates appears to be edging toward open confrontation, with Arab officials saying it is preparing to join the US and allied powers in forcibly reopening the Strait of Hormuz after absorbing Iranian strikes. If so, the move would mark the first time a Persian Gulf state formally enters the conflict as a combatant. Behind the scenes Abu Dhabi is reportedly pushing hard at the UN, lobbying for a Security Council resolution to legitimize military action, while simultaneously urging Washington and its European and Asian partners to assemble a coalition willing to act, according to The Wall Street Journal.
At the same time, the UAE is quietly assessing what it can bring to the fight, from mine-clearing operations to broader logistical and naval support aimed at securing the vital shipping lane. But the ambitions don’t stop there, amid an opportunity to settle old grievances and a territory dispute. Gulf sources say the Emiratis are also floating a far more aggressive idea: that the US should seize key islands in the waterway, including Abu Musa – held by Iran for decades but claimed by the UAE.
However, the fine print is important here…
Headline: The UAE is “ready to join the fight” to open Strait of Hormuz!
In an interview with The Telegraph newspaper, the president described the alliance as “paper tiger” and, when asked if he would reconsider American membership in the bloc, Trump responded: “Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration.”
“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way,” he said, in the remarks published Wednesday. He’s of course angry at refusal of allies to join a military campaign to force back open the Strait of Hormuz.
“Beyond not being there, it was actually hard to believe. And I didn’t do a big sale. I just said, ‘Hey’, you know, I didn’t insist too much. I just think it should be automatic,” he continued. “We’ve been there automatically, including Ukraine. Ukraine wasn’t our problem. It was a test, and we were there for them, and we would always have been there for them. They weren’t there for us.”
And here’s what Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Al Jazeera on Monday: “If NATO is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked but then denying us basing rights when we need them, that’s not a very good arrangement. That’s a hard one to stay engaged in and say this is good for the United States. So all of that is going to have to be reexamined.”
Oil Tanker in Qatari Waters Struck; Kuwait Airport Hit Again
A tanker leased to QatarEnergy was struck by an Iranian cruise missile in Qatari waters on Wednesday, in another escalation spilling directly into critical energy corridors. According to Qatar’s defense ministry, three missiles were launched from Iran, with two intercepted but the third slamming into the Aqua 1 fuel oil tanker. While there were no casualties and damage remained above the waterline, the hit came just 17 nautical miles off Ras Laffan, home to the world’s largest gas facility, as Reuters has detailed. Bloomberg has noted, “Since the start of the war in Iran, UKMTO has reported 16 attacks on vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.”
Elsewhere, Kuwait reported a “large fire” at fuel tanks near its international airport following another Iranian strike. This marks the seventh time of the war that the international travel hub was hit, and the last time it took emergency crews well over two days to put out the fires.
The Pentagon continues moving thousands of Marines, Special Forces, and Airborne troops into the region. This is not enough for a full ground invasion force, but could be preparation for a campaign to cut Iran from its strategic islands, such as oil export hub Kharg Island…
As I said here during this term, whenever Trump builds up forces in a region, it leads to escalation despite whatever conflicting statements he makes. Right now, we’re seeing a buildup for ground ops targeting Iranian islands, and I still believe we’re moving in that direction. https://t.co/lzjb6aKBYk
Meanwhile, diplomacy continues to look like theater. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he has “no faith” in talks with Washington, confirming that while messages have been exchanged – but that “no negotiations are under way.” On the battlefield, Iran’s IRGC claims its latest barrage – spanning more than 100 heavy missiles, attack drones, and roughly 200 smaller rockets – hit targets across Israel and US military positions in the Gulf. Installations in Bahrain and Kuwait have also been hit, the group said, claiming that US helicopter was destroyed. The IRGC has newly vowed to keep attacking with “full intensity and power” – suggesting this is far from over.
Ayatollah Breaks Silence with Message Praising Hezbollah
The new, younger Ayatollah Khamenei – who may have been wounded in the early days of US-Israeli strikes, hasn’t been seen in any public way, not even on TV, throughout the war. There have not so much as been any official recent images of him circulated.
But Mojtaba Khamenei has apparently been issuing some limited written statements, mainly encouraging foreign proxies in their joining the war against US and Israeli forces in the region. State media has indicated he’s not making public appearances given the ongoing relentless bombing campaign and the Islamic Republic’s wartime footing.
The 56-year old Khamenei has on Wednesday praised Hezbollah for joining the war against Israel. Hezbollah has been launching hundreds of rockets on northern and central Israel, amid an emerging ground campaign in southern Lebanon, also as Israel bombs Beirut from the air. In the new words carried by Iranian state media, he praised Hezbollah for its “perseverance, steadfastness and patience” against “the most ruthless enemies of the Islamic world.”
