The unacceptable and shameful war launched by the Americans and Israelis against Iran... is not going well. No matter how much Western propaganda attempts to present black as white, the Americans find themselves on the brink of military and economic disaster. US President Donald Trump stated that the military operation would be over by the end of the week (March 20–22), but questions remain as the Iranians refuse to negotiate, having gained the upper hand in the conflict. Nevertheless, according to NBC, US generals have begun presenting President Trump with scenarios for terminating the war in Iran.
As Iranian military officials and Western media outlets state, the American war in Iran is failing. The US-Israeli coalition may have struck 7,000 targets in Iran, but the retaliation from the Iranians—specifically from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—is staggering. Iran has launched over 4,500 missiles and drones, literally hitting all American bases in the Persian Gulf. Two main aircraft carriers were forced to withdraw from the region due to damage, while parts of Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities like Haifa have been turned into a wasteland.
At the same time, the cost of the operation has skyrocketed to $28 billion in approximately two weeks, and the Americans are looking for a way out. President Trump requested the help of NATO countries, but European nations refused. Infuriated, Trump stated: "Why are we helping the Europeans? I knew they wouldn't help us. Why do we have 44,000 troops in Europe? I will go to Congress and say they aren't helping us... why help them? The NATO alliance doesn't exist. We don't need them; the US is powerful. They need us." Simultaneously, Iranian officials state they are not seeking negotiations—claims of dialogue are fake news—the Americans are simply being destroyed in the Persian Gulf.
NBC: US military presented Trump with scenarios to end the war with Iran
The US military has presented President Trump with options to terminate the conflict with Iran, provided the American leader desires it, NBC reports, citing informed sources. "Military officials have included options in standard war plans to end the conflict in Iran, in case President Trump decides to do so," NBC notes. According to sources, military planning includes options for both containing the conflict and escalating it should the White House attempt to increase pressure. However, sources did not reveal the details of the options proposed to Trump. According to NBC, those among the presidential advisors supporting an end to the conflict are concerned about the global economic instability caused by the war.
Trump attempts to justify the attack on Iran: "We prevented World War III"
The US attack on Iran prevented World War III, stated President Trump, justifying the outbreak of hostilities. According to Trump, if the US had not attacked, the Islamic Republic would have acquired nuclear weapons to use against Israel and the entire Middle East. However, the US managed to destroy Iran's nuclear potential "to the point of dust," Trump noted. "If we hadn't done this, we would have had a nuclear war that would have escalated into World War III. Most importantly, it would be a war that left nothing behind," Trump emphasized. Earlier, the President announced that the conflict would end soon, possibly as early as this week, March 20–22, 2026.
Terrified Finnish President Alexander Stubb: Do not underestimate Trump’s angry stance on NATO
Finnish President Alexander Stubb urged NATO members to heed the words of the American President following his statements on the future of the Alliance, Bloomberg reports. He believes that countries with the capability to assist the US with the situation in the Strait of Hormuz should do so. Stubb also reminded that NATO is a defensive block and emphasized that the Alliance does not conduct military operations.
Douglas McGregor (US Colonel): Let’s face it, the US is on the brink of disaster in Iran
Former Pentagon advisor Colonel Douglas McGregor pointed out that the United States is on the brink of disaster due to the ongoing operation in Iran. He stated that this applies to both military and economic aspects. In fact, he warned that the US only stands to lose from this operation.
Iran: We deny secret contacts with the US to end the conflict
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismisses claims of repeated contact with the American side as false. Araghchi wrote in a message on X: "My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was before his employer decided to abolish diplomacy and launch another illegal military attack on Iran." He stressed that any other claim is intended solely to mislead oil buyers and international public opinion.
Iranian missiles rain down on Israel and US bases in the Persian Gulf – Chaos in Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion
The IRGC launched a barrage of ballistic missiles against Israeli and American targets in Israel and the Persian Gulf region in retaliation. The IRGC announced the start of the 55th wave of missile attacks during "Operation True Promise 4." According to the announcement, targets in the heart of Israel, including Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion, as well as aerospace weapon production and aerial refueling centers, have been targeted with precision, hypersonic Fattah missiles, and Qadr and Emad missiles, along with suicide drones. The IRGC noted it hit US military centers at Al Dhafra, Jufair, and Sheikh Issa air bases with Fateh, Zolfaqar, and Dezful precision missiles.
"Not our war" – Europeans reject Trump's request to send navies to the Strait of Hormuz
President Trump called on several countries to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help protect it. "I hope China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others affected by this artificial restriction will send ships so the Strait of Hormuz is no longer a threat," Trump stated, assuring that the US would meanwhile "bomb the Iranian coastline relentlessly." Trump also said it would be "very bad" for the future of NATO if allies did not respond. "We weren't obligated to help them with Ukraine... but we did. Now we'll see if they help us."
However, no country has supported Trump's request. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius rejected the demand, stating: "This is not our war and we didn't start it. We want diplomatic solutions, but increasing warships is unlikely to help." He reminded that Germany’s responsibility lies with the Eastern Flank and the Atlantic. A German spokesperson added the conflict has nothing to do with NATO. The British Prime Minister also refused to send warships, though the UK may consider mine-detection drones. France stated the Charles de Gaulle carrier would remain in the Mediterranean for defensive missions, while Japan emphasized diplomatic efforts.
Abolfazl Shekarchi (Iran General Staff): Mountains of ash await the Americans
Middle Eastern oil and gas facilities will turn into "mountains of ash" if the US strikes Kharg Island, stated Iranian General Staff spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi. According to Axios, the US is considering seizing the island, which handles 90% of Iran's oil exports, to strike the country economically. "If the US attacks, all oil facilities in the countries from which the attack was launched will immediately turn to mountains of ash," Shekarchi warned. The operation is now entering its third week.
UKMTO: Ship hit by projectile 23 miles off Fujairah in the UAE
A shell hit a ship 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah, the British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. "The tanker reported being hit by an unknown projectile," the statement said. The shell caused minor damage, and the crew was not injured.
The Telegraph: Mojtaba Khamenei escaped death before Feb 28 attack
Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, escaped death in a February 28 airstrike by leaving a building just before it was bombed, The Telegraph reports. He sustained only a minor leg injury. The Telegraph possesses an audio message from the Chief of Protocol to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the same attack. The assassination of Ali Khamenei has reportedly united the people of Iran rather than causing division.
Another US refueling aircraft hit in Iraqi skies
A US refueling aircraft faced a new incident in Iraqi airspace and made an emergency landing in Tel Aviv. According to the Tasnim news agency, Iraqi sources announced the plane suffered an accident while flying over Iraq.
TWZ: Russian-made Varshavyanka-class submarine sunk in Iran by ATACMS missile
A Russian-made Varshavyanka-class (NATO: Kilo-class) submarine was sunk after a US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) strike hit the Bandar Abbas naval base, TWZ reports. The head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff announced the destruction of the vessel. The Tareq-class (modernized Varshavyanka) was the most advanced type of Iranian submarine, capable of carrying 18 torpedoes.
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