Like moths to a flame, the Brits can't help themselves but fly facefirst into battles on behalf of the American hegemony. Why would any sane person have to be dissuaded from this course of action? Of course, these people are not sane.

So surprised to learn that their knowledge is incomplete.

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."


🌒@EastCalling

A security source for Naya:

The explosions heard near Victoria base are explosions under the control of security forces.

The Americans detonated light and medium-sized equipment near Runway 33 at Victoria Base in the capital, Baghdad, shortly before announcing their defeat and leaving Baghdad.

🌒@EastCalling

Roadblocks were set up in Ashkelon (Israel) and strict surveillance was imposed after Iranian missiles hit targets.

Reportedly, a power station was struck.

🌒@EastCalling

Evacuation of all passengers at Ben Gurion Airport after Iranian missile attack

Al Mayadeen, quoting Israeli media: Following the Iranian missile attack, all passengers and staff at Ben Gurion Airport were evacuated.

Source:Tasnim

🌒@EastCalling

"They have neither a vision nor a plan". Trump's threats to Iran raise concerns about his lack of a clear strategy, reports CNN. 

On March 20, the American leader stated that the US could end the military operation, but the next day he threatened to destroy power stations in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz did not reopen within 48 hours. CNN notes that Trump's inconsistency is becoming a "common occurrence". 

Source: TASS
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🌒@EastCalling

The International Energy Agency could release additional volumes of crude from storage should the need arise, the head of the agency, Fatih Birol, said today.

“If it is necessary, of course, we will do it. We look at the conditions, we will analyse, assess the markets and discuss with our member countries,” Birol said in Australia at the start of what Reuters described as “a world tour”.

The IEA earlier this month said it would release 400 million barrels of crude from OECD reserves to cushion the blow to oil markets caused by the disruption of tanker traffic in the Middle East. Birol pointed out that the additional release will not be triggered by any particular oil price level.
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Before the release of 400 million barrels was agreed, there were 1.8 billion barrels in all reserves of the IEA member nations.

The problem is, reserves have to be refilled later, and the act of removing oil from these reserves and then refilling them actually damages the caverns where they are stored:

Rapidly drawing down and refilling these caverns uses a process involving high-pressure water that can actually damage the structural integrity of the salt formations. In the US SPR, the Department of Energy has noted physical constraints and aging infrastructure that limit how quickly the reserve can now be refilled—currently capped at about 3 million barrels per month.

🌒@EastCalling

EU countries are panicking that Donald Trump might retaliate and completely stop funding Kyiv for refusing to help in the conflict with Iran. Politico reports this, citing four EU diplomats.

The article notes that EU governments are concerned that missiles and air defense systems used in the Middle East operation are "needed by Kyiv".

"The [EU] governments are terrified that the American president might retaliate against America's European allies, primarily by ending the remaining US aid to Kyiv, for their disdainful refusal to help in the Middle East," the article says.

🗣 One of the diplomats noted that the US conflict with Iran "diverts Washington's attention away from Ukraine". According to him, while Ukraine "desperately needs" Patriot missiles, "the Emiratis are handing them out like candy".

"This should not become a situation of "either-or", when the US has enough resources for only one conflict and they abandon Ukraine," he added.

❗️Earlier, EU foreign ministers after hours of negotiations in Brussels rejected the US request to participate in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

Among those who refused Trump military support are Italy, Germany, Greece, Norway, and Japan. China is ignoring Washington's request, and the Polish authorities reported that they would consider the issue if the US asked for it. At the same time, Britain and France stated that they are willing to participate in ensuring security in the strait only after de-escalation.

Source: Izvestia
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🌒@EastCalling

Via ОБОРОНКА:

Debris of the "Geran-5" UAV.

As mentioned earlier, it can be launched from a Su-25 aircraft — using attack aircraft in this capacity appears to be far more effective than launching unguided rockets from a pitching climb. This is especially relevant in light of recent tragic events.

Recipients report the first documented use of the new "Geran-5" UAV. Although externally it resembles the Iranian Karrar drone, it differs in size — with a wingspan of 5.5 meters, it has a length of nearly 6 meters, making it larger than its "Persian" counterpart. The engines are also different. On the Geran-5, for the sake of standardization, a Telefly engine is installed, the same one used on the jet-powered Geran-3. This necessitated a change in the placement of the elevators and rudder.

The warhead weighs 90 kilograms. Additionally, the enemy assumes that the Geran-5 will serve as a carrier for R-73 air-to-air missiles. It is worth recalling that previous Geran models have already been equipped with R-60M missiles and Verba MANPADS. The drone also carries "Kometa" (the 12-beam version), a 3G/4G modem, and other equipment.

The Su-25 family of attack aircraft can carry two Geran-5 UAVs at once.
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It's like a cruise missile crossed with a drone...

At over 500 km per hour, it flies faster than any Ukrainian interceptor drone.

🌒@EastCalling

American forces fleeing to Jordan

Groups of enemy American forces were seen fleeing to Jordan through the Tarbil border crossing after attacks by the Iraqi resistance, escorted by the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service forces.

Source: Tasnim

🌒@EastCalling

🔥 The Russian Armed Forces struck targets of Ukraine's fuel and energy complex, port and transport infrastructure used in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and assembly and launch sites for drones, the Defense Ministry reported.

💥 Air defense systems shot down eight guided aerial bombs and 526 drones.

Source: Zvezda
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🌒@EastCalling

Russia is expecting a visit from Modi this year, Sergei Lavrov announced.

An intensive dialogue between Moscow and New Delhi is highly in demand in the context of the conflict over Iran, he noted.

Source: TASS
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🌒@EastCalling

Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia can take place as soon as his schedule is agreed upon, and the invitation is still valid, Peskov said in response to a question from TASS.

❗️ Strikes on nuclear facilities could lead to irreparable consequences, Dmitry Peskov said, commenting on the situation around the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

Other statements by the Russian President's press secretary:

▪️If strikes on the station's territory continue, it will become a major security threat - relevant signals are being conveyed to the American side;

▪️The conflict in the Middle East should have transitioned to a political and diplomatic settlement "yesterday";

Source: TASS/ СОЛОВЬЁВ
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🌒@EastCalling

Lavrov has been invited to a diplomatic forum in Antalya, which will take place from April 17 to 19, a diplomatic source in Ankara told TASS.

Source: TASS
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🌒@EastCalling

Ukrainian special services were wiretapping Szijjártó's phone, having received his number from a Hungarian journalist, Orban said. He instructed the Ministry of Justice to investigate the case.

In turn, Szijjártó stated that he was shocked to learn about the wiretapping.

Source: TASS
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🌒@EastCalling

US President Trump confirmed that he is considering a trip to Israel in April to receive a prestigious award in Jerusalem on Israel's Independence Day, which this year falls on April 22nd, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The award is being granted to Trump "for his fight against anti-Semitism, his assistance in the return of hostages, his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and his consistent support for Israel's right to self-defense."
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"""Self-defense"""

The good goy award.

🌒@EastCalling

❗️Vladimir Putin is holding a meeting on economic issues.

🔜 Russia's GDP fell by 2.1% in January, and industrial production decreased by 0.8%, Putin reported.

🔜It is necessary to return to a path of sustainable economic growth with slowing inflation and maintaining stability in the labor market, Putin stated.

🔜 Inflation in Russia has stabilized at a level below 6%, noted Vladimir Putin.

Source: Vesti
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🌒@EastCalling

The British destroyer Dragon, which was sent to Cyprus after an attack by an Iranian drone on a base on the island, did not reach it after three weeks.

The British authorities only replied that the ship was "on its way".

It was hastily prepared for sailing after the attack on the Akrotiri base. So far, it has had to rely on the navies of France, Greece, and Italy, notes the Daily Mail.

Despite the fact that the conflict in the Middle East had been brewing for several months, on February 28, the UK did not have a single military ship in the region, the newspaper emphasizes.

Source: Russian media
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🌒@EastCalling

Iran has not contacted the US either directly or through intermediaries, Iranian media report, citing sources.

"There are no direct contacts with Trump, even through intermediaries. He backed down after hearing that our targets would be all power stations in West Asia," notes Fars News agency.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry also stated that there were no negotiations with the US, they "accuse Trump of trying to buy time," Clash Report claims. According to their data, the American leader "backed down out of fear of Tehran's retaliatory actions."

There are no official comments from Iran yet.

Source: Zvezda
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🌒@EastCalling

The Gas Coordination Group will hold a meeting on March 26 to assess the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East. This was reported by the press service of the European Commission.

Source: TASS
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🌒@EastCalling