For now, links to FIFTEEN-plus commentaries, news reports, analyses, interviews, and summaries (20 or more): from Informed Comment, the Associated Press, Truthout, Reuters, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, and the Cradle; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 4-5-26 and this date’s LEBANON and SYRIA so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

How Trump’s vulgar, criminal Easter threat enriches Iran, by Juan Cole | Informed Comment  ANN ARBOR — On Easter Sunday, God’s chosen in the White House issued a vulgar and unbalanced posting on his “Truth Social” that epitomizes the insanity of his Iran War. Attending to it closely will help us understand . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel hits Iran’s South Pars petrochemical plant as mediators float new ceasefire proposal, by Jon Gambrell, David Rising and Samy Magdy | AP DUBAI — Israel struck a key petrochemical plant at Iran’s massive South Pars natural gas field and killed two paramilitary Revolutionary Guard commanders today. Israel said the attack on the gas field was aimed at . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others; and HERE for AP’s “live updates on the Iran war.”

–   –   –

Airstrikes on Iran kill more than 25 as new ceasefire proposal is shared, by Jon Gambrell, David Rising and Samy Magdy | AP  DUBAI — Israel and the United States carried out a wave of attacks on Iran today, killing more than 25 people, and Iran responded with missile fire on Israel and its Gulf Arab neighbors. U.S. President Donald Trump’s deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz loomed as mediators circulated a new ceasefire proposal. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  U.S. war machine is built on decades of lies. The assault on Iran is no exception, by Scott Kurashige | Truthout  With all evidence pointing toward U.S. responsibility for the Feb. 28 bombing of Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school, President Trump claimed that the attack “was done by Iran.” In spreading this blatant misinformation, Trump was continuing a White House tradition. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  Surging gas prices & oil wars of U.S.-Israel, Iran, Kuwait, by Juan Cole | Informed Comment  ANN ARBOR — On Saturday morning the U.S. and/or Israel attacked the Khuzestan Petrochemical Special Economic Zone at Mahshahr and several other petrochemical sites around Ahvaz, a city of 1.3 million (think Dallas, Texas). READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Four killed in Israel’s Haifa after Iranian missile strike. From Reuters. Four people were killed in the Israeli port city of Haifa after what Israeli media said was an Iranian missile strike that hit a residential building late on Sunday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., on Trump’s $1.5T military budget request. Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia about President Trump’s budget request that includes $1.5 trillion for the military. Click HERE to listen and, later, read; and HERE for all five Iran war-related reports on NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5   Trump issues fiery new threat against Iran as details of U.S. aviator’s rescue emerge, by Mattew Lee, Bassem Mroue. Konstantin Toropin and Samy Magdy | AP  TEHRAN — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday made expletive-filled threats against Iran and its infrastructure if it doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz by his Tuesday deadline, after American forces rescued a wounded aviatorwhose Iran-downed plane fell behind enemy lines. A defiant Iran . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters., and Middle East Eye.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  U.S. was arming Iranian dissidents through Kurds while negotiating with Tehran, Trump reveals, by Elis Gjevori | Middle East Eye  Donald Trump spent Easter Sunday making a series of explosive admissions about the Iran war – revealing that the United States covertly armed protesters inside the country weeks before launching military strikes, even as American negotiators were sitting across the table from senior Iranian officials in Europe. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  Iran claims destruction of U.S. aircraft following reported recovery of second F-15 airman. From the Cradle. Iran announced on Sunday the destruction of multiple U.S. aircraft, including two military helicopters and two C-130 transport planes carrying U.S. special forces seeking to rescue a downed U.S. fighter pilot. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Iran claims retaliatory strikes on key Gulf energy sites, warns U.S. of ‘more destructive phase.’ From the Cradle. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for several strikes targeting U.S.-linked energy and petrochemical sites in the Gulf, following U.S.-Israeli attacks on major Iranian infrastructure. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  Legal expert discusses an open letter that says the Iran war violates the U.N. charter. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR asks Stanford Program in International and Comparative Law’s Allen Weiner about international law and an open letter calling the war with Iran a violation of the U.N. charter. Click HERE to listen and read; and HERE and HERE for all five Iran war-related reports from NPR’s “Weekend Edition Sunday” and “All Things Considered” Sunday evening.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 4  Drone strike on U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia was Israeli ‘false flag’: IRGC. From the Cradle. Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps rejected on 4 April accusations that it carried out an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia during the early days of the war, saying that it was a false flag operation carried out by Israel. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

For now, links to FIVE news reports and analyses: from Middle East Eye, a Substack account writer via ScheerPost, National Public Radio and the Cradle, and from Waging Nonviolence via ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for LEBANON 4-2-26, and up or down for this date’s IRAN and SYRIA so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  Israeli strikes rain down on Lebanon as country celebrates Easter Sunday. From Middle East Eye. Lebanon experienced one of its heaviest nights of bombardment since Israel resumed its attacks in March. Media outlets reported strikes in Beirut. Artillery shelling was also reported in southern Lebanon, with the most recent assault recorded in Tebnine, in Tyre. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for four photos.

–   –   –

British intel’s secret Lebanese panopticon, by Kit Klarenberg | Substack / ScheerPost  A “real-time situational awareness platform” is framed by the British intelligence contractor Siren Associates as an indispensable resource helping journalists, “humanitarian” workers, local businesses and concerned citizens stay safe as Israel’s genocidal invasion intensifies. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  In Lebanon, more than 50 medics have been killed by Israel. Some say they’re targeted. Reported by Lauren Frayer, Jawad Rizkallah and Claire Harbage | NPR  BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government says at least 54 health workers are among more than 1,400 people killed by Israel during the current invasion. Some human rights groups say first responders are being targeted — something Israel denies. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  Israel considering ‘unprecedented’ partnership with Syria against Hezbollah: report. From the Cradle. The Syrian Army, led by former ISIS commander Ahmad al-Sharaa, may become a “partner” with Israel to fight Hezbollah in Lebanon, now that the Israeli army has failed to accomplish its goal of occupying all of south Lebanon on its own, Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Saturday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  Mutual aid is a lifeline for the million people displaced by war in Lebanon, by Mehk Chakraborty | Waging Nonviolence / ScheerPost  Food, clothing and shelter provided by mutual aid efforts in Lebanon are vital as Israel’s escalating war triggers a growing humanitarian crisis. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

For now, links to reports from the Cradle, and from the Grayzone via ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names as highlighted. (Scroll down for SYRIA 2-23-26.  Scroll up for this date’s IRAN and LEBANON so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 5  Israel considering ‘unprecedented’ partnership with Syria against Hezbollah: report. From the Cradle. The Syrian Army, led by former ISIS commander Ahmad al-Sharaa, may become a “partner” with Israel to fight Hezbollah in Lebanon, now that the Israeli army has failed to accomplish its goal of occupying all of south Lebanon on its own, Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Saturday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 4  Syria’s MI6-backed president bows to King Charles, by Kit Klarenberg | The Grayzone / ScheerPost  When Syria’s “interim” leader Ahmed al-Sharaa touched down in London on March 31, he was given a much warmer welcome than many once thought possible. Here was the longtime former leader of Syria’s Al-Qaeda branch, proudly posing for photo ops with . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

For now, links to a report from the Associated Press and an interview from Consortium News; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for Iran 4-4-26.) — MCM

–   –   –

U.S. rescues aviator whose fighter jet was shot down in Iran, by Matthew Lee, Konstantin Toropin, Sam Metz and Samy Magdy | AP  WASHINGTON — The United States said today it rescued a service member missing behind enemy lines since Iran downed a fighter jet, as President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Tehran with a new looming deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

* Among the news organizations with frequent war updates, photos and occasionally maps are Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, and Middle East Monitor: HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. AP and El País reports in Spanish are HERE and HERE. *

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 4  The World This Week — w/ Scott Ritter: ‘Back to the Stone Age.’ Joe Lauria of Consortium News talks with author Scott Ritter, former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer and former UN Special Commission weapons inspector, about the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Russia as a beneficiary and a potential actor in ending it, the Ukraine war, NATO and the UE, Donald Trump in “panic” mode, Joe Biden, the possible use of atomic weapons, Pete Hegseth and recent Pentagon firings, the F-15 pilot rescue mission, and other related topics. Click HERE for video of conversation.

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

Links to TWENTY-plus reports, analyses, commentaries, interviews, and summaries (27 or so): from Reuters, the Associated Press, Middle East Monitor, Indian Punchline, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, National Public Radio, Consortium News, and thefactsaboutiran.com; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 3-3-26.) — MCM

* Among the news organizations with frequent war updates, photos and occasionally maps are Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, and Middle East Monitor: HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. AP and El País reports in Spanish are HERE and HERE. *

–   –   –

Iran approves humanitarian passage through Strait of Hormuz: report. From Middle East Monitor. Iran today approved the passage of ships carrying humanitarian and essential goods through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a letter by the Agriculture Ministry’s trade development office, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported. READ MORE . . .

–   –   – 

There is no military solution to Strait of Hormuz, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  A military confrontation with Iran  is not even in the wildest dreams of anyone in Europe. The U.S. didn’t even attend the London meet. The statement issued after the event does not contemplate coercive measures, leave alone military solution. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for an April 3 commentary by Bhadrakumar.

–   –   –

Iran announces new air defence used to down U.S. fighter jet. From Middle East Eye. Iran has unveiled a new air defence system which it said was used in the downing of a U.S. fighter jet on Friday. A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command said Tehran would achieve full control over its airspace. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Iran forces 1,500 U.S sailors out of key Bahrain base with sustained missile, drone strikes: NPR. From the Cradle. One thousand five hundred sailors were evacuated back to the U.S. from their naval base in Bahrain after it was attacked by Iranian missiles and drones early in the war, National Public Radio reported today. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for that NPR report. 

   –   –

ADVISORY  Watch: The World This Week — w/ Scott Ritter, at 8 p.m.: ‘Back to the Stone Age.’ Joe Lauria of Consortium News talks with author Scott Ritter, former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer and former UN Special Commission weapons inspector, about “Donald Trump’s escalating Stone Age War, Emmanuel Macron telling Trump to shut up, and F15 Down” — and other Iran war-related topics. Click HERE at or shortly after 8 p.m. EDT to livestream talk, or for subsequent video.

–   –   –

How does Trump intend to bring the war with Iran to an end? Reported by Greg Myre and Scott Simon | NPR  Two U.S. planes went down in the war in Iran on Friday, even as President Trump said the conflict will end soon. Click HERE to listen and, later read; and HERE and HERE for links to all nine Iran war-related reports on NPR‘s “Weekend Edition Saturday” and “All Things Considered” for Friday, April 3.

FROM APRIL 3  Two U.S. aircraft shot down as war in Iran escalates. At least 1 crew member is missing, by Sam Mednick,Konstantin Toropin and Seung Min Kim | AP   WASHINGTON — Iran shot down two U.S. military planes in separate attacks Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing — the first time U.S. aircraft have been downed in the conflict. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE and HERE for reports from NPR and Reuters.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 3  Iran says it rejects Trump offer of 48-hour ceasefire: report. From Middle East Eye. Iran said it has rejected the U.S. proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire between both sides, the Fars News Agency said on Friday, citing an unnamed official source. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 3  Triple veto blocks Arab push to reopen Strait of Hormuz by force. From Middle East Monitor. Russia, China and France have blocked a broad Arab initiative aimed at securing international backing for military action against Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the New York Times reported. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 3  Top EU energy official warns of ‘long-term’ crisis amid Hormuz disruption: report. From the Cradle. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said the bloc is assessing fuel rationing and the release of additional oil from strategic reserves as it prepares for a “long-lasting” energy shock caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and the resulting shipping disruptions across West Asia, he told the Financial Times on Friday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 3  Israel hit by missile attacks from 3 fronts, heavy damage in Petah Tikva near Tel Aviv. From Middle East Monitor. Sirens sounded on Thursday evening in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, as well as the Dead Sea region, after three waves of missile launches from Iran and Yemen within less than two hours. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 3  Iran’s unseen commandos, by Peiman Salehi | The Cradle  For years, when Iran’s military capabilities surface in international media, the conversation collapses into a single name: the Quds Force. But the Islamic Republic’s system was never built around a single elite formation. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 2  Watch: CN Live! ‘Escalating madness.’ Joe Lauria of Consortium News and author Scott Horton of the Scott Horton Show consider in some detail a host of political, military, historical, and other aspects of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which, among other things, did not start on Feb. 28 of this year. Click HERE for their conversation, a print intro by Lauria, and two comments.

–   –   –

The Facts About Iran. A course from the Scott Horton Academy of Foreign Policy and Freedom. From the intro: “For years, and especially now, the U.S. government, the Israeli government and their media sock puppets have saturated the landscape with endless lies meant to demonize Iran and justify aggressive war against them.” Click HERE for more information.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 3  These are Iran’s key islands in the Gulf, by Rayhan Uddin | Middle East Eye  While most of its roughly 400 islands are small and uninhabited, several of them are large and strategically important. READ MORE . . .

.

For now, links to EIGHT-plus (about 16) reports, analyses, interviews, commentaries, and summaries: from the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, National Public Radio, the Cradle, Anadolu Ajansi, and Reuters; others or at least are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 4-2-26.) — MCM

–   –   –

NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . .

For now, links to three reports: from National Public Radio and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for LEBANON 3-31-26 and today’s IRAN so far.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israel invades southern Lebanon to go after Iran-allied Hezbollah militants. Reported by Lauren Frayer | NPR  Israel has invaded Lebanon in pursuit of Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. Israel has said it will push up to the Litani River. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Beirut is bursting as over 1 million people flee Israeli strikes and evacuation orders, by Isabel Debre | AP  BEIRUT — It’s been a month since Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel after the U.S.-Israeli attack on its patron, Iran, triggering Israeli bombardment of Lebanon and a ground invasion. Since then, more than 1 million people from southern and eastern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs have fled. Many have crammed into the ever-tighter spaces of the country’s capital.  where the bombs have not yet fallen. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Former minister of public health talks about Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with Dr. Firass Abiad, Lebanon’s former Minister of Public Health, about Israel’s invasion of his country. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . . .

For now, links to TWELVE-plus reports, commentaries, analyses, interviews, and summaries (around 15): from the Associated Press, Middle East Monitor, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, the Cradle;, Substack, and ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 4-1-26.  Scroll up for today’s LEBANON so far.) — MCM

–  –   –

.

* Among the news organizations with frequent war updates, photos and occasionally maps are Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, and Middle East Monitor: HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. AP and El País reports in Spanish are HERE and HERE. *

–   –   –

Iran fires missiles at Israel and Gulf neighbors as Trump talks of winding down war, by Jon Gambrell, David Rising and Will Weissert | AP  DUBAI — Iran fired more missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states today, demonstrating Tehran’s continued ability to attack even as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the threat from the country was nearly eliminated and predicted the war would end soon. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.  Click HERE and HERE for two reports from Middle East Monitor.

NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . . .

Links to TEN-plus reports (16 or so): from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 3-31-26 and GAZA.) — MCM

–  –   –

.

* Among the news organizations with frequent war updates, photos and occasionally maps are Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, and Middle East Monitor: HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. AP and El País reports in Spanish are HERE and HERE. *

–   –   –

NEWER  U.S. to leave Iran ‘pretty quickly’ and return if needed, Trump tells Reuters. From Reuters. WASHINGTON — The United States will be “out of Iran pretty quickly” and could return for “spot hits” if needed, US President Donald Trump told Reuters today, hours before he was scheduled to make a prime-time address to the nation at 9 p.m. EDT. In the war’s fifth week he is under pressure for an off-ramp amid rising petrol prices. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

NEWER  Trump warns Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face destruction, by Jon Gambrell and David Rising | AP  DUBAI — Iran kept up its attacks on Persian Gulf neighbors today as airstrikes pounded Tehran, while U.S. President Donald Trump again made contradictory statements about whether he was ready to wind down the war or escalate it. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

Iran hits Kuwait airport and a tanker off Qatar while strikes batter Tehran ahead of Trump speech, by Jon Gambrell and David Rising | AP  DUBAI — Iran hit an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar and Kuwait’s airport on Wednesday while airstrikes battered Tehran — an unrelenting tempo hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was nearly ready to wind down the war. He is scheduled to address the nation later in the day. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.  Click HERE for report from NPR.

–   –   –

Former special envoy on Trump’s comments that Iran war could be over in weeks. Reported by Michel Martin of NPR talks with Robert Malley, former special envoy to Iran in the Biden administration, about President Trump’s comments that the U.S. could end the Iran conflict in a matter of weeks. Click HERE to listen and, later, read; and HERE for all four Iran war-related reports from NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 31  NATO fissure erupts over Iran as allies brush off U.S., by Sean Mathews | Middle East Eye  The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is driving a fissure between Washington and its NATO allies, as U.S. requests for overflight permission, basing, and air defence systems are brushed off, while the Trump administration casts doubt on its commitment to NATO’s mutual defence clause. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 31  Israel says it will not join any U.S. ground operation in Iran. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli forces will not take part in any U.S. ground operation in Iran, according to Israeli media reports, as Washington weighs whether to widen its role in the war. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 31  Iran remains a stubborn foe after absorbing massive U.S.-Israeli attacks, by Isabel Debre and Konstantim Toropin | AP  BEIRUT — Since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on Feb. 28, the Trump administration claims to have all but “obliterated” the Islamic Republic’s military capabilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared last week that “never in recorded history has . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 31  Trump lashes out at allies, says securing the Strait of Hormuz is ‘not for us,’ by Jon Gambrell, Mike Corder and Darlene Superville | AP  DUBAI — President Donald Trump lashed out Tuesday at allies who have been unwilling to do more to support the U.S. war effort against Iran, telling them to “go get your own oil” and saying it was not America’s job to secure the Strait of Hormuz. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.  Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 31  A foreign policy adviser to Netanyahu talks about Israel’s stance on war with Iran. Reported by Juana Summers, Patrick Jarenwattananon and Lauren Hodges | NPR  Summers speaks with Ophir Falk, foreign policy adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, about his country’s stance on war with Iran and Hezbollah. Click HERE to listen and read; and HERE for links to all four Iran war-related reports on NPR’s “All Things Considered” Tuesday evening.

.

NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . . .

Links to two commentaries from Z Network; others are accessible by clicking on their names as highlighted. (Scroll down for GAZA 3-12-26.  Scroll up for IRAN.) — MCM

–   –   –   

FROM MARCH 29  Will the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran open the road to Palestinian freedom? by Ramzy Baroud | Z Network  Some are expressing frustration that Iran’s conditions to end the war have not explicitly and unequivocally included a demand to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and dismantle the apartheid regime. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 27  The silence of Arab states, by Ramzy Baroud | Z Network / Consortium News  Some Arab governments are client regimes in the classical sense. Others are so dependent on American protection, validation, or military partnership that calling them “partners” barely conceals the hierarchy embedded in the relationship. READ MORE . . .

.