Global Conflict Reporting

Tag: geopolitics

  • Ukraine’s new Magura V7 surface drone shoots down two Russian jets over the Black Sea.

    By. Scott Jackson

    05/05/2025

    Using American supplied AIM-9 sidewinder air-to-air missiles, Ukrainian forces have shot down two Russian fighter jets sent to intercept the drones as they patrolled the Black Sea.

    First image released of Ukrainian Magura V7 Surface Drone.

    On May 2nd, early reports said that a Ukrainian Magura V5 drone had shot down a Russian SU-30 Flanker over the Black Sea however statements from LT. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence Directorate (HUR), as well as president Zelenskyy show that it was in face the largest Magura V7. The V7 is a brand new version not seen before by the public. It is very similar to the former versions that were used to ram Russian ships while packed with explosion. Essentially from how it was explained the V7 is the air defense version of the Magura line of drones.

    While it was initially reported that the V7 carried out the task of shooting down the Russian flankers with a modified R-73 (AA-11 Archer) we now know that American AIM-9 has been installed on ukra ian drones since around January according to a statement made by Budanov.

    “We use a couple of models [of missiles] on our Magura-7, but the best results [come from] the AIM-9,” he noted

    Video shows the shoot down of one Russian SU-30 Flanker over the Black Sea.

    Ukraine has made the Russian air superiority over the Black Sea come come into question as more than these two fighter jets have been downed. Last year Ukraine used an R-73 fired from a USV to down an Mi-8 Hip.

    The AIM 9M sidewinder is similar to the R-73 previously used with some added capabilities. The Sidewinder has defense against infrared countermeasures , and a reduced-smoke rocket motor making it harder to spot and defend against. Usually used as a close range weapon on fighter jets it’s find new uses in the war in Ukraine.

    The U.S. as well as other allies have sent Ukraine an undisclosed amount of AIM-9M sidewinders that are used in several systems, including a SAM system that uses Sidewinders as well as Ukrainian F-16s. 

    Thank you for reading. I hope you get as much out of what I’m doing here as I get out of making these reports. If so I would invite you to join my Patreon. Doing that would help me more than I can describe. I’ve kept it as cheap as possible to become a member. It’s only a $1.00. However a dollar from even half of my Facebook followers would be a life changing amount of money for me and for this page.

    Thank you for all the support over the years and as we continue to grow and evolve.  

    -Scott

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  • United States and Ukraine to sign a mineral deal today

    United States and Ukraine to sign a mineral deal today

    By. Scott Jackson

    04/20/2025

    Today after many weeks and several false starts the U.S. and Ukraine have signed a mineral deal giving the US access to Ukraines large swath of natural resources as well as acting as an implied security guarantee for Ukraine. While the U.S. has provided support through the course of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were times when that support was seen as lacking or even pulled completely this deal should see the U.S. as having a stake in the future of Ukraine. This comes as US president Donald Trump attempts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

    A map showing the vast mineral deposits in Ukraine.

    “this partnership allows the United States to invest alongside Ukraine, to unlock Ukraine’s growth assets, mobilize American talent, capital and governance standards that will improve Ukraine’s investment climate and accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery.”

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

    From Ukraine

    “Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country.”

    Ukraine’s Economic Minister Yulia Svyrydenko

    This deal gives the US some stake in Ukraine’s future which will likely translate into other trades and deals down the road.

    While this deal doesn’t stop the way it does cause a problem for Russia, as does anything that strengthens the ties between US and Ukraine.

    This deal was announced earlier this year but was put on hold after a blow up in the Oval Office the two presidents, Donald Trump and Ukraine President Zelenskyy, got into an argument over the war essentially boiled down to Ukraine wanted a security guarantee and the U.S. didn’t want to commit under those terms. There is more but it’s been talked about enough elsewhere.

    This is a developing story and will be updated later. 

    Thank you all for reading. Your continued support paramount to the success of this page. This all might be wrote by me but I consider it my gift to all of you. If you would like to further support independent reporting you can sign up for my $1.00 Patreon page where I will be adding podcast and e books in the future. A single donation button is also included through the buy me a coffee link. Both are appreciated. 

    I have many goals for the future of GCR and through the support and donations I have received we have already managed to build a website as well as purchase improved tools that make my job a little easier. 

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  • Massive explosion destroyed a large portion of Iranian port.

    Massive explosion destroyed a large portion of Iranian port.

    By. Scott Jackson

    April 26th, 2025

    Five were killed and a staggering 700 injured in an explosion at the port in Bandar Abbas in southwest Iran. Video was taken of the fire directly before the explosion that destroyed part of the Shahid Rajaee port. The government has said the explosion is linked to chemicals that were being stored at a facility there. The cause of the fire is unknown but the fire quickly grew and ignited something which caused the blast.

    Locals report the blast destroying buildings in the immediate area and blew out windows and roofs further away. Others report feeling the blast up to 30 miles away.

    Video of the fire that led to the explosion. The explosion itself is only heard in this video but it gives the impression that this was large.

    A video of the aftermath shows how powerful this blast was and puts you into the shoes of the people who crawled from the wreckage directly after. Windows would have been turned into claymores spraying glass fragments at the speed of sound, wood and bricks and metals would have been turned into supersonic projectiles.

    Video of the aftermath. From Tasnim news.

    We also have another video shot from a news helicopter afterwords that gives us a better view of the location which is actually at a cargo holding area about a mile from the actual port.

    Video shot from a news helicopter showing black smoke climbing into the sky from the site of the disaster.

    From this footage the geolocation of the site is fairly standard and only took a couple minutes. The exact site of the fire that caused the blast is 27.125056°N 56.066710°E, which I’ve included a picture of . The area seems to be a long term storage area for cargo that won’t be moving for a while.

    Overview of the entire area.
    Zoomed into the site.

    A spokesperson for the Iranian government said that an investigation into the cause of the blast would take some time to complete but that it seemed that the cause was not malicious.

    “but so far what has been determined is that containers were stored in a corner of the port that likely contained chemicals which exploded. But until the fire is extinguished, it’s hard to ascertain the cause.”

    Fatemeh Mohajerani, an Iranian goverment spokeswomen.

    So far, some of the area affected remains on fire. The Iranian state has announced a state of emergency in the Hormozgan province, as chemicals in the air could be harmful to those living in the area.

    Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, said the country’s interior minister was heading to the region to oversee the situation. He also expressed “deep sorrow and sympathy” for the disaster.

    The port at Bandar Abbas is located on the Strait of Hormuz, a busy and strategic location that sees a good percentage of the worlds oil and natural gas shipments. 

    Thank you for reading. I hope you get as much out of what I’m doing here as I get out of making these reports. If so I would invite you to join my Patreon. Doing that would help me more than I can describe. I’ve kept it as cheap as possible to become a member. It’s only a $1.00. However a dollar from even half of my Facebook followers would be a life changing amount of money for me and for this page.

    Thank you for all the support over the years and as we continue to grow and evolve. 

    -Scott 

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  • U.S. strikes at important Houthi Oil Port

    By.Scott Jackson

    April 21st, 2025

    On Friday, the US stuck at an the oil port at Ras Isa in one of the largest attacks in the group since the current U.S. administration launched its strikes.

    Satellite images released afterwords show the extent of the damage.
    I screenshot from a news report on the strike.

    From CENTCOM:

    “U.S. forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorize the entire region for over 10 years.”

    The strike destroyed several oil storage tanks as well as a number of oil transport trucks. Also destroyed was the equipment to load and unload oil into ships.

    Images showing the aftermath of the attack.

    The Houthis claim the strike killed 74 people and injured another 171 others. They aired footage afterwords on their al-Masirah satellite news channel of the site showing blown up trucks and corpses strewn about the area. The Houthi denounced the strike as a “completely unjustified aggression.”

    CENTCOM declined to answer specific questions on civilian casualties however said that  “this strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen.”

    This strike will likely have far reaching consequences for the Houthi as well as the people of Yemen. The U.S. is looking at this strike as a message to those who continue to supply the Houthis even through the sanctions. Iran is the biggest supporter of the group, however they also have done business with China and Russia.

    The Ras Isa port was an important economic point for the country (as well as the Houthi group). The port is located in the Hodeida governorate along the Red Sea and is just off Kamaran Island which has seen heavy U.S. strikes in recent days.

    Image from @Tankertrackers showing the site.

    Twitter group @TankerTrackers has recently reported that vessels that were in the port at the time have been held under threat of violence from the Houthis who demand they not leave without unloading their cargo. They also note that the GALAXY LEADER (9237307) vessel is still being held in the port. The cargo vessel was hijacked on November 19, 2023. 

    Thank you for reading. I hope you get as much out of what I’m doing here as I get out of making these reports. If so I would invite you to join my Patreon. Doing that would help me more than I can describe. I’ve kept it as cheap as possible to become a member. It’s only a $1.00. However a dollar from even half of my Facebook followers would be a life changing amount of money for me and for this page.

    Thank you for all the support over the years and as we continue to grow and evolve.  

    -Scott

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  • US accuses Chinese satellite company of aiding Houthi rebel attacks in U.S. warships.

    By Scott Jackson

    April 21st, 2025

    The U.S. has accused a Chinese Satellite company of aiding the Iranian backed Houthi rebels with its targeting of ships in the Red Sea. The U.S. State department has said that data and imagery from the satellite firm is directly being used to target and attack US and international shipping.

    Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company Limited.

    Tammy Bruce said that Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company Limited, is the company helping the Houthis.

    “We can confirm the reporting that Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company Limited is directly supporting Iran-backed Houthi terrorist attacks on U.S. interests,”

    Tammy Bruce State Department Spokeperson told Fox News. She later continued,

    “China consistently attempts … to frame itself as a global peacemaker … however, it is clear that Beijing and China-based companies provide key economic and technical support to regimes like Russia, North Korea and Iran and its proxies,”

    GCR reached out for a statement from the company named here however after a day I’ve heard nothing back yet. Will update if they respond to me directly.

    Middle East image from satellite.

    In a statement to other media outlets this was the statement from the company.

    “In our global operations, we strictly comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards both in China and internationally. With a mature business model and high-quality services, we are committed to contributing Chinese expertise and solutions to the advancement of the global remote sensing industry,”

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian claims that China has played a positive role in easing tensions in the region.

    The Houthis have carried out a number of attacks on international shipping through the area, using missiles, drones and attempted hijacking. These attacks have been ongoing since the October 7th 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, the war in Gaza afterwords has been a brutal one, claiming the lives of many and destroying whole swaths of Gaza. The Houthis along with other Iranian backed proxy groups have shown support for Palestinian Hamas (the Iranian backed Palestinian liberation group fighting Israel) in various ways. The Houthis in Yemen have disrupted international shipping and regularly launched ballistic missiles at Israel. Hezbollah has also joined with regular rocket attacks. These attacks drove Israel to invade L Lebanon in October 1st 2024 . Iran itself has also launched several large scale attacks on Israel.

    Thank you for reading. I hope you get as much out of what I’m doing here as I get out of making these reports. If so I would invite you to join my Patreon. Doing that would help me more than I can describe. I’ve kept it as cheap as possible to become a member. It’s only a $1.00. However a dollar from even half of my Facebook followers would be a life changing amount of money for me and for this page.

    Thank you for all the support over the years and as we continue to grow and evolve.  

    -Scott

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  • Yes, the B-2s have been striking Houthi Targets. No they haven’t dropped the U.S.’s massive penetrator munition.

    By. Scott Jackson

    April 18th, 2025

    Since yesterday the online chatter has been that the U.S. Airforce has deployed the stealth B-2`Spirit’ bomber to drop GBU-57/B MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) Bunker-busting bombs on Houthi targets in Yemen.According to two U.S. officials who spoke to defense outlet, TWZ, earlier today, this is not true.

    GBU-57B MOP

    This rumor started from a Fox News segment that claimed that the B-2s had been “dropping the 30,000 pound bunker busting bombs since April”.

    The destruction caused by a GBU-57 is not what we are currently seeing from available images of US strikes in Yemen.

    The B-2 is the only bomber certified to carry these massive bombs at the moment however the B-21 Raider is also planned to be used for this task. Right now a single B-2 can only carry 2 of the large bombs.

    The B-2 has a large arsenal of conventional (and nuclear) munitions that it can carry. MK82 and 84 general purpose dumb bombs (up to 80 of the 500pound MK82) as well as the JDAM GPS guided variants of these weapons(80 of those as well) Also available are the bunker busting weapons like the GBU-28. the CBU-87 Combined effects cluster Munition. The B-2 can also carry a number of longer range standoff weapons like the JASSM and the AGM-171 LRSO (Long Range Stand off Weapon). Any of these above weapons is more likely to have been deployed in plave of the MOP which has a very specific purpose and a very low stockpile.

    Mk84 with the JDAM guidance kit.

    While the B-2 is operating in Yemen it would make sense for the US to be using a less scarce munition. The open munitions portal, an invaluable website that tracks weapons debris across different conflicts, shows several different weapons that seem to be used with some regularity. The AGM-154 JSOW as well as the RGM/UGM Tomahawk cruise missile. We also see a number of Paveway weapons which is likely what the B-2’s are bringing to the fight however that’s just an educated guess.

    Image shows a piece of debris found in Yemen after a U.S. strike. The serial number can be linked to a Paveway bomb produced by the U.S.
    Paveway II

    I believe the bombers were brought to the area as more of show of strength to Iran during the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. The bombers (at least 6 of them) location at the base in Diego Garcia also gives them the ability to strike at targets across the Middle East, Russia and China.

    Iran and United States send threats over Iranian nuclear capabilities.

    Currently, apart from the B-2s the U.S. has deployed a large number of assets into the region that have carried out strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. Two aircraft carriers and their strike groups as well as a number of land based fighters and multi mission aircraft. 

    Thank you for reading. I hope you get as much out of what I’m doing here as I get out of making these reports. If so I would invite you to join my Patreon. Doing that would help me more than I can describe. I’ve kept it as cheap as possible to become a member. It’s only a $1.00. However a dollar from even half of my Facebook followers would be a life changing amount of money for me and for this page.

    Thank you for all the support over the years and as we continue to grow and evolve.  

    -Scott

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  • USS Carl Vinson arrives in Middle East. Commences with strikes on Houthi targets (Video)

    USS Carl Vinson arrives in Middle East. Commences with strikes on Houthi targets (Video)

    By. Scott Jackson

    F-35C’s with Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97) and EA-18G “Growlers” with Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (VAQ-136), both attached to Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2).
    April 14, 2024

    Yesterday video footage was sent to me showing some footage taken in the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) confirming that the ship had arrived at the Gulf of Oman. The USS Carl Vinson has joined the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in carrying out strikes against Houthi targets in western Yemen.

    The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) spotted entering the Gulf of Aden., passing to the north of Socotra Island. She was spotted by satilites of the European space agency.
    Location of USS Carl Vinson when photographed by satellites.

    Media in Yemen is reporting Houthi areas receiving nearly daily strikes by US forces.

    Aftermath of one of the strikes outside of Sanaa.

    Targets have included Houthi weapons manufacturing and storage as well as platforms for launching these weapons. Also radar, and air defense systems as well as high level officers in the Houthi organization. 

    Thank you for reading. I hope you get as much out of what I’m doing here as I get out of making these reports. If so I would invite you to join my Patreon. Doing that would help me more than I can describe. I’ve kept it as cheap as possible to become a member. It’s only a $1.00.
    Thank you for all the support over the years. 
    -Scott 
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  • US Army General speaks on transfer of patriot air defense battalion to Middle East.

    US Army General speaks on transfer of patriot air defense battalion to Middle East.

    By. Scott Jackson

    04/10/2025

    Two days ago GCR reported that a number of US cargo planes were moving equipment to the Middle East. We have some more information on that today after Admiral Samuel J. Paparo revealed today at a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee, that several Patriot battery’s had been taken from South Korea and the Indian Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and transferred to Central Command (CENTCOM). The airlifts were cauteries out by dozens of C-17’s.

    Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

    INDOPACOM covers the pacific and Indian Ocean region and is one of the most important military commands for the U.S. as they struggle against Chinese territorial interest with Taiwan as well as other parts of the first island chain. CENTCOM on the other hand, covers the Middle East region and is currently carrying out operations against the Iranian backed Houthis in Yemen. US assets have been reported as being moved to the Middle East in a suspected threat to Iran. US president Donald Trump has made it clear that if negotiations aren’t started with Iran, concerning Irans nuclear program, bombs will be the next step.

    While Iran has little in the way of modern aircraft capable of defending against these hypothetical US strikes, what they do have is hundreds of medium and long range ballistic missiles. High level officials from the Iranian government have made threats towards U.S. military bases in the region as well as the bases of anybody who could help the US with a strike on Irans. This is where the patriot systems come in.

    Patriot missile test

    A patriot battery is made up of the following.

    6-8 launchers

    1 radar set (AN/MPQ-53 phased-array radar)

    An Engagement Control station.

    An Electrical Power Plant

    And an Antenna Mast Group.

    Patriot PAC 2 launcher in service in Israel.
    AN/MPQ-53 phased-array radar

    A patriot battalion is made up of anywhere from 4-6 battery’s and 24-48 launchers as well as the single radar, power, and Fire Control Station each.

    The Patriots in South Korea are apart of an I rig rated defense system and cover US assets in the country like Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek and Osan Air Base.

    South Korea has asked the U.S. Department of Defense to temporarily deploy substitute assets, such as alternative air defense systems or combat aircraft, on a rotational basis to cover the hole left in their air defense network with the removal of these systems between February and March. The Patriots are expected to remain in the Middle East for the next at least six months.

    The U.S. has dozens of bases and locations in the region that could come under fire in the near future as tensions rise in the region. Iran has already threatened US forces as a retaliation for a possible strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel all have their own defense networks (some supplemented by THAAD and Patriot systems.)

    Thank you for reading. I hope you get as much out of what I’m doing here as I get out of making these reports. If so I would invite you to join my Patreon. Doing that would help me more than I can describe. I’ve kept it as cheap as possible to become a member. It’s only a $1.00. However a dollar from even half of my Facebook followers would be a life changing amount of money for me and for this page.

    Audio content coming very soon. I’m also looking for interesting people to interview. If that’s you, contact me through my email.

    Thank you for all the support over the years. Here’s to many more.

    -Scott

  • US strike continue in Yemen, troop buildup continues in the Middle East.

    By. Scott Jackson

    04/08/2025

    Video footage released on the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) social media channels show some recent launches from the USS Harry S. Truman as fighter F/A-18 Superhornets and EA-18G Growlers conduct air attacks on Houthi targets in Western Yemen.

    Videos showing launches from USS Harry S. The Truman, currently deployed to the Red Sea.

    Info has been limited coming out of Yemen on the exact nature of these strikes. Almost no pictures showing battle damage have been released by either side, leaving little to be analyzed. However footage was released by the U.S. president Donald Trump showing a strike on a large group of people he said were Houthis who had gathered to discuss military plans. The video shows only people an and isn’t close enough to distinguish between fighter and non combatants which has caused some to claim the strikes might have been on civilian tribals during a normal gathering. Even if this was a legitimate strike, the video doesn’t really show one way or another. It’s too far away to distinguish much beyond it’s a group of people gathered. In today’s world, where everything can be turned into your enemy’s propaganda it’s important to be as thorough as possible with your evidence. If the US President is going to release video like this I would like to see more details included.

    Video released by the President showing a strike on alleged Houthi terrorist. This clip has caused some controversy since its release.

    Moving the Pieces

    The Middle East/ Central Command area has continued to witness an increase in US military assets and soldiers being transferred into the region. A large number of heavy and super heavy cargo lifters have been tracked making delivers to any of the various airbases. Dozens of C-17s and several C-5s arriving at Bahrain’s Isa Airbase. Units are even being pulled from other areas with the Pentagon reportedly ordering 2 Patriot batteries as well as a Thermal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).pulled from South Korea and moved to the Middle East.

    Also F-35s are reportedly being moved to Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar and Djibouti International Airport in the UAE. Diego Garcia is now housing at least 6 B-2 “Spirit” long range strategic stealth Bombers, as was reported by multiple outlets (including GCR).

    Iran and United States send threats over Iranian nuclear capabilities.

    The Game.

    It’s clear to those of us who have followed the region for any considerable amount of time that tensions between Iran and the combined United States and Israel are at the highest they have been since Irans ballistic missile attacks on Israel On 1 October 2024.

    A post from Twitter showing the October 1sr attack on October 1St 2024.

    Right now the U.S. and the rest of the western world are concerned what would happen if Iran were to produce nuclear weapons. They believe that them doing so would be a threat to the safety of the Middle East and everybody else. And so, Iran doing so is a red line for the U.S. and more so Israel. Where so the Yemeni Houthis fit in all of this? After all, it’s the Houthis that the U.S. is currently attacking with almost daily bomb and missile strikes.The Houthis are just apart of the game. They are a sort of proxy of Iran in that Iran supplies them with military equipment and training as well as support on the economic side. While their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea have caused some economic woes for the worlds seafaring nations who traverse the Red Sea, I can tell you that the Houthis are not the people being talked about when the pentagon ask to bring a THAAD system into the Middle East. It’s not why they are shipping in mass amounts of supplies and airplanes (along with the squadrons to fly them and their support crews.) While the USS Harry S Truman might be parked in the Red Sea it’s a good bet the USS Carl Vinson will go into the Gulf Of Oman or through the Strait of Hormuz.

    It takes alot to get the U.S. military machine moving as much and as fast as they are right now. Once that machine starts cranking, getting it stopped is another matter.

    Thank you for reading. I hope you get as much out of what I’m doing here as I get out of making these reports. If so I would invite you to join my Patreon. Doing that would help me more than I can describe. I’ve kept it as cheap as possible to become a member. It’s only a $1.00. However a dollar from even half of my Facebook followers would be a life changing amount of money for me and for this page.

    Very soon I’ll have some audio content for those who do decide to sign up. It’s something I’ve been planning for a while and I’m very pumped to get into that. I’m the type of person that at this point it’s more strange that I don’t have some sort of podcast :D. I’m hoping to start that in the next week or so. Later will come some video projects I have some ideas for as well but teaching myself how to do all that I’m envisioning has been a little more challenging.

    All of your support means the world to me. GCR has become the most important thing to me in my life besides my family and it means something that it receives so much support.

    As always and from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

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  • Iran and United States send threats over Iranian nuclear capabilities.

    By Scott Jackson

    April 2nd, 2025

    The past couple days have seen a rise in the already complicated tensions between the United States and Iran. US president Donald Trump threatened that bombs would fly “like they have never seen” unless Iran agreed to come to negotiations regarding Irans nuclear capabilities. The threat comes as a number of B-2 Spirit long-range strategic bombers were not so quietly flown to Diego Garcia, an island strategic airbase located on the Indian Ocean.

    “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump told NBC News over the weekend, adding “it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”

    6 US Air Force B-2 “Spirit” shown here on satellite imagery taken in the last day.

    This remote airbase has long been used to station bombers for strikes into the Middle East region. The bombers arriving highlights a recent buildup of US military forces in the Middle East, mostly air and navy assets. Two US carriers were ordered to the region, the USS Harry S Truman already in the area as well as the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) which will arrive in the upcoming weeks.

    Stock image. Carrier and her strike group.

    Iran neglected to the offer of direct negotiations with the US however said they are open to indirect negotiations. While they claim to not be pursuing nuclear weapons right now, they say that if they are targeted for attack by the U.S. or Israel they would be forced to pursue nuclear weapons. They also made threats against the multiple US forces in the Middle East and furthermore claimed they would attack any base used by the Americans to attack Iran. This was likely to dissuade America’s allies from allowing America to launch attacks from their airbases. While Irans capabilities are obviously miles behind what the US can bring to a fight, that doesn’t make them completely toothless. Iran has massive stocks of missiles and drones, including ballistic missiles. One specific threat was made by an unnamed Iranian official and reported by Tehran Times. The threat was towards the Diego Garcia airbase which is around 3700km away from southern Iran. Irans longest range missile has a reported range of around 2500km meaning they would need to decrease the payload in these missiles to cut off some of the weight and extend ranges. On top of that IRGC Navy Commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri suggested on March 29 that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz if the United States and Israel attack Iran. And of course threats have been leveled towards Israel threatening another missile attack if they were targeted.

    Trump sent a letter on March 5th to Iran that brought up the discussion of negotiations over Irans nuclear projects however president Trump also demanded that Iran curtail its missile program and stop supporting terror groups in the region (Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah, etc). I A senior Iranian military official stated on March 29 that Iran will “never negotiate” on its missiles or the “capabilities” of the Axis of Resistance.