I wouldn't be at all surprised if Trump's relatives and pals are indulging in a spot of 'futures' speculation and stock-market surfing on the back of all this.
The 'talks' thing with named or unnamed figures in Iran may be smoke and mirrors or a stunt to justify prolongation of the conflict when the talks which may not even be talks 'break down'.
That Trump and his team are inveterate liars doesn't make the regime in Tehran any more reliable though.
It's in the interests of both sides to stall and play for time though, or at least to make it look as if they are.
Whatever the case and however much fog there is it's still lethal and still appalling, illegal and irresponsible.
Are we at cross purposes? The BBC verification report didn’t deny attacks but said on the basis of evidence that the ones it checked did not target power supply.
And I thought that was the issue; a breach of the 5 day commitment.
IDF conducts 'extensive strikes' in Isfahan
The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday morning that it "completed a wave of extensive strikes targeting production sites" in several areas of Iran, including in the central city of Isfahan.
That doesn’t contradict the BBC verification report. The verification report contains much more detail.
Apologies for third post. Here is the relevant extract from the BBC link to save folks looking it up.
BBC Verify has been looking into video and still images shared online late yesterday showing at least one explosion at Isfahan in central Iran. Some posts have claimed the blast was linked to strikes on an Iranian air base and energy infrastructure.
However, based on our geolocation of the images - checking landmarks and physical geography with satellite imagery - we can see the scene of the blast was at least 20km (12.5 miles) from the city's major power plant, 8km (5 miles) from the nearest air base and 22km (14 miles) from the entrance of the Isfahan nuclear facility.
The video puts an explosion in line with the summit of Ghaémiyeh Mountain Park, seen from the north. The power plant would be out of shot to the west, the air base and nuclear site out of shot to the east.
One of the stills (above, right) shows how close the explosion was to the hills. Based on the angles from which these images were taken it would appear the explosion is in the approximate area of a local police headquarters and a 60-acre industrial site.
I have to say this. Somebody somewhere in Trunp's inner circle, is getting very rich betting the markets on these fake announcements. Notice how they always come on a Friday close to market close, and Monday morning it's "surprise! fake out!" or "Surprise! We did what we said we would do!" Here the five day "grace period" is set to expire on Friday close to market close.
Watch this weekend. Whatever's going to happen will take place before market open on Monday.
In his recent rambling remarks, Mr Trump, admitted he did not realize Iran would attack its neighbors. Hello? They have been doing it for years. Certainly, his military advisors would have told him that. Goes to show he either did not consult them, or what they said went in one ear and out the other without stopping in between.
I have to say this. Somebody somewhere in Trunp's inner circle, is getting very rich betting the markets on these fake announcements. Notice how they always come on a Friday close to market close, and Monday morning it's "surprise! fake out!" or "Surprise! We did what we said we would do!" Here the five day "grace period" is set to expire on Friday close to market close.
Watch this weekend. Whatever's going to happen will take place before market open on Monday.
AFF
What’s absolutely clear is that some people knew about the previous surprising statement in advance and have made a great deal of money.
I’m not clear what are the controls over insider trading in the USA. But the evidence in favour of an investigation is compelling.
I suppose a similar event might happen again but if it does then the case for insider trading would be incontrovertible.
Would that be what the President would want right now?
I have to say this. Somebody somewhere in Trunp's inner circle, is getting very rich betting the markets on these fake announcements. Notice how they always come on a Friday close to market close, and Monday morning it's "surprise! fake out!" or "Surprise! We did what we said we would do!" Here the five day "grace period" is set to expire on Friday close to market close.
Watch this weekend. Whatever's going to happen will take place before market open on Monday.
AFF
What’s absolutely clear is that some people knew about the previous surprising statement in advance and have made a great deal of money.
I’m not clear what are the controls over insider trading in the USA. But the evidence in favour of an investigation is compelling.
I suppose a similar event might happen again but if it does then the case for insider trading would be incontrovertible.
Would that be what the President would want right now?
Some of the people who back and influence Trump are very wealthy indeed and they will never do anything to make themselves less wealthy.
I don’t think it’s a matter of insider trading, just knowing that the markets respond in a certain way to any event. Remember, if one can identify the fastest horse the odds don’t matter.
I don’t think it’s a matter of insider trading, just knowing that the markets respond in a certain way to any event. Remember, if one can identify the fastest horse the odds don’t matter.
You're of course entitled to your opinion but I feel like it's a very naive one.
An A(ustralian)BC radio program this morning interviewed a US ex-air force senior person who said that the US and Israel were running out of the weaponry to intercept drones and missiles. Drones are comparatively cheap and easy to make, whereas the interceptors are much more costly, slower to produce, and many are required for each interception.
The Telegraph reports that Iran refuses to negotiate with Witkoff and Kushner because they believe they acted in bad faith back in February (I assume this is the case for a while and we are only finfing out now).
The Telegraph reports that Iran refuses to negotiate with Witkoff and Kushner because they believe they acted in bad faith back in February (I assume this is the case for a while and we are only finfing out now).
Meanwhile the fog and mixed messages continue. Here’s a quote from the BBC website.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said his administration was "talking to the right people" in Iran, and "they want to make a deal so badly". But a spokesman for the Iranian military said the US was "negotiating with itself".
Perhaps the foggiest place is Donald Trump’s brain?
I can't seem to find the clip (or transcript of it), so maybe I was imagining it, but when that "talking to all the right people" comment was reported on TV I thought the full statement included a comment about how the bombardment of Iran had destroyed communications so no one in the Iranian government could talk to others, and that it was impossible to talk to anyone of importance. It came across as typical of Trump - within a few seconds move from "it's impossible to talk to anyone important" to "we're talking to the right people" without even noticing the incongruity of those statements.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said his administration was "talking to the right people" in Iran, and "they want to make a deal so badly". But a spokesman for the Iranian military said the US was "negotiating with itself".
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said his administration was "talking to the right people" in Iran, and "they want to make a deal so badly". But a spokesman for the Iranian military said the US was "negotiating with itself".
A way Iran is saying the US is f--king itself?
Possibly, but I think we take the Iranians' point.
An A(ustralian)BC radio program this morning interviewed a US ex-air force senior person who said that the US and Israel were running out of the weaponry to intercept drones and missiles. Drones are comparatively cheap and easy to make, whereas the interceptors are much more costly, slower to produce, and many are required for each interception.
Military experts were predicting this from the outset.
I heard a senior military figure interviewed by the BBC who made this very point shortly after the bombing started.
China could take advantage of that some pundits suggest and swoop on Taiwan whilst US stocks are depleted.
It's hard to discern what might be going on behind the scenes, in the diplomatic back channels, but is it possible that somebody from the US is, in fact, having discussions with somebody from Iran?
It's hard to discern what might be going on behind the scenes, in the diplomatic back channels, but is it possible that somebody from the US is, in fact, having discussions with somebody from Iran?
Without Trump knowing, that is...
TBH I don't think there's anybody in Tehran who wants to talk to Americans of any stripe.
Ibrahim Zolfagari who is spokesman for the IRGC had this to say today:
"Our position has not changed from day 1 and will not change. We will never reach an agreement with people like you, not now, not ever...."
There's more. But this is the dude that said America was negotiating with itself.
An A(ustralian)BC radio program this morning interviewed a US ex-air force senior person who said that the US and Israel were running out of the weaponry to intercept drones and missiles. Drones are comparatively cheap and easy to make, whereas the interceptors are much more costly, slower to produce, and many are required for each interception.
Ukraine has sent some of its anti-equipment to the Gulf States. The US is also sending laser fired anti drone batteries too. It is something to see those batteries in action. However, the lasers are not effective against the missiles.
Deal of it is if Iran fires 1000 drones and missiles on any given night and 60% of them are shot down, that still means 400 got through the defenses. Many Iranian missiles are also armed with multiple cluster bombs, about 30 per missile. They are very hard to shoot down.
From The Hill website and others. Iran’s 5 conditions for ending the war
Ultimately, the Iranian response included five “conditions for ending the war”: the acts of “aggression” coming to an end, ensuring the war will not recur, a payment of war damages and reparations, the ending of the war across all fronts involving all resistance groups, and Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
(Statement by Iran’s Consulate General.)
Compared with what we know about Trump’s 15 point proposal, the basis for any negotiations is that Iran and the USA are poles apart.
Just going with my kneejerk reaction on Iran's conditions: (1) end acts of "aggression" is too ill-defined to be possible to agree to; (2) war never recur is impossible to agree to; (3) payment of war damages/reparations...okay, this is at least theoretically possible; (4) end war on all fronts including "all resistance groups" is pretty much impossible to guaranty; (5) Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz--that is not in the US power to give; Iran needs to talk to its neighbors.
So only one of the 5 demands even has a basis for negotiation.
I have not read all 15 proposals Trump laid out because, really, why would anybody agree to anything with Trump, who breaks his word constantly?
I have not read all 15 proposals Trump laid out because, really, why would anybody agree to anything with Trump, who breaks his word constantly?
You have not read the 15 point Trump peace proposal because he has not published them. There are certain estimations out there, but no one knows for sure. I don't think he knows them either.
I have not read all 15 proposals Trump laid out because, really, why would anybody agree to anything with Trump, who breaks his word constantly?
You have not read the 15 point Trump peace proposal because he has not published them. There are certain estimations out there, but no one knows for sure. I don't think he knows them either.
Reports (unconfirmed) of F18 shot down over port city of Chabahar, pilot ejected.
I think Karg Island is a smokescreen. I said on the 23rd that I felt like Chabahar was the actual objective. F18 presence in the area looks to me like a precursor.
Not loving these developments at all. I feel like Americans are being set up to fail at best and led to slaughter at worst.
Comments
The 'talks' thing with named or unnamed figures in Iran may be smoke and mirrors or a stunt to justify prolongation of the conflict when the talks which may not even be talks 'break down'.
That Trump and his team are inveterate liars doesn't make the regime in Tehran any more reliable though.
It's in the interests of both sides to stall and play for time though, or at least to make it look as if they are.
Whatever the case and however much fog there is it's still lethal and still appalling, illegal and irresponsible.
https://abcnews.com/International/live-updates/iran-live-updates-trumps-48-hour-deadline-expire/?id=131316431
Israel is claiming those attacks.
Are we at cross purposes? The BBC verification report didn’t deny attacks but said on the basis of evidence that the ones it checked did not target power supply.
And I thought that was the issue; a breach of the 5 day commitment.
What am I missing?
That doesn’t contradict the BBC verification report. The verification report contains much more detail.
Watch this weekend. Whatever's going to happen will take place before market open on Monday.
AFF
I’m not clear what are the controls over insider trading in the USA. But the evidence in favour of an investigation is compelling.
I suppose a similar event might happen again but if it does then the case for insider trading would be incontrovertible.
Would that be what the President would want right now?
Some of the people who back and influence Trump are very wealthy indeed and they will never do anything to make themselves less wealthy.
I don’t think it’s a matter of insider trading, just knowing that the markets respond in a certain way to any event. Remember, if one can identify the fastest horse the odds don’t matter.
You're of course entitled to your opinion but I feel like it's a very naive one.
AFF
Hi! Good to see you.
You’re right of course about lots who gather around Trump. But what makes this look very much like inside trading is well explained in
this link.
It’s the timing and the volume that gives the game away.
You're right, it looks like the earlier report was inaccurate.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/03/24/jd-vance-eyed-take-over-iran-talks/
Reports are Vance and Rubio are talking to the Iranians. Vance was not in favor of attacking Iran.
While Gimme Shelter was playing today I checked the lyrics. They also felt apropos.
Perhaps the foggiest place is Donald Trump’s brain?
A way Iran is saying the US is f--king itself?
Possibly, but I think we take the Iranians' point.
It might be funny, if it weren't so serious.
Military experts were predicting this from the outset.
I heard a senior military figure interviewed by the BBC who made this very point shortly after the bombing started.
China could take advantage of that some pundits suggest and swoop on Taiwan whilst US stocks are depleted.
Without Trump knowing, that is...
TBH I don't think there's anybody in Tehran who wants to talk to Americans of any stripe.
Ibrahim Zolfagari who is spokesman for the IRGC had this to say today:
"Our position has not changed from day 1 and will not change. We will never reach an agreement with people like you, not now, not ever...."
There's more. But this is the dude that said America was negotiating with itself.
AFF
Unlikely, maybe.
Ukraine has sent some of its anti-equipment to the Gulf States. The US is also sending laser fired anti drone batteries too. It is something to see those batteries in action. However, the lasers are not effective against the missiles.
Deal of it is if Iran fires 1000 drones and missiles on any given night and 60% of them are shot down, that still means 400 got through the defenses. Many Iranian missiles are also armed with multiple cluster bombs, about 30 per missile. They are very hard to shoot down.
If China have watched Putin & Trump, they will not jump into an asymmetric conflict with gay abandon.
The link is at 07.34 in the news feed.
There is Trump world and then there is the world the rest of us live in. Unless you work in the White House and are required to square the circle.
(Too serious for laughter I suppose, but thanks, Alan29!)
I doubt Trump is doing any more than look at a screen for six hours. I suppose some children can do that, but not the more gifted ones.
(Statement by Iran’s Consulate General.)
Compared with what we know about Trump’s 15 point proposal, the basis for any negotiations is that Iran and the USA are poles apart.
So only one of the 5 demands even has a basis for negotiation.
I have not read all 15 proposals Trump laid out because, really, why would anybody agree to anything with Trump, who breaks his word constantly?
AFF
You have not read the 15 point Trump peace proposal because he has not published them. There are certain estimations out there, but no one knows for sure. I don't think he knows them either.
I think Karg Island is a smokescreen. I said on the 23rd that I felt like Chabahar was the actual objective. F18 presence in the area looks to me like a precursor.
Not loving these developments at all. I feel like Americans are being set up to fail at best and led to slaughter at worst.
AFF
There’s been speculation about content. Mostly associated with Iran’s ballistic and nuclear capability as well as control over sea routes.
You mean the 15 point proposal whose existence is now denied by the White House?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-iran-ceasefire-plan-denial-b2945693.html
What does this mean?
He's on standby?
AFF
Looks like it, doesn’t it? But it’s Trump. He may be on standby to play golf.
I hope it's for golf. Let's all hope it's for golf.
AFF
Ps 144:1