Monthly Archives: July 2026

US to send more refuelling aircraft as Trump weighs wider Iran war: Report

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A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a P-8 Poseidon aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21, 2026. [CENTCOM – Anadolu Agency]

The US plans to deploy “dozens” of additional aerial refuelling aircraft as President Donald Trump considers expanding military operations against Iran, Axios reported Friday, Anadolu reports.

Citing three US and Israeli officials, the US news outlet said Trump was presented with several new military options during a Situation Room meeting Tuesday but had not made a final decision.

The proposals reportedly include strikes on Iranian power plants and other infrastructure, and additional attacks on suspected nuclear facilities, including an operation targeting the underground Pickaxe Mountain site.

US and Israeli officials said Trump could order an escalation within days, aiming to pressure Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept Washington’s nuclear demands.

The US currently has about 30 refuelling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv and a similar number at Ramon Airport in southern Israel, according to the report.

Israeli officials said Washington wants to deploy several dozen more aircraft, restoring the fleet to roughly the level maintained at the beginning of the conflict.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) was not immediately available for comment.

The US military reportedly prefers Ben Gurion Airport because other regional bases are considered more exposed to attacks by Iran, which has repeatedly struck US facilities across the Gulf region over the past several months.

Regional tensions have escalated since February, when the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran and Tehran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

Iran and the United States signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding last month aimed at ending the conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement, but tensions have escalated again in recent days over the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: Top Russian diplomat says potential closure of Bab el-Mandeb Strait will harm global oil market

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.

Continue ReadingUS to send more refuelling aircraft as Trump weighs wider Iran war: Report

Iran says it shot down US-made RQ-11 Raven drone

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A U.S. Army RQ-11 Raven B [New Jersey National Guard photo by Mark C. Olsen]

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Friday it shot down a US-made RQ-11 Raven reconnaissance drone in the southwestern city of Ramshir in Khuzestan province amid heightened tensions with Washington, Anadolu reports.

In a statement carried by Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC said the AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven was “intercepted and destroyed” by an advanced air defence system operating within Iran’s integrated air defence network.

The statement described the RQ-11 Raven as a lightweight tactical reconnaissance drone manufactured by US company AeroVironment for surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions.

It said the drone is capable of transmitting real-time daytime and nighttime imagery to a ground control station and, with an operational range of about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) and an endurance of 60 to 90 minutes, is used for target reconnaissance, battlefield monitoring, battle damage assessment and tactical support.

The IRGC said the drone is widely used by the US military and other countries because of its light weight, portability and rapid deployment, describing it as one of the world’s most successful small military drone systems.

The US military did not immediately comment on the Iranian claim.

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated in recent weeks over the Strait of Hormuz, with the two sides exchanging attacks despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement.

READ: US to send more refuelling aircraft as Trump weighs wider Iran war: Report

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.

Continue ReadingIran says it shot down US-made RQ-11 Raven drone

Israeli Government takes legal step toward Ben-Gvir’s proposed “crocodile prison” plan

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Crocodiles [Wikipedia]

The Israeli government has taken a legal step that could enable the implementation of a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to use crocodile-filled waterways around detention facilities holding Palestinian prisoners, according to Israeli media reports.

Israeli Channel 7 reported on Thursday that Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman signed a declaration changing the legal classification of crocodiles to “cared-for wild animals.” According to the report, the reclassification would allow government agencies, including the Israel Prison Service, to keep crocodiles at their facilities under specified conditions.

The report said the amendment removes a legal obstacle that had previously prevented the proposal from moving forward, as crocodiles had been classified as protected wild animals and could not legally be kept outside licensed zoos.

READ: Israeli minister proposes keeping Palestinian detainees in facility ’surrounded by crocodiles’

According to Channel 13, the amendment followed objections from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to the proposed project, which Israeli media have referred to as a “crocodile prison.”

Earlier this year, Ben-Gvir proposed building a high-security prison surrounded by waterways containing crocodiles, saying the measure would strengthen prison security and help prevent escape attempts by Palestinian security prisoners.

Channel 7 reported that the Israel Prison Service is examining the feasibility of the proposal and has conducted visits to zoos to study the handling and care of crocodiles.

According to the report, officials involved in the assessment concluded that crocodile-filled waterways around certain prisons could potentially reduce security costs while increasing deterrence.

READ: Israeli rights group demands independent medical examination of detained Gaza hospital director

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.

Continue ReadingIsraeli Government takes legal step toward Ben-Gvir’s proposed “crocodile prison” plan

Israel continues killing Gaza children as ‘matter of routine’: Haaretz

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A child is brought to the mortuary of Nasser Hospital after being killed in Israeli strike on Khan Younis, Gaza on March 23, 2025. [Abdallah F.s. Alattar – Anadolu Agency]

Israel continues to kill children in Gaza as a “matter of routine,” with 274 children killed since the Oct. 10 ceasefire took effect, Israeli daily Haaretz reported Friday.

The newspaper said the figure means an average of one child has been killed each day since the ceasefire began.

It added that more than 21,000 children have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, 2023.

According to Haaretz, the vast majority of the children were killed in airstrikes, while others died from sniper fire, collapsing buildings or shrapnel.

Some children also died from wounds that Gaza’s collapsed healthcare system could no longer treat, while others died from hunger and disease, although they were not included in the reported death toll, the newspaper said.

READ: Israeli strikes kill 5 Palestinians in Gaza despite ceasefire

Haaretz also highlighted Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis, saying homes remain destroyed and about 1.7 million people are still living in tents without electricity, running water or sanitation.

Rats and mosquitoes are widespread, infectious diseases are spreading, and tens of thousands of people are suffering from skin infections amid intense heat and harsh conditions inside the tents, the newspaper added.

Israel has continued to violate the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, killing 1,127 Palestinians and injuring 3,643 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry on Thursday.

Since Israel’s genocide began on Oct. 8, 2023, at least 73,250 Palestinians have been killed and 173,751 injured, according to the ministry. It added that about 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.

READ: Committee of families of political prisoners calls for release of Dr Shaima Abu Ghali

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.
Orcas discuss how Trump was re-elected and him being an obviously insane, xenophobic Fascist.

Continue ReadingIsrael continues killing Gaza children as ‘matter of routine’: Haaretz