Fascism

US intelligence believes Iran quickly rebuilt military industrial base, producing drones: Report

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Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) participate in a military exercise aimed at “increasing combat capabilities” in Tehran province, Iran, on May 12, 2026. [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Anadolu Agency]

US intelligence believes that Iran resumed parts of its drone production during the six-week ceasefire with Washington that started in early April, signaling a rapid recovery of some military capabilities damaged by US-Israeli strikes, CNN reported Thursday.

Intelligence assessments suggest Iran’s military is rebuilding far more quickly than expected, said the report, which cited US intelligence officials.

The effort includes restoring missile sites, launch systems and manufacturing capacity for critical weapons that were damaged or destroyed during the conflict.

Officials reportedly warned that the rapid recovery means Iran could still pose a major threat to regional allies if US President Donald Trump decides to resume military operations.

READ: Iranian parliament speaker warns of “strong response” to any new US attack

The assessments also raised doubts about how severely US-Israeli strikes weakened Iran’s military in the long term.

One official said that some intelligence estimates indicate Iran could restore its drone strike capabilities within six months.

“The Iranians have exceeded all timelines the IC (intelligence community) had for reconstitution,” said the official.

Sources reportedly said Iran’s unexpectedly fast recovery is being driven by several factors, including assistance from Russia and China, as well as the possibility that US and Israeli attacks caused less damage than initially anticipated.

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire took effect April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. Trump later extended the truce indefinitely while maintaining a blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: France rejects any possible NATO role in Strait of Hormuz

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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/

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
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 intelligence believes Iran quickly rebuilt military industrial base, producing drones: Report

Labour keeps knocking. The planet keeps burning. Don’t open the door.

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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.

Roger Hallam comments on the Greens indecision on how to oppose Andy Burnham at the Makerfield by-election.

You may have noticed that I am supportive of the Green Party and Zack Polanski. Despite seriously considering joining the Green Party, I have not yet done it and I might actually be a liability. I have also seriously considered joining Your Party but can’t see that happening now unfortunately. I probably won’t ever join a political party and expect that some of you can understand why.

The question is to what extent should the Green Party oppose Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election. I agree with Roger Hallam that the Labour Party is finished and should be opposed without holding back. The concern is that Greens actions could facilitate a Reform win. I raise three points:

Firstly, it is the Labour Party insisting that Andy Burnham fights and wins an election to participate in a leadership challenge. It is Labour Party rules and the Labour Party NEC can change those rules if it was so minded.

Secondly, so what if Burnham loses to Reform? it has been clear for years that Starmer & Co’s preferred successor is Wes Streeting. There is no certainty that Andy Burnham will defeat Streeting in a leadership contest and there are suggestions of dirty tricks already. A Reform win is instead of a win for Reform in a red rosette. So what if Burnham doesn’t get to compete?

Third, Reform’s position is precarious as is Labour’s, things can change drastically during an election campaign and Farage is already on the missing list. A strong campaign by the Green’s would show that they’re taking the fight to Reform and Labour, that they’re serious about gaining power.

dizzy

Vote Labour for Genocide.
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Continue ReadingLabour keeps knocking. The planet keeps burning. Don’t open the door.

Global Sumud Flotilla activists begin hunger strike to protest their abduction by Israel

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A screen grab captured from CCTV videos shows Israeli forces attacking ‘Alcyone’ and ‘Girolama’ vessels of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla at Mediterranean Sea, on May 19, 2026. [Global Sumud Flotilla – Anadolu Agency]

At least 87 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla began a hunger strike on Tuesday in protest against what they described as their abduction by Israel and in solidarity with more than 9,500 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

In a post on X, the flotilla said that, for the second time in three weeks, the Israeli army — which it said claims to be “the most moral army” — had abducted their comrades from international waters.

It added: “In protest of their illegal abduction and in solidarity with the over 9,500 Palestinian hostages held in Israeli dungeons, at least 87 flotilla participants have committed to a hunger strike until they are released.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla called for the release of all detainees held by Israeli authorities and urged governments to condemn what it described as an act of piracy.

Late on Tuesday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that all 430 activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla had been seized and transferred to Israeli vessels.

It said: “All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli ships and are on their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet their consular representatives.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the Global Sumud Flotilla crisis operations room said the Israeli army had “illegally intervened against all flotilla ships in international waters and detained the activists”.

It added that the last vessel intercepted was the Lina al-Nabulsi.

According to the statement, the flotilla consists of 50 ships carrying 428 activists from 44 countries, including 78 Turkish participants.

READ: US imposes sanctions on aid flotilla activists, some based in Europe

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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/

Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.

Continue ReadingGlobal Sumud Flotilla activists begin hunger strike to protest their abduction by Israel

Spain summons Israeli charge d’affaires for ‘monstrous’ treatment of Gaza flotilla activists

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Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares delivers a speech at the Hertie School Jacques Delors Centre within his visit to Berlin, Germany on May 20, 2026. [Ayhan Şimşek – Anadolu Agency]

Spain summoned Israel’s charge d’affaires on Wednesday after Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned what he described as the “monstrous,” “inhumane” and “disgraceful” treatment of activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla, Anadolu reports.

In a video message shared on the US social media platform X, Albares said: “I have seen a horrific, inhumane and disgraceful video in which members of the flotilla were treated unjustly and humiliatingly by an Israeli minister and the police.”

Among them, he noted, were Spanish citizens on the flotilla, calling the incident “deeply alarming.”

“I repeat, this treatment is monstrous, it is disgraceful, it is inhumane,” Albares added, demanding “a public apology from Israel.”

The Spanish minister said Madrid had urgently summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires to convey Spain’s “complete rejection,” “utter condemnation” and “profound revulsion” over what he described as “abominable and unacceptable treatment.”

He also said Spain is seeking the immediate release of those aboard the flotilla and would contact other countries whose citizens were involved to coordinate possible measures.

Albares noted that Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who appears in the footage, had already been sanctioned by Spain and barred from entering the country.

“And soon the same thing will happen across the entire European Union,” he said.

READ: Poland demands ‘justice’ for its citizens after Israeli treatment of Gaza flotilla members, calls for consequences

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez deplored the video in which the Israeli minister is “humiliating” flotilla participants as “unacceptable.”

In a X post, he said, “We will not tolerate anyone mistreating our citizens.”

He noted the national territory ban against Ben-Gvir that he announced in September. “Now we are going to push in Brussels for these sanctions to be elevated to the European scale on an urgent basis,” he wrote.

The remarks came after a video posted by Ben-Gvir showed detained activists zip-tied and forced to kneel after being detained by Israeli forces in international waters.

The Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla said on Tuesday that all 50 vessels in its aid convoy had been seized by Israel.

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/

Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.

Continue ReadingSpain summons Israeli charge d’affaires for ‘monstrous’ treatment of Gaza flotilla activists