A UK Socialist's blog

US oil reserves sink to 40-year low

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/us-oil-reserves-sink-40-year-low

 A motorist fills up their car at a petrol station in Colorado, August 12, 2026

UNITED STATES oil reserves have sunk to a 40-year low, it was reported today.

They are so low that there could be damage to the massive caverns holding them.

CNBC is reporting that the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has fallen below 300 million barrels for the first time since it was filled in the early 1980s, after Washington released 172 million barrels in response to supply disruptions caused by the illegal war launched by the US and Israeli war on Iran on February 28.

Oil stocks are projected to fall to around 243 million barrels, prompting experts to warn that the rapid reduction could damage the underground salt caverns used to store the oil, reduce the reserve’s ability to respond to future energy emergencies, and leave critical infrastructure at increased operational risk, according to reports.

Energy experts told CNBC that while the US Department of Energy says the reserve can safely operate with as little as 70 million barrels, the practical operational floor is closer to 250–300 million barrels, warning that repeated large-scale releases over decades have weakened the ageing storage system. 

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/us-oil-reserves-sink-40-year-low

Power-mad orange gasbag Donald Trump says Burn, Baby, Burn.
Power-mad orange gasbag Donald Trump says Burn, Baby, Burn.
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.
Continue ReadingUS oil reserves sink to 40-year low

Kushner signals US support for Israeli operations in Gaza if Hamas refuses to disarm

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

Jared Kushner, adviser and son-in-law to U.S. President Donald Trump in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026. [Shalev Shalom (GPO)/Handout – Anadolu Agency]

US special envoy Jared Kushner said “very significant progress could happen very soon” in the Gaza Strip if Israel and Hamas cooperate, warning that the United States would support further Israeli military operations in the territory if Hamas does not disarm.

In an interview with Fox News after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Kushner said: “if Hamas actually gives over the weapons and the tunnels willingly over the next 60 to 90 days, that obviously would be the elimination of a huge security threat for Israel, almost an unthinkable achievement.” 

He added: “If they don’t follow through now on their commitment, everyone will see that they’re not genuine about peace, and then Israel will have a lot more support from the US and others to go and finish the job in the appropriate way.” 

Regarding his meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday, Kushner said the United States would give the group a chance to prove its seriousness, but this “must be based on actions and steps, and I hope it will be true.”

READ: Report: Hamas leaders meet Kushner in Egypt for talks on Gaza roadmap

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

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.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.

Continue ReadingKushner signals US support for Israeli operations in Gaza if Hamas refuses to disarm

Extremist Israeli minister says “30 to 40” Gazans should be killed every day

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

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir gives a speech on January 24, 2023 [Saeed Qaq/Anadolu Agency]

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for stepped-up airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and for Israel to kill “30 to 40” Palestinians a day, while also renewing calls to resettle Israelis in the Palestinian enclave at the expense of the indigenous population.

Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, made the remarks on the “October 8” podcast hosted by Rom Braslavski, a former Israeli prisoner of Hamas.

On Monday, the Jerusalem Post published excerpts from the interview, in which Ben-Gvir said Israel should not limit its attacks to those who “pose an immediate threat,” calling instead for far-ranging airstrikes across the entire Gaza Strip.

He said some people “aren’t worthy of life … they aren’t people at all.”

He also said Palestinians uninvolved in the fighting should not be exempt from Israeli attacks.

Referring to a woman who had provided food to Braslavski while he was being held captive in Gaza, Ben-Gvir referred to her as a “terrorist” who “needs a bullet in the head.”

Braslavski, an Israeli soldier who was captured on Oct. 7, 2023, was later released as part of a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel on Oct. 13, 2025.

READ: Israeli defence minister tells army to draft plan shifting enforcement over West Bank occupiers to police

Calls for Gaza resettlement

Ben-Gvir also renewed his call for Israeli settlements to be reestablished in Gaza, saying: “I see all of Gaza as ours.”

He added that settlements should not be limited to the former Gush Katif settlement bloc, which Israel evacuated in 2005, but should extend across the entire enclave.

He also encouraged Gaza’s Palestinian residents to voluntarily leave their ancestral homes, calling for “as much emigration as possible.”

The Jerusalem Post quoted Ben-Gvir as saying that Israel should kill “30 to 40 Gazans in strikes every night,” adding that those he described as “terrorists” should be “killed one by one.”

Regarding Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, Ben-Gvir crowed that they “suffer greatly,” adding that he was “glad” about the inhumane conditions they faced.

He also called for outlawing Israeli rights groups that promote coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis, such as Peace Now and Standing Together, accusing such groups of “supporting terrorism.”

According to Palestinian and Israeli rights groups, roughly 9,500 Palestinians – including women and children – are currently languishing in Israeli prisons.

OPINION: Has Hamas ended?

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

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.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.

Continue ReadingExtremist Israeli minister says “30 to 40” Gazans should be killed every day

UAE-owned oil tanker detained near southern Iran’s Qeshm Island: Report

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

Large commercial vessels and a small boat navigate the waters off the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran on June 21, 2026. [Hassan Ghaedi – Anadolu Agency]

A tanker belonging to an Emirati company was detained near southern Iran’s Qeshm Island while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported Monday.

Maritime navigation data showed that the vessel had been stopped during its passage through the strait, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported.

The agency did not identify the tanker or the Emirati company that owns it.

Fars said tankers seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz “must follow a route designated by Iran, pay service fees and obtain Iranian authorization.”

There was no official statement from Iranian or Emirati authorities regarding the report as of 1700GMT.

The Strait of Hormuz has seen escalating tensions amid the US-Iran war, raising fears of disruptions to shipping and global energy supplies despite diplomatic efforts to reach understandings on freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.

READ: UAE says tanker belonging to national oil company targeted in Strait of Hormuz

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

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.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.

Continue ReadingUAE-owned oil tanker detained near southern Iran’s Qeshm Island: Report

Iran’s IRGC dismisses Trump’s claim of backchannel talks as ‘lies’

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

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]

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday dismissed as “lies” US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington was holding back-channel talks with IRGC officials on war-related issues.

“No talks are taking place between IRGC officials and the Americans,” spokesman Hossein Mohibbi told Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

He said the US leader’s claims were “lies” and “fantasies born of delusions and nightmares resulting from defeat and desperation in the war.”

The spokesman added that diplomatic matters were handled by other Iranian state institutions and fell outside the IRG’s purview.

READ: Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of US-Iran negotiations

“According to the information we have and statements by Foreign Ministry officials, no talks are currently taking place with the Americans – even at that level,” he said.

“Trump’s fantasies will not help him on the battlefield,” he added, describing the US leader’s assertions as an attempt to influence global energy prices.

Earlier Monday, Trump told reporters that his administration maintained a “backchannel with the IRGC.”

“We are speaking directly with IRGC officials in Iran,” the US president claimed.

READ: Iran says 60-day deadline ‘lost its relevance’ after US ‘violations’ of memorandum

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

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.
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 rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingIran’s IRGC dismisses Trump’s claim of backchannel talks as ‘lies’