Operation Epic Fury

Airline pilots fear retribution over refusing to fly in Middle East, aviators' group says

Airline pilots express widespread safety concerns flying in the Middle East during the Iran conflict, fearing retribution from airlines for refusing high-risk assignments.

An Emirates aircraft is seen through the window of a Middle East Airlines airplane at Cairo International Airport, March 31, 2026; illustrative.
Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026.

Iran-linked ships drive traffic through Strait of Hormuz, ship tracking data shows

An illustration of rising prices following US-Iran conflict.

US consumer inflation expected to have surged in March amid Iran war

‘THOSE WHO lionize Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will portray the operation as an unmitigated success; those who loathe them will dismiss it as a total failure. The sober truth lies in between.’ Here, Netanyahu speaks to the media in Jerusalem in March.

Not total victory, but a new reality: How Israel reshaped its war with Iran


Middle Israel: What comes after NATO? The fall of the Western alliance's era - opinion

The Western alliance has lost its compass, driver, and fuel. And since this alliance is brain-dead, a new one will have to come in its place.

US SECRETARY of State Marco Rubio meets with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte at the State Department in Washington DC, on Wednesday. The Western alliance is brain-dead, and a new one will have to come in its place, the writer argues.

Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad ahead of US-Iran negotiations

According to security sources, a US Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying an advance security and tactical team landed at Nur Khan Air Base on Thursday afternoon. 

Army soldiers sit in a truck, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 10, 2026.

US summons Iraqi ambassador over drone strike on diplomatic facility in Baghdad

Separately, Kuwait condemned what it described as drone attacks by Iran and its proxies targeting vital facilities in the country, calling the strikes a violation of its sovereignty.

Smoke rises after an explosion at the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, following a rocket and drone attack, according to security sources, March 17, 2026.

'Stupid people': Trump attacks Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Alex Jones, Megyn Kelly over Iran

Trump insulted the four far Right influencers, saying they support the Islamic Republic achieving nuclear weapons because they have "Low IQs" and are "nutjobs, troublemakers."

Then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump talks with Tucker Carlson, October 31, 2024; illustrative.

Former Iranian FM Kharazi dies from wounds following airstrike, state media says

Kharazi's home was struck by the "American-Zionist enemy" on April 1 as part of operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury, according to state-run Iranian media at the time.

Then-Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi speaks during a press conference in Tehran 19 June 2005.

IDF dropped 18,000 bombs during Iran war

These bombs were dropped as part of 1,000 waves of IAF aircraft, with CENTCOM saying that the US had struck over 13,000 targets during the war.

Israeli Air Force fighter jet seen in central Israel amid the ongoing war, March 30, 2026.

IDF destroys launcher fired from inside school, Israel excludes France from talks with Lebanon

IDF dropped 18,000 bombs on Iran during Operation Roaring Lion • Israel expels Spain from US's CMCC in Kiryat Gat over 'blatant anti-Israel bias' • Vance says he expects Iran talks to be positive

IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon, April 10, 2026.

Trump, Starmer discuss reopening of Strait of Hormuz

The reopening of the Strait, which carries about a fifth of the world's oil consumption, is an important component of the US-Iran ceasefire deal.

The Callisto tanker sits anchored as the traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 10, 2026.

Israel a ‘curse for humanity,’ says Pakistan Defense Minister

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif's comments came as Islamabad positions itself as a major player in ceasefire talks between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, Pakistan, October 20, 2025.

'Iran will not forfeit its rights': Statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei read on state TV

"Iran is not seeking war but will not forfeit its rights and considers all resistance fronts as a unified entity," Khamenei added.

 State media in Iran published a written message from the new leader on Thursday evening after nearly two weeks without any message or sign of him. These outlets also appear to have used image-enhancement tools to make Mojtaba Khamenei’s face look more polished