[Quote] Donald Trump has also claimed that Iran had agreed to allow 20 ships carrying oil through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning and continuing over the next few days as a “present”.
“They gave us 10 [ships through the strait],” he said. “Now they’re giving 20…”
Trump added that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, had authorised the additional tankers.
“He’s the one who authorised the ships to me,” Trump told the Financial Times. “Remember I said they’re giving me a present? And everyone said: ‘What’s the present? Bullshit.’ When they heard about that they kept their mouth shut and the negotiations are going very well.” [End Quote]
Then they quote that same Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, as saying [Quote] that Iranian forces were “waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners for ever”. He also accused the US of secretly preparing a ground assault while publicly seeking talks. [End Quote]
Who sounds more believable? As we know, Trump is always trying to influence the stock market, one of the few things he actually cares about.
The proof will be in the pudding. They didn't "give" him 10 ships last week, for instance, per this guy:
It will be interesting to see what he has to say tonight.
There are websites such as https://www.lloydslist.com/ and gCaptain that regularly write about which ships get through the strait also and I'm seeing nothing to that effect either last week or today.
Israel is also a player in this 8 Ball game. Israelis reportedly support the Iran war by a large margin. I get that given their history and Iran's long running vows to destroy them while surrounding them with proxy forces committed to their destruction.
But the Israeli policies of expansion via blatantly supporting the "settlers" -- largely ultra-Orthodox citizens --
"As of early 2026, there are over 700,000 Israeli settlers living in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These civilian communities are constructed on land captured by Israel in 1967, and their presence is considered illegal under international law—a position maintained by the United Nations, the European Union, and the US government, which classifies them as "inconsistent with international law". Google AI overview.
And now seemingly similar expansionist goals in Lebanon, are the result of handing Israel a blank check while the Trump Regime uses our tax dollars to suppress any opposition, by individuals or institutions, to Israeli policies. Any opposition is labeled antisemitism. Protesting Israel's blatant violation of International Law is a long ways from antisemitism.
Lawless trump and lawless Netanyahu are undermining democracy in both nations. It wouldn't surprise me if 50% of the US military members in the Iran war believe they are involved in a Great Crusade. SecDef Hegseth certainly does. Israel created an IDF battalion of far right citizens to find a way around the law that excludes Haredi ultra-Orthodox citizens from compulsory military conscription -- and then stationed that battalion where they could support the West Bank settlers. In doing so they assaulted a CNN News crew reporting on settler's attacks and land grabs against Palestinians. Success!
We need to be clear-eyed about how we are being used and abused. Stop the insanity.
I am actually surprised that Iran has never targeted the already settled areas. Obviously, I'm not advocating anything, just noticing a quirk. Apart from the IDF's presence in the settlements, don't Ben-Gvir and Smotrich (Israel's quasi-Ayatollahs) also live there? Not to mention their non-negligible economic contribution to Israel's revenue (estimated at $30bn/yr according to a quick check with Google's AI overview), or the lure of generating goodwill from all those who support a state of Palestine. If Iran was truly trying to destroy Israel, this would make sense. So, can we conclude that Iran is, as they claim, primarily concerned about self-defense/preservation rather than "death to Israel", despite all the hype from heads of states and the media?
I don't think the powers that be in Iran would shed many tears in the event of Israel's destruction. I also think they 'need' Israel as an opponent, in the same way that trump 'needs' the Christian Nationalists here for purely political reasons which also applies to Netanyahu with respect to the ultra-Orthodox.
trump's motivation is voters who are convinced that although trump is a flawed human he is doing God's will on their behalf. In their minds it's all worth it 'cause we're going to the promised land, or getting raptured or whatever.
Iran's ayatollah's are, like trump, also energizing a crucial support faction - enough so that the Republican Guards are more than willing to slaughter their fellow citizens to protect the Faith and all glory to Allah.
In all three cases, (trump, Netanyahu, and ayatollah) religion is being used as a lever to move enough of the population to support their respective causes which mostly involves self preservation and expansion of power and the rewards of power.
And, for all those who miss the DOGED experts who used to study and advise presidents on complicated foreign policy issues, there is this quote from Frank Bruni's newsletter in the NY Times:
"In his newsletter, Moral Clarity, Andrew Weinstein sounded an alarm over the Trump administration’s marginalization of a crucial class of experts:
“Career diplomats are not ornamental. They are the institutional memory of American statecraft — the people who negotiate cease-fires, secure the release of political prisoners, and build coalitions that kept our troops out of wars. They are the ones who can tell the difference between a miscommunication and a mobilization. When you remove them, you are not trimming fat. You are severing nerves.” (Chester Gittleman, Roslyn, N.Y.)
Worth noting.
For those who have yet to discover the poignant beauty of Frank Bruni's columns in the NY Times, here's a gift link.
Once again the big oaf has reacted impulsively, with no knowledge or understanding of the repercussions of his actions, humiliated us on a world stage, and worst of all, gotten thousands of innocent people killed or maimed. The military has to stop blindly following this lunatic’s orders. Its job it to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States, not take orders from a mentally and physically impaired wannabe dictator.
If we didn't have a "mentally and physically impared wannabe" secretary of defense, this might be a reality. We have instead, a religiously maniacal toady who is totally out of his depth attempting to run the show.
Senate Democrats should unanimously approve Senator Sanders resolutions to stop sale of more weaponry to Israel. Then say no to any request for additional billions to fund this war. Troops should come home. No honorable end to a war of aggression that should never have started.
And no more talk of Iran as a decades long terrorist actor without broadening the lens.
Trump and Pete Hegseth are both despicable. They think war is like playing with GI Joe’s. War is real and deadly. They don’t care who dies in this war because they don’t even care about their own American citizen’s lives. If they did not only would there not be a war but Renee Good and Alex Pretti would still be alive today.
It is a total disaster, yes. But threatens to be a 100x disaster. I don’t think anyone is in control of this situation. But I do know the Persians have been there longer than Trump.
At this point, Iran and Israel in reality appear to have the upper hand. Trump is failing and flailing. The whinge for NATO allies to support his bungled war effort was a cry of weakness. Their resolve not to dive into this grand mistake atter being maligned was impressive.
Once again I remind everyone that ALL of this is the responsibility of the entire Republican party. I know it's TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, but it's the Republican party that has abandoned American democracy and it's the Republican party that must be removed from power if there's any hope of restoring something democracy-like in America.
What can we expect when tRump + Fox/State Television have organized the authoritarians in society into a cohesive voting block which is totally googly-eyed with the constant propaganda? We get an amoral psychopath who also happens to be an imbecile in the Oval Office. Layer that on top of a constitution which makes it virtually impossible to remove such an individual and you get the evolving national disaster we find ourselves in.
Already the worst president in history, the list of awful things this president has done continues to grow. Meanwhile, his cult continues to cheer him.
The Iranians may bring about what the semi-conscious & delusional Americans have failed to do: Removal of the WH Crime Boss. Some of the MAGA Voodoo Cult are probably looking for a new Dear Leader to worship.Vance?
And this morning, the NY Times reports that Iran has started allowing more ships through the Strait, which Trump claims is "a sign of respect."
Whenever this odious, prevaricating baboon opens his dumb yawp, I never know whether just to laugh or vomit.
Vomit.
There is a cancer on the country. He must be isolated, stopped and removed.
"Allowing" as in the troll at the bridge exacting a toll.
The theme music is Peer Gynt.
Check out Tousi TV. More political assasinations inside Iran.
"Yes" to the Peer Gynt connection. Also the Tousi TV recommendation.
From The Guardian today:
[Quote] Donald Trump has also claimed that Iran had agreed to allow 20 ships carrying oil through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning and continuing over the next few days as a “present”.
“They gave us 10 [ships through the strait],” he said. “Now they’re giving 20…”
Trump added that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, had authorised the additional tankers.
“He’s the one who authorised the ships to me,” Trump told the Financial Times. “Remember I said they’re giving me a present? And everyone said: ‘What’s the present? Bullshit.’ When they heard about that they kept their mouth shut and the negotiations are going very well.” [End Quote]
Then they quote that same Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, as saying [Quote] that Iranian forces were “waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners for ever”. He also accused the US of secretly preparing a ground assault while publicly seeking talks. [End Quote]
Who sounds more believable? As we know, Trump is always trying to influence the stock market, one of the few things he actually cares about.
The proof will be in the pudding. They didn't "give" him 10 ships last week, for instance, per this guy:
The Sal Mercogliano (professor of maritime history) YouTube channel, "What's Going on With Shipping" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybU29t7rkc8
It will be interesting to see what he has to say tonight.
There are websites such as https://www.lloydslist.com/ and gCaptain that regularly write about which ships get through the strait also and I'm seeing nothing to that effect either last week or today.
Thank you for sharing the shipping sites. I did not know how check out trumps shilling "claims"!
Well, or to laugh and cheer, which is what Faux News and MAGAits do whenever he spouts another outrageous lie!
The Iranians has us behind the eight ball but Trump doesn't care.
VOTE EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN OUT OF OFFICE!
Israel is also a player in this 8 Ball game. Israelis reportedly support the Iran war by a large margin. I get that given their history and Iran's long running vows to destroy them while surrounding them with proxy forces committed to their destruction.
But the Israeli policies of expansion via blatantly supporting the "settlers" -- largely ultra-Orthodox citizens --
"As of early 2026, there are over 700,000 Israeli settlers living in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These civilian communities are constructed on land captured by Israel in 1967, and their presence is considered illegal under international law—a position maintained by the United Nations, the European Union, and the US government, which classifies them as "inconsistent with international law". Google AI overview.
And now seemingly similar expansionist goals in Lebanon, are the result of handing Israel a blank check while the Trump Regime uses our tax dollars to suppress any opposition, by individuals or institutions, to Israeli policies. Any opposition is labeled antisemitism. Protesting Israel's blatant violation of International Law is a long ways from antisemitism.
Lawless trump and lawless Netanyahu are undermining democracy in both nations. It wouldn't surprise me if 50% of the US military members in the Iran war believe they are involved in a Great Crusade. SecDef Hegseth certainly does. Israel created an IDF battalion of far right citizens to find a way around the law that excludes Haredi ultra-Orthodox citizens from compulsory military conscription -- and then stationed that battalion where they could support the West Bank settlers. In doing so they assaulted a CNN News crew reporting on settler's attacks and land grabs against Palestinians. Success!
We need to be clear-eyed about how we are being used and abused. Stop the insanity.
I am actually surprised that Iran has never targeted the already settled areas. Obviously, I'm not advocating anything, just noticing a quirk. Apart from the IDF's presence in the settlements, don't Ben-Gvir and Smotrich (Israel's quasi-Ayatollahs) also live there? Not to mention their non-negligible economic contribution to Israel's revenue (estimated at $30bn/yr according to a quick check with Google's AI overview), or the lure of generating goodwill from all those who support a state of Palestine. If Iran was truly trying to destroy Israel, this would make sense. So, can we conclude that Iran is, as they claim, primarily concerned about self-defense/preservation rather than "death to Israel", despite all the hype from heads of states and the media?
All good questions, Joelle.
I don't think the powers that be in Iran would shed many tears in the event of Israel's destruction. I also think they 'need' Israel as an opponent, in the same way that trump 'needs' the Christian Nationalists here for purely political reasons which also applies to Netanyahu with respect to the ultra-Orthodox.
trump's motivation is voters who are convinced that although trump is a flawed human he is doing God's will on their behalf. In their minds it's all worth it 'cause we're going to the promised land, or getting raptured or whatever.
Iran's ayatollah's are, like trump, also energizing a crucial support faction - enough so that the Republican Guards are more than willing to slaughter their fellow citizens to protect the Faith and all glory to Allah.
In all three cases, (trump, Netanyahu, and ayatollah) religion is being used as a lever to move enough of the population to support their respective causes which mostly involves self preservation and expansion of power and the rewards of power.
HALLELUJAH! AND AMEN!!!
This useless do-nothing GOP has been MIA for most of the past year. Get them out of office, starting in November! VOTE.
Here, here.
And, for all those who miss the DOGED experts who used to study and advise presidents on complicated foreign policy issues, there is this quote from Frank Bruni's newsletter in the NY Times:
"In his newsletter, Moral Clarity, Andrew Weinstein sounded an alarm over the Trump administration’s marginalization of a crucial class of experts:
“Career diplomats are not ornamental. They are the institutional memory of American statecraft — the people who negotiate cease-fires, secure the release of political prisoners, and build coalitions that kept our troops out of wars. They are the ones who can tell the difference between a miscommunication and a mobilization. When you remove them, you are not trimming fat. You are severing nerves.” (Chester Gittleman, Roslyn, N.Y.)
Worth noting.
For those who have yet to discover the poignant beauty of Frank Bruni's columns in the NY Times, here's a gift link.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/opinion/trump-death-mueller.html?unlocked_article_code=1.XFA.B3BK.iOH41tlYbNGW&smid=url-share
Frank Bruni is an amazing thinker and writer.
Once again the big oaf has reacted impulsively, with no knowledge or understanding of the repercussions of his actions, humiliated us on a world stage, and worst of all, gotten thousands of innocent people killed or maimed. The military has to stop blindly following this lunatic’s orders. Its job it to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States, not take orders from a mentally and physically impaired wannabe dictator.
If we didn't have a "mentally and physically impared wannabe" secretary of defense, this might be a reality. We have instead, a religiously maniacal toady who is totally out of his depth attempting to run the show.
- Illegal wars based on lies
- Armed, masked thugs in the streets killing American citizens
- A convicted felon pedophile-in-chief surrounded by yes-people
- Tax breaks for the rich while stealing healthcare from the poor
- Rampant inflation with falling markets
- Theft of private information from millions of Americans
- The threat of Christian Nationalism (goodbye separation of church and state)
- Blatant disregard for the rule of law
- Attempted abandonment of the First Amendment
- Attempted severe limitations on the right to vote
- A Congress that has abdicated its powers
Republicans. Bad for America.
Thank you, Jim.
Senate Democrats should unanimously approve Senator Sanders resolutions to stop sale of more weaponry to Israel. Then say no to any request for additional billions to fund this war. Troops should come home. No honorable end to a war of aggression that should never have started.
And no more talk of Iran as a decades long terrorist actor without broadening the lens.
Trump and Pete Hegseth are both despicable. They think war is like playing with GI Joe’s. War is real and deadly. They don’t care who dies in this war because they don’t even care about their own American citizen’s lives. If they did not only would there not be a war but Renee Good and Alex Pretti would still be alive today.
One of the great signs I saw yesterday: "Good and Pretti beat Bad and Ugly."
Another great sign--and this might have been seen at all the protests:
Morons
Are
Governing
America.
I saw that on Saturday too
It is a total disaster, yes. But threatens to be a 100x disaster. I don’t think anyone is in control of this situation. But I do know the Persians have been there longer than Trump.
At this point, Iran and Israel in reality appear to have the upper hand. Trump is failing and flailing. The whinge for NATO allies to support his bungled war effort was a cry of weakness. Their resolve not to dive into this grand mistake atter being maligned was impressive.
Donald of Orange is so dim that he doesn't even realize that now that he's hoist the petard was his.
TACO again. He speaks loudly but carries a limp and spineless stick.
"Stick" might have been a keyboard error. Look one letter to the right - the third from the letter A.
Once again I remind everyone that ALL of this is the responsibility of the entire Republican party. I know it's TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP, but it's the Republican party that has abandoned American democracy and it's the Republican party that must be removed from power if there's any hope of restoring something democracy-like in America.
As I've read and said many times, monsters will be monsters (read DJT). They do what monsters do. But the others have a choice!
What can we expect when tRump + Fox/State Television have organized the authoritarians in society into a cohesive voting block which is totally googly-eyed with the constant propaganda? We get an amoral psychopath who also happens to be an imbecile in the Oval Office. Layer that on top of a constitution which makes it virtually impossible to remove such an individual and you get the evolving national disaster we find ourselves in.
Add a compliant MAGAcongress and abbetting supreme court and you have a trifecta of wreckage.
Already the worst president in history, the list of awful things this president has done continues to grow. Meanwhile, his cult continues to cheer him.
"This is what happens when impulsive, ignorant men — intoxicated with blowing things up "
Bingo! Exactly,.....and very sadly........right! Trump, and his lickspittle acolytes, are too stupid to know how stupid they are!
If the US had a sane president and competent negotiators we wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place.
The Iranians may bring about what the semi-conscious & delusional Americans have failed to do: Removal of the WH Crime Boss. Some of the MAGA Voodoo Cult are probably looking for a new Dear Leader to worship.Vance?