April 30, 2026

Iran Watch

Mitch McConnell: Joe Kent’s Resignation Letter Contained ‘Virulent Anti-Semitism’– slaynews.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

A sharp clash has erupted after a senior counterterrorism official stepped down and issued a resignation letter criticizing U.S. involvement in Iran, prompting a forceful rebuke from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

McConnell Condemns Kent’s Resignation Letter

Mitch McConnell blasted the resignation of Joe Kent, arguing the contents of Kent’s letter crossed a serious line.

In a post on X, McConnell declared:

“Joe Kent testified before the Senate one year ago that Iran and its terror proxies threatened U.S. servicemembers in the Middle East.

“He said it would be an honor to return to the fight against terrorism, and he pledged to lead with integrity and accountability.

Israel kills Iran’s spy chief; government seen as ‘largely degraded’– www.latimes.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

WASHINGTON — The Iranian government remains “intact but largely degraded,” National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard told Congress on Wednesday, as Israel continued to hunt down the Islamic Republic’s leadership with an overnight airstrike that killed the nation’s spy chief.

The death of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, announced Wednesday by Israel, was the third high-level assassination in roughly 24 hours in a series of strikes that have hollowed out Tehran’s leadership ranks.

Israel ordered strikes Tuesday that killed Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Basij paramilitary commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Additional senior Iranian figures could be targeted, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday. “Israel’s policy is clear and unequivocal: No one in Iran has immunity — everyone is a target,” Katz said.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, issued a rare statement Wednesday addressing Larijani’s assassination.

“Undoubtedly, the assassination of such a person shows the extent of his importance and the hatred of the enemies of Islam towards him,” he wrote, according to the Associated Press. “All blood has its price that the criminal murderers of the martyrs must pay soon.”

Dow tumbles more than 750 points to new closing low for 2026, fueled by inflation woes; Fed holds steady on rates – CNBC– news.google.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 1

Blurb:

  1. Dow tumbles more than 750 points to new closing low for 2026, fueled by inflation woes; Fed holds steady on rates  CNBC
  2. Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq slide as Federal Reserve holds rates steady  Yahoo Finance
  3. Fed Meeting Today: Stocks Fall After Powell Voices Inflation Worries — Live Updates  WSJ
  4. Dow slides nearly 800 points after Fed meeting amid oil inflation  USA Today
  5. U.S. stocks sink on worries about inflation as gold falls below $5,000 per ounce  PBS

Trump Claims US ‘Knew Nothing’ About Israeli Strike On Qatari Gas Field– dailycaller.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday night that the U.S. was completely unaware of Israeli strikes on a large gas field jointly owned by Iran and Qatar.

In less than a month, Operation Epic Fury has roiled the global energy market, driving gas prices to their highest levels since 2023 and pushing liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices up more than 50% worldwide. Trump has repeatedly stated his wish to “hold off” on striking infrastructure because “it would take years to rebuild.”

Evidently, according to Trump, Israel has not followed suit.

Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ world’s largest gas field — RT World News– www.rt.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

The US president has warned of an attack on the South Pars area if Iran targets Qatar in response to Israeli strikes

The US will “massively blow up” the South Pars gas field – the world’s largest – if Iran continues to strike Qatari energy facilities, President Donald Trump has warned.

Israel launched strikes on Wednesday on Iran’s facilities in the South Pars gas field in the Gulf, which it shares with Qatar. The South Pars spans almost 10,000 sq km and hosts an estimated 1,800 trillion cubic feet of gas. In response, Iran attacked a Qatari LNG facility and has threatened counterstrikes on key energy infrastructure across the Gulf region.

Pentagon Seeks $200 Billion For Iran War. It’s Nearly 50% Of Tehran’s GDP– www.ndtv.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

The Pentagon is reportedly seeking over $200 billion from the US Congress to fund President Donald Trump’s war of choice in Iran. If approved, the war funds will boost the US military campaign that began on February 28 and ramp up the production of weapons used during the conflict, according to a report by The Washington Post.

It’s been nearly three weeks since the US, along with Israel, began airstrikes against Iran to dismantle what the US military calls the “Iranian regime’s security apparatus.” So far, American forces have struck more than 7,800 targets and made over 8,000 combat flights and damaged or destroyed more than 120 Iranian vessels, according to U.S. Central Command.

Trump Calls for Israel to Stop Attacks on Iran’s South Pars Gas Field– www.breitbart.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

President Donald Trump stated that there would be “NO MORE ATTACKS” by Israel after Israel was reported to have launched strikes on Iran’s South Pars Gas Field.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the United States “knew nothing about this particular attack,” and added that Qatar “was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it.” Trump explained that because “Iran did not know” Qatar was not involved in the attack, Iran “unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar’s LNG Gas facility.”

Joe Kent suggests Israel fed US false intel to lure it into striking Iran– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

Joe Kent, former director of President Donald Trump’s National Counterterrorism Center, said Wednesday that information on Iran originating from Israeli officials and amplified through U.S. media and policy circles played a central role in shaping the president’s decision to carry out military action.

Kent, speaking on the Tucker Carlson Show following his resignation on Tuesday, argued that there was no U.S. intelligence showing Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States and suggested U.S. action was influenced by “an ecosystem of information” tied to Israeli interests and bogus intelligence.

U.S. eases Venezuela oil sanctions amid Iran war energy crisis – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser March 19, 2026 0

Blurb:

U.S. companies will be allowed to do business with Venezuela’s state-owned oil and gas company after the Treasury Department eased sanctions, with some limitations, on Wednesday as the Trump administration looks for ways to boost world oil supplies during the Iran war.

The Treasury issued a broad authorization allowing Petróleos de Venezuela S.A, or PDVSA, to directly sell Venezuelan oil to U.S. companies and on global markets, a massive shift after Washington for years had largely blocked dealings with Venezuela’s government and its oil sector.

Separately, the White House said Trump would waive, for 60 days, Jones Act requirements for goods shipped between U.S. ports to be moved on U.S.-flagged vessels. The 1920s law, designed to protect the American shipbuilding sector, is often blamed for making gas more expensive.

The moves highlight the increased pressure that the Republican administration is under to ease soaring oil prices as the United States, along with Israel, wages a war with Iran without a foreseeable end date. Global oil prices have since spiked as Iran halted traffic through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world’s oil typically passes through from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.

US National Counterterrorism Director Joe Kent Resigns: ‘I Cannot In Good Conscience Support The Ongoing War…Iran Posed No Imminent Threat’– wltreport.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

This is quite shocking.

Joe Kent, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has announced his resignation effective immediately.

Kent, in a lengthy resignation post on X, shared that he cannot, in good conscience, support the war in Iran.

The former CIA paramilitary officer added that Iran never posed an imminent threat to the United States.

AP broke the story:

Joe Kent, Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from the Trump administration.

Kent said he “cannot in good conscience” back Trump’s war in Iran.

Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent posted on social media Tuesday.

Kent is a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists who was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.

Take a look:

Full resignation letter:

President Trump,

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.

I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

In your first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qasam Solamani and by defeating ISIS.

Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.

As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.

I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.

It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.

2 Top Iranian Leaders Eliminated, Israel Says– www.dailysignal.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Two top Iranian leaders have been killed as the United States and Israel continue their joint operation against the Iranian regime.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij Force, have been eliminated, the Israeli Defense Forces announced Tuesday.

“Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators,” according to the IDF.

Larijani was closely associated with the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and was one of the nation’s top security officials. The former supreme leader tasked Larijani and several other officials with ensuring the regime would survive if he were killed, The New York Times reports.

“Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership,” according to the IDF.

Lifeblood Of US Industry Crosses Alarming Benchmark– dailycaller.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Diesel fuel, the lifeblood of U.S. industry, crossed an alarming and historic benchmark Tuesday.

Amid the Iran War and the Strait of Hormuz crisis, the U.S. average retail diesel prices have crossed $5 a gallon, the highest since December 2022.

This marks only the second time diesel prices have hit the historic 5-dollar benchmark, according to Reuters. Tuesday’s new average of $5.04 is now a record high, according to analysts at GasBuddy.

Meanwhile, gas prices across the country have surged 74 cents a gallon. This reportedly marks nearly a 30% increase over the past month, the highest monthly spike since Hurricane Katrina.

US farmers face fertilizer price crisis as Iran war disrupts global supply– www.independent.co.uk

pgnewser March 18, 2026 1

Blurb:

“The problem is, is we’re so strained financially coming into this issue,” explained Littleton, a third-generation farmer from Gibson County in the state’s northwest.

“We have had a couple of record losses over the last couple of years, so everyone’s kind of grabbing at straws anyway, and then to have input prices increase yet again, it just really couldn’t happen at a worse time.”

Littleton, who cultivates corn, soybeans, and wheat, is one of thousands of farmers nationwide who will pay significantly more this spring for the essential nutrients their crops require.

Nitrogen-based fertilizer is particularly crucial for corn, typically the largest crop in the U.S., which feeds the nation’s livestock and is converted into fuel for most U.S. vehicles.

While farmers have long voiced concerns over fertilizer costs, prices have surged dramatically since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.

This action has caused a significant slowdown in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for 20 per cent of the world’s oil and natural gas.

New Poll Levels That Dem/Media Narrative About Operation Epic Fury – RedState– redstate.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Democrats and liberal media have been all in trying to disparage Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

If you listened to them, you would think we were being destroyed and were losing, despite the unparalleled success of the military operation.

It’s legitimate to ask questions. You can reasonably have concerns or maybe be against the actions now. What isn’t reasonable is pushing out false stories to undermine our effort and essentially help provide propaganda that could benefit Iran.

Then the public has to wade through that and evaluate what they think, rather than just assessing the facts. Which, of course, is why Democrats/liberal media are doing that.

But a new poll is putting paid to the Democratic narrative that people don’t support the effort.The McLaughlin survey of likely voters found strong support.

When voters were asked whether they approved of President Trump using the U.S. military to eliminate Iran’s nuclear missile program and its support for terrorism — given Iran’s refusal to negotiate an end to its nuclear weapons and missile development — 51% approved, while 41% disapproved.

Indian tankers carrying LPG arrive at port after safe passage through Strait of Hormuz – Business– www.france24.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Two Indian-flagged tankers together carrying over 92,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas have arrived at ports in Gujarat state after safely passing through the Strait of Hormuz.  New Delhi has been negotiating with Iran, but the government denies discussing the possible release of Iranian tankers it seized in February as part of the bargain. Meanwhile, global crude prices jumped again amid new Iranian attacks on the UAE.

Whence the ‘Woke Reich’ and Iran? – RedState– redstate.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Nearly three weeks into a war against a crazed theocracy, the political and media focus has been, like a complaining child in the back seat of a car on a long trip, “When will it be over?”

This ridiculous impatience is a product of a Democrat opposition to Operation Epic Fury that will exploit every misstep, whether occurring out of strategy, operations, rhetoric, or unintended consequences. It is akin to getting a work assignment that the employer and employee both know will only reasonably produce results after weeks of long hours, at minimum, but nonetheless getting harangued by the boss every day: “You’re not done yet!?”

Now, the boss may be just an intolerable micro-manager, or he may be trying to get you to quit out of frustration. But it’s fairly certain, given the Democrat decades-long foreign policy record, that productive oversight of the conflict is not their goal.

Between the now ascendant neo-Marxist left and the “river-to-the-sea” crowd, the Democrat war objectives are clear: sabotage.

Two key figures of Iranian leadership killed: Who’s next? – The Debate– www.france24.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

 

Ali Larijani was the head of Iran’s Security Council and a key voice in the ear of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Gholamreza Soleimani was the head of the Basij militia. Both were pillars of Iran’s security apparatus. If they have indeed been taken out, the question is who replaces them, and will they take Iran down an even more hardline path?

The death of Iran‘s key figure Ali Larijani raises more questions than answers.

First, Israel says it has killed him in an air strike, but Tehran has yet to confirm or deny.

While Israel and the United States rejoice and call on the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow what is left of their Islamic leadership, the reality on the ground is less certain. The systematic killing of the leaders of Iran since February 28 has created a vacuum in Tehran.

The fear among analysts is that the space will be filled by regime insiders who will be hardened and more radical.

Larijani was the lead negotiator at the now aborted talks to find a peaceful way forward.

Why Is the Free Press Going Easy on Iranian Tyrants?– www.newsbusters.org

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

The concept of freedom of the press isn’t ruined by criticism of the press. But when liberal TV hosts roll out their lectures, they sound a little like the president they routinely attack. Any criticism of their work must be Fake News.

MS NOW host Ana Cabrera expressed indignation on March 16 after FCC chairman Brendan Carr tweeted that broadcast stations should watch what they’re airing on the war in Iran: “Freedom of the press has been such a huge, huge underpinning of the democracy in this country, right? In order to hold people in power accountable to be that government watchdog.” But Carr is “squashing” press freedom with a simple tweet.

NPR media reporter David Folkenflik lamented Carr wanted to “get in the weeds of what’s said,” but allowed that “you can argue there are good principles involved about wanting to make sure certain kinds of coverage is fair to all sides” – yet the government shouldn’t interfere.

Death of Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani tests regime resilience, risks hardline shift– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 0

Blurb:

Dr Dorsey pointed out that there may also be a hardening of the lines on both sides of the war following the security chief’s death.

“You could see Israel, the United States, seeing this as a major body blow that sets the stage for trying to finish Iran off,” he said.

Already, Iran has retaliated for the assassination of its security chief, targeting Tel Aviv with missiles carrying cluster warheads, which are difficult to intercept.

Larijani’s death is also likely to lend more power to the more radical leaders and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, said Dr Mehran Kamrava, professor of government at Georgetown University Qatar.

“As an insider with deep connections within the Islamic Republic’s deep state and with impeccable revolutionary credentials, he would have been indispensable to any decision to end the current war,” Dr Kamrava told CNA.

“His death is likely to strengthen the hands of President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi on the one hand, and the more radical, less compromising commanders of the Revolutionary Guards on the other.”

Iran launches deadly missile attacks on Israel, Gulf states as war spirals with no end in sight– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser March 18, 2026 1

Blurb:

Israel’s defense minister said Wednesday that the country would escalate its war against Iran, and its parallel assault on the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon, clearly signaling an escalation of the conflict in the heart of the Middle East.

“The intensity of attacks in Iran is increasing. We are in the midst of achieving a decisive outcome,” Katz said in his video message, shared on social media.

“Israel’s policy is clear and unequivocal: no one in Iran has immunity, and all are targeted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have authorized the IDF to neutralize any senior Iranian official for whom an intelligence and operational opportunity arises, without the need for additional approval. We will continue to intercept and hunt them all,” he said.

“Significant surprises are also expected throughout today across all arenas, which will escalate the war we are conducting against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.”