Hell in the Persian Gulf: Exchange of fire
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it struck an American early-warning radar in Bahrainin response to an attack against a telecommunications tower in the Sirik area of Iran. "This is a serious warning to the attacking enemy to stop air provocations and oil smuggling in the Strait of Hormuz. If these violations and aggressive actions are repeated, the IRGC Aerospace Force is in full readiness to respond without any limitation," the IRGC announced. According to the state news agency IRNA, official Iranian sources reported that the port city of Sirik, in the Hormozgan province of southern Iran, came under "hostile fire" on Thursday, November 12.
IRGC: Another tanker in flames in Hormuz after striking a mine
The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier exploded after striking a naval mine east of the Strait of Hormuz. Simultaneously, it reiterated its warnings against using an unauthorized and dangerous southern transit route through the strategically important maritime passage. According to the IRGC, the exploded vessel was attempting to cross this specific route despite repeated warnings not to use it. This decision, according to the announcement, resulted in the vessel striking a naval mine, triggering a massive explosion. The Revolutionary Guards added that they manage and control navigation in the Strait of Hormuz with absolute determination and strictness.
Iranian media: Potential new attack on November 14-15
Iranian media warn that Washington may launch a new military strike as early as the upcoming weekend. Tehran is currently on heightened alert as fears intensify regarding a serious escalation of tensions between the US and Iran. If these warnings are confirmed, the next 48 to 72 hours may prove critical. According to Israeli journalist Itay Blumental, CENTCOM, the US military command in the Middle East, has informed Israel and the Gulf states to prepare for the possibility of a new military conflict with Iran.
Trump: "I will annihilate them in 3 days"
In new statements, US President Donald Trump claimed that US allies in the Gulf were the ones who asked him to postpone further attacks against Iran. As he stated, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf countries asked him to hold off on new large-scale strikes against Iran, arguing that he could destroy the country's energy infrastructure, bridges, and industrial facilities in just three days. In an interview with Stephen A. Smith at the White House, Trump stated that he could end the war immediately, but continues to exert economic and military pressure at the request of US regional allies. "Saudi Arabia asked me, please, leave things as they are now for a little while," he noted, adding that Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain prefer maintaining the current strategy. "I am not sure I agree with this approach," Trump added. When asked whether he would have launched further attacks without requests from these countries, he replied categorically: "Yes, I would have." Trump also argued that the US has largely avoided striking Iran's energy infrastructure and bridges. "Within one day, their energy infrastructure will be gone. Within one day, their bridges will be destroyed. And within one day, their industrial production capacity will be eliminated. It would take me just three days," stated Trump, who acknowledged that rising gasoline prices due to the war contributed to the Republicans' defeat in the congressional midterm elections, although he defended his decision to attack Iran.
Sidelining J.D. Vance
Meanwhile, in a move that caused a sensation and reinforced scenarios of an immediate military intervention, Trump wrote on social media that the US does not "need a deal" with Tehran and removed Vice President J.D. Vance from negotiations, assigning him other priorities. In a morning post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he instructed Vance, who had been leading negotiations between the US and Iran, to "focus fully and exclusively" on combating corruption and crime in Democrat-run states and cities. "We do not need a deal with Iran. Those days are long gone!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We have their money, hundreds of billions of dollars, and we have their Strait!" These statements came as diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran intensified over recent days, with the two countries quietly negotiating a sensitive agreement that could prevent the resumption of a generalized war and open the path to broader talks. This development also politically serves Vance, who has achieved limited progress leading negotiations and recently publicly blamed the war for the Republicans' crushing losses in the midterms. His positioning was interpreted by many as an attempt to distance himself from the conflict as he considers a 2028 presidential run. For his part, Trump stated that he agrees with Vance that the war is to blame for Republican electoral losses. However, he pointed out that his vice president should have clarified that, despite the consequences, the military operation was worth undertaking.
The contradiction
Nevertheless, although Trump argued he would not hesitate to repeat military strikes against Iran if deemed necessary, stating that "it is possible I would do it even now," he simultaneously maintained that he currently sees no reason for new military action. "We control the Gulf regarding the Strait of Hormuz. We control them, we control them absolutely," Trump stated. "But the answer is that, if I saw things moving in the opposite direction, I would do it. I would proceed with this action. And it is possible I would do it right now," said Trump, pointing out that he would consider it "definitely a defeat" if he were to leave the White House while the "crazy people of Iran," as he characterized them, remained in power.
Iran could reach Europe and Los Angeles
The American president argued that the threat originating from Iran does not exclusively concern Israel, but can expand to other regions, including Europe and the United States. "As you know, this attack could reach as far as San Diego and Los Angeles," he noted. "First of all, it could reach Europe because it is closer. As you know, they possess missiles capable of striking European targets."
Abdollahi (Iranian Major General): Prepare for even more lethal strikes
Major General Ali Abdollahi, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, issued a warning to the United States and the Israeli regime, declaring that any new miscalculation against the Islamic Republic will be met with strikes far more devastating than those of the past. "We warn once again the United States and the Zionist regime that previous strikes were only the beginning. In the event of any new miscalculation, far more lethal strikes await them," argued Abdollahi, underlining that this is a "credible threat" well within the operational capabilities and real capacities of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Furthermore, he proclaimed that any location serving as a threat center against the very existence of the Islamic Republic's political system will become an immediate target of asymmetrical military operations.
Western weapons paralyzed before Iran's missiles and drones
Referring to the achievements of the IRGC Aerospace Force, Abdollahi praised the "proud victories" in operations True Promise and Nasr, which took place within the context of wars that, according to Tehran, were imposed on Iran by the USand Israel. He pointed out that this force succeeded in completing the path toward complete self-sufficiency, starting from scratch and reaching the absolute level of autonomy, eliminating the need to import weapon systems from abroad. As he argued, this evolution transformed Iran from a simple arms buyer into one of the leading producers and exporters of strategic military equipment. "What was proven on the actual battlefield, particularly over the past year and a half, was the failure of heavily advertised western defense systems against Iranian determination and technology," he stressed. General Abdollahi argued that the advanced weapon and defense systems of the US and Israel proved ineffective and essentially paralyzed against the speed, agility, and operational capabilities of Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Continuous production
Abdollahi also revealed that the resilience of Iran's missile and drone industry has reached such a level that continuous production of weapon systems is possible even under conditions of intense enemy fire and bombardment. He noted that production lines, located deep inside underground tunnels, are constantly increasing the country's defensive and military arsenal. In this manner, according to him, it is ensured that the enemy will not be able, under any circumstances, to interrupt the cycle of production, upgrading, and modernization of Iranian weapon systems.
Rezaei (Secretary of Iran Security Council): No safe haven in Europe and Western Asia
In a post, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, wrote: "If the US launches a new war against Iran, every military base involved in the attack—from Western Asia to Europe—will be a legitimate target for Iran's lethal strikes." "No distance offers safety, no safe haven, no immunity," characteristically stated Rezaei.
Kioumars Heydari (Iran army): We will crush any location used for attack against us
Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, stated that any location, anywhere in the world, from which hostile activity or an attack originates against the country, will face an overwhelming response. Heydari stated that the Armed Forces have drawn up a comprehensive and updated database of military targets following the lifting of geographical restrictions on potential retaliation operations, according to instructions from Mojtaba Khamenei. He added that the list includes military installations and other locations both in the broader region and beyond that could be used by the United States and the Israeli regime. Heydari underlined that the Armed Forces are fully prepared to respond to any new aggressive action, while emphasizing that Iran's response will extend to countries facilitating attacks against it, including those allowing hostile aircraft to use their territory or permitting missile launches from their territory. As he stressed, these specific countries will be included in Iran's list of "legitimate targets."
Will Netanyahu attack Iran as head of a caretaker government?
Amid growing assessments regarding the possibility of resumed Israeli attacks against Iran, an unprecedented political situation has formed in Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister of Israel, continues to govern the country despite failing to maintain a parliamentary majority. At the same time, Gadi Eisenkot has received the mandate to form a new government. Under these conditions, a critical question arises: Can Netanyahu decide to initiate a new war with Iran before the new government is formed? A report by the Jerusalem Post highlights that, from a legal standpoint, the change in Israel's political situation does not necessarily entail stripping military powers from the incumbent prime minister. However, political conditions and legal requirements may impose serious limitations and create significant difficulties in deciding to initiate a new war.
The unusual meeting between Netanyahu and Eisenkot: Why did it happen now?
One of the most significant developments is the unusual meeting between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, which took place on Thursday, November 12. The meeting occurred in the Israeli prime minister's office in the presence of Guy Markizano, Netanyahu's military secretary. The significance of the meeting becomes even greater considering that Eisenkot had expressed concerns in preceding days regarding the security decisions of the caretaker government and had requested regular intelligence briefings on the security situation. In a letter to Netanyahu, he had also warned that taking high-risk military decisions without an immediate threat and while the new government has yet to be formed could have serious consequences for democracy and public trust in Israel's institutions. The occurrence of the meeting, following recent disagreements between the two politicians, demonstrates that control over the caretaker government's security decisions has evolved into a primary point of political confrontation in Israel. However, details of the discussions held during the meeting have not yet been made public.
Does Netanyahu retain the legal authority to order an attack on Iran?
The Jerusalem Post analysis points out that Israel's caretaker government is not subject to an absolute legal prohibition regarding the conduct of military operations or even involving the country in war. According to Israeli law, the outgoing government retains its executive powers until a new cabinet is formed, and Netanyahu is still considered the legitimate prime minister. Therefore, the fact that Eisenkot has received a government-formation mandate does not automatically strip Netanyahu of command responsibilities and management of the national security apparatus. However, Article 40 of Israel's Basic Law: The Government stipulates that initiating a war or undertaking a major military operation highly likely to lead to war must be approved by a decision of the government or the competent security cabinet. In other words, Netanyahu cannot lead the country into a total war solely on his personal decision. He must adhere to required legal procedures and ensure collective decision-making within the governmental structure.
Increased military readiness: War preparation or pressure tactic?
Over recent days, reports have been published indicating that an order was issued to increase the operational readiness of the Israeli armed forces for the possibility of a new attack against Iran. Simultaneously, according to reports, the Israeli security cabinet is expected to convene on Sunday, November 15, for the first time in over a month. These developments occur amid published information regarding disagreements between Netanyahu and certain senior military officials concerning the necessity of a new military operation. One of the concerns voiced in Israeli political circles is that launching a new military conflict could alter the internal political landscape and create conditions for forming a national unity government. Netanyahu could potentially participate in such a government. However, so far no independent evidence has been presented confirming that Netanyahu is seeking to initiate a new war aimed at subverting internal political balances to his benefit. What appears for now is that Israel is navigating a particularly critical period both politically and in terms of national security.
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