🔊🇮🇷🇺🇸 Attrition advantage: Why Iran holds upper hand

The US cannot sustain a full-scale war of attrition in the Persian Gulf at the current pace of munition deliveries, veteran Russian combat pilot Maj. Gen. Vladimir Popov tells Sputnik.

"The Americans are operating 'off the truck,' [and are heavily dependent] 'on resupply,'" Popov explains.

"This involves massive logistics—lengthy and time-consuming processes. And it’s far from easy to sustain that across an ocean from the American continent."

The existing stockpiles in warehouses and arsenals of air and naval US bases across the region, including Israel, contain a limited number of shells, bombs and drones, according to the pundit.

🟠 "Without regular resupply from the US mainland—from the main weapons storage bases—their current stockpile would last roughly two weeks, no more than that"

🟠 Rotating troops could turn into a major headache for the Americans

🟠 Next comes the logistics of maintenance and rear-line support for supplying weapons to the region—extremely costly processes

"I think the advantage will clearly be on Iran’s side," Popov says.

"The calculations might suggest the Americans are in a far worse position than Iran. It’s also worth noting that the Israelis sparked this conflict—and their arsenal is similarly limited and unlikely to last long."

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🚨🇷🇺🇮🇷 Lavrov to Araghchi: Russia ready to contribute to diplomatic resolution of the Iran conflict

What else the Russian MFA said about their phone call:

🟠 Lavrov and Araghchi emphasized that the actions of the US and Israel undermine the fundamental norms of international law and lead to severe consequences

🟠 Lavrov and Araghchi discussed the developments in the region following the unprovoked military aggression by the US and Israel

🟠 The two ministers prioritize measures to ensure safety of civilians, civilian infrastructure in Middle Eastern countries

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🗣 🇨🇳 China calls for immediate ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran

China advocates for the immediate cessation of hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran and will continue to play a constructive role in achieving peace, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

🔊 She also called for the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent further negative impact on the global economy.

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🔊🇺🇸🇮🇷 US war goals ‘completely unrealistic’, Iran can’t be bombed into regime change: Former NATO insider

💬 “The Israeli-American bombing campaign is by no means sufficient to bring down Iran,” Jacques Hogard, retired colonel of the French Special Forces Task Group under NATO in Kosovo, told Sputnik.

Hogard believes the US and Israel’s objective now is “to disrupt the structures of the state as much as possible, particularly those related to national defense and internal security.”

💬 “By provoking chaos and killing political, military leaders but also civilians, [the campaign’s] aim is to sow terror, demoralize the authorities and the defense and security forces, and push internal opponents, reinforced by agents of the Israeli intelligence services, to seize power. I don't think this can succeed,” the retired officer said.

Even the air war carries major strategic risks for the US, Hogard says, pointing to warnings by Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, “who cautioned” President Trump that “ammunition shortages will be felt after just a few days of war.”

💬 “Iranian bombings will quickly deplete Israeli and American anti-missile capabilities. Furthermore, the cost of Iranian drones, on the order of a few thousand dollars, is infinitely competitive compared to that of American munitions which costs millions of dollars! The game has only just begun,” Hogard stressed.

Suggesting that the US has fallen into a “trap” set by Israel, the observer warned that kowtowing to Tel Aviv will cost President Trump his approval ratings, his MAGA base, and the upcoming November midterms, which could culminate in his impeachment.

💬 “I don’t see how he can get out of this trap,” Hogard said.

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⚔️ Macron orders Charles de Gaulle carrier to Mediterranean

The French president announces military escalation after two French installations were hit in recent strikes.

"I have given the order for the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and its escort to travel to the Mediterranean Sea," Macron said in his address.

He added that France has already deployed Rafale jets, missile defense systems, and radars at airports in allied countries.

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📑 Iran's new Supreme leader may be elected after March 6 — reports

The Council of Experts could announce a successor to Ayatollah Khamenei in the coming days, Iranian Fars news agency reported.

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⚔️🇱🇧 IDF strikes 60 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military announces "broad-scale strikes" across Tyre and Sidon, targeting weapons depots, command centers, missile launchers, and terrorist infrastructure.

"The IDF is operating determinedly against Hezbollah following the terrorist organization's decision to deliberately attack Israel," the statement reads.

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⚔️ Iran shoots down another US F-15 — report

The Islamic Republic Army's air defense systems have downed an additional US fighter jet, Tasnim reported.

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📑 US sends B-2 bombers to target IRGC command and control nodes — reports

The stealth bombers are currently on a mission targeting Iranian weapon depots and a rocket program assembly facility, according to a CBS News report citing US officials.

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🔥 US and Israel strike armed factions in western Iraq

Sputnik correspondent confirms strikes on Popular Mobilization Forces positions in Al-Qaim, Anbar province, near the Syrian border.

📹 Footage from social media

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☢️ Macron's nuclear gamble: trading French independence for EU leadership?

The president's nuclear expansion plan reveals a deeper weakness, French MEP Herve Juven tells Sputnik.

"Macron is tempted to trade what remains of France's independence for fuller integration of French security forces, including nuclear weapons... into a larger European entity."

While the French president aims to establish France as "the cornerstone of the EU's future deterrence strategy," the country actually finds itself dependent on the US.

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☢️ IAEA will not guarantee peaceful intents of Iran's nuclear program

There is no evidence that Iran is building a nuclear bomb, said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, though he criticized Iran's refusal to cooperate with the agency.

"Unless and until Iran assists the IAEA... the Agency will not be in a position to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful," he wrote on X.

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