Stop bombing Iran and Stop Missiling Russia
Fri 1:07 pm +00:00, 20 Mar 2026 2
Wishing you a relaxing weekend. The Duran Team | |
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| The Iran Conflict Enters a Dangerous New Phase The past 48 hours are being cast as a decisive inflection point in the Iran conflict, following an Israeli strike that reportedly killed senior Iranian figure Ali Larijani alongside civilians. What followed looks less like retaliation and more like acceleration. Strikes on the South Pars gas field grabbed headlines, but the hit on the Bushehr nuclear power plant – housing Russian technicians – has drawn quieter concern despite its far greater risks. Moscow’s irritation over the apparent lack of warning adds another volatile layer. Both targets are civilian infrastructure, and whatever ambiguity remains around damage or attribution does little to soften the reality: escalation is no longer incremental. Public messaging from Washington has only thickened the fog. Official denials of involvement sit awkwardly alongside reports suggesting prior awareness. Donald Trump has managed to both distance the United States and threaten sweeping retaliation if Iran targets regional energy assets. Tehran, for its part, appears unimpressed. Retaliatory strikes have already reached energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with possible spillover into Kuwait, while shipping disruptions in the Persian Gulf signal a widening conflict. Markets, initially sluggish, are beginning to react – energy prices climbing, financial markets dipping, and central banks hesitating between inflation fears and recession risks. The deeper concern is structural. Gulf energy flows – especially through the Strait of Hormuz – are not just regional lifelines but pillars of the global financial system. Since the 1970s, oil’s pricing in U.S. dollars has anchored global demand for the currency. Sustained disruption now raises uncomfortable questions about that foundation. The assumption that Iran could be quickly weakened or coerced appears increasingly detached from reality. Instead, Tehran has absorbed early blows, maintained internal control, and escalated outward, turning what was expected to be a short campaign into something far messier. There is little sign of a brake. Additional U.S. troop movements and ballooning cost projections hint at a familiar pattern: expanding commitments without a clear end state. Comparisons to past military entanglements are becoming harder to dismiss. Behind the scenes, Russia may be preparing material support, while China’s potential involvement lingers as an unspoken multiplier. Meanwhile, Europe watches, largely inert, as energy vulnerability grows. Parallel conflicts – from Ukraine to the Gulf – are no longer separate crises but overlapping pressure points. The trajectory is not decisive victory, but prolonged instability – with escalation no longer a risk, but the operating logic. | |
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An alleged Iranian spy has been arrested after being accused of trying to enter Britain’s Faslane nuclear naval base.
The 34-year-old suspect, accompanied by a female, 31, also reportedly Iranian, was in a vehicle when approaching a gate at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.
The pair lacked the right passes to enter and were turned away, it has been reported – before being detained after ‘acting suspiciously in the vicinity’.
The naval base is the Royal Navy’s headquarters in Scotland and is home to Britain’s nuclear submarines including the Vanguard vessels armed with Trident missiles.
The arrests come as Iran‘s foreign minister warned the UK it sees its choice to let the US use British bases as ‘participation in aggression’ in a phone call with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi criticised what he called the ‘negative and biased approach of Britain’ towards the US-Israeli military action against Iran, as well as the UK’s decision to provide military bases for the US to use.
Sir Keir Starmer has granted the US permission for ‘defensive’ action against Iranian missile sites from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Commenting on the Faslane arrests, a Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Around 5pm on Thursday, 19 March, 2026, we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde.
‘A 34-year-old man and 31-year-old woman have been arrested in connection and enquiries are ongoing.’
A Royal Navy spokesman said: ‘Police Scotland have arrested two people who unsuccessfully attempted to enter HM Naval Base Clyde on Thursday 19 March.
‘As the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation, we will not comment further.’
HM Naval Base Clyde, commonly known as Faslane, is home to four Trident-armed ballistic missile submarines as well as the Navy’s seven Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.
The base, 25 miles north-west of Glasgow, hosts submarines powered by nuclear reactors.
A serious nuclear incident took place at the base early last year, it was revealed last August.
There was a Category A event at HMNB Clyde on Gare Loch in Faslane between January and April.
The Ministry of Defence defines a Category A incident as the most serious and those which carry an ‘actual or high potential for radioactive release to the environment’.
But the government department insisted the incident at HMNB Clyde did not pose a risk to the public nor result in any radiological impact to the environment.
It was revealed in a written parliamentary answer by defence procurement minister Maria Eagle after she was asked to provide the number of Nuclear Site Event Reports (NSERs) at the Faslane and Coulport bases.
NSERs detail incidents at nuclear facilities and are categorised based on their safety significance and impact.
She disclosed that there had been a category A event at Faslane between January 1 and April 22 as well as two category B, seven category C and four category D incidents.
Ms Eagle added that there were five further events deemed ‘below scale’ and less serious.
The Faslane base is guarded by Ministry of Defence Police as well as Royal Marine Commandos from the 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group.
The criticism of Britain from Iran came in a post in Farsi on the website Telegram, in which Mr Araghchi said he told Ms Cooper: ‘These actions will definitely be considered as participation in aggression and will be recorded in the history of relations between the two countries.
‘At the same time, we reserve our inherent right to defend the country’s sovereignty and independence.’
Downing Street defended the UK’s position, with the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman saying: ‘Our position is very clear. We didn’t participate in the initial strikes, and we’re not getting drawn into the wider war.
‘We have authorised the US to use our bases for a specific defensive and limited purpose in response to Iran’s continued and outrageous aggression, and we’ve always said that this is the best way to eliminate the urgent threat and restore a path to diplomacy.’
TAP – The UK is not an independent state and our armed forces are under the orders of the US President as part of the Trident treaty, entered into by Mrs Thatcher. It would be better to halt this war on Iran and sue for peace between England and Iran. Before the escalation comes our way any more than it has already. Unfortunately we are trapped in alliance with the US. We can get rid of the Trident nuclear missiles, close our alliances, and declare English independence.
And same thing. Stop missiling Russia with UK missiles.
Russian weatherman predicts ‘favourable’ conditions for nuclear strike on UK
Russian weatherman predicts ‘favourable’ conditions for nuclear strike on UK
Media figures have often been used not just to inform, but to shape public opinion, reinforce political narratives and project strength toward foreign rivals.
Lately, that messaging has increasingly included references to military power and nuclear capability, often delivered through unexpected voices.
Chilling forecast
A Russian meteorologist has now sparked concern after claiming that weather conditions would be “favourable” for a nuclear strike on the UK.
Yevgeny Tishkovets, a former military officer who now appears on state television, made the remarks during a broadcast.
“By the way, the wind pattern today is favourable for the use of a full range of weapons, including even low-yield nuclear weapons,” he said according to Mirror
Target named
During his comments, Tishkovets pointed to Farnborough in Hampshire as a potential target.
He linked the suggestion to Western support for Ukraine, particularly the use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles.
He also referenced a site in France, calling for strikes on facilities connected to weapons production.
Radiation warning
The forecaster went further by describing how weather patterns could influence the spread of nuclear fallout.
“Any radiation, any clouds, and so on – everything associated with [a nuclear explosion] – will be blown in a clear, broad direction toward European countries,” he said.
Also read
Russian state TV speculation contrasts with verified US military activity
From airstrikes to phone calls: How Israel is increasing pressure on Iran
His remarks suggested that prevailing winds could carry radioactive effects across much of Europe.
Propaganda pattern
Tishkovets, who served for 20 years in the Russian army, has become known for blending weather reports with political commentary.
According to the Daily Express, he has repeatedly used broadcasts to promote pro-Kremlin views and comment on military developments.
His latest statements came after Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets, which he strongly criticised.
Sources: Daily Express, Daily Mirror.
From msn.com next
A new ‘triple lock’ will be put in place in the UK but this time it has nothing to do with state pensioners or pension payments.
Normally, the triple lock refers to the mechanism by which the DWP increases state pension payments each April, either by inflation, wage growth or a flat 2.5%, whichever is higher.
But in the past week, the UK government has put forward a very different kind of triple lock to arm the country with nuclear weapons.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced via the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that the UK is entering a ‘new era for defence’ and its nuclear weapons ‘send the ultimate warning’.
As part of plans for nuclear infrastructure and defence, he announced a ‘triple lock’ to operate, sustain and renew the UK’s nuclear deterrent, following the recent conflict in Iran which has caused widespread global instability. Part of the plans include four new nuclear submarines, the replacement of a nuclear warhead, and major upgrades to naval bases.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “In this new era for defence, our nuclear weapons deter the most extreme threats to national security, sending the ultimate warning to anyone who seeks to do us harm. I am proud of all those working in our nuclear sector who play such a vital part in keeping Britain secure, and proud of this government’s increased investment into defence nuclear.
“Our triple lock shows that our commitment to operate, sustain, and renew our nuclear deterrent is total and these reforms will enable us to accelerate our work, supporting tens of thousands of skilled jobs and driving growth in every corner of the nation.
“Our deterrent is deployed every minute of every day to protect our nation, our allies and way of life. It is a truly national endeavour that has existed for over 60 years – the bedrock of our nation’s defence and the cornerstone of our commitment to NATO and global security.”
The DESNZ said, in the plans announced on March 13: “Government is backing 7 research programmes with £65.6 million new funding, delivered by UK Research and Innovation, from University of Bangor in North Wales to the University of Glasgow in Scotland to Imperial College London, investing in the next generation of scientists and engineers to support the clean energy mission and the nuclear deterrent.
“The funding, which will be matched by industry partners, will support cutting-edge research such as advanced nuclear reactor components, nuclear waste disposal, innovative nuclear fuels and materials, and research of critical importance to national security and keeping the UK safe.
Meanwhile the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) – the partnership of organisations that operate, renew, and maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent – is projected to support 65,000 highly skilled, well-paid jobs by 2030, and depends on precisely the kind of sovereign technical talent this funding will develop.
“The government is also constructing 4 new Dreadnought-class submarines that will deliver the next generation of the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, the replacement of the nuclear warhead, and major upgrades and investments across defence nuclear industrial sites and naval bases.”
As well as defence, the government wants to push for more nuclear power, including investment in Sizewell C and Hinkley Point C nuclear power stations. It says nuclear projects will be built faster and cheaper, boosting national and energy security and protecting households from volatile global fossil fuel markets as part of a long-overdue overhaul of nuclear regulation, as part of adopting recommendations from the independent Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce.
Sue Ferns OBE, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said: “The conflict in the Middle East demonstrates the dangers of continued reliance on volatile global fossil fuel markets, so we welcome that the government is pressing down on the nuclear accelerator. Nuclear power is not only clean and reliable, it supports thousands of highly skilled, well-paid, jobs across the country and is the foundation of many local economies.
“It was never the case that speeding up nuclear meant compromising on safety or on the environment, and we are glad the government has rejected this argument in favour of a win-win approach. As the UK’s trade union for nuclear specialists we expect to be fully involved in the implementation of this plan to ensure the views of nuclear workers are heard.”
TAP – what goes around comes around.
“The UK is not an independent state ”
Indeed not, the City of London is independent but the ZioUK is a vassal of higher powers. And Starmer is a mere puppet, he calls none of these shots
I think that the puppets are ALL there as a distraction for the real players. Can anyone seriously believe that Trump isn’t one of the puppets, that he’s compos mentos enough to be trusted with ANY of this by the real players?
So who are these real players? Who knows? Thomas Sheriden calls them the “secret unknowns”. It doesn’t really matter who they are because they will never show their faces to us
Faslane is certainly real, I’ve driven past the place more than once. But is Trident real? How could we possibly know? To believe that Tridents actually work then, you’ve just got to trust that the lying liars are telling you the truth for once. Why would anyone do that?
Whatever, the Trident technology is ancient now. It’s been a long term Treasury dip, decades of our taxes funnelled straight into the defence corporations. Sweet as a nut for them, but not a great deal for us taxpayers, who pay a fortune for weapons that can never be used. And probably don’t even work
The evidence that Trident could be real is the attempt by Iranian intelligence/PR to stage a walk in….or let the UK know that Faslane is one of their potential targets if we persist in helping the US to kill their citizens. The threat to the UK is real enough. England can only escape the alliances signed with the US by declaring independence and working our own diplomatic missions. The English Democrats the only party to stand for independence and for negotiation with RUssia, and thereby negotiation with IRan. We do not own the GUlf. The way to help our citizens is to bring peace not escalate a pointless war created by trillionaires for profit.