Iran claims it downed U.S. jet; Half of Iran’s missile launchers intact; Trump vows more strikes on civilian infrastructure after destroying bridge in Iran.
Meanwhile, a UN resolution on Hormuz fails, and Hegseth forces out senior officers amid the Iran war.
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The latest news at this hour:
IRAN CLAIMS IT DOWNED U.S. JET: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Friday that it shot down a U.S. F‑35 fighter jet over central Iran, according to Iranian media. This is the second time Iran has claimed it shot down a U.S. F‑35 fighter jet since the start of the war.
On March 19, the IRGC boasted about shooting down another U.S. fighter jet over the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command denied the loss of any fighter jets and said that Iran makes such false claims routinely.
HALF OF IRAN’S MISSILE LAUNCHERS INTACT: Despite daily attacks by the U.S. and Israel, Iran still has about 50 percent of its missile launchers and thousands of drones, CNN reported citing U.S. intelligence.
A large share of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missiles remains intact, which poses a major threat to ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
This report raises doubts about the White House and Pentagon’s claims that U.S. bombing has destroyed all Iranian weapon production facilities and left the country defenseless.
TRUMP VOWS TO ATTACK MORE CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE AFTER DESTROYING BRIDGE IN IRAN: In his post on Truth Social, Donald Trump showed a video of the U.S. armed forces bombing the new B1 bridge between Tehran and Karaj. As a result, at least 8 people died and 95 were injured.
Trump threatened to continue attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that such actions will not compel Iran to surrender.
Over 100 prominent U.S. international law experts from Harvard, Yale, Stanford and other institutions published an open letter yesterday, condemning U.S. strikes on schools, health facilities, and housing in Iran.
UN RESOLUTION ON HORMUZ FAILS: Russia, China and France opposed a push to get the UN Security Council to approve using force to open the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, New York Times reported.
The resolution, drafted by Bahrain, is currently undergoing the fourth round of amendments before the next vote.
This comes after reports surfaced yesterday that President Trump had threatened to obstruct NATO weapon supplies for Ukraine if European allies didn’t help him to open the strait of Hormuz. In response, NATO’s General Secretary Mark Rutte urged key members to change their position. France, Germany and the UK agreed to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.”
HEGSETH FORCES OUT SENIOR OFFICERS AMID IRAN WAR: The U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked three army officers to step down, the Washington Post reported.
Among them are Gen. Randy George, who was supposed to remain in his position until 2027, the head of the service’s Training and Transformation Command, and the chief of Army chaplains. Last year, five senior Army officers were fired by the Trump administration, so the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be remade almost entirely.
Most dismissals were carried out without explanation. There are over 50,000 U.S. troops in the region right now.
OIL REFINERY HIT IN KUWAIT: The Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, which belongs to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, was hit by drones today, Reuters reported. Fires broke out at operating units, but no injuries were reported so far.
This refinery, one of the largest in the Middle East, has been hit by Iranian drones twice before during the five-week-long conflict.
MARINES TRAINING FOR AMPHIBIOUS ATTACK: The Pentagon published photos of U.S. Marines conducting a simulated amphibious assault on Thursday.
The images show soldiers of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was deployed to the Middle East with as many as 2,400 Marines. The group is equipped and trained to seize territory, raising concerns after reports of the U.S.’ plans to seize territory in Iran, particularly Kharg Island, which was bombed by the U.S. and has critical oil infrastructure.
According to the U.S. General Command, around 50,000 U.S. troops, including Marines, are already deployed in the Middle East.
KELLOGG SUGGESTS NEW DEFENSE ALLIANCE: In his interview on Fox News on Thursday, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg called NATO ineffective in the Middle East war, and suggested that the U.S. create a new defense alliance.
Among possible members, he named Japan, Australia, and some European countries, such as Poland, Germany, and Ukraine, given its experience on the battlefield.
Stay safe out there!
Best,
Oleksandra
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there are reports on Telegram that it's actually an F-15E which was shot down
Hegseth is an affirmative action for "stupid, rich, which Christian Nationalist men" hire. He needs to get the heave ho by someone if Trump won't do it.
Malcolm Nance (former US intel in the region) and Wajeeh Ali, were showing the US jet being attacked, and while Malcolm did not believe what he heard, he does see a jet and then 2 people being ejected, so he said it was something different that has 2 ejector seats. They have a daily war report. Jacob Kaarsbo, who is former Danish intel in the region, is on a ski vacation for Easter break. He will be back next week to continue talking. He is an expert on Lebanon.
https://malcolmnance.substack.com/
What do you think of General Kellogg suggesting a new defense alliance? What is he saying is wrong with NATO? I am in Germany and I know that a lot of people think that NATO could continue without the US, just not the leadership. Why this particular configuration of countries?