(LIVE BLOG) OPERATION EPIC FURY/ROARING LION IN IRAN, DAY 12 (UPDATE)

Following our previous reporting (link), the operation by US and Israeli forces on Iran on Wednesday went into its eleventh day. Three vessels have been struck in the Gulf. A container ship that was in the Strait, the other two were in the anchorage off the UAE, one of them Greek. In the UK, PM Starmer has finally managed to dispatch HMS Dragon to Cyprus (link). Greek City Times explains military readiness for the defense of Cyprus (link). Turkey, not content with six F-16s deployed on the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, is also sending surface-to-air missiles (link). Aramco has opened up a pipeline across the Arabian peninsula to the Red Sea, they haven't used in ages (link). That should bring oil down another dollar or so. Present rate: USD 84. Yesterday it was USD 80, but that was before the media swept in. 

Agenda Free TV Live stream.

BREAKING - RSBN Live stream: President Trump Delivers Remarks at Verst Logistics in Hebron, KY (link). President Trump Speaks to Press Before His Trip to Ohio and Kentucky (link). 

Beirut is under heavy fire by the IDF. Multiple fires and smoke columns are rising out of the skyline.

Since yesterday the media are running a 'wrap-up' smear campaign involving the rumor of mines in the Gulf. Although there is NO evidence WHATSOEVER, today this fake news is still very much alive on social media. 

DYSTOPIA OF PARADISE: (LIVE BLOG) OPERATION EPIC FURY/ROARING LION IN IRAN, DAY 12 - The media are working for the enemy. Yesterday they were spreading fake news and panic about mines in the Gulf. They reported Iran laid mines...only a few dozen or so, if any..This is criminal… pic.twitter.com/XNZdItE6wx

— 🏛 Kassandra Troy ☦ (@KassieTroy) March 11, 2026

~o~

This war provides final proof that the media are working for the other side, whoever that happens to be. Today Iran, tomorrow, who knows. Yesterday they were caught in the act of spreading fake news and panic about mines in the Gulf.

Oh look, the scenario that stopped the US from doing the war with Iran for decades is happening.

This would have been a strategic nightmare 20 years ago, the difference now is Iran has tens of thousands of drones that can target any attempts to sweep the mines regardless of… https://t.co/DigH4hqT0j

— Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) March 10, 2026

Mines are so bad for shipping, that the rumor was enough to torpedo President Trump's efforts to encourage shipping back into passing the Straits (link). Some have done so reluctantly. The price of oil made a dive. 

The use of sea mines is a declaration of war on everyone, including China, because such weapons do not discriminate who their victims are. https://t.co/RAewTkC6BE

— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) March 10, 2026

So CNN, CBS, Bloomberg, the New York Times and others started to report that Iran laid mines...only a few dozen or so, if any, and that the threat remains largely unproven on the ground (link). This is criminal behavior (link). 

President Trump (link, link) immediately confirmed it had already destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, stating it was unclear whether mines had actually been deployed at all (link).

NOW: Pentagon releases first videos of assaults against Iranian mine laying ships.

These are the primary tools Iran has left to block the shipping lanes. pic.twitter.com/nEih65mtvg

— George Papadopoulos (@GeorgePapa19) March 10, 2026

There is no confirmed evidence that any ships have hit Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 11 days, according to available reports. Now everyone's afraid of mines. 

While Iran has threatened to mine the strait and declared it would block oil exports, no verified incidents of ships striking mines have been reported (link).

Rob Finnerty: “Iran felt comfortable enough inviting CNN into the country to cover the war, which is not a compliment, but CNN is bragging about it like it's some credit to them. It's not. It's pathetic because CNN and Iranian state media are essentially the same thing, separated… pic.twitter.com/XdEtcODEO7

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) March 11, 2026

Philip Pilkington explains how these fake news campaign by the media work in practice. It's a version of the 'wrap up smear' tactic. 

🚨 FAKE NEWS ALERT!

Notorious fake news peddler @mdunai is making extravagant claims about Russian interference in the Hungarian election. The problem? He has not cited a source. This example shows how fake news is laundered.

What is the real "source" of this? We can only guess… https://t.co/y9RTWx1Q99 pic.twitter.com/ZdKxAPP42T

— Philip Pilkington (@philippilk) March 11, 2026

President Trump has requested the Israelis to stop their attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure. It shows the difference in approach. Whereas Israel would gladly poison Iran out of existence, much like the Romans felt about Carthage, Trump wants to protect the national treasure for the next generation (link). 

BREAKING: The US has asked Israel to stop its strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, particularly oil assets, per Axios.

Details include:

1. President Trump aims to “cooperate” with Iran's oil sector after the war

2. The request marks the first time the Trump…

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) March 10, 2026

This just in from Merchant Navy @GCaptain John Konrad...

Stop DM’ing me saying these ship explosions are Trump and @PeteHegseth’s fault.

The truth is simpler. The Admirals told them the problem was under control. They weren’t told how bad it really was.

Trump and Hegseth brought me in, heard me out, gave me Pentagon and White House… https://t.co/N35bmUPMlR

— John Ʌ Konrad V (@johnkonrad) March 11, 2026

Remarkable! 

Day 1 - Feb. 28 

Day 2 - March 1

Day 3 - March 2

Day 4 - March 3

Day 5 - March 4

Day 6 - March 5
Day 7 - March 6
Days 8/9 - March 8

Day 10 - March 9
Day 11 March 10

- More on US, Iran, Israel, 12 Day War -