🔊🇺🇸🇮🇷 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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⚔️ US launches new military operation inside Ecuador

SOUTHCOM announces joint operations with Ecuadorian forces against "Designated Terrorist Organizations" in the South American nation.

"Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere."

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⚔️ Saudi MoD confirms interception of two cruise missiles in the south

The official spokesperson announces the destruction of incoming missiles, without specifying the source or target.

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