Iran FM: “no negotiations” with U.S.; Iran Prez: “unconditional end” to war; Iranians unite: millions join anti-Israel/pro-Iran rallies from Ahvaz to Mashhad; “legacy media” propaganda seeks to “manufacture consent” for U.S.-Iran War; air superiority myth (update); Iran pounds Israel.
Propaganda to Manufacture Consent
“Legacy media”—NY Times, BBC, CNN, etc.—started dying two decades ago; alternative media developed, and today, serve as indispensable sources of primary (audio and visual recordings in multiple languages; AI subtitles are generated) and secondary (editorial, news articles, etc., multiple languages; AI translation), supplying information on the Ukraine-Russia War, Gaza Genocide, and Iran-Israel War. Legacy media’s ability to filter news and shape opinions has declined, but they remain influential with those who prefer being spoon-fed their baby food.
Pro-Israel propaganda is initiated by Israel and disseminated by uncritical or willing media in the West. For Israel, this is essential; it’s a Ponzi scheme to keep “investors” (US, UK, EU) on board with happy talk about “huge returns” (e.g., regime change in Iran). If investors realize their investment (Israel) is losing, they will flee; Israel collapses. Propaganda is indispensable for “manufacturing consent” for U.S. entry into the war.
(A) Air Superiority
An example of dissemination of Israeli “talking points,” viz., “IDF has air superiority over Iran,” is the Daily Tripe: “A week into Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, its jets are able to criss-cross Iran and strike targets with impunity.”
The claim can be refuted. Combat radii—there and back—of the three IDF jets used: F-35 (ca. 1,100 km with payload and internal fuel; 1,500 km with external fuel but stealth compromised); F-16 (ca. 900 km with payload and external fuel); F-15 (ca. 1,270 km with payload). One way from Nevatim Airbase (say) to Iran’s western border is 1,000 (closest point) to 1,200 (farthest point). Mid-air refueling to/from Iran border is done by IDF, USAF, and Luftwaffe tankers (over Iraq). Nevatim to Mashhad, round trip, is ca. 4,000 km.
Are we supposed to believe lumbering refueling tankers (KC-46 Pegasus, KC-135 Stratotankers, KC-10, KC-707, Airbus A330) are refueling IDF fighter jets over Iran? No air defenses are resisting them? Not even manual air artillery? Are these tankers crisscrossing Iran? Why have we not seen (1) imagery captured by Iranians and posted on social media? (2) aerial imagery from IDF aircraft? Unless IDF has invisible jets, images do not exist because IDF is not flying over Iran, much less crisscrossing Iran. The objective of this falsehood is found at the end of the article: “Thanks to Israel’s efforts, any attempt [by USA] to strike the nuclear fortress will likely go unchallenged.” A falsehood to lure the U.S. to overtly join IDF’s air campaign.
(B) IDF Destroying Iranian Missile Launchers
IDF is supplying to legacy media imagery of “transportable erector launchers” (TEL)—mobile units that launch ballistic missiles—being struck. But analyses showed the same images are used by IDF, but shot from different angles. This serves to convince the U.S. that their bases in the Persian Gulf will be safe from Iranian ballistic missiles.
A handful of TELs have been destroyed, but minor losses are expected, just as a supermarket makes allowances for losses of goods due to spoilage, breakage, and shop-lifting. Despite pressure in western Iran from IDF, launches continue.
Further proof are the poundings Israel receives from Iran. Important industrial and economic targets in Haifa, Tel Aviv, Beersheba, etc., are being destroyed; for example, Tel Aviv stock exchange and diamond exchange, Microsoft tech park in Beersheba, etc.—all verified with video evidence. As of today (p.m., UK time), seventeen waves of missiles have been launched at Israel since 13 June (two beatings per day). Iran is hitting everywhere in Israel (see image below).
National Unity
Iran is united as never before. “Reformists,” conservatives, and whatever lies between the two camps have set aside political differences to fight a common enemy. Social media is flooded with posts in support of Iran—and against the U.S. and Israel. Millions took to the streets today, from Ahvaz (Khuzistan Province) to Mashhad (Khorasan Province) this Jumma (Friday prayers) to pray, and to rally against Israeli aggression. No concern about being bombed by IDF jets crisscrossing Iran.
I selected the video from Ahvaz (S.W. Iran) because it’s predominantly (Iranian) Arab and Sunni. I had the pleasure of dining with a charming old gent, a native of Ahvaz, who fought in the Iran-Iraq War (for the good guys). He told me how Saddam had expected the Arabs to flock to Iraq’s side, but found out the hard way that they were on Team Iran. He added, “we [Iranian Arabs] are not like them [Iraqi Arabs]…they’re uncivilized.” No comment. Iranian nationalism and patriotism is potent.
Negotiations & Ceasefires
National unity and military successes have instilled confidence in the Iranian government. FM Abbas Araghchi, who is currently in Geneva to meet with the EU Troika of troublemakers (UK, FR, DE), has flatly stated, “no negotiations” with the U.S. since it is a participant in the war. President Pezeshkian tweeted, “the only way to end the imposed war is to unconditionally stop the enemy’s aggression and provide a definitive guarantee to end the adventures of the Zionist terrorists forever.” IRGC Maj.-Gen. Mohsen Rezaie went on TV (19 June) and stated: “any ceasefire now would only lead to another war. We must not allow an enemy currently in a position of weakness to recover through a ceasefire.”
Last Word
Iran is evidently unafraid of Israel and U.S. We’ll find out how this goes.
Perspectives 
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