At a time when incidents in the Middle East come thick and fast, the announcement of Netanyahu's death on social media seems to match with US activism based on growing awareness of a missing strategy towards Iran and which is generating some kind of political helplessness.
However, I cannot believe that things are such simple. There are Iranian propaganda news emphasizing the extermination of Israeli government members in a missile strike, and there are reports from the pro-Jewish side hinting at Netanyahu's fragile health.
While Netanyahu's death in a missile attack can be most probably excluded, his fatal health situation, due to prostate cancer, seems to be more realistic. As prostate cancer is an unsual aggressive type of carcinogenic disease in elderly men, it cannot be excluded that he might die from it. The facial expression of a man in very bad health and a certain clumsiness in his way of speaking and moving have been described by an Israeli Jew, a member of his opposition in parliament, and who watched him at a recent public appearance.
Update added on March 14
For further news on Iran, you might like to refer to
another account of mine on Twitter: News & Trends
Donald Trump confused everybody with mixed messages and goals
concerning Iran. While US citizens are facing rising prices, he claims
that war will "soon be over" and "we already won, but not enough"
On the battlefield, Iran has increased its attacks on Israeli targets and military enemy installations in the Middle East. Here is a summary from Hindustan Times of what happened until March 12:
Iran launched the 41st wave of strikes under Operation True Promise 4, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, targeting sites in Tel Aviv, southern Israel and U.S. military positions across the Middle East. Iranian statements say the barrage included Khorramshahr missiles, Qadr missiles and hypersonic Fattah missiles along with kamikaze drones aimed at bases such as Palmachim Airbase and Ovda Airbase. The escalation comes as Iranian media report that Deputy Intelligence Minister Akbar Ghaffari was killed in recent Israeli-U.S. strikes. Tehran says the latest wave commemorates “Ramadan war martyrs” as tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States continue to escalate.
A heated discussion on Al-Arabiya, regarding Iran's possible
inclination to reject any ceasefire whatsoever. [March 13]
From targeting Iran's nuclear program to hinting at regime change, Donald Trump keeps moving the goal posts for the US military campaign against Iran. The conflict lacks a clear legal basis under international law, experts say.
The United Nations Charter prohibits threats or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state, except in two cases:
First, the UN can authorize collective security measures to protect people. This occurred after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. The UN Security Council passed a resolution giving member states legal authority to use force to help Kuwait.
Second is self defence, which George W. Bush invoked after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 to justify the invasion of Afghanistan to "dismantle terrorist networks."
But do these exceptions apply to the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran? And if not, could US President Donald Trump's choosing to go to war without a clear legal basis mark a turning point for the international order?
[Deutsche Welle DW, German international broadcaster on March 7]
Donald Trump admits Operation Epic Fury not going to plan as Iran hits US consulate in Dubai [7NEWS Australia on March 4]
This happens while US ally Israel has started invading Lebanon to fight Iran's ally Hezbollah.
Iran claims its Revolutionary Guard struck a U.S. Navy destroyer refuelling from an American tanker about 650 km off Iran’s coast in the Indian Ocean, using Ghadr-380 ballistic missiles and Talaiyeh cruise missiles. The IRGC alleged the strike triggered a massive blaze on the decks of both ships, darkening the sky above the ocean.
The reported attack comes amid escalating tensions after a U.S. submarine torpedoed and sank Iran’s frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka, killing dozens of sailors. The frigate was described as "Sri Lanka's guest", taking part in a multi-national maritime exercise.
Tehran has vowed revenge and warned it will control the Strait of Hormuz in wartime, threatening ships linked to the United States, Israel, and their allies.
[Hindustan Times on March 6]
وكالة تسنيم الايرانية عن الحرس الثوري: استهداف حاملة الطائرات الأمريكية أبراهام لينكولن ب4
صواريخ باليستين
[الجزيرة نت]
..........
سنتكوم تنفي رواية الغرق [SKY عربية]
Iran's [news] agency Tasnim [declares] that Revolutionary Guard [IRGC] attacked US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln using four ballistic missiles.
[Al-Jazeera, Qatar, on March 6]
Russia's intelligence info helping Iran to lock on US military targets [联合早报, Singapore, on March 7]
Trump planning to enforce oil shipping while cutting off China [CNBC on March 5]
Comment from independent Chinese news network: Impact of US strategy on Chinese policies.
And the US at Home ...
[CNN comment on Trump policies to curb US civil society, March 5]
Trump says he won’t sign any bills into law until SAVE America Act passes
President Trump on Sunday [March 8] threatened to not sign any bills into law until the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act is approved by the Senate, doubling down on his push to change voting requirements ahead of the midterm elections.
“I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed, AND NOT THE WATERED DOWN VERSION – GO FOR THE GOLD: MUST SHOW VOTER I.D. & PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS EXCEPT FOR MILITARY – ILLNESS, DISABILITY…,” the president wrote in his Sunday morning Truth Social post.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on whether the president will sign a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security amid the partial government shutdown.
[The Hill, Washington based political journal on March 8]
Live: Iranian drone hitting US radar in Bahrain.
Witness was waiting for impact of Shahid drone.
X-post from the Sultanate of Oman on probable drone attack
of the most powerful US radar facility in the Middle East, the
price of which being allegedly more than a billion US Dollars.
Further News on March 3:
Explosions were reported in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter after drones targeted the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital. According to reports, four drones were intercepted while two struck the embassy compound, triggering a fire and emergency response.
Saudi authorities have not yet confirmed casualties, but the incident has heightened fears of further escalation in the region. The attack comes amid growing tensions across the Middle East, raising concerns over diplomatic security and regional stability.
[Source: Indian online media]
Filming damage from Iranian missile attacks
on Tel Aviv is prohibited in Israel [الامم]
According to different sources, Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran this morning. As US military has been concentrated around Iran during the last weeks & days, it can be taken as granted that US president Trump is directly involved.
Israel declared an attack on Iran & a national state of emergency
Xinhua News Agency reporters heard an explosion in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on the 28th. Israeli Defense Minister Katz said a preemptive strike has been launched against Iran.
Israel's foreign ministry says it has launched a second attack on Iran.
Israel has launched an attack on Iran and declared a national state of emergency, the Israeli defense minister said.
According to Iran's Fars news agency, multiple missiles hit multiple targets in central Tehran.
According to the Associated Press, there was an attack near the office of Iran's Supreme Leader.
[澎湃新闻, Chinese state-owned digital paper
on February 28 at 14:22 local time, is quoting
新华社快讯：以色列宣布袭击伊朗]
Above: Timeline for Israel's attack on Iran (shortlist) using local Chinese time.
Questioning Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Death
The Outcome of a Developing Story
Two official Chinese sources are
nourishing questions while the US
president is already announcing
the death of Ayatollah Khamenei.
On February 28, local time, according to two US sources and a US official familiar with the matter, Israel and the United States chose to launch the attack on Iran on Saturday, just as Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was meeting with his senior aides. Israel stated that Khamenei and his senior aides, including Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's National Defense Council, as well as Mohammad Pakpour, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, were killed during the airstrike. Two Iranian sources said that Khamenei met with Shamkhani and Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, at a secure location on Saturday shortly before the airstrike began. Previously, a senior Israeli official stated that Khamenei's body had been found. US president Trump posted on his "Truth Social Network" platform that intelligence agencies had located the Supreme Leader of Iran and subsequently killed him.
[财联社, Shanghai based
financial news on Feb. 28]
Opinion from a Pro - Palestinian
source evaluating what is known.
U.S. officials revealed that the U.S. military is expected to launch a several-day military operation against Iran. The Pentagon named the Operation Epic Fury (*) but did not release details. CNN quoted sources as reporting that Washington is planning to launch a multi-day military operation against Iran.
Reuters quoted Iranian news agency Tasnim as reporting that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched the first wave of missile and drone offensives against Israel in response. Some personnel were reported to have evacuated from the U.S. Udeid Air Force Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East with about 10,000 officers and soldiers. In addition, the British Embassy in Doha recommended that British citizens in Qatar take refuge in place.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement stating that the goal of the joint U.S.-Israeli operation is to "eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime" and emphasized that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. He said the operation would "create the conditions for the Iranian people to take control of their own destiny".
Lebanese Prime Minister Salam warned that Lebanon "will not accept anyone dragging the country into risky actions that threaten security and unity". The outside world interpreted this statement as an indirect message to Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran.
[News summary at 10:00 CET: Yahoo Chinese 新聞來源：中時新聞網 張威翔]
A first wave of some 30 ballistic missiles from Iran allegedly on its way to Israel.
[العربي on February 28, 09:40 CET]
An Iranian missile that arrived in
Tel Aviv was hitting three vehicles.
Above: Iranian missiles hitting targets all over
the Middle East during the first 24 hours of war ...
Above: Intercepted Iranian missile in Dubai (UAE)
causing fire. Same happened in Qatar & Bahrain.
اعترضت الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية، صاروخا إيرانيا بسماء مدينة دبي، وتدميره قبل وصوله إلى أي هدف حيوي. وتداول رواد مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي صوراً ومقاطع فيديو توثق لحظة الاعتراض وسقوط شظايا وحطام الصاروخ المنفجر في مناطق متفرقة، دون وقوع إصابات بشرية حتى اللحظة، ويأتي هذا الاستهداف في إطار الرشقات الصاروخية الإيرانية التي طالت عدة عواصم خليجية رداً على العملية الأميركية الإسرائيلية "زئير الأسد"، وشنت إسرائيل وأميركا، سلسلة هجمات جوية واسعة استهدفت العمق الإيراني حيث هزت انفجارات عنيفة مدن قم وأصفهان وقرج وكرمنشاه وسط تقارير عن استهداف مباشر لمواقع إطلاق الصواريخ الباليستية لمنع طهران من تنفيذ أي رد صاروخي فوري،
UAE air defenses intercepted an Iranian missile over Dubai, destroying it before it reached any vital targets. Social media users shared photos and videos documenting the interception and the falling debris of the exploded missile in various areas. No casualties have been reported so far. This attack comes as part of a series of Iranian missile strikes targeting several Gulf capitals in response to the US-Israeli Operation Lion's Roar (*). Israel and the US launched a series of extensive airstrikes targeting deep inside Iran, with powerful explosions rocking the cities of Qom, Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Reports indicate that ballistic missile launch sites were directly targeted to prevent Tehran from carrying out any immediate missile retaliation.
(*) Lion's Roar is the Israeli name for the current operation, while Epic Fury is the name the US Pentagon gave it. [Al-Arabiya TV on February 28]
Here is the original interview, Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel granted to US journalist Tucker Carlson on the subject of Godfather dedicating the Middle East, from river Nile in Egypt to river Euphrate in Iraq, to the Jews as "God's Chosen People".
[Islam Times on February 23]
[Tribune, a Pakistani paper, on February 23]
[The Times of Israel on February 24, the neighbouring article was earlier published on September 16, 2025]
Around 650 BC, the city-state of Sparta rose to become one of the major military powers in Greece, a status it remained until 371 BC. However, Sparta was sacked in 396 AD by the Visigothic king Alaric, and underwent a long period of decline into the medieval period. Modern Sparta is a provincial town and the seat of the Laconia regional administration.
You say Sparta ... ... I say Carthago
The date of its foundation (1949) given, Israel should better be compared with Carthago, another ancient Semitic civilization and warring empire. Founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC, it became a major regional power in the 4th century. Following the Three Punic Wars, Carthago was finally destroyed by the surrounding Roman Empire in 146 BC, and who built the Thermal Baths of Antonius as an early holiday resort at its place, while leaving nothing else but a necropolis as a reminder of the Punic civilization.
In the early 1950ies, during the most dangerous years of the Cold War, Carthago became a symbol of doom in my country, which had just survived World War II. There was even a short-living campaign for peace in the situation of a threatening Atomic War. That campaign was launched by some reputed German intellectuals who had returned from US exile into the German Democratic Republic, which they imagined to be some kind of a "better Germany". Their slogan became: "The Great Carthago was still mighty after its 1st war. After its 2nd war, it was still inhabitable. After the 3rd war, however, Carthago could not be found any longer." That is the stance I learned from my father, long before I learned about Carthago and Sparta in my history lessons at school. Such progressive way of thought, however, was soon suffocated by East German authorities in the years that followed.
While a 2nd round of negotiations between Iran and USA has just begun in Geneva, Switzerland, both sides are preparing for the "Mother of All Wars" in the Middle East which might break out at any time.
Here is a stringent warning from Iran in the Hebrew language, telling their adversaries that innovative defense technology from China has been received, allegedly being able to detect warplanes using the latest stealth technology.
If the new Chinese technology is working according to all expectations and a widespread use of hypersonic missiles by Iran and its regional allies can be granted, US stealth planes and aircraft carriers could soon become the "dinosaurs of modern warfare".
פרסום ראשון
לאחר חשיפת המידע בכלי התקשורת, אנו מודיעים באופן רשמי כי קיבלנו מסין את מערכת ההגנה YLC-8B, והיא תצורף בקרוב לרשת ההגנה של איראן
First Publication
After the information was revealed in the media, we officially announce that we have received the YLC-8B defense system from China, and it will soon be added to Iran's defense network.
Foreign media do not have a clear source of information, but unilaterally claim that “China has delivered multiple sets of YLC-8B radar systems to Iran, known as ”, the pinnacle of China's long-range surveillance radar development, using fully coherent digital pulse compression. Advanced mobile target detection and multi-target tracking technology can effectively detect targets in complex electromagnetic environments. With known technical parameters, the detection range for conventional aircraft being more than 500 km, the maximum detection range for ballistic missiles reaching 700 km, [the system] is specifically designed to detect stealth targets using ultra-high and low frequencies, and has a strong detection capability against stealth aircraft such as the US F-35 fighter jet and B-2 bomber.
[SOHU 搜狐 on February 14]
China avoids any misunderstanding in the matter. [February 22, 2026]
From a military perspective, it is unlikely that the United States will launch a large-scale all-out war against Iran. The more likely one is still a combination of limited strikes + extreme pressure. There are three main reasons:
First, the attitude of allies is very differentiated. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have clearly refused to allow the US military to use their bases or airspace to launch strikes against Iran;
Second, Iran's counterattack capabilities may exceed expectations, and its ballistic missiles and drones have the ability to break through air defense systems and attack US military bases.
Third, there are constraints on domestic politics in the United States. 2026 is the midterm election year, and the Trump administration dare not be sloppy. Mass military operations will face pressure from Congress and public opinion.
[SOHU 搜狐, published on Feb. 14, added on February 19]
German Chancellor Merz Rejects "America First"
stance at the Munich Security Conference 2026
德国总理默茨在2026年慕尼黑安全会议上拒绝“美国优先”政策
Merz stated: "The culture war of the MAGA movement has nothing to do
with us. Freedom of speech stops when it comes to human dignity and the
Basic Law. We don't believe in tariffs and protectionism; we only believe in
free trade. We support climate agreements & World Health Organization."
German Foreign Minister Wadephul after the speech of US Foreign Secretary Rubio. He praises Rubio's acknowledgement of a long-standing transatlantic partnership between EU and US. But even he cannot ignore an obvious change in US policies under the Trump administration. As other observers of the conference already noted, the "new world order" under Trump has to be accepted by European partners, if partnership has a chance to survive.
At the same time, 250.000 supporters of regime change in Iran assembled in Munich on the vast Oktoberfest space. Their new idol being Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah of Persia overthrown in 1979. Pahlavi II was raised in America and is seen by many supporters as the new saviour of Iran.
Editor's Comment: I remember that Pahlavi I, the father, had been driven out because of his oppressive politics, using his secret service SAVAG for torturing opponents. During his visit to West-Berlin civil unrest broke out. Lots of infuriated protesters, mostly students, assembled in front of the German Opera House where Pahlavi and Farah Diba, his wife, were to attend a special event. This evening the Shah's security men became known as the "Beating Persians" (Prügelperser) when they lashed out at the front line of protesters with extra-long beating sticks, right above the heads of our policemen who didn't really realize what was happening. As the local edition of BILD, one of the big German media, was expected to deliver a fairy-tale society report the next day, some protesters decided to prevent the nightly delivery of the paper to its readers. The follwing morning, I could still see a torched newspaper van in front of the editor's building.
In 1979, when Ayatollah Khomeini took over from Shah Pahlavi, he was celebrated by Iranian citizens. Pretty girls, meanwhile used to the mini-skirt, now deliberately changed to the Chador and covered up their bodies. At the time, I happend, by chance, to pass the Iranian embassy in Bonn-Bad Godesberg. All of the windows were flung open, and young folks were sitting on the window-ledges, trying to fix big posters with Arabic-Persian scripture to the outside of the multi-storey building. Those were the days of the Islamic Revolution. Now, that Iranian citizens are fed up again with their leadership, let's hope they might be more lucky next time.
