Emboldened by Trump’s weakness and empty threats, the Islamic Republic is increasingly arrogant and aggressive. As the mullahs understand the world only in terms of strength and weakness, and now see the Trump administration as weak, expect more aggression against the U.S. and Israel.
Note also the Israel, “the region’s rabid dog,” has never threatened Iran in any way. The Islamic Republic only sees it as an enemy because of Islamic teachings regarding the Jews and the necessity to hold land that one takes in jihad.
“Iranian TV Showcases Fattah, Zolfaghar, And Kheibar Shekan Missiles In Front Of A Live Studio Audience: Iran Slapped The U.S. Twice – They Should Not Mess With Us,” MEMRI, January 30, 2026:
Iranian TV showcased the Fattah, Zolfaghar, and Kheibar Shekan missiles in front of a live studio audience on a January 30, 2026 show aired on Channel 3 (Iran 3). War documentarian Ali Khalili explained that the Kheibar Shekan, built by the IRGC Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization, can “easily” flatten Israel’s Weizmann Institute. He added that Iranians do not play games when it comes to their soil, whether facing Israel or its “master,” the United States, noting that the U.S. has only been slapped twice for its bullying, both times by Iran. Khalili said the Zolfaghar missile dealt a blow to the U.S. during the 12-Day War, striking Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, though it is only a mid-range missile, not a high-tech one. The show’s host explained that the Fattah missile is hypersonic and high tech, and a panelist warned that the enemy should take note, as the capabilities of these missiles will continue to increase.
Ali Khalili: “The Kheibar Shekan, which was designed by our colleagues by our fellows in the Middle and Self-Sufficiency Jihad [Organization], is actually dubbed the ‘Israel-Striker.’ If this Kheibar Shekan managed to destroy a six-person tent in its first test, it can now easily flatter the Weizmann Institute.
[…]
“We do not play games when it comes to our soil, whether we are facing Israel, the region’s rabid dog, or its master, the United States.
[…]
“Since WWII, the U.S. has been slapped only twice for its bullying. Who did this for the first time?”
Crowd: “Iran!”
Khalili: “Who did this the second time?”
Crowd: “Iran!”
Khalili: “Who shouldn’t they mess around with?”
Crowd: “Iran!”
Host: “Bravo Iran!”
[…]
Khalili: “One of the blows we dealt the U.S. during the 12-Day War was by means of the Zolfaghar. Listen, Ali-Akbar, the Zolfaghar is merely the ‘old man’ of our missile arsenal. It isn’t even our high-tech missile, just a mid-range one. Which base did it target?”
Khalili and Host: “Al-Udeid!”…
Panelist: “We will undoubtedly reach a velocity of 16 Mach, inshallah. We will extend our range from 2,000 kilometers to several thousand. We will certainly increase our current 1,500 kg payload capacity to 4 tons. The enemy had better take note of this.”
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Well, finally an Islamic drone has been downed by an F-35C fighter
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202602036696
A lot happened today – the drone got shot down, the regime is sending mixed messages about the talks, including trying to move it from Istanbul to Muscat, IRGC gunboats tried to stop a US tanker, which was then escorted by a US warship to safety
Also, Israel is reported to have requested the US for operational freedom in Iran. The US should just say yes, and let Jerusalem formulate its own plans, independent of CENTCOM
Rob Porter says
In my estimation now, Trump and his administration are weak and gutless. The U.S. Navy “escorted” the U,.S, tanker to safety. The U.S. did not hit Iran for threatening the tanker. Let me tell you the difference between guts and American no guts. In the 1980s when the Soviets were intruding into South African and South West Africa (Namibia) waters the South African Air Force sank Soviet ships. A South African Air Force pilot I knew quite well was sent out to check the unidentified ship in SWA waters. It turned out to be a Soviet spy ship masquerading as a factory fishing ship. As this pilot approached the ship the sides on the ship went down and he faced a row of missiles. In a split second he changed elevation then flew over the ship, did a loop and while coming down opened up with his rockets. He must have been lucky, the rockets went into the vessel and hit its armaments. The biggish ship blew up. There was debris and bodies all over the ocean.
somehistory says
This is so very tiresome. A strong man does not need to keep saying how strong he is. The bully boasts, brags and theatens….because ultimately. he is afraid of defeat Boasting and threatening is to make his enemy believe he can do wonders, and thus avoid the fight he fears.
Wellington says
By the day, Trump is looking weaker and weaker where Iran is concerned. Anyone disagree?
For the record, I would also like to state that Trump still has time to take down this hideous regime but not much time at all. Perhaps he should just give a carte blanche to Israel to do so, quite arguably what he should have done this past June.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
He should focus on internal matters of the US, and stop bothering w/ foreign policy. B’cos frankly, he’s making a mess of it, w/ his narcissistic obsession w/ winning the Nobel
Kenneth Birtwistle says
Let’s see what happens when the flotilla opens fire, these sixth century throwbacks will he be running for their caves with their tales between their legs. Fecking primitive barbarians!
OLD GUY says
He’s never heard of turning the other cheek. What he doesn’t understand is being slapped is one thing being annihilated by the United States is a whole different ball game. Keep pushing the buttons and it will blow up in your face Iran.
Stacy Stegner says
If people paid attention and used logic they would realize something. Trump is using OLD FASHIONED diplomacy!
The carrot and the stick. And he doesn’t rush in blindly. He gives them multiple opportunities to accept the carrot before he uses the stick.
Unlike the recent, previous POTUS’s, who have been using the globalist type diplomacy that made America weak and a laughing stock of the world… Trump is using the diplomacy that has worked for centuries.
People are always in a rush. Society has been programmed to have everything instantaneously. They have no patience. If they don’t see it happening right NOW, they believe nothing is being done.
This is a game of chess. You have to move all your pieces into position before you act. You have to set the entire board up for the lethal strike. You don’t just jump in without looking and preparing. That is a recipe for disaster. Especially with military action. We always planned for months before actually beginning an operation. And you first gain all the intelligence on the enemy.
The last strike against Iran and it’s nuclear facilities didn’t just happen. They had been gathering intelligence and laying plans and contingency plans.
Look at Venezuela, everyone said Trump was doing nothing.
Both times Trump did not telegraph and warn the enemy beforehand.
People are used to being told what the government and military are GOING TO DO BEFORE THEY DO IT!.. that they don’t realize how that leads to failure. It puts the troops in danger as the enemy has time to prepare.
So everyone is saying how weak Trump is… But you try to lull your enemy to sleep before you strike. Just like the strike on Iranian nuclear facilities and on Venezuela to capture Maduro.
Taffy says
I am hoping that Trump’s reluctance to hit Iran at the peak of the Iranian people’s uprising was due to fine tuning battle plans against Iran for a decisive initial knockout.
Operation Overlord was in the planning stages before the US entered WWII. And it was out on hold when we decided to invade North Africa in Operation Torch. Then we decided to invade Sicily, which delayed things even more. Although an attack on Iran is obviously not an undertaking comparable to Normandy, we still have to operate to minimize damage to Saudi Arabia, Israel and other enemies of Iran that they threatened to fire upon. There are ideal windows in which to do this, and I hope that we are waitin* for one.
somehistory says
Wouldn’t iran have expected a strike then?
Like a boxer always hitting his opponent after three short jabs, would telegraph that to every observant boxer and their trainers.
My guess is that Mr. Trump is like most men….he doesn’t want to be faulted when things he chooses to do, fail. Especially when every move he makes is criticized and he is threatened with impeachment at every turn, called names, etc.
He is only human, after all.