ARTICLE - "Iran: Back to the Norm" for War and Peace
Home | Plan | Substack Articles
Dated:
References | Image Attribution
ARTICLE
Substack article: "Iran: Back to the Norm" for War and PeaceDated:
Apr 03, 2026
References | Image Attribution
DERIVED WORKS
- Press release: 04/06/26 - EIN Presswire | Distribution report
- X postings: 4/6/26 | 4/8/26 | 4/10/26
REFERENCES
The Perfectly Tied Knot Now Tangled
Inside the Operation That Killed Khamenei (Article) https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/inside-the-operation-that-killed-khamenei-03eebbad The unexpected daylight attack, Operation Genesis, killed Khamenei and was the opening blow in Israel and the U.S.’s war with Iran. U.S. Forces Launch Operation Epic Fury https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4418396/us-forces-launch-operation-epic-fury/ U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commenced Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28, at the direction of the President of the United States. Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz between 2014 and 2024 https://www.statista.com/statistics/277157/key-figures-for-the-strait-of-hormuz/ One fifth of global oil supply flows through this passage, and there is no viable alternative for the transport of oil from the region. Which Iranian Leaders Have Been Killed and Who Survived? https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-and-israel-exact-heavy-toll-on-irans-leaders-8320addf Here’s a look at the Iranian leaders who have died in the assault, and those who have survived.
The Strategy That Untangles the Knot
Theocracy Countries 2026 https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/theocracy-countries Theocracies stand in contrast to other forms of government such as democracies, in which the power belongs to the people; as well as monarchies, in which a single human person rules; and oligarchies, which are ruled by a small group of people (typically wealthy elites) but which lacks a spiritual component. Iranian Revolution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Revolution The revolution led to the replacement of the Imperial State of Iran by the Islamic Republic of Iran, as the monarchical government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was superseded by Ruhollah Khomeini, an Islamist cleric who had headed one of the rebel factions. History of the Islamic Republic of Iran https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran Its constitution was approved in 1979 and amended in 1989. Jaafari (Usuli) school of thought is the official religion. Theocratic bodies supervise the government which has an elected president and elected governmental bodies at the national, provincial and local levels. All male and female citizens from the age of 18 on up may vote for candidates approved by the Council of Guardians which had veto power over who can run for parliament (the Islamic Consultative Assembly) and whether its bills can become law. Once, Israel and Iran were allies – even under the ayatollahs https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/06/22/once-israel-and-iran-were-allies-even-under-the-ayatollahs_6742603_4.html Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who ruled in Tehran from 1941 to 1979, de facto recognized Israel in 1950, two years after it was established. He made that recognition official and public in 1960. Little Satan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Satan Great Satan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Satan MEMRI analysis of Khamenei’s doctrine https://www.memri.org/reports/irans-hostility-towards-us-%E2%80%93-contrasting-outlooks-supreme-leader-ali-khamenei-and-regime The Islamic Republic of Iran's hostility to the U.S. … is framed as a religious principle.” Conflict between the Islamic Republic and the US, an inherent conflict https://english.khamenei.ir/news/11974/Conflict-between-the-Islamic-Republic-and-the-US-an-inherent (Copilot summary) Both Khomeini and Khamenei explicitly frame hostility toward the U.S. and Israel as a religious duty, rooted in God’s command, rather than personal hatred. Iran Update Evening Special Report, March 12, 2026 https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-evening-special-report-march-12-2026/ Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement on March 12 after the Assembly of Experts selected him as the new supreme leader on March 8. Khamenei reaffirmed the regime’s commitment to Iran’s war effort in order to achieve Iran’s long-standing objectives, including the erosion and eventual expulsion of American influence from the Middle East and the destruction of the Israeli state.
Tying the Theocratic Pillar
Aggressive New Digital Repression in Iran in the Era of the Woman, Life, Freedom Uprisings https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/11/new-digital-dilemmas-resisting-autocrats-navigating-geopolitics-confronting-platforms#aggressive-new-digital-repression-in-iran-in-the-era-of-the-woman-life-freedom-uprisings The tragic death of Jhina (Mahsa) Amini due to beatings while in the custody of Iran’s morality police precipitated a massive popular uprising in the country in September 2022. Analytical Report on “Iranians’ Political Preferences in 2024” https://gamaan.org/2025/08/20/analytical-report-on-iranians-political-preferences-in-2024/ A significant majority of Iranians (around 70%) oppose the continuation of the Islamic Republic. The highest level of opposition (81%) occurred during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising. Disappeared bodies, mass burials and ‘30,000 dead’: what is the truth of Iran’s death toll? https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/27/iran-protests-death-toll-disappeared-bodies-mass-burials-30000-dead Estimates of the number killed vary substantially, hampered by the ongoing internet shutdown. The Iranian government has acknowledged more than 3,000 dead, and the US-based organisation HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency), whose figures have been reliable during previous crackdowns, says it has verified more than 6,000 dead and has more than 17,000 more recorded deaths under investigation, giving a possible total of about 22,000. Other estimates from doctors based outside Iran range up to 33,000 or more.
Institutional Elimination to the Theocratic Pillar
Diplomatic Isolation to the Theocratic Pillar
Iran state TV says ceasefire with US to expire at midnight GMT https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/566433/World/Region/Iran-state-TV-says-ceasefire-with-US-to-expire-at-.aspx Pakistan has invited the warring sides to a second round of talks in Islamabad, but Iran has yet to formally respond. US-Iran talks: What’s the latest on mediation efforts? https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/15/us-iran-talks-whats-the-latest-on-mediation-efforts Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the leader of Tehran’s delegation, said it raised “forward-looking” initiatives, but the US had failed to gain the trust of his delegation in the talks. Trump extends ceasefire in Iran, citing ‘seriously fractured’ Iranian government https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/21/trump-iran-war-ceasefire.html President Donald Trump extended the U.S. ceasefire with Iran, saying the extension was warranted due to Tehran’s government being “seriously fractured.”
Untying the Republican Pillar
Diplomatic Fare
Political Fare
Kinetic Fare
Decisive Fare
Overwhelming Strengths
Armed Opposition
Air Support
Armored Forces
Desertions, shortages and army-IRGC rift strain Iran’s military https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603127596 Iran's armed forces are facing acute supply shortages, rising desertions and deepening friction between the regular army (Artesh) and the Revolutionary Guards, according to informed sources who described a military system under growing strain as the war intensifies.
Expeditionary Forces
IRGC tell ships passage through Strait of Hormuz 'not allowed' https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-888294 Vessels in the Gulf reported receiving messages warning that no ships were allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz, according to EU and UK agencies, though Iran has not confirmed any closure. Iran says will attack any ship trying to pass through Strait of Hormuz https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/2/iran-says-will-attack-any-ship-trying-to-pass-through-strait-of-hormuz Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the IRGC’s commander-in-chief, reiterates that the Strait of Hormuz is ‘closed’. Iran has laid about a dozen mines in Strait of Hormuz, sources say https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/iran-has-laid-about-a-dozen-mines-in-strait-of-hormuz-sources-say Iran has deployed about a dozen mines in the Strait of Hormuz, two sources familiar with the matter said, in a move likely to complicate the reopening of the narrow waterway, which is an important route for shipping oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Iran War Traps 3,000 Ships and 20,000 Sailors in the Persian Gulf https://houseofsaud.com/iran-war-3000-ships-20000-sailors-stranded-persian-gulf/ The International Maritime Organization warned on Friday that more than 3,000 commercial vessels and 20,000 seafarers remain stranded across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. 2026 Iran war fuel crisis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_war_fuel_crisis Much of the world has been affected by panic buying and severe disruption to the distribution of petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and urea used for fertiliser. U.S. Navy Sinks Iranian Drone Carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri in Operation Epic Fury, Reshaping Gulf Naval Balance https://boltflight.com/u-s-navy-sinks-iranian-drone-carrier-iris-shahid-bagheri-in-operation-epic-fury-reshaping-gulf-naval-balance/#google_vignette US hits more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/03/14/us-hits-more-than-90-iranian-military-targets-on-kharg-island/ The US has carried out large-scale precision strikes on Kharg Island in Iran, hitting more than 90 Iranian military targets, US Central Command said on Saturday, as Tehran continues attacks on Gulf states. U.S. military launches strikes on Iran's Kharg Island https://www.npr.org/2026/04/07/nx-s1-5776495/u-s-military-launches-strikes-on-irans-kharg-island The U.S. military has launched strikes on Iran's Kharg Island ahead of President Trump's deadline for the country to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Islamabad Talks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamabad_Talks Aimed at stabilizing the 2026 Iran war ceasefire and negotiating a potential resolution to the 2026 Iran war, the talks were moderated by Pakistan, which played a central role in brokering the ceasefire and facilitating the talks. U.S., Iran and Israel Agree to Cease-Fire https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04/07/world/iran-war-trump-news/f1657559-8135-50c9-ad7f-63636e6a5106?smid=url-share The deal came shortly before President Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastation. 2026 United States naval blockade of Iran https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_naval_blockade_of_Iran On 13 April 2026, the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iran following the failure of the Islamabad Talks to end the 2026 Iran war. Warpower: Iran 2015 - Regional Defence Review 2026 https://www.warpoweriran.com/ The WARPOWER series takes a unique, 'by-the-numbers', quick-reference approach to the current (2026) military capabilities of Iran.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_(14597133497).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_12.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_drones.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_is_underway_from_Naval_Station_Norfolk_conducting_acceptance_trials_and_the_Board_of_Inspections_and_Survey_to_test_the_ship%27s_material_conditions_an.jpg){kind=link}
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comment, but please be on topic. Off-topic and spam comments will be deleted.