Iranian Regime 'Are Toast,' US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Says at Pentagon Briefing Explosions rocked Tehran on Wednesday as the conflict entered its fifth day, with Iran continuing to provoke anger among Gulf states through repeated strikes on US military assets. The war has escalated rapidly, with both sides engaging in intense operations. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at a Pentagon briefing, declared that the Iranian regime “are toast and they know it,” emphasizing that the US is gaining the upper hand. Hegseth described the results of Operation Epic Fury as “incredible, historic,” and asserted that “America is winning.” He noted that the conflict was never intended to be a fair fight, with the US striking while Iran was “down.” Hegseth also revealed that a US submarine had sunk an Iranian warship, marking the first such attack on an enemy vessel since World War II. He stated, “An American submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo.” The strike, which occurred on Tuesday night, was highlighted as a significant tactical victory. Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem vowed to continue the group’s armed campaign against Israel, framing its resistance as a “legitimate right” as long as the Israeli occupation persists. Kassem emphasized that Hezbollah’s primary focus is to defend itself, target “Israeli-American enemies,” and resist foreign aggression. He also called on the Lebanese government to restore the country’s sovereignty and protect the right to resist until foreign forces withdraw. Spain denied cooperating with US military operations in the Middle East, contradicting earlier White House claims.#iranian_regime #us_defense_secretary_pete_hegseth #hezbollah_leader_naim_kassem #spanish_president_donald_trump #us_press_secretary_karoline_leavitt
Mandana Karimi calls Iranian regime a ‘cancerous cell in Middle East’; says ‘mera dil toot gaya’ after protests in India Mandana Karimi, an Indian actress known for her work in Bollywood, has publicly criticized the Iranian regime, referring to it as a “cancerous cell in the Middle East.” Her remarks came in the wake of widespread protests in India, which she described as a deeply emotional moment. Karimi expressed her anguish with the phrase “mera dil toot gaya,” a Hindi expression meaning “my heart has broken,” highlighting her personal connection to the unrest. The actress stated that Iranians have been resisting the regime’s oppressive policies for years, with protests persisting despite the government’s efforts to suppress dissent. Her comments reflect growing international concern over the situation in Iran, where demonstrations have continued to challenge the authority of the ruling leadership. Karimi’s public stance underscores the role of celebrities in amplifying global awareness of political and social issues. The remarks were made on March 2, 2026, and were attributed to Ananya Das, a journalist for Hindustan Times. The article emphasizes the intersection of global politics and celebrity influence, as public figures use their platforms to voice opinions on geopolitical tensions.#bollywood #hindustan_times #iranian_regime #mandana_karimi #ananya_das
What Mehdi Mahmoudian Saw Inside the Iranian Prison System On a rainy winter afternoon in 2001, Mehdi Mahmoudian, a political dissident in Tehran, noticed a man with an amputated hand struggling to repair his car. Mahmoudian, who was in his twenties, worked in a nearby print shop. He immediately recognized the man as a former guard who had used his left hand to torture Mahmoudian in Towhid Prison two years earlier. The encounter, brief and unsettling, left Mahmoudian reflecting on the brutal realities of the prison system he had endured. The guard’s physical disability, a result of his own past actions, became a haunting symbol of the cycle of violence and suffering that defined his experience. Mahmoudian’s account, though fragmented, offers a glimpse into the systemic cruelty and psychological toll of imprisonment in Iran, where dissent often leads to prolonged detention and physical abuse. The incident underscores the dehumanizing nature of the regime’s treatment of political prisoners, leaving lasting scars on those who survive such encounters.#iran #iranian_regime #mehdi_mahmoudian #towhid_prison #political_prisoners
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Warns Strongest Strikes on Iran Are Still to Come US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Tuesday that the most powerful American strikes against Iran have not yet been carried out, as military operations continue to escalate. Speaking before briefing congressional leaders, Rubio emphasized that the campaign is pre-emptive and focused on dismantling Iran’s missile and naval capabilities rather than pursuing regime change. He denied allegations that US forces deliberately targeted a school during recent strikes. Rubio stated that the United States has clear objectives for its military actions and will persist until those goals are achieved. “The strongest strikes by the US military are still on the way and have not yet been executed,” he said, describing the next phase of operations as “far more punitive and severe.” He added that the campaign aims to ensure global safety by neutralizing Iran’s ability to threaten international security through its ballistic missile and maritime forces. The secretary revealed that the US launched its attack on Iran preemptively after intelligence indicated Israel was preparing to strike, which could have led to retaliation against US forces. “We knew that if we didn’t act first, we would suffer higher casualties,” Rubio told reporters. He acknowledged hopes for political transformation in Iran but clarified that regime change is not the current mission’s goal. “We hope the Iranian people can overthrow this government and create a new future for their country,” he said, though he reiterated that the focus remains on destroying Iran’s military infrastructure. Rubio rejected claims that US forces targeted a school during an alleged strike, insisting that such an action would not be deliberate.#iran #marco_rubio #us_military #us_secretary_of_state #iranian_regime
