Episode Details

Day fourteen of Operation Epic Fury and Donald Trump opened the day by posting on Truth Social that it was a great honour to be killing Iranians, that the US has unparalleled firepower and unlimited ammunition, and that Gulf states should watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today. Hours later, a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq. Four crew members confirmed dead. Two more unaccounted for. The fourth US aircraft lost since the war began.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement since assuming power. He did not appear on camera. He did not speak. A news anchor read his written message on state television while his photograph was displayed on screen behind her. He vowed vengeance. He said the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as a lever of pressure. He told Gulf states to remove US military bases or keep taking Iranian fire. He said Iran has studied opening new fronts where the enemy has little experience.

Hegseth responded at the Pentagon by declaring the Supreme Leader wounded and likely disfigured, hiding underground, and lacking legitimacy.

Oil crossed one hundred dollars a barrel despite a record IEA reserve release and US sanctions on Russian oil being temporarily lifted. A French soldier was killed by a drone in Iraqi Kurdistan — the first European NATO fatality of the conflict. Two tankers were set ablaze near Basra in the first strikes on Iraqi territorial waters. Dubai's financial district took a hit. Three point two million Iranians are displaced. Six thousand targets have been struck. The navy is not yet ready to escort a single tanker through the Strait.

Day fourteen. No off-ramps. No ceasefire. No end in sight.