US sends 60,000 bombs to Israel – Secret meeting of US, Israel, and Arab generals on Iran

Events in Hormuz and the broader Middle East are taking an extremely dangerous turn, with Iran at the epicenter. Two events are completely linked:

1. A secret meeting of generals from the US, Israel, and Arab states with Iran as the sole topic. The secret meeting took place on the initiative of Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), and none of the participating countries officially announced it, while it is the first such summit-level meeting since the start of the war with Iran. The meeting took place in Germany.

2. The US is transferring 60,000 bombs to Israel. The package includes 20,000 MK-84s, 20,000 BLU-117s, and 20,000 I-2000 penetration warheads, the Washington Post reported.

3. Simultaneously, explosions occurred on September 16, 2026, in Erbil, Iraq, and Qeshm in Hormuz. Iran responds: we are not intimidated by American bullies... we have an answer to all their military plans.

Vance to the New York Post: US-Iran conflict will enter a new phase in a few months… they will not recover

The US-Iran conflict will soon enter a new phase, US Vice President Vance stated. "We cannot predict the future, but I think the president is right when he says that in a few months all this will enter a completely different phase," he said in an interview with the New York Post. According to Vance, the first stage—the destruction of the Iranian nuclear program and armed forces—has already been completed, and the second stage consists of preventing Iran's recovery.

The nuclear program remains a key issue in the bilateral conflict. Specifically, Washington insists that Iran must suspend uranium enrichment and the dismantling of facilities that sustained damage during the American operation "Midnight Hammer" in the summer of 2025. In June 2026, the parties signed a memorandum aimed at initiating the peace agreement process. However, three weeks later, a new round of escalation began: the United States accused the adversary of targeting commercial vessels, after which missile exchanges resumed. In late August, Trump announced a shift toward a strategy of economic isolation of Iran. At the same time, he did not rule out a return to military means of confrontation. The Iranian foreign minister viewed his statements as an admission of defeat in the conflict.

Vocal Chinese intervention to US and Iran: Return to the memorandum – Araghchi in Beijing

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Beijing today, Wednesday 16/9, for talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, at a time when China is calling on both Washington and Tehran to avoid further confrontation. "We do not want to see regional tensions escalate further and expand to Yemen and the Red Sea," Wang stated. "We call on Washington and Tehran to engage in meaningful consultations on outstanding issues. We call on Washington and Tehran to restore the negotiation framework based on the consensus reached following the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding," Wang stressed, emphasizing that the two countries should "act rationally and with restraint," warning that "continuation of the conflict between Washington and Tehran serves the interests of neither side."

Explosions in Erbil, Iraq and Qeshm in Hormuz from IRGC missile attacks

Certain Telegram news channels claimed that ground forces of the IRGC—Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—conducted missile and drone attacks on headquarters of opposition groups in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, while simultaneously multiple explosions were heard in Qeshm and the Strait of Hormuz. Following these attacks, reports have been published of powerful explosions in Erbil while American fighter jets were patrolling the skies above the region. On the other hand, the same unofficial sources claimed that several explosions were heard on Qeshm Island and in the strategically important waterway of the Strait of Hormuz.

Allegedly, these explosions were caused by missile launches against vessels and ships located in the area. Specifically in Erbil, Iraq, the main explosions occurred in Soran. According to an Iranian source, the explosions that occurred in Qeshm were caused by missiles in Hormuz as ships were struck. At the same time, five American tanker aircraft are flying near the Strait of Hormuz, and transport aircraft activity between US bases in Europe and the Middle East has increased.

Revolutionary Guards: We shot down an American MQ-9 drone over Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reports that its advanced air defense system intercepted and destroyed another American MQ-9 drone in Iranian airspace. In a statement broadcast by the Iranian news agency Tasnim, the IRGC stated that the drone was shot down at 2:29 a.m. (22:59 GMT) in the skies over Qeshm Island.

Secret meeting of military commanders from 8 states... US, Israel, and Arabs on Iran initiated by Brad Cooper in Germany

Top military commanders from the United States, Israel, and several Arab countries met in Germany last week to discuss the war with Iran and broader tensions in the region, two Israeli officials told Axios. Why it matters: The secret meeting took place on the initiative of Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), and none of the participating countries officially announced it. Although similar meetings have taken place in the past, this was the first gathering of its kind since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran over the past six months. The meeting was also a rare opportunity for military commanders from Israel and Gulf Arab states, some of which do not have diplomatic relations with Israel, to exchange views on the war.

In addition to Brad Cooper, those present at the meeting included the chiefs of staff of the militaries of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt. Brad Cooper assured attendees that the US military will not withdraw its forces from the region despite Iranian attacks on US bases. He also briefed his counterparts on the US plan to increase ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. An Israeli official stated that General Eyal Zamir, chief of staff of the Israeli military, also briefed other participants on Israeli Defense Forces operations on various fronts. CENTCOM confirmed the meeting, stating in an announcement: "US Central Command hosted senior military commanders from 8 countries at a planned conference in Germany. The military leaders discussed opportunities to enhance security cooperation in the Middle East." Cooperation between Israel and other countries in the region has increased since the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain in September 2020. Shortly thereafter, regional responsibility for Israel was transferred from US European Command (EUCOM) to CENTCOM. This relocation allowed Israel to engage in military cooperation with Arab countries under the aegis of CENTCOM and to participate in the region's security structure, particularly in the areas of air defense and missile defense. During the war, Israel worked with the United Arab Emirates and the United States on defensive and offensive operations.

According to Israeli officials, Israel has deployed the Iron Dome missile defense system in the United Arab Emirates along with the necessary forces to operate it, and has also provided real-time assistance to the United Arab Emirates in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Intelligence sharing between Israel and other Arab countries in the region has also increased during the war. The meeting took place as the Houthis intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, made gains on the battlefield, and effectively took control of the Red Sea. A source familiar with the matter stated that Israel and Saudi Arabia, with CENTCOM's assistance, are exploring how Israel could support Saudi military operations against the Houthis and provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assistance, similar to the support Israel has provided to the United Arab Emirates.

Tremendous news – US sends 60,000 MK-84, BLU-117 bombs and I-2000 penetration warheads to Israel

The US administration is preparing a $2.8 billion package to supply the Israeli regime with 40,000 bombs and 20,000 penetration warheads. The package includes 20,000 MK-84s, 20,000 BLU-117s, and 20,000 I-2000 penetration warheads, the Washington Post reported. Although described as a sale, it will be financed through the US foreign military financing program, under which Washington provides the funds used by the regime to purchase American weaponry. The proposed transfer has been informally communicated to congressional committees, with the Trump administration pressing congressional officials to approve it.

Carlson: It is the largest transfer of bombs from the US to Israel in history... they are extremely destructive - Israel is conducting a New World War

American journalist Carlson strongly criticized the planned transfer, focusing particularly on its unprecedented scale. "This appears to be the largest transfer of conventional explosive munitions from the United States in modern history," Carlson wrote on X. Carlson compared the 40,000 tons of bombs to major US bombing operations during World War II, noting that the Eighth Air Force raid on Berlin in March 1945 involved approximately 3,000 tons of bombs, while Operation Meetinghouse over Tokyo involved about 1,600 tons. Indeed, Carlson posed a rhetorical question... Is Israel conducting a new World War?

He argued that the scale of the proposed transfer had no historical precedent and questioned the military justification for deploying such weapons in the region. "Nor is there justification," Carlson wrote, saying the transfer was of such scale that it made one think the Israeli regime was conducting a "New World War." Carlson also argued that the destructive power of the weapons makes their use in populated areas particularly significant. He cited the MK-84's ability to collapse buildings and create large craters, and recalled that the regime had used hundreds of such bombs in Gaza. "Taxpayer-funded gift to Israel" Carlson further characterized the transfer as a taxpayer-funded gift rather than a conventional arms sale, pointing to the foreign military financing mechanism.

Iran says attacks cannot destroy nuclear science, undeterred by "bullies"

Iran will not abandon its peaceful nuclear program despite attacks on its facilities and scientists, stated the deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), emphasizing that the country "will not surrender" to its enemies. Iran's nuclear expertise and industry have taken deep root in the country and cannot be eliminated through military action. "Attacks against Iranian facilities and knowledge-based industrial companies and pioneers of development and progress will not stop Iranians."

Iran has developed its nuclear capabilities following decades of experience dealing with unreliable international partners and external pressures. He said that Iran's nuclear science and technology has an 80-year history, while the IAEA is 52 years old. Iran was also among the early members of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), he said, and had consistently maintained the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities. He recalled that Iran has faced pressure and sanctions over its nuclear program for more than 25 years, while continuing negotiations and adhering to its agreements, including the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He said that 15 consecutive reports by the IAEA director general at the time had confirmed the implementation of Iran's commitments under the JCPOA framework.

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