Larry Johnson: Giant Mushroom Cloud Blasts Over Israeli Defense Company – What We Know

A massive explosion at an Israeli defense factory, which produced engines for nearly all Israeli missiles (including Arrow 2, Arrow 3, and satellites), was likely an industrial accident. Larry Johnson hypothesizes that pressure to rapidly develop or upgrade air defense systems in anticipation of a new attack on Iran led to unsafe handling of explosives, wiping the facility off the map. This was not a missile attack from Iran, as previous Iranian missile strikes never caused such a large mushroom cloud or devastation.

Larry Johnson references Andre Mataniano's information and contrasts the explosion's scale with previous Iranian missile attacks, noting the absence of similar damage. The plant produced engines for Arrow 2, Arrow 3, and satellites.

US military plans for renewed attacks on Iran are 'locked and loaded' but are currently on hold due to the refusal of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to allow US KC-135 refueling aircraft to use their airspace. These tankers, based at Prince Saud Air Base (PSAB), are essential for extending the combat radius of F-35 jets (based in Jordan and Israel) to reach targets in the Persian Gulf and Iran. Without refueling access, F-35s cannot complete their missions, effectively derailing the air campaign.

Larry Johnson cites an incident two weeks prior where Saudis and Kuwaitis denied US aerospace for 'Project Freedom.' He details the F-35's 550-mile combat radius versus the 819-mile distance to Riyadh from Jordan, requiring multiple refuelings for missions over the Persian Gulf.

Russia and China are actively constructing a new security architecture in the Persian Gulf, aiming to create a strategic regional alliance between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. This alliance seeks to protect regional interests, exclude Israel, and fundamentally push the United States military out of the Persian Gulf by removing its bases and personnel. The proposal emphasizes an 'Islamic model' embracing both Sunni and Shia theologies, moving beyond sectarian divisions.

Johnson states the Chinese and Russian proposal is to bring together Turkey, Saudis, and Iran into a strategic regional alliance, with the fundamental premise being the US's exit from the Persian Gulf. He mentions Iran's seriousness about creating a 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' (PGSA) to control traffic.

The United States' offers to sell advanced weapons like Patriot or THAAD missiles, JASMs, and Tomahawks to Taiwan amount to a 'fraud' because the US lacks the necessary rare earth minerals to produce these weapons in sufficient quantities. China controls the majority of the world's rare earth minerals, and by withholding them, China can effectively prevent the US from manufacturing and delivering these promised arms, rendering any sales agreements moot.

Johnson compares it to selling a Lamborghini one doesn't possess. He states the US 'does not have inventories' of these weapons and 'still has to make them,' but 'without those rare earth minerals, the United States can't produce those weapons.'

Russia is preparing to expand its offensive beyond Ukraine, with clear intentions to strike targets in European countries that are producing and supplying drones and weapons used against Russia. This escalation could trigger NATO's Article 5, leading to a full-scale war between Russia and NATO. Russian Ambassador Dmitri Polansky's statements are cited as official policy, indicating this is not an idle threat but a serious declaration of intent.

Johnson references Ambassador Dmitri Polansky's statements, noting Polansky is a 'measured diplomat' who expresses official Russian policy. Polansky reportedly made it 'very clear' that if attacks persist, Russia 'will attack and deal with the threats in Europe,' specifically mentioning destroying logistic support from Germany, Romania, Poland, and France.