"So does the Iranian regime finally fall THIS TIME?" Topic

"The brother of Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, the accused Michigan synagogue attacker, was a Hezbollah terrorist commander who was killed in an Israeli strike days before the attack, Israeli intelligence revealed Sunday.

"Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazali was responsible for managing weapons operations within a specialized branch of the Badr Unit," the Israeli Defense Forces posted Sunday morning on X. "The unit is responsible for launching hundreds of rockets toward Israeli civilians throughout the war."

"His brother, Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, carried out the terror attack in Michigan this past Thursday. Ibrahim was eliminated in an IAF strike on a Hezbollah military structure last week."
"
For some reason, some feel it necessary to bring the scorpions into our homes.

"Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was expanding its strikes targeting Iran's infrastructure after completing a wave of strikes on several Iranian regime headquarters.

"The IDF is currently expanding the scope of its strikes against the infrastructure of the Iranian regime in additional areas in western and central Iran, with the aim of broadly and systematically degrading the regime's command-and-control capabilities," the IDF said.

Earlier Sunday, the Israeli Air Force completed a wave of strikes targeting the Iran's infrastructure around Hamedan in western Iran, the IDF said, noting several "key" headquarters belonging to the IRGC and the Basij Forces were struck.

The IDF said these headquarters were where the Iranian regime managed and advanced attacks against Israel and other countries across the Middle East."

"The head of Iran's parliamentary National Security Commission warned in a social media post on Saturday that Ukraine could become a "legitimate target" for Iran after accusing the Eastern European nation of providing Israel "drone support.""

And

"The head of the Iranian parliament's National Security Commission on Saturday threatened to attack Ukraine, claiming Kyiv had become a "legitimate target" by supplying drone technology to Israel.

Ebrahim Azizi justified his warning by citing Article 51 of the United Nations charter, which recognizes a country's right to individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs."

🤨🤔
But by Iran's logic above, did not they make themselves a legitimate target for the Ukraine FIRST.

" Iran has been a significant supplier of drones and other military items to Russia throughout its war in Ukraine. This cooperation has evolved from direct transfers of hardware to deep industrial and tactical collaboration.

Types of Military Support Provided

Attack Drones (UAVs): Iran has supplied thousands of Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drones. Russia uses these to target Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.

Ballistic Missiles: Reports confirmed by the U.S. indicate Iran has transferred close-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

Domestic Production Support: Iran has provided licenses and technology to help Russia build its own versions of these drones, often referred to as Geran-1 and Geran-2, in facilities like those in Tatarstan.

Technical Training: Iranian experts have been deployed to Russian-controlled territories (such as Crimea) to provide technical support and training for drone operations.
Al Jazeera"

Tango01, Germany (plus Austria), Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, Croatia, Finland, and Norway participated in the attack on the USSR.
Without officially declaring war, Spain, France, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, and Sweden sent their military contingents to the Eastern Front.
Now think about what NATO looks like to the Russians… Another reincarnation of the Third Reich.
Poland seized lands from Ukraine and Belarus (and Lithuania, and Germany, by the way) in wars with its neighbors in 1919-20. The USSR regained these lands in 1939. So I take it you would have preferred Hitler to have these lands?
Are they afraid of us? Let them be afraid. This is the only reason you take Russia into account. The USSR is long gone, and Russia has no desire to advance ideological expansion. Russia's only goal is to create a security belt of neutral and friendly countries around its borders. And the West is trying in every way to prevent this.

35thOVI, Iran is a theocracy, so there are restrictions for non-Muslims… But what about other Muslim countries in the region? Are you going to bomb them all?
It's funny that Iran has the largest Jewish diaspora in the region (except Israel, of course). Why don't they go to Syria or Qatar? They'd probably be more comfortable there?

If Iran's arms and technology supplies to Russia have made it a legitimate target for Ukraine, then does that mean Western arms supplies to Ukraine have made them a legitimate target for Russia? Okay… I wish Putin would finally understand this. Until everyone directly or indirectly involved in the war in Ukraine is attacked, it won't stop.

By the way, note that Iran isn't asking anyone for help… Unlike the US. So who's winning?

So you support one of the most brutal genodical regimes on the planet while pretending NATO is the 3rd Reich? Good to know…

You constantly support outright jihadists (the Taliban, the "Syrian opposition," and others) and think you have the right to criticize us?))) At least we support a strong government – and you support those who turn states and peoples into chaos, where their suffering increases many times over.

NATO isn't a Third Reich cosplay? But why is it waging offensive wars and supporting actual Nazis in Ukraine (Azov)?

By the way, isn't Israel a genocidal regime?

Fiber optic FVP drone of Iranian proxies attacks a US base in Iraq (base "Victoria" on the territory of the airport in Baghdad):

t.me/ChDambiev/39852

Soon – all over the planet?

Judging by the speed of decisions on military actions that Trump demonstrated this year, he believed in the infallibility of AI decisions… But real life is not chess. In addition to the material world, there is an idealistic world, where people are capable of paradoxical actions… AI is not a panacea. He's just a tool. And warfare is an art, not just a craft.

@cuprum: exactly, Russia is trying to get a friendly belt of neighbours because if the is a war it should not befought on russian soil. Got it.

Unfortunately, Russia does not want a belt of friendly sovereign countries. As soon as Ukraine used her sovereignty Putin came up with made up reasons to invade it.

Your historical explanations can help Russia to deal with its Trauma, but you cannot expect other sovereign countries to subdue their interests.

Ukraine has enjoyed full sovereignty since 1992. It had several governments disloyal to Russia—Presidents Kuchma, Yushchenko… Incidentally, it was Yanukovych, who had a year left in his presidential term, who was preparing Ukraine's association with the EU. But under them, Ukraine remained a neutral country, and therefore no one was planning to attack it. But then the West supported the uprising of nationalists, who chanted en masse in the squares: "Knife the Russians!"

NYP

"Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman ripped fellow Democrats for opposing US attacks on Iran pm Sunday — and reminded them that their 2024 presidential candidate called the country America's "greatest adversary."

Fetterman — who is now at odds with his party over the Trump administration's Iran stance — cited former Vice President Kamala Harris' statements about the regime while she ran unsuccessfully for president in 2024.

"I became the only Democrat, certainly in the Senate, to support the mission of Epic Fury," Fetterman said during an interview on 77 WABC radio's "Cats Roundtable" on Sunday.

All Democrats agree Iran shouldn't have a nuclear weapon, he said.

"When Kamala Harris ran for president … she identified Iran as her top international concern," he added. "And now here we have a situation where the Trump administration through Epic Fury has effectively broken the Iranian nuclear apparatus. Why can't we agree that that's a good thing for international security?"

He said a spike in oil prices because of the conflict should be expected, but said he believed the short-term pain at the pump is worth defanging Iran as a nemesis.

"If the administration creates the kind of outcome that we all agree and wanted … why can't we support that?" the senator said.

Fetterman also tore into fellow party members for supporting the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security — accusing them of turning against union workers.
…
"The Coast Guard people … and the TSA [Transportation Security Administration] agents … they all deserve to be paid," Fetterman said, adding that he thinks it's foolish for Democrats to refuse to fund the department because of criticisms of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"This shutdown has had zero impact on ICE. So, why should we punish all of these workers … who are keeping our nation more secure? That's part of being … a common-sense Democrat."
"

I hope that party does NOT run him for President. JF 👍

Now if this is true. I know his daddy was not happy with him. How ironic would this be! 😂

True or not, it plays the propaganda game like Iran does.

So if true, would he have to sentence himself to death? 🤔

Subject: Visegrád 24 on X: "The New York Post writes that U.S. intelligence agencies believe that Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is homosexual and that it could weaken his support among the Islamic regime's elites. US intelligence reportedly indicates that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba t.co/9gPfRs5WHi / X

link

Yes goibinu, that makes the strategic picture harder to interpret.

Over the last several days the discussion has shifted heavily toward securing or reopening the Strait of Hormuz. That's obviously a critical objective for global shipping and energy markets. But the sequence of actions being reported raises some questions about planning.

We're seeing:

1. additional naval deployments and maritime security operations being organized after the strikes began

2. discussions about pressuring NATO partners and other allies to contribute to securing the Strait (Harder bc of the tariffs controversies with a lot of our allies)

3. reports of radar and air-defense assets being repositioned from allied areas toward U.S. bases and Israel

4. emergency planning around energy flows and tanker traffic

None of those things are unusual in isolation. But taken together they suggest that secondary strategic problems are emerging that were not fully resolved at the outset of the campaign.

If the campaign had been designed primarily around degrading Iranian military capability, the follow-on phase would normally focus on consolidation of those gains. Instead, the conversation seems to be shifting toward managing escalation risks and protecting shipping lanes.

That doesn't necessarily mean the operation is failing. But it does suggest the strategic environment is evolving faster than the initial plan anticipated.

Not uncommon in military campaigns — early tactical success often creates new strategic pressures that planners then have to adapt to in real time.

So it needs to be considerd whether the early strikes succeeded tactically, but whether the broader regional consequences were fully anticipated beforehand.

From goibnu's article,

"Iran's Hormuz blockade is its most powerful card against Trump and Israel. It won't back down easily"

That has ALWAYS been the "card" played by the Iranian regimes, leading to at least 5-6 prominent "tanker" war escort clashes since the 1980s. Oh, don't oppose us or we'll block the Straights!

Only now, China is screaming at them to allow China bound ships to pass 'cause China gets most of its oil from the Gulf. And Iran has NO WAY to differentiate between ships -- it cannot stop and board, so all it can do is lay mines and fire missiles at ships of unknown destination.

Btw, this war was ALWAYS GOING TO HAPPEN. This is as much about China as Iran -- this was either going happen on China's terms as part of a CCP move against Taiwan, or on the US' terms. So the US is advancing China's timetable and removing Iran from play as a Chinese ally who could start a Middle East war on China's command, hopefully toppling the regime and seeing the Iranian people replace it.

Interesting historical worry -- China has at present lost access to 80% of its oil. Like Japan did in 1941 to US sanctions. Japan back in the day thought it could start a war to grab all the Indo-Pac oil resources it lacked before it ran out. Is there a risk of the CCP making the same broken calculus about Taiwan?

Not that in the long run it would work -- the US could interdict oil to China all along the vulnerable sea lanes and China has no blue water navy to protect it's shipping. The US could also take out the pipelines from Russia.

But back on CCP allies being attrited – no more CCP ally in the Carribean (Venezuela), and possibly no more CCP ally in the Middle East -- 2 of their 3 militarily useful allies are GONE, leaving only North Korea.

And we are seeing who among our allies in Europe will stand with the US in the coming war with China. Answer so far -- nobody. And when or if that war happens, you will see massive US force redeployments OUT of Europe, so countries there better have their sh1t ready to deal with Russia without Big Daddy US carrying the load.

And we see quite puzzlingly stupid "allied" actions like Canada granting ASYLUM TO IRGC OFFICIALS AND IRANIAN REGIME LEADERS! How insane is that, eh? That not only will Canada not help, they are allowing modern-day Nazis and SS enemies of the US and the West seek refuge in Canada…

If you wanted your allies to support you in a war, it was probably a good idea to discuss this before you dropped the bombs, rather than demanding it afterwards.

Remember that when you're negotiating your surrender with the Iranians.

Oil is a global market. China has not suddenly lost access to oil due to Iran and Venezuela.
Iranian oil was under US sanctions. This meant that it was not as easy for Iran to sell it on the open market. China did take advantage of the situation by buying oil at a discount. Early in 2025 this discount was around $3 USD a barrel rising to $6 USD in September 2025 and around $10 USD earlier this year. With Iranian oil shipments significantly reduced, if not stopped, China is now no longer able to take advantage of the discounts. Similar situation with Venezuela.
Not a huge discount but nice to have.

Now, that just means that China completes with everyone else on buying oil from the remaining suppliers. It can still buy oil. The oil companies are going to do what they always have done, sell to the person willing to pay the most. It is a commodity – supply and demand laws will prevail. Reduced supply, increased prices.

Prices will go up for everyone, China included.
That means that everyone will have economic pressures. Some countries (not including China) will also have political pressures due to the rising costs.
The biggest winner seems to be Russia as the sanctions have now been removed allowing them to sell at premium prices rather than the discounted prices (around $10 USD/barrel) that India and China were paying them for sanctioned oil.

The USSR regained these lands in 1939. So I take it you would have preferred Hitler to have these lands?

Textbook Logical Fallacy 101. Look up "logical fallacies", I'm tired of explaining them.
It's close to, but not exactly the same as the "Yeah, but what about?" fallacy.
Educate yourselves! I was educated by the Holy Cross Fathers! The sworn enemy of the Jesuits! 😄

I've been out of touch for 3 days, through no fault of my own, I might add. (Well, maybe just a little…)
Anything new on this thread? No? Thought not.
Carry on with not convincing anyone.

China has not suddenly lost access to oil due to Iran and Venezuela.
Iranian oil was under US sanctions.

China gets most of it's oil from the Gulf States – the Persian Gulf States (Iraq, Saudi, etc. about 40%) + Iran (mabye 15-20%) + Venezuela (about 12-15%). Now now China has lost access to 70-80% of their supply.

Now, that just means that China completes with everyone else on buying oil from the remaining suppliers. It can still buy oil. The oil companies are going to do what they always have done, sell to the person willing to pay the most. It is a commodity – supply and demand laws will prevail. Reduced supply, increased prices.

Supply and Demand isn't the issue – delivery is. When Iran attacked the Straights they also directly attacked their patron's oil supplies.

The biggest winner seems to be Russia as the sanctions have now been removed allowing them to sell at premium prices rather than the discounted prices (around $10 USD USD/barrel) that India and China were paying them for sanctioned oil.

Sanctions were not removed. Russia still sells most oil at a discount tied to Brent global pricing standards, and the $60 USD price-cap imposed by the Group of Seven also still exists for shipments using Western shipping and insurance services.

Russia may benefit when global oil prices rise, but it is still typically selling below Brent benchmark pricing rather than at a premium.

The real strategic takeaway is that China's vulnerability lies less in supplier concentration and more in maritime chokepoints that control the delivery of its imported energy. Even if the Hormuz were "opened" by Iran, the US could shut down all maritime trade to China in a crisis.

"Again, our allies are content to snipe at the US instead of acting."

Shall we say it again – it's YOUR WAR, you started it. Don't come begging, threatening or demanding that we bail you out.

You've got the biggest, bestest navy on the planet, with a commander in chief with the highest IQ ever – grow a pair and open the straits yourselves.

(p.s. according to some made up non-MSN AI slop, this is exactly the thoughts of NATO leaders everywhere.)

There is global production of oil. It will find its way to wherever the demand is. Tankers frequently go around the Cape or through the Panama Canal. Suppliers will send the oil to the highest bidder. It is not unusual for tankers to change destination mid journey.

These are all short term issues (hopefully) and will contribute to price increases for everyone.
Now does this increase the transit time, yes it does. But this is not a huge issue and will again hopefully be a short term issue.
About 15% of China's oil imports last year came from Iran and Venezuela – important but replaceable. Assuming Iran and Venezuela come back on line at some point, they will start to feed the global supply pool again, bringing prices down.
So in the short term supply issues affect everyone.
In the long term, China will still be able to source oil on the global market and has just lost out on its sanction busting discount.

It is important not to conflate short term supply shocks with long term sourcing issues which essentially controlled by supply and demand.

LOL! Don't need your "bail out" because in the Persian Gulf theatre you honestly have little to contribute except moral and minor material support and HONOR YOUR BASING AGREEMENTS.

Which European leaders in general have NOT been doing. And obviously the US consulted with NATO leaders before it's campaign asking them to honor basing agreements, and leaders in Spain and the UK rejected the requests forcing the US to use alternate plans and longer flight times putting US military at higher risk.

If we were looking to see who responds as an ally -- who will be there when the sh1te hits the fan with China, now we know. When the war with China happens, Europe will do NOTHING. They will hope it doesn't affect them and they can keep buying cheap Temu crap.

And when the war with China happens, the US will move most of its forces out of Europe -- and you will finally get the "defense independence" you have always wanted. You will get your chance to create the Euro Army and finally put "boots on the ground" in Ukraine -- should make you happy! You finally get to help Ukraine for real!

Say, and here's a solution to another moral quandry. Many politicians and citizens in Europe wax poetic about the evils of fossil fuels and the need to go Green. So rather than keep feeding your oil addiction, why not just let the Straights remain closed to European shipments? I'm sure Africa could pick up the slack on oil sales while you all can show us how to Go Green! Maybe if the USMC takes Karg Island, or the Iranian regime falls and is replaced, the US can help you stay straight and finally kick your oil addiction?

Anything new on this thread? No? Thought not.
Carry on with not convincing anyone.

No, we're still just yelling at each other…

Yes Israel and the U.S. are failing.

AI

"Missile and drone attacks on Israel directly from Iran since day one.

17 sites
Since the conflict began on February 28, 2026, the rate of direct missile and drone attacks from Iran against Israel has significantly declined. After a massive opening barrage, daily launches have dropped by approximately 90%.
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
+3
As of today, March 16, 2026, Iran has fired a cumulative total of approximately 290 ballistic missiles and 500 drones directly at Israel.
Long War Journal
Long War Journal
+1
Estimated Daily Attack Waves (Direct from Iran)
The following table tracks "attack waves" (individual salvos that can contain multiple munitions) and confirmed projectile counts where available.
Date (2026) Attack Waves / Projectiles Notable Impacts & Details
Feb 28 44 Waves (~170 missiles) Opening day; strikes reported in Tel Aviv and military sites.
Mar 1 55 Waves Conflict peak; strike in Beit Shemesh killed 9 people.
Mar 2–5 ~10 Waves per day Significant decrease; total of 90+ attempted strikes in this period.
Mar 6–7 10 Waves Two missiles hit open areas in north and central Israel.
Mar 8–9 9 Waves Continued low-volume barrages.
Mar 10 3 Waves U.S. officials noted the lowest launch numbers since the war began.
Mar 11 5 Waves No confirmed impacts reported within Israel for this 24-hour period.
Mar 12–14 18 Waves (Total) Weekend volume; 38.9% targeted northern Israel.
Mar 15 10 Waves Evenly split between Tel Aviv and southern Israel; cluster munition hit Bnei Brak.
Mar 16 Limited Barrages Missile debris fell on a home in Jerusalem, injuring two."

There is global production of oil. It will find its way to wherever the demand is. Tankers frequently go around the Cape or through the Panama Canal. Suppliers will send the oil to the highest bidder. It is not unusual for tankers to change destination mid journey.

As I mentioned, it's not a supply issue -- most of the oil produced in the Middle East ships out through the Straights of Hormuz. Which Iran has once again declared closed.

If China is denied its oil supply from the Gulf do you really think that Xi is going to take it lying down?

China will look for other sources of supply, exactly like Japan did in WWII. The slight difference being that there's a lot of Chinese and they have nuclear weapons.

I already mentioned that -- and China has NO way to stop the US from severing all of it's maritime trade and resource supplies in a crisis. So I guess if MAD doesn't work that will suck for everyone.

Now you may welcome a return to Cold War brinkmanship, but the same world would rather not.

What the hell do you think has been happening over the last 40 years? We allowed China to rise to become a near peer competitor who openly wants to take over the damn world, hoping access to trade and rising incomes would liberalize them instead of seeing them morph from Communnism to essentially Facism. Now finally, belatedly, the US is responding. We are in a new Cold War, and hoping these actions reduce China's desire to go hot in Taiwan knowing the US will respond even as Europe sits on the sidelines hoping to keep a non-existent defunct status quo in place.

Current energy production in the UK:

Key Energy Production Sources (Approximate Typical Mix):

Wind (Onshore & Offshore): Leading source, often 25–35%.

Natural Gas (CCGT): Key for balancing, around 25–35%.

Nuclear: Reliable low-carbon generation, roughly 12-18%.

Bioenergy/Biomass: Significant consistent renewable, 6–9%.

Solar: Variable, contributing around 5–7% depending on the season.

Hydroelectric: Low-capacity, around 1-2%.

So, no oil, then.

Best of luck learning Chinese.

That is quite some post.

Let's take the UK. Traditionally the UK has been a steadfast ally of the US. They supplied troops for the Iraqi war and responded to the Article 5 request for the Afghan war.
In addition the UK population has also historically had a very positive view of the US.

However, recently the US has:
- insulted the UK military's involvement in Afghanistan
- imposed tariffs on the UK citing a US national security threat
- said the UK is taking economic advantage of the US
- threatened not to honor NATO defense agreements in case of war
- threatened NATO countries with an invasion of Greenland.
- got involved in UK domestic politics

I recently visited the UK and noticed a marked shift in the overall view towards the US amongst a significant portion of the population.
I suspect that the UK militarily supporting the ongoing situation in Iran would be political suicide for the party in power.
The US view was that it did not need European allies. Saying that the US does not need or support European allies and then complaining when they do not rush to help – well it is an interesting take on the situation.

While Asia is the biggest recipient of oil through the Straits, 80 to 90%. The EU will see an effect.

AI:

"Primary Commodities Blocked

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):
Europe receives 12% to 14% of its total LNG from Qatar via the Strait.
QatarEnergy declared force majeure on March 4, 2026, after Iranian attacks on its production facilities, removing roughly 20% of global supply overnight.
The most affected European nations include Britain, Italy, Belgium, and Poland.

Crude Oil and Petroleum Products:
Roughly 4% to 5% of the crude oil passing through the strait is destined for Europe.

Specific countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, and Belgium are heavily reliant on these flows for their domestic refining operations.

Secondary fuels like propane, butane, and ethane—used for heating and agriculture—are also being choked off.

Fertilizers:
Approximately 13% of global fertilizer exports pass through the strait.
EU diplomats have warned that a lack of fertilizers this year could lead to significant food deprivation across the continent next year.

Industrial Materials:
Aluminum and petrochemicals (such as polyethylene) used in the automotive and aerospace industries are seeing immediate price spikes due to transit halts.
CNBC

Immediate Economic Impact

Price Surges: The benchmark European gas price (Dutch TTF) surged 60% since the conflict began, peaking above €60.00 EUR/MWh.

Inventory Depletion: The disruption is hitting Europe while its winter gas inventories are at their lowest seasonal levels in years.

Shipping Delays: Major carriers (Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd) have suspended all transits, forcing ships to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10 to 14 days to delivery times for goods arriving from the Gulf and Asia."

@SBminisguy

So do you think the President may be looking longterm on this. Find out who will help escort their products through and when the U.S. and Israel reopen it, place a toll on the products destined for the counties who refused to help escort?

Maybe place a long Chain across it, shades of Constantinople.

"The Trump Toll"

Just add it to all that tariff money. 😉

As to what has been asked:

"As of March 16, 2026, President Donald Trump has specifically asked that EU and NATO nations send warships to help secure and reopen the Strait of Hormuz."

Not bomb Iran. not send ground troops. Not protect US navy ships or aircraft. Not provide escorts for our planes. Not guards for our bases. Not to protect Israel.

Escort trading vessels that supply your needs.

Me, I would not have asked. I would have imposed the toll. 😏

AI

"The United States is significantly less dependent on the Strait of Hormuz for physical energy supplies than Europe or Asia, primarily due to its high domestic production.

As of early 2026, the percentages of U.S. energy and commodities moving through the strait are as follows:

Crude Oil Imports: Approximately 6% to 7% of total U.S. crude oil and condensate imports transit the strait.

Total Petroleum Consumption: Only about 2% to 2.5% of the total oil fueling the U.S. economy (gasoline, diesel, etc.) depends on these flows.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): The U.S. receives near-zero LNG imports through the strait. In fact, the U.S. is the world's leading LNG exporter, and the closure of Hormuz has actually increased global demand for American gas as a substitute for lost Qatari supplies.

Fertilizers (Urea): While specific U.S.-only import percentages for Hormuz-based urea are less public, the Fertilizer Institute notes that 30% of the world's urea is exported through this waterway. The U.S. relies on these global markets to stabilize domestic prices, and the current "choke-off" has caused U.S. urea prices to jump significantly since March 2."

Did you catch that natural gas paragraph? 😱

Same is starting to our Oil as well.

Maybe to our Venezuelan oil as well? 😏

Iran: A gentle and a peace loving nation. 🐑

"Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran and its proxies (primarily Hezbollah) have conducted extensive operations on European soil. These actions have evolved from state-sponsored assassinations of dissidents in the 1980s and 1990s to more recent plots targeting Israeli/Jewish interests and the use of organized criminal networks to maintain "plausible deniability".
International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – ICCT

Direct State-Sponsored Attacks & Assassinations
Iranian intelligence services (VAJA) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been directly implicated in numerous assassinations targeting dissidents across the EU.
Council on Foreign Relations

1979 Paris, France: Assassination of Prince Shahriar Shafiq, the Shah's nephew.

1991 Paris, France: Assassination of Shapour Bakhtiar, the last Prime Minister under the Shah.

1992 Berlin, Germany (Mykonos Restaurant): Iranian agents killed four Kurdish-Iranian dissidents. A German court later ruled that the attack was ordered by Iran's highest political leadership.

2015 Almere, Netherlands: Assassination of Mohammad Reza Kolahi Samadi, linked to Iranian state operations.

2018 Paris Plot (Foiled): Belgian and French authorities thwarted a bomb attack targeting an opposition rally. Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi was later convicted in Belgium for orchestrating the plot.
International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – ICCT

Attacks by Iranian Proxies (Hezbollah)

Hezbollah has used Europe as a theater for both operational attacks and logistical support.
The Washington Institute

1983–1984 France: Hijackings of Air France flights.
1985–1986 Paris, France: A wave of 15 bombings targeting public places (shopping malls, trains), killing 20 people and injuring hundreds.
1985 Copenhagen, Denmark: Bombings targeting a synagogue and Northwest Orient Airlines offices.
1985 Madrid, Spain: Airline office attacks.
2012 Burgas, Bulgaria: A suicide bombing targeting a bus of Israeli tourists at Sarafovo Airport, killing six people. The EU and Bulgaria attributed the attack to Hezbollah.

Recent Trends & "Criminal Proxy" Operations
In recent years, Iranian intelligence has shifted toward hiring local organized crime groups to carry out attacks, particularly against Jewish or Israeli targets.
International Centre for Counter-Terrorism – ICCT

2023 Spain: Attempted assassination of Spanish politician Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
2024 Sweden: Use of the "Foxtrot" criminal network to target the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm (grenade attack).
2024 Copenhagen, Denmark: A similar attack on the Israeli Embassy involving criminal networks.
2024–2026 Cyber Attacks: Widespread cyber espionage and infrastructure sabotage targeting Albania (2022) and various Scandinavian research institutions"

I know, 3 of those last 4 are just more Jews, right? I least that is the insinuation I'm getting from some of you out there and in the media. 🤔

Again the gentle nation undeserving of what is happening to them:

"Since 1979, Iran and its proxies—primarily Hezbollah, the Houthis, and various Shia militias—have conducted numerous direct and indirect attacks targeting sovereign nations across the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.
Middle East & North Africa

The majority of Iranian-backed activity occurs within the region as part of a strategy to project power and destabilize rivals.
Wilson Center

Lebanon (1982–1992): The Lebanon Hostage Crisis involved the systematic abduction of foreign nationals by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

Kuwait (1983–1988):
In 1983, a series of bombings targeted the U.S. and French embassies, as well as Kuwaiti government facilities.

In 1984 and 1988, Kuwait Airways flights were hijacked and diverted to Tehran, resulting in the murder of passengers.

Saudi Arabia (1987–1996):
In 1987, Saudi Hezbollah attacked petroleum facilities.

In 1996, the Khobar Towers bombing killed 19 U.S. service members; a U.S. federal judge later ruled that the attack was planned and funded by senior Iranian leadership.

Iraq (2003–Present): Iran-backed militias have conducted hundreds of rocket and drone attacks against international coalition bases and Iraqi government infrastructure. In 2007, the IRGC Quds Force was directly linked to a raid on the Karbala Provincial Headquarters that killed five soldiers.

Yemen & Red Sea (2015–Present): Iran provides lethal support, including ballistic missiles and sea mines, to the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah). The Houthis have used these to strike civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and to disrupt international shipping.

Jordan (2024): A drone launched by an Iranian-backed militia killed three U.S. soldiers at the Tower 22 base on the Jordanian border.
Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Latin America
Iran and Hezbollah have a documented history of operations in South America, often linked to local political shifts or criminal networks.
US Army War College – Strategic Studies Institute

Argentina (1992–1994):
In 1992, a bombing at the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires killed 22 people.

In 1994, the AMIA Jewish cultural center bombing killed 85 people. Argentine investigators officially accused high-ranking Iranian officials of orchestrating the attack.

Panama (1994): The bombing of Alas Chiricanas Flight 901 killed 21 people. The attack was linked to Hezbollah's external operations wing.
Wikipedia

Asia & Africa
Thailand (2012, 2022):
In 2012, a botched bomb plot in Bangkok was attributed to Iranian agents.

In 2022, Thai police were alerted to Iranian spies gathering intelligence on dissidents in the region.

Kenya & Tanzania (1998): The dual bombings of U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which killed 224 people, were carried out by Al-Qaeda but allegedly received tactical support from Hezbollah and Iran.

Nigeria (2013): Authorities unearthed a Hezbollah weapons cache intended for use in regional attacks"

In order to impose a toll, you have to control the straits. You don't.

Read up on the Dardenelles 1915 to find out why the UK is not rushing to support your mission.

(That was one of Churchill's cock-ups, so suggesting that Starmer is no Churchill wasn't really the insult it was intended to be.)

The old saying: "Any port in a storm". Well for Iran: "Any ally, in the greater campaign to exterminate the Infidel"

"The relationship between Iran and Osama bin Laden (and al-Qaeda) is a complex, tactical alliance described by some experts as a "marriage of convenience". While they are ideological enemies—Iran being a Shia theocracy and al-Qaeda a Sunni extremist group—they have historically collaborated against common Western adversaries.
The Washington Institute

Early Tactical Cooperation (1990s)
In the early 1990s, while bin Laden was based in Sudan, al-Qaeda established contact with Iranian intelligence and Hezbollah.
Training: Senior al-Qaeda operatives, including Sayf al-Adl, traveled to Iran and Lebanon for explosives and tactical training.
Embassy Bombings (1998): A U.S. federal court ruled in 2011 that Iran was liable for the 1998 East Africa embassy bombings, stating Iran provided the "technical expertise" required for the suicide truck bombs.
Program on Extremism

Facilitation of 9/11 Hijackers
The 9/11 Commission Report found "strong evidence" that Iran facilitated the transit of al-Qaeda members into and out of Afghanistan before the attacks.
The Washington Institute

Passport Stamps: Iranian border guards were reportedly instructed not to stamp the passports of al-Qaeda members to help them avoid suspicion when returning to their home countries.

Transit: At least eight of the 9/11 "muscle" hijackers traveled through Iran between October 2000 and February 2001.

No Foreknowledge: The Commission found no evidence that Iran was aware of the specific 9/11 plot.
Middle East Forum

Safe Haven and "House Arrest" (Post-2001)
After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, hundreds of al-Qaeda members and their families—including bin Laden's children—fled to Iran.
U.S. Embassy in Georgia (.gov)

The "Management Council": Key figures like Sayf al-Adl and Abu Muhammad al-Masri resided in Iran for decades.

Conditional Liberty: While nominally under "house arrest," many lived in upscale Tehran suburbs and were occasionally allowed to travel or direct operations abroad.

Prisoner Swaps: In 2015, Iran reportedly released five senior al-Qaeda leaders in exchange for an Iranian diplomat kidnapped in Yemen.
Program on Extremism

Recent Status
U.S. and UN intelligence reports indicate that al-Qaeda's current de facto leader, Sayf al-Adl, continues to reside in Iran as of early 2024. This has led the U.S. State Department to describe Iran as al-Qaeda's "new operational headquarters"."

I've previously listed the U.S. related attacks. I'm sure Israel's is much longer!

But NO, we had NO justification for this. 😏

You in the US should know better!

Noggin better start storing those pounds away. That toll gate, it's a coming.

Maybe we should rename it the "Straits of America". With a big Orange tollgate. A tollgate like you've never seen before. 🤔😂

Oh God! Now we've done it! We pi#d off Greta so bad, she has decided to cut her own hair!

Subject: Drew Pavlou 🇦🇺🇺🇸🇺🇦🇹🇼 on X: "Greta is complaining that Trump won't allow the Cuban communist dictatorship to import fossil fuels to power their dictatorship What's the matter Greta, I thought you wanted the planet to go Green! t.co/OJanbg2uJa / X


link

Could we all chip in for a professional hair stylist and braces for her? Maybe we can at least have a world consensus for that much?

You can't claim to have been at war with Iran since 1979, try to destabilise the country, back it's sworn enemy in the region and then complain when they attack you. Seems they are perfectly justified in fighting back.

Again, you fail to address the bigger issue – the US State Department and CIA actions towards nations they deem as hostile or rogue states carried out over that past 80 years. Look at those actions and then you'd understand why they despise the US.

You are 100% correct.

I never said WE had been at war with Iran since 1979. I said Iran had been at war with us since 1979 and Israel and pretty much a large chunk of the rest of the world.

I placed concrete examples of they and or their surrogates doing it.

Understand also, they hate you as well, and I mean you personally, unless you are a Muslim. Otherwise you are an infidel to them and their fundamentalist beliefs and doomed to eventually be exterminated or converted. You just have not gotten in their crosshairs yet.

Maybe a walk near the wrong synagogue. Boarding the wrong plane. Attending the wrong game. Going to the wrong pub. Taking the wrong cruise. Then you are in the crosshairs.

There is no peace with Radical Fundamentalist Islam. There are only forced delays in what will be the eventual extermination or conversion of the unbelievers and a world of only Islam.

Don't believe me, read their books, listen to their speeches and study.

I guess they are like the Borg that way:

"You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile."

"Without officially declaring war, Spain, France, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, and Sweden sent their military contingents to the Eastern Front…."

They were volunteers… they were armed and wore the German uniform (with only a badge from their country of origin)… those who did send a strong military contingent were the North Koreans in this war… the only contingent officially sent by that country, the rest are also volunteers on both sides (like Chinese, Africans, Cubans, etc.)

" NATO Another reincarnation of the Third Reich…."

Among the most ridiculous things I've read from you… the same NATO that Russia aspired to belong to?

In Poland… despite having a strong contingent of Poles fighting alongside you… Russia allowed the Warsaw massacre and wreaked havoc in that country when it was invaded… the same as in the rest… don't you think that those who joined together to defend themselves against Russia by forming NATO were based on your barbaric attitude?… both in peace and in war…. as you are doing now?

"Russia's only goal is to create a security belt of neutral and friendly countries around its borders. And the West is trying in every way to prevent this…"

Are neutral and friendly countries run by pro-Russian officials who take orders from the Kremlin?…

What truly Russian territory (not seized by force by you) does NATO want to take?..

Armand

Tango +1

"We don't need anybody." President Donald Trump said the United States doesn't need allies because "we're the strongest nation in the world."

Recent statements like this certainly helps matters…..

The depth of negative feeling for the US in Europe has to be experienced. As Legion is fond of saying, you have to be here.
It's tangible in France and Germany, not just Britain and Ireland

I get it -- Uncle Sam is berating you to hold up your end of the defense alliance instead of foisting all the cost and danger off on the US. Publicly pushing European leaders to abandon authoritarian rule and choose sides for real and commit as allies against Russia and China and their proxies. Pisses you off -- like a kid whose dad snaps and takes away the car keys for running up extreme gas bills you're hopping mad! Mean old dad, he sucks! How dare he tell me what to do!

Cold War 2,0 is here, trying to prevent WW3, and where do you stand? Nowhere, I guess, or on your own side opportunisticaly. You want the US to deal with Ukraine for you and pay for it all and risk US soldiers -- and stop telling you not to buy Russian energy. You want the US to patrol the seas for your shipping, and then not contribute to protect your shipping from a rogue country. You want the US to continue absorbing unequitable trade deals to your advantage, and for us to stop complaining about it.

link

Seriously, on an intellectual level we know we're better off with Europe as allies and trade partners, but emotionally we're all pretty much pissed off at Europe. A recent poll indicated that only 40% of Americans view the EU as an ally.

History doesn't repeat -- but it sure does rhyme. Brits went through this phase during the 1890s, and this quote from Arthur Conan Doyle's "Tragedy of the Korosko":

"Well now," said Headingly, in his slow, thoughtful fashion, "suppose I grant you that the Dervishes could overrun Egypt, and suppose also that you English are holding them out, what I'm never done asking is, what reason have you for spending all these millions of dollars and the lives of so many of your men? What do you get out of it, more than France gets, or Germany, or any other country, that runs no risk and never lays out a cent?"

"There are a good many Englishmen who are asking themselves that question," remarked Cecil Brown. "It's my opinion that we have been the policemen of the world long enough. We policed the seas for pirates and slavers. Now we police the land for Dervishes and brigands and every sort of danger to civilisation. There is never a mad priest or a witch doctor, or a firebrand of any sort on this planet, who does not report his appearance by sniping the nearest British officer. One tires of it at last. If a Kurd breaks loose in Asia Minor, the world wants to know why Great Britain does not keep him in order. If there is a military mutiny in Egypt, or a Jehad in the Soudan, it is still Great Britain who has to set it right. And all to an accompaniment of curses such as the policeman gets when he seizes a ruffian among his pals. We get hard knocks and no thanks, and why should we do it? Let Europe do its own dirty work."

If I wanted to draw a correlation too what Trump is asking for with escort ships, I would NOT look as far back as WW1 or WW2, I'd look at the Falklands.

During the 1982 Falklands War, the UK received critical, largely covert support from the US, Chile, and France, despite appearing to fight alone. Key aid included US intelligence, 1.5 million gallons of fuel, and AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles. Chile provided radar intelligence and warning of Argentine air attacks.

United States:

Logistics: Provided Ascension Island as a crucial refueling and staging base.

Equipment & Missiles: Supplied roughly 100 AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles for British Harriers, which were essential, as well as 20-mm shells and sonar equipment.

Intelligence: Shared critical all-source intelligence through the Five Eyes partnership, as noted by Sandboxx.

Contingency Plans: Reddit user notes that Ronald Reagan offered to loan a US Navy amphibious assault ship (USS Iwo Jima) if a British carrier was lost."

…..

" the UK used US-operated facilities during the Falklands War, most notably the Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island.

While Ascension Island is a British Overseas Territory, the airfield was a US Air Force base. The UK required, and was granted, permission from the Reagan administration to use the base as a vital forward operating staging post.

Key Usage of the Ascension Base:
Staging & Refueling: The airfield served as the primary staging point for the British naval task force and aircraft heading south.

Air Operations: It was the launch site for the Operation Black Buck bombing raids, which involved Avro Vulcan bombers making an 8,000-mile round-trip to the Falklands.

Logistics: The base became one of the busiest in the world during the conflict, handling up to 400 aircraft movements per day.
Fuel Supply: The US provided 1.5 million gallons of aviation fuel directly to the base to support British operations. "

….

Even the evil Israelis contributed.

"Israel: Supplied arms and spare parts"

No you don't get it and that is sort of the point.

The US has benefited more than any other nation by the stability created by NATO. The GDP per capita and GDP total is higher than almost all NATO members.
The US tells NATO it doesn't need them and then treats them like enemies. It imposes punitive Tariffs on the EU, just like it has imposed on China.
The US interferes in the domestic politics of allies and then threatens to invade them.
The US then wants NATO to "uphold their end of the defense alliance" on a US offensive operation and gets all upset when countries decline to get involved. NATO is a defensive organization.

As for wanting the US to patrol the seas for European shipping, it is said without the slightest irony that the reason they need patrolling is due to the conflict started by the US.

As for any potential conflict with China, I think you are right, Europe would be more than happy to sit that one out. If the US wants to engage in conflict to maintain its position as the number one superpower, then that is a US issue. China is going to be the country with the highest GDP in the near future. Eventually that will lead to them being the number one superpower. Actual diplomacy is going to be increasingly important in this world, gunboat diplomacy without allies is going to be a very lonely place.

Just to add to the Bizarro History of Iran vs America.
Immediately after 9/11, Iran, that bastion of Shia orthodoxy, offered full support to the United States against the Sunni heretics of Bin Laden.
I might add that nobody took that seriously. But as humorous (🤷🙄) anecdotes go, it's a perfect "What if?"
It's a scenario only fit for a gaming night with recreational drinks and … vegetables. Which, considering past Policy decisions, is not implausible n

I'm not sure if anyone has noticed this on the thread (there's a few grey boxes…) but:
"The war in the Middle East started by US-Israeli strikes on Iran is "not a matter for NATO", German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said, as Donald Trump repeats his demand that European allies help unblock the Strait of Hormuz."

link

"Many Arab states surrounding the Persian Gulf are urging the United States to carry on hitting Iran, fearing that Tehran will come out of war still capable of threatening the region's oil lifeline, Reuters reported citing three regional sources.

Those sources and five Western and Arab diplomats said Washington has been pressing those governments to join the US-Israeli campaign Iran.

As the conflict entered its third week, Reuters reported the prevailing mood among regional leaders was clear: President Trump should comprehensively degrade Iran's military capacity.

The alternative for Iran's Arab neighbours, one source was quoted as saying, would be living under constant threat."

I agree with you. But a waste of time with most of those posting here in the last couple days. These are the same ones who attack everything the "Evil Orange" does. Go back through other UM threads.

Yes I noticed how much more time I have without wasting time here.

let's just cut to the chase. There are a lot of people on these threads who hate Trump, and either hate or dislike America and wish for failure and defeat to feel better about themselves. Seriously, it's that simple.

Yes I agree … this thread has brought out some worst out of some of the "more worser or "worstest" …

Why these woman are delusional! The regime of Iran is a gentle and peace loving leadership. The safety, security and happiness of their people is their only concern. If these women were not happy, the regime would be the first to tell them to leave and be happy. That must be right, I hear it from all of you who oppose this conflict. Liars! These women must be liars, brainwashed by the Great Satan!! 😡🤬

"It's been a whirlwind of a week for members of the Iranian Women's soccer team. Many players sought asylum instead of returning to Iran. Now the same women are withdrawing their asylum bids as concerns for their families' safety under the despotic regime mount.

The latest to make this move is the captain of the soccer team, Zahra Ghanbari, who is "returning to the embrace of the homeland" Monday after withdrawing her asylum bid Sunday, Iran's IRNA news agency reported.

Per the New York Post, the players fear their families are in danger if they don't return home.

"Several of the players decided to go back because the threats against their families became unbearable and the intimidation was relentless," Shiva Amini, an exiled Iranian former soccer player, wrote on X on Sunday. "They have even targeted the family of Zahra Ghanbari. Despite the fact that she has just lost her father, authorities are putting pressure on her mother. This shows the level of cruelty and desperation they are willing to use to force these athletes to comply."
"

Now the Australians are lying about the peace loving Iranians!! 🤬

"Authorities in Iran, specifically the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) intelligence unit, have reportedly used systemic intimidation against the players' relatives:
Detentions and Disappearances: Activists and Australian officials have reported that some family members have been detained or are currently missing.

Specific Targets: The mother of team captain Zahra Ghanbari was reportedly threatened by security bodies. This pressure is believed to have forced Ghanbari to withdraw her asylum bid on March 15, 2026, to return home.

Threatening Communication: Players in Australia received voice messages from family members and threatening messages relayed through team management, urging them to return for the safety of their relatives.

Wider Crackdown: Beyond the team's immediate circles, Iranian authorities have arrested dozens of people on accusations of "spying" or "treason" related to the ongoing conflict and internal dissent."

…..
And this! More lies! There have been no anti government protests in Iran!! Lies of the infidels!! This was just gentle sexual therapy for the poor stressed women.

"Reports from March 2026 indicate that two nurses from Tehran's Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center were subjected to repeated gang rape and severe torture by Iranian security agents while in custody.

The nurses were reportedly targeted for treating wounded protesters during nationwide demonstrations in late December 2025 and January 2026.
Key Details of the Incident

Arrest and Detention: The two women were arrested on January 8, 2026, after security forces raided their hospital and instructed staff not to provide medical treatment to protesters injured by live ammunition.

Brutality and Injuries: Sources report that one 33-year-old nurse was subjected to repeated sexual assault, including gang rape by multiple officers over several days. The violence was so severe that both women required major surgeries; one had part of her intestine removed, and the other underwent a complete hysterectomy.

Cover-up: One nurse was allegedly forced to sign a document stating her injuries were caused by "rioters" and was released only after her family paid a significant sum and a fraudulent "temporary marriage" document was created for an officer.
ایران اینترنشنال

Context of Systematic Violence
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented that sexual violence is used as a calculated weapon by Iranian security forces to suppress dissent and intimidate those aiding demonstrators. A March 2026 report by a UN Expert noted that these violations represent systemic patterns rather than isolated incidents."

Thanks to Legion 4 to recall the iranian or proxy-iranian terrorism who caused the death of 241 US Marines and sailors with 58 French Chasseurs Parachutists more 6 Lebanese civilians in october 1983, this has not been forgotten…not to mention the terrorists waves against Paris the following years we can add a 59th French soldier today

I remember the event well. And hope all those islamists involved have died on the battlefield and violently. Losing another one of your soldiers is very unfortunate. May he RIP.

At this point the US has approx. 200 WIAs. With the vast majority being returned to duty. The US has had approx. 7 KIA and recently 6 USAF in a KC-135 accident. May they all RIP …

Yes, but that is not "cutting to the chase" The real questions are more complex and deserve to be asked. NATO and the rest of the world does benefit from Iran being disarmed. But this is not a NATO operation, or even one it was consulted on. The US should take responsibility for resolving unintended consequences from an offensive military action it initiated unilaterally.

What NATO members were consulted or asked to participate in an action to free the world of the Iranian threat? I suppose that the verbal barbs from Trump about their performance in Afghanistan, etc. are not supposed to matter either. If we had been treating them like allies, maybe they would have been standing with us now. Or maybe not, I don't know. But we don't seem to have any friends left but Israel.