[News] Iran update.

[Cowfold Seagull]

There is one thing in life after being on this planet for a long time that I still can't reconcile.
I've met many people from Iran and they're wonderful people. I know people who've been
to Iran and they get nothing but warmth and hospitality from the people. And yet you have
head-cases running the country. Oh, hold on, the penny's just dropped. Boris!! Ignore this
post please.

People are fine the world over, it's the governments and the media that cause the problems.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

There has been a war going on between Israel and Iran for many years partly because Israel help the old Shah who the current regime over threw in 1980 and partly because Israel is closely aligned with the west (not just the US). The active fighting has generally taken place in Lebanon with the Hezbollah group who are backed by Iran and has been going on for many years. More recently Israel has teamed up with Saudi Arabia and the UAE as all see Iran as a major threat which has led to Israel actively helping some of the Sunni (Terrorists?) in Syria in their fight against Asad who is backed by Iran. Saudi is fighting teh Iran backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Both want to avoid a direct conflict at the moment though Israel has on more than one occasion bombed Iran directly (nuclear power stations) and has assassinated nuclear scientists. Iran has sent troops into Syria who have fired on Israel so things are hotting up.

The Shah left Iran (formerly Persia) in 1979. Iraq invaded in 1980-88.
The Middle East is a complete melting pot.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

I rock, Iran, I speak very, very fluent Spanish.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

All over the news,but what is going on behind the scenes ? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-58078506

You will know, or think you know, of that I'm certain.

 

[Eeyore]

Biden is a bog trotter. Disaster as a world leader.

What makes you think he is a disaster ?

 

[knocky1]

The Shah left Iran (formerly Persia) in 1979. Iraq invaded in 1980-88.
The Middle East is a complete melting pot.

It’s the opposite to a melting pot. Different cultures do not coexist and blend as one.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

It’s the opposite to a melting pot. Different cultures do not coexist and blend as one.

Probably but my meaning is more of a pot that’s about to boil over at any given moment. Poor analogy on my part.

 

[knocky1]

Probably but my meaning is more of a pot that’s about to boil over at any given moment. Poor analogy on my part.

I did think you meant that but my pedantry instinct took over. Sorry.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Probably but my meaning is more of a pot that’s about to boil over at any given moment. Poor analogy on my part.

A grammar school education. Wasted.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Never mind all this being nice to each other shite, Has Boris appointed Leaky as his Special Middle East Envoy yet? This sort of insider insight must not be wasted!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I did think you meant that but my pedantry instinct took over. Sorry.

Don't backtrack. Standards need to be upheld. Ambiguity is the thief of time. I didn't get where I am today by looking a gifthorse in the bush. It's the early bird that catches the the quick brown fox.

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

Don't backtrack. Standards need to be upheld. Ambiguity is the thief of time. I didn't get where I am today by looking a gifthorse in the bush. It's the early bird that catches the the quick brown fox.

Super, smashing, great!

 

[Fat Boy Fat]

I am a little surprised, particularly knowing certain parties on this thread, that this hasn’t been posted before...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIpfWORQWhU

Update, still hasn’t reached the Top 40 in the U.K.

 

[Wardy's twin]

The Shah left Iran (formerly Persia) in 1979. Iraq invaded in 1980-88.
The Middle East is a complete melting pot.

Iraq and Iran have been enemies for a long time because of the Sunni/Shia split and once Iran was no longer under the protection of the UK & US Iraq took the opportunity to attack thinking that Iran would be a push over as its military hardware would run out during the fighting whilst Iraq would continue to be supplied by Russia. The Iranians through (threw) manpower at it and funnily enough had support from Israel as they had same us/uk hardware. At that time IRAQ was seen as a greater threat by Israel.

Melting pot is such an understatement to describe the complexities of the region.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

What looks like potentially some really good news.

Iran election: Reformer Masoud Pezeshkian elected new president

The former heart surgeon has beaten his hardline conservative rival Saeed Jalili.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

What looks like potentially some really good news.

Iran election: Reformer Masoud Pezeshkian elected new president

The former heart surgeon has beaten his hardline conservative rival Saeed Jalili.

www.bbc.co.uk

Indeed, I am excited at the potential that Iran just may become an open, and in the end more democratic country. It is one of the great countries of history and I think it's pretty fantastic. If they can start to distance themselves from the loons currently running the place that would be wonderful. It has a young population and they may be instrumental in its modernisation. Given Iran's relationship with Putin, this could potentially unsettle things to Ukraine's advantage.

 

[Sirnormangall]

What looks like potentially some really good news.

Iran election: Reformer Masoud Pezeshkian elected new president

The former heart surgeon has beaten his hardline conservative rival Saeed Jalili.

www.bbc.co.uk

Let’s hope it signals a gradual return to normal diplomatic relations with the west, distancing itself from Putin and resolving any questions around its nuclear intent and capability.

 

[GT49er]

Let’s hope it signals a gradual return to normal diplomatic relations with the west, distancing itself from Putin and resolving any questions around its nuclear intent and capability.

Sadly it won't make much difference as long as the power remains in the hands of the vicious old religious maniacs at the top. Expect a few executions, 'accidental' and otherwise, clamp-downs (with murderous intensity) on protest, and if all else fails, a military coup in support of the ayatollah wallah if it ever gets to a situation where the miserable old bugger is crapping himself.

 

[Zeberdi]

Indeed, I am excited at the potential that Iran just may become an open, and in the end more democratic country. It is one of the great countries of history and I think it's pretty fantastic. If they can start to distance themselves from the loons currently running the place that would be wonderful. It has a young population and they may be instrumental in its modernisation. Given Iran's relationship with Putin, this could potentially unsettle things to Ukraine's advantage.

The power in Iran very much lies in the hands of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He has the final say in all major state affairs, foreign affairs and his powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps are the centralised pillar of power in Iran.

Constitutionally, the president's authority is limited -Raisi’s death and the election of Masoud Pezeshkian at most will cause an internal struggle between the domestic hardliners for Khamenei’s successor and although he will have a moderating voice in domestic and foreign policy, ultimately the Regime is very much in the control of the Ayatollah. Furthermore if Trump gets elected in November, you can be certain there will be little willingness to negotiate with Iran and renew the Nuclear Deal ( which is something Pezeshkian would be in favour of).

Until Khamenei is deposed and Iran has another revolution, don’t expect Iran’s foreign policy to fundamentally change or its state funded proxy terrorist organisations around the ME to be deprived of funding anytime soon or for Iran to change its stance towards the West or change its desire for closer ties with Russia.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

The power in Iran very much lies in the hands of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He has the final say in all major state affairs, foreign affairs and his powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps are the centralised pillar of power in Iran.

Constitutionally, the president's authority is limited -Raisi’s death and the election of Masoud Pezeshkian at most will cause an internal struggle between the domestic hardliners for Khamenei’s successor and although he will have a moderating voice in domestic and foreign policy, ultimately the Regime is very much in the control of the Ayatollah. Furthermore if Trump gets elected in November, you can be certain there will be little willingness to negotiate with Iran and renew the Nuclear Deal ( which is something Pezeshkian would be in favour of).

Until Khamenei is deposed and Iran has another revolution, don’t expect Iran’s foreign policy to fundamentally change or its state funded proxy terrorist organisations around the ME to be deprived of funding anytime soon or for Iran to change its stance towards the West or change its desire for closer ties with Russia.

All true. I agree. But also, being of a hopeful disposition, I will take some comfort in this vote as it may prove a catalyst for something even better.