Please or to access all these features

Conflict in the Middle East

Trumps senior counter terrorism officer resigns due to the war with Iran and has said they only went to war because of Israeli pressure, not because of any imminent threat from Iran.

212 replies

BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 15:49

If that is really the case will this not be very damning for Trump? How will he respond to this?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 20:18

Notonthestairs · 17/03/2026 20:12

The only way to get rid of it is to move it (if they can find it all) or dilute it. Both require troops.

I think i read that Putin said he would take it if it ends the war? Or was that prior to the war i can't remember. I wouldn't trust him but Trump i feel secretly admires him.

OP posts:
Notonthestairs · 17/03/2026 20:12

Namingbaba · 17/03/2026 20:01

I think the worry is the enriched uranium could still be useable even though it’s likely buried in rubble. I’m not sure what they plan to do about it as trying to access it would surely require ground crews.

The only way to get rid of it is to move it (if they can find it all) or dilute it. Both require troops.

Twiglets1 · 17/03/2026 20:11

Namingbaba · 17/03/2026 20:01

I think the worry is the enriched uranium could still be useable even though it’s likely buried in rubble. I’m not sure what they plan to do about it as trying to access it would surely require ground crews.

US, Israel weigh sending special forces into Iran - Axios

The United States and Israel have held discussions about deploying special operations forces into Iran to secure the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Axios reported Sunday, citing four sources familiar with the talks.

Administration officials emphasized that any operation would differ significantly from large-scale military deployments. “Small special ops raids — not a big force going in,” one source explained. “People think Fallujah. That’s not what has been discussed.”

The mission would likely occur only after both nations are confident Iran’s military no longer poses a serious threat to forces on the ground. At a congressional briefing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed whether Iran’s uranium would be secured: “People are going to have to go and get it.”

Officials are weighing two options: removing the material from Iran entirely or bringing in nuclear experts to dilute it on-site. The operation would likely involve special operators alongside scientists, possibly from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

U.S.-Israeli strikes last June buried Iran’s uranium stockpile under rubble and destroyed nearly all centrifuges. Most of the material sits in underground tunnels at Isfahan, with the remainder split between Fordow and Natanz.

www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-israel-weigh-sending-special-forces-into-iran-axios/ar-AA1XLbzh

EasternStandard · 17/03/2026 20:09

BelleHathor · 17/03/2026 20:07

My pleasure dairy, glad I could make you laugh.

I am having quite a jovial evening watching the MIGAs blowing their casket over Joe Kent, a beautiful sight, unfortunately the tired old tropes don't seem to be working, poor Alan Dershowitz having his Epstein connections called out again.

People are silly like this. The IRGC aren’t on the side of those who get this enjoyment either.

BelleHathor · 17/03/2026 20:07

dairydebris · 17/03/2026 19:57

The absolute gymnastics! This has absolutely made my evening Belle thankyou 😂

My pleasure dairy, glad I could make you laugh.

I am having quite a jovial evening watching the MIGAs blowing their casket over Joe Kent, a beautiful sight, unfortunately the tired old tropes don't seem to be working, poor Alan Dershowitz having his Epstein connections called out again.

Namingbaba · 17/03/2026 20:01

TooBigForMyBoots · 17/03/2026 17:43

How will they find any when all Iran's nuclear capabilities were "obliterated" by the USA and Israel last June?🤔

Its WMD all over again.

I think the worry is the enriched uranium could still be useable even though it’s likely buried in rubble. I’m not sure what they plan to do about it as trying to access it would surely require ground crews.

dairydebris · 17/03/2026 19:57

BelleHathor · 17/03/2026 19:31

Of course I am going to say "Thank you Joe," because unlike this new breed of "Not quite MAGA" who've only recently started to support Trump due to his support for Israel and as a way to protect Israel, I've known about Joe Kent for years and have listened to him advocate for Veterans and no more foreign wars, this is not a new position for him. That's why I knew about his late wife, I have heard him interviewed on MAGA channels that reach grassroots Americans back in 2021 and followed his election attempt.

I know veterans of these endless American wars, he is speaking for them, the poor folk who can only attend College/University by joining the military.

But please continue, Laura Loomer, Mark Levin and MIGAs are doing so much to destroy support for Israel by grassroots Americans and in other countries that they will be thanked in the future.

The absolute gymnastics! This has absolutely made my evening Belle thankyou 😂

Twiglets1 · 17/03/2026 19:39

BelleHathor · 17/03/2026 19:31

Of course I am going to say "Thank you Joe," because unlike this new breed of "Not quite MAGA" who've only recently started to support Trump due to his support for Israel and as a way to protect Israel, I've known about Joe Kent for years and have listened to him advocate for Veterans and no more foreign wars, this is not a new position for him. That's why I knew about his late wife, I have heard him interviewed on MAGA channels that reach grassroots Americans back in 2021 and followed his election attempt.

I know veterans of these endless American wars, he is speaking for them, the poor folk who can only attend College/University by joining the military.

But please continue, Laura Loomer, Mark Levin and MIGAs are doing so much to destroy support for Israel by grassroots Americans and in other countries that they will be thanked in the future.

Kent, a long-time supporter of Trump's who unsuccessfully ran for Congress twice, was nominated by the president early in his administration and narrowly confirmed to his post, with many Democrats criticising his links to extremist groups including members of the Proud Boys.

In the confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to back away from claims that federal agents had fomented the January 6 riots at the US Capitol or that Trump had won the 2020 election.

Previously, Kent had deployed 11 times overseas with the US military, including with the US Army's special forces in Iraq.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4g66r3z40o

BelleHathor · 17/03/2026 19:31

Of course I am going to say "Thank you Joe," because unlike this new breed of "Not quite MAGA" who've only recently started to support Trump due to his support for Israel and as a way to protect Israel, I've known about Joe Kent for years and have listened to him advocate for Veterans and no more foreign wars, this is not a new position for him. That's why I knew about his late wife, I have heard him interviewed on MAGA channels that reach grassroots Americans back in 2021 and followed his election attempt.

I know veterans of these endless American wars, he is speaking for them, the poor folk who can only attend College/University by joining the military.

But please continue, Laura Loomer, Mark Levin and MIGAs are doing so much to destroy support for Israel by grassroots Americans and in other countries that they will be thanked in the future.

dairydebris · 17/03/2026 19:23

TooBigForMyBoots · 17/03/2026 19:12

Discussing the truth as the wheels come off Trump's administration does not mean people agree with the wonky wheels he employed in the first place. No one apart from Trump and MAGA have got into bed with a white supremacist like @dairydebris said.🙄

Trump has no plan for Iran, he doesn't even have a realistic plan for this war. That's why his messaging changes with the wind. He's fucked the ME, he's fucked global trade, he's fucked peace/stability and he's fucked America.

This is, as @JaneFondue said WMD2. Only this time, we are staying out.

Well I suggest we 'discuss truth' by avoiding quoting a liar extraordinaire who has sold his principles if he ever had any in supporting Trump and his many, many untruths.

I don't disagree that Trump has fucked many things but the regime in Iran can take as much credit as Trump for fucking the ME.

EasternStandard · 17/03/2026 19:21

TooBigForMyBoots · 17/03/2026 19:12

Discussing the truth as the wheels come off Trump's administration does not mean people agree with the wonky wheels he employed in the first place. No one apart from Trump and MAGA have got into bed with a white supremacist like @dairydebris said.🙄

Trump has no plan for Iran, he doesn't even have a realistic plan for this war. That's why his messaging changes with the wind. He's fucked the ME, he's fucked global trade, he's fucked peace/stability and he's fucked America.

This is, as @JaneFondue said WMD2. Only this time, we are staying out.

If the IRGC stay where will they be in five to ten years and what would you do?

Twiglets1 · 17/03/2026 19:19

TooBigForMyBoots · 17/03/2026 19:12

Discussing the truth as the wheels come off Trump's administration does not mean people agree with the wonky wheels he employed in the first place. No one apart from Trump and MAGA have got into bed with a white supremacist like @dairydebris said.🙄

Trump has no plan for Iran, he doesn't even have a realistic plan for this war. That's why his messaging changes with the wind. He's fucked the ME, he's fucked global trade, he's fucked peace/stability and he's fucked America.

This is, as @JaneFondue said WMD2. Only this time, we are staying out.

Look at some of the comments at the start of this thread ... people rushing to identify with him (knowing nothing about his background) just because he criticised Trump. He is being praised not just on this thread, but others too.

"thank you Joe"
"Brave guy!"

TooBigForMyBoots · 17/03/2026 19:12

Twiglets1 · 17/03/2026 18:14

So embarrassing. He is exactly the sort of man they would have hated before he made this particular statement.

Discussing the truth as the wheels come off Trump's administration does not mean people agree with the wonky wheels he employed in the first place. No one apart from Trump and MAGA have got into bed with a white supremacist like @dairydebris said.🙄

Trump has no plan for Iran, he doesn't even have a realistic plan for this war. That's why his messaging changes with the wind. He's fucked the ME, he's fucked global trade, he's fucked peace/stability and he's fucked America.

This is, as @JaneFondue said WMD2. Only this time, we are staying out.

dairydebris · 17/03/2026 19:08

HollyBluIvy · 17/03/2026 19:00

I must take that back and stand corrected. I read one single article that spoke about the number of years service and deployment and about his wife and jumped to a conclusion that he was a good guy. I have now researched further and see this guy is far from a good guy. If even this kind of guy is taking the moral high ground. Wonder if that will count for something.

anyway, sorry about that.

People like him are ruining all that was good in America. It's really sad, and deeply concerning for the rest of the world.

HollyBluIvy · 17/03/2026 19:00

dairydebris · 17/03/2026 18:05

Previous Trump buttlicker.
Links to the Proud Boys.
Refused to admit Trump lost in 2020.

Surprised you think these are impeccable credentials but ok.

I must take that back and stand corrected. I read one single article that spoke about the number of years service and deployment and about his wife and jumped to a conclusion that he was a good guy. I have now researched further and see this guy is far from a good guy. If even this kind of guy is taking the moral high ground. Wonder if that will count for something.

anyway, sorry about that.

Notonthestairs · 17/03/2026 18:57

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 17/03/2026 18:44

www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/03/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-remarks-to-press-6

"We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties and perhaps even higher those killed, and then we would all be here answering questions about why we knew that and didn’t act."

So there you go. From the SoS himself.

The fact Israel was going to go ahead regardless prompted the US to participate on the pretence of mitigating the expected Iranian response.

Tail wagging the dog.

I see. I think Rubio’s statement differs from Kent’s because Kent is saying that Israel deliberately misled Trump. Getting bounced in to war seems different to being deliberately misled.
Not sure any of them are men I would trust to be truthful.

Either way I don’t think you can bomb the regime out and leave unarmed civilians to overthrow what’s left of the army, police and state infrastructure without vast bloodshed, internal chaos and a humanitarian crisis.

GoBazGo · 17/03/2026 18:57

TooBigForMyBoots · 17/03/2026 17:27

The USA had zero plan and is not in a position to secure anything wrt Iran. The USA can use its own minesweepers and navy. And of course those of Israel and their friends in the Gulf. We should have nothing to do with his destruction of the Middle East. Long may Starmer's refusal continue.

Trump keeps saying he doesn't need us, so he should just crack on instead of whining like a pissy wee bitch.🤷‍♀️

Edited

Well said

EasternStandard · 17/03/2026 18:56

BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 18:53

I don't claim to know it all. I only have views like the rest of you on this thread and I am open to hearing different opinions. I am somewhat of a pacifist and against war in principle. Ofcourse, I'm not so naive to know at times it is a necessary evil.

I just don't think the US really thought this through and had a robust plan on how they would follow through to achieve their stated goals. I think it has done more harm than good from where we stand now.

Edited

Of course. I can’t stand the thought of the bloody Russian Ukraine loss which is so senseless and see young people killed daily. Unconscionable and unbearable.

What does stress me out is Iran reaching its aim, if it were to take out Israel I think it would escalate to a pretty catastrophic event worldwide.

The IRGC getting stronger is concerning for that reason.

BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 18:53

I don't claim to know it all. I only have views like the rest of you on this thread and I am open to hearing different opinions. I am somewhat of a pacifist and against war in principle. Ofcourse, I'm not so naive to know at times it is a necessary evil.

I just don't think the US really thought this through and had a robust plan on how they would follow through to achieve their stated goals. I think it has done more harm than good from where we stand now.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 17/03/2026 18:50

BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 18:23

Do you always think in such a black and white way?

Yawn, so tedious when the insults start.

Just stick to the bloody points being discussed!

EasternStandard · 17/03/2026 18:49

BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 18:47

I think if the regime was going to collapse it would have done so already and then time would tell if it was the right decision or not. I am currently inclined to believe it isn't and will only spur on future leaders to obtain nuclear weapons as a deterrent against future similar attacks. Now, that would be very scary indeed and I can only hope i am wrong.

Ik you don’t want what’s going on but do you have dc? Ignoring the IRGC and their increasing capability doesn’t make the problem go away.

BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 18:47

I think if the regime was going to collapse it would have done so already and then time would tell if it was the right decision or not. I am currently inclined to believe it isn't and will only spur on future leaders to obtain nuclear weapons as a deterrent against future similar attacks. Now, that would be very scary indeed and I can only hope i am wrong.

OP posts:
EasternStandard · 17/03/2026 18:46

BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 18:44

I agree partly with you. My issue is the regime is showing no signs of collapsing and I don't believe they will unless there is a prolonged war with boots on the ground. I don't believe Trump is going to do that which leaves behind an mighty mess where ordinary Iranians will continue to suffer the most. Prolonging the war now is just prolonging their suffering.

Edited

@BerthaPottsthere is also the threat to pretty much everyone should the IRGC continue to develop weapons.

BerthaPotts · 17/03/2026 18:44

dairydebris · 17/03/2026 18:41

My hope is that Trump is able to stop this questionable war because the Iranian regime collapses.
Whether or not you believe it was right to start this war, start it he has, and it would be better now surely if it ends because of regime collapse? Rather than Trump just moves onto the next thing? I think its likely if the war ends without regime change things will get worse for lots of people in Iran- which is absolutely not what we want is it?

I agree partly with you. My issue is the regime is showing no signs of collapsing and I don't believe they will unless there is a prolonged war with boots on the ground. I don't believe Trump is going to do that which leaves behind an mighty mess where ordinary Iranians will continue to suffer the most. Prolonging the war now is just prolonging their suffering.

OP posts:
XDownwiththissortofthingX · 17/03/2026 18:44

Notonthestairs · 17/03/2026 18:37

I’ll confess I haven’t read anything from Rubio.

Im rather suspicious of anyone suggesting the war is wholly Israel’s fault though. George Soros style conspiracies.

www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/03/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-remarks-to-press-6

"We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties and perhaps even higher those killed, and then we would all be here answering questions about why we knew that and didn’t act."

So there you go. From the SoS himself.

The fact Israel was going to go ahead regardless prompted the US to participate on the pretence of mitigating the expected Iranian response.

Tail wagging the dog.