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The Iranians see the strikes as a liberation, in the same way that France was liberated from the Nazis in WWII

266 replies

Endoflight · 09/03/2026 20:55

So please do not be against the war in the name of any Iranian.

The Islamic regime purposefully shot girls in the face, chests and vaginas to destroy their beauty. This was a regime of terrorists.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/feb/17/x-rays-injuries-iran-protesters-hospital-birdshot-bullets

This is a regime that has massacred 30000 of its OWN people since January.

Body bags have lined the streets for months.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/27/iran-protests-death-toll-disappeared-bodies-mass-burials-30000-dead

The strikes are targeted and destroying the regimes military bases. Iranians are celebrating and feeling support for the first time in years.

We might not want to get involved in War in the U.K., but to not understand how this is a liberation is jarring to all Iranians who do not have sympathy for the terrorist regime, so please do not speak for them

‘Deliberate targeting of vital body parts’: X-rays taken after Iran protests expose extent of catastrophic injuries

Exclusive: Expert analysis of images from one hospital suggests severe trauma to the face, chest and genitals was caused by metal birdshot and high-calibre bullets

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/feb/17/x-rays-injuries-iran-protesters-hospital-birdshot-bullets

OP posts:
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DdraigGoch · 12/03/2026 00:32

Endoflight · 10/03/2026 20:28

@FloralDeerPattern

This has degenerated the conversation and I will not continue with this. It reduces my argument and takes away from my point and the suffering of the Iranian people, I will not respond to any further ad hominem attacks.

I am leaving this thread now, it has been an emotional time the past few days and I need to take a break. I started this thread in the hope there were people who understood that the Iranian people see this as a liberation and I am actually really relieved to see 60% of people do agree. I want to thank every single one of the good people who support the people of Iran.

FREE IRAN ☀️ 🦁

Trump has declared that the war is won.

Does that mean that the Iranian people are free now?

DdraigGoch · 12/03/2026 00:37

ilovebrie8 · 10/03/2026 21:27

It’s a terrifying regime in Iran.
Quite a few Iranians live near me they fled many year ago and would love to go back if there was regime change.
They are very happy about Trump invading as it’s there only hope of change.

He's not actually invading though, is he?

Just dropping a load of bombs. You won't see regime change through this alone.

DdraigGoch · 12/03/2026 00:39

dairydebris · 11/03/2026 09:46

Why and how do you think Israel has coerced America?

'Coercion is the practice of forcing another party to act against their will through threats, intimidation, psychological pressure, or physical force.'

Which part of this did Israel do to America and through what mechanism? And how do you know about it?

Jared Kushner (Trump's son-in-law) is very close to Bibi.

Imale · 12/03/2026 01:43

DdraigGoch · 12/03/2026 00:39

Jared Kushner (Trump's son-in-law) is very close to Bibi.

I doubt it. It's purely transactional. Don't forget how angry Trump was with Netanyahu when he congratulated Biden when we won.

None of this explains why the US has gone into ths war with ISrael. Of course Israel can't coerce the US - Israel is tiny and reliant on the US for military support, not the other way around.

However, I do think Trump is an idiot and Netanyahu is smart. I think Trump was lulled into a false sense of security wiht the 12 day war in June and the Maduro success. He liked the optics of this war with taking out Khameini (which was a huge intelligence success). And Netanyahu played on his vacous and shallow understanding and upped his ego.

That makes so much mroe sense than some weird coercion. Netanyahu did what was right for Israel, as he should. Trump on the other hand did what he thought was right for Trump and would look good for him.

For the US, it would have made so much more sense to have waited until Iran (inevitably) attacked a US asset somewhere and then come in to the war. Going in with Israel from the get-go makes no sense and I think it was because Trump wanted to be able to boast about it.

Imale · 12/03/2026 01:49

Endoflight · 10/03/2026 00:31

When the bombing destroys the regime’s military bases and kills all the mullahs it will be safe for the people to come out onto the streets. Reza Pahlavi, the King’s son has said he will form a transitional government before the people take a democratic vote to decide themselves. I do believe this is the greatest opportunity we will ever have; there have been many protests before but without outside help to destroy the military operations and to kill the mullahs of the Islamic regime, the protests failed every time. The Iranians can see the bombs falling on the military bases and it is empowering them. The regime is also running out of money and ammunition; soon they should be debilitated

I hope you're right but my Iranian friends are less hopeful about this. First the bombing is horrific for them and they are terrified for their loved ones even while they wish for the regime to fall. I don't see any celebration (other than when Khameini was killed) but just worry, worry, worry. And, second, one of my friends thinks that this will just make the regime more harsh. Its end is coming, it has no legitimacy, but he doesn't think bombing on its own is going to do it.
When the bombing ends it sadly won't be safe for people to come on to the streets with the Basij waiting for them.
I do hope they are wrong and you are right but I'm really not sure about this.

AnSpideog · 12/03/2026 06:56

Imale · 12/03/2026 01:43

I doubt it. It's purely transactional. Don't forget how angry Trump was with Netanyahu when he congratulated Biden when we won.

None of this explains why the US has gone into ths war with ISrael. Of course Israel can't coerce the US - Israel is tiny and reliant on the US for military support, not the other way around.

However, I do think Trump is an idiot and Netanyahu is smart. I think Trump was lulled into a false sense of security wiht the 12 day war in June and the Maduro success. He liked the optics of this war with taking out Khameini (which was a huge intelligence success). And Netanyahu played on his vacous and shallow understanding and upped his ego.

That makes so much mroe sense than some weird coercion. Netanyahu did what was right for Israel, as he should. Trump on the other hand did what he thought was right for Trump and would look good for him.

For the US, it would have made so much more sense to have waited until Iran (inevitably) attacked a US asset somewhere and then come in to the war. Going in with Israel from the get-go makes no sense and I think it was because Trump wanted to be able to boast about it.

I think you are right. Trump is truly a fool he possibly with dementia, he certainly doesn’t make any sense. Netanyahu is extremely smart and knows what he is doing.

Is the real goal really regime change ? Because commentators are saying that regeime change with this method is not possible. Perhaps Netanyahu is just keen to reduce Iran’s military capability.

Papyrophile · 12/03/2026 09:10

IsthataNo · 11/03/2026 21:12

Anyway this drone threat is a whole new thing I hope the UK is keeping up to date.

If you can access today's Times, Skycutter's (a UK company) drones beat all-comers in a real world test of 20+ at Fort Benning, Georgia scoring 99% across several challenges.

Twiglets1 · 12/03/2026 09:20

I couldn't open that link - what does it say?

IsthataNo · 12/03/2026 09:21

@Papyrophile I can yes thanks will look at that !

Twiglets1 · 12/03/2026 09:22

AnSpideog · 12/03/2026 06:56

I think you are right. Trump is truly a fool he possibly with dementia, he certainly doesn’t make any sense. Netanyahu is extremely smart and knows what he is doing.

Is the real goal really regime change ? Because commentators are saying that regeime change with this method is not possible. Perhaps Netanyahu is just keen to reduce Iran’s military capability.

Edited

They never said regime change was the "real goal". There are multiple goals such as destroying Iran's nuclear capability but regime change is something they have said needs to happen from within Iran.

Notonthestairs · 12/03/2026 12:03

Twiglets1 · 12/03/2026 09:20

I couldn't open that link - what does it say?

I can’t cut and paste the whole article unfortunately. But worth reading in full if you can check the Reuters site.

Starts - “NEW YORK/WASHINGTON - U.S. intelligence indicates that Iran's leadership is still largely intact and is not at risk of collapse any time soon after nearly two weeks of relentless U.S. and Israeli bombardment, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

A "multitude" of intelligence reports provide "consistent analysis that the regime is not in danger" of collapse and "retains control of the Iranian public," said one of the sources, all of whom were granted anonymity to discuss U.S. intelligence findings.

The latest report was completed within the last few days, the source said.

With political pressure building over soaring oil costs, President Donald Trump has suggested he will end the biggest U.S. military operation since 2003 "soon." But finding an acceptable end to the war could be difficult if Iran's hardline leaders remain firmly entrenched.

The intelligence reporting underscores the cohesion of Iran's clerical leadership despite the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, the first day of the U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Israeli officials in closed discussions also have acknowledged there is no certainty the war will lead to the clerical government's collapse, a senior Israeli official told Reuters.

The sources stressed that the situation on the ground is fluid and that the dynamics inside Iran could change.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency declined to comment.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.’

Article then moves on to discussing changing objectives and then shifts to whether the Kurds are able to overthrow IRGC in their areas with a mixed assessment of likelihood of success (IRGC weakness in Kurdish territory but US assessment Kurds wouldn’t be able to sustain a fight)

Twiglets1 · 12/03/2026 12:36

Notonthestairs · 12/03/2026 12:03

I can’t cut and paste the whole article unfortunately. But worth reading in full if you can check the Reuters site.

Starts - “NEW YORK/WASHINGTON - U.S. intelligence indicates that Iran's leadership is still largely intact and is not at risk of collapse any time soon after nearly two weeks of relentless U.S. and Israeli bombardment, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

A "multitude" of intelligence reports provide "consistent analysis that the regime is not in danger" of collapse and "retains control of the Iranian public," said one of the sources, all of whom were granted anonymity to discuss U.S. intelligence findings.

The latest report was completed within the last few days, the source said.

With political pressure building over soaring oil costs, President Donald Trump has suggested he will end the biggest U.S. military operation since 2003 "soon." But finding an acceptable end to the war could be difficult if Iran's hardline leaders remain firmly entrenched.

The intelligence reporting underscores the cohesion of Iran's clerical leadership despite the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, the first day of the U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Israeli officials in closed discussions also have acknowledged there is no certainty the war will lead to the clerical government's collapse, a senior Israeli official told Reuters.

The sources stressed that the situation on the ground is fluid and that the dynamics inside Iran could change.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency declined to comment.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.’

Article then moves on to discussing changing objectives and then shifts to whether the Kurds are able to overthrow IRGC in their areas with a mixed assessment of likelihood of success (IRGC weakness in Kurdish territory but US assessment Kurds wouldn’t be able to sustain a fight)

Thank you. Yes, I can find the whole article via the Reuters site.

countrygirl99 · 12/03/2026 12:37

And as someone on R4 pointed out this morning the current leader has had his closest relatives killed and is now likely to be even more convinced that only possessing nuclear weapons can protect them from attack. Marvelous.

Carla786 · 12/03/2026 12:40

countrygirl99 · 12/03/2026 12:37

And as someone on R4 pointed out this morning the current leader has had his closest relatives killed and is now likely to be even more convinced that only possessing nuclear weapons can protect them from attack. Marvelous.

Sounds like he's going the way of his ally Kim Jong-Un...😬

Carla786 · 12/03/2026 12:42

Imale · 12/03/2026 01:43

I doubt it. It's purely transactional. Don't forget how angry Trump was with Netanyahu when he congratulated Biden when we won.

None of this explains why the US has gone into ths war with ISrael. Of course Israel can't coerce the US - Israel is tiny and reliant on the US for military support, not the other way around.

However, I do think Trump is an idiot and Netanyahu is smart. I think Trump was lulled into a false sense of security wiht the 12 day war in June and the Maduro success. He liked the optics of this war with taking out Khameini (which was a huge intelligence success). And Netanyahu played on his vacous and shallow understanding and upped his ego.

That makes so much mroe sense than some weird coercion. Netanyahu did what was right for Israel, as he should. Trump on the other hand did what he thought was right for Trump and would look good for him.

For the US, it would have made so much more sense to have waited until Iran (inevitably) attacked a US asset somewhere and then come in to the war. Going in with Israel from the get-go makes no sense and I think it was because Trump wanted to be able to boast about it.

Yes, Netanyahu is a cunning man. I don't like a lot of the things he's done, but I can sympathise with him wanting a weaker Iran

Trump otoh...as you say, he just cares about his own image now, it seems.

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