Yikes, Israel might have just attacked Iran!

[SomeWomanSomewhere]

This is NOT GOOD news!

Israel has declared a state of emergency, at least six explosions in Tehran.

This is seriously unfunny!

Israel has ZERO strategic depth - Iran has plenty. Nukes: see above, reverse!

@bigredbusbigredbus

"But it doesn't justify attacking Iran militarily. If you want social change, Iran or anywhere else, military action is not a good call."

Military action is not very effective at regime change as it creates either nationalist support for the existing regime or civil war.

However military action (bombing the crap out of Iran's nuclear programme) is highly effective and an excellent call to prevent Iran developing a nuclear bomb.

Unless of course you support Iran getting a nuclear bomb.

This argument gets trotted out with Gaza too, but look at how they treat women, look at how they treat gay people like somehow their lives are better now because Israel have blown up their homes and their families and really Israel were doing them a favour. It feels completely nonsensical to me.

I completely agree with you on using rights issues as a cover for putting in more compliant regimens.

I have to say, although Iran seemed to have in the main, dropped the enforcement of their hijab rule, it’s only because of the many brave women who ended up in prison after protesting about it. Others unveiled their heads in solidarity and the numbers got to big and they were all so loud that the authorities realised their draconian approach had backfired.

Regime change would be incredible if done correctly. Lots of Iranians seem to support it but I’m not sure this would help. It seems like Israel is playing with fire and we will all feel the consequences.

The nuclear argument is outdated, the same damage could be done by non-nuclear attacks. And Israel did not have UN clearance to do this in any event.

Stop military action, go back to negotation.

I agree!

It is right. It has been reported widely. Iran and most of/all the Arab world voted in favour in the UN resolution end of 2024.

I guess Hamas didn't get the memo then.

Or Netanyahu and his government. Aren’t they like two peas in a pod.

@GretaGreen i totally agree. It’s not an argument that makes sense to me.

Are they? One wants his people to be left alone, the others to destroy those people. You're definition of peas in a pod, differs to mine.

@bigredbusbigredbus

"It is right. It has been reported widely. Iran and most of/all the Arab world voted in favour in the UN resolution end of 2024."

I guess the President of Iran didn't get the memo either:

"I hope that God will liberate Palestine as soon as possible, and we witness the final moments of Israel's existence and celebrate its end."

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi - November 2023

Unless you are saying that in 12 months he had a complete change of opinion?

www.iranintl.com/en/202311194318

I love the way politicians comments are reported.

David Lammy has said he is "alarmed" by it all. Slightly more than "concerned" but retaining a sense of stiff upper lip.

I have a feeling there's a Monty Python sketch along these lines.

It's all just horrific. And because of nuclear options, the sense of impotence from observers is strong. And somewhat understandable. My Dad was a loyal Sailor, but also a bitter nuclear test veteran. Oppenheimer is the poster child for "just because you can, doesn't mean you should".

Current state of the world review - zero stars.

My post referred to leakage from nuclear sites after Israeli bombing
Are you happy there has been none

Yes, that's part of the reason that Masoud Pezeshkian was elected after the death of Raisi last year. The change came from internal protest supported by solidarity from outside, far more organic and therefore likely to last.

When change is imposed then is more often receives pushback because everyone has a pride and likes to think that they are sovereign.

@DrPrunesqualer

"My post referred to leakage from nuclear sites after Israeli bombing
Are you happy there has been none"

Clearly no leakage of radiation is better than there being leakage which seems an odd question to ask.

My point though was that even if there was leakage then the damage caused by this would be minuscule in comparison to the radiation caused by either testing a nuclear bomb in the Iranian desert or dropping a nuclear bomb on Israel.

Israel has also talked in similar terms to those you quote, and to the extent it happened, neither were right to do so. Have a look at the UN vote I mentioned and also have a read of what has been said behind the scenes, as to reasons why this position is the current position.

So yes, what I said was right.

Up to this weekend there were negotiations, we should surely return to that situation.

I think that those who are supporting forced regime change need to look at the effect similar western influence has had throughout Africa and the Middle East post colonialisation. I think a bit of humility wouldn't go astray as most of the time we have caused more death and destruction than benefit. And also a bit of critical thought wouldn't go astray, as most of the interference was linked with idealogy (cold war) or to do with control of resources, and money, not to do with caring about people. We don't have an amazing record and should be taking a step back here and giving this all a bit more thought.

Countries with nuclear bombs always test them.

Including intelligence reports of Israeli testing.
Unverified by Israel obviously as they’ve never admitted to having any.

If no one had them there would be no need for any testing.

Im in favour of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear arms
Israel haven’t signed up to that

Any country, including Israel, that has them is very concerning.
But any country that has them and refuses to sign the treaty is even more concerning.

They have the potential to wield power and threaten others with annihilation.

There have been in the region of 3000 nuclear tests, above and below ground, since WW2. The main players have stopped of course, but those nations playing "We want one" catch up will have to test them of course.

It would be very interesting to examine any correlation between cumulative test fallout, environmental issues, and the proliferation of new and interesting spikes in health conditions, cancer being an obvious one, and the birth of the "atomic age"

But hush, we must never speak of these things. The benefits out weigh the risks, and MAD will protect us. And if you think otherwise, you're an unpatriotic conspiracy nut.

True story, I've been living with knowledge of this for decades, and my Dad could have done without losing his spleen due to marginal cell lymphoma to be sure.

If we truly knew the cost of these "peacekeeping weapons", there should be riots.

And FFS, Japan should have been enough of a testing ground, it was pretty clear what effect these weapons would have early on. But no, 3000 more checks and advances, just be sure.

My late DP was an air cadet in the 80s. One too many duck and cover drills and he joined CND.

Sorry if people don't want to hear about the horrific state of affairs in Iran but here is the link again to recent information on Iran. A country that treats its citizens like this is a major threat to the world if it has nuclear weapons

iranhumanrights.org/2025/03/gender-apartheid-in-iran-is-crushing-womens-lives-and-futures/

Those Gaza threads have gone quiet.

A lot of countries treat their citizens badly. Are Israel going to attack all of those as well?

There's been an Internet blackout throughout much of Gaza for the last three days. However, there was something I had intended to post so thanks for the reminder.

More or less than a pro apartheid, pro ethnic cleansing terrorist supporting state that threatens countries who speak out against it? Or is it OK for Israel because it isn't their citizens they treat badly just the 'Arabs' that the terrorists they support want dead?

Nobody is saying that 'don't want to hear about Iran' they are just asking why the hypocracy? Why not speak out about all horrific governments having access to nuclear weapons? That's what would be best for the world.