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Conflict in the Middle East
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ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 15:14

Twiglets1 · 20/01/2026 17:52

What a joke. From September 2025:

Iran rejects Arab-Islamic summit’s call for two-state solution

Iran rejected references to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the final communique of the Arab-Islamic emergency summit in Doha, saying the approach would not resolve the issue and accusing US policies of sustaining Israeli aggression.

“Iran reiterates that the so-called two-state solution will not solve the Palestinian issue,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by state media. “The only real and lasting solution is the establishment of a single democratic state through a referendum with the participation of all Palestinians, inside and outside the occupied territories.”

It added that Tehran “disassociates itself from any reference to this concept and similar notions, including East Jerusalem, the 1967 borders and related terms, mentioned in the communique.”

www.iranintl.com/en/202509165715

In fact Iran voted in favour of a two state solution in 2024 at the UN. What this says is that they are opposed to the specific provisions set out in the memorandum, and to understand this properly you need to look at the exact terms of the memorandum and the full response by Iran. It isn't possible to be sure what this brief quote out of context means.

But just to also explain that many normal people (both Israeli and Palestinian) have historically favoured a one state solution, which would be a democratic solution with complete equality for all citizens whatever their religion. This has come up frequently in street interviews. So it wouldn't be a religious state, neither Jewish nor Islamic.

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 15:17

Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 15:08

Would you be able to start a thread to discuss the Palestinian situation rather than jump on a thread regarding protests in Iran.

Thanks

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I was responding to the comments talking about Iran funding terrorists. I said that in fact there would be no terrorists or funding if a two state solution were agreed. So I didn't introduce the topic, I responded.

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ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 15:23

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 14:58

What you are saying is ridiculous rubbish and you know that because it has been explained to you many times on other threads. The conflict in Palestine came about because the British made conflicting promises to Arabs and under the Balfour agreement, neither the Balfour agreement nor the Mandate sought agreement with the Arabs (NB the area delineated as Palestine at that time was @95 percent Arab) and nothing that followed was done in agreement or cooperation - that is why fighting broke out and that is why fighting has continued to the present day.

The positions of the various Arab states has moved around in response to what has happened in the war in Palestine since then, over 100 years ago.

The governments in the Arab states or the "Islamic Republic" want to live in peace but at the same time is wary of geopolitical subtexts.

Agreeing a two state solution would be the way forward, it is for the international community to pressure both sides to achieve an equal solution.

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*"are wary" not "is wary"

I also apologise for "ridiculous rubbish" I meant "ridiculous" (I meant to delete "rubbish" and replace with "ridiculous")

Twiglets1 · 22/01/2026 15:23

It’s very upsetting. Hope everyone is ok that is feeling affected by the situation in Iran.

inamarina · 22/01/2026 15:28

Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 15:19

I was listening to Tousi TV yesterday, he said a family friend had been shot dead along with their two kids, just walking down the street. It’s absolutely awful.

Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 15:28

Twiglets1 · 22/01/2026 15:23

It’s very upsetting. Hope everyone is ok that is feeling affected by the situation in Iran.

It's horrible for families who have escaped Iran and cannot get news on the situation. I know a family in this situation and its awful for them.

It feels like the regime have crushed any protest at thd moment. Sadly, there are many held who await their fate.

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Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 15:32

inamarina · 22/01/2026 15:28

I was listening to Tousi TV yesterday, he said a family friend had been shot dead along with their two kids, just walking down the street. It’s absolutely awful.

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Awful. So sorry.

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ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 15:35

RedSongBird · 21/01/2026 07:04

That’s the million dollar question right there. All the Iranians I know want them gone but they do tend to be what you would call upper middle class not living in Iran and also not religious. It is how many in Iran support the clerics that is the question. Are the protests purely as a result of the dire economic situation or is it a desire to be a true democracy. At the moment, the clerics have absolute control over the government to the point the government is simply a formality. A referendum would answer that question but it would need to be an honest referendum and I don’t know how that could be guaranteed right now.

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I think that is right, it is the million dollar question. In terms of following religious rules, people on the outside telling Iranians what to do is a bit like trying to tell Amish communities or orthodox Jewish communities that following religious rules is wrong and that all the women need to be liberated from the rules around dress and marriage and behaviour. It is patronising.

And in relation to governance, I am not sure we know how the relationship works because all the western reports are made by groups strongly aligned to particular points of view, to a lesser or greater extent partisan, which makes it so difficult to understand what is really happening. All the governance interviews I see are with elected government officials, and many countries around the world have similar set ups with different names - strictly speaking the UK government has an interesting titular relationship with our royal family - why are these posters not protesting about that? You may know more if you have direct experience, but I have googled and could find very little decent information about it.

Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 16:16

The people I know as friends are genuine. They fled Iran in fear of their lives. I believe them. They fear for relationship and friends still in Iran. Their fear is real. I wish 'posters' would stop minimising their fear, why they had to flee and discounting them as voices that count.

Obviously, in any country, some will support a repressive regime, others wont speak out for fear for their lives, some flee to other countries, others protest and get shot.

Naturally, some supporting the regime might live outside of the country too.

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Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 16:18

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 15:35

I think that is right, it is the million dollar question. In terms of following religious rules, people on the outside telling Iranians what to do is a bit like trying to tell Amish communities or orthodox Jewish communities that following religious rules is wrong and that all the women need to be liberated from the rules around dress and marriage and behaviour. It is patronising.

And in relation to governance, I am not sure we know how the relationship works because all the western reports are made by groups strongly aligned to particular points of view, to a lesser or greater extent partisan, which makes it so difficult to understand what is really happening. All the governance interviews I see are with elected government officials, and many countries around the world have similar set ups with different names - strictly speaking the UK government has an interesting titular relationship with our royal family - why are these posters not protesting about that? You may know more if you have direct experience, but I have googled and could find very little decent information about it.

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Why are you wanting to stiffle the voices from Iran that aren't happy with the regime? Whats in it for you. There were many protesters and many were killed. Others arrested awaiting their fate. Its an awful situation. Have some empathy for friends and family of those people.

OP posts:
HappyFace2025 · 22/01/2026 16:39

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 15:14

In fact Iran voted in favour of a two state solution in 2024 at the UN. What this says is that they are opposed to the specific provisions set out in the memorandum, and to understand this properly you need to look at the exact terms of the memorandum and the full response by Iran. It isn't possible to be sure what this brief quote out of context means.

But just to also explain that many normal people (both Israeli and Palestinian) have historically favoured a one state solution, which would be a democratic solution with complete equality for all citizens whatever their religion. This has come up frequently in street interviews. So it wouldn't be a religious state, neither Jewish nor Islamic.

Show quote history

I'm sure you know that this would not be a solution as the birth rate of Palestinians far exceeds that of Israeli Jews and it would therefore no longer be a Jewish State.

SharonEllis · 22/01/2026 17:33

The horror of what is going on in Iran is real, and despite the recent blackout the horror of this regime is extremely well documented and incontovertible. The strength of feeling against the regime is also huge and completely incontrovertible. Absolutely no point in engaging with someone who says otherwise.

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 18:11

SharonEllis · 22/01/2026 17:33

The horror of what is going on in Iran is real, and despite the recent blackout the horror of this regime is extremely well documented and incontovertible. The strength of feeling against the regime is also huge and completely incontrovertible. Absolutely no point in engaging with someone who says otherwise.

I think if you want genuine stability, engaging is the only way. If you think someone is mistaken in fact then feel free to say what you think is correct.

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 18:17

HappyFace2025 · 22/01/2026 16:39

I'm sure you know that this would not be a solution as the birth rate of Palestinians far exceeds that of Israeli Jews and it would therefore no longer be a Jewish State.

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I am not sure about your argument about birth rates (and I wonder what your source is?) But in any event I didn't say I thought it was a solution, I said that is what some Palestinians and Israelis would like. I said upthread that I thought personally that only a fair and equitable 2 state solution is going to work.

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 18:27

Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 16:16

The people I know as friends are genuine. They fled Iran in fear of their lives. I believe them. They fear for relationship and friends still in Iran. Their fear is real. I wish 'posters' would stop minimising their fear, why they had to flee and discounting them as voices that count.

Obviously, in any country, some will support a repressive regime, others wont speak out for fear for their lives, some flee to other countries, others protest and get shot.

Naturally, some supporting the regime might live outside of the country too.

No one is minimising anyone's fear

To be fair though, people saying that western media are misrepresenting what is going on are also receiving death threats. It is happening both ways. Neither is acceptable.

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 18:34

Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 16:18

Why are you wanting to stiffle the voices from Iran that aren't happy with the regime? Whats in it for you. There were many protesters and many were killed. Others arrested awaiting their fate. Its an awful situation. Have some empathy for friends and family of those people.

Show quote history

I am not stifling anything and I think it is also gaslighting to suggest i don't have empathy.

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 18:40

@Ihatetomatoes could you say when your friends fled, and what specifically happened to them which made them flee, and what has happened since? Can you tell us their stories in as much detail as possible so that we can properly understand your point of view, but without giving away identifiable details obviously?

SharonEllis · 22/01/2026 18:52

There are 1000s of testimonires online - what exactly is it that someone doesn't understand?

OpheliaIsntMad · 22/01/2026 19:05

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 15:35

I think that is right, it is the million dollar question. In terms of following religious rules, people on the outside telling Iranians what to do is a bit like trying to tell Amish communities or orthodox Jewish communities that following religious rules is wrong and that all the women need to be liberated from the rules around dress and marriage and behaviour. It is patronising.

And in relation to governance, I am not sure we know how the relationship works because all the western reports are made by groups strongly aligned to particular points of view, to a lesser or greater extent partisan, which makes it so difficult to understand what is really happening. All the governance interviews I see are with elected government officials, and many countries around the world have similar set ups with different names - strictly speaking the UK government has an interesting titular relationship with our royal family - why are these posters not protesting about that? You may know more if you have direct experience, but I have googled and could find very little decent information about it.

Show quote history

I think the fact that Iran executes such an incredibly high number of its own citizens ( 74% of all recorded executions in the world in 2024 ) tells us all we need to know about the regime.
Your comments about “patronising” westerners criticising their religious rules are ridiculous. You are the one who is patronising by implying the Iranians are being manipulated.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v1g227p4xo.amp

Iranian flag flies against a blue sky.

Executions in Iran estimated to have doubled in 2025, report says - BBC News

The Iran Human Rights (IHR) group says it has verified at least 1,500 executions up until the start of December.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v1g227p4xo.amp

Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 19:19

OpheliaIsntMad · 22/01/2026 19:05

I think the fact that Iran executes such an incredibly high number of its own citizens ( 74% of all recorded executions in the world in 2024 ) tells us all we need to know about the regime.
Your comments about “patronising” westerners criticising their religious rules are ridiculous. You are the one who is patronising by implying the Iranians are being manipulated.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v1g227p4xo.amp

Edited
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This.

Iranians aren't stupid. They are lovely people that have to live under a repressive regime. They are not 'manipulated by Westerners'.

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Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 22/01/2026 19:21

ilikepotatties · 22/01/2026 18:34

I am not stifling anything and I think it is also gaslighting to suggest i don't have empathy.

Show quote history

I'm not 'gaslighting' you. Go look up the term!

You aren't a victim here.

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