Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Conflict in the Middle East

US and Israel strike Iran. (title edited by MNHQ at request of the OP)

1000 replies

Twiglets1 · 28/02/2026 06:46

Israel attacked Iran early on Saturday morning, saying it had “launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran to remove threats to the state of Israel,” according to a military spokesman.

Israel closed its airspace and declared a state of emergency, in anticipation of
Iranian drone and missile strikes in response.

Explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday, Iranian media reported.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/28/israel-launches-attack-on-iran-as-explosions-heard-in-tehran

Israel launches attack on Iran as explosions heard in Tehran

Blasts heard in Tehran as Israel declares state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile strikes

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/28/israel-launches-attack-on-iran-as-explosions-heard-in-tehran

OP posts:
Thread gallery
44
MistressoftheDarkSide · 03/03/2026 10:04

I see that Israel are putting boots on the ground in the Lebanon.

Ihatetomatoes · 03/03/2026 10:08

SpaceRaccoon · 03/03/2026 10:03

Me three. What people declaring this an illegal war miss, and Carney clearly grasps (and I've not generally even been a fan of the man) is that Iran developing nuclear capabilities was a red line. They continued to ignore that - at some point therefore that red line has to be inforced.

Canada’s position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world’s worst human rights records, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons.

Canada and our international partners have consistently called upon the Iranian regime to end its nuclear program, including at the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis and with the United Nations’ reimposition of sanctions in September.

Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has neither fully dismantled its nuclear program, halted all enrichment activities, nor ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups. Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against Iran’s oppressive regime. Canada has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, and has sanctioned 256 Iranian entities and 222 individuals in response to the regime’s repression and its violence both against its own people, and persistently, beyond its borders. Canada reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people.

Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.

Many countries that have 'strained' relationships with the USA realise how dangerous Iran are.

Seeing the way Iran lashed out missiles and drones at countries that aren't involved shows you how little they care for any other country including Muslim countries in the area.

inamarina · 03/03/2026 10:09

I also agree with Mark Carney’s approach, and also with Friedrich Merz:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/02/friedrich-merz-iran-not-be-protected-international-law/

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued that international law offers little recourse against "rogue states" like Iran when it remains without consequence, stating it is "not the moment to lecture our partners and allies". This shift in rhetoric indicates a move toward a policy of "pragmatic realism" in response to U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran.

SpaceRaccoon · 03/03/2026 10:18

Spain is going to look quite odd-man-out at this rate.

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 10:20

Mark Carney seems sensible with his stance on a lot of issues, including this one.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 10:28

SpaceRaccoon · 03/03/2026 10:18

Spain is going to look quite odd-man-out at this rate.

Yes - as I mentioned earlier on this thread the Spanish PM was the only EU leader to openly condemn the strikes on Iran.

Even the Ireland Taoiseach accepted that Tehran “must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons”

Spain are also a bit of an outlier on Eurovision 😂

OP posts:
EasternStandard · 03/03/2026 10:31

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 10:20

Mark Carney seems sensible with his stance on a lot of issues, including this one.

Australia surprised me too. A Labor gov there and similar to Carney. They took the same position as he did.

TheNuthatch · 03/03/2026 10:32

inamarina · 03/03/2026 10:09

I also agree with Mark Carney’s approach, and also with Friedrich Merz:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/02/friedrich-merz-iran-not-be-protected-international-law/

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued that international law offers little recourse against "rogue states" like Iran when it remains without consequence, stating it is "not the moment to lecture our partners and allies". This shift in rhetoric indicates a move toward a policy of "pragmatic realism" in response to U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran.

Link to the telegraph article above for non subscribers.

archive.today/v29yt

EasternStandard · 03/03/2026 10:35

inamarina · 03/03/2026 10:09

I also agree with Mark Carney’s approach, and also with Friedrich Merz:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/02/friedrich-merz-iran-not-be-protected-international-law/

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued that international law offers little recourse against "rogue states" like Iran when it remains without consequence, stating it is "not the moment to lecture our partners and allies". This shift in rhetoric indicates a move toward a policy of "pragmatic realism" in response to U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran.

Thanks for this.

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 10:45

TheNuthatch · 03/03/2026 10:32

Link to the telegraph article above for non subscribers.

archive.today/v29yt

He makes a good point “Appeals from Europe, including from Germany, and condemnations of Iranian violations of international law, and even extensive sanctions, have achieved little over the years and decades,” the chancellor said, as he blamed European weakness in part for failing to confront Tehran.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 10:47

Hope Carney's stance on this has helped to repair relations between the US and Canada.

Also hope he decides to run for our next PM in the UK (this one in my dreams).

OP posts:
TheNuthatch · 03/03/2026 10:56

Twiglets1 · 03/03/2026 10:45

He makes a good point “Appeals from Europe, including from Germany, and condemnations of Iranian violations of international law, and even extensive sanctions, have achieved little over the years and decades,” the chancellor said, as he blamed European weakness in part for failing to confront Tehran.

Yep. He's right.

EasternStandard · 03/03/2026 10:59

Merz is absolutely right international law is not adequate for rogue and brutal states. Decades long attacks on the population which they cannot get out from.

1dayatatime · 03/03/2026 11:22

EasternStandard · 03/03/2026 10:59

Merz is absolutely right international law is not adequate for rogue and brutal states. Decades long attacks on the population which they cannot get out from.

The international laws worked well'ish when they were originally drawn up some 75 years ago when they were intended to stop the classic traditional war where one country invades another with their military to seize territory (such as the invasion by Russia of Ukraine).

However they don't work for the development of grey zone conflicts, for example Russia fomenting discontent in Crime, sending in "non military " peace keepers and then rigging the vote on being part of Russia. Nor do they work for state sponsored terrorism such as the recent Iranian planned terrorist attack in London where they can hide behind plausible deniability. Nor do they work on the use of say Iranian sponsored proxies such as Hamas or Hezbollah doing the actual terrorism- nothing to do with us claim the Iranians.

So I have to question that when posters cite international laws against the attack on Iran are they doing this without an understanding of how warfare has evolved in the grey zone or are they citing international laws in order to disguise their support for the current Iranian regime or their hatred of Trump.

EasternStandard · 03/03/2026 11:39

I’ve been listening to a fair bit of radio on this and some vg speakers. Apart from powerful interviews from Iranians one person stuck with me in that they talked about international law protecting the state primarily. In this case it’s not there for Iranians but it does mean a completely rogue state can act with brutality and impunity.

I’d question whether international law has got morality right in this instance. Is it moral to allow people to be oppressed and brutalised for decades?

On this Merz has articulated best what I was thinking.

1dayatatime · 03/03/2026 13:03

For those supporting the stance of Starmer, it's worth pointing out that after decades of defence cuts there is very little that the UK could contribute in the way of military hardware anyway - there are currently only six F35s available in the area.

Its taking the piss that RAF Akrotiri, a massive airbase has absolutely zero anti missile defence and is only now "considering" to park a Type 45 destroyer off the coast of Akrotiri to provide anti missile defence capability. Except that it will take a while to get there.

MissConductUS · 03/03/2026 13:56

1dayatatime · 03/03/2026 13:03

For those supporting the stance of Starmer, it's worth pointing out that after decades of defence cuts there is very little that the UK could contribute in the way of military hardware anyway - there are currently only six F35s available in the area.

Its taking the piss that RAF Akrotiri, a massive airbase has absolutely zero anti missile defence and is only now "considering" to park a Type 45 destroyer off the coast of Akrotiri to provide anti missile defence capability. Except that it will take a while to get there.

And only three type 45 destroyers are operational.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/three-of-six-type-45-destroyers-operational/

The progressive hollowing out of the British military over the last few decades is stunning. And the army and air force are no better. The BA is arguably the worst of the lot.

Three of six Type 45 Destroyers operational

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that three of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers are currently operational, following a parliamentary question on the availability of the class.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/three-of-six-type-45-destroyers-operational/

1dayatatime · 03/03/2026 14:06

MissConductUS · 03/03/2026 13:56

And only three type 45 destroyers are operational.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/three-of-six-type-45-destroyers-operational/

The progressive hollowing out of the British military over the last few decades is stunning. And the army and air force are no better. The BA is arguably the worst of the lot.

It's seriously taking the piss that there is literally zero anti missile capability at RAF Akrotiri- the Iranians can pretty much lob what they like at the airbase and there is nothing to stop them.

Imightbearobot · 03/03/2026 14:32

The Guardian has verified the reports of the school bombing. Over 168 killed including dozens of children, all 7-12 year old girls

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/mar/03/minab-school-bombing-how-the-worst-mass-casualty-event-of-the-iran-war-unfolded-a-visual-guide

RichardOnslowRoper · 03/03/2026 14:45

Imightbearobot · 03/03/2026 14:32

The Guardian has verified the reports of the school bombing. Over 168 killed including dozens of children, all 7-12 year old girls

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/mar/03/minab-school-bombing-how-the-worst-mass-casualty-event-of-the-iran-war-unfolded-a-visual-guide

Edited

Yes.I thought this would turn out to be true. And it has.

HappyFace2025 · 03/03/2026 14:57

France is doing the job that we should be doing - protecting OUR bases in Cyprus!

SpaceRaccoon · 03/03/2026 15:08

Apparently a missile strike in Terhan has taken out all the senior Mullahs gathered to elect the next Ayatollah, seeing as the first replacement has been killed already.

mids2019 · 03/03/2026 15:20

SpaceRaccoon · 03/03/2026 15:08

Apparently a missile strike in Terhan has taken out all the senior Mullahs gathered to elect the next Ayatollah, seeing as the first replacement has been killed already.

Do they have a assembly of experts to pick an assembly of experts :)

mids2019 · 03/03/2026 15:21

HappyFace2025 · 03/03/2026 14:57

France is doing the job that we should be doing - protecting OUR bases in Cyprus!

Exactly. It's embarrassing

KatiePricesKnickers · 03/03/2026 16:35

SpaceRaccoon · 03/03/2026 15:08

Apparently a missile strike in Terhan has taken out all the senior Mullahs gathered to elect the next Ayatollah, seeing as the first replacement has been killed already.

One thing we can be certain of, is that there were no women on the board of experts.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.
Swipe left for the next trending thread