Tensions in the Middle East

[Lubicon]

US Air Force deployed 30+ aerial refueling tankers from the US to Europe yesterday.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/17/polit...nce-years-away

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Midd...rnings-1979-84

They sure do move slowly. Nice reminder Netanyahu has been using this threat for decades to justify his actions. Kinda feels flaccid and pathetic at this point, no?

Musk-level prognostication.

[TherapyforGlencross]

As per usual, Trump adding fire to the ongoing flames in Iran, currently posting on Truth Social.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Pointman

Easy. If this is the case, Hamas should release hostages and rob Israel regime of this excuse.

The last time they tried that Israel refused to leave and instead killed 400 Palestinians.

[Fuzz]

"Hamas should take the high road" sure does tell you a lot about what someone knows about the rationality of fanatical religious terrorist organizations.

[Firebot]

https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/tr...s-241753157768

Nice time to say "we"

[Firebot]

That escalated quickly

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...99621000737127

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/17/polit...nce-years-away

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Midd...rnings-1979-84

They sure do move slowly. Nice reminder Netanyahu has been using this threat for decades to justify his actions. Kinda feels flaccid and pathetic at this point, no?

Iran's been "5 years away" from a weapon of mass destruction in a nuclear bomb since the early 90s according to western media. This is the Iraq justification all over again and despite people knowing that was a lie used by the US to justify regime change, they know this time it's different.

[Doctorfever]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Iran's been "5 years away" from a weapon of mass destruction in a nuclear bomb since the early 90s according to western media. This is the Iraq justification all over again and despite people knowing that was a lie used by the US to justify regime change, they know this time it's different.

Would you be able to explain why Iran would have enough enriched uranium stockpiled to make multiple nuclear weapons?

I’m not trying to be argumentative, just wondering if someone would be able to explain another reason for it.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Doctorfever

Would you be able to explain why Iran would have enough enriched uranium stockpiled to make multiple nuclear weapons?

I’m not trying to be argumentative, just wondering if someone would be able to explain another reason for it.

Where did you hear that?

[Doctorfever]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Where did you hear that?

Last week, the IAEA said in its latest quarterly report that Iran had amassed enough uranium enriched up to 60% purity - a short, technical step away from weapons grade, or 90% - to potentially make nine nuclear bombs. That was "a matter of serious concern", given the proliferation risks, it added.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn840275p5yo

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Doctorfever

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn840275p5yo

So wouldn't it require 90% to make a weapon?


Do you think maybe they want it for the same reason Israel wants it, and Israel's attack reinforces the reason for that, and gives them more justification? Also furthering other nations concerns that maybe they need to get one as a deterrence before Israel comes after them, too?


Talks were supposed to happen last week that may have led to a lifting or lightening of sanctions. Israel chose to strike before that could happen. Does that sound like a country interested in peace before war? It's not like talks had broken down and this was a next step. This was a deliberate move who's goal was to ensure Iran remained isolated.


At some point you have to recognize Israel isn't interested in any sort of peace that isn't achieved by completely eliminating their enemy, and all future enemies and all threats. And you'd have to be a complete moron to believe they will succeed in achieving a lasting peace with this strategy.

[Doctorfever]

Well I am glad that Iran won’t have nuclear bombs, at least in the near future.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Doctorfever

Well I am glad that Iran won’t have nuclear bombs, at least in the near future.

Why?

Merely to play devils advocate, but why does Iran having nuclear weapons justify this type of action every 10-20 years?

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by Doctorfever

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn840275p5yo

Yes the same report being used to propagate that Iran was a few years away from a working nuclear weapon (and not an immediate threat) also reported that it also had amassed vast quantities of 60% enriched uranium that could not be explained down as consumer use, and would be just a step away from weapons grade. 60% purity cannot be explained down as anything other than a crucial step towards weapon grade nuclear weapon.

But including that portion doesn't get the same hate fueled anti-Israel attention and was conveniently omitted from the CNN article or the quotes provided.

The IAEI also released just 5 days ago that Iran is in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, after said report.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3v6w2qr12o

Omitting such details would qualify as pretty significant misinformation in my books, but to others apparently it's not.

Is Israel justified in its attack and taking matters in its own hands in this emboldened move? IMO no and the attack has been condemned, but that is separate to what Iran was doing.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Firebot

The IAEI also released just 5 days ago that Iran is in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, after said report.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3v6w2qr12o

Omitting such details would qualify as pretty significant misinformation in my books, but to others apparently it's not.

Is Israel justified in its attack and taking matters in its own hands in this emboldened move? IMO no and the attack has been condemned, but that is separate to what Iran was doing.

I wonder what has happened in the last decade or so that may have convinced Iran it needed to violate the non-proliferation agreement.

[Doctorfever]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Why?

Merely to play devils advocate, but why does Iran having nuclear weapons justify this type of action every 10-20 years?

I never said anything about justification of actions. Just glad Iran won’t have nuclear weapons in the near future. I think there would be many more civilian deaths in the region if Iran had those weapons.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Why?

Merely to play devils advocate, but why does Iran having nuclear weapons justify this type of action every 10-20 years?

Fair enough, but the fact of the matter is...we've gotta deal with nukes.

All of it. From power to weapons to all other applications. Humanity needs Nuclear power and humanity isn't going to unlearn how to make Nuclear weapons.

We have to choose, as a society, not to make them and use Nuclear power for good.

[Bill Bumface]

I understand that there is a LOT of displeasure with the ruling regime of Israel, but I don't think we need to let tribalism convince us that the nut cases running Iran deserve to have nukes.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Doctorfever

I never said anything about justification of actions. Just glad Iran won’t have nuclear weapons in the near future. I think there would be many more civilian deaths in the region if Iran had those weapons.

Fair enough, i did add those words.

I don't know if there would be more civilian deaths in the region whether or not Iran had nukes. The region seems to be doing a pretty good job at bloodshed, proxy or not, on their own.

Looking at it from the Ayatollah's perspective. Your largest enemy in the region and world is sitting on about 200 nuclear warheads (undeclared, because of course, the NFT says no other countries should have the), backed the by the world's largest military and economic power.

You have two neighbours already invaded and deposed by the USA (one a former nemisis) with another regional power (Saudi's) preaching some of the worst forms of Islam possible - but they have oil to sell to the US and appear to be friends.

I can certainly see why Iran (in this regime or the next) want nuclear warheads). Its the same reason Israel wants them; Pakistan, india, china, you name them.