War with Iran - DEFCON 3

[BigPiney]

It’s called multi-tasking.

I laughed

[dabrockster]

Projections that Trump will act in 10-days.. My bet.. He either bombs them well before the 10-days.. Or.. Does nothing (TACO)...

Trump Weighs Initial Limited Strike to Force Iran Into Nuclear Deal

President considers a range of military options but has said he still prefers diplomacy

WASHINGTON—President Trump is weighing an initial limited military strike on Iran to force it to meet his demands for a nuclear deal, a first step that would be designed to pressure Tehran into an agreement but fall short of a full-scale attack that could inspire a major retaliation.

The opening assault, which if authorized could come within days, would target a few military or government sites, people familiar with the matter said. If Iran still refused to comply with Trump’s directive to end its nuclear enrichment, the U.S. would respond with a broad campaign against regime facilities—potentially aimed at toppling the Tehran regime.

The first limited-strike option, which hasn’t been previously reported, signals Trump might be open to using military force not only as a reprimand for Iran’s failure to make a deal, but also to pave the way for a U.S.-friendly accord. One of the people said Trump could ratchet up his attacks, starting small before ordering larger strikes until the Iranian regime either dismantles its nuclear work or falls.

A limited strike would lead Iran to walk away from negotiations, at least for a significant period, a regional official said, especially when officials in Tehran are currently formulating their response to U.S. demands.

It couldn’t be determined how seriously Trump is considering the option after weeks of deliberations, though senior aides have repeatedly presented it to him. Discussions of late have focused more on larger-scale campaigns, officials said.

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-eas...-iran-6370e477

[frank ryan]

Our peaceful president just had Iran bombed. I'm sure this will go great

[Moliere]

Our peaceful president just had Iran bombed. I'm sure this will go great

Republicans just can’t help themselves with wards in the Middle East . Neo-con Don.

[dabrockster]

Yeah, cause Iran is such a peaceful country and didn’t just mass murder their own people. But tells us again how bad Trump.

Seems they already have a newly elected President and a Council who has 10-point plan for the country to become a republic..

The first step of the plan calls for the rejection of clerical rule in favor of a republic built on "universal suffrage and pluralism." The second step calls for freedom of speech, political parties, assembly, the press and the internet, as well as the disbanding of several entities, namely the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Quds Force, plainclothes groups, the Basij, the Ministry of Intelligence, the Council of the Cultural Revolution and all suppressive patrols and institutions in cities, villages, schools, universities, offices and factories.

The third step involves a commitment to individual and social freedom, which Rajavi says will be in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Humans Rights. This would involve the disbanding of agencies that oversee "censorship and inquisition" as well as "seeking justice for massacred political prisoners," as well as the prohibition of torture and the end of the death penalty. The fourth step then calls for a separation of church and state, as well as freedom of religion.

In the fifth step, Rajavi seeks to establish gender equality in several parts of society and to allow for the "equal participation of women in political leadership." This step would also abolish discrimination, end the country's modesty laws, allow for freedom to marry and divorce and to obtain education and employment. It also would prohibit the exploitation of women.

The sixth step would establish an independent jury and legal system in accordance with international standards that is based on the presumption of innocence, as well as the right to an attorney, right of appeal and the right to be tried in a public court. With this step, Rajavi plans to also abolish Sharia law and shut down Islamic Revolutionary Courts.

The seventh step would see the end of Iran's "double injustices against Iranian nationalities and ethnicities," which would follow NCRI's plan for the autonomy of Iranian Kurdistan.

The eighth step calls for justice and equal opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship for all Iranians in a free market economy, restoring rights for blue-collar workers, farmers, nurses, white-collar workers, teachers and retirees.

In the ninth step, the group seeks to protect and restore the environment, which it says was "massacred under the rule of the mullahs."

The tenth and final step calls for "non-nuclear Iran that is also devoid of weapons of mass destruction" as well as peace and regional and international cooperation.

https://x.com/maryam_rajavi/status/2...wgQeKTws5vNdEg

[Moliere]

Yeah, cause Iran is such a peaceful country and didn’t just mass murder their own people. But tells us again how bad Trump.

Seems they already have a newly elected President and a Council who has 10-point plan for the country to become a republic..

https://x.com/maryam_rajavi/status/2...wgQeKTws5vNdEg

It’ll work this time!

[dabrockster]

It’ll work this time!

I have more hope of Iran than any other country due to their history of democracy before it was taken over by extremists.And their resistance is more organized than Venezuela.

[dabrockster]

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian aggression and the blatant violation of the sovereignty of each of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, affirming its full solidarity and standing by the side of the sister states, and placing all its capabilities at their disposal to support them in all measures they take, and warning of the grave consequences of the continued violation of the sovereignty of states and the principles of international law,” the statement read, according to X's translation.

https://x.com/ksamofa/status/2027689...wgQeKTws5vNdEg

[BlueK]

I have more hope of Iran than any other country due to their history of democracy before it was taken over by extremists.

They weren't a democracy. The Shah of Iran was a monarch with unlimited power, at least after 1953. His ruthlessness was a factor in why he was overthrown, along with being secular. But the secularism alone I don't think would have been enough to topple him. He was friendly to the west which meant against Communism, but his friendly relationship with the US is what gave the uprising an anti-America fervor.

According to Google's AI:

Iran was not a democracy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi; it was an authoritarian, secular monarchy, particularly after the 1953 CIA-backed coup that removed a democratically elected prime minister. The Shah ruled as a dictator, utilizing secret police (SAVAK) to crush dissent, with little to no meaningful political participation, despite implementing some social reforms.

[dabrockster]

They weren't a democracy. The Shah of Iran was a monarch with unlimited power, at least after 1953. His ruthlessness was a factor in why he was overthrown, along with being secular. But the secularism alone I don't think would have been enough to topple him.

According to Google's AI:

Iran was not a democracy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi; it was an authoritarian, secular monarchy, particularly after the 1953 CIA-backed coup that removed a democratically elected prime minister. The Shah ruled as a dictator, utilizing secret police (SAVAK) to crush dissent, with little to no meaningful political participation, despite implementing some social reforms.

Democracy was the wrong word. You are correct, they were a monarch. But the history of less violence and freedom was present than in the extreme regions sect ruling now.

Breakdown from ChatGPT:

???????? 1. Economy & Standard of Living

???? Under the Shah

• Massive oil revenue growth in the 1960s–70s.
• Rapid modernization: highways, universities, industrialization.
• Strong middle-class growth in major cities.
• However:
  • Wealth inequality was significant.
  • Rural areas lagged behind urban Tehran.
  • Inflation and corruption grew sharply in the 1970s.

Many urban Iranians remember the 1970s as economically optimistic.

???? Under the Islamic Republic

• Early years disrupted by revolution and the Iran–Iraq War.
• Decades of sanctions from the U.S. and others.
• Currency collapse, high inflation, youth unemployment.
• Periodic economic protests (2017, 2019, 2022, etc.).

For many today, economic frustration is one of the biggest sources of unrest.


Overall: The late-Shah period was economically stronger in global integration and growth, though unevenly distributed.

???? Women’s Rights & Social Norms

???? Under the Shah

• No mandatory hijab.
• Women could dress Western-style.
• Expanded access to education and employment.
• 1967 & 1975 Family Protection Laws strengthened divorce and custody rights.

Urban women especially experienced growing professional freedom.

???? Under the Islamic Republic

• Mandatory hijab laws after 1979.
• Gender segregation in some areas.
• Family law shifted toward conservative religious standards.
• Women remain highly educated but face legal and social restrictions.

Recent protests (especially 2022–2023) were sparked by enforcement of hijab laws.

Overall: Personal dress and social freedoms for women were broader under the Shah, especially in cities.

???? Political Freedom & Repression

???? Under the Shah

• One-party state near the end.
• Secret police (SAVAK) used torture and imprisonment.
• Political dissent heavily suppressed.
• Few avenues for organized opposition.

Repression was targeted but real.

⚖️ Under the Islamic Republic

• Elections exist but candidates are vetted.
• Clerical oversight through unelected institutions.
• Mass crackdowns on protests.
• High execution rates compared to global averages.

Repression today tends to involve broader protest movements and public crackdowns.


Both systems are authoritarian — but structured differently.

???? Religion in Daily Life

Under the Shah

• Secular government structure.
• Religious leaders politically marginalized.
• Western cultural influence strong in cities.

Under the Islamic Republic

• Religion integrated into state law.
• Clerics hold ultimate authority.
• Social codes legally enforced.

This shift dramatically changed public culture and education.

???? Foreign Relations & Security


Under the Shah

• Close ally of the United States.
• Strong regional military power.
• No major war during his rule.

Under the Islamic Republic

• Anti-U.S. stance since 1979 hostage crisis.
• Involved indirectly in regional conflicts.
• Heavy sanctions affect everyday life.

???? So Was Life “Better” Under the Shah?

It depends on perspective:


Many urban middle-class Iranians today say:

• More personal freedom
• Stronger economy
• Less international isolation

Critics of the Shah argue:

• Political repression and corruption fueled resentment
• Rural and religious communities felt alienated
• Lack of political openness led directly to revolution

???? Big Picture

Under the Shah:

More secular, more Western-oriented, economically booming (but unequal), politically closed.

Under the Islamic Republic:

More religiously governed, socially restricted, economically strained by sanctions and isolation, politically restricted but with a different structure.

Neither period was democratic.

The main difference is social freedom and global integration vs. religious governance and resistance-based politics.

[BlueK]

Democracy was the wrong word. You are correct, they were a monarch. But the history of less violence and freedom was present than in the extreme regions sect ruling now.

Breakdown from ChatGPT:

I agree with that. It was an advanced, well educated country for that part of the world. The ruling mullahs are not popular. Nor do I think most of the people are inherently anti-US. Unfortunately I think war isn't going to go over that well with them either, but we'll see.

[Northwestcoug]

The FIFA Peace Prize used to mean something, dammit!

[Jeff Lebowski]

Well, you can't say we weren't warned.

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[BlueK]

Well, you can't say we weren't warned.

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funny and totally true.

[dabrockster]

y dear compatriots,

Decisive moments lie before us.

The assistance that the President of the United States had promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention, and its target is the Islamic Republic, its apparatus of repression, and its machinery of killing—not the country and great nation of Iran.

However, despite the arrival of this assistance, the final victory will still be achieved by us. It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish this task in this final battle. The time to return to the streets is approaching.

Now that the Islamic Republic is collapsing, my message to the country’s military, law enforcement, and security forces is clear:

You have sworn an oath to protect Iran and the Iranian nation, not the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Your duty is to defend the people, not to defend a regime that has taken our homeland hostage through repression and crime. Join the nation and help ensure a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will sink with Khamenei’s ship and his crumbling regime.

And my message to the President of the United States, President Trump, is this:

The honorable people of Iran, despite the brutal repression and killings carried out by this regime, stood bravely for nearly two months. I now ask you to exercise the utmost possible caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots. The people of Iran are your natural allies and the allies of the free world, and they will not forget your assistance during the most difficult period of Iran’s contemporary history.

And to you, my dear compatriots in Iran:

In these sensitive hours and days, more than ever we must remain focused on our ultimate goal: reclaiming Iran.

I ask you, for now, to remain in your homes and remain calm and safe. Stay alert and ready to return to the streets for the final action at the appropriate time, which I will communicate to you.

Follow my messages through social media and satellite media. If disruptions occur in the internet and satellite broadcasts, I will remain in contact with you via radio.

We are very close to final victory. I hope to be with you as soon as possible so that together we may reclaim Iran and rebuild it.

Long live Iran.
Reza Pahlavi

https://x.com/pahlavireza/status/202...wgQeKTws5vNdEg