The Iran War (was Nuclear Program) thread

[jon-nyc]

An interesting graphic showing how China and Iran avoid Iranian oil sanctions.

It does certainly add expense, which hits the producing country. But I wonder how much good they do in practice. There are also Caspian Sea routes where the oils can be transferred directly to more friendly countries.

[Axtremus]

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-warns-of-ramping-up-attacks-on-iran-after-exchange-of-strikes-ae2f7a67

... Trump said the U.S. would resume attacks on Iran later Wednesday after a drone fired by Tehran hit a U.S. Apache helicopter, prompting several waves of American strikes in retaliation for the downing of the aircraft.

[jon-nyc]

[Mik]

Talk is cheap. Especially his.

[jon-nyc]

Not sure what the upside is of telling them in advance we’re going to occupy Kharg Island.

[Axtremus]

O ye of little faith, it’s just another 5-D chess move that nobody understands yet.

[jon-nyc]

The only thing I can figure is it’s one last threat to get them to back off their negotiation demands. But I’d be more worried that they’d just signal they’re willing to do so and then delay for another couple months.

[Doctor Phibes]

I don't think Trump has had much that's VERY HARD TONIGHT for quite some time. Maybe this is taking his mind off it.

Unfortunately, his offensive capabilities are not yet GONE!

[Renauda]

@jon-nyc

Not sure what the upside is of telling them in advance we’re going to occupy Kharg Island..

Just yesterday, he stated he loves the return to higher inflation. Occupying Kharg Island should not only bolster that trend but also put pressure on the Fed to raise interest rates.

Might even damage the global economy some more.

He will then be a very happy and content Toddler and Chief in his presidential high chair.

[Axtremus]

Well, maybe Putin will be happy.

[Renauda]

Very happy.

[89th]

As I posted in the memes thread... don't forget, Trump is very serious about his deadline, Iran now has 2–3 days to make a deal or they’ll have 2 weeks to make a deal.

[Renauda]

Allegedly the highest levels of the Iranian leadership have promised to play nice so tonight’s planned hard hitting strikes (and presumably occupation of Kharg Island) are called off and a “deal deal” to end all the angst is shortly pending.

At least until the next round of martial unpleasantness.

Link to video

[jon-nyc]

As I said above they’ll probably just dither for another two months.

[Axtremus]

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-iran-strikes-peace-talks-38996e77

... Trump said he has canceled planned strikes on Iran after Tehran’s leadership and other parties negotiating a deal to end the conflict approved “discussions and final points.”

[jon-nyc]

Isn’t it amazing that American credibility has deteriorated to the point where the president can announce a diplomatic agreement and the near-universal reaction, even among Trump supporters if they’re honest, is "let's wait for confirmation from Tehran"

[Axtremus]

Link to video

Iran: "no final decision"
"In a holding pattern."

[jon-nyc]

They make him look so weak. I’m surprised he puts up with it. You could see him flipping out and going nuclear. Perhaps literally.

[jon-nyc]

Wow. They’re looking for capitulation.

I really can’t imagine what’s gone on in the White House these last 60 days with all these ‘we’re minutes from a deal’ drills when Iran hasn’t seemed to have changed its position. To wit, give them sanctions relief and impounded funds as a precondition of negotiating the nuclear stockpile, negotiation hundreds of billions in reparations in exchange for movement on the stockpile, and they continue to control the straight.

[jon-nyc]