Trump says everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran

Jesus fuck, sick to my stomach seeing this.

Good thing I got my trip in when I did!

The man is such a bloody moron!

Evacuate and go where? This is war with Iran, a country that has a huge standing army.

No country would accept bombs in the capital and just let it go.

Search Trump’s multiple tweets from the Obama years warning that prez not to go to war with Iran just to raise his popularity ratings.

Trump is awful, but so is Iran.

This piece is by Ori Goldberg, an academic who lives in Israel:

There was nothing preemptive about the Israeli assault on Iranian military and civilian infrastructure and officials.

As the Israeli-Iranian confrontation enters its third day, casualties on both sides are mounting. At least 80 people have been killed in Iran and at least 10 in Israel. Despite the deadly response from Iran, Israeli officials have continued to insist that attacks on various Iranian nuclear and military facilities were necessary.

The Israeli government claims that the strike was a “preventive” one, meant to address an immediate, inevitable threat on Iran’s part to construct a nuclear bomb. There appears to be no evidence for this claim. Israel’s strike was undoubtedly meticulously planned over a long period of time. A preventive attack must carry an element of self-defence, which, in turn, is generated by an emergency. No such emergency appears to have occurred.

Additionally, Israel has suggested that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report released on June 12 that condemned Iran for material violations of its Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) commitments until the early 2000s constitutes such an emergency. But even the IAEA seems to reject that claim. There was nothing in the report that was not already known to the relevant parties.

The Israeli government has also suggested, in direct relation to the notion of a “preventive” strike, that it aimed to “decapitate” Iran’s nuclear programme. It is generally agreed by scholars and policymakers that Israel lacks the ability to destroy the programme, especially if it attempts to carry out such a strike on its own.

(continued) The nature of the campaign as it unfolds also seems to indicate that Israel never meant to wipe out Iranian nuclear activities. The Israeli army has been bombing various military and governmental targets, from missile bases to a gasfield and an oil depot. It has also carried out a string of assassinations against senior Iranian military leaders. Ali Shamkhani, a former defence minister and a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was among those targeted and is reported to have been killed, though Iranian state media and government are yet to officially confirm his death. Shamkhani is believed to have been a leading figure in the talks with the United States over the past months.

His assassination, alongside others’, reflects a favourite Israeli modus operandi. Israel often attempts to “eliminate” specific people in the hope that their deaths would bring about the unravelling of the systems and institutions they lead. The death of Shamkhani can be construed as an attempt to sabotage talks between Iran and the US. In any case, assassinations also seem to indicate the existence of a thorough plan to demonstrate Israel’s might at all levels of Iranian official life and practices. This is not a “decapitation” of the Iranian nuclear programme.

A third suggestion is that Israel has its heart set on jumpstarting “regime change” in Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this overtly when he called on the “proud people of Iran” to stand up for their “freedom from an evil and repressive regime”.

The assumption that Iranians would simply do Israel’s bidding as it bombs them relentlessly and unilaterally seems akin to the notion that if Israel starves and exterminates the Palestinians in Gaza to the required extent, they would rise against Hamas and remove it from power.

Even if that were the case, presuming that all the Iranians are waiting for is an Israeli strike to move against the regime demonstrates a profound lack of understanding with regard to the forces driving Iranian politics. While many Iranians undoubtedly oppose the Islamic Republic, Iranians of all political persuasions are consistently “patriotic”, committed to supporting Iranian sovereignty and independence from any attempts by external elements to impose their agendas on their country.

In fact, just as numerous Israelis who would consider themselves uncompromising critics of Netanyahu jumped to attention when the Israeli attack began and are now vocally supporting the government – most egregiously, members of the parliamentary “opposition” – so are numerous opponents of the Islamic Republic now rallying behind the flag in support of Iran’s violated sovereignty. Claiming that Israel is merely “laying the groundwork” for a popular Iranian rebellion by striking is, at best, a cynical manipulation.

Israel has not struck Iran for all these reasons. So, what drove the attack? Amid the genocidal campaign in Gaza, Netanyahu is very much aware that his government is running out of options. The international community, as well as regional allies, have started to criticise Israel vocally. Some have also been preparing to carry out unilateral measures, like the mass recognition of a Palestinian state.

There is no doubt that Netanyahu planned the strike on Iran for years, waiting for just the right time. This time came on Friday. It is a desperate attempt to rally the world behind Israel, just as preparations are made to deny it the absolute impunity it has enjoyed since its creation.

Iran is still considered a potential threat by many leading powers of the Global North. By invoking the known tropes associated with unilateral lethal Israeli action – from divine promises to the Holocaust – Netanyahu hoped to re-establish the status quo; Israel can still do whatever it wants.

This is Israel’s current definition of “security”, the most hallowed principle at its core. I“Security” means that Israel can kill whoever it wants for as long as it wants and wherever and whenever it wants without paying any sort of price for its actions.

This “security” is what has motivated Israel’s actions from Gaza to Yemen to Lebanon and Syria, and now in Iran. Such a “security regime” must expand continuously, of course. It can never stop. By striking Iran, Netanyahu has gone for broke, staking a claim for complete and absolute impunity for Israel as well as for himself, in The Hague as well as in domestic courts. Will this be Netanyahu’s salvation? Will the Israeli public forgive him for his abject failures at home and horrid transgressions in Gaza? When observing the current sense of jubilation in public Israeli discourse, this may very well be the case.

Ori Goldberg's "Religion and Politics in Iran, Israel and the Islamic State: Theologies of the Real", will be published by Cambridge University Press later this year......

What is this ass clown up to now?

Tom Nichols:

Once upon a time, if a US president urged the people of a foreign capital (with whom we are not at war) to evacuate and then POSTED WITH LOTS OF !!!!!!!! in them, we'd be very concerned about the health and stability of that president.

Now everyone shrugs and says: well, Trump

But I thought he was the “no war” candidate?

Trump, the war monger. And he said he was going to end the wars. The fucking lying criminal and incompetent fraud.

How many more wars does Israel want? Shouldn’t it at least be one at a time?

Please God no.

Genocidal Israel is at the heart of every war in the Middle East. Enough. Cut off all military and financial aid to Israel.

The entire world needs to condemn Israel.

I have to find that article which shows how they track pizza delivery to the Pentagon and noticed it was off the charts the night Israel bombed Iran. They knew and of course Trump knew. Days before when asked why there was a notice for Americans to leave Iran, he said "you'll see." Fucking moron.

Trump is not the warmonger here, he was informed that Netanyahu would attack Iran and there was nothing Trump could do about it. Supposedly Dump "vetoed" assassinating the 'Supreme Leader' but that was just Bibi letting Trump save face.

Do not war.

This was supposed to be my summer of self discovery!

Love watching MAGA go nuts because Trump promised no wars and now is doing Israel’s bidding

[quote]Supposedly Dump "vetoed" assassinating the 'Supreme Leader'

Why the fuck would he veto that?

[Quote] Trump is not the warmonger here, he was informed that Netanyahu would attack Iran and there was nothing Trump could do about it.

Please, spare us. Trump wants a limited war for the USA right now. For obvious reasons. They hoped the Iranians would attack U.S. bases in Iraq but the Iranians didn’t fall for it.

I consider it quite likely the US will launch strikes against Iran in the next few days.

[quote] I consider it quite likely the US will launch strikes against Iran in the next few days.

I consider you couldn't be more wrong but let's check back in a few days. Be fun!

[quote] Love watching MAGA go nuts because Trump promised no wars and now is doing Israel’s bidding

All I see is them cheering.

Short attention spans

Why does the president of the United States always have to sound like the dumbest fuck in the room, the idiot that nobody wanted to tell about the meeting but somehow the bastard found out and here he is.

*Exactly*, r27.

Does he know something about Israel's intentions that he's not disclosing?

R24, HERE YOU GO: US aircraft, warships headed to Middle East amid Israel-Iran conflict. U.S. military has moved a large number of refueling tanker aircraft to Europe. The move is intended to “provide options” to Trump amid the escalating tensions, the official added.

A Defense official also confirmed that Hegseth directed the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group be sent to the Middle East “to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel.

Multiple outlets have reported that the action was a pre-planned deployment that had been expedited. The vessel is able to hold some 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jet.

U.S. European Command also deployed two destroyers to the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Friday. The vessels can help defend against guided missile strikes.

I picked the wrong week to give up drinking.

I checked in with the Freepers at Free Republic.

They're not certain what's right here, because they haven't coalesced around an Official Position, but they've definitely gone from "I'll never watch Fox again because they got rid of Tucker!" to "Tucker's an opportunist and an idiot. Man, I'm glad I never listened to him."

R30 This doesn't mean the U.S, is going to 'attack' Iran. What's your point?

The huge bunker-busting bombs can only be delivered by large bombers, such as the B-1, B-2, and B-52. Israel has failed to destroy the uranium enrichment sites.

Other developments-- --Largest movement of US air assets in years toward EUCOM

--Trump has asked the National Security Council to be prepared in the situation room

--Iran has lost air superiority of their airspace, Israel targeted their TV station, and the video is supposedly hilarious. They are striking at will all over Iran.

--Pakistan closed its border with Iran: when you can't count on your friends

^^^^ I wrote this elsewhere, but to keep it in one place. Israel cannot deliver the huge bunker-busting bombs to the Iranian Uranium enrichment sites. Netanyahu's appeal to the US means Israel, while successful against Iran, has failed to destroy the Uranium enrichment sites. These require large bombers, such as the B-1, B-2, and B-52.

This is the video referenced by R34. I understand that they did go back on air after a while.

We used to have an agreement with Iran until Trump scuttled it.

And not he wants to resurrect the Obama deal and call it a “win.”

R33, have you ever heard the saying: Can't see the forest for the trees?? You're in the forest wandering around aimlessly.

Hegseth is texting too-secret military plans to friends and family right now.

I meant “top-secret” … arrrrghhh

[quote]Trump is not the warmonger here, he was informed that Netanyahu would attack Iran and there was nothing Trump could do about it.

R18. Stop sending Israel military and financial aid, and stop announcing support for genocidal Israel. Trump is a pussy and Netanyahu's bootlicker.

Netanyahu, Netanyahu

Men have named you

You have to realize that Little Marco is not the Secretary of State, Bibi is.

[Quote] All I see is them cheering.

Steve Bannon and MTG are not cheering. They have openly criticized Trump’s stance

War is good for failing economies, which is why FDR was happy to join WW2 and GWB pushed Iraq

I never got to visit "the Holy Land."

Oh well. Maybe the next one

R46, Cheney pushed Iraq because he was heavily vested in Haliburton. Cha and Ching.

The entire world does condemn Israel, R16 - with one exception.

r49 Um, not really. But fabricating facts comes like breathing to antisemites.

Conflating Anti-Israel/Netanyahu sentiment with antisemitism is so played out. Absolutely no one buys it.

I don't like seeing the words 'Trump' and "evacuate' in the same sentence.

Ooh, the image. Something you can never unsee!

Israel is going to force the toppling of the Khamenei's theocracy and the world will be better for it.

🎵 midnight at the oasis… send your 🐪 to bed

I’m glad it’s happening, because Iran is awful. But why is Israel starting all this right now? Seems random, and they’re already involved in another war.

People keep saying that, but what other war are they involved in? What they're doing in Gaza isn't a war.

Ok R50 - give one example of a country other than USA which has come out in support of Israel in their current engagement in Hamas.

Just one. Should be easy for you.

Tehran, Iran has a population of more than nine million people.

That is next to impossible to evacuate. Trump is an fucking moron.

That is like telling everyone in New York City to get out. Fuck off Trump.

[quote] Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. tells a reporter at Merit Street (Dr. Phil's news operation): "When the dust settles, you're going to see some surprises on Thursday night and Friday that will make the beeper operation almost seem simple."

I didn't know Dr. Phil had his own propaganda network, but nothing should surprise me anymore. Buckle up, buckaroos!

Still waiting for your informed response, R50.

R52 Apparently he does it all the time. Even when meeting other dictators, like Erdogan in Turkey. Sometimes they don't know he's doing it. Sometimes they do.

It all ..................................... (wait for it) .............................................................

Depends!

Marines on the streets of Blue cities (30 million), or on the streets of Tehran (10 million)?

He can't have both. There aren't enough of them (total of entire force of active duty and reserve: 200K).

[quote] [R18]. Stop sending Israel military and financial aid, and stop announcing support for genocidal Israel. Trump is a pussy and Netanyahu's bootlicker.

That was my point. Trump acts tough but so far it's bluster. He hates spending money on foreign wars and so do many of his MAGAt supporters. He can't stop the wars either, as he bragged about doing in his campaign. He couldn't even put on a military parade properly. The man is flailing.

[quote] [R33], have you ever heard the saying: Can't see the forest for the trees?? You're in the forest wandering around aimlessly.

You think that sending ships to the region where there are hostilities between two countries, one of which is an ally means we will attack. But it's standard operating procedure for the U.S.military to increase its presence when there is a threat no matter where it is. Trump is erratic and impulsive so anything's possible but I don't think it will happen, and you act like it's a sure thing. As I said previously, we'll see. Do you want to wait for the outcome or continue to make glib insults as though you have been proven correct?

Huckabee seems to be hankering for Armageddon.

R65, do these Trump sycophants really believe that shit???

R65. Huckabee is nothing more than an evangelical Christian whose unquestioning support of Israel is rooted in his yearning for the Second Coming. Does he serve the interests of the United States? Or does he serve his religious beliefs?

Being Raptured doesn’t sound too bad

R60 - "Trump enters the Situation Room as four B52 nuclear bombers prepare for launch after president's Ayatollah death threat"

Let's just hope it's a false headline or another one of Trump's bluffs. On the other hand, there's a reason he left the G7 Summit early.

[quote]Huckabee is nothing more than an evangelical Christian whose unquestioning support of Israel is rooted in his yearning for the Second Coming.

Ironically, evangelicals believe Jesus will cast Jews into hell when she show up in Israel

Iran has always projected that it has strong military capabilities. It would pathetic if it can't respond in any coherent way