Trump again!

[baggieal]

There is no doubt that the IRGC pose a threat to the UK. In October 2025 the head of MI5 claimed that 20 terrorist plots which had the backing of the IRGC had been foiled since 2022. The vast majority of these targeted Iranians living in the UK who are opposed to the regime rather than plans to attack either UK civilian or military targets. Although some are engaged in spying, the main aim is to stifle criticism of the regime rather than to launch direct terrorist attacks against the UK which would be obviously be counter-productive if found to have IRGC backing. This is not to say that the regime does not still pose a great potential threat to the UK, hence the focus on ensuring that Iran is not able to develop nuclear weapons alongside the objectives of preventing radicalisation and terrorist attacks.

The annual London Al Qud march has been largely peaceful for many years and, although supported by the ironically named Islamic Human Rights Commission which has clear ties to the IRGC, it is primarily focussed on Palestinian rights in Gaza and The West Bank. Given the long standing -and illegal-expansion by right wing Zionists into Palestinian lands it isn't a surprise to me that the march garners support but given the present inflammatory circumstances, Mahmood is surely right to have banned it this year for public safety reasons.

The Iranian regime also clearly harbours and supports terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas and enables them to operate against Israel and supplies drones to Russia for its war against Ukraine. It is also one, of course, that threatens the liberties of those very many of its own population who are not in agreement with their ideology.

No doubting it is a hateful and repressive regime but it is one that does not represent all of its people and one that there is no evidence to suggest was in a position to pose any "imminent" threat (as Trump claimed) to either the US or the UK. Israel may have legitimate reasons to attack terrorist camps within Iran that target it, but, to my mind, there is no legal justification for the US attack on a sovereign country -however hateful or repressive it's regime.

Trump is presently crowing about how he is the only POTUS with the courage to wipe out the regime in Iran and lists the various attacks by it on US targets since they came to power in 1979 as part of his justification for his present actions (whilst completely ignoring the impact of US meddling in the region). But the messages coming out of the White House are still contradictory and there still seems no end game here.

The only financial beneficiary of the war so far seems to be Russia. True, the supply of drones from Iran may have been stemmed but the hike in oil prices and the threat to the important Strait of Hormuz have led Trump to "temporarily" lift sanctions on Russian oil. Of course he has. This only benefits Russia and enables Putin to carry on with his own "special operation"/ war against Ukraine as Trump continues his own "excursion"/war against Iran (using up his stockpile of munitions in the process and preventing them from being sent to aid Ukraine).

Just as Starmer refused to join in with Trump's attack on Iran, he now refuses to join in and lift sanctions on Russian oil. This may certainly hurt costs at home -though the government is clear about tackling any fuel profiteering by companies-but is surely the right/ moral thing to do still? Any rises in fuel prices (and, subsequently, the cost of many goods) will definitely not be welcomed by many who are already struggling financially in the UK but this is all a direct result of Trump's action.

Good post Omeg but difficult one! In my eyes Iran needed taking out along with Hezbollah and Hamas. For sure the neighbouring countries including Lebanon will be secretly pleased because they have lived in fear. They also despise this regime just like ordinary Iranians.

Sadly where there?s an ideology and Afghanistan is the same they just regroup and grow stronger. Look at the girls and women again now in Afghanistan as they are treated like dirt. Girls are made to be mothers at 12 FFS. This is why none of these people entering the UK should be allowed to stay and there?s been a number of rapes on school girls from Afghans. What do we expect when this mentality is inbred?

There is an argument to support keeping out of everyone else?s business and just letting them get on with it including Ukraine. The UK military forces once feared now is weak with all the cut backs so apart from Trident - who protects the UK? Starmer is looking to increase the military spend of GDP to another 1%. But for this to happen services need to be cut or hard working tax payers taxed more but many can?t take any more. My point is to deport all the illegals and get tough but also get tough on those claiming benefits ie you can only claim benefits for 1 year then you work for your benefits by community work. This government though actually is too soft on those on benefits - take the two child cap which was abolished. If you are genuinely unemployed for over a year should you have - satellite dishes - holidays - a car - booze and fags?

This country is too soft and soon will be on the way to bankruptcy!