...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for
spontaneouslytaking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet
militiasto extend the regime's influence. The word
Iranis a cognate form of
Aryan.The abbreviation
IRGCis the same idea as
Stürmabteilung (or SA).The term
Supreme Guideis a the modern version form of either
Duceor
Führeror maybe both. They hate
is now capable of spinning up enough of its highly enriched uranium (HEU) from its current level of 60% to the 90% necessary to build a nuclear bomb, in "probably less than one week."
The timeline for Israel to act against Iran's nuclear program has now compressed considerably. Coupled with the glacial pace of U.S. talks with Iran on its nuclear program, and the state of readiness of Israeli strike forces, some analysts have concluded that Israel is prepared to strike Iranian nuclear facilities in a matter of days.
The impasse in nuclear talks with Iran is "irreconcilable," according to the Israelis. Iran insists it will not give up its ability to enrich uranium. The U.S. demands a complete end to Iran's enrichment. For Iran, it is a matter of national honor to be able to enrich uranium. It's now part of their national identity and will not give it up under any circumstances.
The talks are continuing with minor progress on ancillary points in the dispute. The fundamental differences are broad and deep. The question now is, why continue the negotiations?
Indeed, chief U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff left the talks in Rome early on Friday, citing his "flight schedule." The technical experts were left to make a list of the dozens of issues that still need to be resolved before formal talks can even begin.
"Israeli officials have shifted from quiet preparation to barely concealed readiness," reports the Middle East Forum (MEF).
Mosssd
...sees all, knows all, gets 'em all in the end...
chief David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer flew to Rome alongside Witkoff’s talks, tuned to receive immediate briefings on any progress. Their presence accentuated Jerusalem’s determination to understand every diplomatic nuance while military options remained active.
U.S. intelligence has intercepted Israeli communications signaling potential attack plans and observed tangible military movements: forward deployment of specialized munitions, completion of major Air Force exercises, and strike-readiness indicators. As Defense Minister Israel Katz declared, "Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal—to thwart and eliminate the existential threat."
...sees all, knows all, gets 'em all in the end...chief David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer flew to Rome alongside Witkoff’s talks, tuned to receive immediate briefings on any progress. Their presence accentuated Jerusalem’s determination to understand every diplomatic nuance while military options remained active.
U.S. intelligence has intercepted Israeli communications signaling potential attack plans and observed tangible military movements: forward deployment of specialized munitions, completion of major Air Force exercises, and strike-readiness indicators. As Defense Minister Israel Katz declared, "Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal—to thwart and eliminate the existential threat."
Donald Trump
...dictatorial for repealing some (but not all) of the diktats of his predecessor, misogynistic because he likes pretty girls, homophobic because he doesn't think gender bending should be mandatory, truly a man for all seasons...
has appeared to go back and forth on the issue of an Israeli attack. In fact, he has consistently backed Israel's contention that weaponizing, or the potential to quickly weaponize HEU, is a red line that once crossed, can only mean that Israel will attempt to eliminate the threat. Trump will back that play by Israel if he is convinced Israel has no other option.
The MEF conducted a war game simulation this last week, laying out the possibilities for an attack that involved Iran, Israel, the U.S., China, Russia, and other players in the Middle East. While just a simulation, the exercise was instructive in examining scenarios that might come into play if Israel were to pull the trigger.
China’s simulation role proved particularly instructive. Beijing positioned itself as both Iran’s protector and the Gulf states’ alternative security guarantor, ultimately downing an Israeli aircraft when conflict erupted. This reflects current reality: China continues supplying Iran through sanctions, purchasing discounted oil, and positioning itself to benefit regardless of outcome. Recent U.S. Treasury sanctions revealed Chinese sodium perchlorate shipments to Iran’s missile program through Bandar Abbas—the same port that suffered a mysterious explosion in April.
Russia similarly exploits the crisis for strategic gain. While avoiding direct military involvement, Moscow upgrades Iran’s capabilities and threatens advanced S-400 air defense sales that would substantially complicate Israeli operations. Our simulation’s Russian team seized Arctic territories while others focused on the Gulf—classic strategic opportunism that mirrors Russian President Vladimir Putin
...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances...
’s real-world approach.
Russia similarly exploits the crisis for strategic gain. While avoiding direct military involvement, Moscow upgrades Iran’s capabilities and threatens advanced S-400 air defense sales that would substantially complicate Israeli operations. Our simulation’s Russian team seized Arctic territories while others focused on the Gulf—classic strategic opportunism that mirrors Russian President Vladimir Putin
...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances...
’s real-world approach.
Israel will be going into an Iranian war with its eyes wide open. They know that Tehran's missiles can reach any city in Israel. They have thousands of them. Iran's Iran's Houthi sock puppets
...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the
Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The legitimate Yemeni government has accused the them of having ties to the Iranian government. Honest they did. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is
God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the JewsThey like shooting off... ummm... missiles that they would have us believe they make at home in their basements. On the plus side, they did murder Ali Abdullah Saleh, which was the only way the country was ever going to be rid of him...
proxy in Yemen
...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of...
will escalate its attacks on shipping, hoping the West will pressure Israel to cease its military operations against Iran.
The Revolutionary Guards will probably unleash a campaign of terror against Israeli embassies and Jewish community centers all over the world. Jerusalem will be ostracized for attacking poor, little Iran, who only want to build nukes to protect itself.
Only Donald Trump and the U.S will stand firmly behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israelis.
Every indicator points toward military action within days. Witkoff’s Rome departure, intelligence reports of uranium relocation threats, degraded Iranian proxy networks, and Israeli military readiness converge toward one conclusion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the Times of Israel, "is waiting for the nuclear talks to collapse and for the moment Trump will be disappointed ... and open to giving him the go-ahead."
...
..the braying voice of 
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula, largely made up of sand and oil rigs. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking 
..a contraction of the Arabic words for "frothing at the mouth",...
..not a terrorist organization, even though it kidnaps people, holds hostages, and tries to negotiate by executing them,...
like lava from a volcano
...al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, from which sprang the 
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling 