Iran grinds to standstill as protesters take to the streets, crowds chant ‘Death to Khamenei’

[DB]

Oh DB you ignorant gutter slut.

Nice...

[mystery-ak]

Nice...

He's just kidding...

[Wingnut]

He's just kidding...

I kinda think I wasn't.  DB shot his load off before this is over.

[mystery-ak]

I kinda think I wasn't.  DB shot his load off before this is over.

I think we are all disappointed how this is turning out...If they can't break free of this regime I don't think they ever will...I still have a little home that Trump will find a way to free them..

[Wingnut]

I think we are all disappointed how this is turning out...If they can't break free of this regime I don't think they ever will...I still have a little home that Trump will find a way to free them..

Me too.  It's never over till it is over.

[DB]

Me too.  It's never over till it is over.

It will be much harder if not impossible to do without troops on the ground now. There are thousands of foreign militias brought in to control the streets that weren't there a few days ago. They are dispersed all over the country so there's no effective targeting them from the air. The justification for going in was the mass killings. Now that the mass killings have gone underground, politically it will be much harder to unify our allies toward that cause. Had the Mullahs been taken out early on, there would be no organizing force to command those foreign militias, the people would have remained in control of the streets.

The opportunity has likely passed for a military option.

[verga]

It will be much harder if not impossible to do without troops on the ground now. There are thousands of foreign militias brought in to control the streets that weren't there a few days ago. They are dispersed all over the country so there's no effective targeting them from the air. The justification for going in was the mass killings. Now that the mass killings have gone underground, politically it will be much harder to unify our allies toward that cause. Had the Mullahs been taken out early on, there would be no organizing force to command those foreign militias, the people would have remained in control of the streets.

The opportunity has likely passed for a military option.

Not necessarily, It is almost certain that Mossad is keeping track of the MUllahs. If there is a gathering of any kind a surgical bombing  can be used. If they stay isolated Israel can send in assasins. They have done it before. Take out Khamenei and the regime will collapse.

[ScottinVA]

Sadly it all appears to be over… the regime - once again - has won.  We had such a golden opportunity to help these long-suffering Iranians break the bondage of tyranny, but we let it slip by. 

https://amp.dw.com/en/uneasy-calm-in-iran-after-protests-trump-thanks-iranian-leader/a-75545347

[ScottinVA]

I think we are all disappointed how this is turning out...If they can't break free of this regime I don't think they ever will...I still have a little home that Trump will find a way to free them..

Nah… it’s over.  The mullahs have survived yet again, and with China’s and Russia’s help, will emerge even more powerful and tyrannical than before.  We wasted a golden, generational opportunity to alter history.  Yes, it sucks, but then again the American people didn’t want us to intervene and our “allies,” aside from Israel, never had enough spine to act anyway.

[bigheadfred]

Nah… it’s over.  The mullahs have survived yet again, and with China’s and Russia’s help, will emerge even more powerful and tyrannical than before.  We wasted a golden, generational opportunity to alter history.  Yes, it sucks, but then again the American people didn’t want us to intervene and our “allies,” aside from Israel, never had enough spine to act anyway.

The conditions that brought about the protests haven't changed. The economy is in shambles. Tehran is running out of water. Russia is broke. China may be able to prop up the regime somewhat. But I think the populace will become even more desperate and we will see a full blown civil war.

[ScottinVA]

The conditions that brought about the protests haven't changed. The economy is in shambles. Tehran is running out of water. Russia is broke. China may be able to prop up the regime somewhat. But I think the populace will become even more desperate and we will see a full blown civil war.

But the regime still has all the guns.  And that talks more than anything right now… and they’ll institute just enough “reforms” to tamp it all down. Add to that the fact the populace now knows they are entirely on their own, and nobody is going to come to bat to help them

[Bigun]

But the regime still has all the guns.  And that talks more than anything right now… and they’ll institute just enough “reforms” to tamp it all down. Add to that the fact the populace now knows they are entirely on their own, and nobody is going to come to bat to help them

I sincerely wish I could argue with that but I can't. Trump's stock has dropped several notches in my estimation.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I sincerely wish I could argue with that but I can't. Trump's stock has dropped several notches in my estimation.

Why?  Do you want Trump to commit our blood and treasure to war with Iran when we have no backup allies @Bigun ?  For 35 years Benjamin Netanyahu has been incessantly lobbying the world to defeat the Mullahs but gets cold feet just when the golden opportunity presents itself and a US president is prepared to join the charge?

Is there no curiosity about what is driving Israel's 180 degree change from advocate for action to proponent for restraint in less than a week's time?  I understand the Arab POV on this .. but, not Israel's.  Can you explain it?

[bigheadfred]

I sincerely wish I could argue with that but I can't. Trump's stock has dropped several notches in my estimation.

We now have a Qatari royal family member threatening to pull the plug on our base there if we don't do what they want. Maybe you should be blaming them.

[Cyber Liberty]

Why?  Do you want Trump to commit our blood and treasure to war with Iran when we have no backup allies @Bigun ?  For 35 years Benjamin Netanyahu has been incessantly lobbying the world to defeat the Mullahs but gets cold feet just when the golden opportunity presents itself and a US president is prepared to join the charge?

Is there no curiosity about what is driving Israel's 180 degree change from advocate for action to proponent for restraint in less than a week's time?  I understand the Arab POV on this .. but, not Israel's.  Can you explain it?

It's always Da Joooos with you.

[Right_in_Virginia]

We now have a Qatari royal family member threatening to pull the plug on our base there if we don't do what they want. Maybe you should be blaming them.

The whole Middle East is against harming a hair on Iran's head .... I get the Arab nations taking this position, but not Israel joining them.  Netanyahu even communicated with Iran to assure them Israel would not be the first to attack ..... he sent his assurances through Putin.

I think we're missing something big here ...

[Bigun]

Why?  Do you want Trump to commit our blood and treasure to war with Iran when we have no backup allies @Bigun ?  For 35 years Benjamin Netanyahu has been incessantly lobbying the world to defeat the Mullahs but gets cold feet just when the golden opportunity presents itself and a US president is prepared to join the charge?

Is there no curiosity about what is driving Israel's 180 degree change from advocate for action to proponent for restraint in less than a week's time?  I understand the Arab POV on this .. but, not Israel's.  Can you explain it?

This is not the first time we have betrayed these people. The president gave his word that "help is on the way". Where is that help? If I tell you I'm going to do something you can count on me doing it and I expect the same from others. Especially those who are in positions of leadership. @Right_in_Virginia

[Right_in_Virginia]

Trump Says 'No One Convinced' Him Against Attacking Iran Amid Netanyahu's Urge to Delay
With the Mossad chief in Washington on Friday for talks on Iran, Trump said Tehran had cancelled more than 800 planned hangings of protesters, amid reports that Netanyahu asked the U.S. president not to attack, citing Israel's lack of missile defense readiness
Haaretz. Jan 16, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that "no one convinced him, I convinced myself," not to strike Iran, amid reports throughout Thursday and Friday that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as multiple Arab leaders, urged Trump to delay or withhold any attacks on Iran.

According to Trump, the Iranian regime cancelled 800 hangings of protesters arrested throughout the demonstrations, something which "had a great impact" on his decision.

[...]

CNN reported early Friday, citing an Israeli source, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Donald Trump to delay any attack on Iran, warning that the Iranian regime would not collapse without a prolonged campaign and citing concerns over Israel's missile defense systems, which were damaged during the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June.


More:  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-16/ty-article/.premium/report-netanyahu-asked-trump-to-delay-iran-strike-due-to-defense-readiness-concerns/0000019b-c6b3-d85c-a9fb-f7f74c5a0000

[mountaineer]

Mike
@Doranimated
I admire your chutzpa. But as your therapist I have to ask. With an American missile pointed at your head, is attacking Trump personally your wisest course of action?
9:46 AM · Jan 17, 2026

[Kamaji]

Trump f**ked this one up bigly.

[Right_in_Virginia]

This is not the first time we have betrayed these people. The president gave his word that "help is on the way". Where is that help? If I tell you I'm going to do something you can count on me doing it and I expect the same from others. Especially those who are in positions of leadership. @Right_in_Virginia

I understand all of this, @Bigun  But that statement was made before the whole of the Muslim and Jewish Middle East decided "No!". Previously, Netanyahu had publicly called the protesters heroes and supported their fight for freedom. 

It's a tough call in this case, but I won't fault a US president for choosing not to risk American blood on a military excursion unwanted by the very nations who will benefit from it.

[Free Vulcan]

Let's not forget that these protests started organically in response to lack of food, water, and power and Trump had nothing to do with them. Why again is it all his fault?

Because the response was not correct? How do you overthrow the Iranian govt without any support from allied countries over there? If he had he'd be called rogue and outlaw, if he'd done nothing he'd be a coward. If he speaks he's a loud mouth, if he doesn't he's a self-absorbed narcissist who doesn't care about anyone else.

Some people doesn't realize their worthless sh**birdery of constantly moving goalposts ends their credibility.

[bigheadfred]

Let's not forget that these protests started organically in response to lack of food, water, and power and Trump had nothing to do with them. Why again is it all his fault?

Because the response was not correct? How do you overthrow the Iranian govt without any support from allied countries over there? If he had he'd be called rogue and outlaw, if he'd done nothing he'd be a coward. If he speaks he's a loud mouth, if he doesn't he's a self-absorbed narcissist who doesn't care about anyone else.

Some people doesn't realize their worthless sh**birdery of constantly moving goalposts ends their credibility.

 

[Hoodat]

Not necessarily, It is almost certain that Mossad is keeping track of the MUllahs.

At least we have Mossad.  The name of every CIA asset in Iran was leaked to the Iranian regime during the Obama years.  We lost two dozen in one week.  This wasn't a CIA failure.  It was a betrayal.


America’s Throwaway Spies

How the CIA failed Iranian informants in its secret war with Tehran

JOEL SCHECTMAN and BOZORGMEHR SHARAFEDIN  |  Sept. 29, 2022  |  11 a.m. GMT

[Cyber Liberty]

Trump f**ked this one up bigly.

Yes, he did.  Many people are now dead because he promised to help.  This is Jimmy Carter level betrayal.

[DB]

Let's not forget that these protests started organically in response to lack of food, water, and power and Trump had nothing to do with them. Why again is it all his fault?

Because the response was not correct? How do you overthrow the Iranian govt without any support from allied countries over there? If he had he'd be called rogue and outlaw, if he'd done nothing he'd be a coward. If he speaks he's a loud mouth, if he doesn't he's a self-absorbed narcissist who doesn't care about anyone else.

Some people doesn't realize their worthless sh**birdery of constantly moving goalposts ends their credibility.

Wrong. Trump was directly responsible for putting sanctions on Iranian oil and other trade to drive their country economically into the ground to get the people to rise up against the Mullahs. He got the response he wanted and whiffed when the critical threshold was reached.

[libertybele]

Yes, he did.  Many people are now dead because he promised to help.  This is Jimmy Carter level betrayal.

Yes, it is betrayal -- many reports of Trump stating to Iran protesters that help was on its way, and once again an unkept promise.  Why?

The world and our country are a mess and it sure doesn't look like things are getting any better (sigh).

[Free Vulcan]

Wrong. Trump was directly responsible for putting sanctions on Iranian oil and other trade to drive their country economically into the ground to get the people to rise up against the Mullahs. He got the response he wanted and whiffed when the critical threshold was reached.

Your series of logical leaps are like a fawn in springtime.

[Hoodat]

I would have rather had Trump keep his mouth shut while doing something behind the scenes instead of running his mouth but doing nothing.

[DB]

Your series of logical leaps are like a fawn in springtime.

What?

Trump played a direct role in creating the Iranian uprising by destroying the Mullahs cash flow. That money was used to suppress internal revolt and to fund/supply Hamas, Hezbollah and other proxies outside Iran.

Trump got the uprising he was pushing for. But he clearly did not have a plan in place for what was to follow. The regime was heavily armed and the people were not. He had to have something in place to change that imbalance in order to succeed.

He was not "locked and loaded" and did not "have their backs". Thousands died and thousands more will die as a result.

[DB]

I would have rather had Trump keep his mouth shut while doing something behind the scenes instead of running his mouth but doing nothing.

The failure was to say we were locked and loaded, that we had their backs and that we were on the way. That threat was called and Trump folded betraying those who believed him.

[Free Vulcan]

The failure was to say we were locked and loaded, that we had their backs and that we were on the way. That threat was called and Trump folded betraying those who believed him.

And all our allies backed out at the last minute. What were we supposed to do then?

[DCPatriot]

The failure was to say we were locked and loaded, that we had their backs and that we were on the way. That threat was called and Trump folded betraying those who believed him.

Supposedly it was Israel that alerted Pres. Trump that they had promised Iran they would NOT preemptively attack.

Nobody wants a suitcase nuke going off in Tel Aviv.

[Bigun]

Yes, he did.  Many people are now dead because he promised to help.  This is Jimmy Carter level betrayal.

  Ansolutely!

[Kamaji]

Let's not forget that these protests started organically in response to lack of food, water, and power and Trump had nothing to do with them. Why again is it all his fault?

Because the response was not correct? How do you overthrow the Iranian govt without any support from allied countries over there? If he had he'd be called rogue and outlaw, if he'd done nothing he'd be a coward. If he speaks he's a loud mouth, if he doesn't he's a self-absorbed narcissist who doesn't care about anyone else.

Some people doesn't realize their worthless sh**birdery of constantly moving goalposts ends their credibility.

And then Trump egged them on and promised that he had their back.  Trump is responsible for the consequences of his words.

[DCPatriot]

Many of you who came here a decade ago...virtually all of you suffering some degree of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).

You remind me of rescued pitbulls from back alley fighting dens...somewhat domesticated after ten freaking years...but the slightest smell of blood makes you all snarling, drooling troglodytes.

But please...carry on!

[Kamaji]

Many of you who came here a decade ago...virtually all of you suffering some degree of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).

You remind me of rescued pitbulls from back alley fighting dens...somewhat domesticated after ten freaking years...but the slightest smell of blood makes you all snarling, drooling troglodytes.

But please...carry on!

And others here are pathetic ass-kissing patsies whose ability to maintain such epic cognitive dissonance continues to amaze.

[DCPatriot]

And others here are pathetic ass-kissing patsies whose ability to maintain such epic cognitive dissonance continues to amaze.

    

[Kamaji]

   

[Free Vulcan]

And then Trump egged them on and promised that he had their back.

Until our allies backed out.

[DB]

Until our allies backed out.

I don't remember Trump saying anything about allies one way or another. Words matter. Don't write a check you can't cash, especially when a great number of lives are on the line.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Supposedly it was Israel that alerted Pres. Trump that they had promised Iran they would NOT preemptively attack.

Nobody wants a suitcase nuke going off in Tel Aviv.

Israel had to "alert" Trump because Netanyahu had negotiated his no preemptive strike with Iran through Putin --- and Netanyahu did so without without advising Trump that he'd done so or that he had changed his mind on military action.

[MeganC]

Trump f**ked this one up bigly.

Barring any other evidence I am forced to agree. 

[MeganC]

Many of you who came here a decade ago...virtually all of you suffering some degree of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).

You remind me of rescued pitbulls from back alley fighting dens...somewhat domesticated after ten freaking years...but the slightest smell of blood makes you all snarling, drooling troglodytes.

But please...carry on!

Overall I support DJT.

But on the subjects of Epstein, Venezuela, Iran, and Ukraine I am questioning his judgment.

[Free Vulcan]

I don't remember Trump saying anything about allies one way or another. Words matter. Don't write a check you can't cash, especially when a great number of lives are on the line.

Is he supposed to? It is all over the backchannels though.

[DCPatriot]

Israel had to "alert" Trump because Netanyahu had negotiated his no preemptive strike with Iran through Putin --- and Netanyahu did so without without advising Trump that he'd done so or that he had changed his mind on military action.

If Butch Cassidy's mother had ordered him into the house, would The Sundance Kid had gone and robbed the bank by himself?

Of course not!! 

[Right_in_Virginia]

If Butch Cassidy's mother had ordered him into the house, would The Sundance Kid had gone and robbed the bank by himself?

Of course not!! 

I'm sorry, sweetie --- I'm not sure what this means.  Please explain.  Thx.

[DCPatriot]

I'm sorry, sweetie --- I'm not sure what this means.  Please explain.  Thx.

It was a task too much for the US to go it alone, given not enough Carriers/armaments in place.

Like the previous attack on Iran's nuclear capabilities, it was a tandem of Israeli and U.S strikes.  As a "team".

But that aside, I can see the Ayatollah whispering to Bibi that Donald Trump won't be running things forever.

[Right_in_Virginia]

It was a task too much for the US to go it alone, given not enough Carriers/armaments in place.

Like the previous attack on Iran's nuclear capabilities, it was a tandem of Israeli and U.S strikes.  As a "team".

Thanks ... I missed the whole reference to Butch Cassidy's mom ....

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/EYakoby/status/2012591339544723708