Live Thread: War With Iran Continues #4

[rustynail]

Trump Better Have a Rabbit In That Hat

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2026/04/trump-better-have-a-rabbit-in-that-hat.php

[DB]

The reason was enriched uranium and nuclear weapons. Anything short of securing that is in fact a failure. One cannot just pack up and go home while claiming victory if that is not achieved.

[libertybele]

The reason was enriched uranium and nuclear weapons. Anything short of securing that is in fact a failure. One cannot just pack up and go home while claiming victory if that is not achieved.

If the enrichment facilities have been destroyed, and the uranium is buried somewhere or over in Pakistan (as an example), then what remains in U.S. control is  the Strait of Hormuz, which will take appx. 6 mos. to ensure that the mines are no longer a threat. The blockade may remain in place and technically the U.S. isn't declaring war??

Two more days till the WPA ends...who knows what is going to happen.  We can make assumptions, but Trump called off the meeting that Witkoff and Kushner were supposed to attend because negotiations failed; there is no negotiating with Iran. 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

The reason was enriched uranium and nuclear weapons. Anything short of securing that is in fact a failure. One cannot just pack up and go home while claiming victory if that is not achieved.

The nuclear material cannot be used readily as it is inaccesible. That is not optimum, but a win.

What is accessible is nuclear warheads being obtained by Iran from China or North Korea.

That angle is reduced by strangling Iran's cash by stifling its oilflow and freezing its assets.

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/EliAfriatISR/status/2048160701819007330

[DB]

The nuclear material cannot be used readily as it is inaccesible. That is not optimum, but a win.

What is accessible is nuclear warheads being obtained by Iran from China or North Korea.

That angle is reduced by strangling Iran's cash by stifling its oilflow and freezing its assets.

That's the claim. But how do you actually know that? Pretty big bet. No one really knows where the uranium is until it is found. And how long will it take to dig it up if it is buried. Not very long. So I'm not buying that is a win.

[Bigun]

That's the claim. But how do you actually know that? Pretty big bet. No one really knows where the uranium is until it is found. And how long will it take to dig it up if it is buried. Not very long. So I'm not buying that is a win.

IMHO anything short of the Persian people being freed from their Arab oppressors is not a win.

[DB]

IMHO anything short of the Persian people being freed from their Arab oppressors is not a win.

I agree. But the official cause was enriched uranium.

[Hoodat]

Shin
@hey_itsmyturn

So, Trump was not lying, them shitheads stole the weapons in KRI, and there’s evidence.
write it down:

PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) stole the Iranian protester-destined weapons and scammed CIA.
Worse: Helped the Islamic Regime to stand and stay longer.
Who to blame: Bafel Talebani



5:11 PM  ·  Apr 25, 2026  ·  93.3K Views

https://x.com/hey_itsmyturn/status/2048162912682823842

[Hoodat]

https://twitter.com/VividProwess/status/2048024729219366946

[Hoodat]

https://twitter.com/DrEliDavid/status/2048146428493431090

[Bigun]

https://twitter.com/VividProwess/status/2048024729219366946

[DB]

https://twitter.com/DrEliDavid/status/2048146428493431090

If that's true, oblige Europe and close our bases and move out. What we have in common is quickly evaporating.

[BobfromWB]

B. means you are a TDS member and likely Democrat

You are irrational and a rah rah sort of person obviously. Therefore, assumptions and jumping to conclusions comes naturally to the fore in your replies.

[BobfromWB]

If the enrichment facilities have been destroyed ...

IF is the question. Until that situation is verified by on-scene inspection, best to remain skeptical and assume the IRGC still has access. Further, there is no guarantee that the sites hit are the only ones. Just because the Iranians bragged about having material for 11 nukes, does not mean they had full knowledge of the IRGC's program, or that some warheads were already made and near or at operational levels.

Assumptions can be a dangerous outlook. Remember, they were showing off their IRBMs right after the 47's unilateral ceasefire. That show means they likely intend at some point to use them - will the warheads be conventional or ...

[BobfromWB]

Shin
@hey_itsmyturn

So, Trump was not lying, them shitheads stole the weapons in KRI, and there’s evidence.
write it down:

PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) stole the Iranian protester-destined weapons and scammed CIA.
Worse: Helped the Islamic Regime to stand and stay longer.
Who to blame: Bafel Talebani



5:11 PM  ·  Apr 25, 2026  ·  93.3K Views

https://x.com/hey_itsmyturn/status/2048162912682823842

I'm sure the CIA was well aware of the possibility that they could be stolen. Put it down as a test of the PUK's reliability, and a very black mark on any future aid, no matter how desperate their situation.

[Timber Rattler]

Shin
@hey_itsmyturn

So, Trump was not lying, them shitheads stole the weapons in KRI, and there’s evidence.
write it down:

PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) stole the Iranian protester-destined weapons and scammed CIA.
Worse: Helped the Islamic Regime to stand and stay longer.
Who to blame: Bafel Talebani



5:11 PM  ·  Apr 25, 2026  ·  93.3K Views

https://x.com/hey_itsmyturn/status/2048162912682823842

Well considering how many times the U.S. has betrayed the Kurds, I geuss they felt entitled to those weapons themselves.

[Bigun]

Well considering how many times the U.S. has betrayed the Kurds, I geuss they felt entitled to those weapons themselves.

 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

That's the claim. But how do you actually know that? Pretty big bet. No one really knows where the uranium is until it is found. And how long will it take to dig it up if it is buried. Not very long. So I'm not buying that is a win.

It is a small bet that we significantly scaled back Iran's ability to manufacture weapons. 
It is also a small bet that we have limited Iran's ability to have cash available to purchase a weapon from a Rogue nation.
And we are not now handing over pallets of cash to Iran so it can manufacture or purchase warheads as Obama and Biden did. 

Or do you disagree that these are positive developments for us to minimize the Iranian terrorist threat, which should be regarded as a win?

[BobfromWB]

It is a small bet that we significantly scaled back Iran's ability to manufacture weapons. 
It is also a small bet that we have limited Iran's ability to have cash available to purchase a weapon from a Rogue nation.
And we are not now handing over pallets of cash to Iran so it can manufacture or purchase warheads as Obama and Biden did. 

Or do you disagree that these are positive developments for us to minimize the Iranian terrorist threat, which should be regarded as a win?

It is not a win now no matter what you imagine: they still have the enriched uranium that we know about, the Mad Mullahs are still in power backed by the fanatical IRGC, the Straits are sill under threat, and most of all the Iranian people are still prisoners of their Arab captors.

All that has been destroyed can be rebuilt in time. So at this point there is nothing to crow about.

To open the Straits, to endure the uranium we know about and that we may not know about, to get rid of the Mullahs and the IRGC, to free the Iranian people, to make Persia a free country - all of that requires US troops to eliminate and to verify. Short of any of that, it was a fools errand, a kicking of the can down the road. The ME will continue to be in turmoil, a hot bed of terrorism, and very possibly nuclear blackmail. I think 47 knows that too.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

It is not a win now no matter what you imagine: they still have the enriched uranium that we know about, the Mad Mullahs are still in power backed by the fanatical IRGC, the Straits are sill under threat, and most of all the Iranian people are still prisoners of their Arab captors.

All that has been destroyed can be rebuilt in time. So at this point there is nothing to crow about.

To open the Straits, to endure the uranium we know about and that we may not know about, to get rid of the Mullahs and the IRGC, to free the Iranian people, to make Persia a free country - all of that requires US troops to eliminate and to verify. Short of any of that, it was a fools errand, a kicking of the can down the road. The ME will continue to be in turmoil, a hot bed of terrorism, and very possibly nuclear blackmail. I think 47 knows that too.

I understand you want everything, but at times one must settle for a gain, which you appear unwilling to embrace.

Try to lighten up, it is a Sunday, a Day of Rest and Thanksgiving.  Be satisfied with what we have, not what we do not have.

[Smokin Joe]

I understand you want everything, but at times one must settle for a gain, which you appear unwilling to embrace.

Try to lighten up, it is a Sunday, a Day of Rest and Thanksgiving.  Be satisfied with what we have, not what we do not have.

There are things I don't have that I am grateful for. Mostly diseases.

In the Case of Iran, we went in with specific objectives. Secure the enriched uranium, shut down their nuclear bomb making program(s). Ideally, topple the Radical (12er Shia) regime and free the Iranian people from that oppression.

Bombing the shite out of everything was just a means to those ends.

The job is not done.

[DCPatriot]

There are things I don't have that I am grateful for. Mostly diseases.

In the Case of Iran, we went in with specific objectives. Secure the enriched uranium, shut down their nuclear bomb making program(s). Ideally, topple the Radical (12er Shia) regime and free the Iranian people from that oppression.

Bombing the shite out of everything was just a means to those ends.

The job is not done.

 

THIS!

[BobfromWB]

I understand you want everything, but at times one must settle for a gain, which you appear unwilling to embrace.

Try to lighten up, it is a Sunday, a Day of Rest and Thanksgiving.  Be satisfied with what we have, not what we do not have.

OK let the Iranian religious fanatics live - you do know that they will make more nukes and the US will be their first target. Sometimes not getting every thing is an unmitigated disaster.

Maybe we should have stopped at Okinawa and not nuked Japan, because we cannot have everything.

We persisted and got an unconditional surrender, the exact same thing we need here. Sorry if your panties are in a bunch, but the world is hard and half measures do not cut it.

[Smokin Joe]

OK let the Iranian religious fanatics live - you do know that they will make more nukes and the US will be their first target. Sometimes not getting every thing is an unmitigated disaster.

Maybe we should have stopped at Okinawa and not nuked Japan, because we cannot have everything.

We persisted and got an unconditional surrender, the exact same thing we need here. Sorry if your panties are in a bunch, but the world is hard and half measures do not cut it.

Failure to secure at least two out of our three objectives is not a win, no matter how you slice it. All three were clearly set at the beginning, and we need to avoid getting pulled off task.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

OK let the Iranian religious fanatics live - you do know that they will make more nukes and the US will be their first target. Sometimes not getting every thing is an unmitigated disaster.

Maybe we should have stopped at Okinawa and not nuked Japan, because we cannot have everything.

We persisted and got an unconditional surrender, the exact same thing we need here. Sorry if your panties are in a bunch, but the world is hard and half measures do not cut it.

You do not seem to understand we made a gain and we are not through with the job as yet.

One wins battles before one wins a war

Go eat some more pie

[DCPatriot]

You do not seem to understand we made a gain and we are not through with the job as yet.

One wins battles before one wins a war

Go eat some more pie

While I wholeheartedly agree with you, having the pipelines backfill with seawater because of trickling of transports in and out...

That will drastically shift ally relationships for generations...and the IRGC doesn't give a damn, because they're betting correctly that China will step into the 'negotiations'.

Personally, I think IRAN already has a couple of working nukes with missile targeting capabilities to within 30 meters.

Is the target, Tel Aviv?  Or Rome?  Or both?

[libertybele]

While I wholeheartedly agree with you, having the pipelines backfill with seawater because of trickling of transports in and out...

That will drastically shift ally relationships for generations...and the IRGC doesn't give a damn, because they're betting correctly that China will step into the 'negotiations'.

Personally, I think IRAN already has a couple of working nukes with missile targeting capabilities to within 30 meters.

Is the target, Tel Aviv?  Or Rome?  Or both?

Agreed.  I have little doubt that Iran has working nukes; Tel Aviv, Rome, London,  Paris  -- perhaps  they have  capabilities with an even further distance.

[DCPatriot]

Agreed.  I have little doubt that Iran has working nukes; Tel Aviv, Rome, London,  Paris  -- perhaps  they have  capabilities with an even further distance.

That reporter who asked President Trump if he would ever use a nuclear weapon...??

Although he responded "No, I don't think anyone should ever use one....", don't be fooled.

He wouldn't hesitate to turn Teheran into a sheet of glass if they attacked with one.

[Hoodat]

That reporter who asked President Trump if he would ever use a nuclear weapon...??

Although he responded "No, I don't think anyone should ever use one....", don't be fooled.

He wouldn't hesitate to turn Teheran into a sheet of glass if they attacked with one.

Whether one will use one or not, official US policy is that the US reserves the right to use nukes any time, any place, anywhere, for any reason.  And any reporter should know that.

[Free Vulcan]

This is why I don't rule anything in or out. They may well have nukes and NK ICBM's. Then again they may not, we really don't know for sure.

All you can do is stay vigilant and not take anything for granted.

[Timber Rattler]

Or do you disagree that these are positive developments for us to minimize the Iranian terrorist threat, which should be regarded as a win?

There are none until the job is finished, and it ain't.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

There are none until the job is finished, and it ain't.

It certainly is not.

But we have won about every battle so far and are tightening the noose.

The war is not over.   I'll remind you Iran has been at war with us 47 years and so far we have only had only struck back over the past month and a half so far.

[Cyber Liberty]

It certainly is not.

But we have won about every battle so far and are tightening the noose.

The war is not over.   I'll remind you Iran has been at war with us 47 years and so far we have only had only struck back over the past month and a half so far.

Will Trump have a free hand when the WPA deadline expires?

[Fishrrman]

Smokin' Joe observes in reply 421:
"The job is not done."

Nope.
Not done yet.

I'm gonna make a prediction and folks here aren't going to like it:
The job isn't going to GET done by Mr. Trump (as much as I'd like to see him stay the course).

iran will be "set back" in their ambitions ... long enough so that Mr. Trump can complete his term without an immediate iranian threat.

But... someday in the future, sooner or later, like Arnold the Terminator, "they'll be back..."

[Timber Rattler]

Smokin' Joe observes in reply 421:
"The job is not done."

Nope.
Not done yet.

I'm gonna make a prediction and folks here aren't going to like it:
The job isn't going to GET done by Mr. Trump (as much as I'd like to see him stay the course).

iran will be "set back" in their ambitions ... long enough so that Mr. Trump can complete his term without an immediate iranian threat.

But... someday in the future, sooner or later, like Arnold the Terminator, "they'll be back..."

And I think you are right. 

[libertybele]

Will Trump have a free hand when the WPA deadline expires?

Very doubtful.  Congress is not about to hand Trump a win of any sort that will enable the GOP to take the House or Senate in the midterms. They should be concerned with the fact that the Iranians still have uranium (an unknown quantity and unknown location) and Iran retaking complete control over the Strait of Hormuz. They would rather see America fall, be it sooner or later, rather than give Trump the funds and permission to proceed.

[Cyber Liberty]

Very doubtful.  Congress is not about to hand Trump a win of any sort that will enable the GOP to take the House or Senate in the midterms. They should be concerned with the fact that the Iranians still have uranium (an unknown quantity and unknown location) and Iran retaking complete control over the Strait of Hormuz. They would rather see America fall, be it sooner or later, rather than give Trump the funds and permission to proceed.

Then Trump will take the WPA to court.   He's not the first President to question it's legality....

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Will Trump have a free hand when the WPA deadline expires?

Doubtfull.

but I bet there are ways around that, knowing him

[mystery-ak]

Iran turmoil erupts: Ultra-hardliner who mocked Trump poised to take over nuclear talks
Jalili heads the Stability Front, known as a 'bastion of ultraconservatism' that opposes engagement with the West
By Emma Bussey Fox News
Published April 26, 2026 5:16pm EDT

Further signs of turmoil are emerging in Iran’s U.S. negotiating team as hardliner Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf looks set to be replaced by a veteran conservative known for rejecting nuclear concessions, according to reports.

Iran International reported April 24 that Saeed Jalili, 60 — who already leads what has been described as a "shadow government" — is expected to succeed Ghalibaf following his sudden departure amid internal disputes.

Jalili also heads Iran’s ultra-hardline faction known as the Stability Front (Paydari), which is known to be a "bastion of ultraconservatism in Iran," according to reports.

Ali Safavi, an official with the Iranian opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told Fox News Digital that Jalili "has evolved from a nuclear negotiator to an influential actor within the regime."

Ghalibaf was reportedly forced to step down after attempting to bring the nuclear issue into talks with Washington, a move that triggered backlash within Iran’s political establishment.

President Donald Trump had called off plans for U.S. envoys to travel to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on April 25.

The rivalry between Jalili and Ghalibaf is said to span more than a decade and intensified during the 2024 elections, when Jalili refused to step aside, contributing to the victory of President Masoud Pezeshkian.

more
https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-turmoil-erupts-ultra-hardliner-who-mocked-trump-poised-take-over-nuclear-talks

[mystery-ak]

Oil prices rose in early Asian trading on Monday as stalled U.S.-Iran peace talks kept the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, heightening fears of prolonged supply disruptions, Reuters reported.

Benchmark Brent crude futures rose more than 2%, hitting a three-week high of $107.97 per barrel, the oulet said.

The gains were driven by concerns over restricted Gulf shipping, with the Strait remaining largely blocked.
Posted by Emma Bussey

[DB]

What will likely happen regarding oil, is new transportation routes will become the norm and other producers will take up the slack. It will become the new normal removing Iran's ability to disrupt its flow. This will further damage Iran.

[Hoodat]

WarMonitor🇺🇦🇬🇧
@WarMonitor3

According to ship tracking data an Russian oligarchs super yacht "The Nord" was able to cross the Strait of Hormuz recently departing Dubai on the 24th and being allowed by the IRGC to safely passage.

Very interesting...



1:44 PM  ·  Apr 26, 2026  ·  109.9K Views

https://x.com/WarMonitor3/status/2048473265052479993

[Hoodat]

Then Trump will take the WPA to court.   He's not the first President to question it's legality....

Technically, hostilities ended when Trump declared the ceasefire.  Renewing the attack would set the clock back, starting a new 60-day period.

That's my legal argument, and I'm sticking to it.  And if that doesn't work, then tell Congress to pound sand.  The Legislative Branch has no Executive Power.

[Hoodat]

Personally, I think IRAN already has a couple of working nukes with missile targeting capabilities to within 30 meters.

The whole point of having nukes is that the rest of the world knows you have them.  Anyone having one is going to test it and put the world on notice that they are not to be messed with.  The mullahs could have saved themselves a whole lot of hurt by performing a successful nuclear test.

[Hoodat]

https://twitter.com/NiohBerg/status/2048417237241913620

[Hoodat]

This is what a 'ceasefire' with Hezbollah get you:

https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/2048500306938396695

[Hoodat]

Khaled Hassan
@Khaledhzakariah

🛑🛑 this is a message to Israelis:

I try as much as possible not to get involved in Israeli domestic politics. But, one of the areas of my expertise is to monitor how the Arab world is responding to developments in and related to Israel.

I will say this as clearly as possible: Lapid is a traitor and no one sane should support any political coalition that has anything to do with him.

In the middle of the war, Lapid gave an interview to one of the most well-known Egyptian TV presenters .

He bashed Bibi and claimed that if he was Prime Minister, October 7th wouldn't have happened.

Tens of millions of Arabs took this comment as an explicit admission that Bibi was behind October 7th and that he did it to take over Gaza.

Lapid spat at the sacrifice of IDF soldiers and insukted the memory of October 7th victims.

If I had made Aliyah and lived in Israel, my vote would have been to Bibi.

It's as simple as that.

https://x.com/HilzFuld/status/2048471827018580222

2:58 PM  ·  Apr 26, 2026  ·  44.2K Views

https://x.com/Khaledhzakariah/status/2048491809098154154

[Hoodat]

C14 News Israel | EN
@c14israel

🚨 Breaking: The supposed "moderates" in Iran's terror regime have ticked off the hardliners

Senior Iran Analyst Dror Balazada ( @DBalazada ) reports the IRGC is angry at Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf for violating the instructions he had been given - including not speaking to U.S. officials about the nuclear program. Because of this, his position in the terror regime has been diminished.

The IRGC is also very irate at President Pezeshkian for asking Iranian citizens to reduce electricity consumption, essentially admitting that President Trump's blockade is, in fact, taking a toll on the Iranian economy.

Lastly, 'Supreme Leader' Mojtaba Khamenei is deeply involved in decision-making, and while injured, his cognition has allegedly not been damaged.

2:13 PM  ·  Apr 26, 2026  ·  44.4K Views

https://x.com/c14israel/status/2048480599267242460

[Hoodat]

C14 News Israel | EN
@c14israel

🚨 Breaking: Iran's economy shows signs of collapse under Trump's blockade

Channel 14 Diplomatic Correspondent Tamir Morag ( @Tamir114 ) reports that food prices have skyrocketed in recent days in Iran - meat prices have gone up 700 percent, while other prices of food products have risen by 100%.

The Iranian rial is now worthless, with 1 dollar now worth more than 1.3 million rials. Senior Iran Analyst Dror Balazada ( @DBalazada ) reports that Iranian President Pazeshkian is requesting Iranians citizens to reduce the usage of household electricity.

In addition, the Iranians are also shipping a decommissioned oil tanker to Kharg Island, which will likely be used to store oil. Once the Iranian terror regime runs out of oil storage, it will cease pumping, which will lead to irreversible damage to oil pumps.

1:48 PM  ·  Apr 26, 2026  ·  87.6K Views

https://x.com/c14israel/status/2048474296348295211