Live Thread: War With Iran Continues #5

[Luis Gonzalez]

I happen to be a retired marketing professor. The term "brand cult" is a real thing, in fact I have even published science on the subject:

https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1164&context=ama_proceedings

If MAGA is not a brand cult, then there is no such thing.

Then my point may land well.

I get your point, and in marketing terms “brand cult” is a real and studied concept, so I’m not disputing the academic framing.

But this is where my love for Marshall McLuhan is actually useful. His idea that “the medium is the message” would suggest the disagreement here isn’t just about definitions, it’s about how language functions in a modern media environment.

Calling MAGA a “cult” in a forum or political context doesn’t land as a technical term. It lands as a loaded label. Even if someone means it in the “brand cult” sense from marketing theory, the medium we’re using…fast, adversarial, online discourse…” strips away that nuance.

So the issue isn’t whether strong identity groups exist. They clearly do, and marketing has well-established ways of describing them. The issue is whether “cult” clarifies anything in this setting, or whether it collapses very different forms of loyalty and identity into a word that reads as ideological judgment.

McLuhan’s point applies directly here: the environment we’re communicating in changes the meaning of the message, regardless of intent.

[Cyber Liberty]

I was hoping a Charter Member of this Forum would be a little more sensitive to this POV, but I guess I was very wrong!

[Bigun]

If being 100% onboard with Making America Great Again makes me a cultist so be it!

[massadvj]

Calling MAGA a “cult” in a forum or political context doesn’t land as a technical term. It lands as a loaded label.

I certainly hope so. I would hate to fail at being provocative.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I certainly hope so. I would hate to fail at being provocative.

MY MAN!!!
 

[Cyber Liberty]

I certainly hope so. I would hate to fail at being provocative.

Thank you for your lack of concern. FWIW, I now view you in a different light.

[massadvj]

If being 100% onboard with Making America Great Again makes me a cultist so be it!

And may I say that no carries the label with more decency and sincerity than you, Earl. 

[240B]

Trump announces ‘great settlement’ on Iran, but the world awaits details

The Hill
by Niall Stanage
06/11/26

This time it’s different — maybe.

President Trump announced a “great settlement of the war with Iran” when he spoke to reporters in the Oval Office Thursday afternoon.

It was an abrupt turn, even by his standards, from a morning social media post in which he pledged that the United States was about to hit Iran “VERY HARD” and that it would be “taking” the economically vital Kharg Island “in the not too distant future.”

He called off those strikes in a subsequent post announcing the purported deal.

Trump has insisted that an agreement is imminent numerous times since the war began on Feb. 28, with joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Earlier this week, CNN tallied at least 38 times when the president had made such a claim.

The difference this time lies in seemingly specific details.

Trump suggested a signing of the agreement could happen as soon as Saturday or Monday, at which point shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz would begin flowing freely.

The ceremony, Trump added, would likely be in Europe. He said he would be unable to attend but that Vice President Vance would do so.

The agreement purportedly has the backing of numerous other nations. In his social media post, Trump said that in addition to the U.S., “Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others” were all on board.

Trump’s apparent confidence fueled a broader optimism — including on financial markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both closed up by almost 2 percent, and the Nasdaq showed even stronger gains, advancing more than 2.5 percent.

But skeptics note there is a good deal of squishiness just underneath Trump’s supposedly solid promises.

For a start, it is not clear right now whether the Iranians are, in fact, signed up.

(more)
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5920985-trump-iran-memorandum/

TACO Trump

[Bigun]

And may I say that no carries the label with more decency and sincerity than you, Earl. 

Thank you! I do try! And let me say at this point that I think all this foolishness about making a deal with the Mullahs is setting MAGA back terribly.

[rustynail]

Anyone care for some Flavor Aid?

[Luis Gonzalez]

If you want to understand what Trump is doing, look up the word ta’arof.

[massadvj]

I was hoping a Charter Member of this Forum would be a little more sensitive to this POV, but I guess I was very wrong!

Just for the record I never wrote a single word criticizing you or anyone else personally for holding an opinion, and I never will. I hold you, and everyone else on this forum, in the highest regard.

I am very sorry my sensitivity does not meet your expectations.

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/2065192349245026475

[mystery-ak]

Mossad Commentary
@MOSSADil
·
35m
MOJTABA KHAMENEI REJECTS U.S. PEACE DEAL: IRANIAN LEADERSHIP REPORTEDLY DIVIDED

Reports indicate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, will not approve the proposed peace deal with the United States.

Sources claim Iranian negotiators signaled the deal was ready, but the decision was reportedly announced by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi without Khamenei’s approval.

If accurate, it raises serious questions about whether mediators were misled regarding Iran’s true position. 🇮🇷🇺🇸

[240B]

Trump declares Iran peace deal DONE and calls off strikes... as Israel and Tehran give VERY awkward response

Daily Mail
By ROSS IBBETSON
11 June 2026



Donald Trump has canceled strikes against Iran and claimed that a peace deal is closer than ever, as Tehran's most senior leaders have approved the agreement.

The President said that the 'final points' have been 'approved by all parties involved,' including Israel and America's Arab allies, and claimed the accord simply needed to be signed with a 'time and place' to be announced shortly.

Iran has not yet approved any text for an agreement, state media outlet Fars reported.

A senior Israeli official told local broadcaster Channel 12: 'We are not aware of any agreement being reached.'

Trump's latest claim comes just hours after he said that the US was planning to seize Iran's Kharg Island oil depot and strike the country 'very hard tonight.'

He wrote on Truth Social: 'Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, canceled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening.

'Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and others.

'The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized - Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly.'

(more)
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15893001/Trump-CANCELS-strikes-sensationally-claims-Irans-leaders-agreed-peace-deal.html

Trump is lying to give him an excuse to cancel any new bombings. Trump is a coward and a liar.

[Wingnut]

Evidently the Gay, one legged Ahattola is not onboard.

[Wingnut]

The art of the deal seems to be missing the deal part.

[rustynail]

If you want to understand what Trump is doing, look up the word ta’arof.

Interesting, thanks.  Ta’arof is in some ways similar to Southern Hospitality.

[massadvj]

If you want to understand what Trump is doing, look up the word ta’arof.

What Trump is doing? Or what the Iranians are doing?

[mystery-ak]

Evidently the Gay, one legged Ahattola is not onboard.

I still think he's dead..

[Idiot]

I happen to be a retired marketing professor. The term "brand cult" is a real thing, in fact I have even published science on the subject:

https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1164&context=ama_proceedings

If MAGA is not a brand cult, then there is no such thing.

Ok...MAGA is a brand cult...  NEXT. 

It's just sad that Iran is doing the rinse - repeat thing over and over again and Trump falls for it every time.....grrrrrr.

[Idiot]

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/2065192349245026475

Bomb the sh!t out of them, this is ridiculous and our president is looking like a friggen fool.

[Cyber Liberty]

Bomb the sh!t out of them, this is ridiculous and our president is looking like a friggen fool.

I agree!

[Smokin Joe]

Carrying out a war without congressional authorization. The 60-day window is already closed, and congress has put him on notice that they do not authorize the use of ground troops.

If Trump uses ground troops and succeeds, then every Republican in congress will claim to have supported him all along. If he fails, he will have nary a friend in the world.

The question is moot because this statement from Trump is likely more bluster in trying to get a negotiated settlement. I am still betting on TACO.

I look at it this way. They've had a ceasefire, flawed though it may be. Just like North and South Korea, but a lot shorter, and a bit more violated.

If Kim decided to invade the south would he have to go to Congress hat-in-hand to do anything? (No. I don't think so.)

Now for Iran, the minute a ceasefire was declared, that should reset the clock.

Fresh hostile acts from the Iranians can be used to justify action.

[massadvj]

Ok...MAGA is a brand cult...  NEXT. 

It's just sad that Iran is doing the rinse - repeat thing over and over again and Trump falls for it every time.....grrrrrr.

I just hope Trump will post something on Truth Social soon. I don't know whether I should be rooting for war, or peace.

[Cyber Liberty]

I just hope Trump will post something on Truth Social soon. I don't know whether I should be rooting for war, or peace.

At the moment, neither do I.

[mystery-ak]

US shoots down Iranian drones after apparent attempt to target ships in Strait of Hormuz

Commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz came under apparent threat Thursday night after Iran launched drones toward vessels transiting the strategic waterway, according to a senior U.S. defense official.

The incident occurred as President Donald Trump continued to express optimism about a pending agreement with Tehran and repeatedly declared that the conflict had effectively come to an end.

"It appears Iran has attempted to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz tonight," the official said. "U.S. forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones."

The official said maritime traffic through the Strait continues despite the attempted attacks.

The development comes hours after Trump said a deal with Iran could be signed within days and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen as part of the agreement.

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Wehner

[Cyber Liberty]

Take a queue, Mr. President! You are being played as a fool!  The Iranians are still attacking our people!

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/realMaalouf/status/2064825347800027296

[mystery-ak]

Jennifer Griffin
@JenGriffinFNC
·
29m
Iran fired several drones tonight at commercial vessels attempting to transit Strait of Hormuz.

On background for a senior US defense official:

“It appears Iran has attempted to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz tonight. U.S. forces shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones. Traffic flow through the Strait continues.”

[mystery-ak]

 

https://twitter.com/EliAfriatISR/status/2065233545291813138

[mystery-ak]

Eyal Yakoby
@EYakoby
·
1h
BREAKING: Reports that the hardliners in Iran have rejected the proposed deal, despite negotiators agreeing to it.

We need to see a deadline and stick to it. Enough of the back forth.

[mystery-ak]

Israel News Pulse
@israelnewspulse
·
2h
Reports citing sources close to the matter claim Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, will not approve the proposed agreement with the United States. According to those reports, statements suggesting a deal was imminent were made by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi without Khamenei's approval, raising questions about the negotiating team's authority to commit to an agreement.

[mystery-ak]

Mossad Commentary
@MOSSADil
·
2h
New explosions reported from Iran in the cities of Karaj and Bandar Abbas

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/2065249469440856325

[Hoodat]

Visegrád 24
@visegrad24

The new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, won’t agree to the new proposed peace deal with the United States, according to reports from sources close to the matter. 🇮🇷🇺🇸

If the conservative media outlets reporting this are correct, it would appear that the Iranian negotiating team has not been truthful with the mediators.

Ya think?

[Cyber Liberty]

Enough!!!  Trump is being played again!   Unleash Hell!  The Iranian position has not changed one iota.  There is no potential agreement, they're just playing for time again.

[Hoodat]

Shin
@hey_itsmyturn

Trump celebrating a deal while the Iranian embassy accounts are tweeting TACO.
Quite a timeline.

3:25 PM  ·  Jun 11, 2026  ·  47.6K Views

https://x.com/hey_itsmyturn/status/2065168496225288506

[Hoodat]

[Bigun]

https://twitter.com/realMaalouf/status/2064825347800027296

[Hoodat]

One cannot cut deals with people who do this:


𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 🇮🇷 ✡︎
@NiohBerg

The islamic regime is selling murdered Iranian women for parts.

Armenia has confiscated massive amounts of undeclared Iranian natural women's hair which was brought across the border.

This illegal trend has been skyrocketing since, wait for it, January.

Almost all the morgue victims from the massacre were men, and not women. We are beginning to learn what actually happened to the girls who were massacred back then.



2:34 AM  ·  Jun 11, 2026  ·  616.1K Views

https://x.com/NiohBerg/status/2064974570902131002

[Luis Gonzalez]

What Trump is doing? Or what the Iranians are doing?

Watch closely enough, he’s countering with his own brand of it.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I just hope Trump will post something on Truth Social soon. I don't know whether I should be rooting for war, or peace.

Just cash out late Fridays, before the market closes, and wait for next Friday’s announcement, and take profits again.
Cash out the upswings.

[Cyber Liberty]

Watch closely enough, he’s countering with his own brand of it.

I hope it involves shooting the Iranian leadership, such as it is....

[Cyber Liberty]

Just cash out late Fridays, before the market closes, and wait for next Friday’s announcement, and take profits again.
Cash out the upswings.

There is much wisdom in this post.  Tomorrow is the last trading day of the week.

[240B]

Mossad Commentary
@MOSSADil
·
2h
New explosions reported from Iran in the cities of Karaj and Bandar Abbas

https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/2065249469440856325

They are doing this because a few weeks ago Trump was possessed by the spirt of Jimmy Carter, and started apologizing and actually shilling for Iran. When asked what it would take to break the ceasefire (after many blatant major attacks by Iran) Trump answered with, Well ... I guess if any American servicemen were killed then that might maybe possibly in theory get my attention.

Iran took this as Trump was saying as long as Iran does not attack American personnel, then everything else is 'allowed'. They then started attacking neighboring Arab nations and Israel. When Iran attacked Israel, Trump did not condemn Iran. Instead he immediately called Israel and 'ordered' them not to retaliate, which Israel ignored and did it anyway. This emboldened Iran even more.

Over the last few weeks, Trump has given Iran every reason to believe that they can do anything they want to do with no repercussions. And today by cancelling the attack, he inflated Iran's already overinflated ego even more. Trump has some deeply held misguided view that America cannot continue ongoing offensive military operations and negotiate at the same time. In Trump's misguided view, any time negotiations begin, all military operations necessarily must be shut down. Who knows where or how he picked up this paradigm.

Now, Trump has Iran thinking they are invincible. Iran is calling on America to surrender to them. Does this sound like a broken defeated nation?

Again, I support Trump and have always supported Trump. But when it comes to Iran he is completely delusional. Trump needs to get out of the way and let Israel, and all the plethora of people he has close to him who know what they are doing, just let them do what they do without interference and without sudden 'pop-up breaks' for negotiations.

If Trump would get out of the way and stop his handwringing micromanagement, the experts who have done this kind of thing their entire life will have the strait open and a free Iran in less than a month. Trump may be a great 'make a deal' businessman, but he is a terrible soldier. He does not understand how warfare works.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

They are doing this because a few weeks ago Trump was possessed by the spirt of Jimmy Carter, and started apologizing and actually shilling for Iran. When asked what it would take to break the ceasefire (after many blatant major attacks by Iran) Trump answered with, Well ... I guess if any American servicemen were killed then that might maybe possibly in theory get my attention.

Iran took this as Trump was saying as long as Iran does not attack American personnel, then everything else is 'allowed'. They then started attacking neighboring Arab nations and Israel. When Iran attacked Israel, Trump did not condemn Iran. Instead he immediately called Israel and 'ordered' them not to retaliate, which Israel ignored and did it anyway. This emboldened Iran even more.

Over the last few weeks, Trump has given Iran every reason to believe that they can do anything they want to do with no repercussions. And today by cancelling the attack, he inflated Iran's already overinflated ego even more. Trump has some deeply held misguided view that America cannot continue ongoing offensive military operations and negotiate at the same time. In Trump's misguided view, any time negotiations begin, all military operations necessarily must be shut down. Who knows where or how he picked up this paradigm.

Now, Trump has Iran thinking they are invincible. Iran is calling on America to surrender to them. Does this sound like a broken defeated nation?

Again, I support Trump and have always supported Trump. But when it comes to Iran he is completely delusional. Trump needs to get out of the way and let Israel, and all the plethora of people he has close to him who know what they are doing, just let them do what they do without interference and without sudden 'pop-up breaks' for negotiations.

If Trump would get out of the way and stop his handwringing micromanagement, the experts who have done this kind of thing their entire life will have the strait open and a free Iran in less than a month. Trump may be a great 'make a deal' businessman, but he is a terrible soldier. He does not understand how warfare works.

No no you see Trump is play 12 dimension chess here you see, he's a master strategist...

[Cyber Liberty]

Trump is waiting until Market Closing tomorrow. Billions of dollars are at stake. He's not on our schedule, he's on his....

[Luis Gonzalez]

Enough!!!  Trump is being played again!   Unleash Hell!  The Iranian position has not changed one iota.  There is no potential agreement, they're just playing for time again.

Dude! Chill!

Go down to the dispensary and get some nice Indica gummies or something.

Look… the war’s gonna war on with or without us, so just relax and follow the flow.

Overnight trading already has the Dow over $51K. The trick now is knowing when to go all cash, to avoid the bubble crash.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Trump is waiting until Market Closing tomorrow. Billions of dollars are at stake. He's not on our schedule, he's on his....

Yep… and I see another cruise in my future.

[Timber Rattler]

C-17s fly to Europe for Vance as Trump claims 'great settlement' with Iran

Four U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft departed for Europe on Thursday, carrying equipment for a possible signing ceremony in Geneva.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed earlier that the United States had reached a "great settlement" with Iran to end the war, while Tehran said it had "not yet reached a final decision," as Iran's hardline faction warned that Trump may be bluffing.

If signed, the "Islamabad Agreement" would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees, extend the ceasefire for 60 days, including in Lebanon, and open nuclear negotiations, representing the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in the war.

(snip)

"The U.S., Iran and Qatar discussed a mechanism allowing Iran access to some frozen funds held in Qatar for humanitarian goods purchases," according to a U.S. official.

(snip)

The tentative agreement was reached on Wednesday night following hours of negotiations between Qatari mediator Ali Al-Thawadi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, Axios reported.

During the talks, Thawadi spoke multiple times by phone with Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

(snip)

Trump also praised Türkiye's role in the negotiations, saying he had spoken with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and calling him "great" for his help toward a deal.

EXCERPT