Sir Ralph

You mean WW3. Better to have the deterrent in place now rather than play those games. NATO are now taking this seriously anyway https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nato-discussing-next-steps-to-ensure-arctic-stays-safe-rutte-says-2026-01-12/

I changed my response above to something much more constructive

It’s related to foreign policy from someone in the Labour Party. It’s relevant. This video is very relevant to you, as a western “progressive”

You can’t be serious. If Iranian women saw your message they would describe you as a useful western “full the blank”. Compared to compulsory hijab wearing, unequal rights for women, police violence, lack of opportunity I think they wouldn’t care.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/08/mandelson-accuses-european-leaders-of-histrionic-reaction-to-trump-greenland-stance Spot on particularly about European leaders impotence over past years. Hopefully in the next few years the emerging new European leaders will be less apathetic about the future of the west In his first political comments since being sacked as Britain’s ambassador to Washington last year, Lord Mandelson said Trump had achieved “more in a day than orthodox diplomacy was able to achieve in the past decade” when he captured the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro.

So leave them then?

This is different to Afghanistan as the Iranian people actively want change. The other option is to leave them on their own at the hands of the state. Iran is oppressing its own people and is a destabilising force in the Middle East, as well as being an ally of China and Russia. More reasons to topple the regime than not. You also need to remember that Iran was a more westernised country not so long ago, unlike Afghanistan. The society of both countries is different so it doesn’t mean the same outcome

Not well albeit context is key - do you remember 9/11 and OBL and the heightened state of shock the western world was in? What relevance is this with Iran? There won’t be boots on the ground - it will be tactical missiles and air strikes. As you are an empathetic person I assume you are disgusted by the Islamic Republic of Irans actions in killing its own citizens and support for people being oppressed on a daily basis by a horrible regime?

Fair distinction-I do find them usually quiet though.

I haven’t seen much publicly from the government in terms of strong statements at that. The joint statement was pretty weak. Maybe I’ve missed other key statements so genuinely happy to be corrected. They could ban the IRGC and put sanctions / seize assets on key political Iranians. Do something to show how important this issue is globally. I appreciate we aren’t that important in the world but it’s about being vocal on our position rather than a single generic statement. The protestors could get up off their couches. Other posters on here and parts of the media are commenting on the governments silence, it’s not just me

It’s not my concern that matters but yes I am concerned about the people of Myanmar as what has happened to them is pretty awful splitting families up for decades on end. When did I say we should invade them? We are silent as if a neutral party. Geo politically Iran is a much bigger matter as it is a sworn enemy of the west. I find it strange that you would defend the government for staying quiet on this (they are now being criticised in the press) and the blue haired protesters as their empathy is obviously only relevant to some countries. The latter is probably because they are anti the west.

Lot of blue haired student and those who so fervently supported Palestine, as well as deafly silence from Starmer, completely quiet on Iran. Doesn’t fit their “morals” or maybe its an ok type of oppression

Why do you disagree with his policy though?

I agree it’s his governments strategy, signed off by him. Hang on though, you are saying it’s not his strategy, it’s his advisors but then saying it’s all been fabricated after the event cause it was his strategy- which is it? The latter is highly implausible