Iran Says Sanctions 'Have No Effect'

That did it. Now we'll really hit them hard. We're gonna impose...more sanctions.

How long did Saddam’s regime (which wasn’t an Islamic one) stay in power in Iraq, Despite heavier sanctions than those imposed on Iran in the last 32 yrs? Was Saddam’s regime brought down by sanctions?

For those who have constantly compared Iran’s economy, in the last 32 yrs since Khomeinist regime take over, with that of USSR, know, how long the USSR stayed in power? USSR remained in power from 1917 to 1991. That’s some 75 yrs. Never mind that Iran’s economy, today, is not *completely* comparable to USSR’s 2 decades ago.

To bring down a regime, economically, is one thing. But, to bring down Iran’s regime you’ve to fight it, actively, on multiple *jugular* levels. Islam is a one *main jugular*. Then again, you can’t stop there. It has to be ongoing for it be sustainable. Otherwise, the present Islamic Regime in Iran is very SMART & will constantly reinvent itself & its ideology.

fyi & to article.

It's a bluff. I doubt they have the necessary firepower to hit Iraq, let alone israel or the west.

I agree with odds that the main hit needs to be to hit Islam, to cultivate opposition movements. My personal opinion is that we should make the Iranis contrast their status today with their status before the Arabs came. They're already racist against Arabs, the next step is to push that and portray Islam as the Arab religion imposed on Iran (which it is/was)

This needs to be made a case of Farsi pride.

Then, arm the rebels and sit back.

Alternatively, evacuate ALL Christians and Hindus and Ahmadiyyas from Pakistan -- that will leave the Paki Sunnis to freely commit their planned genocide against the Shias

That would draw in Iran inevitably.

Farsi pride might be content with killing all Sunnis, few as there are in Iran.

Thanks odds.

Your comment is loaded, but I can appreciate it :)

Just to clarify something:

“Farsi”, most often, refers to the ‘official’ language of Iran, meaning “Persian” language. As well as those who ethnically belong to Farsi or Parsi speaking (dialects included) people of Iran.

Farsi or Parsi also refers to the overarching & broader culture of Iran as a country, i.e. often known as “Persian” in English. Examples include: “Persian carpet, cuisine, caviar, cat, calendar, instruments, and so forth...”

Original ‘P’ as in “Parsi” was changed to ‘F’ (Farsi), after Arab invasion, Because, Arabs do/did not have nor use ‘P’ in Arabic Language. Just as a key Iranian Province, presently known as Fars, used to be known as Pars or Parsa, hence “Persia” in English, (Persis) by the Greeks, Pre Arab-Moslem invasion of Iran.

In addition to “P” or “Peh” commonly & currently used in Persian Language, there are other *unique* letters of alphabet to Iranian languages (incl. dialects) being “Zh” (pronounced as “Je” in French), “Geh” & “Cheh”, that Arabic does not have or use.

After all, Arabic is A Semitic language, unlike Persian (an Indo-European language). Even if Persian has had to use the Arab script, by force, since Arab-Moslem invasion.

BTW, Sunnis in Iran, ALSO, follow Islam - another Arab sect of Islam like Shia one. So, if one sect of Islam, Sunni, wants to kill another sect, Shia, in Iran, I should think that’s their problem. Though, most would, infinitely, prefer to do away with those who impose a one way traffic & theocracy.

Persians are proud of their history -- don't forget that Khorush the Great was highly regarded in the Bible as he let the Judeans return home

The Persian Empire stretched over much of the middle east up to and including Egypt at times.

The definition of pride would be to reconquer much of the neighbouring lands, but more specifically, very much closer ot home is to restore central Asia: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, etc. to Iran -- these WERE iran (Sogdiana, Bactria, Khwarezm) until the Turco-Mongol genocides.

The first aim would be to regain these lands. Those are now Sunni.

The definition of pride would be to reconquer much of the neighbouring lands, but more specifically, very much closer ot home is to restore central Asia: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, etc. to Iran -- these WERE iran (Sogdiana, Bactria, Khwarezm) until the Turco-Mongol genocides.

That may be a definition of pride. But, in reality, a very loooong shot for current Mullahs' regime, or the Sunnis population of Iran. As ambitious as one is or the latter may be.

Mullahs' regime's focus is on the west of Iran than those mentioned in above quote, which are East of Iran. Neither the Sunnis in Iran nor the Shia Gov't of current Iran can even dream of having a substantial influence in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

The Iranian regime is a troublemaker. And, the Sunnis in Iran, mostly & really, want to be counted in, not killed, and dismantled by the Mullahs' regime; they mostly want what the other half, so to speak, of Iranians want. By Sunnis, we mostly mean the Balouch, Kurds, maybe the Turkmens in Iran. But, the first two, one to the east & the other to west of Iran are most noteworthy. Regardless, not happening.

Mullahs' regime's focus is on the west of Iran

Exactly -- so we need to not play their game. as you said Sunnis in Iran, mostly & really, want to be counted in, not killed, and dismantled by the Mullahs' regime -- I do realize it's not something easy, but public sentiment can be changed if played well.

We talk of Iran this and Iran that and Islam is a threat yet every president buddies up to the biggest threat which is Saudi Arabia and sunni islam. Practically every terrorist attack, including 9/11 were perpetrated by sunni terrorists. Sure Irans rhetoric is harsh, but since when is a harsh rhetoric worse than actions?
If they move to strike then they will be dealt with, simple as that, and they know it themselves.

The Saudi and sunni enemy is much different. Their power is economic and working through conversion and spreading their “faith”. Ive moved around the world alot in my short life, and Ive seen Saudi Arabian projects in lebanon where they have built a mosque next to every single church you can find. Practically every mosque in Europe and the United States is funded by the Saudi Government and other GCC countries (mainly Qatar). It doesnt help one bit that they are financial behemoths.

It tells you of the quality of the people you deal with when you see how they treat their own countrymen. There are christians and jews who live in Iran. Even their spiritual leader has issued a decree saying they are equal to muslims, they have an elected member in parliament who is elected by the jewish people, they have over 20 synagogues in Iran, their religious laws are uphelds by iranian courts. In contrast look at our best friend Saudi arabia where you are probably executed if youre jewish.

No, no, when it comes to which side of islam we need to back in case of a sunni-shiite war, I firmly believe it would be in the best interest to back the shiites.

"Even their spiritual leader has issued a decree saying they are equal to muslims,"

Equal to Moslems? Which "spiritual leader"? -- That has never been the case since Islamic invasion of Iran some 13 centuries ago. An exception, to some extent, was during the Pahlavi dynasty in Iran.

Islamic Republic Constitution gives some rights, on paper, to non-moslems in Iran. That is & has been part of Khomeinist regime's nonsense, to pull the wool over the eyes of Iranians & the world by promoting a semblance of democracy & freedom. -- In reality & practice, IRI, very clearly favors very specific group of moslems, being Jaffari Shia 12ers sect, and, of course, those who support Khomeini's Velayate Faghih doctrine.

Also, IRI, undermines non-Moslems at every opportunity it gets. Not to mention that it has many checkpoints in place to convert them to Islam, often by indirect means.

"they have an elected member in parliament who is elected by the jewish people, they have over 20 synagogues in Iran, their religious laws are uphelds by iranian courts."

"Elections', alone, do not mean anything in Iran. Yes, the Iranian Islamic Mullahs' regime & its apparatus (Regime's courts), are & have been very clever in promoting & superficially, advocating rights, for ALL Iranians.

"It tells you of the quality of the people you deal with when you see how they treat their own countrymen."

True! When a Regime, such as the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), arrests, tortures, rapes, murders, maims, oppresses, and more... its own Shia (90% plus) population, at every opportunity it gets (often pretending they are drug trafficker, threats to national "mullah" security, foreign agents, enemies of Allah, and so on..), then you can be 100% certain, its "generosity" towards non-moslems is bogus, at best.

In contrast look at our best friend Saudi arabia where you are probably executed if youre jewish.

Saudi Arabia not following Iranian Mullahs' regime's style is a non sequitur.

It is not a matter of which side of Islam one needs to support. It is a matter of understanding Islam & Islamic gov'ts & not supporting Islam at all. Nor pleasing it or appeasing them, Iranian or Saudi, as examples.

Btw, I am part Iranian by heritage, and still have relatives living in Iran. So, I know a thing or two, more than the media in the West conveys.

Sorry I havent answered you sooner, I hadnt logged on until now.

You dont need to tell me the dangers of islam, ethnically im a christian “arab”. Originally im from Lebanon, and Ive seen my country of origin from afar go from being majority christian and a beacon of civilisation int he middle east to being majorly muslim and quite possibly the most undevelopped place in the world. To say that we are going to fight islam, however, is silly, we will never fight back as we are too politically correct.
What I believe we can do is pit these enemies (Sunni-shiite) against each other. Let them fight it out and weaken each other.
I know you have a little bias when it comes to the Iranian regime, but to be fair atleast they allow the practicing of faith, atleast there are iranians of different religions. That in itself shows there is more tolerance. Ahmadinejad is a nutjob, but people like khatami, while still being a nutjob has actually brought reforms and rights to the people, moreso than his predecessors.
When I made that comment about spiritual leader, it is actually in their constitution that jews are equal to muslims, which really isnt saying much, but its a whole lot more than Saudi Arabia.
Hey I completely agree with you on the fact that islam is a problem that needs to be dealt with, in fact ive said it before where i hope all muslims here get deported as their religion directly clashes with western civilisation and values, plus the fact that they would defend a fellow muslim before any american. Ive encountered this phenomenon in Lebanon where lebanese muslims fought alongside their palestinian “brothers” against lebanese christians. Ironically at the beginning of that war, prior to the islamic revolution in iran, lebanese shiites were very closely allied to the lebanese christians and fought alongside them in the south lebanese army protecting their homes fromt he palestinians. After the revolution in iran, came hezbollah, and has changed the situation in lebanon for good.

I hope your relatives are safe in Iran.

Sorry I havent answered you sooner, I hadnt logged on until now.

You dont need to tell me the dangers of islam, ethnically im a christian “arab”. Originally im from Lebanon, and Ive seen my country of origin from afar go from being majority christian and a beacon of civilisation int he middle east to being majorly muslim and quite possibly the most undevelopped place in the world. To say that we are going to fight islam, however, is silly, we will never fight back as we are too politically correct.
What I believe we can do is pit these enemies (Sunni-shiite) against each other. Let them fight it out and weaken each other.
I know you have a little bias when it comes to the Iranian regime, but to be fair atleast they allow the practicing of faith, atleast there are iranians of different religions. That in itself shows there is more tolerance. Ahmadinejad is a nutjob, but people like khatami, while still being a nutjob has actually brought reforms and rights to the people, moreso than his predecessors.
When I made that comment about spiritual leader, it is actually in their constitution that jews are equal to muslims, which really isnt saying much, but its a whole lot more than Saudi Arabia.
Hey I completely agree with you on the fact that islam is a problem that needs to be dealt with, in fact ive said it before where i hope all muslims here get deported as their religion directly clashes with western civilisation and values, plus the fact that they would defend a fellow muslim before any american. Ive encountered this phenomenon in Lebanon where lebanese muslims fought alongside their palestinian “brothers” against lebanese christians. Ironically at the beginning of that war, prior to the islamic revolution in iran, lebanese shiites were very closely allied to the lebanese christians and fought alongside them in the south lebanese army protecting their homes fromt he palestinians. After the revolution in iran, came hezbollah, and has changed the situation in lebanon for good.

I hope your relatives are safe in Iran.

To say that we are going to fight islam, however, is silly, we will never fight back as we are too politically correct.

Fighting Islam is not the same as supporting Islam. There are different ways of supporting or not supporting Islam. That, I believe, is very doable. Yet, you said it, we are often too politically correct in the West. So, we not only don't fight it, but also support Islam; not only in western countries, but elsewhere in the ME too. IMO, because Islam has the status of a religion, which very often demands exclusive rights.

it is actually in their constitution that jews are equal to muslims, which really isnt saying much, but its a whole lot more than Saudi Arabia.

I'm actually alot bias about Iranian regime :-) with good reasons - though I also acknowledge the facts such as the constitution to which I referred in previous post, which is really, you say it too, a piece of paper.

S. Arabia is a different ball game to Iran. S. Arabia hold two holy cities for Islam, it's the birthplace of Islam & Mohammad. The House of Saud are simply custodians of those holy places in S. Arabia, for all moslems in the world, Shia or Sunni, etc... - Iran, OTOH, has a very different history, was a Zoroastrian Land, which was invaded & conquered by Islam. There are no "holy" Islamic places in Iran per definition of S. Arabia or even today's Iraq, except some may include Ghom (Qom) & Mashad, but those were built much later. So, comparing S. Arabia with Iran is comparing apples with oranges, in that respect.

You may already know that Churches & Synagogues (Jews & Christians) have existed in Iran from time immemorial. They are permitted to stay & practice their faith very privately in their own communities cuz they only constitute a very small % of the overall Iranian population & are not seen as a threat to the regime & its Islamic ways. Though, Iranian Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians & many other minority religious groups have chosen to leave Iran since the Islamic Republic because of discrimination & intolerance.

Moreover, if you were born an Iranian moslem & you choose to convert to another religion, if found out, you'd be hanged or imprisoned, under Apostasy laws of Islam, in Iran.

Also, ask the Baha'is for instance & their "holy" places, then one finds out it's a different story. The Baha'is constitute the largest religious minorities in Iran. They've no rights & their faith is not even recognized. Not too long ago their cemetries were totally destroyed in Iran. I can go on about discrimination against Zoroastrians too, but don't wish to write an essay. Suffice it to say that Iranian regime is not a tolerant regime. Iranian regime only tolerates those who support the Velayate Faghih.

In today's Iran, non-moslems are heavily discriminated against in relation to housing, education & employment, aren't allowed to hold any key positions in the armed forces & not allowed to carry arms. They can't even have any religious programs on tv or radio to publicly discuss their faith (not to proselytize). These are simply some example, and are the realities in today's Islamic Republic of Iran despite what is stated in its constitution. These are not my definition of religious tolerance, even as they may be a shade or two more generous than what's allowed in S. Arabia.

I wrote most of the above, also, for the benefit of other Freepers who might read this thread, and may not be fully aware of what's happening in Iran. Also, thanks for your goods wishes.

They are already brutally killing Sunni Kurds in the North West and Sunni Baluchi (Jondollah) in the South East under various legal pretexts. Although a minority, there are enough Sunnis, the warrrior Kurds and Baluchis, to be an influence.

Although a minority, there are enough Sunnis, the warrrior Kurds and Baluchis, to be an influence.

Good point. Though, who helped get Rigi brothers (2 of them, one being ex Jondallah leader i.e. Balouchi Sunni) arrested by IRI & later hanged by IRI, after BS televised/publicized confessions, by the Rigis, in Iran?

Some IRI mouthpieces claim Jondallah (Rigi) was supported & funded by the Saudis, the MeK, the US & Israelis. Just as the same often claim the Kurds (another Sunni grp), and their 'militant' subgroups, in Iran, are supported by the US. Others, "officially" say, it has never been the case... Can the real deal raise its hand or perhaps a finger out of wherever?! -- (not taking a potshot at you Fars)

So much for pitting Shi'ites against Sunnis, in Iran.. - Amazing that all the 'foreign luminaries' have not been able to successfully support the mentioned Sunni grps in Iran in 32 yrs, to help bring down the Mullahs' regime. -- mind you I'm talking in this case, strictly, about Iran. After all, the mentioned grps are Iranians. Their Islamic faith is secondary, to many average Balouch & Kurds in Iran. And, both grps, very largely, despise the Iranian regime & Velayate Faghih in particular.