Current Affairs - 2026

[Onelife]

Young Iranians, particularly Gen Z, overwhelmingly desire a "normal life"—defined by personal freedom, economic opportunity, and an end to strict clerical rule. They advocate for secularism, women's rights (under "woman, life, freedom"), and a democratic government, rejecting the current system in favor of modernization and international connection.

Ai overview.

[Mervyn and Trish]

With respect to the above three posters you in my opinion are missing the fundamental point which is that the young and not so young of Iran are crying out for change and in doing so have died in their thousands to demonstrate this…putting aside the threat of nuclear escalation surely we are witnessing the first signs of a rebellion against theocratic/autocratic rule of Iran…one which in time could be the catalyst for a more democratic Middle East.

Equally not missing the point but why is that our problem or the US's right to interfere, killing more innocents along the way? Plenty of people here would like to see the back of our present government, or in your case the Monarchy. Would we welcome another country bombing us to achieve that?

[poole boy]

really agree with you onelife my father fought for this country in the 2 world war as I am sure many other fathers on this forum did and I am ashamed to think what they would think about some of the anti trump polices written on here and what would these paper hero's do if Iran gets nuclear weapons in say five years time and starts attacking Britain I bet they would still say it was Trumps fault and would America come and help us please

[Mervyn and Trish]

I think our war heroes would be insulted to be in the same sentence as Trump, let alone be used as a justification for his behaviour.

[david63]

Young Iranians, particularly Gen Z, overwhelmingly desire a "normal life"—defined by personal freedom, economic opportunity, and an end to strict clerical rule. They advocate for secularism, women's rights (under "woman, life, freedom"), and a democratic government, rejecting the current system in favor of modernization and international connection..

But I come back again to how is sitting in an office 10,000 miles away directing the bombing going achieve that?

There has to be somebody able to take control, and maintain that control, of the country to be able to force regime change and as far as I can see there isn't anybody. Also bear in mind that there is a large proportion of the Iranian population that support the current regime.

some of the anti trump polices written on here

I actually agree with many of Trump's policies, where I disagree is the methods he uses to implement those policies.

if Iran gets nuclear weapons in say five years time and starts attacking Britain

What is the difference between that and Putin doing the same?

[Onelife]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narges_Mohammadi

Would be a good candidate once she is freed from prison for wanting change.

poole boy wrote:
02 Mar 2026 17:50
if Iran gets nuclear weapons in say five years time and starts attacking Britain

What is the difference between that and Putin doing the same?

Putin knows the consequences of using Nuclear weapons; the clerics of Iran think it's a way to a joyful, and eternal life in Paradise.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Trump continues to talk bilge.

On one hand he claims the Iranian air defences, air force, navy and leadership have all gone. In the same breath he warns they're about to attack Saudi. What with, ordered by whom? While he continues his work to destroy their nuclear industry, that he obliterated, he said, in November.

[Mervyn and Trish]

And now he says of the UK "this is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with."

No. And when it was Churchill it took the US two years before they joined us. What an ignorant rude jerk he is. Maybe we should join his WW3 in 2028?

[Onelife]

Trump continues to talk bilge.

On one hand he claims the Iranian air defences, air force, navy and leadership have all gone. In the same breath he warns they're about to attack Saudi. What with, ordered by whom? While he continues his work to destroy their nuclear industry, that he obliterated, he said, in November.

Certainly not a team player, however, his unpredictability is probably his greatest strength.

[david63]

And now he says of the UK "this is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with."

And if it was Churchill it would be a totally different story - and I know who would be winning.

[david63]

Just a thought.

If Trump is continually changing the narrative, or as usual he has forgotten what he said five minutes ago, does he perhaps have an ulterior motive for Iran that he has not yet divulged? Perhaps he wants their oil to go with the Venezuelan oil

[towny44]

If he wants to attack an oil rich country, maybe he should pick on Russia!!!

[david63]

If he wants to attack an oil rich country, maybe he should pick on Russia!!!

He can't do that as Vlad won't let him!

[Mervyn and Trish]

Just a thought.

If Trump is continually changing the narrative, or as usual he has forgotten what he said five minutes ago, does he perhaps have an ulterior motive for Iran that he has not yet divulged? Perhaps he wants their oil to go with the Venezuelan oil

Surely not? Isn't he doing this entirely for the benefit of the repressed Iranian people?

[Stephen]

No doubt he’ll be putting in for another Nobel Peace Prize.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Well he's started a bigger war than any of the 8 he ended, and given Putin the green light to continue his. So he's more likely to get an Olympic Gold in the Decathlon.

[Stephen]

Ouch

US Sub sinks Iranian war ship.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c62gg44d53xt

[Onelife]

There was a time when a torpedo would put a hole in the side of a ship, now they obliterate them. Whatever the rights or wrongs of war it is sad to hear of so many losing their lives this way.

[david63]

Whatever the rights or wrongs of war

Are there any rights? All I can see are plenty of wrongs!

[Stephen]

The trouble with war are all the innocent casualties.
Hypothetically, and it would of course never happen, If the war mongers want to go to war then let them and blow themselves to smithereens, and good riddance.

[david63]

Did anyone else hear Trump's justification for starting the war?

Trump claims that he had to attack Iran as Israel was going to attack Iran and when they did then Iran would then start revenge attacks on US bases - all of which has not had any shred of proof.

Anyway any-time now Trump will loose interest and move on to creating the next catastrophe leaving the rest of the world to deal with the consequences.

[poole boy]

Equally not missing the point but why is that our problem or the US's right to interfere, killing more innocents along the way? Plenty of people here would like to see the back of our present government, or in your case the Monarchy. Would we welcome another country bombing us to achieve that?

the answer to that is that labour are only trying to kill us with taxes and stupid laws in Iran you have the imperial guard and others ridding round on bikes murdering innocent civilians if you and david 63 think that is nothing to do with us I feel extremely sorry for you both as murdering 35.000 to 40.000 in the last protest in my opinion is totally disgusting

[Mervyn and Trish]

At least 75,000 have died in Gaza, most of those innocents. Should Trump bomb Israel in response?

[david63]

and david 63 think that is nothing to do with us

Where have I said that it is nothing to do with us?

What I have said is that (a) it is for the Iranian people to effect change, as it is with any other country, and (b) that if, and it is a very big if, the Iranian people have asked the US to help bring about a change then the way that the US is going about it will never work - it hasn't in the past and it will not this time.

[towny44]

Equally not missing the point but why is that our problem or the US's right to interfere, killing more innocents along the way? Plenty of people here would like to see the back of our present government, or in your case the Monarchy. Would we welcome another country bombing us to achieve that?
Last edited by Mervyn and Trish on 02 Mar 2026 17:48, edited 1 time in total.

the answer to that is that labour are only trying to kill us with taxes and stupid laws in Iran you have the imperial guard and others ridding round on bikes murdering innocent civilians if you and david 63 think that is nothing to do with us I feel extremely sorry for you both as murdering 35.000 to 40.000 in the last protest in my opinion is totally disgusting

There are many countries run by despotic leaders, where violence against dissidents is rife, and large sections of the population would like to see regime change. But it is not our job to act as the world's peace force. What peaceful democratic countries do however is to seek diplomatic solutions and try by peaceful means to change the attitude of these rulers.
I sympathise with those who have suffered under this regime, but I dont believe that this current war will do anything to bring about change, all it will do is to bring even more suffering and death to the Iranian people.