NationStates Jolt Archive

Say Iran absolutely refuses to release the 15 British service people. Say that diplomacy isn't working and neither are sanctions. Would you support military action against Iran, then?

Something polled this way comes.....

And the odds of survival for those 15 service personnel should war be declared would be.....? Slim at best..?

Something similar to '79-80', without the Raiders beating my Eagles in the Super Bowl.

I'm sure we could simply use limited action to rescue the Brits. A full invasion wouldn't be needed.

Say Iran absolutely refuses to release the 15 British service people. Say that diplomacy isn't working and neither are sanctions. Would you support military action against Iran, then?

Something polled this way comes.....

Has there been any incontrovertible evidence yet, that the British forces didn't, indeed, stray across lines?

I've heard some pretty convincing testimony either way, but I'm wondering if we are ever going to see anything more concrete than anecdote, either way...?

I'd hate to get involved in a discussion over the 'what if' without some some real certainty that Iran wasn't just responding to intrusion by a foreign power into sovereign territory.

Has there been any incontrovertible evidence yet, that the British forces didn't, indeed, stray across lines?

I've heard some pretty convincing testimony either way, but I'm wondering if we are ever going to see anything more concrete than anecdote, either way...?

I'd hate to get involved in a discussion over the 'what if' without some some real certainty that Iran wasn't just responding to intrusion by a foreign power into sovereign territory.

I think the Brits have released the GPS coordinates, showing the boat to be in Iraqi waters, also the Iranians have changed the coordinates twice.

And the odds of survival for those 15 service personnel should war be declared would be.....? Slim at best..?
Indeed.

Starting a war over hostages that potentially strayed into Iranian waters, and were then treated well, is stupid, at best.

also the Iranians have changed the coordinates twice.
It is possible to make mistakes.

I think the Brits have released the GPS coordinates, showing the boat to be in Iraqi waters, also the Iranians have changed the coordinates twice.

I've heard talk of GPS coordinates... I've not 'seen' anything. Indeed, I'm not sure how such data would be 'shown' as evidence.

I'm not sure, but I seem to recall reading about 'conflicts' over GPS data before, also.

I think the Brits have released the GPS coordinates, showing the boat to be in Iraqi waters, also the Iranians have changed the coordinates twice.Yes, the fact that the Iranians revised their numbers makes me dubious. I don't trust that they're telling the truth over this, and I'm just waiting for the Iranians to try and use their release as a bargaining chip. And that's in addition to the letters that have issued from the marines that just ooze of official propaganda.

Why are the Iranians so concerned over people being in Iraq? Hm?

Why are the Iranians so concerned over people being in Iraq? Hm?
Aside from the fact that it is occupied by a country whose leader would like nothing more than to invade Iran?

Aside from the fact that it is occupied by a country whose leader would like nothing more than to invade Iran?

Again with the Bush bashing. Bush hasn't called for war, only tougher diplomatic action.

Again with the Bush bashing. Bush hasn't called for war, only tougher diplomatic action.

Publicly.

Military action only if diplomacy fails, and you're military knows wtf it's doing. It should be a covert operation; don't bother putting those flag patches on their shoulders. That way Iran technically can't do shit.

Again with the Bush bashing. Bush hasn't called for war, only tougher diplomatic action.

In Iran.

He has, however, earned himself an unenviable reputation in Iraq...

And, those who have watched US foreign policy in Iraq, are likely to have ideas of what Bush is likely to be like in Iran.

First with the nuclear program, then with rumors of supporting terrorist causes in Israel and Iraq, now this.....it looks like Iran is walking the line that the United States and UN are hesitant to cross. I would support a quick deadline issued by Britain to release the sailors, and if they don't (especially if the location of the British sailors is still undecided) then a very strict 24 hour deadline, and if Iran doesn't comply, then declare war, or at least attempt a secret recon mission to retrieve the hostages before declaring war.

On the plus side, war with Iran that isn't started by the United States could potentially be a solution to the nuclear threat. And (if the terrorist rumors are true) get rid of some of the insurgent's support in Iraq.

Last time we tried to pull a rescue attempt in Iran it ended up with the helicopter being shot down. I don't think the American government will be the one's doing the recueing this time. Either the Brits will solve this diplomatically, or some other NATO nation will attempt a rescue.

Last time we tried to pull a rescue attempt in Iran it ended up with the helicopter being shot down.

It crashed, not shot down.

I would advise the UK to try hard at the diplomatic approach. However if and when they feel they have hit a brick wall then through diplomatic channels threaten a military strike. If they go in and try and "rescue" the soldiers in question they risk death of the 15 and possibly of the rescuers. However if they try everything they could diplomatically and it does not work. Then mount a full blown rescue timed with a very severe bombing of Iran's infrastructure and military targets. This would include sinking every ship in the Iranian flotilla.

I wonder if those letters were really their's or were forged? I wonder if they are being tortured? Does anyone know why the Brits gave up? I mean if they were truly in Iraqi waters, wouldn't they engage the Iranians for trying to capture them?

I wonder if those letters were really their's or were forged? I wonder if they are being tortured? Does anyone know why the Brits gave up? I mean if they were truly in Iraqi waters, wouldn't they engage the Iranians for trying to capture them?
They were surrounded, it would of ended up with 15 pointless deaths.

They were surrounded, it would of ended up with 15 pointless deaths.

Thanks for confirming that.

It appears this will not end in Iran's favour. The sooner they figure this out the less damaged their international relations will be.

It appears the current British tack is to persuade other countries to side with them and condemn the continued arrest of the soldiers.

Currently the EU, Norway, Iraq and the US so far. Even Russia has not sided with Iran, but is attempting to remain neutral and is calling for a UN investigation into the incident.

if diplomancy fails then send in the SBS