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Memo to Tehran: Give it up

Posted: Friday, March 30, 2007 12:54 PM by Hardball

Okay guys, you stepped in it this time.  You really need to figure out a face-saving way to get out of the mess you have created by seizing 15 British sailors and marines. 

Your past record is abominable, so what makes you think that anyone is buying this fiction that the British were in Iranian waters?  Putting young British sailors on Iranian television reciting obviously coerced “confessions” is ludicrous – no one but possibly the most gullible among your domestic audience takes these statements as fact.  Even more ridiculous are the letters written by the sole woman among the detainees, as well as her appearances in a chador.  Again, do you really think that anyone believes this charade is how members of the Royal Navy would comport themselves in captivity?

Of course, one only needs to look back on the glorious history of the Islamic Republic to answer that question. After all, you are the same people that seized the American Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held over 50 American diplomats hostage for more than a year.  In 1982, you deployed your Qods Force to Lebanon to create another laudable group – Hezbollah.  Not happy with just that feat, you began taking hostages there, seizing and murdering the CIA Chief of Station in Beirut and a U.S. Marine colonel serving with the United Nations.

Your handling of the 2004 incident—the three-day detention of eight British sailors and marines in a similar incident—was only marginally better.  Yes, you got your “apology” and tried to embarrass the British on the world stage. 

News flash: No one believes you! 

Your recent statement that you will release the 15 Britons when the United Kingdom withdraws its forces from Iraq is reminiscent of similar demands made by Iraqi insurgents and al-Qaida in Iraq members after they had seized nationals of coalition member countries.  Are you sure you want to be cast in the same light as terrorist cutthroats? 

What you are doing now appears to be a childish reaction to the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous vote to toughen sanctions on you for your defiance of the world over your uranium enrichment activities.  The impression that you have made on the world—when Iran does not get its way, it takes hostages.  Now there’s a legacy for the Islamic Republic….

Now that you have shown your true colors, do your really think that anyone is going to trust you when you make claims about your “nuclear energy” research program?
One could reach the conclusion that you guys are looking for a fight.  Keep this up and you just might get one. 

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Comments

The thing that gets me are the headlines in the various western media outlets - UK Sailor says in letter that she was "sacrificed" - or some such thing, (even though they allow -after several paragraphs -that the letter is "purportedly" written by same UK sailor). How about the honest truth for a change, media overlords? How about "Iran tries to pass off really dumb-sounding phony letters as actually written by UK hostages."

Harold Pick, Miami, FL (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:36 PM)

As sad as it may seem you appear to be correct that the fight is inevitable. These people have truly provoked the fight and we might as well get it over with. We must go into Iran and pull out the bad roots before they are over here with us. Leaving the Middle East now will make us very sorry later on.

John Brannen (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:39 PM)

I would agree with everything this writer states... One more thing... Id this the way a civilized wannabe world player acts... This is 19th century stuff... They are such a non-factor to the world stage although they think they might be... Shame on the Brits for not letting there other naval personel and vessels stop the capture... I for one see a fight brewing soon enough... Children is what they are and always will be...

Dan San Francisco ca (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:43 PM)

We will not be in the fight against Iran because Liberal anti war protesters and Liberal America will not allow it.

john doe (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:49 PM)

Iran is indeed picking a fight. The catch is that they are picking a fight when they KNOW that America isn't going to respond. There isn't the political will in the country right now to start another fight, so Iran can pretty much do as it pleases. Frankly, it would probably take a direct attack from Iran on American soil to rile everyone up enough to send in the troops. Bush is reeling on all fronts and without the support of a republican congress, just can't get away with ordering anything on his own. Of course, if the wrong person gets elected president next year, Iran might get another 4 years of thumbing its nose at the world. I wonder what the readiness state of their military will be by then?

Jack, Oak Island, NC (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:49 PM)

I agree with your statement 100%. If they (Iran) continues these childish activities, I personally will in list in the US military simply to kick your but. You do have a war coming soon. I will be their to kick your ever loving Muslim ass. If you continue your ridiculous escapades, we will resort to kicking ass on ALL Muslims in this country! Keep up the good work Iran. I'm looking forward to seeing your country in a cloud of smoke on the 6:00 news. You can find me personally very easily. Bring it on! KLC

kellyccwcd@hotmail.com (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:49 PM)

Oh boy! Should I start describing all the horrible things the United States has done post WWII? Messing with sovereign governments, funding violent rebel groups, invading South American countries and deposing democratically elected leaders? Did Iranians rape a 14-year-old American and murder her family to cover it up? Yeah, Iran is so bad and we are so good. Get over it. The USA has no 'moral highground' from which to preach to the world. Iran is being foolish, but I think I understand why. They're simply tired of being dictated to. Besides, the USA and Iran have alot in common. We both invade nations that never attacked us, and we both like to force our societal beliefs on other nations!

Sean, Torrington CT (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:50 PM)

We will not be in the fight against Iran because Liberal anti war protesters and Liberal America will not allow it. You want to fix Iraq. Fix Iran and watch Iraq calm down drastically.

john doe (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:52 PM)

No one ever wants a war, especially me. I am not thrilled with the mess we are in with Iraq...Iran is a different story and a much more dangerous foe. Now hopefully all the lefty loonies out there will see that Iran should not be trusted period with all their BS statements. They need nuclear energy with the 2nd largest oil reserve in the world?? Just like Antartica needs more ice!! While Saddam was pinned down; we should have raided Iran and been done with those Islamic facists nuts once and for all!! I can't wait till their next street parade when Iranians all sing death to America and to the West....We need to wake up and deal with all these international dangers in one shot.

Justin, Madison CT (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 1:56 PM)

To Iran, You need to do the right thing in mind which is the release of the 15 innocent British sailors. After all you have dictated the letter. If anyone should be prosecuted it would be you (Iran) for crossing the line to get into the Iraqui waters. You guys are getting yourself deeper and deeper to be isolated from this world. I can't believe the morals that your country has. Wake up and smell the nuclear!

Leo Corona CALIFORNIA (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:01 PM)

Good article! We should have taken care of this bunch in 1979, but we didn't have the balls to do what had to be done. Now about half the people in the west think they can talk with these fanatics. They want you converted or dead and neither require them talking to you. Hell we'll send Clooney and Barbara, they'll smooth everything out!!!!!!!!!!

Bill Mathews (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:07 PM)

I don't agree with the tactics employed by Iran, but it must still be noted that it is not yet clear whether or not the Brits were actually in Iranian waters. If they were not in Iranian waters, than I agree with your views in the blog. But, if they were tresspassing in Iranian waters than Iran does have a right to intervene (even if it is a ploy to further their own agenda).

Michael (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:11 PM)

Tony Blair is no Margaret Thatcher.

Jim Cannon, Pittsburgh (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:11 PM)

Right On!!!! How pathetic those countries are. False bravado to keep the natives happy. I think they all believe the only happiness lies in the afterlife...they have no life while they are alive because their leaders control the money and power and won't give their own people any hope for a normal happy future to work towards.

Laura Rush, Carnation, Washington (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:11 PM)

Here, Here! Do the Iranians not realize that the U.S. & Britain can conduct military exercises anywhere, anytime, and off of any country's coast --and that any interference in such exercises is a provocative Act of War? The primary difference between Arab and Western powers is this: We (the West) seek to liberate people (see Lebanon, Iran 1952 [Shah], Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq, etc.). When Arab countries intervene it is clearly a sign of hostile aggression seeking to further the interests of terrorists. Now.. about those WMD in Iraq... *cough*..

American Bible-Totin Patriot (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:12 PM)

The Iranian don't care because they know we can't/won't do anything. Our military is too stretched. We have been involved in a civil war for four years. What we SHOULD do is carpet bomb the outskrits of Tehran

Michael McConville, Cumberland, RI (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:12 PM)

Memo to Francona - The "confessions" aren't written for the West, they were written for internal and Arab consumption. And guess what, unfortunately, there isn't a darn thing we, the British or the UN can do about it right now without starting a huge regional war. You saber rattlers sound ridiculous so please do everyone a favor and butt out!!! Let the British handle it diplomatically.

Dan, NY (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:13 PM)

The Brits are doing quite well with the situation. I doubt that your "Rush-like" tirade, presumtuous as it may be, is of any use to any rational person. Any school boy knows that "Iran vs U.K." is a no-contest fight. The hostages will be freed in due time. Iran doesn't use Guantanamo or third countries to torture people.

rick rodriguez, corpus christi, TX (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:14 PM)

The Iranians don't care because they know we can't/won't do anything. Our military is too stretched. We have been involved in a civil war for four years. What we SHOULD do is carpet bomb the outskrits of Tehran

Michael McConville, Cumberland, RI (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:16 PM)

The U.S. Naval carrier groups in the gulf are fully capable of simultaneously sinking the entire Iranian navy, and of destroying all of Iran's nuclear development sites. If we don't do this, than we have no reason to be there or to spend all our tax money on that navy. Rain hell on them..

Mamoud Shababa (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:17 PM)

Your logic and reasoning lack the persuasive clout necessary to modify the perspectives of the myopic and muddled mullahs. Iran is the cause of most the problems in the middle-east and must be dealt with today, not tomorrow when they have acquired nukes.

Dale Hendon (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:18 PM)

Wake up Iran! You are starting to convince liberals like me that we should invade you. You are really making you country look like a joke with these reactions. Is it some kind of joke?

Joe San Franciso (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:20 PM)

I couldn't have said it any better myself. Amen!

Brian, VT (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:23 PM)

We admit to kidnapping and torturing innocent people. We flaunt our disregard for the Geneva Convention. We have held 300-500 people prisoner in a Cuban gulag, people who have been released after years of detention and questionalble legal pretense. Now you nitpick about tactics we also employ, We out CIA operatives for political vengence, and protect others who engage in extraterraitorial kidnaping and torture. We have the 2nd largest nuclear attack forces, and are alone in history in having used them to vaporise 150,000 people. If situations were reversed you would scream foul for not being able to protect our citizens. if you believe in the 2nd amendment your denial of Iran's right to seek parity is both pusilanimous and hypocritical.

Robert Mc Gillen, USA ret. North Mankato, MN (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:23 PM)

"The fight" has already been planned thoroughly and certain powers are just waiting for the next good reason. What do you do with cowardly jackels like the Iranians. They have some inbred bloodlust that will never be satisfied. What can anyone do with those that constantly ( since historic times) operate unlike all the others and maintain their barbaric ways.

PJ, Seattle (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:26 PM)

Well said... They just need to send in the SAS, grab those guys, and then let the US nuke the ever living $hit outta those tuff talkin, raghead mother f*ckers once and for all...

Dan, St. Louis, MO (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:26 PM)

I tend to believe that the british sailors were in iranian waters. After all the united states and great britain are preparing to hit the iranian nuclear program and they have their reasons to get into the iranian waters.

rene teri detoit, mi (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 2:28 PM)

Iran is being run by a radical that is losing domestic support as shown in their recent elections. The only way he can keep his job is to provoke conflict. Unfortunately, it may work.

John, Ottawa, Canada (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 3:51 PM)

What were the brits doing in or close to iranian waters? What is it that they are trying to stop in those waters going to or from iraq and iran? Why didn't the british navy try to stop the kidnapping? Were the iranians acting under local command or was this a premeditated operation ordered by the iranian leadership? If this had been a US navy operation what would our local commanders have done in response to iranian seizure of US navy personel? Right now it appears there are just too many questions for joe public to form a reasonable opinion on a course of action for recovering the sailors.

cdugga (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 3:53 PM)

I seem to remember the GPS as stating the British Sailors and Marines were clearly 2 miles inside of Iraqi waters, and that the Iranians, changed their story at least once. good blog. let the British handle this.

nassy, outer banks, nc (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:02 PM)

I am hoping we don't do anything while our President is in office, he will get blame for wrong doing, let the demo handle it, they like to run from things, let them handle this Iran thing, then we can put it on their shoulders and throw daggers at them, but with the elections coming up for president they won't want to rock the boat, so they will let everything slide, oh we didn't approve of that, !!! want to look good to the Amercian people.

Charlotte Brown (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:02 PM)

Deal with the Iranians now or deal with them later but it is inevitable that the U.S. or Europe will be forced to deal with these fanatics sooner or later. Better not to wait till they aquire nukes because they will force the issue then!

Tom Meldrum, Webster, Texas (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:06 PM)

The Iranian government has allowed it's most radical elements to do something that reinforces the image of Iran as a haven for lawless barbarians. Most Iranian citizens are pro-Western and we shouldn't forget that. So I hope Western governments will use their brains, stay calm, and not take some stupid, inflammatory actions that get the hostages killed and edge the West closer to war with Iran.

rick freeman, louisville, ky (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:07 PM)

It is time to fight WWIII now---when we have an opportunity to win it----Let's go.

Voter, Minnesota (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:08 PM)

This is to Sean in CA. I really love when an American lectures me on all the evil stuff that America has done over the years. No doubt we have done many horrible things and horrible things have been done in our name. I find it very dishonest to only speak to that side of the ledger. How about all the incredible acts of kindness and giving. All the many millions of people we have saved by our work, effort and generosity? We invent, support, heal, educate, protect, many millions around the world and yet, you can't or won't acknowledge that. Why? You only focus on the bad we do. Please point out the great things that Iran does. That should be a short list. America is our mother. Do you hate your mother?

John Durham, Atlanta, Georgia (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:12 PM)

Seems pretty rediculous to believe that the British, with the hundreds of years toward maritime experience, could even make such a mistake as this. Along with the advent of GPS technology, I truly doubt that the Brits would go hunting and other nations shipping into a potential enemies water ways. Knowing the Iranians history of disrespect and overall discontent for anything western, anyone with common sense can tell this is one big setup.

Jacob, Az (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:13 PM)

The matter of fact is: Iran is taking hostages for a political demand.

FK, IL (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:16 PM)

Maybe someone did trespass. We have yet to see any definitive proof either way. Does not change the fact Iran kidnapped personnel. It’s noteworthy that they were observed by aircraft and others during the apprehension. Iran should have documented its case and presented that as opposed to this action.

Mark, Portland, Oregon (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:26 PM)

just so everyone knows, technically there is no "line" drawn in the waters that are known as the shatt al arab waterway, Iran and Iraq have been fighting over it for ages

Jeff Spicoli (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:34 PM)

Iran is just trying to create a diversion away from their internal problems. They have lots of problems brewing.. Having to mass arrest teachers, the Kirds, Arab internal population, Poor economic conditions ,a leader who has head butted to many soccer balls and a world that views their leaders as "Stuck on stupid" and mean to boot.

Neal Meyer (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:34 PM)

For all those on here that want to compare America and Iran and try and convince anyone that we are evil may you be the first to feel the wrath of inaction. We have done more for the unfortunate around the world then Iran could dream of as if they really care to help the unfortunate.

Retired USAF (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:36 PM)

I tend to agree with previous posts above. The fight is planned and etched in stone. Whether the congress is in the hands of democrats or republicans is irrelavent. They aren't the ones who give the orders to the troops who are already on the ground. Once the fight starts, it's on and there will be no "phased withdrawal" because after that our national security really will be at risk.

JD (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:37 PM)

Briton needs to stop wasting their time with the UN and recognize Iran's actions for what they really are, a decleration of WAR! I fully support taking military action.

Jason Faulkner, Chicago (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:38 PM)

I think the West doesn't understand Iran's true battle capabilities. They could harras the US and Britain for years as we don't have the stomach for the crazy stuff they're willing to do. I say apologize and get it over with. They are too formidable a foe!

Ed, Riggins, ID (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:38 PM)

I am obviously not in these Sailors' shoes, but what concerns me as a Soldier is the fact that they are allowing themselves to be used as an Iranian propaganda tool. I can say proudly that nearly every American Soldier I know would refuse to make statements that would further the cause of the enemy.

LBeth, Baghdad, Iraq (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:38 PM)

Britain's (and our) response to Iran should be simple and straightforward. They don't have 15 marines and sailors, they have 24 hours. Release the hostages, or an Iranian city will be vaporized. It will be civilian, and the casualties will be on a scale that Saddam could only dream of. If no response, we destroy the city as promised. The clock then starts again. If the marines and sailors are not released, another Iranian city will be vaporized. There is something that nobody seems to want to acknowledge: governments like Iran can annoy us, they can inconvenience us, they can bluff us, heck they can even threaten us. But at the end of the night, we hold all the cards in the deck, and they only play what we allow them to play. Let's stop this whinging about and just get it done!!

Steve Z, Santa Clara, CA (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:42 PM)

I've been following this story as well. I'm shocked at the lack of urgency that is presented in the media. Even the BBC doesnt seem to be too distraught about its soldiers being held captive. I hope it can all be solved dipolmatically, and Tony Blair in my oppinion has been more than patient. I look at his response and wish that I had the same patience. I don't understand what the Iranians game plan is here. Iran gave initial coordinates that didn't back up there claim that the soldiers were in Iranian waters and the British provided GPS coordinates showing them in Iraq waters as well. It doesnt look like Iran has a leg to stand on. England is playing it very cool for now, but if Iran keeps this up any longer I don't know how a military conflict will be avoided. Now Iran is showing video of confessions of British soldiers and the condemnation of British troops in Iraq as well. All of this is really disturbing - do they think this is really working to their advantage? If this is their way of thinking, one can only imagine how you can rationalize with the leadership in Iran.

chad, san diego, CA (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:45 PM)

Get it over with? What are we making a trip to the store to buy milk? That's pretty ridiculous. Get it over with in the same sense as Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam? This is war. You don't just get it over with. Read about the Gulf of Tonkin incident, and then ask yourself if England was in Iraqi or Iranian waters and was this all planned? It seems to me that Britain wanted Iran to attack the boat, they didn't think that they would capture 15 soldiers without a bullet or missile being fired.

T Money Rock, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:46 PM)

Well who needs confirmed facts? Just look at them and you can see they're obviously guilty liars here; they're alot different than us, they speak some silly language got dark skin and wear towells on their heads. They're not human and they don't feel things and emotions like we do. God bless the USA.

Bob, Boulder, Colorado (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:50 PM)

Sad and Scary times. History shows us when peoples and nations move far enough apart from eachother in belief and action, wars take place -- not small wars, but world wars. Things will get much worse before they get better. Ideals are great, "whatifs" are fine too, reality however is the air we all breath.. and war is in the air.

Seth, SLC Utah (Sent Friday, March 30, 2007 4:55 PM)



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