SRajesh wrote: ↑10 Jan 2026 16:00
So if Iran falls and they revert back to Zoroasterianism!!
Chances are less. The Zoroastrians in Iran will be able to follow their faith with little bit more freedom. They will be a an Islamic country without wearing Hijab but abusing Kafirs under their new Shah. Following and living as per Islamic religious believes is difficult, but its cool to be using the powers against others. Don't belive the Narratives during the color revolution.
Very well put Uddu-ji. This is the crux of the issue when dealing with any society that has been radicalized.
Wish ShyamD was around. He was extremely knowledgeable with ground level information on this part of the world.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 10 Jan 2026 22:39
by A_Gupta
I expect in the event that the Khamenei regime is overthrown, Iran just might try to become a secular though Muslim-majority country.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 10 Jan 2026 23:26
by A_Gupta
The Chosun of South Korea reports:
Netanyahu Aims to Phase Out U.S. Military Aid Within a Decade
Israeli Prime Minister emphasizes military maturity, plans $110 billion investment to build independent defense industry https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en ... TCSW4VLHQ/
The Economist, a British weekly magazine, reported in an interview with Prime Minister Netanyahu published on the 10th, local time, that he stated, “We want to gradually reduce U.S. military aid within the next 10 years.”
When asked if he would reduce U.S. military support to “zero (0),” Netanyahu responded, “Yes.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu has previously indicated that Israel should not rely on military aid. However, this is the first time he has publicly stated his position on U.S. military support.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 11 Jan 2026 01:03
by RCase
SRajesh wrote: ↑10 Jan 2026 16:00
So if Iran falls and they revert back to Zoroasterianism!!
...
Here is a video from PGurus with a guy who is pretty well versed with Iranian life and belief system. Interesting insights to the strain of Zoroastrianism in Iran. Also an interesting perspective of bringing in a vedic perspective to that society.
SRajesh wrote: ↑10 Jan 2026 16:00
So if Iran falls and they revert back to Zoroasterianism!!
...
Here is a video from PGurus with a guy who is pretty well versed with Iranian life and belief system. Interesting insights to the strain of Zoroastrianism in Iran. Also an interesting perspective of bringing in a vedic perspective to that society.
Americans will bring in pahlavi and return back Iran into american orbit !
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 11 Jan 2026 06:26
by A_Gupta
I see an Iran that is not subject to American sanctions to be to India’s benefit. The northern route, route to Afghanistan, Chabahar port investment, etc., will be fruitful.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 11 Jan 2026 10:50
by Manish_P
A_Gupta wrote: ↑11 Jan 2026 06:26
I see an Iran that is not subject to American sanctions to be to India’s benefit. The northern route, route to Afghanistan, Chabahar port investment, etc., will be fruitful.
There are no need for sanctions when the ruler will be merely a puppet with strings in the hands of the US
A_Gupta wrote: ↑11 Jan 2026 06:26
I see an Iran that is not subject to American sanctions to be to India’s benefit. The northern route, route to Afghanistan, Chabahar port investment, etc., will be fruitful.
There are no need for sanctions when the ruler will be merely a puppet with strings in the hands of the US
NOt that. what he meant is we could buy oil from the Iranians without the threat of sanctions. But yes Pahlavi will be a leader who may have to take approval from the Americans before he agrees for it. will be far worse than the current Venezuelan leadership.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 11 Jan 2026 11:14
by uddu
The chants are Mashallah..Mashallah https://x.com/SalmanSima/status/2010087848808976709
@SalmanSima
The people of Iran outsmarted the Islamic Republic:
The regime cut the lights and electricity in the major streets of Tehran to prevent the greatness of the protesters' crowd from being shown and to make it difficult for people to document their unity. But the brave Iranians turned on the flashlights of their cell phones and created an even more epic scene of unity.
https://x.com/i/status/2009988189876887624
@inside_nk
BREAKING | Iranian Azerbaijani Turkish political groups have issued a joint statement calling on Iran’s Turkic population to fully and actively join the ongoing nationwide protests.
Iran’s Azerbaijani Turks are not a small group - they are one of the largest ethnic communities in the country.
This marks a significant escalation, signalling potential ethnic and regional mobilisation alongside broader popular unrest in Iran.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 11 Jan 2026 11:17
by uddu
https://x.com/i/status/2010100632955302179
@RudawEnglish
The Kurdish-led SDF said on Saturday that a Kurdish female fighter was executed and thrown from a building by the Syrian army.
The fighter was reportedly captured by armed men after resisting an army attack in the Kurdish-majority neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsood for hours.
According to these activists, he is the Egyptian national, Ahmed Al-Mansouri, wanted by Egyptian security services.
What is beyond dispute is the bigger picture: Syria has become a playground for foreign jihadists, where execution-style violence is filmed and celebrated, while Western and regional backers pretend this is a “new state” bringing stability.
We Kurds fought ISIS for 15 years, and we know very well how they think. The Syrian government is extremist and terrorist.
They only pretend in the media that they have changed, but in reality their actions are exactly the same as ISIS. Remember what they did to the Druze, Alawites, and Christians, and recently to the Kurds through massacres.
They always tell their supporters that they are weak now and forced to deceive the United States and the world. They say that when they become stronger and build their army, they will declare Sharia and jihad, attack Israel, and “liberate” Jerusalem and even Andalusia.
Every day they also remind us that they will take revenge on us, the Kurds, because we defeated ISIS in Raqqa and Baghouz. They say they will free ISIS families from al-Hol camp.
https://x.com/KGG6766/status/2009230191252693342
@KGG6766
Videos show armed Islamist Syrian Army men escorting the Kurdish Female Fighter while grabbing her hair, hurling dehumanizing insults such as “pigs,”
This is exposing the reality behind claims of a “new Syria.”
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 11 Jan 2026 11:20
by Vayutuvan
A_Gupta wrote: ↑10 Jan 2026 22:39
I expect in the event that the Khamenei regime is overthrown, Iran just might try to become a secular though Muslim-majority country.
A leaked voice recording of a jihadist reveals a commander working for the ‘Syrian government’ ordered the massacre of ALL Kurds in Aleppo! INCLUDING NEWBORN BABIES!!
Jihadi ‘commander’ Abu Amsha is amongst those sanctioned by UK recently!
"We received an order from Commander Abu Amsha: Any child, any woman, whatever they are—virgin, young woman, girl, infant—if she's 6 months old or a day old, the important thing is that they belong to the Kurdish nationality, slaughter them, kill them immediately directly after you arrest them in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. Don't film anything, kill them on the spot, no filming—this is an order from Commander Abu Amsha."
https://x.com/i/status/2010067693224054786
@Shahrizor
Not Gazans this is Kurds getting ethnically cIeansed by the Syrian terror government as the International community continues praising Syria and removed all sanctions
No one is saving us but ourselves become united and let us stop these animaIs like we stopped their lsis
A_Gupta wrote: ↑11 Jan 2026 06:26
I see an Iran that is not subject to American sanctions to be to India’s benefit. The northern route, route to Afghanistan, Chabahar port investment, etc., will be fruitful.
There are no need for sanctions when the ruler will be merely a puppet with strings in the hands of the US
Exactly. And I see no reason for objections about using the Chabahar port to get to Afghanistan.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 11 Jan 2026 12:40
by Manish_P
A_Gupta wrote: ↑11 Jan 2026 12:20
...
Exactly. And I see no reason for objections about using the Chabahar port to get to Afghanistan.
Well India didn't see any objection to refining and reselling Russian crude to Europe when they themselves were buying Gas directly from Russia, but then here we are...
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 11 Jan 2026 14:54
by uddu
How will Trump answer his Christian Fundamentalist base in the U.S? https://x.com/i/status/1946545292691787852
@DanBurmawy
Pastor Khalid Mezher, leader of the Good Shepherd Evangelical Church, was killed in Sweida following the jihadist invasion, along with his entire family, his siblings, their children, and his parents.
Originally from a Druze background, Pastor Mezher and his entire family had embraced Christianity many years ago. They remained in Sweida, where they established a local evangelical church.
They were never harassed by their Druze community. But after the jihadists invaded Sweida, Pastor Khalid and twenty members of his family were brutally murdered.
U.S. proudly published this roadmap years ago in a Brookings Institution paper titled “Which Path to Persia?”
The paper begins with strategy of starving Iran into submission. The paper explicitly discusses the use of “harsh sanctions” and secondary sanctions on countries trading with Iran as part of a so-called “persuasion” strategy designed to cause “real pain in Tehran.” Crucially, this approach is predicated on the assumption that if the Iranian people are “threatened with the ruin of their economy, they will do anything to prevent it.”
Consequently, the paper moves on to analyzing methods for “inspiring an insurgency.” It openly acknowledges that the U.S. could engage Iran through “unconventional warfare” and terrorism by backing groups such as the Kurds to pressure or overthrow the current government.
Following this, the paper suggests that a performative show of “diplomacy” may be necessary before pursuing a military option. The purpose is to build international and domestic support by creating the narrative that Iran rejected a “very good deal.”
Most strikingly, the paper states that efforts to promote regime change might be “intended by the U.S. government as deliberate provocations to try to goad the Iranians into an excessive response that might then justify an American invasion.”
We are now at the last stage.
Throughout the document, they repeatedly admit that International public deception is required to manufacture consent for regime change, and that the opposition groups they support are neither popular nor viable without continuous U.S. backing.
They met a few weeks ago reaffirming their support for one another.
Turkey’s foreign minister, Fidan has been working nonstop making calls to Arab leaders and U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack to try to convince President Trump to not attack Iran.
Turkey fears regime change will allow the Kurds to carve out their own territory and allow U.S. and Israel to have a huge influence in Tehran, sidelining the Turks.
REPORT: U.S. troops were instructed to leave Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by the end of the day, according to multiple diplomatic sources cited by Reuters.
Al Udeid is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, hosting around 10,000 American personnel.
No official explanation has been given yet.
But moves like this rarely happen without a reason.
But trust me, many of them won’t leave, and when and if war breaks out, they’ll be making emotional and/or taunting videos about India not rescuing them. Then special IAF flights, along with a minister, will go to pick them up. They’ll be received in Delhi/Mumbai by another minister, who will welcome them a rose and a namaste.
Thereafter, many of them will complain in the media about how they weren’t given a seat on the plane en route to India, no snacks were provided, and that instead of arranging special flights to take them from Mumbai/Delhi to their homes, they were sent in state transport buses
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday Washington is tracking what he described as a surge of capital flight by Iran’s ruling elite, as fears grow over the possible collapse of the Islamic Republic amid unrest and threats of a US strike.
"As Treasury who carries out the sanctions we can see is we are now seeing the rats fleeing the ship because we can see millions, tens of millions of dollars being wired out of the country, snuck out of the country by the Iranian leadership," Bessent said in an interview with Newsmax.
"So they are abandoning ship, and we are seeing it come into banks and financial institutions all over the world," the Treasury Secretary added.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 10:36
by Vayutuvan
I am somewhat skeptical of what Bessent says and what Lutnick says. They are out of control fools.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 12:42
by uddu
Can Iran Sustain a War With the United States? | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G Iran says it is ready for war—but how prepared is it? As tensions with the United States escalate, Tehran is showcasing its military strength, warning of strikes across West Asia if attacked. It has one of the region’s largest missile and drone arsenals, and commands a vast network of regional proxies. But Iran's economy is in freefall, and its military has suffered critical setbacks. Inflation is soaring, the rial has collapsed, and recent Israeli and U.S. strikes have weakened its defences. Amid this, Tehran signals it is open to talks—but only if Washington is willing to listen.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 12:45
by uddu
Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to form "Islamic NATO"? | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G Turkiye is reportedly looking to join a Saudi-Pakistan mutual defence pact, triggering speculation about an "Islamic NATO". Can Muslim countries come together to create a solid security umbrella? What would it mean for India and the US? Palki Sharma tells you.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 14:52
by chetak
Vayutuvan wrote: ↑15 Jan 2026 10:36
I am somewhat skeptical of what Bessent says and what Lutnick says. They are out of control fools.
Vayutuvan ji,
They are saying exactly what their boss wants them to say.
It's called plausible deniability but it conveys an unmistakable message that emanates out the WH, by trusted advisors of the POTUS, and no one has refuted or denied the contents of these impassioned outpourings.
https://x.com/Iran_in_India/status/2011460336705286197
@Iran_in_India
Unilateral actions by the United States against the existing global order — including the imposition of unfair tariffs and its withdrawal from 66 international institutions — have pushed the world toward a breakdown of global norms. Silence and inaction by countries do not mitigate these threats; they only intensify them. These policies will sooner or later affect all countries, regardless of their size or economic power.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 16:03
by uddu
Some news about Trump calling off the strike the last minute. There seems to be Saudi Pressuring the Americans. https://x.com/ianmiles/status/2011599733547286927
@ianmiles
BREAKING — HAPPENING NOW:
The United States is rapidly redeploying the entire USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group out of the South China Sea and steaming full speed toward the Middle East as the U.S. prepares to unleash major strikes on Iran.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 16:39
by uddu
Qatar is against U.S attack on Iran. Their biggest backer in the region will vanish. Muslim Nation Threatens CATASTROPHIC War With U.S Over Iran | Qatar ISSUES Big Order to Its Troops The Middle East is on edge. Iran is burning with protests… the United States is threatening strikes… and now a Muslim nation has sent a stark warning to Washington: any military escalation could be catastrophic.
Qatar, a key Gulf state, is stepping into the spotlight. The Qatari government says that if the U.S. attacks Iran over its deadly crackdown on protesters, the results would be disastrous — not just for Iran, but for the entire region.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 16:43
by uddu
Who Controls Iran's Regime? Chain of Command Explained | Firstpost Flashback | N18G As protests intensify to topple the Iranian regime, we take a closer look at how the power is distributed. Who holds real power in Tehran? Who is closest to the Supreme Leader? In this previous episode of Flashback, Palki Sharma unpacks Iran's power pyramid.
Washington / Tehran : A planned military strike by the United States against Iran was reportedly called off at the last minute on wednesday night, according to defense analysts and emerging diplomatic signals — a move that underscores soaring tensions and deep uncertainty over U.S. policy toward Tehran amid wider regional volatility.
Sources close to military planning indicated that President Donald Trump personally intervened late Wednesday to halt the operation just minutes before execution, citing concerns that the mission would not deliver “a decisive blow” against Iran’s leadership and might trigger a wider conflict. Reports — including commentary from military analyst Amir Bohbot — suggest the strike was shelved as U.S. officials assessed that they could not guarantee regime collapse or sufficient capability to counter an Iranian retaliation.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 21:27
by uddu
END Of Islam In Iran? | Why Iranians Are LEAVING ISLAM
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 15 Jan 2026 21:44
by uddu
https://x.com/i/status/2011455678175740313
@DrSJaishankar
Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
@araghchi
We discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 16 Jan 2026 00:43
by SRajesh
^^^ We need to keep our mind open here!!
This could go two ways:
1. A complete take down of the religious control (meaning taking down IRGC and Basit which is probably very difficult and long drawn) leading total anarchy a la Iraq or Libya post western strikes
2. A return of the Shah (Western controlled or not, Constitutional monarchy or not) and not many buyers including the US.
But what I am worried about most here is : A compromise formula by US and Mullahs leading to a toned down Theocratic state(which is an Oxymoron but may be a political exigency given the situation and fear of loosing all them souls to Fire Worship) which might still follow US diktat.
This would turn off the oil to China and stop our entry route to Afghanistan via Chabhar. One way to placate US could be to buy Iranian Oil for Rus-Juice!!
Given our historical connection to Iran, this is the time for soft power manuevers!! A shame that our Parsis have lost all connections to their Motherland, otherwise that could have been activated
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 16 Jan 2026 02:35
by Vayutuvan
Masih Alinejad gave an impassioned speech to the Uniated Nations. She called out the Iranian Amby (or is it the Iranian Foreign Affairs minister?) to the UN just now.
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 16 Jan 2026 02:44
by Vayutuvan
WATCH: UN Security Council Meets on Iran – Masih Alinejad Speaks Amid U.S. Request | AC15 Watch LIVE as the UN Security Council convenes on Iran at the request of the United States, featuring a powerful address by Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad.
Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and activist, addresses the UN Security Council (0:25) at the request of the United States, calling for concrete action against the Iranian regime. She criticizes the UN's perceived failure to respond to the massacre unfolding in Iran (0:49), highlighting the silence of the Secretary-General (0:57). Alinejad states that millions of unarmed Iranians have been silenced through violence, mass arrests, and communication blackouts (1:47).
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 16 Jan 2026 22:37
by drnayar
Is anyone following the terrorist ops inside Iran.. very interesting to say the least
Israeli and CIA/MI6 funded armed "operatives" [terrorists is hardly the word] using ex soviet era and also sophisticated western comms gear getting infiltrated via the Pakistan border with help from the ISI . Counter intelligence ops of "friendly" countries to Iran backing up the fight with electronic jammers and real time surveillance. The starlink is providing backup communication on a large scale ! The war is now of covert ops and counter ops ! All backed up with social media narratives and counter narratives..better than a Clancy novel ! ..
The CIA model of "regime change" is now working on a much higher order of magnitude.
Tulsi is mere figure of DNI with Ratcliffe running the show with Trumps blessings
Iran is not a small country !
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 18 Jan 2026 18:18
by chetak
BREAKING: Massive fire erupts at Karachi Airport after suspected Iranian drone strikes.
Reports indicate a weapons consignment from the US landed in Karachi yesterday, allegedly intended to arm Jaish al-Adl for attacks on a police station and IRGC facilities in Sistan–Baluchestan.
A timely tip-off from a foreign intelligence agency alerted Iran, and the operation was reportedly neutralised at the last moment through coercive action of drone strike
Karachi airport par iran ka bada drone attack | Pak Media Reaction
Re: West Asia News and Discussions
Posted: 19 Jan 2026 09:24
by uddu
https://x.com/kurdistannews24/status/20 ... 7606638791
@kurdistannews24
WATCH: Can you believe this?
right now 100,000 ISIS, HTS, Al-Qaeda, and Turkish special forces are attacking Kurds in Syria from all directions. As you can see, U.S. Army personnel are just standing in the middle, watching and even dancing, doing nothing to stop it until the massacre ended.