Should we treat Iran normally now even when they are still a state-sponsored terrorist country?

2016-01-22T00:23:29-05:00

We see that Iran is finally getting the money it wanted and did help in getting the sailors released along with a recent hostage/prisoner swap. They claim to now have complied yet they fired missles over the years and again last month. What are your thoughts? Please, I hope some Persian Americans can give us some of their perspective as well. Long Live America, England and Israel !

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 12:26 AM

2016-01-22T00:26:07-05:00

Not on your life. Not for one second should we think this so-called treaty changes one goddamn thing with that country. This deal was just another sneaky way O'Bummer and, ESPECIALLY, Valerie Jarrett got to support their favorite country in SW Asia, Iran. Those two reek of Islamic fanaticism. Obama's a Christian, my aching ass. His treatment of Israel, bowing to the Saudi King, Arab Spring speech, Libya and Syria fiascos; this treaty was just his last hurrah at undermining our entire pro-Israel foreign policy in that region which has been the same for decades. Not with him at the helm. He was and remains Hell-bent on destroying Israel as directly and indirectly as he can. And this worthless piece of paper proves it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 12:49 AM

2016-01-22T00:49:24-05:00

Iran is getting rewarded and American and Canadian oil and energy workers are getting laid off by the tens of thousands. It may be cheap gas like it was in 1998 but its too cheap to produce now and Iran is now flooding the market making it even worse. No keystone pipeline either...we should be buying from democracies not from despots and zealots.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 12:49 AM

2016-01-22T00:49:50-05:00

Iran has only one interest - theirs.
I view their rapproachment with Russia as the more ominous recent event. Iran has money, Russia has sophisticated weapons. A well-armed Iran is a real problem for the region.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 22 at 2016 1:48 AM

2016-01-22T01:48:54-05:00

No, they are still a terrorist nation.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 22 at 2016 7:14 AM

2016-01-22T07:14:07-05:00

Given the Ayatollah issued orders no more negotiations with the US, the questionable boat failures and hostage taking, I figure I have a better chance of seeing hell freeze over before Iran honors the nuclear deal...

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 22 at 2016 2:59 PM

2016-01-22T14:59:39-05:00

Nope A target is a target. We just have grow the stones to prosecute them as targets. Well them and the Saudies. Damn Politics.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jan 22 at 2016 3:13 PM

2016-01-22T15:13:27-05:00

Relations with Iran seem to be summed by the old adage: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back. While most Americans are enjoying gas prices below $2/gallon, it comes at a direct cost to developing our indigenous energy resources and the people who support it. In their (apparent) desire, to join the "world community," they still espouse of eliminating Israel... and the United States. Would it be good to have an honest avenue which to approach Iran? Sure. But, that would require an honest partner in the dialog. I'll just leave that right there.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 6:14 PM

2016-01-22T18:14:14-05:00

Sir, Iran could not be trusted years ago and can not be trusted now. Iran is an enemy of America, and I do not see that changing anytime soon.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 6:14 PM

2016-01-22T18:14:45-05:00

Well normal if meant like we treat friendly countries is of course not practical. But having increased diplomatic communications is to our benefit. All during the Cold War we had an embassy in Moscow, the US President held summits with the Soviet leaders, and we negotiated and approved several treaties concerning nuclear weapons. All this was accomplished despite the fact that Krushchev had said "we will bury you", their stated goal was to spread communism all around the world, and they openly supported armed factions that we opposed.

The notion that seemed to develop in our foreign policy over the last 15 years or so that we can't talk to enemies until they behave as we want as a precondition has been unfortunate IMO. Every country has its own interests and while with certain countries our interests conflict on most things, they may well align in others. Isolating ourselves and our enemies ulimately solves nothing.

So I think we should look for ways to improve communications with Iran and seek opportunities for things that support both our interests. Not normalized relations as that term is usually used, but improved relations.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 23 at 2016 9:52 AM

2016-01-23T09:52:19-05:00

My opinions are as that of someone "Monitoring" them in the Early to Mid 90's. With the Nuclear Deal and Shut Down I really don't see them as a threat. Of course they are very intelligent people, still working like all countries in improving their technology and they have enjoyed some success in their Rocket Technology. They are a Parliamentary type government and the Upper House the Controlling House is all Religious Scholars i.e. Theocrats and anyone that thinks their opinion is Gods opinion and enforces it as Dogma and State Doctrine is Dangerous in my book. The Military is Split into the Regular Forces and the Revolutionary Guard (Religious Zealots). I had nothing but Respect for the IRN Iranian Navy but the antics of the Maritime Revolutionary Guard always had us on Razors Edge. I was pleasantly surprised that our Sailors were Rescued/Captured (They did break down and floated onto an Iranian Island) and it is fair to say we are just as Hostile to them as they are to us but the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Fed our Sailors Dinner and within 18 hours they were released. For someone that teased the Revolutionary Guard to the Point of making them shoot each other I think it was Outstanding. They should hate our Guts just for what I and my Fellow Tactical Intelligence Folks did to them.