It was well reported that Barron Trump bought a significant amount of oil before the strikes on Iran started
The inner circles all profited from this war. Easiest money to make.
Hmmm, I suppose I might have been a bit harsh
Not really. Just read his words. Ask who he means when he says “we are planning”. Ask why he is saying he hopes Americans support Trump. Read what he says about Ukraine and Trump’s pressure on Zelensky to do a deal with Putin. At some point a leader really needs principles.
I re read it.
He's a weasel. Thanks for reminding me.
Leader needs principles, let's see em. Say no to illegal aggression.
They murdered almost the entire family of the Ayatollah in a sneaky attack.
They then bombed 150 to 160 school children.
With the same people in Iran still in charge, it is hard to imagine them just saying "OK .. lets just forget all about the last couple months".
Iran has apparently stated around 1500 civilians have died since USA and Israel bombed them during negations. Something like 15% of those civilians have been children .. and of course the countries Supreme leader.
They murdered almost the entire family of the Ayatollah in a sneaky attack.
They then bombed 150 to 160 school children.
With the same people in Iran still in charge, it is hard to imagine them just saying "OK .. lets just forget all about the last couple months".
Iran has apparently stated around 1500 civilians have died since USA and Israel bombed them during negations. Something like 15% of those civilians have been children .. and of course the countries Supreme leader.
Iran has apparently stated around 1500 civilians have died since USA and Israel bombed them during negations.
Not sure the Iranian authorities are overly fussed about Iranian civilian deaths. Unless they are upset about being denied the ability to kill them themselves.
and of course the countries Supreme leader.
That, plus the rest, is rather more significant for them.
An obvious problem for any peace talks is last year whilst talks were ongoing Israel/USA launched an attack and Iran did nothing in return. This year during talks Israel/USA launched their special military operation.
I am not sure I would be trusting Israel/USA to be negotiating fairly and not lining up for third time lucky.
I am not sure I would be trusting Israel/USA to be negotiating fairly and not lining up for third time lucky.
Between The fundamentalist nutters in Tehran, the loons in the Trump administration and the genocidal bastards in Tel Aviv, I can't see any negotiations getting off the ground at all, never mind achieving anything. Could you think of 3 less trustworthy parties? Maybe throw Putin into the mix too, just so you've got a full house?
It now seems 100% definite that Trumps claim of talks was a complete spoof, just to try and get oil prices down for a bit. No doubt for both political and personal financial (market manipulation) reasons
It now seems 100% definite that Trumps claim of talks was a complete spoof, just to try and get oil prices down for a bit. No doubt for both political and personal financial (market manipulation) reasons
You see with Trump I don't think anything is 100% definite:
- might have been a discussion with someone who purported to be the defacto leader - the problem being when you destroy the leadership you've no idea who that is!
- might have been a random person who called him up, like the journalist at the FT seemingly did a few weeks ago, and Trump just assumed was "a good guy" from Iran
- might have been an intermediary who was actually acting for Iran, with their consent
- might have been an intermediary who Iran don't know about, but who might actually help broker a settlement
Just because Trump doesn't know who he spoke to, or what authority they had doesn't mean he didn't speak to someone! But its right out of his Art of Deal playbook - his problem is he doesn't understand what the otherside wants because he can't imagine wanting anything but money.
Didn't he just spend the whole weekend playing golf at Mar-a-Lago though?
Any negotiations that did (allegedly) take place can't have eaten into his valuable golfing time much
It's all about priorities
Just because Trump doesn't know who he spoke to, or what authority they had doesn't mean he didn't speak to someone!
Nah, just completely made up.
And one by one the governments of the other countries in the region are letting it be known they weren't facilitating such talks, because they didn't happen.
But its right out of his Art of Deal playbook
Remember... all those products out there with the "Trump" name on them are someone else's work, including that book.
With the same people in Iran still in charge, it is hard to imagine them just saying "OK .. lets just forget all about the last couple months".
I've not heard that the Iranians have issued any direct threats against Trump and his family in retaliation for Khamenei. Has this just been lost in all the other news that's been going on?
Unlikely to be successful with all the security around Trump and his clan unless an future president degrades his protection like Trump tried with Biden and Obama IIRC.
Starmer claimed he was notified of the negotiations. So is he bullshitting or is he being led a merry dance? I suspect he is just a gullible pawn willing to sook up to the big boys.
It now seems 100% definite that Trumps claim of talks was a complete spoof, just to try and get oil prices down for a bit. No doubt for both political and personal financial (market manipulation) reasons
I assumed it was to hide his latest taco moment with the 48 hrs to comply threat from the weekend that expired yesterday
in a move that was more predictable than Iran bllocking Hormuz
Trump is gearing up throw hegseth under the bus...
TBH Hegsth like the others were always going under the bus,it’s just when.
Fair point... 🤣
A good article by Ian Dunt on Don 'Corleone' Trump
https://iandunt.substack.com/p/guest-post-trump-thinks-hes-don-corleone
Unlikely to be successful with all the security around Trump and his clan unless an future president degrades his protection like Trump tried with Biden and Obama IIRC.
In a country with as many guns and nutters as they have its surprising how few publicised attempts there are, perhaps they are all on his "side". It would probably be a bad outcome though - he would become a martyr for MAGA and reinforce the divisions.
IMHO the photo of him surrounded by Secret Service with his fist raised, bloodied, in front of the flag won him the election.
I think you’re right.
I did my dissertation on photomontage and the manipulation of photographic images for propaganda purposes (yes, I’ve always been that rock’n’roll) and I’ve worked in comms for years, including art directing loads of photoshoots.
IMHO that is the most staged image I’ve ever seen in my life. Absolutely set up, 100%. Images as perfect as that don't just happen. Ever! Not a chance!
Hats off for whoever did set it up though. It's an absolute masterpiece!
and his ear is suspiciously free of scaring
Are we straying into serious conspiracy theories now...?
I've always been sceptical of conspiracy theories but more and more I'm convinced that there is something in them, if only because they often now seem less mad than reality. Remember that one about the world being run by a global network of peadophiles? That was rubbish twenty years ago...
Are we straying into serious conspiracy theories now...?
I don't normally entertain them, but when it comes to Trumps (famously known as a complete coward) supposed 'assassination' and all the triumphant, iconic, heroic, fist-pummping, FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! imagery it resulted in? Well...
"IMHO that is the most staged image I’ve ever seen in my life. Absolutely set up, 100%. Images as perfect as that don't just happen. Ever! Not a chance!"
100% with you on this. As someone with more than a passing professional interest in this stuff the giveaway for me is the secret service guy on the right looking straight at the camera - "you getting this?"
Was it an expert shooter who purposefully just grazed his ear or was there not a shooter at all? Did the Trump team kill the bystanders themselves to add credibility or was that staged also? I have so many questions.
I have so many questions.
Yup. It's just conspiracy bullshit, isn't it. That photographer would have picked the best of a series of burst shots. And they would have been one of many there capable of taking it/them. If one of them hadn't managed to take a good shot... that would have me asking far more questions...
I've always been sceptical of conspiracy theories but more and more I'm convinced that there is something in them, if only because they often now seem less mad than reality. Remember that one about the world being run by a global network of peadophiles? That was rubbish twenty years ago...
It's still rubbish now.
There is usually a tiny grain of truth in most successful conspiracy theories but that doesn't stop the rest being bobbins.
In that case, it is true (and always has been) that rich and successful men use their wealth and power to sleep with young attractive women and some of them don't care too much about consent ("age of" or otherwise). But that's a world away from the Qanon rubbish.
I don't wish to diminish the suffering of the victims, but I've yet to hear anything from the Epstein case that is surprising. Upsetting, yes. But not surprising. It's like hearing that not everyone engaging in prostitution or in the porn industry is doing it entirely willingly.
Anyway, back on topic.
His primary concern is NATO, that's his job.
If concern for NATO requires supporting Trump and Netanyahu launching an illegal war on Iran, and throwing Ukraine under the bus to appease Putin, then that’s a little problematic, no?
If that’s what’s happening, it’s very problematic. But NATO suddenly being without the USA brings its own problems. We might just be delaying a post USA defence world (in Europe)… but it needs delaying.
We might just be delaying a post USA defence world (in Europe)… but it needs delaying.
Indeed. Like many people my gut instinct is to tell Trump to get stuffed. We don't need him. We can defend ourselves or make alliances with other people. We had an empire don't you know 😀 But it doesn't take long to realise that is pure fantasy.
I was listening to the Briefing Room podcast on the state of our military and somebody made the point that our armed forces are just about sufficient to take and hold a small market town on a good day and even then we'd probably need US intelligence. Falling out with our US protectors would leave us very exposed for quite a long while.
Falling out with our US protectors would leave us very exposed for quite a long while.
Is that the one and same US protector doing such sterling work defending the interests of it's gulf state allies?
I don't know how much more evidence is needed to conclude that they can't be relied on.
I don't know how much more evidence is needed to conclude that they can't be relied on.
How much are you willing to spend on defence?
Is that the one and same US protector doing such sterling work defending the interests of it's gulf state allies?
Well quite. How’s that grovelling workin’ out for ya?
For anyone who wants to know what the Iranian Embassy think of Trump's stupid idea (no, not his other 17 stupid ideas of the day, his latest one about how he will jointly control the Hormuz Strait along with Iran), this is worth a read:
From Operation Epic Fury to Operation Epic Fail in 3 weeks. I'm just hoping that this is reflected in the Midterm Elections.
I’ve just watched his latest press conference and you can tell that he’s literally making it up as he goes along. All this negotiations talk only exists in his head. It’s all total bollocks!
Now that the sanctions have been lifted on Iranian oil, so they can export again, while nobody else in the region can, they’re laughing.
Why negotiate? They’re calling the shots here, not Trump
How much are you willing to spend on defence?
How much can we screw out of fat **** multi millionaires/billionairs/corporations that offshore their tax?
Had a chat with my sister today.
It's fair to say she's at the far right of the political spectrum so it was interesting to hear her comments on Trump.
In the past she's described him as "funny" as she was politically aligned with him. Now, since the war with Iran has started it appears that she's had a Road to Damascus moment. "Funny" has been replaced by words like "mad" and "dangerous".
82nd Airborne division has been mentioned in Channel 4 news just now. 🤔
I supposed Trump is thinking of using the 82nd to start the ball rolling to encourage uprising from fractions against the Iranian regime. i.e. create a bit more chaos and to divide the country up a bit. Should be interesting to see what will happen.
But Iran is no Iraq where they could steam roll over on the flat ground and with Iran's 90 million population, Trump will need to deploy all their 10 aircraft carrier (Iraq war) groups to make any impact. If true, I suspect the 82nd will just have be the first to bear the brunt of the retaliation from Iran, and Trump will be dragged deeper into the war (as Israel has planned). Very difficult for Trump to get out of this war now and Israel will be celebrating with US full involvement in the region for a long time.
Saudi would be better to stay out by not getting involve even with the protection from their bodyguard Pa-kis-tan. However, someone (puppet master) will gaslight all of them to see them burn as that's the plan.
Oh ya ... as usual someone is earning a lot from this war.
Saudi would be better to stay out
According to the NYT
"Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been pushing President Trump to continue the war against Iran, arguing that the U.S.-Israeli military campaign presents a “historic opportunity” to remake the Middle East, according to people briefed by American officials on the conversations.
In a series of conversations over the last week, Prince Mohammed has conveyed to Mr. Trump that he must press toward the destruction of Iran’s hard-line government, the people familiar with the conversations said."
Publicly Saudi have been saying the opposite and calling for peace
For anyone who wants to know what the Iranian Embassy think of Trump's stupid idea (no, not his other 17 stupid ideas of the day, his latest one about how he will jointly control the Hormuz Strait along with Iran), this is worth a read:
From Operation Epic Fury to Operation Epic Fail in 3 weeks. I'm just hoping that this is reflected in the Midterm Elections.
🤣 well played
Publicly Saudi have been saying the opposite and calling for peace
I suppose the intention is simply to confuse since there is a war near them.
Oh ya ... as usual someone is earning a lot from this war.
Coffezilla is on the case regarding the gambling markets
The opening to Newsnight tonight it like a gut-punch! And well done to the BBC for reminding us all what this is really all about… a distraction from the Epstein files
They opened with 6 of the victims telling their stories. Trump is up to his neck in his mates crimes, so much so that he’ll start a war to try and make everyone look the other way.
If you’ve not watched it, you need to. The full interviews with the victims are broadcast tomorrow night
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002t3x7/newsnight-will-all-the-epstein-files-ever-be-released
TBH the way things are going we might see the Epstein files being released to distract us from the war in Iran.
Has Trump offered security escorts through the straight yet as part of a joint operation with Iran? (I'm not sure if that's a joke or not)
Iran has refused to negotiate with Donald Trump’s top envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, accusing them of “backstabbing”…
More accessible version here https://www.thedailybeast.com/iran-gives-trump-a-negotiation-ultimatum-on-jd-vance-sidelining-steve-witkoff-and-jared-kushner/
Has Trump offered security escorts through the straight yet as part of a joint operation with Iran? (I'm not sure if that's a joke or not)
I mean it is inconceivable there isn't a solid plan? Otherwise the oil price wouldn't have dropped when he said it...
The Iranian military response to the negotiations puts a slightly different spin on it:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn8dldl0jx9t?post=asset%3Aa12b3275-6008-4e16-af4f-506634b9c2ec#post
Iran has refused to negotiate with Donald Trump’s top envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, accusing them of “backstabbing”…
I don't think either side in this conflict has the first clue about the other
Has Trump offered security escorts through the straight yet as part of a joint operation with Iran? (I'm not sure if that's a joke or not)
It has been a curious sequence of events - it basically seems to have played out as
Journalists to Hegseth and Trump "You don't appear to have made any plans to secure the Straight"
Hegseth and Trump to Journalists "of course we have - we've had a plan all along - just you wait and see what our plan is. You'll be amazed"
Hegseth and Trump turning to pretty much every other government "What are you going to do to secure the Straight? And why haven't you done it already?"
I love that Iran are saying "Trump is negotiating with himself" because we can all picture the senile old c*** doing exactly that
Its fairly obvious hes just saying anything he can to try & lower the oil price, whilst his goons use knowledge of this to make billions on the markets
also
Ebrahim Zolfagharihas, spokesperson for Iran's military command Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, says in a video message to “the self-proclaimed global superpower" - “do not call your defeat an agreement".
Iran has refused to negotiate with Donald Trump’s top envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, accusing them of “backstabbing”…
I don't think either side in this conflict has the first clue about the other
Well the 'backstabbing' accusation seems to be fair but it would seem it the US they stabbed in the back. Iran would be doing the US a favour by cutting Witkoff and Kushner out of the conversation. We have to keep reminding ourselves how little actual responsibility or authority these two guys have. Kushner is an 'informal advisor' and 'trusted trouble shooter' but neither an elected official or a civil servant. Witkoff is a 'special envoy' but operates outside of / separately to the US's foreign embassies and ambassadors.
They both basically side step the whole US diplomatic and intelligence apparatus and whisper directly in Trump's ear - but they are only telling Trump what they choose to and not what they know.
Kushner is an 'informal advisor' and 'trusted trouble shooter' but neither an elected official or a civil servant.
The US Government has never worked like that though, POTUS gets to promote whomever he wants to whichever roles he sees fit. If the Iranians start 'demanding' who they talk to, what's the likelihood that Trump will pay any attention to it, or if he does, listen to what that persons says. It's puts any negotiation on the back foot from the get go, and adds unnecessary tension.
Govts need to engage with the world as it is, not how they'd like it to be, this is never more true when it's about diplomacy.
Kushner is an 'informal advisor' and 'trusted trouble shooter' but neither an elected official or a civil servant.
The US Government has never worked like that though, POTUS gets to promote whomever he wants to whichever roles he sees fit. If the Iranians start 'demanding' who they talk to, what's the likelihood that Trump will pay any attention to it, or if he does, listen to what that persons says. It's puts any negotiation on the back foot from the get go, and adds unnecessary tension.
Govts need to engage with the world as it is, not how they'd like it to be, this is never more true when it's about diplomacy.
The problem for the US is that they are on the backfoot, rather than the Iranians.
Iran feels "conned" by Witkoff and Kushner and wouldn't trust them again. Witkoff doesn't use an official team (he didn't even take a translator to Russia for talks about Ukraine) and reports disingenuous positions back
Some frustrated U.S., Ukrainian and European officials say part of the problem is the go-it-alone style of Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for peace missions and go-to negotiator on Ukraine. He has refused to consult with experts and allies, leaving him uninformed at times and unprepared at others, according to seven people familiar with internal discussions. Two said he misses the mark by viewing the conflict through a real estate lens, like a land dispute.
Trump’s unconventional fixer has met Putin five times over six months, but he has yet to translate his access to the Russian leader into any breakthroughs on Ukraine. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/29/steve-witkoff-russia-ukraine-00533390
Govts need to engage with the world as it is, not how they'd like it to be, this is never more true when it's about diplomacy.
Well, the USA government needs to learn that lesson, and get some hard headed diplomats involved, not their pet delusional unprepared unserious personal empire building idiotic family members and real estate buddies.
Witkoff doesn't use an official team (he didn't even take a translator to Russia for talks about Ukraine) and reports disingenuous positions back
When Trump claimed Starmer was 'No Churchill" he's quite right in this respect
Witcoff is the Lindemenn to Trump's Churchill
The real hazard with Wifcoff is he meets Russia in private, takes no notes and the US government can only take his word for what took place. Russia will of course both have the true record and can reveal it, and can equally create any false one and reveal that, and the US is defenceless against either scenario
I love that Iran are saying "Trump is negotiating with himself" because we can all picture the senile old c*** doing exactly that
From what has been reported about the "peace plan" it does look like he asked Putin for some advice about how to write it.
British troops shoot down a dozen Iranian kamikaze drones
Apologies for the crappy link, not happy UK forces are being put in harms way due to the orange buffoons 3 day war. Time he retired to Bournmouth and let the grown ups take over.
They both basically side step the whole US diplomatic and intelligence apparatus and whisper directly in Trump's ear - but they are only telling Trump what they choose to and not what they know.
TBH the way things are going we might see the Epstein files being released to distract us from the war in Iran.
Theres more chance of an attack on Cuba
Grandpa Simpson has given us yet another press conference, repeating the same old flannel again. Blah, blah, blah… their navy has been destroyed… blah, blah, blah… no leaders… blah, blah, blah… their weapons have all been destroyed
The evidence would suggest that that’s all total bollocks.
The orange toddler has done a great job of painting himself into a corner.
Meanwhile Netanyahu carries on and moves his murderous genocide into Lebanon, repeating what he did in Gaza. Channel 4 news are reporting that Israeli forces are specifically targeting paramedics and medical facilities, which is a war crime. But they know all about those, the ****s!
You reckon his chances of finally getting his much coveted Nobel peace prize have gone up or down? 🧐
Meanwhile Netanyahu carries on and moves his murderous genocide into Lebanon, repeating what he did in Gaza. Channel 4 news are reporting that Israeli forces are specifically targeting paramedics and medical facilities, which is a war crime. But they know all about those, the ****s!
Israel can get away with whatever warcrimes they wish to commit as they have the "holocaust" get out of jail card to throw around whilst the rest of the worlds so called "rules based order" stand by and wring their hands.
Shoot kids in specific areas of the body for their little daily scorecards
Double tap on rescuers
Shell a car, kill all the inhabitants even whilst they know a child is inside, pepper it with over 400 rounds, kill the emergency operatives that attend.
Shell and pepper ambulance crews then bury the bodies and vehicles and lie about it?
Lies....lies....lies....lies....lies...lies....lies...lies.....lies.
Its in their nature to lie regarding the war crimes they have carried out, no one is in court/jail for the well documented crimes
****-em
Netanyahu is just as evil, if more than Trump - or at least the military are. We're all expecting reprisals from this war, including Europeans, but there are three big war mongers at the moment. Russia, USA and Israel. The Israeli Leaders seem hell bent on war with their close neighbours, which the USA is backing. If certain communities 'elsewhere' around the world are feeling unsafe, then it's about time you tell your country's leaders to stop this nonsense.
Religion and oil are to blame for wars. I gave up religion as when I was old enough to appreciate you should only follow it as far as loving your neighbour ! The rest is bullshit. Live and let live.
As for oil...
Netanyahu is just as evil, if more than Trump
The episode of Origin Story on Netanyahu is good and there’s a lot to unpick, including his being the brother of a national hero.
The main issue as I understand it is that he can’t be prosecuted under Israeli law while he’s in office, and so to stay in power he’s allied himself with increasingly unsavoury right wing nationalists.
The main issue as I understand it is that he can’t be prosecuted under Israeli law while he’s in office, and so to stay in power he’s allied himself with increasingly unsavoury right wing nationalists.
Same can be said for Trump and Putin really
To back up what I mentioned above
No Israel prosecutions for killing Palestinian civilians in occupied West Bank since start of decade
Dozens of former Israeli military, police and spy chiefs describe situation as ‘organised Jewish terrorism’
Israel has not prosecuted its citizens for killing Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank since the start of this decade, , a Guardian analysis of legal data and public records show, creating impunity for a campaign of violence.
Attacks have spurred former prime minister Ehud Olmert to call for an intervention by the international criminal court (ICC), to “save the Palestinians and us [Israelis]” from state-backed settler violence, carried out with the complicity and sometimes participation of the police and military.
“I have decided not only to not remain silent, but to draw the attention of the ICC in The Hague so that it may take enforcement measures and issue arrest warrants,’” Olmert said in written comments to the Guardian.
You reckon his chances of finally getting his much coveted Nobel peace prize have gone up or down? 🧐
He's got one. He didn't win it in the usual way, but he's still got one🤣🙈
And a FIFA one too.
The orange toddler has done a great job of painting himself into a corner.
I'm waiting to see who helps Trump out of this latest blunder. So far he has been able to just make a mess, repeat more lies, then blunder into another mess that distracts from the previous .. is Iran where the buck stops?
*It's a given that Hegseth gets thrown under the bus. But I doubt he will be big enough.
is Iran where the buck stops?
There's Cuba on the horizon.
But ultimately, the mess isn't going away regardless and it's looking fairly likely that the US is engaging in a major strategic defeat, for itself and anyone stood nearby. And Russia is getting a windfall to fund killing Ukrainians as well.
The buck probably stops bucking with the optimistic assumption the GOP get trashed in the mid terms, next presidential elections. My breath isn't held.
For those on X, couple of weird White House posts kicking about.
yeah the crazy situation is that Iran is now charging a toll for anything to be shipped through Hormuz
Trump is an absolute tool
Latest news from some US media is that Trump (because he has dementia, and they don't want him agitated) is being shown a daily 2-3 minute montage of [as one staffer put it] "stuff blowing up". Which is partly why he gets upset when the actual news broadcasters tell him about things happening that he has no idea about, because he has no idea that what he's seeing is faked.
Leader of the free world ladies and gentlemen...