Lots of western people being detained in Iran at the moment, for what we can assume are either no crimes or very minor misdemeanors. The apologist for the Iranian regime on R4 Today yesterday was a complete joke specialising in 'whataboutery'.
But, why would anyone go there in the current climate. Yes, I know the population and country are lovely, but why would you risk being a political pawn?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-49670973
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They were reportedly flying a drone without a permit. What could possibly go wrong with that idea.........
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I certainly wouldn't want to go there right now.
The US withdrawal from the nuclear treaty and consequent sanctions must have hit the country hard. The capatin of the ship detained off Gib was apparently offered pieces of silver to take his ship to a place where US has influence. Said to be not the only offer of that type A 'bunker mentality' that say's everyone is against them is not surprising; the basics were there before. The fact they're in a conflict by proxy with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, essentially part of the Sunni/Shia schism, is another factor.
Not trying to justify taking westerners as 'hostages' bit it's really no surprising they behave as they do when under threat.
Given the nature of the state where the elected president/government and the Supreme Leader (ie Ayatollah successor to Khomeini) have to rub along with a third limb of government in the Republican Guard which is itself factionalised and in places corrupting itself for money only adds further complication.
The whole thing needs cool heads and diplomacy. The Obama administration seemed to recognise that. Unfortunately the man child in the White House cannot abide idea that previous administration might have been right.
The defenestration of John Bolton might make a difference but it's too soon to say right now.
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Lets get two things straight, they aint british, and they put themselves in the firing line.
Sympathy, none. Bothered about them, not.
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>> Lets get two things straight, they aint british, and they put themselves in the firing
>> line.
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>> Sympathy, none. Bothered about them, not.
>>
Are the BBC wrong then stating that Ms King is British?
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Thu 12 Sep 19 at 11:54
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Yes because she Australian, being represented by the Government of Australia, and was arrested as part of a potential prisoner exchange with Australia.
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So far as i can tell there are two women who are Australian/British dual nationals currnetly jailed in Iran. One was motoring through Asia with her Australian partner and was possibly initially detained over a drone offence. The other appears to have been travelling or working alone and is reported to be on a spying charge.
Both are as much British as Australian, are entitled to protection from either and could have a reasonable expectation that Canberra and London would work together.
Having said that if release might be conditional on a prisoner swap with Australia then Canberra might drive process.
The idea that either are 'nothing to do with us' is nonsense.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Thu 12 Sep 19 at 13:11
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If they were British they would be British, not dual nationality.
They traveled from australia, and if they traveled on aussie passports, not our problem.
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Echoing the OP's point, why would anyone who doesn't have to go there go to Iran in the first place, from the moment ships started to be impounded surely the risk level went up.
What's the home office (or whoever) view on travel to Iran at the moment anyway.
Just done a quick google, advice from FCO is not within 100km of the Iraq border
Last edited by: commerdriver on Thu 12 Sep 19 at 16:12
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A very good friend of mine always refers to herself as Persian, although she was born in Pakistan, her formative years were in Iran. Last year I had the pleasure of her company on a weeks holiday, with a few other friends. An amazing lady, she spoke several languages, including Nepalese and some kind of pidgin Urdu. She runs a successful business, and her older siblings, now retired, emigrated to the USA many years ago where by all accounts they too were tremendously successful in business.
She would wax lyrical about Iran, the scenery and kindness shown to total strangers, and sadly it’s somewhere I don’t envisage visiting in my lifetime.
Just don’t ask her about religion. She’s prone to apoplectic fits of rage.
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>> If they were British they would be British, not dual nationality.
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>> They traveled from australia, and if they traveled on aussie passports, not our problem.
Whatever.
You can dance alone on head of that pin.
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Its a large fat podium, its called the worlds stage.
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Apparently her biggest motivation behind the travel vlogs is to hopefully inspire anyone wanting to travel.
"And also try to break the stigma around travelling to countries which get a bad rap in the media."
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I've been dodgy places. Sometimes very dodgy.
There's two choices really;
Ignore the reality, relax and enjoy yourself. Hope nothing goes wrong, though it is quite likely to. If something does go wrong then you'll regret your naive choice and the world will think you're a t*** who deserves all they get.
Deal with the reality. Be aware, careful, as safe as possible, blend in and focus on keeping out of trouble, it'll be an exciting memory looking back on it, but living it is quite s***. It is much less likely to go wrong, but if it does go wrong then you'll regret your choice and the world will think you're a t*** who deserves all they get.
For me, mostly, it didn't go wrong. It could have done, and sometimes came close. If it actually had gone wrong no doubt I would have thought myself a t*** and deserving of whatever happened.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Thu 12 Sep 19 at 16:47
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Oh and I don't have words for the stupidity of people who go to such places, flout the law and make themselves stand out from the crowd. Be that booze, sex, drones or anything else.
In this case I hope the Australians are supporting them, far better that than wasting our money.
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Listened to a few round the world motorcyclists expound the beauty, the welcome and the general nicemess of Iran as they transited through. Big downside, as one later found, was once you admit to having been there (or the visa/carnet stamps) are found in your passport you won't get into the US under the visa waiver scheme and highly likely not get an US visa, so I guess you take your chances and forget about seeing Mickey Mouse in person.
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Any westerner have to be bonkers to go to Iran in the present climate, seriously bonkers to go there after publishing critical articles on their regime.
What exactly do these supposedly well educated people think will happen to them when they get there?
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>> Any westerner have to be bonkers to go to Iran in the present climate, seriously
>> bonkers to go there after publishing critical articles on their regime.
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>> What exactly do these supposedly well educated people think will happen to them when they
>> get there?
>>
Probably because more people than is commonly thought go there and have no problems at all. Then of course some like to challenge the idea that somewhere is dangerous.
Agree on knocking the host country, stupidity.
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Be critical of the US and you can't use their visa waiver system.
Try to deny the right of Israel to exist or demand that the country is boycotted?; they won't let you get on the plane to go there and if you manage to land, you'll be arrested and put on the first plane home.
Want to be critical of Iran; fine. Just don't expect the red carpet when you visit.
Walk on the beach in Saudi, kissing your same sex partner - you'll be arrested. Not what we are used to in western Europe but you have to abide by the rules of the country you visit. Don't want to be arrested; don't break the rules.
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Iran - martin aston
