Khomeinist zombies feeling froggy outside British embassy in Tehran; Update: New hostage video airs
posted at 2:40 pm on April 1, 2007 by Allahpundit
Only in the Middle East could there be popular anger at the victims of their own kidnappings. “Eight small blasts” were spotted according to the Times of London, which attributes them to “firecrackers.” Microvideo at the Beeb, photos at Yahoo. This one’s my favorite because it’s such a nice microcosm of the duality, and absurdity, of the terror state: both sides there are creations of, and answer to, the regime. It’s the good cop/bad cop dynamic synthesized in one frame.
The embassy protest is getting the headlines but there are other maneuvers afoot today to escalate it. News is breaking as I write this that state TV’s set to air more sailors’ confessions. They’ve also sent a letter to Britain formally protesting the incident outside their offices in Basra last week. As you may recall, British troops were ambushed on the same street as the Iranian consulate, perhaps not coincidentally; they returned fire, which Iran maintains wasn’t in response to an ambush at all but was designed to intimidate the diplomatic staff. Now, today, Iranian TV is claiming another violation of its territory — this time by the U.S., when two of our jets supposedly entered Iranian airspace briefly while flying over Iraq. The military denies it. I can’t believe they’d use that as a pretext to seize any of our guys, but it does help ratchet up nationalist sentiment and feed the fantasy that they’re the aggrieved party in all this. Which may be useful right now: the IDF’s head of intel told the Israeli cabinet a few hours ago that Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah are preparing — defensively, he stressed — for an expected U.S. attack, so this could be part of those preparations. Either that or they’re planning to launch an attack of their own somewhere and want to be sure the public reads it as retaliation instead of aggression, particularly given the consequences that will follow.
Captain Ed thinks the regime’s going to let the protesters storm the embassy eventually, which of course would put all sides on a war footing. I’m skeptical, but if it does happen it could happen on Tuesday. That’s when Ahmadinejad’s holding his press conference on this so that would be the time to egg them on.
While all this is happening, Britain’s busy apologizing for the loss of life during the Falklands War and British TV is getting set to air fictional propaganda of British soldiers pissing on Iraqis in Basra. Super.
Update: Here’s the new hostage video. Keep the conciliation coming, Tony.
Blowback
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I wonder how many low camera angle photos were taken by Reuters/AP/AFP to make this look worse than it was?
Egfrow on April 1, 2007 at 3:00 PM
Can we can expect 400 days of negotiations from the Brits for the release of the hostages? Meanwhile, we can only prey that the Iranians are that stupid to try the same maneuver as they did with the Brits.
Egfrow on April 1, 2007 at 3:04 PM
Gibbons’ rewrite “The Decline and Fall of the British Empire” should hit stores in Londonistan any day now.
Super.
(Dupe-err.)
profitsbeard on April 1, 2007 at 3:05 PM
Its not about the Koran or Muhammad? BURRRN IT!!!
Defector01 on April 1, 2007 at 3:12 PM
This should all look very familiar and time is running out very quickly for anybody with enough brains and audacity to bring this to anything but a foregone conclusion.
Iran has history to back up doing exactly the same thing as they have before in order to prove just how impotent the west is compared to Iran’s ‘greatness’.
Iran believes they will win the chicken chesting contest, again.
Speakup on April 1, 2007 at 3:14 PM
I guess the world is waiting for Jimmy Carter to handle this one . He did such a fine job the first time.
Texyank on April 1, 2007 at 3:26 PM
I can practically see Rosie’s monstrous mouth screeching that she was right all along if that happens.
Darth Executor on April 1, 2007 at 3:33 PM
I wonder if there were people during the fall of other great civilizations doing what we are doing now…trying to stop it before it gets inevetible.
I wonder.
Bob's Kid on April 1, 2007 at 3:52 PM
This has gotten completely out of control. The west should have asserted their postion about a week ago by striking the gasoline refinery.
I would be terribly sorry if the 15 sailors lost their lives but, many servicemen and women lose their lives every day in the “GWOT” that is taking place in Iraq. Chlorine gas anyone??? Did someone ring a bell and allow us to say that the “insurgents are now using chemical weapons?” To date, I have yet heard the MSM use the word “Chemical Weapons” as it relates to the latest salvo on coalition and Iraqi troops.
It is all the same war. I just posted on the Syrian site; a Syrian that was driven out of his country for the heresy of believing in democratic principles.
http://tharwacommunity.typepad.com/amarji/
His site might be particulary interesting considering that Pelosi et al have deemed a trip to Damascus politically fortunate at this time… Why does Pelosi think a trip to Demascus would be a good thing at this time? You might want to ask her… Or, ask Ammar.
Jeeze this all makes me so sick. We are headed right down the drain for another world war. Just ask Ms. Pelosi. Does she really think her actions are those of peace or, just screwing the Bush Admin???
Babs on April 1, 2007 at 3:54 PM
Political Positioning now hinders military movements like never before, Reagan launched military strikes over much less… and was feared if not respected in the region.
how can soldiers fight… when they don’t know that we’ll come and get them… no matter what the cost.
I guess we are playing the big bad dog on the leash of Great Britain, as they try to calm things down and placate the Iranians. it seems to me the only thing the Iranians understand is “Don’t Tread on Me” so why don’t we treat them that way?
Kaptain Amerika on April 1, 2007 at 4:05 PM
The Captain writes: “It looks like the Iranians have begun another embassy standoff….”
And of course, the crowds are shouting “death to Britain” as well as that old favorite, “death to America.”
And as Allahpundit notes, watch for them to storm the Brit’s embassy as they did ours.
I would like to believe that this time the West, especially NATO, as one of the Captain’s readers notes, would not simply make disapproving noises like the EU did, or make a call on the UN Security Council for “sanctions” that mean nothing, and all the other useless gestures these cowards like to make, but simply smash the regime with overwhelming force.
We’ll see. But I’m not going to expect it until I see it happening.
georgej on April 1, 2007 at 4:32 PM
Not just super but double super! What a GREAT time to air a fictional propaganda film like this. Guaranteed to quiet the masses and make everything A-OK. I thought the US was the only place where the MSM did things like this. I am not happy to say that I am glad I was wrong.
Glynn on April 1, 2007 at 4:41 PM
“I know what is that you want of me. But I would not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war.” – Théoden
“Open war is upon you, whether would risk it or not.” – Aragorn
- The Cat
MirCat on April 1, 2007 at 4:53 PM
The United States and the UK is inflicted with the weakness of the Left. We will continue to experience such taunts and humiliation from 3rd rate powers until the power of the Left is diminshed.
The classic example Iran’s actions towards the United States with Carter and then Regan. Carter and the Left were percieved as weak because of their lack of will to use power and abused by a 3rd rate power. Hours after Regan, a man of strength, was elected hostages were immediately released. We see the same scenereo again this time, and it will be much worse when Iran acquires nuclear weapons.
This series of events is a minor preview to the arrogant blackmail Iran will engage in when it has nuclear weapons. Get used to be humiliated and being taken of advantage as long as the Left retains significant influence in the United States.
omegaram on April 1, 2007 at 5:22 PM
In the not too distant future the “Left” will have their own country and our flag will have a couple stars removed, we can build a nice big fence to seperate us from the Mexifornians.
Viper1 on April 1, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Mein Gott! The English are being used like a cheap whore in a dark alley.
I bet Churchill is rolling over in his grave right now. I am astonished that such a proud and defiant people just 65 years ago, get pushed around and made to look like p*ssies today.
Jenkins Ear anyone?
I wonder how long till Argentina reclaim the Falklands…
Tim Burton on April 1, 2007 at 6:36 PM
At some point, we have to officially take notice of the fact that Iran has been at war with the Western Civilization for a quarter century. In addition to seizing Iranian vessels anywhere we find them, and blockading the Persian Gulf, we should declare the entire country a No-Fly Zone.
A pair of Spectre gunships should take turns on station, (along with fighter and Wild Weasel escort) circling the skies above the UK embassy, while helicopters evacuate all personnel. The first few choppers could deliver Vulcan mini-cannons, the crews to fire them, and a metric assload of ammo. They’d be stationed at the highest point on the perimeter of the buildings, so that the Spectres could take some time off after sufficient numbers were in place.
The Rules of Engagement would allow targetting anyone attempting to enter the embassy, point a weapon in the general direction of our forces, or even look at them funny. Until further notice, chanting ‘Death to ____!’ (America, Britain, Crusaders, Israel, The West, Zionists…) will be interpreted as a hostile act, authorizing snipers to take out the mob leaders first, then such targets of opportunity as suggest themselves.
You wanna call us Imperialist Bastards? Fine. We’re gonna start acting like it. Imperialist Bastards don’t let crowds of people call for the death of the Empire, within range of the Empire’s sovereign territory.
No attempt would be made to occupy the ground in Iran with infantry at this time, because that would be counter-productive. Instead, Special Forces would work with the indigenous Iranian opposition groups.
And rather than destroying the lone petroleum refinery in the entire country, we’d drop flyers in Farsi, Arabic, Kurdish, French, English and any other languages that seem appropriate, telling the workers that we want to save it for them: they have 24 hours to shut down, clear out and don’t come back until we say it’s OK. At the end of the 24 hours, we take out any pipelines coming out of the refinery. If they’re running at the time, it’ll be messy, which is why they need to shut it down first. If they repair them, we take them out again.
The Monster on April 1, 2007 at 8:36 PM
I had a vision of Pelosi, Kennedy, Murtha, Clinton et al. calling Ahmawhatever and telling him, “hey were doing all we can to help you demonize America and destroy it on George’s watch but when you act like this it doesn’t help the cause… Does Britain really believe appeasement will work? When has it ever?
CCRWM on April 1, 2007 at 9:41 PM
Iran claims (wrongly) that their international boundary was violated (by fifteen military personnel)and the government sponsors riots and Iranians are outraged and demand action.
A million purposeful invaders cross our southern border every year and our government kisses their a$$es and anti America organizations have free reign and government money to encourage a million more.
What is so innate in a third rate country with a 7th century religious mandate that is so unintelligible to the US?
Got Sovereignty?
Speakup on April 1, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Well Well Well, The Iranians are definetly feeling froggy. But with that goofy fact finding mission congress ison I’m sure everything will work out just fine. Hey Allah where’d you pick up the Jersey street parlance? Froggy indeed!
sonnyspats1 on April 1, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Britain is a nation unsure of itself. Time for the natives to rise up a fight for their country. For what they believe in no matter what it may be.
Theworldisnotenough on April 1, 2007 at 11:58 PM
Take a look at Allah’s “New Hostage Video“…..
…… Listen to the first officer, he uses the word “apparently”, as in, “well according to the blok holding the gun to my friends head just off camera…”
……. Then watch the second officer’s hands as he points to the map. The first two are hurried, and no attention paid to by his captures, threatening to rape the one woman hostage at stage right, just off camera, but in the last brief shot, when it counts to the Iranians, he ever so slightly creates a “C”, I think for “Coerced”, and it got passed the Iranian censors.
Enough of this, time to turn their gas supply OFF! These are our allies! These are our friends! They are WORTH FITHTNG FOR, just as if you, who are reading this, if you were there, you would want someone to “COME GET ME THE FRICK OUT OF HERE, AND LET ME HAVE SOME PAYBACK FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO ME!!!”
Do you think?
PinkyBigglesworth on April 2, 2007 at 12:40 AM
I know this is late for an old post, but the picture keeps cracking me up. That guy with the brick?
HE THROWS LIKE A GIRL!!!
(My apologies to those girls who know how to throw.)
pistolero on April 2, 2007 at 3:47 PM
More importantly in my mind, they were under US command when it happened…
CTF 158 is currently commanded by Royal Navy Commodore Nick Lambert and operates as one of three coalition task forces in the Combined Maritime Forces under the leadership of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet, Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff.
From
http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2007/071.html
Centcoms own website.
Romeo13 on April 2, 2007 at 7:44 PM
I mean, is it ME, or are you itching to yank that rock out of Mo’s hand and BASH HIS EFFING SKULL TO BITS WITH IT?
Maybe it’s just my PMS Rage….just wonderin’…
seejanemom on April 3, 2007 at 9:19 AM