What about the Iranian people? We promised to help them. Among other things, we should have armed them (the Reagan Doctrine). What now? Anything? The MOU is silent.
What about the Lebanese Christians, who have wanted to be rid of Hezbollah for 40-years and take back their country from Iran? The MOU ensures Hezbollah's (meaning Iran's) continuing control over that country, and existential threat to Israel.
To Trump: In the Middle East, loyalty is currency. If you abandon your closest friend halfway through a fight and cut deals behind their back while leaving them exposed, don't expect anyone to trust your guarantees again. You told the world, "The U.S. and Israel carried out an operation against Iran," then walked away and left your ally standing alone.
In the Middle East, we don't judge friends by speeches; we judge them by who stays when the missiles fly. A person who abandons an ally halfway and cuts deals behind their back is not someone you call in a crisis.
You will say it's about American interests. Fine. But others also have interests, and they have memories. You can call it "America's interests." We call it something else: leaving your friends in the storm.
Before asking, "Why don't they defend themselves?" remember that countries like Israel did and are still doing so alone.
And also remember that the UAE defended itself, struck back forcefully, and banned the Muslim Brotherhood. Many of your countries in the West did neither.
The lesson is simple. If you can leave your closest friend exposed today, why should anyone trust your promises tomorrow? Maybe it's time for the Middle East to start thinking about alternatives.
And yes, when Iran strikes again, don't assume the Middle East will dial Washington. People don't call someone who might leak information to Turkey or cut a deal with Tehran while their friends are still under fire.
Many ask why Iranians didn't pour into the streets when Trump called on them. Simple. They're a smart nation with long memories and deep scars. They probably thought, "We've seen this movie before. There might be a speech at the beginning and an exit halfway through." Just as many believe he left Israel halfway and then suggested everyone simply live next door to Hezbollah terrorists.
It's also quite a contrast that Trump and JD Vance insist on strict security checks for one illegal immigrant because of the risk that person might pose, yet ask the Middle East to trust and coexist with a regime that has spent decades repressing its people, fueling regional violence, killing Americans, and causing the deaths of countless Iranians and Arabs, all while accepting its deal with fewer checks than most airport security lines.
Deals may come and go. Trust is harder to rebuild. If you return one day, send someone else, because promises only matter when people believe you'll stay until the end.
از ایرانی بودنم متنفرم…. با همه وجود دوست داشتم الان ایرانی نباشم و این همه حس کثافت رو تحمل نکنم… این همه تناقض این همه تنفر این همه پیچیدگی که حتی توضیحش برای غیر ایرانی ها سخت و طاقت فرساست… واقعا از لحاظ روحی تحمل این مسائل برام غیرممکن شده.
Friends of Iranians:
Tonight, I want to speak directly to the people of Iran, the dissidents, and diaspora. To the families who have suffered. To the ones who have lost loved ones. To the ones who have been waiting for justice. To the ones who believed the world would finally stand with them.
I am sorry.
I am sorry that America opted to make the most shameful decision in the history of America.
I am sorry that President Trump chose to make a deal with the illegal occupying regime.
I am sorry that your courage was met with politics instead of protection.
I am sorry that your sacrifices were answered with negotiations instead of accountability.
I am sorry that the world keeps asking you to endure more than any people should ever have to endure.
You deserve better.
Your children deserves better.
Your fallen deserves better.
Your future deserves better.
I know this decision has shaken many of you.
I know it feels like another door closing.
I know it feels like another moment where the world looked away.
I know it feels like betrayal layered on top of grief.
But your story is not over.
Your fight is not over.
Your truth is not erased by any deal made behind closed doors.
Your courage is not undone by political choices you never agreed to.
I will create a YouTube audio version of this message later. I want you to hear it in my voice. But I cannot record it right now. Tonight the weight of this moment is too heavy and I need a little time to steady myself before I speak it aloud.
Please know this: I am with you.
I will keep speaking for you.
I will keep telling the truth.
I will not let this deal be the final word on your struggle or your dignity.
You deserve better than this.
I am sorry.
ایران ما، امروز بیش از هر زمان دیگری به اتحاد نیروهای ملی نیاز دارد. چه با حمایت خارجی و چه بدون آن، سرنوشت ایران در دستان خود ماست. ما از این رژیم فرسوده و درمانده نیرومندتریم. ما از مزدورانی که برای نمایشهای تبلیغاتی به خیابان فرستاده میشوند، مصممتر و استوارتریم.
جمهوری اسلامی در حمایت از تروریستهای حزبالله لبنان، درگیری نظامی دیگری را آغاز کرد تا ماهیت ناایرانی و ضدایرانی خود را آشکارتر کند. این رژیم، ملت ایران را به گروگان گرفته و جان و مال ایرانیان را ابزاری برای صدور ترور، جنگ و بیثباتی میبیند.
در این درگیری نیز، همچون همیشه، مسئول هرگونه آسیب به زیرساختهای ایران و جان غیرنظامیان بیگناه در هر دو سو، جمهوری اسلامی است.
ملت ایران، که نخستین و بزرگترین قربانی این رژیم بوده است، بهخوبی میداند که تا زمانی که جمهوری اسلامی بر سر کار باشد، ترور، خشونت و بیثباتی بر ایران، منطقه و جهان سایه خواهد افکند. صلح، امنیت و رونق پایدار تنها با پایان این رژیم امکانپذیر است.
راهحل، مذاکره با سپاه پاسداران و تروریستهای اشغالگر ایران نیست؛ راهحل، ایستادن در کنار ملت ایران و حمایت از مبارزه آن برای پایان دادن به جمهوری اسلامی است.
هر بار میریم خونهٔ داداشم دیدن هر چیزی برامون سخت و غیرقابل تحمله، ولی بیقراری کردن کیان ما رو از پا در میاره.
کیان عزیزم برای تو زود بود که به جای تن پدرت، لباسش رو در آغوش بگیری و اینطوری گریه کنی.
#کمیل_جمشیدی
Iranians will triumph over this evil regime and will never forget those who stood with them during these critical days.
Thank you, @marklevinshow for standing with the people of Iran.
So easy to stay silent and ignore the consequences of immigration policies when we think it won't impact us. Any scientist of any nationality leaving the US because of these restrictions will impact our economy and every day lives in the long run. Contact your representatives!
If you're working in this country, raising your family, paying taxes and following the rules - none of that matters to the Trump Admin.
This policy will force legal immigrants to leave their jobs and their families for months, or even years, just to apply for a green card. It doesn't make sense.
Green card applicants in the U.S. are skilled workers, students, & spouses of American citizens.
Trump’s new policy would force many to leave the country while their cases are still pending, separating families & hurting communities.
We should protect legal immigration pathways, not destroy them.
https://t.co/gMJBmq8tUm
As most know, I am a huge Reagan fan. I campaigned for him in 1976 and 1980. I served in his administration for 8 years. But one of the biggest mistakes was amnesty granted to 2.3 million illegal aliens. And on top of that, amnesty was granted BEFORE the Democrats promised border security was funded. The Democrats simply refused to honor their part of the bargain. Reagan would later say it was a mistake.
Sequencing matters. I am opposed to a deal. I've been saying this for months. Congratulations to those who've wanted a deal. Looks like you've won the day. And, if a deal is made, the Iranian regime will survive, at least for now. We shall see how that works out over time. I am quite skeptical any deal can contain the enemy or will be enforced for numerous reasons, especially after President Trump leaves office, or that the terrorists will cease being terrorists.
That said, I have to assume that if there is a deal, the Iranian regime will be required to perform what it promises first -- that is, as a condition precedent to any relief. I believe it would be a huge mistake if not. Among other things, if the Iranian regime doesn't intend to follow through, we ought to know upfront not later. And it should be forced to reveal itself now. And releasing billions and billions of dollars to them, which was withheld before the war, will be nearly impossible to control once in their hands, and will be used to strengthen the regime. Of this I have no doubt. That's who they are. That's their mindset. They answer to no one but themselves.
And no Middle East country should be pressured to diminish its own national security for the sake of a deal. Will Hezbollah actually survive and reestablish its dominance over Lebanon, and be free to keep shooting missiles into Israel? Is that something we would accept? This needs to be very clear. "Israel's right to exist" cannot be only a slogan. So far, I see nothing about the ballistic missiles, which is the most potent conventional weapon the Iranian regime has in its arsenal. It'll be important to see how that is addresed.
I'll be very focused on a whole bunch of issues if a deal is made. We all should. It would be very strange if we weren't. This isn't just some foreign enemy thousands of miles away. It has killed and maimed thousands of our fellow Americans during the last 47 years. The President made the strongest case, repeatedly, for why military action was so essential and timely. It would also be far more fruitful, not to mention intelligent, if our senators and congressmen who want a deal would tell us what and how they think the specific mechanics of a deal should work from their perspective.
More later ...