TOPIC:

tm -- Iran attacked the US Embassy in 1979 because they were Shiite islamic funamentalists whom wanted to change their country and the region. They attacked America as the great western imperialist devil --at the time they considered attacking the Soviet embassy, the Russians being the supporters of communism, an ideology which was anti islam and anti religion -- on both fronts the Persians were spoiling for a fight. Had they attacked the Soviets, of course, they would have been completely slughtered -- the Soviets had no Jimmy Carters to worry about, you see. In fact they killed 50, 000 people in one night when they bombed kandahar during their occupation of Afghanistan.

How history could have worked out differently?

No one has mentioned the Shah, he is also partly to blame; but no the real blame rests with that silly Ayottala whom lived in France without any modern convienice -- including a toilet -- to prove how he was pious, and whom took over the country in 1979. Since that time, they have tried to expand their version of Islam in the Middle East.

Keep in mind Sadam's invasion of the joint, if you do, you will be reminded of what is at stake for the people whom live in the region. More recently, just to highlight furhther, ISIS made sure to always target the Shitte as well as non believers.

ArkRoyal wrote: tm -- Iran attacked the US Embassy in 1979 because they were Shiite islamic funamentalists whom wanted to change their country and the region. They attacked America as the great western imperialist devil --at the time they considered attacking the Soviet embassy, the Russians being the supporters of communism, an ideology which was anti islam and anti religion -- on both fronts the Persians were spoiling for a fight. Had they attacked the Soviets, of course, they would have been completely slughtered -- the Soviets had no Jimmy Carters to worry about, you see. In fact they killed 50, 000 people in one night when they bombed kandahar during their occupation of Afghanistan.

How history could have worked out differently?

No one has mentioned the Shah, he is also partly to blame; but no the real blame rests with that silly Ayottala whom lived in France without any modern convienice -- including a toilet -- to prove how he was pious, and whom took over the country in 1979. Since that time, they have tried to expand their version of Islam in the Middle East.

Keep in mind Sadam's invasion of the joint, if you do, you will be reminded of what is at stake for the people whom live in the region. More recently, just to highlight furhther, ISIS made sure to always target the Shitte as well as non believers.

Oil, Border disputes and a beef between Khomeini and the Saudi Royal family have not helped matters either mind you.

British have been involved in Iran in an big way ever since the Anglo Persian Oil Company got off the ground, Iran was one of the first Oil Producing Nations in the world on a big scale and BP and Shell had a big stake there.

The British invaded Iran during WW II in company with the USSR in order to prevent the Oil falling into German hands ( Oil which Australia also relied on ) , the then Shah was slightly pro German and had advisors there working on railways and other things he refused to remove at the Allies request, So the British invaded and occupied and forced the then Shah to abdicate and he was placed into exile on Maurtius. Britain occupied the country and kept a good control over the oil Supply, the New young Shah Reza Pahlavi was installed , although he did not return to the country until the 50s.

The Pahlavi's were a relatively recent Royal Family, having been Generals who booted out the original Royal Dynasty in a coup. So where seen by many as usurpers.

Anyway once the new Shah returned the then elected PM Mossadegh suddenly came up with the genius idea of Nationalining the entire Oil Indistry, this included basically stealing all the new recently built oil refineries owned British private companies, Anglo - BP etc.

At the same time Iranian Communists starting coming out on the streets in mass demonstrations and where starting to highjack the entire agenda.

Unsparingly the British and American weren't happy so organised a coup, this was actually the second one as the first had failed.

One of Mossadeghs strengths was he was a strong secularists and kept the mullahs in their place, by removing him they got a bit of a power base.

Ti Em wrote:

ArkRoyal wrote: tm -- Iran attacked the US Embassy in 1979 because they were Shiite islamic funamentalists whom wanted to change their country and the region. They attacked America as the great western imperialist devil --at the time they considered attacking the Soviet embassy, the Russians being the supporters of communism, an ideology which was anti islam and anti religion -- on both fronts the Persians were spoiling for a fight. Had they attacked the Soviets, of course, they would have been completely slughtered -- the Soviets had no Jimmy Carters to worry about, you see. In fact they killed 50, 000 people in one night when they bombed kandahar during their occupation of Afghanistan.

How history could have worked out differently?

No one has mentioned the Shah, he is also partly to blame; but no the real blame rests with that silly Ayottala whom lived in France without any modern convienice -- including a toilet -- to prove how he was pious, and whom took over the country in 1979. Since that time, they have tried to expand their version of Islam in the Middle East.

Keep in mind Sadam's invasion of the joint, if you do, you will be reminded of what is at stake for the people whom live in the region. More recently, just to highlight furhther, ISIS made sure to always target the Shitte as well as non believers.

Oil, Border disputes and a beef between Khomeini and the Saudi Royal family have not helped matters either mind you.

Irans hairbrained nationalisation acted feed into that, because the oil companies dropped production and development in Iran and moved and increased Oil production in Saudi, meaning Saudi became far more important and a rival to Irans income.

Yes the Saudis have become a very important friend indeed - the September drone attacks on their oil producing facilities certainly required retribution.

I'll never forget seeing those massive 2000th anniversary celebrations the Shah put on in 1971 on TV, Emperor Haille Sallsie there and pretty much everyone else including Sir Paul Hasluck GG of Australia.

Ever since then Ive wanted to go to Peresopollis.

Help bring him down mind you, spend millions on it,

Bazza wrote: I'll never forget seeing those massive 2000th anniversary celebrations the Shah put on in 1971 on TV, Emperor Haille Sallsie there and pretty much everyone else including Sir Paul Hasluck GG of Australia.

Ever since then Ive wanted to go to Peresopollis.

Help bring him down mind you, spend millions on it,

What was the bill for that shindig? Even Haile Selassie would of blushed at such opulence and waste.

I think something needed to give when the Shah was around. Apparently the country had three calanders -- the Christian, the Islamic and the ancient Persian one, so in lots of ways, it will always be a country full of contradictions and angst whomever rules it.

Ti Em wrote:

Bazza wrote: I'll never forget seeing those massive 2000th anniversary celebrations the Shah put on in 1971 on TV, Emperor Haille Sallsie there and pretty much everyone else including Sir Paul Hasluck GG of Australia.

Ever since then Ive wanted to go to Peresopollis.

Help bring him down mind you, spend millions on it,

What was the bill for that shindig? Even Haile Selassie would of blushed at such opulence and waste.

Probably never know, but they built a whole city of palatial tents in the desert,,,must of been massive.

Bazza wrote:

Ti Em wrote:

Bazza wrote: I'll never forget seeing those massive 2000th anniversary celebrations the Shah put on in 1971 on TV, Emperor Haille Sallsie there and pretty much everyone else including Sir Paul Hasluck GG of Australia.

Ever since then Ive wanted to go to Peresopollis.

Help bring him down mind you, spend millions on it,

What was the bill for that shindig? Even Haile Selassie would of blushed at such opulence and waste.

Probably never know, but they built a whole city of palatial tents in the desert,,,must of been massive.