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[Lord Panda]

Old mate isn't so brave anymore, and reportedly gone into hiding again:

Article:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has gone into hiding in a Tehran bunker, according to the opposition-affiliated Iran International news site, as the country prepares for a possible US attack amid heightened tensions over the brutal crackdown of protests earlier this month.

According to the report, which cites "information received" by the opposition news site, Khamenei went underground after senior officials assessed an "increased risk of a potential US attack," as the US moves significant military forces into the region. The report adds that the supreme leader's bunker is fortified, and contains a system of "interconnected tunnels."

While Khamenei is in hiding, his third-born son, Masoud Khamenei, has taken over day-to-day operations in his father's office and is serving as the "main channel for communication" with government leaders, the report says.

Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/khamenei-has-gone-into-hiding-ahead-of-possible-us-attack-opposition-affiliated-news-site-reports/

 

[Embearded]

Old mate isn't so brave anymore, and reportedly gone into hiding again:

Article:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has gone into hiding in a Tehran bunker, according to the opposition-affiliated Iran International news site, as the country prepares for a possible US attack amid heightened tensions over the brutal crackdown of protests earlier this month.

According to the report, which cites "information received" by the opposition news site, Khamenei went underground after senior officials assessed an "increased risk of a potential US attack," as the US moves significant military forces into the region. The report adds that the supreme leader's bunker is fortified, and contains a system of "interconnected tunnels."

While Khamenei is in hiding, his third-born son, Masoud Khamenei, has taken over day-to-day operations in his father's office and is serving as the "main channel for communication" with government leaders, the report says.

Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/khamenei-has-gone-into-hiding-ahead-of-possible-us-attack-opposition-affiliated-news-site-reports/

Imagine hiding in a bunker because its dangerous to be in your office and then placing your child in that office.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

I think this weekend something will happen. Not sure about today, but this week for sure.


If nothing this week - then it is over.

 

[Smiggs]

Imagine hiding in a bunker because its dangerous to be in your office and then placing your child in that office.

A wannabe tough guy that's actually a huge coward. That's all he is at the end of the day.

 

[DarkStream]

I'd be surprised if nothing happens, in the sense of a military intervention I mean.
The effort of moving all that equipment just for talks?

Listen, I don't have any sympathy for the regime but I still would prefer talks and a peaceful solution.
Unfortunately, both sides act and talk in bad faith.

I see a lot of people here arguing for a military intervention. Let's be real, we'll be moving closer to a world without any checks and balances real fast. And the outcome will be dramatic. It won't take much more plunge the world into chaos.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

Listen, I don't have any sympathy for the regime but I still would prefer talks and a peaceful solution.
Unfortunately, both sides act and talk in bad faith.

Only one side acts in bad faith though.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Listen, I don't have any sympathy for the regime but I still would prefer talks and a peaceful solution.
Unfortunately, both sides act and talk in bad faith.

There is no "both sides."

Only one side mowed down 20K of their citizens and are still killing them.

 

[Smiggs]

There is no "both sides."

Only one side mowed down 20K of their citizens and are still killing them.

Wasn't it confirmed over 40k? Or am I imagining that?

 

[DeepEnigma]

Wasn't it confirmed over 40k? Or am I imagining that?

Damn

Over 36,500 killed in Iran's deadliest massacre, documents reveal

More than 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown on nationwide protests, making it the deadliest two-day protest massacre in history, according to documents reviewed by Iran International's Editorial Board.

www.iranintl.com

bOtH sIdEs

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

Wasn't it confirmed over 40k? Or am I imagining that?

At this point the numbers are arbitrary. Cannot really tell the real body count.

In any considering the trips of JD Vance to Amernia and Azerbaijan yesterday and today, the war with Iran is inevitable.

 

[AJUMP23]

Never trust an agreement with an Islamic caliphate government. They have permission to lie to the infidel all they want.

 

[ClanOfNone]

Never trust an agreement with an Islamic caliphate government. They have permission to lie to the infidel all they want.

Literally in their scriptures is it not? Along with a buncha other lovely stuff.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

Literally in their scriptures is it not? Along with a buncha other lovely stuff.

I think he was talking about taqiyya or something.

But in any case, there is an arab expression like "there is no tax on words". In reality, there is no aggreement that means anything if it cannot be enforced by every country in the world. During the Cold War some of that was kinda possible - various treaties and such - but still you got a lot of violations, countries blocking each other's resolutions and such.

 

[Futaleufu]

You cant negotiate with a leader that will argue god put him there.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

You cant negotiate with a leader that will argue god put him there.

Strange that instead of facing the god he is hiding in the bunker while sending his son to do the interview

 

[Big-G]

Imagine hiding in a bunker because its dangerous to be in your office and then placing your child in that office.

He also gets to hide in a bunker for safety while his "security" forces execute and gun down both women and children during the protest.

 

[Madonis]

I do not know if this video is real, but the sentiment definitely is.

 

[EviLore]

I do not know if this video is real, but the sentiment definitely is.

Sad to take your own life just to make a political statement. Such acts are soon forgotten, unfortunately.

Trump has handled the messaging poorly throughout this mess, e.g., "help is on the way," encouraging protesters who ended up being massacred. I'm not happy about that outcome, to say the least.

But as far as negotiations are concerned, he always has an open line with the enemy. Doesn't mean much one way or another. We're continuing our military buildup in the region every day.

 

[AJUMP23]

Incident irrelevant.

 

[EviLore]

 

[Meicyn]

Given how the timing has played out, my guess is that Netanyahu agreed to join Trump's peace board in exchange for more firepower dedicated to regime change in Iran. He refused the invite two weeks ago, but the announcement of joining this morning followed by a sudden decision to commit another carrier group lines up rather nicely.

 

[Gp1]

The U.S. has already deployed additional F-15E Strike Eagles, E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare jets and A-10 Thunderbolt close support aircraft to the region, where some F-15Es and A-10s were already located. The U.S. Navy also has squadrons of F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18E-F Super Hornets and Growlers embarked aboard the Lincoln. However, as we have frequently pointed out, there still does not appear to be enough tactical jets for the U.S. to maintain a sustained operation, even of limited scope, against Iran.

That's why.
Besides I read somewhere that the Lincoln has been at sea for quite a while, so operational tempo.

 

[Warspite]

I would argue they do have enough assets in the area for it but the announcement of a possible 2nd carrier is important. If Iran thinks no strike will happen until the 2nd carrier to arrives, that could be what gives the U.S the element of surprise and catch the IRGC off guard.

 

[Gp1]

Damn

Over 36,500 killed in Iran's deadliest massacre, documents reveal

More than 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown on nationwide protests, making it the deadliest two-day protest massacre in history, according to documents reviewed by Iran International's Editorial Board.

www.iranintl.com

bOtH sIdEs

"Ops...
We're ""sorry"" for the mass executions by our paramilitary"

Iran’s president denies it seeks nuclear weapon and admits ‘shame’ after mass protests

Masoud Pezeshkian tries to convey message of national unity as negotiations with US hang in balance

www.theguardian.com

Wtf

 

[DeepEnigma]

"Ops...
We're ""sorry"" for the mass executions by our paramilitary"

Iran’s president denies it seeks nuclear weapon and admits ‘shame’ after mass protests

Masoud Pezeshkian tries to convey message of national unity as negotiations with US hang in balance

www.theguardian.com

Wtf

 

[AJUMP23]

This should at least help get future information out when the gov shuts down the net. But may lead to tracking where people reside if you can trace the signal.

 

[MisterFalcon]

And now the USS Gerald Ford is also being sent. This carrier is already in its eigth month at sea and this will add at least another three which already included combat flights and sailing from the Med to the Arctic Circle and Carribean.
Things are being stretched and sooner or later someone will go into the drink or worse.

But I guess the military might of Iran absolutely needs most of the USA's combat power to be able to challenge it.

Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East: report

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago.

nypost.com

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Damn

Over 36,500 killed in Iran's deadliest massacre, documents reveal

More than 36,500 Iranians were killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown on nationwide protests, making it the deadliest two-day protest massacre in history, according to documents reviewed by Iran International's Editorial Board.

www.iranintl.com

bOtH sIdEs

And when Iran gets inevitably invaded we will find out this is the "Iraq WMDs" all over again, but who cares, right?

 

[Signalis]

Wasn't it confirmed over 40k?

Astartes legions will be sent in.

 

[DeepEnigma]

And when Iran gets inevitably invaded we will find out this is the "Iraq WMDs" all over again, but who cares, right?

So nobody was killed?

 

[EviLore]

So nobody was killed?

They turned off the entire country's internet and cell service for fun.

Also ignore the hundreds of videos.

The piles of bodies everywhere.

The testimony from thousands of Iranians.

And the admissions from the regime itself.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

So nobody was killed?

There is a big difference between nobody and 35,000.

 

[DeepEnigma]

There is a big difference between nobody and 35,000.

What number do you need for this regime to be taken care of?

How many are too much and too little? Where is your value line?

 

[RJMacready73]

Hold on a sec, am I right in reading that there is 3 carrier groups inbound to Iran?

 

[Warspite]

Lincoln is there and Ford has been ordered to move to the middle east. There was some people guessing that Bush would be sent but it looks like Ford instead.

That might be the cause of the confusion, if they send a 3rd carrier god knows what they are going to do.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

What number do you need for this regime to be taken care of?

How many are too much and too little? Where is your value line?

This sort of "how many" is a very slippery slope, and we both know that. I don't see USA doing jack shit about Russia killing Ukrainians or China killing their own citizens (Uyghurs).

 

[DeepEnigma]

This sort of "how many" is a very slippery slope, and we both know that. I don't see USA doing jack shit about Russia killing Ukrainians or China killing their own citizens (Uyghurs).

You're the one who brought up "WMDs" into the conversation in contrast to Iran.

Iran caliphate has funded global terrorism directly which has killed hundreds of Americans for decades and they won't ever stop.

Ukraine has their own military. They have been more than well funded monetarily and with weaponry since day 1.

I don't see UN/EU or any other mouth breather that throws shade to the US saying or doing shit about China either. They also don't say shit about tens of thousands of Christians being slaughtered in Africa either. Or the current and largest slavery in history across those African nations and across China and the Middle East.

 

[Tams]

And now the USS Gerald Ford is also being sent. This carrier is already in its eigth month at sea and this will add at least another three which already included combat flights and sailing from the Med to the Arctic Circle and Carribean.
Things are being stretched and sooner or later someone will go into the drink or worse.

But I guess the military might of Iran absolutely needs most of the USA's combat power to be able to challenge it.

Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East: report

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago.

nypost.com

You do know that they rotate crew off the ship and quite easily? You know, with it being an aircraft carrier and all that.

 

[MisterFalcon]

You do know that they rotate crew off the ship and quite easily? You know, with it being an aircraft carrier and all that.

Sure, in port. A Carrier Air Wing is not just pilots, there are around two thousand people supporting them, are you going to fly these in and out while cruising around the Red Sea?

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

And now the USS Gerald Ford is also being sent. This carrier is already in its eigth month at sea and this will add at least another three which already included combat flights and sailing from the Med to the Arctic Circle and Carribean.
Things are being stretched and sooner or later someone will go into the drink or worse.

But I guess the military might of Iran absolutely needs most of the USA's combat power to be able to challenge it.

Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East: report

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago.

nypost.com

It is not the most. I think it is a half at best.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Edit: nvm. Misunderstood.

 

[BlackTron]

And now the USS Gerald Ford is also being sent. This carrier is already in its eigth month at sea and this will add at least another three which already included combat flights and sailing from the Med to the Arctic Circle and Carribean.
Things are being stretched and sooner or later someone will go into the drink or worse.

But I guess the military might of Iran absolutely needs most of the USA's combat power to be able to challenge it.

Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East: report

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago.

nypost.com

I'm not so sure about things being "stretched", these strike groups have supply ships to support the carrier and tons of spare parts for aircraft, and they have to do a litany of maintenance on each one after every sortie. It's not like a tire will blow on landing because they used it too many times, it gets replaced on a schedule anyway. If they were running out of stuff, they wouldn't be heading to a hot zone.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

If the US government wanted to, they could send a few squads of covert intelligence and possibly a small number of elite fighters to get the information.

As if it is that simple to do.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

As if it is that simple to do.

It would take a long time to do it covertly due to the internal resistance in Iran. It's basically detective work except at a much larger scale. Mossad runs these sort of operations, and they take years to complete. You have to infiltrate into high enough positions in the right organizations, or find a way to extort people in those positions.

The current approach is much more direct, but it requires the US to follow through on its military buildup with a significantly impressive show of force.

But this is slightly tangential anyway, which is why I removed it.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/israeli-producer-tehran-tv-series-found-dead-athens-hotel-police-officials-say-2026-02-16/

Not trying to go all tinfoil hat in this thread, but I don't believe this apparent suicide is a completely unrelated event.

It strikes me as exactly the kind of counter operation IRGC would plan as a response to Mossad's actions in Iran.

The Israeli woman found dead in a Greece hotel room, with pills and bruises on her neck, was the producer of a tv series about a Mossad agent operating in Iran. FYI.

 

[Warspite]

Who needs friendly nations near by when you have this sitting off the coast of Iran.

 

[MisterFalcon]

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/israeli-producer-tehran-tv-series-found-dead-athens-hotel-police-officials-say-2026-02-16/

Not trying to go all tinfoil hat in this thread, but I don't believe this apparent suicide is a completely unrelated event.

It strikes me as exactly the kind of counter operation IRGC would plan as a response to Mossad's actions in Iran.

The Israeli woman found dead in a Greece hotel room, with pills and bruises on her neck, was the producer of a tv series about a Mossad agent operating in Iran. FYI.

That's an odd thing to happen. Dana Gold is the first producer in the credits so she's probably a big part of the show but success is no guarantee of happiness. I don't think the show is so high profile the IRGC would go carry out an assassination for.

Tehran was a pretty good show at first in season 1, it was by no means propaganda and the Mossad comes off pretty bad as being arrogant and far too ruthless. There is a twist at the end of season 1 that is really cool and they've not matched since. Seasons 2 and 3 bring in a big name (Glenn Close and Hugh Laurie) but are kind of spinning their wheels with every week bringing a new complication that puts the hero in danger and it being resolved in the first scene of the next one. Their Athens location work is quite good to make it seem like Tehran, not just a brown filter over a bazaar set but a big, busy town full of people leading kind of normal lives.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

That's an odd thing to happen.

It's one of those bizarre coincidences that make you joke about life being a tv series while wondering if more is going on.

I don't think the show is so high profile the IRGC would go carry out an assassination for.

My crazy conspiracy theory is not that she's important in herself, it's that she happened to be an easy target and it sends a message to Mossad while remaining completely within the realm of plausible deniability.

 

[EviLore]

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

Nice build up. Would be a shame if it is not used.