Do you think the Iranians released the British Soldiers to gain good will?
By AdamMax
@AdamMax (260)
United States
April 5, 2007 6:55am CST
Do you think the British hostages were released as a good will gesture by the Iranians? Or do you think the whole thing was designed to divert the world's attention away from their Nuclear program. Do you think they were theatened behind the scenes? Maybe blow up their only gas refining facilility?
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8 responses
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
5 Apr 07
I personally think it was a goodwill gesture. It will be interesting to listen to the inevitable media interview of the hostages to find out. They were probably treated very well. I wonder how Iranians who strayed into British waters would be treated or whether they would be released so easily.
I think from the Iranians point of view they see themselves as having as much right to nuclear technology as the USA. Threatening to blow up a country's gas refining facility is nothing short of thuggery.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
6 Apr 07
Your guess about me is wrong. But if labelling me gives you some joy, then go ahead. Just as the US has a right to defend it's territory, so does Iran. I am interested in hearing what the hostages have to say now that they've been released.
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@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
7 Apr 07
Maybe you heard the new confrence and you heard of the great treatment they received. Isolated and their friends being reportedly killed for refusing to cooperate. There is proof that the British were in Iraqi waters. Their release was done because the US was moving in a Air Craft Carrier to go with the other two. Enought fire power to to do real damage and weaken the military to the point where resistance groups from within could over throw the government. Once again the world press reports the news they want to see happen and not the truth.
If Iran gets nuclear power and a nuclear bomb they have said they will use it on Isreal. Their goal is to wipe Isreal from the earth. This isn't thuggery?
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@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
10 Apr 07
Are you talking about the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or Ali Khamenei who is the commander in chief of the armed forces?
Oh well, it looks like the captives are going to sell their story to the Sun and a tonight show to make a few bucks. Has all the hallmarks of credibility. Personally, I don't believe they were mistreated. Iran would have nothing to gain from mistreating them. If the British military were concerned for their welfare, then this misstreatment would have been announced through official statements. There is a reason why they are breaking with protocol and allowing them to talk to the media and profit from it. The whole thing just does not add up.
I would like to see that "proof" they were in Iraqi waters. So far I haven't seen anything credible reported to prove they were either in Iranian OR Iraqi waters.
Oh yes, Israel...so now we can blow Iran up because one of Iran's politicians have said this and justify it by calling THEM the thugs.
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@crimsonblues (1191)
• United States
7 Apr 07
I highly doubtit was a good will gesture. They have other agenda's, and the British are not the people they have a problem with. Bush stayed outta it so he didnt get the rise he was hoping for. Something else will happen very soon.
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@peavey (16936)
• United States
5 Apr 07
It's possible they were threatened behind the scenes, but I tend to think the whole thing was a farce. They created a problem, then graciously solved it. Someone said smokescreen and I agree. The focus was on this, but what were/are they doing meantime?
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@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
5 Apr 07
I beleive he took the the sailors to show the world that he would not be pushed around. He showed the world that the British and Americans are afraid of him. He played his hand as long as he could and when it looked like military action against him he made a good will jester and realased them. If the British and Americans took military action against him he might be in trouble at home.
There are several reports that the people are not happy with him and the religious leaders. His supporters lost big time in the last election. There are several insurgent groups active within the borders. A military attack by the Americans and British might embloden his opposition to over throw him. There are reports that one of the reasons to capture the sailors was hope that they knew something of the groups that Britian and America were supporting.
He did not release them because he was being a nice guy.
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@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
5 Apr 07
I think Iran got exactly what they wanted out of this. They were able to take hostages and look like the good guys by graciously releasing them "as a gift".
By the time the white wash is done, Iran will be praised and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
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@Smith2028 (797)
• United States
5 Apr 07
As much as I hate President Tom (I can't spell his actual name and this is how I refer to him)of Iran, I must say this was a brilliant move. Capturing the soldiers was a way to provoke the British into possibly military action against them, which would give the Iranians all the reason they needed to attack Israel and US interests.
When President Tom realized this was not going to happen, or maybe perhaps he had planned it this way. He pardoned to sailors, forgave them and released them. All of the sudden, he isn't the crazy leader of Iran, rather he is the level-headed man who realizes people make mistakes and should be forgiven for it.
On the world stage, President Tom suddenly looks like a smart, caring sensitive guy. Luckily for him, he realized the world is short sighted and has an extremely short term memory.
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@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
5 Apr 07
I think they released them for both reasons. Part of it was as good will as well as to get us off of them temporarily about their nuclear program. Either way, we still stay on top of them as well as the other countries. I think their reason for letting them go was kind of fishy and they probably did or say something to the hostages. I guess only time will tell and we will see what happens with them next.
@spiritwolf52 (2300)
•
5 Apr 07
They don't care what the Brits think. To me it was all a smoke screen. It's their way of getting back into the public eye. A lie is a lie no matter who says it. I don't trust the Iranian government, they have their own agenda.
