Iran

[MontyPython]

I rather suspect that if we decide to take that island that it will be in tandem with a Kurd movement in the north supported by US air support, Iran would be a lot more worried about the Kurds than us on that Island. The Kurds could start a tidal wave from the north that would roll all the way into Tehran with Iranian support. I believe that that is the way regime change will take place.

Politically, it's probably a mistake to inject Kurds into the equation... particularly Iraqi Kurds. Iranian Kurds don't have much of an army at all.

Also, even with our air power, the Kurd army is under equipped and not exactly built for speed.

And are we really gonna put boots on the ground to take an Iranian island? I seriously doubt that even Trump is that dumb.

Short answer: there is a massive imbalance. Kurdish forces that could realistically fight Iran are tiny compared to Iran’s military—by at least tens to one, often more.

---

Size comparison​

Kurdish forces (relevant to Iran)​

• Iranian Kurdish militant groups combined: ~5,000–10,000 fighters (Wikipedia)
• Some estimates for an actual cross-border offensive: ~5,000–8,000 fighters (Reuters)

Even if you include broader Kurdish forces:

• Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga (total): ~190,000–250,000 (not unified, mostly defensive, and not likely to invade Iran as a whole force) (gppi.net)

Key point:
Only a small fraction of Kurdish fighters are positioned, willing, or politically able to fight Iran.

---

Iran’s military​

• Active military personnel: ~600,000–700,000 (X (formerly Twitter))
• Reserves: ~300,000+
• Paramilitary (Basij militia): hundreds of thousands to potentially millions (X (formerly Twitter))

Iran has:

• A full conventional army
• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (~125,000)
• Air force, missiles, armor, navy

---

Reality check (this is crucial)​

Even beyond raw numbers:

1. Equipment gap​

• Kurdish groups: mostly light weapons (rifles, RPGs, guerrilla gear) (Reuters)
• Iran: tanks, aircraft, missiles, artillery

2. Organization​

• Kurdish groups: fragmented, separate factions
• Iran: centralized state military with command structure

3. Geography​

• Kurds are strongest in mountain border regions
• Iran controls entire national territory

4. Strategic consensus​

Analysts consistently say:

• Kurdish forces are not an existential threat to Iran (The Times)

---

Bottom line​

Force	Approx size	Notes
Kurdish militants vs Iran	5,000–10,000	Lightly armed insurgents
Broader Kurdish forces (all regions)	~200,000+	Not unified, mostly defensive
Iran military	600,000–700,000+ active	Full modern military

Ratio (realistic scenario):
Iran outnumbers active Kurdish fighters ~70–100 to 1

---

What this means​

• Kurdish forces could:
  • Launch raids or insurgency
  • Cause regional instability in border areas
• But they cannot realistically invade or defeat Iranwithout:
  • Massive external military support (airpower, logistics)
  • A wider collapse inside Iran

---

If you want, I can break down how a conflict would actually play out step-by-step (it’s very different from a conventional war).

 

[VAVol85]

Do you REALLY believe that? Please.

Yes…the lie would be too easy to identify. I suspect that the resignation was prompted by the discovery of the investigation and was designed to save face. But, again, it will be easy to establish the truth by simply looking at the record to see when the leak investigation started. Until then, either of us could be correct.

 

[MontyPython]

Another possibility that just occured to me, they need to load or unload someone(s) or something(s) at a port they control or trust completely. Again, I find this highly unlikely but a possibility.

Makes sense. There's been a lot of smoke about air defense missile supply shortages.

 

[Weezer]

Sour grapes

Last week

Gloating Huff: “Look, Trump is losing MAGA ”

Yesterday CNN reports MAGA supports Trump 100% and has grown since 2024

Also Huff: “Mindless MAGA is stupid for being loyal to a party ”

Loyalty to a party is stupid. Neither party serves the interest of the American people. All they do is divide the country. Once more, I'll reference Washington's final address to the nation. He warned of the dangers political parties presented and America ignored that warning.

 

[Redleg68]

View attachment 820556

Short answer: there is a massive imbalance. Kurdish forces that could realistically fight Iran are tiny compared to Iran’s military—by at least tens to one, often more.

---

Size comparison​

Kurdish forces (relevant to Iran)​

• Iranian Kurdish militant groups combined: ~5,000–10,000 fighters (Wikipedia)
• Some estimates for an actual cross-border offensive: ~5,000–8,000 fighters (Reuters)

Even if you include broader Kurdish forces:

• Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga (total): ~190,000–250,000 (not unified, mostly defensive, and not likely to invade Iran as a whole force) (gppi.net)

Key point:
Only a small fraction of Kurdish fighters are positioned, willing, or politically able to fight Iran.

---

Iran’s military​

• Active military personnel: ~600,000–700,000 (X (formerly Twitter))
• Reserves: ~300,000+
• Paramilitary (Basij militia): hundreds of thousands to potentially millions (X (formerly Twitter))

Iran has:

• A full conventional army
• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (~125,000)
• Air force, missiles, armor, navy

---

Reality check (this is crucial)​

Even beyond raw numbers:

1. Equipment gap​

• Kurdish groups: mostly light weapons (rifles, RPGs, guerrilla gear) (Reuters)
• Iran: tanks, aircraft, missiles, artillery

2. Organization​

• Kurdish groups: fragmented, separate factions
• Iran: centralized state military with command structure

3. Geography​

• Kurds are strongest in mountain border regions
• Iran controls entire national territory

4. Strategic consensus​

Analysts consistently say:

• Kurdish forces are not an existential threat to Iran (The Times)

---

Bottom line​

Force	Approx size	Notes
Kurdish militants vs Iran	5,000–10,000	Lightly armed insurgents
Broader Kurdish forces (all regions)	~200,000+	Not unified, mostly defensive
Iran military	600,000–700,000+ active	Full modern military

Ratio (realistic scenario):
Iran outnumbers active Kurdish fighters ~70–100 to 1

---

What this means​

• Kurdish forces could:
  • Launch raids or insurgency
  • Cause regional instability in border areas
• But they cannot realistically invade or defeat Iranwithout:
  • Massive external military support (airpower, logistics)
  • A wider collapse inside Iran

---

If you want, I can break down how a conflict would actually play out step-by-step (it’s very different from a conventional war).

Two big things to consider, 1. one side would have extensive air support , the other would not. 2. If the protesters joined forces what number of Iranian forces would switch sides, especially with the Iranian upper leaders being constantly eliminated. 10,000 guerilla fighters can tie up 100,000 conventional forces.

 

[MontyPython]

Two big things to consider, 1. one side would have extensive air support , the other would not. 2. If the protesters joined forces what number of Iranian forces would switch sides, especially with the Iranian upper leaders being constantly eliminated. 10,000 guerilla fighters can tie up 100,000 conventional forces.

Agree. Our air power would be a huge force multiplier. But here's the thing... how would the Iranian people react to a horde of Kurdish troops marching towards Tehran and attacking fellow Iranians with American planes supporting them? Kurds have their own political agenda, too.

 

[Smokey123]

Umm, are you telling me I should take the word of all of Tucker’s guests who have had a title? Or just this one?


Who? Tucker or the guy who is reportedly covering his ass for having been a security leak?

Answer: Because it is what they do.

What Kent said wasn’t wrong though. Khomenei ruled Nuclear weapons as haram (I think it was first 2003) he said it would be unforgivable. The US intelligence and the IAEA had maintained through the years that Iran was not building nuclear weapons

 

[Carl Pickens]

He was about to be fired and knew it….. so he resigns and goes out trying to burn the place to the ground.

 

[Carl Pickens]

Agree. Our air power would be a huge force multiplier. But here's the thing... how would the Iranian people react to a horde of Kurdish troops marching towards Tehran and attacking fellow Iranians with American planes supporting them? Kurds have their own political agenda, too.

The Kurds are hated almost as much as the Jews

 

[VAVol85]

Do you REALLY believe that? Please.

Per CBS:
CBS: Kent under FBI investigation prior to resignation
citing multiple sources.

 

[MAD]

12 Arab and Muslim countries got together to condemn a Middle Eastern country for its aggression and disruption of regional stability.
The country condemned wasn't Israel — it was the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Change is coming to the Middle East.





Saudi Arabia hosted foreign ministers and representatives from Arab and Islamic countries to discuss regional stability in light of the Iran war.

The meeting attendees condemned Iranian attacks, held Iran fully responsible for losses, and called on Iran to immediately and unconditionally cease its aggression. It also warned that Iran's ongoing attacks will impact its relations with countries in the region.

In attendance:
Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan
Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov
Bahraini FM Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani
Egyptian FM Deputy Badr Abdelatty
Emirati Minister of State Khalifa Al Marar
Jordanian FM Ayman Safadi
Kuwaiti FM Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Lebanese FM Youssef Rajji
Pakistani FM and Deputy PM Mohammad Ishaq Dar
Qatari FM and PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani
Syrian FM Asaad al-Shaibani
Turkish FM Hakan Fidan

 

[Redleg68]

What Kent said wasn’t wrong though. Khomenei ruled Nuclear weapons as haram (I think it was first 2003) he said it would be unforgivable. The US intelligence and the IAEA had maintained through the years that Iran was not building nuclear weapons

Then why in the holy hell were they developing inter continental rockets. GEEEZZZ folks wake up.

 

[allstar34]

HHMMM, so it is against their beliefs to develop a nuclear weapon , yet they slaughter tens of thousands of their own people in the streets and by the way they were offered free fuel for a nuclear plant and they turned it down. Somebody needs to get back on the turnip truck they fell off of.

Vile, blood thirsty terrorist have morals ya know.
They won't even consider marrying a lady until she's 12.
That was probably the most hilarious video I've watched in a while.
We need to either press this war forward and finish this or get out of the battle with 3rd World animals.

 

[MontyPython]

Thought this was a pretty big deal today...

When we reportedly bombed some of their oil production infrastructure, Iran retaliated by hitting a huge oil refinery with their own missiles in Qatar - causing significant damage.

That wasn't on my bingo card. Pretty scrappy and such action/reaction suddenly potentially alters both our tactical and strategic plans.

We bomb high value civilian Iranian targets = Iran bombs high value civilian allied targets.

The water just got muddier, and yet another reason we need to get out of this quagmire now.

 

[Redleg68]

Agree. Our air power would be a huge force multiplier. But here's the thing... how would the Iranian people react to a horde of Kurdish troops marching towards Tehran and attacking fellow Iranians with American planes supporting them? Kurds have their own political agenda, too.

Good questions. Also how many Kurds would rally to the cause? 14.7 million in Turkey 8.1 million in Iran 5.5 million in Iraq 2.5 million in Syria.

 

[MontyPython]

The Kurds are hated almost as much as the Jews

Oooohhh man. Here we go...

 

[MontyPython]

Good questions. Also how many Kurds would rally to the cause? 14.7 million in Turkey 8.1 million in Iran 5.5 million in Iraq 2.5 million in Syria.

Heh. I think the common Iranian would lose their mind if Iran were invaded by all these other ethnic donkeys.

 

[Smokey123]

Then why in the holy hell were they developing inter continental rockets. GEEEZZZ folks wake up.

They don’t have ICBM’s. US intelligence said they could develop them if they decide to pursue them. Words have meaning and they matter

 

[MontyPython]

Per CBS:
CBS: Kent under FBI investigation prior to resignation
citing multiple sources.

The DOJ also opened a criminal investigation of Jerome Powell... which was rightfully shot down by court.

Trump's authoritarian tendencies at work. No reflection of Kent.

 

[Redleg68]

They don’t have ICBM’s. US intelligence said they could develop them if they decide to pursue them. Words have meaning and they matter

I believe that they were in the process of developing them and only had a short distance to go.

 

[Smokey123]

I believe that they were in the process of developing them and only had a short distance to go.

Luckily we have reliable inspectors to trust over message board insiders

 

[Redleg68]

Luckily we have reliable inspectors to trust over message board insiders

Iran claims new 10,000 km range intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching United States

Tasnim News reports Iran’s new ICBM missile is almost ready with a 10,000 km range, a claim that could extend reach to Europe and the U.S. if proven accurate.

www.armyrecognition.com

 

[Smokey123]

Iran claims new 10,000 km range intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching United States

Tasnim News reports Iran’s new ICBM missile is almost ready with a 10,000 km range, a claim that could extend reach to Europe and the U.S. if proven accurate.

www.armyrecognition.com

Glad to know you trust the Islamic republic over the US. Interesting

 

[Redleg68]

Luckily we have reliable inspectors to trust over message board insiders

AAHH when was the last time we had an inspector in Iran? 10 years ago?

 

[VAVol85]

The DOJ also opened a criminal investigation of Jerome Powell... which was rightfully shot down by court.

Trump's authoritarian tendencies at work. No reflection of Kent.

Amazing that you can assert that (“no reflection on Kent”) so confidently with absolutely no facts to back it up and some information that directly contradicts your opinion.