# Iran -- you better watch yourself! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776 "2017-02-01T21:45:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/81 "2017-02-03T13:12:41Z")
At a press conference yesterday, Spicer referred to Iran’s attack on a US warship. Only two problems with that. The attack was on a Saudi warship, and it wasn’t conducted by Iran. Other than that, though, this is definitely an incident that we need to take seriously. Iran can’t get away with this kind of aggression (carried out by someone elae, targeting a third country). Also, I hear that Iran has WMDs. Sure, there’s no smoking gun, but you don’t want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud, do you??? This is a dangerous country in the most dangerous region in the world! And they’re violating an international agreement!! We must act!! > **[Press Secretary Sean Spicer Falsely Accuses Iran of Attacking U.S. Navy...](https://theintercept.com/2017/02/02/press-secretary-sean-spicer-falsely-accuses-iran-of-attacking-u-s-navy-vessel-an-act-of-war/)** > > It was Houthi rebels who attacked a Saudi frigate. This is how wars start. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/82 "2017-02-03T14:12:18Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > I’m sure the Iranians are giving this the due seriousness it deserves… > > Look, Persia (which more or less is Iran) has been around a long, long time and they’ve played the political game, both as a “Great Power” and as a subdued one. Not that they are perfect or can’t/won’t make mistakes, but comparing them to the diplomatic team Trump is probably putting together… > > We shall see. I dunno…if I were a world leader right now, I wouldn’t know how the hell to deal with the US and would prefer to wait and watch other countries first. It’s essentially playing poker with someone who wants to bet a lot, and bluff a lot, but has never played poker before and is not even sure what hand beats what. Sure, you can win a lot off such a guy over the course of an evening, but in the first few hands anything could happen. It’s just about the only semi-compliment I can give trump. Right now countries will take his threats seriously; not because they think he chooses his words carefully (!), but because the only thing off the table is rational thought. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/83 "2017-02-03T15:10:00Z")
It is like the ol’ Nixonian madman strategy, only this time America is likely to follow through. But hey, who wouldn’t gladly give up their social security and Medicare for a pointless war against Iran? People get rich off of wars yanno. We can follow their lifestyles on the TV afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/84 "2017-02-03T15:31:12Z")
Is being put “On Notice” anything like “Double Secret Probation”? Does it have the same effect ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/85 "2017-02-03T15:47:49Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Is being put “On Notice” anything like “Double Secret Probation”? > Does it have the same effect I think they’re equivalent. “Officially On Notice” is more formal; a diplomatic usage. The next step in the escalation is a “Sternly Worded [I See What You Did There](http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/675-i-see-what-you-did-there)”. Shit gets real then. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/86 "2017-02-03T15:58:16Z")
Iran, you got some splainin to do! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/87 "2017-02-03T16:00:23Z")
On notice _of what_? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/88 "2017-02-03T16:23:51Z")
Library books overdue. Those five cent daily fines add up, man. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/89 "2017-02-03T16:49:00Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > I’m… confused by this thread. You’re… upset, because the president has taken a hard stance against Iran who, by the way, just test fired a ballistic missile and has repeatedly vowed to destroy/nuke Israel and the US? The Trump administration responded to a missile firing by making a speech. And you call it a “hard stance”. If the Obama administration had responded by giving a speech, you’d be condemning the exact same thing as being weak. So while you’re confused, that’s just you. The rest of us see your response as obvious and predictable. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/90 "2017-02-03T17:03:08Z")
It is more [sanctions.](http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1) ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/91 "2017-02-03T17:53:19Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > It is more [sanctions.](http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/02/03/US-Treasury-announces-new-sanctions-on-Iran/4841486138846/?utm_source=fp&utm_campaign=ls&utm_medium=1) I’m not so sure. The sanctions are clearly a punishment for the recent test and to dissuade further tests. I’d say “on notice” implies a stronger action after a further test. ---
**Author:** ![DeptfordX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DeptfordX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeptfordX)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/92 "2017-02-03T22:07:37Z")
I’m 44 years old and I’ve been hearing ‘Iran is x months away from having a Nuclear Bomb’ my entire Adult life. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/93 "2017-02-03T22:31:08Z")
Thing about that which confuses me…lately, Russia and Iran are good buds, but Putin wants to be besties with Il Douche. Did Putin sell out Iran? Why? I mean, outside of canceling sanctions on Russia so that Exxon deal can go through and those sweet petrodollars come home to roost… Does that mean he’s about to sell out Assad, too? Will the Prime Minister of Exxon solve the Syrian war problem? ---
**Author:** ![G-SE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f0a364/32.png) [@G-SE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G-SE)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/94 "2017-02-03T22:32:48Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Just call Obama a subhuman spear-chucker already. Tell us how you want that half-breed strung up, and all that stuff. > > Get it out. He’s gone now, and he can’t hurt you. What what? A liberal accusing someone of being racist? Never heard of that before! You win all future arguments! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/95 "2017-02-03T22:37:36Z")
ooh snap ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/96 "2017-02-03T23:30:46Z")
> [@DeptfordX](#): > > I’m 44 years old and I’ve been hearing ‘Iran is x months away from having a Nuclear Bomb’ my entire Adult life. I haven’t. My problem with them is taking hostages at our embassy. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/97 "2017-02-03T23:51:08Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I haven’t. > My problem with them is taking hostages at our embassy. I’m still pissed about the Battle of Thermopylae. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/98 "2017-02-04T00:14:28Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > We’re mocking Flynn on his silly “on notice” statement. No big deal. Flynn reminds me of that crazy General Ripper from Doctor Strangelove, always hollering some nonsense about precious bodily fluids. He even sort of looks like him. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/99 "2017-02-04T00:25:52Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I’m still pissed about the Battle of Thermopylae. Yeah, some traitor showed the Persians a back door, the bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776/100 "2017-02-04T00:40:11Z")
Let’s just not sign anymore treaties with them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-you-better-watch-yourself/778776.md?page=6)