# Is US just tantalizing Iran **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 4, 2015, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212 "2015-07-04T09:39:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/21 "2015-07-11T08:17:52Z")
Not to worry. They have granted themselves a new deadline! Monday… and this time they really mean it!! ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/22 "2015-07-11T08:25:46Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > Now what’s your views Reza? 1- An agreement of any kind will be done, if not the one all were expected 2- IIIWW depends on US and some other superpowers long-run targets, not specific and predictable; A sword of Damocles ! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/23 "2015-07-11T08:28:11Z")
> [@Reza](#): > > 1- An agreement of any kind will be done, if not the one all were expected > > 2- IIIWW depends on US and some other superpowers long-run targets, not specific and predictable; A sword of Damocles ! Can you _please_ tell us what word you meant to use in your OP when you referred to the US “tantalizing” Iran? I’m absolutely certain that is not the word you meant. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/24 "2015-07-11T08:29:04Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > No WWIII. They’ll find a compromise of some sort of there will be some sort of lower-level form of warfare leading to more terrorism and more refugees, but nothing like destruction of the entire earth. > > FWIW, maybe you mean taunting or something? Not tantalising. Don’t trust Google translate and synonym dictionaries too much. No dear, the verb tantalizing was JUST for the negotiation. English ability is at the CAE level here, SO DON’T WORRY ! I know the ropes ! ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/25 "2015-07-11T08:34:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Can you _please_ tell us what word you meant to use in your OP when you referred to the US “tantalizing” Iran? I’m absolutely certain that is not the word you meant. I wonder, that’s clear! tantalizing simply means to show or promise something that someone really wants, but then not allow them to have it; teasing ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/26 "2015-07-11T08:36:34Z")
Thanks everyone for sharing their views, So, where should questions and topics like this go in? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/27 "2015-07-11T14:24:47Z")
> [@Reza](#): > > I wonder, that’s clear! > > tantalizing simply means to show or promise something that someone really wants, but then not allow them to have it; teasing That’s not the way it’s really used in the US, though. “Tantalizing” is more often used as an adjective or adverb, and not much as a verb: The diamond had a tantalizing beauty. The diamond was tantalizingly beautiful. FYI. “Teasing” or “playing with” is what you were looking for. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/28 "2015-07-11T14:51:32Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > That’s not the way it’s really used in the US, though. “Tantalizing” is more often used as an adjective or adverb, and not much as a verb: > > The diamond had a tantalizing beauty. > The diamond was tantalizingly beautiful. > > FYI. > > “Teasing” or “playing with” is what you were looking for. I’ve heard “tantalize” used as a verb before, as the OP did – I don’t think it’s particularly unusual. I understood the phrase, though not exactly what the OP meant by it with regards to the negotiations. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/29 "2015-07-11T19:37:28Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’ve heard “tantalize” used as a verb before, as the OP did – I don’t think it’s particularly unusual. I understood the phrase, though not exactly what the OP meant by it with regards to the negotiations. I think it’s pretty unusual. Imagine a mother saying: _Billy, stop tantalizing your sister!_ It’s not really a synonym for “teasing”. It’s has the connotation of alluring or tempting or mesmerizing. And on that note, I’ll end my participation in this little side discussion. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/30 "2015-07-13T15:47:53Z")
[Iran Talks: Nuclear Deal Edges Closer But Several Issues ‘Unresolved’.](http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/iran-nuclear-talks/iran-talks-nuclear-deal-edges-closer-several-issues-unresolved-n391001) Oh, don’t tantalize us! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/31 "2015-07-13T15:53:25Z")
Well, a deal is _tantalizingly_ close. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/32 "2015-07-13T18:15:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I think it’s pretty unusual. Imagine a mother saying: _Billy, stop tantalizing your sister!_ It’s not really a synonym for “teasing”. It’s has the connotation of alluring or tempting or mesmerizing. > > And on that note, I’ll end my participation in this little side discussion. Is the US just titillating Iran? ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/33 "2015-07-13T18:44:48Z")
Attempting to respond to the OP… I honestly don’t know why Obama is putting so much effort into this. Iran’s grand high poobah has given every indication that he intends to toss whatever agreement is reached right into the trashcan. Maybe they’re just trying to keep John Kerry out of trouble for a while. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/34 "2015-07-13T19:16:03Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > Is the US just titillating Iran? Female diplomats with exposed ankles would suffice. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/35 "2015-07-13T19:17:42Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Iran’s grand high poobah has given every indication that he intends to toss whatever agreement is reached right into the trashcan. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/36 "2015-07-13T19:29:37Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Cite? Well he’s as beardy and turbany as the best of 'em isn’t he ? (or should that be “bearding and turbaning with the best of 'em” ? I can never get my Real English right). In any case, what more d’y’alls need ? Like, actual analysis ? C’mon ! It’s Iran ! The folks y’alls have always been at war with, barring those times when you weren’t… Look, it’s just common sense, alright ? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/37 "2015-07-13T19:55:25Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Attempting to respond to the OP… > I honestly don’t know why Obama is putting so much effort into this. Iran’s grand high poobah has given every indication that he intends to toss whatever agreement is reached right into the trashcan. Isn’t that what the Republicans in Congress said they were going to do? ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/38 "2015-07-13T20:14:52Z")
So, suppose Iran manages to make a few gun-type uranium A-bombs-what then? Would they parade them around to advertise it? How about testing-there is no way they could test a bomb without everybody knowing. I think the whole thing is a way to get much more attention than otherwise. more serious would be SA’s threats to acquire nuclear weapons (should Iran build them). ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/39 "2015-07-13T20:41:28Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Cite? [We can start with this.](http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/07/13/irans-supreme-leader-calls-for-continued-anti-u-s-struggle/alrkv4p/) Many similar examples can be found with a simple Google search. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has had the anti-US rhetoric dialed up to 11 from the start of the negotiations. Whatever the diplomats might say or think, there’s really nothing to indicate that the Big Guy in Tehran is even slightly inclined to give two craps. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212/40 "2015-07-13T21:43:19Z")
> [@Reza](#): > > No dear, the verb tantalizing was JUST for the negotiation. > > English ability is at the CAE level here, SO DON’T WORRY ! I know the ropes ! Your English on these boards is not at CAE level. I’ve been teaching it for twenty years and have marked the exams, too. You may well have passed the exam some time but your usage here doesn’t reflect that; it’s good, but not CAE level (Cambridge Advanced English, btw). Tantalising does not mean what you think it means but I’m not going to explain in more detail to someone who’s got so much misplaced arrogance about their language skills - not for free, anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-just-tantalizing-iran/724212.md?page=3)