Will Iran regime fall, or just another umpteenth fail of protesters? (rerun hobbies)

[Syne]

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that talks with Iran on extending the ceasefire would resume on Tuesday, while the Islamic Republic indicated it was not planning to send a delegation and was pessimistic about the prospects of the talks.

Trump told Fox News that White House envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would be heading to the Pakistani capital Islamabad for the negotiations, and if Tehran does not agree to a deal, the whole of Iran would be “blown up.”

He told the outlet that bridges and power plants in Iran would be targeted, repeating his threat to target civilian infrastructure — plans that appeared to have been halted after the ceasefire was reached nearly two weeks ago. The break in the fighting is set to expire on Wednesday if an extension is not agreed upon.
...
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says...-nice-guy/

[Yazata]

Iran's Tasnim news agency, run by the IRGC, says:

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While Tasnim speaks of Iranian drone attacks on US ships, there are no reports of any drone attacks from the American side as of yet. The Yemeni Houthis tried over and over to hit American warships with Iranian-made drones, with zero success.

and...

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CENTCOM describes the incident this way:

"U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots enroute to Bandar Abbas, Iran. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade.

After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody.

American forces acted in a deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance. Since the blockade’s commencement, U.S. forces have directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port."

Video of the incident here:

https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2045969284690788615

Another photo of M/V Touska

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[Syne]

Look who's all talk now.

[Syne]

IDF says image of soldier destroying Jesus statue in Lebanon is real, vows action

The Israel Defense Forces confirms the authenticity of a photo showing a soldier in southern Lebanon smashing a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer, and says it will take action against those involved.

Following an initial review of the photo, the military says that “it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon.”

“The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops,” the military says.
...

[Yazata]

Dramatic CENTCOM video of US Marines departing by helicopter from the Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli (effectively a small aircraft carrier) and boarding the M/V Touska.

https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2046085543348293851

[Syne]

IDF says image of soldier destroying Jesus statue in Lebanon is real, vows action

The Israel Defense Forces confirms the authenticity of a photo showing a soldier in southern Lebanon smashing a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer, and says it will take action against those involved.

Following an initial review of the photo, the military says that “it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon.”

“The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops,” the military says.
...

Netanyahu Doesn’t Mince Words In Response To Vandalism Of Christian Icon By IDF Soldier

...
Netanyahu declared:

    As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths. All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region. Yesterday, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon. I condemn the act in the strongest terms. Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender.

    While Christians are being slaughtered in Syria and Lebanon by Muslims, the Christian population in Israel thrives unlike elsewhere in the Middle East. Israel is the only country in the region that the Christian population and standard of living is growing. Israel is the only place in the Middle East that adheres to freedom of worship for all. We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.
...

[Yazata]

Regarding the photo of the Israeli soldier breaking a statue of crucified Jesus that apparently stood outside a Christian church in southern Lebanon. When I first saw the photo, I thought that it was AI. And I guessed that the motive might have been to drive a wedge between the Lebanese Christians who are often pro-Israel, and the Israelis. So I expected that it was the work of Hezbollah.

I'm disappointed to see that it was a real photograph of a real Israeli soldier. I'm guessing that he might have been one of Israel's more hard-line Orthodox Jews who are often a little crazy, in my opinion at least.

So I'm very pleased to see the Israelis say that they will take "harsh disciplinary action". Remains to be seen if it really happens though. Though it might, given the possible damage that it did to Israel's relations with the Lebanese Christians.

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[Syne]

Regarding the photo of the Israeli soldier breaking a statue of crucified Jesus that apparently stood outside a Christian church in southern Lebanon. When I first saw the photo, I thought that it was AI. And I guessed that the motive might have been to drive a wedge between the Lebanese Christians who are often pro-Israel, and the Israelis. So I expected that it was the work of Hezbollah.

I'm disappointed to see that it was a real photograph of a real Israeli soldier. I'm guessing that he might have been one of Israel's more hard-line Orthodox Jews who are often a little crazy, in my opinion at least.

Yeah, I would have hoped it was fake too, but Israel had already accepted responsibility when I heard of it.
I can't say I don't entirely understand the sentiment. Catholicism has a history of being "problematic" for the Jews and Israel (supersessionist theology, etc.). But this is obviously not the time nor place to be rectifying that... unless it's a Muslim IDF soldier (well under 1% of the IDF) with dubious motives/loyalties.

So I'm very pleased to see the Israelis say that they will take "harsh disciplinary action". Remains to be see if it really happens though. Though it might, given the possible damage that it did to Israel's relations with the Lebanese Christians.

Yes, I appreciated Bibi's strong language. The IDF has offered to help repair/replace the crucifix.

[C C]

Religious desecration apparently nothing new, according to AI.
- - - - - - - - - - -

Several reported incidents over the years show Israeli soldiers desecrating religious sites and symbols, particularly in Lebanon and Gaza, including vandalizing churches and destroying dozens of cemeteries. The IDF usually labels these acts as against military values and sometimes opens investigations.

Key Incidents and Patterns

Gaza Cemeteries (2023-2024): Investigations, including analysis of satellite imagery, have shown that at least 16 cemeteries in Gaza have been desecrated or destroyed by Israeli forces, with, as shown on Facebook, armored vehicles driving over graves, leading to accusations of necroviolence. The IDF acknowledged exhuming bodies in search of hostages.

Vandalism Documentation: Soldiers have occasionally posted videos online showing them mocking religious practices inside places of worship, including a church in Deir Mimas.

West Bank and Religious Property: Ongoing issues involve vandalism of Christian cemeteries, such as in 2023 when, as detailed on Premier Christian News, at least 30 tombstones were damaged by suspected extremists.

[Yazata]

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/fEHI64qLxbM

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Meanwhile the air logistics train continues. Many C-17 transport aircraft appear to be moving ammunition, additional air defense missiles, and other military supplies into the Middle East theatre of operations. There's no sign of a draw-down. Instead the US seems to be strengthening its position.

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