The US-Iran War Has Begun

Casey Pelous · Apr 7, 2026

Dakota Tebaldi said:
See the whole problem you have when you go full scorched-earth in your language is that when your bluff is called and you blink, that's it - you never have any credibility again ever. You can't proclaim that you're about to "end a whole civilization forever at 8pm tonight", and then a couple of hours later be like..."okay, that's it, now I'm really serious, you have two weeks or else" and expect anyone to take you seriously ever again.

So you're saying negotiating a brilliant deal with the voices in your head doesn't count?

Harsh.

Bartholomew Gallacher · Apr 8, 2026

Dakota Tebaldi said:
See the whole problem you have when you go full scorched-earth in your language is that when your bluff is called and you blink, that's it - you never have any credibility again ever. You can't proclaim that you're about to "end a whole civilization forever at 8pm tonight", and then a couple of hours later be like..."okay, that's it, now I'm really serious, you have two weeks or else" and expect anyone to take you seriously ever again.

Well up and foremost I am glad as most people here are as well that no mass bombing happened. Since now America as well Iran is spinning its own propaganda around it it is up to us to figure out what happened.

First: Trump speaks a message that Iran understands, that's for sure. And having aircraft carriers in the region also demonstrates a certain will to engage. The thing nobody knows is: how far was Trump really willing to go?

So one possible interpretation is that Iran considered the threat as valid and back pedaled. However given the history this country has with America this is very unlikely, Iran normally prefers to carry its decisions out.

So the other possibility is that both sides were desperately looking for a way to deescalate while keeping their facade up. And with Trump the reason for this is clear: the midterm elections. Trump cannot afford to be then still at war with Iran, because it tanks his approval ratings when he's the sole reason why the gallon is so super expensive now at the gas station. So that's why he chickened out this time.

The only good fact we can take away from this whole shebang is that Trump still does fear elections, so he's by far means not done reconstructing America into the autocracy of his dreams. And that democracy in America can still fight back and topple Trump.

Free · Apr 8, 2026

The headline to beat:

Live updates: Both US and Iran claim victory after two-week ceasefire deal reached

So, everyone wins? I guess that's the best outcome we could have expected.

(I want off this brain-embarrassing timeline.)

Innula Zenovka · Apr 8, 2026

Free said:
The headline to beat:

Live updates: Both US and Iran claim victory after two-week ceasefire deal reached

So, everyone wins? I guess that's the best outcome we could have expected.

(I want off this brain-embarrassing timeline.)

There's a pretty good write-up here

The Rest of the World Report | April 8, 2026 — Morning Edition

The war is paused. The markets have noticed. The questions have not gone away.

www.chicanoinparis.com

There seem to be two (possibly three) different versions of what's been agreed, depending on whether you listen to the US or to Iran, and whether you use the Farsi or the English version of the document issued by the Iranian government.

They start negotiating in Pakistan on Friday. Israel won't be represented (Iran says the ceasefire covers Israel vs Lebanon, Israel says it doesn't).

Open questions include the status of Iran's nuclear projects, the terms on which Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation/reparations payable to Iran.

ETA The ceasefire is to last for two weeks:

Innula Zenovka · Apr 8, 2026

And 24 hours after threatening to destroy their civilisation

Trump conducting the negotiations

Casey Pelous · Apr 8, 2026

Innula Zenovka said:
And 24 hours after threatening to destroy their civilisation

...

I am reminded of an old comedy bit about the Lone Ranger:

Lone Ranger: Tonto, we must be brave. We must ride into town and end this lawlessness.

Tonto: What "we", Kemosabe?

Innula Zenovka · Apr 8, 2026

Reuters: Evangelicals amplify Trump's religious framing of Iran war

I'm old enough to remember when the baddies were those crazy Muslim fundamentalists who were threatening religious war against the unbelievers.

Cristiano · Apr 8, 2026

Cristiano · Apr 8, 2026

Middle East ceasefire in serious doubt as Israel assaults Lebanon and Iran blocks oil tankers

Noodles · Apr 8, 2026

Cristiano said:
Middle East ceasefire in serious doubt as Israel assaults Lebanon and Iran blocks oil tankers

You would have to have actually beleived it dount it. No one should trust anything Trump says or does.

Bartholomew Gallacher · Apr 8, 2026

Trump is on cocaine again...

Katheryne Helendale · Apr 8, 2026

Cristiano said:
Middle East ceasefire in serious doubt as Israel assaults Lebanon and Iran blocks oil tankers

Shocker.

Noodles · Apr 8, 2026

Manh of the 15 points? I admit I have not followed super close but wasn't it 10?

Casey Pelous · Apr 8, 2026

The list of stuff that isn't covered by the alleged cease-fire looks an awful lot like the list of stuff that wasn't handled before Operation Epstein Fury.

It also looks a lot like the list of stuff that was covered by the treaty The Moron-in-Chief cancelled about 10 minutes after he took office the first time.