Iran
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From: Japan
Quote: “Sea traffic via the Strait of Hormuz was unhindered prior to the conflict, there had not been any issues or animosity towards or from Iran for many years in regard to the Strait and its security or safety.”
While I agree with 97.5% of BL’s assertions above, we must not forget that Iran has over the years picked and chosen which ships to hit with sea/air drones, and which ships to board and impound, alleging this and that, but depending in part on their owner’s nationality.
While I agree with 97.5% of BL’s assertions above, we must not forget that Iran has over the years picked and chosen which ships to hit with sea/air drones, and which ships to board and impound, alleging this and that, but depending in part on their owner’s nationality.
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From: Near SOU
New nuclear capacity in the last twenty years has been located in China (13 power stations), Russia & Belarus (3), India (1, 2013), UAE (1, 2021) and Iran (1, 2011); the last new nuclear power station in the US was 30 years ago. Objections in the west to nuclear have progressed from political to economic; it's simply far too expensive and takes far too long to build.
Given Iran's location and climate, if they're really about electricity they'd be better off with distributed power sources derived from oil and renewables, particularly ever cheaper solar panels from their mates in China. The "peaceful nuclear program" cover story gets thinner every year.
Given Iran's location and climate, if they're really about electricity they'd be better off with distributed power sources derived from oil and renewables, particularly ever cheaper solar panels from their mates in China. The "peaceful nuclear program" cover story gets thinner every year.
Although Iran is one of the world’s largest producers of fossil fuels, the Islamic Republic has increasingly focused on renewable energy to address its growing domestic energy shortfall and environmental challenges. Recent years have seen a significant shift in Iran’s energy strategy and major investments in green energy projects, driven by the country’s need to diversify its sources of revenue, circumvent economic sanctions, and address concerns over the country’s environmental record. Despite these ambitious efforts, Iran continues to face considerable obstacles to a clean energy future, including budgetary constraints, technological gaps, and geopolitical tensions that will hinder international cooperation and investment in Iran’s economy. Nevertheless, Iran has worked to expand its renewable energy sector, particularly solar and wind resources, to secure its domestic needs, long-term energy supply, and mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
Iran has set ambitious targets to enhance its renewable energy capacity. aiming to reach 20 GW of total renewable capacity by 2027 and add 10 GW of solar capacity by 2030. By 2031, policymakers have set the goal of 50 GW of renewable energy. Iran’s leaders have announced an aim of generating 10 percent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2025, and 30 percent by 2030. Iran’s current renewable energy capacity stand at over 4 GW, roughly half of its goal; of this number, 1 GW comes from solar and wind power, with significant room for growth
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Iran has made some headway in developing its own renewable energy sector in spite of these obstacles. The nation has started major solar and wind power projects like the 100 MW Kerman Solar Plant and the Manjil Wind Farm, implemented government incentives like feed-in tariffs, and formed organizations like SATBA to encourage renewable energy. Furthermore, research institutes and universities in Iran are advancing renewable energy technology.
Iran has set ambitious targets to enhance its renewable energy capacity. aiming to reach 20 GW of total renewable capacity by 2027 and add 10 GW of solar capacity by 2030. By 2031, policymakers have set the goal of 50 GW of renewable energy. Iran’s leaders have announced an aim of generating 10 percent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2025, and 30 percent by 2030. Iran’s current renewable energy capacity stand at over 4 GW, roughly half of its goal; of this number, 1 GW comes from solar and wind power, with significant room for growth
...........
Iran has made some headway in developing its own renewable energy sector in spite of these obstacles. The nation has started major solar and wind power projects like the 100 MW Kerman Solar Plant and the Manjil Wind Farm, implemented government incentives like feed-in tariffs, and formed organizations like SATBA to encourage renewable energy. Furthermore, research institutes and universities in Iran are advancing renewable energy technology.
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: UK
New nuclear capacity in the last twenty years has been located in China (13 power stations), Russia & Belarus (3), India (1, 2013), UAE (1, 2021) and Iran (1, 2011); the last new nuclear power station in the US was 30 years ago. Objections in the west to nuclear have progressed from political to economic; it's simply far too expensive and takes far too long to build.
Given Iran's location and climate, if they're really about electricity they'd be better off with distributed power sources derived from oil and renewables, particularly ever cheaper solar panels from their mates in China. The "peaceful nuclear program" cover story gets thinner every year.
Given Iran's location and climate, if they're really about electricity they'd be better off with distributed power sources derived from oil and renewables, particularly ever cheaper solar panels from their mates in China. The "peaceful nuclear program" cover story gets thinner every year.
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Texas
AirScotia: nope. Cost and the green movement's efforts at making the regulatory hurdles nearly impossible to overcome have done the trick. (This response based on feedback from a long time friend who, as nuclear engineer, spent his entire professional life dealing with nuclear energy and nuclear power plants...and a few other projects at a place in Tennessee. He's now retired in Florida).
There was a nuclear power project set to come on line in the 2010's near Victoria, Texas and ended up dying for the above reasons.
However, someone is trying again at the same site: (details in the spoiler, to come on line 2030isn with 1.5 GW power output...)
In other news about Nuclear Power: Iran may have taken the attitude of "if we can't have it, you can't have it" with this recent drone attack...
There was a nuclear power project set to come on line in the 2010's near Victoria, Texas and ended up dying for the above reasons.
However, someone is trying again at the same site: (details in the spoiler, to come on line 2030isn with 1.5 GW power output...)
Spoiler
In other news about Nuclear Power: Iran may have taken the attitude of "if we can't have it, you can't have it" with this recent drone attack...
A drone strike sparked a fire at the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday, raising fresh fears over the fragility of the current U.S.-Iran truce and the risks posed to critical infrastructure across the Gulf.
Officials said there was no evidence of elevated radiation levels following the incident and confirmed the fire was contained without injuries.
The fire broke out in an electrical generator outside of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant’s inner perimeter, according to local authorities and United Nations experts.
The four-reactor site, which is the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, sits southwest of the city of Al Dhannah and west of the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi. It generates about a quarter of the country’s entire electricity supply. No one was reported injured and emergency diesel generators kicked in to provide power to one of the reactor units, according to officials.
All units are operating normally and the blaze did not impact safety or radiation levels at the site, Abi Dhabi’s media office said in a statement.
Officials said there was no evidence of elevated radiation levels following the incident and confirmed the fire was contained without injuries.
The fire broke out in an electrical generator outside of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant’s inner perimeter, according to local authorities and United Nations experts.
The four-reactor site, which is the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, sits southwest of the city of Al Dhannah and west of the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi. It generates about a quarter of the country’s entire electricity supply. No one was reported injured and emergency diesel generators kicked in to provide power to one of the reactor units, according to officials.
All units are operating normally and the blaze did not impact safety or radiation levels at the site, Abi Dhabi’s media office said in a statement.
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Europe
France has commissioned at least six new nuclear reactors, and generates about 70% of its electricity from nuclear. Their reactors are the water-pressurised type, which take considerable time to build, but I believe the Small Module Reactors are both cheaper and quicker to construct. There isn't generally too much hostility to nuclear in Europe, apart from Merkel taking against it after Fukushima. I imagine it's not popular in the US because it has to be a federal project (socialism!) and there are no big profits to be made, if any.
Anybody that thinks that civil nuclear industry exists in a vacuum, isolated from military nuclear applications, is also struggling in the belief department.
(I have had some very limited personal insight into Iranian programmes in this area, all of which was done very cautiously, and I was never quite sure how many sets of mirrors I was looking through. But the ones I dealt with were lovely people to deal with despite all the difficulties. I wish the Iranian people well in obtaining a better future.)
I can also attest from personal experience that Iran has tried hard to develop in the wind industry sector. Again, it is very difficult for them to do this. Not only are sanctions an impediment, but also the natural tendency in Iran is to underprice gas to get the domestic gas consumption up. And any projects inevitably get forced to Chinese kit so they were never able to get an indigenous industry off of the first rung of the ladder. The whole world now has that last problem, both in wind and solar, and increasingly in storage.
Joined: May 2024
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From: Near SOU
A very quick and most welcome update regarding CMA CGM San Antonio
Two of the injured crew have finally gone home to their families. They were repatriated on May 15, 2026 to Manila Airport and they both clearly show serious injuries. The remaining crew who were injured in the attack on the ship are still undergoing medical treatment in Oman.
More on this : Two Filipino crew injured on the CMA CGM San Antonio return home (Seatrade Maritime News - May 18, 2026)
I, for one, wish them all well in their recovery, especially since usually these men are the sole breadwinner for their families and time not being able to work will be difficult despite any financial support given to them, some may never be able to go back to work. It is good news that they are slowly being able to go home.
Two of the injured crew have finally gone home to their families. They were repatriated on May 15, 2026 to Manila Airport and they both clearly show serious injuries. The remaining crew who were injured in the attack on the ship are still undergoing medical treatment in Oman.
More on this : Two Filipino crew injured on the CMA CGM San Antonio return home (Seatrade Maritime News - May 18, 2026)
I, for one, wish them all well in their recovery, especially since usually these men are the sole breadwinner for their families and time not being able to work will be difficult despite any financial support given to them, some may never be able to go back to work. It is good news that they are slowly being able to go home.
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: London
Iranian state media is reporting the US has agreed a temporary lifting of sanctions. Not confirmed by the US yet. If true will be interesting to see what they've offered in return.
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From: Falling off the end of the thread
No one mentioning the US reaper drone shot down, nor the massive explosion at an Israeli nuclear facility, nor the UAE nuclear power plant that was hit by a drone?
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: London
"First, the U.S. should prepare a major series of strikes against Iranian communications, transportation and other infrastructure, while concurrently unleashing the Israeli air force against remaining Iranian industries. Iran’s metallurgical industry, a pillar of its state-backed economy, is badly damaged. Coordinating with Israeli attacks on these targets while disrupting Iranian military movement would cripple virtually every industry for Iran except oil production.
Two additional operations would target the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian uranium storage in Isfahan. The former would be principally against Qeshm Island, in concert with the United Arab Emirates, which has attacked Iran many times during the war. Qeshm and its surrounding islands are the key to the strait. The latter operation should aim to seize nuclear material. By rescuing a downed pilot in early April, the U.S. demonstrated it can operate in the area effectively.
Finally, the U.S. should attack remaining Iranian tanker capacity inside the Strait of Hormuz. The faster we destroy Iran’s floating oil storage, the more the country’s economy will feel the squeeze.
Mr. Trump’s objective shouldn’t be to bluff the Iranians out. Instead it should be to demonstrate that if push comes to shove, the U.S. will commit to an overwhelming confrontation that breaks the Iranian state economically and politically. An air campaign approximating the war’s first week, which disoriented Iranian capabilities, is possible now that the dust has settled around Iran’s leadership."
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Two additional operations would target the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian uranium storage in Isfahan. The former would be principally against Qeshm Island, in concert with the United Arab Emirates, which has attacked Iran many times during the war. Qeshm and its surrounding islands are the key to the strait. The latter operation should aim to seize nuclear material. By rescuing a downed pilot in early April, the U.S. demonstrated it can operate in the area effectively.
Finally, the U.S. should attack remaining Iranian tanker capacity inside the Strait of Hormuz. The faster we destroy Iran’s floating oil storage, the more the country’s economy will feel the squeeze.
Mr. Trump’s objective shouldn’t be to bluff the Iranians out. Instead it should be to demonstrate that if push comes to shove, the U.S. will commit to an overwhelming confrontation that breaks the Iranian state economically and politically. An air campaign approximating the war’s first week, which disoriented Iranian capabilities, is possible now that the dust has settled around Iran’s leadership."
_________
Also I don't concur with the author's assessment that Qeshm Island is the key to the Straits. Surely these small boats can operate pretty much from anywhere along the Iranian coastline, even beyond the Straits? As for seizing the nuclear material, well it appears the US has already tried and failed to this. I'd contend that they got lucky the last time in that it didn't turn into a fiasco with multiple casualties and hostages.
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From: Midlands
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Trump says he called off new Iran attack at request of Gulf states - BBC News
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From: Texas
The post's time stamp is: 18th May 2026 08:51.
As to the Reaper going down, in an armed conflict the enemy shoots back.
Or had you forgotten that?
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From: Canada
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From: London
I wonder how the Gulf states see the situation being resolved?
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From: Wythenshawe
There are a lot of Iran 'sympathisers' above, who seem oblivious to the fact that the established Iranian religious/military regime intend to remove Israel from the face of the earth. That is non-negotiable. This Armageddon scenario must be avoided. And Iran must therefore be stopped, ideally by its own people. But this looks unlikely.
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From: florida
sounds like Iran wants another 2015-type deal....a worthless "agreement", but it's international so many here will like it. Anyway, buy time, squirrel away as much of the good stuff as possible before inspectors show up, if any. Buy some more centrifuges for the new secret underground place. And the beat goes on.
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Texas
There are a lot of Iran 'sympathisers' above, who seem oblivious to the fact that the established Iranian religious/military regime intend to remove Israel from the face of the earth. That is non-negotiable. This Armageddon scenario must be avoided. And Iran must therefore be stopped, ideally by its own people. But this looks unlikely.
There are over a billion people in India.
How is it acceptable that a dispute between Israel and Iran - which has been ongoing for not quite fifty years - must negatively impact them? That is kind of what is going on right now. There are other countries in Asia who are similarly being impacted in a negative economic sense (Indonesia being but one of them)...how is any of this fair to them?
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: London
There are a lot of Iran 'sympathisers' above, who seem oblivious to the fact that the established Iranian religious/military regime intend to remove Israel from the face of the earth. That is non-negotiable. This Armageddon scenario must be avoided. And Iran must therefore be stopped, ideally by its own people. But this looks unlikely.
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: London
America's very own Grand Old Duke of York....
According to AI: At its core, the song is a satirical swipe at military incompetence, pointless maneuvring, and indecisive leadership
According to AI: At its core, the song is a satirical swipe at military incompetence, pointless maneuvring, and indecisive leadership
