French oil and gas company Total to sign 4.8$ billion deal with Iran - Sensationalist Headlines

[QUOTE]French oil and gas company Total S.A. has agreed a $4.8 billion deal with Iran to develop one of the world’s largest natural gas fields, reports AFP.The country’s oil ministry announced the deal Sunday. It is Iran’s first investment by an international energy company since sanctions were eased last year after reaching an international agreement to slow the development of its nuclear program, reports Bloomberg.The contract is to develop part of the South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf. Iran’s Petroleum Minister Bijan Zanganeh said last month that the deal was in its final stage and would be signed within the coming weeks, Press TV reported Total Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne has previously said it was worth the company taking the billion dollar risk of future sanction restrictions being imposed “because [the deal] opens a huge market.We are perfectly conscious of some risks,” Pouyanne told Reuters.“We have taken into account [sanction] snap-backs, we have to take into account regulation changes," he added. "We have to live with some uncertainty." Total is heading an international consortium with Chinese company CNPCI to develop the gas field. The deal will be signed Monday, a ministry spokesperson told AFP.[/QUOTE] [url]https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-total-idUSKBN19B0G5[/url] [url]http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/total-to-sign-usd-4-8-bn-gas-deal-with-iran-oil-ministry-117070200351_1.html[/url] [url]https://www.rt.com/news/394968-iran-gas-deal-total/[/url]

Well that is big. But as long as this means less oil and gas from KSA, I'm all up for it.

[QUOTE={TFS} Rock Su;52423791]Well that is big. But as long as this means less oil and gas from KSA, I'm all up for it.[/QUOTE] when will this "iran isnt that bad tbh" meme die already i'd rather there be no deals with either of them, iran is just as bad as saudi arabia if not worse in some aspects

Hahahaha,oh man you are hilarious.This is supposedly a meme? Hahaha

[QUOTE=Melnek;52423900]when will this "iran isnt that bad tbh" meme die already i'd rather there be no deals with either of them, iran is just as bad as saudi arabia if not worse in some aspects[/QUOTE] Just out of curiosity (I don't know the reason, so don't take this as me defending them), why is Iran "bad" - is its government doing something internationally frowned upon? Are it's people (all of them) doing something naughty? It's just a country, isn't it? I'm not sure I understand. So far, the only reason I've heard for Iran being "bad" is because they might compete with Saudi for oil exports - or is it that they might accept payment in gold rather than the US dollar. Lots of people in the US and Israel say that Iran is "bad", but seem to not be saying what the actual reason is. Also, bad for who? If it's bad for "western" interests because it would undermine economic interests, then people should just say that instead of acting all cagey about it. At the end of the day, it's business. I hope it isn't just a case of "let's try to convince everyone a whole country is bad, but not give the real reason, so that they don't ever figure out why we're afraid of them and do that thing".

[QUOTE=ph:lxyz;52423946]Just out of curiosity (I don't know the reason, so don't take this as me defending them), why is Iran "bad" - is its government doing something internationally frowned upon? Are it's people (all of them) doing something naughty? It's just a country, isn't it? I'm not sure I understand. So far, the only reason I've heard for Iran being "bad" is because they might compete with Saudi for oil exports - or is it that they might accept payment in gold rather than the US dollar. Lots of people in the US and Israel say that Iran is "bad", but seem to not be saying what the actual reason is. Also, bad for who?[/QUOTE] They really hate Isreal. Like imagine Trump's hateboner for the media and them calling him out and multiply that with Israel being a really big anomaly in the Middle East region.

[QUOTE={TFS} Rock Su;52423951]They really hate Isreal. Like imagine Trump's hateboner for the media and them calling him out and multiply that with Israel being a really big anomaly in the Middle East region.[/QUOTE] I see - but surely not everyone in Iran hates everyone in Israel. They might disagree with the creation of the state of Israel, but in that case, it seems to me they ought to be arguing with the specific family who got the Balfour declaration signed, not the people of Israel.

[QUOTE=ph:lxyz;52423957]I see - but surely not everyone in Iran hates everyone in Israel. They might disagree with the creation of the state of Israel, but in that case, it seems to me they ought to be arguing with the specific family who got the Balfour declaration signed, not the people of Israel.[/QUOTE] To be fair, we can pretty much blame the British and the French (perhaps other nations as well, my knowledge of 18th century ME history isn't that good) for messing up Middle East with their conquering and later dividing the countries.

[QUOTE={TFS} Rock Su;52423791]Well that is big. But as long as this means less oil and gas from KSA, I'm all up for it.[/QUOTE] From one murderous shit hole to another. Iran does all the same shit Saudi Arabia does. [url]https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/iran[/url] Blind acceptance of Iran while hating Saudi Arabia doesn't make any sense.

Theres a difference between hating the government of Iran and the people of Iran. Their governments hate of Israel is north Korea levels of dick waving to be honest, but the people there tend to be more liberal in their views, so I hope that they will push their government to become more "western" as well. Theres a long way to go, but I believe its possible given time

Not going to happen as long as the theocracy exists. They can elect as many "progressive" Presidents they want. The real power lies in the Supreme Leader and he has to approve the Presidential candidates. I'd be less-shocked to see progressive reform come out of the new Saudi heir than Iran's theocracy...

[QUOTE=ph:lxyz;52423946]Just out of curiosity (I don't know the reason, so don't take this as me defending them), why is Iran "bad" - is its government doing something internationally frowned upon? Are it's people (all of them) doing something naughty? It's just a country, isn't it? I'm not sure I understand.[/QUOTE] [quote] The rally also inaugurated a huge digital countdown display at Tehran Palestine Square, showing that Israel will allegedly cease to exist in 8,411 days. In 2015, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei predicted that after 25 years — by 2040 — there will no longer be a State of Israel. [/quote] [url]http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranians-parade-missiles-shout-death-to-israel-in-annual-rally/[/url] They really [b]really[/b] hate israel and its allies and also have missiles and would like nuclear weapons, they're a north korea.

Have already argued this in another israel vs iran thread and honestly, people asking people equate iran to NK is just...retarded.

[QUOTE=01271;52425292][url]http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranians-parade-missiles-shout-death-to-israel-in-annual-rally/[/url] They really [b]really[/b] hate israel and its allies and also have missiles and would like nuclear weapons, they're a north korea.[/QUOTE] Yeah,the Times of [U][B]Israel[/B][/U] is totally not a biased source at all in this Iran vs Israel debate.Also you are completely overreacting about Iran.They are not a "Middle-eastern North Korea" as you put it.And please do explain how they have nuclear weapons?Wasn't it [U]Israel[/U] that illegally struck that nuclear reactor the Iranians were buliding some time ago? I'm just looking for some consistency on your statements.

[QUOTE=01271;52425292][url]http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranians-parade-missiles-shout-death-to-israel-in-annual-rally/[/url] They really [b]really[/b] hate israel and its allies and also have missiles and would like nuclear weapons, they're a north korea.[/QUOTE] I compare irans propaganda nonsense to north Korea, but thats pretty much the extent of the similarities. [editline]2nd July 2017[/editline] [QUOTE=Sgt.Kickass;52425471]Yeah,the Times of [U][B]Israel[/B][/U] is totally not a biased source at all in this Iran vs Israel debate.Also you are completely overreacting about Iran.They are not a "Middle-eastern North Korea" as you put it.And please do explain how they have nuclear weapons?Wasn't it [U]Israel[/U] that illegally struck that nuclear reactor the Iranians were buliding some time ago? I'm just looking for some consistency on your statements.[/QUOTE] If you are referring to the stuxnet virus attack, wasn't that a combination of Israel and the United States?

Oh, I couldn't find the actual facepunch article for that on mobile but it's real. I forgot to say "first source I could find but there are a lot of others". Since the story is a few weeks old the first page of the google news section is filled with alternative news sites now. The only purpose of the story is to establish that the state hates Israel so much that they have a doomsday clock for them. Grim. As for the north Korea part they behave in a way that makes them look unstable like Korea. They threaten ships in the important waterways near their country. [img]https://i.gyazo.com/5bdcd382c311bcc666e50ad30c8f9902.png[/img] They're controlling this important tactical area and they do things like capture American sailors and shine lasers at ships and act very aggressively. Saudi Arabia had to divert a bunch of pipelines because the area was too messed up you don't really wanna hang out near them. AFAIK they cooperate with the UN in regards to nuclear weapons since the Iran deal was put in place. Before that they had a ton of centrifuges to enrich uranium which was supposedly for nuclear weapons. I only said they would like nuclear weapons not that they had them. ok here's the previous article I mentioned ON FP. [url]https://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1569026[/url]

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[QUOTE=Daniel Smith;52425693]When it comes to human rights they are both equally as bad, but Iran isn't really in the business of arming and funding terrorist groups. Democratic nations make deals with dictatorships all the time.[/QUOTE] [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_and_state-sponsored_terrorism[/url] ?

[QUOTE=Daniel Smith;52425693]When it comes to human rights they are both equally as bad, but Iran isn't really in the business of arming and funding terrorist groups. Democratic nations make deals with dictatorships all the time.[/QUOTE] What? Iran pretty much pulls the same shit with funding militias as Saudi, the only difference being that Iran funds and arms shia militias. Saying that either of the countries is better than the other in that regard is terribly wrong.

More money for Hezbollah and Hamas then.

[QUOTE=Daniel Smith;52425693]When it comes to human rights they are both equally as bad, but Iran isn't really in the business of arming and funding terrorist groups. Democratic nations make deals with dictatorships all the time.[/QUOTE] Iran isn't anywhere near as bad as Saudi Arabia is. Women are actually allowed to drive there (unlike Saudi Arabia), own businesses, vote, and many are studying STEM fields in school. It also has the largest concentration of Jews in the Middle East outside of Israel. Christians, Zoroastrians, and Jews are all recognized as being protected minorities under the state constitution; there's around 30 synagogues, 200 churches, and I have no idea how many temples for Zoroastrians. "All people of Iran, whatever the ethnic group or tribe to which they belong, enjoy equal rights; color, race, language, and the like, do not bestow any privilege." Saudi Arabia is ridiculously prejudiced meanwhile, especially against blacks. While Iran unfortunately did away with the monarchy and much of the liberalization the Shah was pushing, it has nevertheless left a positive legacy behind that continues to this day. Not to mention Saudi Arabia is behind the majority of Islamic extremism that's in the world today. They're the sponsors of Wahhabi terrorism, not to mention a lot of bullshit Sharia movements around the world. It's worth remembering that bin Laden and the majority of the hijackers on 9/11 were all Saudis too.

[QUOTE=Govna;52428668]Iran isn't anywhere near as bad as Saudi Arabia is. Women are actually allowed to drive there (unlike Saudi Arabia), own businesses, vote, and many are studying STEM fields in school. It also has the largest concentration of Jews in the Middle East outside of Israel. Christians, Zoroastrians, and Jews are all recognized as being protected minorities under the state constitution; there's around 30 synagogues, 200 churches, and I have no idea how many temples for Zoroastrians. "All people of Iran, whatever the ethnic group or tribe to which they belong, enjoy equal rights; color, race, language, and the like, do not bestow any privilege." Saudi Arabia is ridiculously prejudiced meanwhile, especially against blacks. While Iran unfortunately did away with the monarchy and much of the liberalization the Shah was pushing, it has nevertheless left a positive legacy behind that continues to this day. Not to mention Saudi Arabia is behind the majority of Islamic extremism that's in the world today. They're the sponsors of Wahhabi terrorism, not to mention a lot of bullshit Sharia movements around the world. It's worth remembering that bin Laden and the majority of the hijackers on 9/11 were all Saudis too.[/QUOTE] it's bullshit they enjoy equal rights. If you come from a Jewish or any non Muslim family and one of your siblings converts to Islam, they get the sole rights to any inheritance when your parents die. The non Muslims in Iran are second class citizens.

Also good luck in either country if you're not straight.

[QUOTE=Svinnik;52428835]it's bullshit they enjoy equal rights. If you come from a Jewish or any non Muslim family and one of your siblings converts to Islam, they get the sole rights to any inheritance when your parents die. The non Muslims in Iran are second class citizens.[/QUOTE] You're completely missing the point. Iran is still objectively a better place to live than Saudi Arabia is. They are not "just as bad" as each other. They are completely different countries. They have different religious beliefs, different histories, different governments, different human rights records, and so on. If you're a religious or ethnic minority, you're better off in Iran. You have access to churches, synagogues, and temples. You can hold office in government (and religious minorities do in fact hold government offices-- not just theoretically, but in reality). Discrimination against minorities is much lower there than elsewhere in the Middle East. Yes the inheritance articles give preference to Muslims over non-Muslims, but that's a small price to pay given the other benefits they're allowed to receive under the theocratic government, and you certainly wouldn't be accorded them in Saudi Arabia. If you're a woman, you're better off in Iran. You can do something as basic as drive a car by yourself if you want to, and you won't be severely punished for it. You don't have to wear full-body coverings. You're actually allowed to vote and participate in politics and have it count for something. You're encouraged to go to school and get a proper education. They're a lot more westernized than Saudi Arabia is, which owes to their past and the reforms of the Shah (which, again, to this day have left a positive legacy behind even after the dissolution of the monarchy). If you're an immigrant, you're better off in Iran. I suggest you research Saudi Arabia's involvement in literal slavery. Just as far as sex slavery goes, I don't think many other countries in the Middle East can compete with them. It's not uncommon at all to read about people there being tortured, raped, even murdered by "employers". One wealthy Saudi couple who lived out in Colorado (around Denver) kept their Indonesian maid locked up for [i]four years[/i], during which time the husband repeatedly raped her. Their government actually posted his $400,000 bail and tried to play it off as being a case of Islamophobia.

[QUOTE=Govna;52429199]You're completely missing the point. Iran is still objectively a better place to live than Saudi Arabia is. They are not "just as bad" as each other. They are completely different countries. They have different religious beliefs, different histories, different governments, different human rights records, and so on. If you're a religious or ethnic minority, you're better off in Iran. You have access to churches, synagogues, and temples. You can hold office in government (and religious minorities do in fact hold government offices-- not just theoretically, but in reality). Discrimination against minorities is much lower there than elsewhere in the Middle East. Yes the inheritance articles give preference to Muslims over non-Muslims, but that's a small price to pay given the other benefits they're allowed to receive under the theocratic government, and you certainly wouldn't be accorded them in Saudi Arabia. If you're a woman, you're better off in Iran. You can do something as basic as drive a car by yourself if you want to, and you won't be severely punished for it. You don't have to wear full-body coverings. You're actually allowed to vote and participate in politics and have it count for something. You're encouraged to go to school and get a proper education. They're a lot more westernized than Saudi Arabia is, which owes to their past and the reforms of the Shah (which, again, to this day have left a positive legacy behind even after the dissolution of the monarchy). If you're an immigrant, you're better off in Iran. I suggest you research Saudi Arabia's involvement in literal slavery. Just as far as sex slavery goes, I don't think many other countries in the Middle East can compete with them. It's not uncommon at all to read about people there being tortured, raped, even murdered by "employers". One wealthy Saudi couple who lived out in Colorado (around Denver) kept their Indonesian maid locked up for [i]four years[/i], during which time the husband repeatedly raped her. Their government actually posted his $400,000 bail and tried to play it off as being a case of Islamophobia.[/QUOTE] Iran isn't [I]as[/I] bad as KSA but honestly, it's still a pretty shit place if you're not a Muslim male. Hopefully there'll be another revolution and they'll switch to a government that doesn't oppress its people.