Trumps reckless designation of the IRGC to have dangerous consequences

Iran did help the US hugely in the early stages of its invasion of Afghanistan. Sharing key intel, offering Iranian airspace, even joint military ops.

As I mentioned above, after Genius George rewarded Iranian reformists for putting their neck on the line like this by labelling Iran as part of an 'axis of evil', Iran cut off all co-operation with the US - including (in fact primarily) in Afghanistan, and justifiably so.

I mean the OP used the word instrumental - their help was useful on invasion no doubt, but beyond that in the 17 years since they have been actively opposing the US - whether that be the 'axis of evil' effect or more the worry of US having a permanent base next door and gaining influence in the region I don't know.

Rendered assistance/helped ... I am using the two as synonyms here as the outcome is the same.
Err no that is exactly what it makes it. The fact it wasnt permanent help is irrelevant - especially as the yanks then stabbed the Iranians in the back.
Yes and no. Its no secret the Iranians hated the Taliban and wanted them gone but seeing as Rasfanjani was a moderate who reached out with America for a detente to imply this was nothing but cynicism is dubious at best.

Of course it did, so what? Why would they be happy with a hostile imperial force on their door step who actively threatened to attack them? Dont be so silly.
No there were claims of it. Seeing as the Taliban and various other terror groups have been found with large amounts of US weaponry as well i'd try not to open that jar of worms if i were you.
However, whats wrong with Iran *allegedly* aiding the Taliban? It makes perfect sense. America has been soundly beaten and the Taliban have won that war, it would be foolish for the Iranians to not cultivate an understanding with the next leaders there, especially as thanks to America ISIS is active around them.

To paint the Iranians as doing anything especially bad or unreasonable here is risible im afraid, its nothing more than classic defensive realism.

Iran was instrumental in helping the US overthrew the Taliban - that's a fact. Iran also stopped helping the US after the US showed zero gratitude (or intelligence). But yes, I wouldn't want the US on my doorstep for 17 years either.

The outcome during the 2001 invasion would have happened, with or without Iran aid.

You can't prove the counterfactual, so that's a pointless comment.

A pointless comment that ignores how much harder it could have been for the US without Iran actively giving so much help in the fight against the Taliban.

You mean like the pointless comments on how much aid Iran provided without any actual sources?

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/timeline-us-iran-contacts#chapter-title-0-8

https://www.mepc.org/us-iran-engagement-through-afghanistan

etc

No quantitative measure on their assistance to the invasion there, just some minor assistance that could have been provided elsewhere. Well googled though.

Iranian's were involved in training and supplying the Taliban Insurgents in Helmand - I know that for a fact. No allegedly about it.

But, but, where's your quantitative evidence???

First you want "actual sources", now you want a "quantitative measure" of Iran's assistance (how shall I quantify shared intelligence and offers to lend Iranian airspace?).

Let me just go ask Khamenei how much they spent on assisting the US in Afghanistan. Would you like the figures in USD or EUR?

Calm down pal, you are rambling.

The Taliban gained US weaponry due to ANA/ANP incompetence and defeats. Same way ISIS were driving around in Humvees in Iraq up until recently.
Iranian's were involved in training and supplying the Taliban Insurgents in Helmand - I know that for a fact. No allegedly about it.

First you want "actual sources", now you want a "quantitative measure" of Iran's assistance (how shall I quantify shared intelligence and offers to lend Iranian airspace?).

Let me just go ask Khamenei how much they spent on assisting the US in Afghanistan. Would you like the figures in USD or EUR?

You two are completely mental quasi-socialists. Enjoy your echo chamber.

I never got into the politics of it if you could actually read. I was making a statement about the lack of importance Iran involvement had from a military perspective.

I simply stated that Iran's support in 2001 was not Instrumental to success, added to the fact that they were actively a hindrance in the years after the invasion your point was inaccurate. You both were too busy trying to focus on politics instead of accurately reading my point and making a coherent argument back.
My source was I was on the ground there, the details therefore are as I said bound by my signing of the Official Secrets Act as part of my employment.

This is my last post here, so you two can toss each other off in your threads without any other opinions. Enjoy.

Are you done demonstrating your complete and utter ignorance on this topic yet?
Not to mention i rather doubt your specious claim to have had any "source" let alone being bound by the OSA. Such claims do nothing but demonstrate your childish grasp of the subject that you have to resort to such risible lies.

Ok pal, I made it all up to annoy some whack job lefty on the internet

Now this is an interesting one as whether or not you like Iran or the IRGC we should all be in agreement this move was one of the dumbest that orange tosspot could have made vis-a-vis Iran. Let me explain.
As I said, whether or not you like these people, designating them a terror group has manifold 3rd order effects and i'll detail them here;
1) Designating a countries armed forces a terror group sets a rather bad precedent as by all rights (whether you like it or not) A LOT of countries can now return the favour to America and under this precedent can kill and maim them willy nilly. This is also ignoring the fact the IRGC, whilst guilty of many questionable activities, in no way meet the definition of terrorism. Yes, it is true that terrorism doesnt technically have a definition but this simply further dilutes the term to being abjectly meaningless.
2) Iran is not Syria, Iraq or any of the other tin pot countries America beat up (and got kicked by) it has extensive influence across the region, and to a lesser degree, the world. It can make Americans lives bloody miserable in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and most other ME countries. ... also possibly in N/S America as well.
3)Leading on from p2, Iran was instrumental in helping America in Afghanistan and IRaq [without their assistance it would have been a lot worse for them - by designating Iran as a terror group [this is effectively what theyre doing] they are empowering the hard liners to act without any restraint. They know that America cant invade them after iraq and are free to reap merry mayhem.
4) the only people this benefits are the right in Tehran, not only has trump ruined the progressives chances with his terrorizing of iran economically and diplomatically (not to mention spreading mendacious lies) but he is doing his best to turn Iran from an ambivalent country into one of die hard radicals who will seek to hurt America, her allies and her interests.
5) last, but not least, as I imagine the quasi-fascists bibi and MBS had a hand in this it could well end up harming Americas dubious friends. Not only are both countries within range of Iranian IRBM's but Israel is well within range of the tens of thousands of advanced missiles from Lebanon which (despite iron dome and davids sling) will reap serious carnage on Israeli cities - the same goes for KSA's oil fields. Plus such actions are likely to intice Iran into restarting her nuclear ambitions, which despite many stupid people believing them to exist, have not since 2003.

With all things considered this is a serious dumb decision by a half-wit president and his acolytes who are themselves mentally sub-par, religious fanatics or zionist loons (ironically enough only so that Israel will burn at the end of days when Christ comes again) ... its a fun bunch of people in power right?

But by all means if you disagree with my assessment do comment


https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/11/the-revolutionary-guards-are-ready-to-strike-back/

Yeah well, that's just like, your opinion man.🤔