[Iran] Rebuilding Anglo-Iranian Relations

[Nicole]

To: First Secretary of State of the United Kingdom, Kyle Chamberlain MP,
From: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Imperial State of Iran, Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif,

Encrypted & Top Secret

Subject: Anglo-Persian Relations​

First Secretary Chamberlain,

I send warm greetings from the Shahanshah of the Imperial State of Iran, who has made clear to me his strongest desire to not only stabilize Anglo-Persian relations after their disastrous low under the awful period within Iran's history during which the Ayatollahs held power, but to return Anglo-Perisan relations to their Pre-1979 Islamic Revolution heights. In order to do this as quickly as possible, the Shahanshah feels that the matter of the dreadful and truly heinous terrorist attack inside of London by Arab terrorists based within Iran, must be brought to a close, which satisfies not only our two nations, but also the survivors and families of this truly disgusting event.

In order to put this matter behind us, I would like to meet with you or one of your representatives, either in the UK or Iran, so that we can see to the finer details of closure for the survivors and families who suffered from this traumatic event. While I would also like to begin discussions on a joint Anglo-Iranian intelligence and security operation within the Imperial State of Iran and beyond if necessary, to ensure all the terrorist group responsible for the atrocity within London is fully destroyed and all those within its ranks are either killed or captured.

I am also hopeful that through our strong commitment and firm desire to fundamentally transform the last four decades of Anglo-Iranian relations, we can begin the process of rebuilding trust within our respective nations, while building mutually beneficial diplomatic, economic, military, and security ties between our two great nations.

Sincerely,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Imperial State of Iran, Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif,​

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

---

The British First Secretary of State of the United Kingdom, Kyle Chamberlain MP, unfortunately occupied had forwarded the email onto the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the United Kingdom. Foreign Minister Samuel Knight, opting for a call which would greatly improve communication, had invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Imperial State of Iran, Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif, into a private and encrypted video call. Silently sat at his desk, hoping the Minister is available to call.

---

 

[Nicole]

Within his office the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building of the Imperial State of Iran in Tehran, the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif, felt overwhelmed with the sheer volume of his current workload. Not only had an entirely new government come to power within Iran in recent days, the entire governing structure of the nation had been changed almost overnight, which caused enough confusion throughout the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone to cause Dr. Zarif to sleep in his office for the better part of a week, which allowed him at most three hours of sleep a night. Upon the collapse of the Islamic Republic, Dr. Zarif a noted Iranian academic and international relations expert had been appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs by the Shah that very afternoon. Though by now it seemed that working all of his life to be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs was the easy part, as tbe fervor which drove out the Ayatollahs had also driven out the vast majority of the civil servants and diplomats who had been employed by the Islamic Republic. Due to this, Dr. Zarif was virtually having to rebuild the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the ground up and staff virtually the entire diplomatic corps.

Hours and hours were spent interviewing a wide range of candidates for the various postings around the globe for Imperial Iranian ambassadors, consuls, diplomats, etc. The candidates mostly hailed from the loose collection of monarchists, nationalists, liberal reformists, communists, pragmatists, and the few members of the previous regime who had defected and had made it through the difficult interview process, designed to weed out potential double agents. Despite all of this, the Shah seemed determined to reach out to the global community immediately, so that he could not only solidify his rule internationally, but could also begin the process of raising the necessary support from abroad to rehabilitate Iran's tattered international standing. As perhaps the principal bad actor internationally, Minister Zarif knew he had his work cut out for him and many more near sleepless nights were sure to follow.

However when one of Minister Zarif's assistants informed him that the British Foreign Minister Samuel Knight was waiting to speak with him on a private and encrypted line, Minister Zarif smiled, as the opportunity to rebuild relations with the United Kingdom was now at hand. Told by his assistant what line Foreign Minister Knight was on, Minister Zarif picked up the secure, encrypted phone on his desk and dialed the line on which his British counterpart was waiting.

Speaking in perfect English, which he owed to his university days in the United States, the eloquent and well spoken Minister Zarif said "Foreign Minister Knight it's a pleasure to be speaking with you. I'm assuming First Secretary of State Chamberlain received my diplomatic cable, but is currently engaged with another matter? He could not have selected a more eminent representative, as your reputation proceeds you Minister Knight. I am very happy that we have this opportunity to speak and place the relationship between our two peoples and great civilizations back on track. So long as that is also a desire of Great Britain as well as Iran.".​

@Jamie

 

[Nicole]

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

The Foreign Minister, Samuel Knight, waited patiently for the call to be accepted. Giving an apt amount of time to give the Iranian Delegate chance to answer. Prior to his call, Mr Knight had received instruction from the British Prime Minister himself regarding the issue surrounding Iran. With the recent bombing in Iran and the previous Regimes 'lack of interest' in countering the Al-Mutahida Terror Group based in Iran, it was clearly going to be the main subject for the call. After pleasantries of course. "Good Afternoon Minster Zarif" responded the British Delegate, hosting a thick London accent.

"Yes, unfortunately he is tied up with another meeting at the moment but be reassured, I have the clearance to discuss the relations between both the UK and Iran. I must be blunt, the negotiation with the past Iranian Regime was.. unwelcome. A high amount of British citizens died in the attacks from the Iran-based Al-Mutahida Terrorist Group and the regime offered no real reassurance of their intention to stop it. Whilst I'm happy to attempt to develop a... relationship, between our countries, I'd like to know where your government stands on this terrorist group."

@Nicole

 

[Nicole]

Reclining back in his leather chair, Minister of Foreign Affairs Zarif said "I have no doubt the experience of negotiating with the former regime was like going to the dentist for a root canal. In a nutshell the former regime tried to give the global community and the Iranian people "Islamic Revolution Lite", which the people of Iran clearly rejected. The "Supreme Leader" thought that by a cosmetic change in the leadership of the regime, this would somehow not only placate the international community, but also the tens of millions of Iranians who were disaffected by the decades of failed policies under the leadership of the Ayatollahs. So your government was negotiating with a desperate man and a dying regime. It's no wonder that they were of little assistance to the British Government, as they couldn't even save their own government.

Now with the overthrow of the Ayatollahs by the people of Iran and a credible government holding power in Tehran following the "White Revolution", the British Government has every assurance from the Imperial State of Iran, that everything will be done to destroy the Al-Mutahida Terrorist Group. The atrocity that Al-Mutahida committed in London cannot go unpunished, nor can their attacks within Iran, which have as one of their aims, the "Liberation of Sunni Arab Kuzestan" of "Persian domination", as the group's members feel that millennia of Kuzestan being within the borders of various Persian states isn't enough time to make the Kuzestani people an integral part of the Persian family and Iranian nation. Al-Mutahida is a Sunni Arab extremist group, whose ideology blends Kuzestani separatism, Pan-Arabism, and the most militant Sunni teachings of the Wahabbi sect.

So while the members Al-Mutahida is reviled by the west and western culture, Al-Mutahida is equally as repulsed by Iran and Persian culture. So it goes without saying that the Imperial State of Iran will do everything in our power to seek out and destroy Al-Mutahida as quickly as possible. Unfortunately with regard to timing, the "White Revolution" has led to the complete reorganization and rebuilding of the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces, as the previous military institutions under the Islamic Republic could not be counted on as they were constituted immediately following the revolution. Due to this, the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces, as well as our internal security and intelligence services, are not yet ready to begin a major offensive against Al-Mutahida, whose members have mostly fled to Iran's rugged western provinces, along our border with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our men are eager to fight, but they currently lack the manpower, supporting firepower, battlefield mobility, etc, to be able to fight a campaign against a group like Al-Mutahida in that sort of rough terrain.

Understanding these realities, the Shahanshah has personally authorized a formal request for material aid, military assistance, as well as the deployment of military advisers from the British Army and United Kingdom Special Forces, on behalf of the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces, so that they can begin to take the fight to Al-Mutahida, so that they are no longer capable of mounting terrorist actions within the west or the major settled districts of Iran.

I would also like to express the deepest sympathies of the Imperial State of Iran and all of the Iranian people to those whose loved ones were killed and those who were wounded by Al-Mutahida's attack on the United Kingdom. I would also like to formally apologize for the security lapses of the previous Iranian regime which allowed Al-Mutahida to form in the first place, as well as for the indifferent reaction the former regime showed to the United Kingdom and those who had been the victims of this heinous attack on civilization itself. Though nothing can bring back a loved one, nor rebuild a life that's been altered irreversibly, the Shah wishes to do right by the victims of this awful event. The Imperial State of Iran recently compensated the victims who were wounded and the families of those killed when the Islamic Republic struck the Netherlands with ballistic missiles and the Shah would like to do the same for the victims of the terrorist attack in London, so long as this gesture is welcome by the British Government and those whose lives were changed that awful day.".

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

Samuel couldn't help but snigger at the comparison, almost nodding in agreement but retained his silence. He had to remain a representative of the UK, on his best behaviour as always. Allowing the Iranian Delegate to finish before continuing himself. "I must say, the revelation and your strong will to counter such a terror group sounds reassuring, but of course, actions do speak louder than words; and I mean that in no disrespect. It was the biggest attack on UK Soil in years, and in such populated and well known areas, hundreds were injured in what was possibly the biggest security lapse for the British Government. Many are blaming Mr Bourne, as his predecessor would've taken action by now. However, our move is mostly democratic. Al-Mutahida, we don't know much about them except it's believed their hostility is a result of British involvement in supporting Air Strikes on Iran when missiles were launched on British Allies. This is where we think the distaste has emerged which, ultimately, saw it turn into a terrorist act.

Our Intelligence Services have worked at home to ensure such event cannot repeat. It came only weeks after we were more open with our borders which, as you can imagine, turned heads when it opened the doors to such an attack on our people. We do not hold your government responsible, except those of the Al-Mutahida group. Your interest in stopping them is something we have great appreciation for and we would like to be as involved as possible with any advances. The past Regime Leader informed us of a multitude of cells, which makes me believe there ought to be thousands hosted in Iran; or globally to carry out these heinous attacks. With that in mind, along with your request for support. We would be able to pitch forward Special Forces to help track and eliminate the threat. They've served in a number of counter-terrorist operations and would be able to support themselves with their own assets from Helicopters to Gunships; obviously in support of your own forces. If this is something you'd welcome to Iran?

One priority would be intelligence.. we don't know much about them so I'm not sure if your own intelligence services has more information that could be shared? But, on top of Special Forces, you'd like military advisers? Would these specifically for training, or are you requesting us on a combat role outside of special forces? We're unsure of their actual numbers, but I would advise you to prepare for a full counter-insurgency conflict."

 

[Nicole]

Minister Zarif replied to the British Foreign Minister, saying "None taken. We are all well aware that the Imperial State of Iran has to regain the trust of many nations around the globe, especially the nations that have been adversely affected by the actions of the former regime. Though just as once "Rogue" nations like Germany, Japan, Italy, Vietnam, and many others have become respected members of the community of nations, I'm quite certain that through correct foreign policy, open governmental dialogue with the other nations world, and promoting as much business-to-business and person-to-person engagement with Iranian firms and people, the Imperial State of Iran can earn as respected a place within the world order as any other nation. Iran recognizes this fact and is happy our efforts to correct the wrongdoings of the former regime is recognized by the United Kingdom. It's my hope that once our offensive against Al-Mutahida begins, the British Government and people will know without a doubt, where the Imperial State of Iran stands regarding Al-Mutahida and the use of terrorism.

With the dissolution of the armed forces, security apparatus, and intelligence services of the former regime, the Imperial State of Iran doesn't know as much as we'd like to with regard to Al-Mutahida, however we are learning more as each day passes. Our intelligence agency, SAVAK, reached a somewhat different conclusion as to why Al-Mutahida struck at the United Kingdom. With Al-Mutahida being Sunni Wahabbi extremists bent on the liberation of Kuzestan Province, they actually welcomed the actions of your government and the rest of the coalition in striking the Islamic Republic. You must understand that to Al-Mutahida the Islamic Republic and now the Imperial State of Iran is viewed as a foreign occupier, Shia Persian occupying Sunni Arab Kuzestan, so to them anything that would weaken the Iranian State is used to strengthen their cause. With SAVAK having now combed the archives many of the ministries of the former regime, SAVAK has learned that the Ministry of Intelligence was well that Al-Mutahida intended to target London and failed to breakup the plot, in order to punish the British Government for their decision to launch strikes against Iran. The Ministry of Intelligence believed that Al-Mutahida' s reason for striking London was simply to grow their groups international profile and gain wealthy patrons within the Arab world, which was an obvious goal of the group, however Al-Mutahida also hoped that the United Kingdom and ISAF would launch new strikes against the military and security forces Islamic Republic. We believe that this would allow Al-Mutahida the cover and space they needed to burst out of their mountain strongholds within Sistan and Baluchistan Province, so that they could begin a full blown rebellion within Kuzestan Province. Obviously these strikes failed to materialize, however the profile of Al-Mutahida has been significantly elevated due to the attack on London and the damage it has caused to your government. Nevertheless Al-Mutahida has seen a recruitment and fundraising surge following the attacks in London and has made linkages with the Baloch terrorist groups, who also operate within Sistan and Baluchistan Province, as both groups of terrorists wish for their respective provinces to breakaway from Iran and both are Sunni Muslim.

SAVAK doesn't have any concrete numbers regarding Al-Mutahida's membership, however one can safely assume that Al-Mutahida has thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands of armed men in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, with 3-5,000 armed men on the Afghan side of the border, an unknown number on the Pakistani side of the border, as well as several hundred armed men and tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands of ideological supporters within Kuzestan Province. As for a multitude of cells internationally, SAVAK hasn't uncovered any yet, though it's fairly obvious Al-Mutahida receives significant financial support from wealthy Arabs within across the Middle East and beyond, so Al-Mutahida certainly has global support, which they could use to place sleeper cells internationally. So while we have no evidence of this as of yet, Al-Mutahida could do so if they wanted to.

The Shah is very happy that the United Kingdom has shown such enthusiasm in helping the Imperial State of Iran deal with this global threat to the world. British Special Forces are more than welcome to deploy to positions within the empire, where they'd be operating alongside units of the 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade and the 1st Marine Brigade, to seek out and destroy Al-Mutahida's armed formations and those of their allies, with support from our respective air and intelligence assets in the field.

However it doesn't take a genius to know that this strategy alone will not be enough, as Al-Mutahida's Baloch allies are local to the area and have the support of the local population that is in favor of Baloch separatism. This is why I've requested military advisers, as it is readily apparent that in order to succeed we must arm and empower an ally that's local to the area, to assist our efforts by holding the ground that we've secured from Al-Mutahida and their allies. SAVAK has begun establishing this local force, which is a tribal militia drawn up from Sistan and Baluchistan Provinces sizeable Sistan Persian minority. Obviously we are establishing this militia rather quickly and the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces are stretched thin as it is, so it is our hope that British military advisers, working alongside advisers from the 1st Marine Brigade, will be able to continue the training of the Sistani Tribal Militiamen. I would also ask that they follow them into combat, should they be called upon to conduct any complicated military actions, so that they can provide them with leadership and support.

As we have already discussed, while the Imperial State of Iran desires to take on Al-Mutahida and their allies as quickly as possible, given the reorganization and reformation process of our armed forces, we are in desperate need of men and material. The Imperial State of Iran is training hundreds of thousands of soldiers and paramilitaries at this time and Iranian factories are working to equip these forces with basic equipment, it is still necessary for the Imperial State of Iran to equip our men in the field with appropriate equipment to fight the type of high-level counter-insurgency that both of our armed forces are predicting at this time. To do this, the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces would like to purchase some of this equipment from Ziron, though we ask that given the pressing nature of this matter, as well as the many of other pressing obligations of the Imperial State of Iran, we would like to see if the equipment could be purchased with credit and paid back at agreed upon regular intervals. The equipment that the Imperial State of Iran would like to purchase for counter-insurgency operations are as follows, the RG-32 Scout 4x4 MRAP, the RG-35 6x6 MRAP, the MAN HX60 4x4 Logistics Truck, and the Britten-Norman Defender 4000 Reconnaissance Aircraft.

Should the United Kingdom and Ziron Group find this acceptable, the Imperial State of Iran will agree to handing Ziron Group no bid contracts, as the leading supplier of MBT's (Challenger 1 MBT), 8x8 APC's (Pandur II 8x8 APC), 6x6 MRAP's (RG-35 6x6 MRAP), and 4x4 MRAP's (RG-32 Scout 4x4 MRAP), to both the Iranian Imperial Immortal and Imperial Iranian Army. While the Imperial Armed Forces wishes to evaluate a number of Ziron Group products for possible purchase, such as the Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft, MC-27J Spartan Multi-Mission Aircraft, Alenia (Formerly Aeritalia) G.222 Transport Aircraft, Alenia M-346FT Master Advanced Trainer/Light Attack Aircraft, Alenia (Formerly Aermacchi) MB-339FD Advanced Trainer/Light Attack Aircraft, Britten-Norman Maritime Defender, ASCOD II APC, the CV90 Armadillo APC, and the CV90120 Light Tank, which would all be instrumental in defeating Al-Mutahida, their terrorist allies, and loyalists to the former regime who might wish to openly oppose the Imperial State of Iran.

Though I want to convey to you as strongly as I can, no matter what the United Kingdom decides regarding the requested counter-insurgency equipment, the Imperial State of Iran will resist Al-Mutahida and their allies, even if we have to fight them with small arms alone."

 

[Jamie]

"It is a relief to hear of your intentions for Iran as ones to regain trust and become accountable for the past by ensuring a repeat of such does not happen i nthe future. I am confident you will do well, in the name of your people, to put Iran on the world stage once more as a respectable country to cooperate and coordinate with in a number of areas.

Your reason as to the attack on London by Al-Mutahida makes sense, but, we have a long decade of counter-terrorism and this is just that. Our own forces have spent time in Afghanistan, Tunisia and other platforms where terrorist groups had emerged. Nonetheless, it appears that Al-Mutahida is becoming a much more formidable and larger threat to not just Iran, but evidently other countries as they have the ability to carry out more attacks as they desire. In regards to British Involvement, I can confirm we would be happy to offer the following assets;

- Special Forces Task Group
This includes Aviation elements, which will support and be supported by yourselves. They would be, as you mentioned, aiding your own airborne and marine specialities in targeting Al-Mutahida.

- Royal Marines
We will initially offer an advisory unit of one Royal Marine Commando Company. This contains 100 Commando's which would be able to train, advise and support your own movements. They would act as a Support Group for our own Special Forces too.

That covers the basic complement. But, with your permission, we would also like to offer a Flight of Tornado GR4 Aircraft. These would provide both our forces air support with taking our enemy positions, but also intelligence gathering. They have surveillance facilities on-board which will support ground units and carry out their own missions. If all of this is something you're happy with, we'd need to know where these could be stationed within Iran. Additionally, is there any preference as to when we deploy our assets?

In regards to the sale of Equipment, Ziron would be able to accommodate for the majority of the equipment, most can be acquired through their official website."

 

[Jamie]

@Nicole

 

[Nicole]

Minister of Foreign Affairs Zarif said "The Imperial State of Iran believes that it is not only necessary, but just and right to ensure that Iran takes the correct actions to ensure that repeats of the past mistakes of the previous regime can never occur again. While we also believe it's just that the victims of the heinous attacks perpetrated by the previous regime, either directly or through their negligence are compensated and cared for. While the Imperial Iranian Government feels the pressure of a great civilization yearning to atone for the mistakes of the Ayatollahs and the weight of the gaze of Cyrus the Great looking down upon us, as we seek to dramatically transform Iran and the lives of ordinary Iranians in nearly every possible way, I must say that it is critical that the public and private sectors of the international community aid us in this noble endeveour as well. To that end, I would like to thank the United Kingdom for the assistance that your government, armed forces, and private sector have shown to us so far, and I am confident that our of that a firm Anglo-Iranian partnership can be formed in the years to come.

The Shah feels a great responsibility to ensure that the Imperial State of Iran once again takes its place as one of the world's great nations and civilizations, whose culture enriches the world, whose corporations enrich the global economy, and whose people are fully integrated within the global economy and society. In ruling one of the nation's whose civilization this world is built upon, the Shah feels the burden of responsibility to make the Imperial State of Iran a respectable nation among the community of nations once again and inshallah we shall succeed in doing so. While it goes without saying that the Shah is thankful for the support Great Britain has shown him and he will in turn support Great Britain and British interests in matters relating to the Middle East. Working in tandem, I believe that our two nations can work together to stabilize the Middle East diplomatically, economically, and from a security standpoint, as we work together promote stability, tolerance, economic growth and opportunity, and social development.

While the Imperial Armed Forces are gathering strength, the vast majority of our armed forces and our respective security forces are currently in training, so our existing forces are stretched dangerously thin. Truth be told, we would be hard pressed to stop Al-Mutahida and their Baloch allies from seizing most of Eastern Iran, until these forces are properly trained and equipped. Al-Mutahida is able to draw recruits and operate within the hinterlands of Balochistan Province in Pakistan and much of Pashtun dominated Afghanistan, which presents obvious problems for anyone wishing to confront Al-Mutahida. Though I am well informed that the Royal Army and your nations armed forces on the whole are the world's best when it comes to these sorts of operations and it goes without saying that the Imperial Armed Forces are excited to fight alongside such seasoned professional warriors.

What would be the exact composition of the Special Forces Task Group? As this will give the Imperial Armed Forces and Savak a much better idea on how to deploy both of our respective forces, as we wish to initially deploy our forces near to Sistani Persian Villages, from where our forces could receive significant support from Sistani Persian Tribal Militias, who SAVAK is currently working to equip with a range of weapons systems.

SAVAK feels that while the deployment of a company of Royal Marine Commandos might not be enough to assist in the training of the Sistani Persian Tribal Militiamen to a large degree, given SAVAK wishes to raise a levee of between 50-60,000 Sistani Persian Tribal Militiamen, a company will certainly be sufficient to establish a major base of operations from where the militiamen can receive special training, receive supplies, begin offensives, etc, etc. Given the state of the Imperial Armed Forces, the Imperial Armed Forces will be relying on it's special forces units working in coordination with allied special forces, heavy air support, and local tribal forces, until the Imperial Army and security forces are fully trained, equipped, and up to full strength.

An RAF Flight of Tornado GR4 Aircraft would be most welcome to aid our efforts against Al-Mutahida and should be deployed to the Imperial Air Forces 14th "Shahid Babael" Forward Air Station within the Northeastern city of Mashad. Your Tornado GR4's will be reinforced by Imperial Air Force Attack and Multirole helicopters, as well as a variety of attack and multirole helicopters, and potentially Light Attack/COIN Aircraft.

The Imperial Ministry of Defence and Defence Production would like for the deployment of British assets to Iran to take place as early as the start of next month. (Perhaps RL Thursday or Friday?) As this will allow for the Imperial Armed Forces and SAVAK to prepare for the deployment of your forces into the field and also allow them develop a strategy to confront, degrade, and destroy Al-Mutahida and their Baloch allies, while securing and pacifying the territory our forces liberate from this ruthless group and their allies.

The Imperial State of Iran and the Imperial Armed Forces are overjoyed that Ziron has responded so positively to Iran's request for support and know that the Imperial State of Iran will remain a loyal customer to Ziron due their willingness to work with the Imperial State of Iran during this difficult time for the Empire. This deal will certainly be beneficial to both of our nations and Ziron in the long run, as the Empire intends to invest billions of dollars into various products products offered by Ziron as thr Imperial Armed Forces and security forces begin their major rearmament and modernization process.".

 

[Jamie]

"Whilst I appreciate the thanks, I am sure, in time and with the effort put together to target the Al-Mutahida Extremists, we will see a brewing friendship between Iran and the United Kingdom. Of course, any British presence in Iran will be compliant and minimise any collateral damage. Hearts and minds. Although I suspect a conflict targeting this group could be long and drawn out. The safety of your citizens is of high importance, but also, international embassies.

Our initial deployment is not to say that more won't be involved. The deployment of Marines as advisers would give Iran the chance to make it's move, as if we just sent in British assets overwhelmingly, we're concerned for a major backlash from your people. They may, in fact, consider is invaders. That scenario is one we'd like to avoid. Therefore, I propose the marines to provide advisory services for the moment. They will be joined by the Tornado Flight of 4 aircraft which can support both British and Iranian boots on the ground. The Tornado's would also be accompanied by an A330 MRTT, which would be their refuelling aircraft to keep them on station longer, this would also be the primary aircraft in and out of Iran for British Troops on Deployment.

Ultimately our primary force is Taskforce 23, a compiled unit of British Special Forces with a number of vehicles to give them a self-supporting platform. The exact composition is due to be decided in a few days by the Ministry of Defence. The deployment date for the start of next month is perfect, we will make the arrangements necessary. Will our ground assets be stationed at Shahid Babael Air Station too or will they have a different base of operations to operate from? Once our own bases are established, we would be able to assess and potentially commit more forces if that's something you would be happy to accommodate.

Is it also possible you have a map of some sort, highlighting the most dangerous areas or areas specifically controlled by Al-Mutahida?"

 

[Nicole]

The eloquent Minister Zarif responded to his British counterpart by saying "I have no doubt Secretary Samuel, as our people see soldiers from our respective armed forces fighting the extremism and terrorism that has plagued both of our societies side-by-side, a bond that cannot be broken, as it is consecrated in blood will be forged between our two nations and people's. It is in thinking to a future where a burgeoning Anglo-Iranian friendship is a reality, that I hope that once we finish seeing to the details of our joint- operations against Al-Mutahida and their allies, we might discuss the establishment of commercial, business, and industrial ties between our two nations. As it is essential that our relationship while containing a strong element of counter-terrorism, also is built on a policy of economic development for Iran, and investment oppurtunities for a great many British firms, whom I'm sure are interested in doing business within the Imperial State of Iran. While a number of Iranian firms are interested by the prospect of investing within the United Kingdom and creating thousands to tens of thousands of British jobs.

SAVAK anticipates that the conflict to crush Al-Mutahida and their terrorist allies will take over a year, though their quite confident that international citizens, consulates, and embassies will be protected easily enough, while avoiding civilian losses from the Baloch population in particular might prove problematic, given the linkages Al-Mutahida has made with Baloch separatist/terrorist groups. Nevertheless the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces, SAVAK, and our security forces will do whatever possible to ensure that civilian casualties are minimized. Aside from HUMINT, invests in SIGINT, ELINT, COMINT, ISTAR, etc, are either being made or are being planned, so that our forces can operate in as informed a manner as possible.

You're actually quite correct Secretary Samuel! This is why Iran has come to Great Britain for help, as we are of the opinion that the Royal Army has been at the forefront of modern counter-insurgency tactics since the 1950's, with successes during the "Malay Emergency", within Kenya, Yemen, and all over the former British Empire. By in large the Persian majority within Iran is supportive of the Empire seeking British support in order to destroy Al-Mutahida and their Baloch separatist/terrorist allies, due to modernization/reorganization process of the Imperial Armed Forces making it difficult for the Imperial Armed Forces to confront Al-Mutahida and their allies alone at this time. However our Arab and Baloch minorities are certainly more prone to believing the terrorists propaganda about the Imperial State of Iran and our request for British aid, so in order to win the hearts and minds as you've already stated, it is correct to make initial deployments covert and/or small, to avoid a backlash from these minority groups. So we look quite positively on your proposal of deploying an Airbus A330 MRTT with the flight of Tornado GR4's, as the A330 MRTT will be absolutely necessary as a dual use aircraft.

Taskforce23 sounds perfect for what's in store and the various Imperial Iranian Takavar Forces deployed to fight Al-Mutahida, as it's likely a quite lengthy campaign which requires both of their expertise in counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and across several other disciplines will be tested to their very limit. We feel it's wise for a portion of your forces to deploy to Shahid Babael Air Station in the Northeast of Iran, while the rest should make for the other major deployment site for Iranian Takavar Forces involved in this campaign, which is the coastal town of Konarak, within Sistan and Baluchestan Province, which is an Imperial Iranian Marines barricade town. With forces deployed to Shahid Babael Air Station in Northeast of Iran and Konarak in Southeastern Iran, your forces will deploy to excellent initial areas from where they can take stock of the situation on the ground and react alongside Iranian forces accordingly, be it taking to the offensive, defensive, further deployments, etc.

The Imperial Iranian Air Force is currently building a detailed map, as our force of UAV's are currently under construction. Though we are happy to share a rougher map that's built using mostly HUMINT sources, should you wish to see this rough map.".

 

[Jamie]

"The positioning of Shahid Babael Air Station shows signs of promise as the main operating base for the British Task Force; I can confirm the date of deployment will be within the next week when assets will begin to be transferred to Iran, plotting our movements and ensuring a smooth transition of equipment is vital to keep a solid logistical route. It's likely our aircraft will be travelling from the UK with a.. uhm.. 'pit-stop' at Cyprus before the last leg to Iran. Please do you have a risk assessment, do you consider Al-Mutahida to have the possibility to shoot or even target aircraft? If so, I'd like to put into place procedures to minimise the threat of any troops entering or leaving your country.

Once positioned at the air station, our Tornado Aircraft, supported by our A330 MRTT would be able to begin their reconnaissance operations to begin with. Special Forces won't want to waste time, they'd sooner be in the field targeting such groups. They would be able to respond to missions in short periods of time, target specific high-ranked terrorists and support your own forces on the ground.

A viewing on the map you have put together regarding territorial control in Iran would be of great help. It would allow us to coordinate the best direction to move forward in tackling the Al-Mutahida group with the intention of eliminating them sooner rather than later. With the map in mind, once we can both review it together, we could establish the best direction for Task Force 23 to direct. Given the small unit involved, directing our attention to the most dangerous areas could be vital to tackling Al-Mutahida. The British Advisory Team would retain their place at the Air Station to train and provide assistance to your own men. The biggest issue when it comes to counter terrorist operations is the information and location. Given they're easy to mingle in crowds, anyone involved in tackling them ought to be working with the local residents in the Area of Operations; not fighting them. If we have the locals on side, then it increases the chances of a swift removal of extremists much easier."

 

[Nicole]

"I'm glad the British Armed Forces are pleased with the selection of Shahid Babael Air Station as their primary operating location within Iran. The Imperial Iranian Armed Forces also feel that the planned deployment date of British Forces into Iran within the next few weeks is optimal, as this will allow SAVAK to gather more intelligence on Al-Mutahida and their allies. This span of time will also allow for the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces to muster additional forces and assets before we begin our joint offensive against Al-Mutahida and their terrorist allies.

Since you've mentioned logistics and coordination, the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces would like to propose that a joint Anglo-Iranian Operations Center is established at Shahid Babael Air Station. This way we can ensure there is the utmost coordination, intelligence sharing, co-planning of operations, etc, between our respective armed forces. The Imperial Iranian Armed Forces wants to ensure that everyone involved in this campaign, from our commanders, to our junior officers, and our soldiers are on the exact same page with one another. Would this be agreeable to the British Armed Forces? If so, Iran will begin establishing the Anglo-Iranian Operations Center at Shahid Babel Air Station, deploying the necessary equipment and personnel, including the commander the Shah has entrusted to defeat Al-Mutahida and their allies, the Director General of SAVAK, Major General Qasem Soleimani, who is our top expert in both asymmetric warfare and covert warfare.

SAVAK has run a number of risk assessments regarding various significant capabilities that Al-Mutahida might possess, including one regarding Al-Mutahida's anti-aircraft capabilities. SAVAK is quite certain that during the confusion within Iran during the "White Revolution", Al-Mutahida was able to take advantage of the collapse of the military institutions of the Islamic Republic to raid several weapons depots in South Eastern Iran, where they were able to steal dozens, to maybe over a hundred MANPADS. The MANPADS we believe Al-Mutahida possesses are the domestically manufactured Misagh-1 and Misagh-2 MANPADS, which have almost all been deployed by Al-Mutahida's units that are currently beseiging our forces within Zahedan Airbase. It's absolutely critical that Zahedan Airbase does not fall to Al-Mutahida, as it's the largest Imperial Iranian Air Force Base within Sistan and Baluchistan Province and the gateway to the large city of Zahedan. Not to mention that should Zahedan Air Base fall, Al-Mutahida will gain access to extremely sophisticated anti-aircraft systems, as several Talaash Long-Range Air Defense Systems and Raad Medium-Range Air Defense Systems are stationed within Zahedan Air Base.

The RAF's and Task Force 23's strategy appears sound, though I would like to leave the more detailed discussion regarding strategy to Major General Soleimani, as he's in charge of developing our strategy to combat Al-Mutahida. Therefore I would like to request that Major General Soleimani and the commander of your forces are put into contact with one another, so that they can begin coordinating on a more detailed strategy. Also with the Imperial Iranian Air Force having just acquired several different variants of extremely sophisticated UAV's and UCAV's which will be able to produce a very detailed, high resolution map of Al-Mutahida's known positions, while also providing our force with vital realtime reconnaissance and actionable intelligence.

It now appears that matters regarding Al-Mutahida and their allies are in the hands of our respective armed forces, as the time for our joint-offensive is rapidly approaching. So with Major General Solemani and your commander soon to get in touch to discuss the remaining details of our joint-operations against Al-Mutahida, would you like to discuss begin to discuss bilateral diplomatic and economic matters between our two nations?".

@Jamie

 

[Jamie]

"That's perfect, the deployment forces are been prepared and made aware of their impending operation parameters. Special Forces will be forwarded first, followed by the Air Contingent and Advisory Unit. Of course, once our deployments arrive and your forces have been mustered, arrangements can be made to begin our first joint operation and push forward from there. We are also happy and in agreement to see the Shahid Babael Air Station to be used as the Joint Operations Center, and given that's our own deployment point, it'll be the main operating based used by British Forces for the beginning of the war against the Al-Mutahida group. Our own forces commander is due to be determined but will likely be based on a rotational basis by those deployed. Our Advisory Unit will originate from the Royal Marines.

I appreciate you taking the time for the risk assessment, we will ensure any landing in the region is anticipation of any fire against the aircraft. I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry, and ensuring everything goes as smoothly as possible. The last thing anyone wants is to suffer casualties. Nonetheless, I will arrange for a British Forces Commander, whom will be the main point of contact indefinitely for the military efforts put together to go against Al-Mutahida, to contact your own Major General Soleimani to discuss further. Our Military Commands will be more advised on the situation and able to coordinate effectively, and with confidence. This will leave us to do the political work" he chuckled. "Where would you like to begin in relation to the bilateral relations between Iran and the United Kingdom?".

 

[Jamie]

@Nicole