Was it really a joke? Abduction of Infidels is sanctioned in Islamic law and subject to particular rules: “As for the captives, the amir [ruler] has the choice of taking the most beneficial action of four possibilities: the first to put them to death by cutting their necks; the second, to enslave them and apply the laws of slavery regarding their sale and manumission; the third, to ransom them in exchange for goods or prisoners; and fourth, to show favor to them and pardon them. Allah, may he be exalted, says, ‘When you encounter those [infidels] who deny [the Truth=Islam] then strike [their] necks’ (Qur’an sura 47, verse 4)” — Al-Mawardi, al-Ahkam as-Sultaniyyah (The Laws of Islamic Governance).
That’s a Sunni source, but Shi’ites have essentially the same rules.
Meanwhile, Zarif makes clear in the audiotape what an immense victory the nuclear deal was for the Islamic Republic, and how much a renewed deal would constitute another victory for the mullahs.
“Zarif Recalls ‘Jokingly’ Suggesting Kidnapping Obama’s Daughter To Get Nuke Deal Done,” by Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, April 28, 2021:
The 2015 nuclear accord was so favorable to Iran that Foreign Minister Javad Zarif jokingly suggested kidnapping former president Barack Obama’s daughter to ensure the deal was implemented.
In a leaked audio tape first reported by Iran International and independently translated for the Washington Free Beacon, Zarif praises the original nuclear deal as a major win for Tehran at a time when the country was suffering under harsh economic sanctions.
Iran, Zarif said, “scored six goals against the opponent” when the country was down 6 to 0. Zarif also recalls “jokingly” suggesting that he kidnap one of Obama’s daughters and bring her to Iran in order to guarantee the United States signed the deal and made good on its implementation….
On the audio tape, Zarif admits “we were naïve” to fully trust America and the Obama administration when it signed the original nuclear accord. Because the former U.S. administration circumvented Congress and never submitted the deal for approval, former president Donald Trump was easily able to cancel it after taking office….
Zarif later offers a dour assessment on the future of U.S.-Iran ties: “I believe Iran and the U.S. will never be friends as long as the Islamic Republic preserves its identity. Never will our issues with America be resolved.”…
“The identity of the Islamic Republic, we don’t want to solve,” Zarif says. “Recognizing the Zionist regime, we don’t want to solve.”…
“Everyone should know that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not tolerate the military or even civilian presence of the Zionist regime in the region in any way, because their presence is provocative and causes many issues,” Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was quoted as saying in the country’s state-controlled press.
mortimer says
Robert Spencer correctly identifies that hostage taking is RESPECTABLE in Islam, due to the example of Mohammed and thus it’s permissibility in Sharia law.
However, that was a coarse and clueless ‘joke’ and such an alarming joke that should never be spoken.
The government of Iran has actually taken hostages in the past for purposes of negotiation.
I believe they still feel smug about their past ‘humiliation’ directed against the dirty kafirs … ‘for the sake of Allah’.
gravenimage says
Spot on, Mortimer.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Oval Office Occupant Joe Biden (he wasn’t elected president, so he’s the sitting president not the actual president).
O3 Joe should get John Kerry on this. Sure, he’s the Climate Czar now, but the magic he worked with the JCPOA makes him the talent Joe should get involved, much like Kamala on the border “crisis”.
wpm says
Maybe Joe can get the “smartest man” he knows his son Hunter to go to Iran and get a deal with it. The big guy “you know who? occupant joe” getting his usual 10 percent kick back and some other democrats getting their beaks wet getting some smaller kick backs. Just make sure Hunter leaves his personal lap top at home . Hunter,s dealing with Chinese ,Eastern Europe officials, and others with picking up bags full of money doing under age hookers ,doing drugs is well document on his old lap top that the FBI has had over two years to figure out who gets to advance in the FBI by making believe it does not exist ?Ask Rudy the only thing not taken from his home in the early morning raid yesterday raid was his copy of Hunter,s hard drive.
Infidel says
Which daughter? The one interning at Netflix, or the other one?
gravenimage says
Iran’s foreign minister ‘jokingly’ suggested kidnapping Obama’s daughter to get nuke deal done
………………
Just horrifying–damned thug.
It is also a bizarre threat, given Obama (and Biden’s) willingness to give away the store to the Mullahs.
But pious Muslims are always quick to threaten the ‘filthy Infidels’. This was no joke.
notnolib says
How DARE he assume the gender of an obama creature.
Jedothek says
Lest anyone think that the kidnapping threat could not possibly be meant seriously, let us recall the manifestly earnest threat made by ISIS four years ago to kill Prince George, at a time when he was 4 years old.