# Speculation About Trump's Underlying Reasons for Bombing Iran and Other Targets **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** iran-strikes-2026\ **Created:** [March 4, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209 "2026-03-04T21:58:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/1 "2026-03-04T21:58:58Z")
This thread is created for you to engage in your speculation about why the US is now engaged in a bombing campaign against Iran and other targets. This is the thread for history lessons or other more current actions that in your view, may have led to the current conflict. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/2 "2026-03-04T22:02:29Z")
It was the whim of Trump. I’m sure various advisors and Netanyahu and such had some influence, but ultimately it was because Trump felt like it, just like any decision he ever makes. Whether as an intended distraction from Epstein, a desire to be a tough guy wartime president, or just random poo flinging, the ultimate explanation is our demented president wanted to start a war and blow shit up. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/3 "2026-03-04T22:03:24Z")
I think the war is clearly Trump wagging the dog to take attention off of the Epstein files. Simple as that. Trump is not a complex thinker. He is a simple-minded person. Not too hard to see what is happening. What is the opposite of 4-D chess? That’s how Trump thinks. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/4 "2026-03-04T22:05:41Z")
As I’ve said before, given the timing I think the proximate reason is that his tariffs being struck down hurt Trump’s ego, so he thew a temper tantrum and decided to bomb Iran to feel “strong” again. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/5 "2026-03-04T22:17:50Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I think the war is clearly Trump wagging the dog to take attention off of the Epstein files. Not those damned files- it is the ongoing and upcoming 2026 elections that the Republicans might lose. Nothing in those files that will convict trump of anything. Embarrass- sure. Okay, it is _just_ possible that the Mossad found some intelligence that said Iran really is building some nukes or something out there in the desert- Iran _is_ VAST, and they lie a lot (so does trump), so I give that a doubtful maybe. But if this unlikely thing doesnt come to light- it is just a distraction to give the GOP and trump a boost in popularity. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/6 "2026-03-04T22:18:31Z")
I don’t think even Trump knows why he did it. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/7 "2026-03-04T22:24:00Z")
Bibi wanted a partner in the action, and to convince Trump to go along he said something like: “Donald, Sir, you look quite handsome today.” Having the Clintons on the Epstein hot seat is all the Epstein cover Trump needs for now. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/8 "2026-03-04T22:25:31Z")
I agree that there is probably not a well-thought out reason. (I note that ‘justifications’ include that Iran has been attacking the US since the 1980s…) In my opinion Trump did it because: - it distracts from the Epstein files and his tariffs - it may energise his base for the mid-terms - somebody (e.g. the Israelis) told him to do it - he bought shares in armament firms beforehand\* \*if you think this is unlikely, remember the $300 million plane (Air Force 1) he’s going to get eventually? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/9 "2026-03-04T22:27:28Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Not those damned files- it is the ongoing and upcoming 2026 elections that the Republicans might lose. Oh yeah! Good point. I agree. Can’t have elections when there is a war on! ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/10 "2026-03-04T22:27:57Z")
There are several opinion articles I’ve seen pointing out that Trump has favored a U.S. invasion of Iran since the 1980’s: [New York Times Story with byline date of Oct. 22, 1987](https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/23/nyregion/new-hampshire-speech-earns-praise-for-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.QlA.plcx.vesx9YPHMIj5&smid=url-share): > [@](#): > > ‘‘I’m tired of nice people already in Washington,’’ he added. ‘‘I want someone who is tough and knows how to negotiate. If not, our country faces disaster.’’ > > Mr. Trump suggested that the United States should attack Iran and seize some of its oil fields in retaliation for what he called Iran’s bullying of America. That last paragraph above is just a paraphrase. I cannot find the quotation it is based on. [Oct. 6, 1980](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-donald-trump-thinks-about-iran/): > [@](#): > > Donald Trump: ….The Iranian situation is a case in point. That they hold our hostages is just absolutely, and totally ridiculous. That this country sits back and allows a country such as Iran to hold our hostages, to my way of thinking, is a horror, and I don’t think they’d do it with other countries. I honestly don’t think they’d do it with other countries. > > Rona Barrett: Obviously you’re advocating that we should have gone in there with troops, et cetera, and brought our boys out like Vietnam. > > Donald Trump: I absolutely feel that, yes. I don’t think there’s any question, and there is no question in my mind. I think right now we’d be an oil-rich nation, and I believe that we should have done it, and I’m very disappointed that we didn’t do it, and I don’t think anybody would have held us in abeyance. What may have changed is that Trump is now wary of sending in ground forces. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/11 "2026-03-04T22:32:21Z")
I would like to ask for a title change, The Straight Dope has not attacked anyone, the U.S. and Israel have. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/12 "2026-03-04T22:32:53Z")
Fair. I’ll fix it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/13 "2026-03-04T22:34:40Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Oh yeah! Good point. I agree. Can’t have elections when there is a war on! Might not work- the attack is deeply unpopular- > **[Most Americans Disapprove of War With Iran, Polls Show](https://time.com/7382231/iran-us-israel-war-support-polling-trump-republicans-democrats/)** > > There is a strong partisan divide in support for Trump’s latest military operations. > Only 27% of Americans approved of the U.S.-Israeli bombing of Iran, while 43% disapproved, according to a new[poll by Reuters/Ipsos](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/just-one-four-americans-support-us-strikes-iran-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2026-03-01/) conducted over the weekend, before news that six U.S. soldiers have been[killed in Iranian retaliatory attacks](https://time.com/7381938/us-soldiers-killed-iran/). And it’s not the only poll. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/14 "2026-03-04T22:39:32Z")
A war wouldn’t cancel elections, and they are much to far in the future to make sense as a justification for the war. Also, Trump doesn’t care about law or justifications, only whether he can be stopped. If he wants to stop elections he wil try to do so regardless of any justifications or the lack of them, and the only question will be if he can be stopped from doing so. He can just say something about fraud and illegal immigrants if he feels like hand-waving a reason for it. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/15 "2026-03-04T22:46:29Z")
What I don’t get is why he _cares_ about Iran? I mean in world politics they’re a pesty nation, but why now, and why to this degree? I mean, I would imagine the vast majority of the time the US just ignores Iran because they’re hostile, pesty, nobody gives a shit about them, and they’re not much of a threat. That said, I will admit I’m surprised previous administrations haven’t periodically smacked them around to keep them in line like we did in 1988. But what’s going on now is pretty far from just a “remember who the biggest dog in the room is” type reminder, and that’s what bothers me the most about it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/16 "2026-03-04T22:49:12Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > A war wouldn’t cancel elections, and they are much to far in the future to make sense as a justification for the war. True, but the GOP saw that spike in Bush’s approval rating, and are hoping for some repeat. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/17 "2026-03-04T23:08:59Z")
I must admit to being a little unsure about his reasons. Since I believe that he is usually doing what Putin wants and since Iran supplies Russia with some weapons, I can’t imagine this is Putin approved. But trump junior ia somehow involved in a government contract for drones, so maybe we will supply those to Russia now, for a nice profit. Or maybe it’s the crazy christian nationalists who are actually making this happen. Apparently our Military is being told that this is a war that trump was put here by god to initiate the end of time. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/18 "2026-03-04T23:11:32Z")
I’m of the opinion that what remains of the man’s brain is permanently stuck in 1985. It explains so much of everything he says and does. “Trade deficit bad, tariffs good” makes perfect sense if you still think the Japanese are going to eat America’s bento and don’t realize Japan’s been in its own lingering recession for the last three decades. “Wars are easy to win” if you ignore Vietnam (maybe buying into the “betrayal” narrative) and just think of Reagan being a success in his bullshit in the hemisphere. And so he’s old and physically and probably mentally failing; he’s weak (always was, but he’s finally losing in court and organizations that kept bending the knee a year ago aren’t now); he’s under constant pressure due to his appointments of complete idiots and the continuous drip of Epstein; so why not try to be a “war president” and try to negate all that? Especially when Venezuela “worked” for him just recently with no real downside he cares about. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/19 "2026-03-04T23:19:17Z")
Per the **Popular Information** substack, it’s Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner. > **[The money behind the new Iran War](https://popular.info/p/the-money-behind-the-new-iran-war)** > > In private calls over the last several weeks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Trump to attack Iran. > In private calls over the last several weeks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) [reportedly](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/02/28/trump-iran-decision-saudi-arabia-israel/) urged President Trump to attack Iran. Iran is a top regional rival of Saudi Arabia, and MBS had become concerned about Iran’s growing military capabilities. > MBS’s influence with Trump has grown as the Saudi government has invested billions in projects that personally enrich Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. > The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) is the largest investor in Jared Kushner’s private equity fund, Affinity Partners. PIF invested $2 billion in Affinity Partners in 2021, even though the PIF committee that screens investments [recommended rejecting Kushner’s proposal](https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/chairman_wyden_to_affinity_partnerspdf.pdf), citing “inexperience” and “excessive” fees. The committee’s recommendation was overruled by MBS, who heads PIF’s Board of Directors. > PIF pays Kushner [1.25% of its investment](https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/chairman_wyden_to_affinity_partnerspdf.pdf), or $25 million, annually. The Senate Finance Committee estimates that Kushner will be paid $137 million in management fees from PIF by August 2026. Further, in September 2025, PIF, Affinity Partners, and others jointly acquired Electronic Arts, the publisher of iconic video games like The Sims and Madden NFL, for [$55 billion](https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/09/29/ea-electronic-arts-aquired-jared-kushner-saudi-arabia/86417253007/). The deal, which is the largest leveraged buyout in history, will likely be very lucrative for Kushner. There’s plenty more there. It’s always about the money. And equally, always about distractions from the Epstein files. A perfect storm. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/20 "2026-03-04T23:20:11Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > There are several opinion articles I’ve seen pointing out that Trump has favored a U.S. invasion of Iran since the 1980’s: And in 2011 Trump predicted Obama would start a war with Iran to boost his chances of re-election. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209.md?page=2)