# 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:** 12
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/221 "2026-04-01T02:11:36Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Why would you expect Iran to adhere to it when they didn’t allow inspectors to go anywhere of their choosing. From [Fact Sheet: Understanding the Iran Deal - Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation](https://armscontrolcenter.org/understanding-the-iran-deal/) : > [@](#): > > #### **Monitoring, Verification, and Transparency** > > - Iran will implement the [Additional Protocol](https://armscontrolcenter.org/factsheet-iran-and-the-additional-protocol/) to allow increased access to inspectors, including to military installations where nuclear activity is suspected. (Permanent) > - Iran will implement the Modified Code 3.1, which requires Iran to provide notification and details regarding future plans to build nuclear facilities (Permanent) ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/222 "2026-04-01T02:33:12Z")
What is the doomsday scenario anyhow? Iran gets a nuke, puts it on a missile and immediately launches it at Tel Aviv? Because that wouldn’t be a guaranteed success. We already know Israel has plenty of experience at shooting down incoming missiles. And if that Iranian nuke doesn’t go off, Israel would still flip a nuke or several right back at Iran. So do they wait, stockpile a couple dozen nukes and then try to sneak them in? Or launch them all in one big barrage? Again, someone in the IDF has probably prepared for just such a thing and Israel has second-strike capability so even if the Iranian sneak attack went off cleanly, they’d be able to celebrate for exactly the amount of time it takes for a gang of SLBMs to fly over from the Mediterranean. Long story short what I am saying is that if Iran has a nuke they can only use it in a scenario where they are immediately destroyed after the attempt, successful or not. Is Iran assumed to be so fanatical that they would sacrifice their entire country just to try this? If so, the answer is simple: nuke them immediately. You’ll never be able to negotiate with people who are willing to destroy themselves to hurt you. But I would think “there is no solution other than genocide” would be fairly odious to Israelis for obvious reasons. Then again, it isn’t odious to the US at all. And this is especially true for Trump, whose narcissism, megalomania and dementia may prove to be an absolutely lethal combination to a part of the world he neither knows nor cares about. And that’s my doomsday scenario. Trump’s underlying reason for bombing Iran (up to and including nuclear annihilation) might be _no reason at all_. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2026, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/223 "2026-04-01T02:37:15Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > What is the doomsday scenario anyhow? Simple; Iran gets nukes, and now the US and Israel have to actually _talk_ to them and use _diplomacy,_ instead of bullying them and randomly killing Iranians whenever they want to look tough. And that’s a nightmare scenario they’re willing to kill any number of (other) people to prevent. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/224 "2026-04-01T02:53:32Z")
If they have one nuke, Israel and the US find out where it is and obliterate that location. Now Iran has no nukes anymore. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/225 "2026-04-01T02:59:53Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > If they have one nuke, Israel and the US find out where it is and obliterate that location. Which is why they’d make more than one. Also, you greatly overestimate America’s courage. It always backs down once it discovers its opponent can hit back. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/226 "2026-04-01T04:53:46Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > In 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. Again, the IAEA did not have permission to travel at will within Iran. So your assumption that Iran kept to their agreement has no meaning. You completely ignore the nature of Iran’s unending terrorist activities. So no matter how often they pinky-swear they aren’t refining uranium the likelihood that they’re telling the truth is non-existent. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/227 "2026-04-01T04:57:24Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > the IAEA did not have permission to travel at will within Iran Nobody gives permission for foreigners to travel “at will” within their country. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/228 "2026-04-01T05:01:58Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Nobody gives permission for foreigners to travel “at will” within their country. So the words of terrorists really have no meaning. And the inevitable enrichment levels have arrived. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/229 "2026-04-01T05:37:43Z")
How does that follow? I don’t see the connections you are making to get to your conclusion. State sponsors of terrorism aren’t the same as terrorists. Terrible, repressive government isn’t the same as terrorism. Words have meaning. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/230 "2026-04-01T05:44:37Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Again, the IAEA did not have permission to travel at will within Iran. “Travel at will” is a red herring, irrelevant to the purpose of monitoring. From the Additional Protocol previous posted by @Euphonious_Polemic : > [@](#): > > ##### More Access: _complementary access to nuclear and suspected nuclear facilities_ > > - Includes complementary (pre-approved) access to any facility, declared or not, on short notice to investigate suspicious nuclear activity. > - Streamlined credential process (within one month) to ensure inspectors receive “multiple entry/exit” visas for at least one year. > - Environmental sampling at declared and undeclared sites, not confined to specific facilities. What about that doesn’t allow the IAEA to monitor and detect any activity prohibited by Iran under the JCPOA? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/231 "2026-04-01T07:17:17Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > What about that doesn’t allow the IAEA to monitor and detect any activity prohibited by Iran under the JCPOA? the word pre-approved. When a country is actively killing US citizens and has a history of doing the same AND chants death to America at political meetings it’s a very short set of dots to connect that they’re lying. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/232 "2026-04-01T07:28:34Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > the word pre-approved. Note also the phrase “on short notice.” > [@Magiver](#): > > When a country is actively killing US citizens and has a history of doing the same AND chants death to America at political meetings it’s a very short set of dots to connect that they’re lying. By that standard we were fools to work on arms control with the Soviet Union. And yet we did, and it worked. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2026, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/233 "2026-04-01T09:10:07Z")
This is a bullshit rationalization to dismiss any diplomacy and justify any war. It’s nothing more than propaganda. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2026, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/234 "2026-04-01T10:23:32Z")
The only people actively killing American people is the Trump administration. Also, they’re interfering with Minnesota’s investigations. USA! USA! USA! ---
**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:** [April 1, 2026, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/235 "2026-04-01T10:48:10Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > When a country is actively killing US citizens and has a history of doing the same AND chants death to America at political meetings it’s a very short set of dots to connect that they’re lying. As opposed to a nation that kills Iranians and constantly lies? Your own argument “justifies” them attacking both the US and Israel. More so if anything. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/236 "2026-04-01T10:52:38Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > When a country is actively killing US citizens … You mean the United States? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/237 "2026-04-01T14:07:11Z")
> **Summary** > > Well Magiver, you’ve made it clear that you well and truly _OWN_ this war now, and all the consequences that derive from it. It’s yours. Everything that follows from this war is on your head now and forever. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/238 "2026-04-01T14:18:48Z")
**Moderating** : Really pushing the line on attacking the poster here. Take this type of post to the Pit please. I’ll just hide it now. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/239 "2026-04-01T14:28:55Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > chants death to America at political meetings It’s been explained multiple times what this really means ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2026, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/240 "2026-04-02T04:17:09Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > By that standard we were fools to work on arms control with the Soviet Union. > > And yet we did, and it worked. The country that is currently attacking a European country and menacing others? The one that has threatened to use nuclear weapons against that country? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209.md?page=13)