# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/81 "2026-03-14T02:59:33Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > This would take two weeks. Of course. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/82 "2026-03-14T14:03:45Z")
Seems to me like the “take the oil” president might be planning to seize Kharg Island and – hear me out – take the oil. > **[Is The US Considering Seizing Iran's Kharg Island?](https://www.rferl.org/a/kharg-island-iran-persian-gulf-us-seizure/33702075.html)** > > As American and Israeli strikes continue to batter the Islamic republic, the idea of seizing Iran’s Kharg island has been debated in US political circles. In announcing the bombing raid on Kharg Island, Trump said he had directed the Pentagon to avoid damage to the island’s oil infrastructure, for (get this) “reasons of decency.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/83 "2026-03-14T16:24:23Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > Seems to me like the “take the oil” president might be planning to seize Kharg Island and – hear me out – take the oil. Kharg is just the end of a pipe. There’s only oil there if the Iranians pump oil into it. ---
**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 14, 2026, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/84 "2026-03-14T17:11:46Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Kharg is just the end of a pipe. There’s only oil there if the Iranians pump oil into it. Trump wants unconditional surrender and to install his own dictator. He probably has a fantasy of stealing Iran’s oil for his own profit. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/85 "2026-03-14T17:13:01Z")
The administration is preserving the option. Once Iran is beaten into submission\*, the US will need that infrastructure for the aforementioned looting. \*Yes, I know this is delusional. We’re trying to explain why delusional people do delusional things. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/86 "2026-03-14T21:31:25Z")
He gave the matter as much thought as one does when tying one’s shoe. “Reasons” stretches the term to its limits, but my guesses are: 1- DJT thought he would be the conquering hero, beloved by the entire world for murdering the Supreme Leader and that Iran would turn into a western-aligned nation 2- Racism is always a good bet for DJT’s actions. These people are not as fair-skinned as he and are swarthy to boot. Plus something something 9/11. 3- Other presidents declined to start war with Iran. Since he is infinitely superior to them, they must be wrong and he must be right. 4- Belief that the entire nation would rally around the flag and opt not to change horses in the middle of the stream of war. Bush Jr was popular during the Iraq war, starting a new war would be good for Republicans and lessen his chances of being removed from office. 5- Grifting. Gaining control over all that oil and all that money means opportunities to stick his tiny hands in the cookie jar. He’s Boss Hogg, but a lot more overweight. 6- He played Truth or Dare and accepted a Dare to bomb Iran. ---
**Author:** ![doomtastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@doomtastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doomtastic)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/87 "2026-03-14T22:04:57Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > 6- He played Truth or Dare and accepted a Dare to bomb Iran. “Truth or dare” with DJT has got to be pretty high up on the all-time list of futile/depressing activities. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/88 "2026-03-14T22:23:21Z")
So I’m assuming Trump has several reasons. - He is trying to intimidate world leaders. In between the capture of Maduro, the killing of El mencho and the killing of Khamenei he is trying to intimidate world leaders into not resisting him. He is using the US military as his personal praetorian guard to threaten all 8 billion people on earth by saying if these world leaders aren’t safe, neither are you. - He is trying to distract from the Epstein files. - He is hoping one of these nations will retaliate, and he can use that as an excuse to crack down on civil rights in the US so he can suppress criticism and prevent elections. - Trump has a personal vendetta against Iran since they’ve tried to kill him in the past, because the US killed Iranian general [Soleimani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Qasem_Soleimani) when Trump was president. But I think the current war in Iran is probably a multi step process. I think the US and Israel will attack Iran and weaken the regime and weaken its military and paramilitary forces. Then a cease fire will be declared, then they will do it again. This current round of bombings may not end the Iranian regime, but even if it doesn’t I think the US and Israel will attack in the future until they feel the regime is weak enough that the public can overthrow it. ---
**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 14, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/89 "2026-03-14T23:03:36Z")
This seems completely impossible, politically speaking, barring a major reversal of public opinion about this war, IMO. ---
**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 14, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/90 "2026-03-14T23:07:15Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > This current round of bombings may not end the Iranian regime, but even if it doesn’t I think the US and Israel will attack in the future until they feel the regime is weak enough that the public can overthrow it. Except that just strengthens it. Bombing campaigns by foreign enemies have been one of the more effective means of increasing support for a government since aircraft bombing was invented. Of course, Trump is ignorant, stupid and a bully so it’s quite likely _he_ has no understanding of that. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/91 "2026-03-14T23:42:51Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > He gave the matter as much thought as one does when tying one’s shoe. I have long suspected that he does not know how to tie his shoes either. His valet does it for him. He could not bend that far down anymore anyway. ---
**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:** [March 15, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/92 "2026-03-15T01:09:12Z")
Another reason that is manifesting right now is so that Trump can put a gun to the head of the news networks and force them to say nice things about him: > **[FCC chair threatens broadcast licenses amid Trump's criticism of Iran war...](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/fcc-chair-threatens-networks-licenses-192707312.html)** > > Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr did not name specific networks, but his post included a reference to a Saturday morning Truth Social post from the president. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/93 "2026-03-15T01:53:13Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > So I’m assuming Trump has several reasons. He is hoping for a huge spike in popularity, like Bush got, leading up to the 2026 elections. he aint getting it. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/94 "2026-03-15T02:27:39Z")
**Moderating:** > [@BobLibDem](#): > > He gave the matter as much thought as one does when tying one’s shoe. “Reasons” stretches the term to its limits, but my guesses are: [snip] > [@BobLibDem](#): > > 6- He played Truth or Dare and accepted a Dare to bomb Iran. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Of course, Trump is ignorant, stupid and a bully so it’s quite likely _he_ has no understanding of that. > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I have long suspected that he does not know how to tie his shoes either. His valet does it for him. He could not bend that far down anymore anyway. A reminder that’s come up in the three related threads. We are trying to talk about issues, not just attack Trump. @BobLibDem, I listed a small part of your post, but only the first and last bit were pushing it (especially the last) but you overall kept it at least close. @Der_Trihs and @Pardel-Lux, the cracks were your entire post. I get it, I really get it, but _please_, take the cracks to one of the _many_ Trump threads if you’re just getting your shots in. It doesn’t add to the topic, and it almost always leads into an extended off topic rant on Trump. If you want to attack him, keep it specific to his motivations for the event in question rather than on his appearance, weight, or general stupidity - the Pit’s a better fit for that. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/95 "2026-03-15T02:45:49Z")
OK, got it. Thanks for the reminder of the rules. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/96 "2026-03-15T14:03:50Z")
I disagree with a couple of the reasons that others have suggested. I don’t think drawing attention away from Epstein was the motivation. He has already claimed total exoneration, and he knows that will satisfy about 25% of the population. I also doubt that any incriminating material concerning him will ever see the light of day. In fact, I believe that he ordered the destruction of any documents that would hurt him and promised (or already secretly gave) pardons to those who destroyed such evidence. I don’t think this is an attempt to cancel the upcoming elections. Even the Republicans wouldn’t stand for this. If we can have elections in 1862 and 1864 during the Civil War and in 1942 and 1944 during WW II, what would be the rationale for not having them in an undeclared war in 2026? ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/97 "2026-03-15T15:55:53Z")
Ego and money. That is Trump’s motivation for everything. I said it previously and it is still my opinion-he is making money off this somehow, or thinks he can. And no doubt he was flattered into this by Netanyahu or MBS or both. But casting about for other motivations by Trump seems a waste of time. We know what motivates him and it’s ego and money. Revenge is sometimes cited but I look at that as a consequence of ego- how dare those acum defy me! They must be taught a lesson! Ego and money. That’s it. Surely other motives for other players but not him. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/98 "2026-03-15T18:35:59Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t think drawing attention away from Epstein was the motivation. He has already claimed total exoneration, and he knows that will satisfy about 25% of the population. I also doubt that any incriminating material concerning him will ever see the light of day. In fact, I believe that he ordered the destruction of any documents that would hurt him and promised (or already secretly gave) pardons to those who destroyed such evidence. I dont think anything leading to a criminal conviction was ever in there, but yeah, I have been saying all along the most embarrassing stuff has been cornfielded. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t think this is an attempt to cancel the upcoming elections. No, but it is an attempt to sway the elections. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/99 "2026-03-17T05:00:22Z")
[“…Maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all…”](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/donald-trump-stuns-maybe-shouldnt-073154443.html) (The **bolding** is mine.) > [@](#): > > Donald Trump left critics in disbelief on Sunday with a remark about his Iran war during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One. > > The president was discussing his [call for other countries](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd039n9vj3vo) to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the vital — and currently effectively shut — waterway off Iran through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. > > Asked how quickly those deployments would happen, Trump said it would “start immediately,” with different countries offering different forms of assistance, including minesweeper boats. > > He later said: “So, we need, I, I would really, I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory because it is their territory, it’s the place from which they get their energy and they should come and they should help us protect it.” > > Then came the line that quickly sparked reaction online: > > **“You could make the case that maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all because we don’t need it.”** > > “We have a lot of oil,” said Trump. “We were the number one producer anywhere in the world times two by double, at least double. Now I think it’s much higher than that. But we do it. It’s almost like we do it for habit, but we also do it for some very good allies that we have in the Middle East.” Two by double, huh? Wouldn’t the be four? [And here’s why trying to figure out his reasons for bombing Iran is now, always has been, and always will be speculation.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/just-want-trump-reportedly-high-164413700.html) (The formatting is from the original.) > [@](#): > > President **Donald Trump** insisted, “I just want to do it,” to staffers wary of a military strike on Iran, according to a new report that explores a sense of “buyer’s remorse” surrounding the war among the president’s top aides. > > In a new report on Monday, [Axios reported](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/trump-iran-war-escalation) that those closest to the president may see America’s involvement in the war as a “mistake” a little over two weeks since the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28. > > As the White House [grapples](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-plots-escort-ships-strait-235710821.html) with a recent spike in oil and gas prices after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, Trump continues to tout the operation as successful, insisting that Iran’s armed forces are “decimated.” & > [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > A source close to the administration said some key officials around Trump were reluctant or wanted more time. “He ended up saying, ‘I just want to do it,'” the source said. “He grossly overestimated his ability to topple the regime short of sending in ground troops.” ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209/100 "2026-03-17T05:38:35Z")
Can you imagine how infuriating it must be to have a loved one die because of a war that even the president who launched the war says, “Maybe we shouldn’t even have done that.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209.md?page=6)