# Speculation for and/or Consequences to the US and Elsewhere for Engaging in the Bombing of Iran and Other Targets **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** iran-strikes-2026\ **Created:** [March 4, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210 "2026-03-04T22:01:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**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 30, 2026, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/321 "2026-03-30T02:22:25Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I’m also wondering about all those countries in the Middle East that bribed Trump. Does Bahrain and Qatar regret bribing Trump? Will people be less likely to bribe Trump in the future? Logically, they _should._ But a lot of people in and out of the US seem incapable of learning that bribing Trump doesn’t actually work (as he fails to keep his side of any deal). So it depends on which of them learn that lesson. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2026, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/322 "2026-03-30T02:46:23Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > This doesn’t include the costs and risks of _maintaining_ a hold of Kharg Island, though Wikipedia says that it does have its own source of fresh water, so it’s got that going for it. Are we assuming that Iran has not rigged major portions of the island to blow, including the oil infrastructure? ---
**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 30, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/323 "2026-03-30T02:59:20Z")
Deleted, forgot Mod Note ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/324 "2026-03-30T03:38:07Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > like Trump and Hegseth probably have a rather distorted idea of what “acceptable losses” _are_ Yeah acceptable in this context means only what the GOP base will accept before they turn on him. Which is a lot. He would happily (literally it would give him joy) order another Iwo-jima if thought it would get him respected as a great war leader. And TBH I’m not even sure that limit holds any more, this is more about Trump leaving a legacy (or what his twisted half rotted brain considers a legacy) than drumming up support in the base. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/325 "2026-03-30T04:04:52Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > A Marine Expeditionary Unit includes 12 MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor VTOL aircraft, each can carry up to 32 marines in combat conditions, so a single sortie could put a couple companies on the island That assumes there is no one shooting at them. Obviously the US and Israel have really done a number on Iranian air defenses to a remarkable degree. But they are no where near the point where a bunch of slow moving VTOL craft can land in the the most heavily guarded bit of Iranian airspace with impunity. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/326 "2026-03-30T05:29:33Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > But they are no where near the point where a bunch of slow moving VTOL craft can land in the the most heavily guarded bit of Iranian airspace with impunity. We really don’t know that. Maybe military intelligence has a good idea, but I sure don’t. It might be a relatively quiet walkover of a shell-shocked, isolated and battered garrison. Or it could be a bloody Iwo Jima (coincidentally the two islands are very roughly the same size). I’d probably bet closer to the former. But it really doesn’t matter except to the poor troops on the ground. At least from where I’m sitting strategically it doesn’t really do all that much. Shutting down Iran’s Gulf oil exports is easier done at sea without risking getting bogged down on real estate. Meanwhile shutting down Iran’s oil exports is something the U.S. has explicitly not done to prevent an oil shock, even going so far as to give the regime a helping hand by releasing Iranian tankers from sanctions. The U.S. can’t extract oil from Kharg, holding Kharg does nothing to reduce the threat to the Strait of Hormuz and occupying the island invites a constant wave of little chipping attacks from the mainland that will just cost lives to no good effect. I just don’t see the point. ---
**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 30, 2026, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/327 "2026-03-30T06:25:51Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > The U.S. can’t extract oil from Kharg, holding Kharg does nothing to reduce the threat to the Strait of Hormuz and occupying the island invites a constant wave of little chipping attacks from the mainland that will just cost lives to no good effect. > > I just don’t see the point. Either "We have to do _something!",_ or they have fantasies about conquering Iran and stealing its oil. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/328 "2026-03-30T07:11:24Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > SO… The US industry has both increased prices, and aluminum buyers have gone to other sources such as… The Middle East. Which supply is now farked, due to the bombing campaign. > > End result; Much higher costs for a lot of product in the US. > > Winning! Canada is a major producer of aluminum which could help fulfill US needs, but … tariffs! More winning! 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/329 "2026-03-30T07:42:34Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Either "We have to do _something!",_ or they have fantasies about conquering Iran and stealing its oil. Based on a recent Mark Levin monologue which Trump suggested his followers watch, they are more likely going to try to steal its uranium. > **[DaMon Cortez on Instagram: "On March 28, 2026, Trump urged followers to watch...](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWe6RJtAQIp/)** > > 257 likes, 101 comments - purpleroom\_politics on March 29, 2026: "On March 28, 2026, Trump urged followers to watch Mark Levin on Fox News, who argued for “specialized” U.S. ground troops in Iran. Levin stated, “We’ve got to get the uranium,” to... ---
**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 30, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/330 "2026-03-30T12:32:06Z")
Operation Eagle Claw II: Nuclear Boogaloo? ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/331 "2026-03-30T13:27:50Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > quiet walkover of a shell-shocked, isolated and battered garrison That’s the kind of optimistic assessment that’s been incorrectly made about the effects of barrages since the Somme. > [@Tamerlane](#): > > I just don’t see the point. The point is that Trump really really wants to do it and has for [decades](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1072). ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/332 "2026-03-30T13:56:21Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > they are more likely going to try to steal its uranium That makes occupying Kharg Island seem like a cake walk. This sounds like a plan made up by someone who has watched a lot of 80s action movies but has no knowledge of what it takes to pull off a successful raid IRL. Occupying Kharg Island is a perfectly reasonable military goal if you don’t mind a lot of your troops dying (and the oil facilities getting destroyed in the process). Stealing the most precious heavily guarded resources from the heart of Iran is a fantasy. Doesn’t mean the current command in chief wouldn’t order it attempted mind you ☹ ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/333 "2026-03-30T14:10:59Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Stealing the most precious heavily guarded resources from the heart of Iran is a fantasy. Agreed. The uranium is in gas form, buried in underground bunkers in the heart of Iran, and after the bombing it may be unclear what state the infrastructure is in. Presumably not in one location, but not sure. ---
**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 30, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/334 "2026-03-30T15:41:14Z")
If this news site is to be trusted > **[Where is Iran’s enriched uranium now?](https://www.jns.org/analysis/where-is-irans-enriched-uranium-now)** > > Experts assess the fate of Tehran’s nuclear stockpile. it would be easier to make a movie pretending they did it and show it to President Ineptstein to make him happy. > Even if a force could reach the uranium, transporting it safely presents another challenge. > Iran typically stores enriched uranium in the form of uranium hexafluoride gas inside large industrial cylinders. > “These are not light suitcases,” Ailam said. “Each standard cylinder together with its protective casing can weigh between five and ten tons.” > Moving such cargo would require heavy transport helicopters hovering over the site while the containers are attached—a process that would expose aircraft and crews to both military and environmental hazards. > “In addition, even a few minutes of exposure to a damaged cylinder without heavy shielding would be a death sentence,” Ailam warned. Any substance with the suffix -hexafluoride I don’t want to be close to. That stuff is toxic and corrosive. Huh, I had completely forgotten that O.J. Simpson was on the crew of **[Capicorn One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capricorn_One)**. Makes the movie even funnier in retrospect. ---
**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 30, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/335 "2026-03-30T16:07:20Z")
I found the safety data sheet for uranium hexafluoride (UF6) from the US Department of Energy. It is as bad as I thought: [https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/articles/sds-uranium-hexafluoride-uf6](https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/articles/sds-uranium-hexafluoride-uf6) Stealing that is what in German military lingo is called a **[Himmelfahrtskommando](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himmelfahrtskommando)**, which is a much nicer name than _suicide mission_, _glory-or-grave-job_, or _suicide squad_, the suggested translations in the wikiarticle. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/336 "2026-03-30T17:15:58Z")
[https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/travel-crisis-deepens-as-jet-fuel-shortage-grips-asia-may-spread-to-europe-126032800517\_1.html](https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/travel-crisis-deepens-as-jet-fuel-shortage-grips-asia-may-spread-to-europe-126032800517_1.html) This is not good. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/337 "2026-03-31T01:50:00Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > The U.S. can’t extract oil from Kharg, holding Kharg does nothing to reduce the threat to the Strait of Hormuz and occupying the island invites a constant wave of little chipping attacks from the mainland that will just cost lives to no good effect. So, given this is the stupidest, least effective way to conduct this war, it will be what Trump chooses. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/338 "2026-03-31T04:34:14Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > So, given this is the stupidest, least effective way to conduct this war, it will be what Trump chooses Not only that it’s a stupid ineffective way to conduct a war that Trump has been advocating for since the 1980s. There is a very very strong likelihood he will invade Kharg Island 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 31, 2026, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/339 "2026-03-31T04:59:36Z")
An argument I’ve seen elsewhere is that this war increases the chance of him actually following through on the idea of conquering Greenland, because after he gives up on this war he’ll be looking for an easy win to placate his ego. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210/340 "2026-03-31T05:21:35Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > because after he gives up on this war he’ll be looking for an easy win to placate his ego. But will he ever give up on this war? They’ve been bringing lots of ground troops to the theater, so I doubt if they’re going to not put them in combat. I get the impression that Trump and (especially) Hegseth are not the type not to put them to use. But once we have boots on the ground, it’s going to be a big quagmire. One that will extend to the end of Trump’s administration. Hopefully, the next president will find a way to get out of that quagmire. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-and-or-consequences-to-the-us-and-elsewhere-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210.md?page=18)