# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 3:49pm 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/1028210/141 "2026-03-13T15:49:13Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Stupid, stupid, stupid. Yep > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > We can also advocate that a war run by idiots with no mission and no plan should cease. This, 100%. Or in Trump speak, 800%! I have yet to see an actual reason for this war, a plan for this war, hopeful outcomes for this war, or foresight about fallout of this war. That the planners of this war didn’t even think about what would happen with the Strait of Hormuz shows that this was a back of the napkin plan. I’m super glad that the US and Israel really thought this through. > **[Trump administration underestimated Iran war’s impact on Strait of Hormuz |...](https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/12/politics/hormuz-trump-administration-underestimated-iran)** > > The Pentagon and National Security Council significantly underestimated Iran’s willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to US military strikes while planning the ongoing operation, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. ---
**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 13, 2026, 6:34pm 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/1028210/142 "2026-03-13T18:34:59Z")
So as it turns out Trump believes in zero-sum relationships after all: > **[Trump Says Russia ‘Might Be’ Helping Iran, Contradicting Top Advisor](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-says-russia-might-helping-162622364.html)** > > According to U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff earlier this week, the Russians told the White House on Monday “they have not been sharing” intelligence with Iran. TL:DR version: Trump says Russia “might” be helping Iran but it’s okay because the US is helping Ukraine. All’s fair in love and war, right? And since Trump loves Putin, that makes everything okay. ---
**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 13, 2026, 6:39pm 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/1028210/143 "2026-03-13T18:39:36Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Maybe we shouldn’t be starting a war with no mission, no plan, and idiots in charge? Maybe we shouldn’t have elected an Orange Idiot in the first place? It all cascades down from that. ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:08pm 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/1028210/144 "2026-03-13T19:08:59Z")
> **[Live updates: Trump will end Iran war 'when I feel it in my bones'](https://www.usatoday.com/live-story/news/world/2026/03/13/iran-war-united-states-israel-live-udpates/89128687007/)** > > President Trump says in Fox News radio interview he will end Iran war "when I feel it in my bones." This bodes well for strategic planning. Bones? ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:13pm 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/1028210/145 "2026-03-13T19:13:54Z")
Golly I hope he can tell the correct feeling from one of them ol bone spurs. ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:20pm 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/1028210/146 "2026-03-13T19:20:31Z")
Jesus wept. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 9:05pm 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/1028210/147 "2026-03-13T21:05:04Z")
el donald’s best shot at staying in office past 2028 is to be bogged down in a desperate war. ---
**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, 12:04am 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/1028210/148 "2026-03-14T00:04:55Z")
[Increasingly open Islamophobia and racism](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/multiple-house-republicans-post-openly-anti-muslim-statements-rcna263377?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us) would be another consequence. > Multiple Republicans in Congress post openly anti-Muslim statements > > At least four congressional Republicans have expressed anti-Islamic sentiments on social media in the wake of the Iran War and recent violent attacks in the U.S. > > Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., who had already faced backlash for [an anti-Muslim post](https://x.com/RepFine/status/2023161539897720931?s=20) last month, [wrote](https://x.com/RepFine/status/2032230398009200896) on X Thursday: “We need more Islamophobia, not less. Fear of Islam is rational.” > > Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., said in a [series](https://x.com/repogles/status/2032192812951748761?s=46)of [posts on](https://x.com/RepOgles/status/2032151622474756375?s=20)Thursday that no country is “freer and safer because Muslims moved there,” and he called “immigration” a “national security threat.” Earlier this week, [he wrote](https://x.com/RepOgles/status/2031002097135599717?s=20)that “Muslims don’t belong in American society.” > President Donald Trump has [blamed the recent attacks on the “genetics” of the suspects](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-blames-recent-attacks-genetics-assailants-rcna263351). > “They’re sick people, and a lot of them were let in here. They shouldn’t have been let in. Others are just bad. They go bad. Something wrong. There’s something wrong there. The genetics are not exactly— they’re not exactly your genetic," Trump said in an interview with Brian Kilmeade that aired Friday on Fox Radio. ---
**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 14, 2026, 1:37am 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/1028210/149 "2026-03-14T01:37:57Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., I’ve said it before, but for this dude, there are only two options 1. Serious mental illness 2. Performance art ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 1:45am 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/1028210/150 "2026-03-14T01:45:18Z")
One consequence is that it gives JD Vance an opportunity to differentiate himself from Trump. This should help him win the presidency if nominated in 2028. [Vance was ‘skeptical’ voice in White House on Iran strikes](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/13/jd-vance-skeptical-iran-operation-00826780) > [@](#): > > Vice President JD Vance was skeptical of the U.S. striking Iran in the leadup to President Donald Trump’s decision to launch the war, two senior Trump officials told POLITICO. Remember when Kamala Harris said there was [“not a thing”](https://www.axios.com/2024/10/08/harris-biden-view-abc-2024-differences) she would have done differently from Biden? JD now has an answer to what he would do differently from Trump, and I don’t think Trump will much mind. Heck, for all I know, Trump was one of the two senior officials who leaked. ---
**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, 2:05am 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/1028210/151 "2026-03-14T02:05:09Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I’ve said it before, but for this dude, there are only two options > > 1. Serious mental illness > 2. Performance art For that at least, it’s pretty common right wing rhetoric I’ve been hearing for decades now. The anti-Muslim equivalent of “race realism”. The only difference is that it’s a Congressman saying it and not some author or internet poster. If it’s a performance, it’s for an audience who believes it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 3:59am 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/1028210/152 "2026-03-14T03:59:11Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > One consequence is that it gives JD Vance an opportunity to differentiate himself from Trump. This should help him win the presidency if nominated in 2028. Trump has been polling his donor buddies at Mar A Lago about who he should support for president in 2028. > “It was almost unanimous for Marco,” said a person in attendance, who, like others in this article, was granted anonymity to speak candidly. > > “Yeah, that’s right,” said the second attendee about the informal Trump poll. “It was clear, at least that night.” > **[Iran war elevates Marco Rubio in Trump's 2028 succession jockeying](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2028-election/iran-marco-rubio-trump-2028-succession-jd-vance-rcna261794)** > > Trump has been informally polling his circle of friends and advisers about the 2028 election, which could pit some of his top administration officials against one another. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 1:28pm 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/1028210/153 "2026-03-14T13:28:18Z")
Re Fear\_Itself’s last post, I’d agree that one (minor) consequence of the war is that it gives Trump an opportunity to pit underlings against each other. However, I doubt JD suffered any reputational damage in MAGAville. From the NBC News link: > [@](#): > > Another person in the room characterized the response as more “evenly split” between Rubio and Vance. . . . > > “The Mar-a-Lago donor crew are not JD people,” a former Trump administration official said. “He did not get picked [to be vice president] because of the Mar-a-Lago crowd. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 3:14pm 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/1028210/154 "2026-03-14T15:14:09Z")
> [@doomtastic](#): > > Patriotism is a core tenet of military service Not quite so much if are drafted, or you have “bone spurs”. Different country, but my dad was called up in the Rhodesian Bush War. He did not get to fight because he was colour-blind, but he also was not particulary patriotic. I seem to recall you Americans also had a problem with “patriotism” during the Vietnam war, when suddenly Canada had a surge of tourists. As Samuel Johnson is rumoured to have said, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”. I am fairly sure, in a war, you do not fight for “King and Country”, you fight for your squad, the soldiers next to you. ---
**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, 4:53pm 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/1028210/155 "2026-03-14T16:53:09Z")
Neat. I don’t know what that has to do with what I said, but those are definitely examples of things that have happened. ---
**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, 5:24pm 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/1028210/156 "2026-03-14T17:24:12Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > I seem to recall you Americans also had a problem with “patriotism” during the Vietnam war, when suddenly Canada had a surge of tourists. That was a different era, when the military was full of draftees. They were also known for [killing their officers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragging). That isn’t what it’s like today. ---
**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 15, 2026, 12:38am 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/1028210/157 "2026-03-15T00:38:35Z")
[US intelligence agencies say the Iranian regime not going to collapse.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/iran-government-not-risk-collapse-001942357.html) > [@](#): > > U.S. intelligence agencies have indicated that the Iranian government is not at risk of collapse amid the [U.S. and Israeli offensive](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/why-time-iran-side-trump-220817512.html) against the Middle Eastern country, [Reuters reported](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-intelligence-says-iran-government-is-not-risk-collapse-say-sources-2026-03-11/) Thursday. > > One source told the outlet that a “multitude” of intelligence reports show “consistent analysis that the regime is not in danger” of collapse, retaining “control of the Iranian public.” The source, one of many who spoke with Reuters, said the situation in Iran is fluid and that dynamics within the country could change. > > The Hill has reached out to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency for comment. > > The report comes shortly after a senior Israeli official also [told Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-sees-no-certainty-irans-government-will-fall-despite-war-2026-03-11/) that there is no certainty that the conflict will lead to the Iranian government’s collapse. [I suppose that’s why the US government is offering ten million dollars to find out where the regime’s leadership is.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/u-offers-10-million-chance-111337165.html) > [@](#): > > The United States on Friday said it was offering up to $10 million, and the potential opportunity to relocate, for information on the whereabouts of 10 senior Islamic Republic leaders. > > The U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program [announced the reward on Friday](https://x.com/RFJ_USA/status/2032482180568654025?ftag=YHF4eb9d17) for information on Iran’s new Supreme Leader [Mojtaba Khamenei](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-war-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-first-statement-strait-of-hormuz/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17) and nine other “key leaders” in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. > > Khamenei, who issued his first public statement on Thursday, is “wounded and likely disfigured,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth [said Friday](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-war-hegseth-caine-update-pentagon/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17). A [missile strike](https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/us-iran-war-israel-supreme-leader-khamenei-funeral-day-2/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17) killed Iranian Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ayatollah-khamenei-dead-iranian-supreme-leader-us-israel-military-mission/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17) and other senior Iranian officials when the war started. > > In addition to the supreme leader, the lists includes Deputy Chief of Staff Ali Asghar Hejazi, Military Adviser Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, Interior Minister Brig. Gen. Eskandar Momeni, Minister of Intelligence and Security Esmail Khatib, and Ali Larijani, who is secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. > > “These individuals command and direct various elements of the IRGC, which plans, organizes, and executes terrorism around the world,” the State Department said in a [news release](https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps-irgc-key-leaders/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17) announcing the reward. > > Four leaders on the list are identified only by title, with no listed names. They are the secretary of the defense council, adviser to the supreme leader, military officer chief of the supreme leader’s office, and the IRGC commander. > > “Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders?” the program asks in a [post on social media](https://x.com/RFJ_USA/status/2032482180568654025?ftag=YHF4eb9d17). “Send us a tip. It could make you eligible for a reward and relocation.” I’m still curious as to how those who know where those folks are will find out about the reward and how they will communicate it to the American governmet. It’s not like the regime’s cut communication and Internet lines, right? ---
**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 15, 2026, 1:26am 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/1028210/158 "2026-03-15T01:26:16Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I’m still curious as to how those who know where those folks are will find out about the reward and how they will communicate it to the American governmet They’d also have to trust the US to actually pay them, which would be very foolish of them. ---
**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 15, 2026, 2:36am 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/1028210/159 "2026-03-15T02:36:18Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > “Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders?” the program asks in a [post on social media](https://x.com/RFJ_USA/status/2032482180568654025?ftag=YHF4eb9d17). “Send us a tip. It could make you eligible for a reward and relocation.” So we are using social media with claims of millions of dollars and relocation to find out information? Isn’t this the purview of intelligence agencies? It’s madness. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 11:10am 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/1028210/160 "2026-03-15T11:10:03Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > Isn’t this the purview of intelligence agencies? Do we have any anymore? [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=7) [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=9)