# United States and Israel are bombing Iran {for current/ongoing events, past/future have specific threads} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump, iran-strikes-2026\ **Created:** [February 28, 2026, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071 "2026-02-28T07:56:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 29
**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 4, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/562 "2026-03-04T17:43:15Z")
Underestimate the enemy at your peril. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/563 "2026-03-04T17:50:35Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Underestimate the enemy at your peril Sage advice for Iran to have considered on October 6th, 2023. ---
**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 4, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/564 "2026-03-04T17:53:33Z")
It is a mistake they do not have the monopoly to. Do you think you have already won? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/565 "2026-03-04T17:54:50Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Do you think you have already won? Of course not. But we’re not the ones who _chose_ to be at war. ---
**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, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/566 "2026-03-04T17:55:20Z")
In general one has to try and be as accurate in one’s assessments as possible, neither underestimating nor overestimating anyone. ---
**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 4, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/567 "2026-03-04T18:00:54Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > But we’re not the ones who _chose_ to be at war. I would not have phrased it that way, but as I will not change your mind on that, I drop it. Admiting that I am not sure who “we” are in your sentence. > [@Frodo](#): > > In general one has to try and be as accurate in one’s assessments as possible, neither underestimating nor overestimating anyone. But in war I would advise to err on the side of overestimating the enemy and not the other way around, just in case. _Sin exagerar_, of course. ---
**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:** [March 4, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/568 "2026-03-04T18:05:20Z")
Certainly you should over prepare ---
**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, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/569 "2026-03-04T18:06:14Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I would not have phrased it that way, but as I will not change your mind on that, I drop it. +1 > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > But in war I would advise to err on the side of overestimating the enemy and not the other way around, just in case. _Sin exagerar_, of course. I agree, but overestimating the enemy has it’s own pitfalls, as George Mcclellan discovered (or failed to) in the U.S. civil war. ---
**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, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/570 "2026-03-04T18:24:29Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Of course not. But we’re not the ones who _chose_ to be at war. What a joke this is. This is the ultimate war of choice for the United States. We were not remotely in any danger from Iran. ---
**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 4, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/571 "2026-03-04T18:28:20Z")
An American submarine has sunk an enemy ship with a torpedo for the first time since World War II. > **[U.S. Navy Submarine Torpedoes Iranian Frigate In Indian Ocean](https://www.twz.com/news-features/u-s-submarine-sinks-iranian-warship-in-the-indian-ocean)** > > This is the first sinking of an enemy ship by a U.S. submarine since World War II. ---
**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, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/572 "2026-03-04T19:00:03Z")
Moderating: > [@Babale](#): > > Of course not. But we’re not the ones who _chose_ to be at war. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > What a joke this is. This is the ultimate war of choice for the United States. We were not remotely in any danger from Iran. This is not the thread to discuss the underlying reasons for what is being called a “war”. This thread is to discuss the actual bombings and actions that are occurring. If you wish to discuss underlying reasons and/or consequences for the bombings (different threads, in my view), please start such threads. ---
**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:** [March 4, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/573 "2026-03-04T20:35:42Z")
The White House claimed that Spain is assisting the US in this effort. Spain replies, “Um, no we never said that”. > **[Spain's government denies cooperating with US operations in Mideast,...](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/spains-nchez-stands-firm-opposition-094601973.html)** > > A diplomatic tussle between the United States and Spain over the war in Iran intensified on Wednesday when the governments exchanged contradictory statements over the possible use of Spanish military ... ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/574 "2026-03-04T20:57:58Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > > [@hajario](#): > > > > I don’t support any of this but _if_ this war is justified then the sinking is fair game. Do you really think that it wasn’t going to take part at some point? > > Agreed. This war is stupid, but it’s bog standard to go after the enemy’s military kit wherever you find it. Yes, if active hostilities are on, combatant vessel is combatant vessel, and AIUI your alternative is to surrender to internment in a neutral port for the duration. (Now I am wondering, absent a “legalistic” declaration of war, does that still apply and would the US even recognize that.) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/575 "2026-03-04T21:09:01Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > I won’t claim to be an expert, but from my reading over the years, the Kurds have desperately wanted a homeland for decades, and all (or almost all) the established stated don’t want this. Mostly because nobody wants to give up territory to allow it to happen, I think. Why don’t the western countries just get together and declare a Kurdish country legitimate, possibly based on some millennia-old claim and a belief in some make-believe being? 😉 If this keeps up, we are going to have to cut taxes on the wealthy in order to pay for all of this! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/576 "2026-03-04T21:28:33Z")
This is very strange, if true: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/25/reza-pahlavi-iran-protests-voa/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/25/reza-pahlavi-iran-protests-voa/) > [@](#): > > Later that day, Tahvili received a phone call from the VOA producer who arranged her interview, complaining that she had violated Voice of America’s new policy barring mentions of Pahlavi’s name — which she said she didn’t know about. > > “He called me in a very angry way and said, ‘Why did you mention his name?’” Tahvili, adjunct associate professor of AI industrial systems at Sweden’s Mälardalen University, said in an interview. “No one is allowed to mention Pahlavi’s name.” Because she had mentioned him, Tahvili said she was told her interview, which aired live, would not be reposted to social media and she would no longer be welcome on the network > [@](#): > > Several VOA staffers working on the broadcasts, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said that Javanmardi appeared to target Pahlavi. The staffers said he personally approves all guests before they appear on air and has instructed staff not to book anyone who sympathizes or promotes Pahlavi. > > “He completely censors his name, his activity and everything,” one staffer said, noting that Javanmardi has refused to play audio of protesters in Iran shouting Pahlavi’s name. “All the people chanting in Iran — nothing. He censors everything.” ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/577 "2026-03-04T21:32:54Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And now, their own battle is against us, instead of being against the regime. How does this help us? Then why are they celebrating US involvement around the world? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/578 "2026-03-04T21:36:25Z")
Why do Cubans in Miami love America while Cubans in Cuba don’t? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/579 "2026-03-04T21:40:28Z")
Then why are there large scale protests in Iran by Iranians who have died in the many thousands? ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/580 "2026-03-04T21:42:25Z")
I found it touching to read the profiles today of the US combatants killed so far. I know they’d all enlisted and knew where they were training to work but it was sad anyway. ---
**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, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/581 "2026-03-04T21:45:56Z")
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071.md?page=28) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071.md?page=30)