# 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:** 32
**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 6, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/622 "2026-03-06T21:00:55Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Interesting–from WaPo this morning. I guess this means Donnie & Vlad aren’t going to the Prom together? Not entirely clear what Russia’s interests are here, other than Iran was kindly supplying them with drones for the war with Ukraine, but it’s been clear for years that Putin has nothing but contempt for Trump, and now I guess the bromance is truly over. Which might actually be good news for Ukraine in the longer term. Also, no Moscow Trump Tower for you! > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Moscow has called for an end to the war, which it labeled an “unprovoked act of armed aggression.” Is not armed aggression! Is специальная военная операция (“special military operation”)! ---
**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:** [March 6, 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/1028071/623 "2026-03-06T21:09:04Z")
**Moderating:** You post is barely OK for this thread, but to all, no replies that take this off to a discussion of Trump and/or Putin please. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/624 "2026-03-06T23:52:07Z")
He’s… The son of a dictator the US imposed on Iran many many years ago, after we toppled its legitimate democratic government, right? He may be a great guy. I haven’t followed him and have no opinion. But how can he possibly be a legitimate head of an Iranian government? He doesn’t even live there. ---
**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 6, 2026, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/625 "2026-03-06T23:58:13Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Not entirely clear what Russia’s interests are here, other than Iran was kindly supplying them with drones for the war with Ukraine, but it’s been clear for years that Putin has nothing but contempt for Trump, and now I guess the bromance is truly over. Logically, _anyone_ who doesn’t like the US, Iran or Israel has an interest in encouraging and enabling this war. It’s like the old saying, “never interrupt an enemy while they are making a mistake”; if you can make the mistake worse than it already is, that’s even better. ---
**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 7, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/626 "2026-03-07T00:05:43Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > But how can he possibly be a legitimate head of an Iranian government? He’s the one who the protestors have been chanting for, and legitimacy is draw from the consent of the governed. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > He doesn’t even live there. Right, because the regime would execute him if he did. Which is a handy way of showing that he has absolutely nothing to do with the current regime - the most important quality the Iranians are looking for in a leader right now. Anyways, I can think of someone else who took over Iran by leading a revolution from abroad - the original Supreme Leader, Khomeini. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > He’s… The son of a dictator the US imposed on Iran many many years ago, after we toppled its legitimate democratic government, right? Mostly right - I wouldn’t describe Mossadegh’s regime as a “legitimate democratic government”: > **[IRAN: 99.93% Pure](https://time.com/archive/6795622/iran-99-93-pure/)** > > Hitler's best as a vote-getter was 99.81% Ja's in 1936; Stalin's peak was 99.73% Da's in 1946. Last week Premier Mohammed Mossadegh, the man in the iron cot, topped them all... It would be more accurate to say that he’s the son of a monarch who came to power after a revolution that the US supported overthrew Iran’s prior dictator. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/627 "2026-03-07T00:17:23Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > But how can he possibly be a legitimate head of an Iranian government? He’s literally never been the leader of _anything_ more complicated than a zoom call. Not a city government, not a private company, nothing. His whole pitch is, quite explicitly, “if you need a symbol to rally around, I’m happy to stand there and be your empty suit.” Beyond the fact that he’s partially bankrolled by foreign powers, the only reasons he’s in the conversation at all are (a) there is a subset of Persians who are nostalgic for the glory days and shut their eyes to the abuses of the Shah and (b) there are zero alternative candidates available. It’s madness. ---
**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 7, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/628 "2026-03-07T00:21:46Z")
And Zelensky was a comedian who played president on TV. If the Iranian people believe in him as a figure to unify behind, that’s already more than half the battle. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/629 "2026-03-07T00:36:54Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Anyways, I can think of someone else who took over Iran by leading a revolution from abroad - the original Supreme Leader, Khomeini. And that worked out so well. ---
**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 7, 2026, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/630 "2026-03-07T00:47:13Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > And that worked out so well It did not prevent him from effectively leading a revolution from outside the country, is the point. There is absolutely no reason to think that Pahlavi would be dictatorial in any way. ---
**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 7, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/631 "2026-03-07T00:52:27Z")
Moderating: > [@Babale](#): > > Interesting video I came across of Pahlavi speaking on LGBT rights. I’m starting to see why Trump doesn’t like him, although I wonder if the people who called him a “Clown” Prince think he seems particularly clownish in this video. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > He’s… The son of a dictator the US imposed on Iran many many years ago, after we toppled its legitimate democratic government, right? He may be a great guy. I haven’t followed him and have no opinion. But how can he possibly be a legitimate head of an Iranian government? He doesn’t even live there. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Logically, _anyone_ who doesn’t like the US, Iran or Israel has an interest in encouraging and enabling this war. It’s like the old saying, “never interrupt an enemy while they are making a mistake”; if you can make the mistake worse than it already is, that’s even better. > [@Babale](#): > > He’s the one who the protestors have been chanting for, and legitimacy is draw from the consent of the governed. > [@Cervaise](#): > > He’s literally never been the leader of _anything_ more complicated than a zoom call. Not a city government, not a private company, nothing. His whole pitch is, quite explicitly, “if you need a symbol to rally around, I’m happy to stand there and be your empty suit.” > [@Babale](#): > > And Zelensky was a comedian who played president on TV. > [@duality72](#): > > And that worked out so well. > [@Babale](#): > > It did not prevent him from effectively leading a revolution from outside the country, is the point. You’re discussing consequences, not anything to do with the actual bombings. Please take further discussion on this to the thread we set up for discussing consequences. > [@Speculation for Consequences to the US for Engaging in the Bombing of Iran and Other Targets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-for-consequences-to-the-us-for-engaging-in-the-bombing-of-iran-and-other-targets/1028210): > > If you have thoughts about what the consequences will be to the US and its citizens as a result of our bombings of Iran and other targets, this is the thread for it. Again, be mindful of the thread you’re posting in. ---
**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 7, 2026, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/632 "2026-03-07T01:00:59Z")
I still don’t understand why Trump was somewhat anti-war in his first term, and now playing all around with war and bombs like it’s his shiny kid’s toy in his second term. ---
**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 7, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/633 "2026-03-07T01:02:28Z")
Moderating: > [@Velocity](#): > > I still don’t understand why Trump was somewhat anti-war in his first term, and now playing all around with war and bombs like it’s his shiny kid’s toy in his second term. - This is a post for this thread: > [@Speculation About Trump's Underlying Reasons for Bombing Iran and Other Targets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-trumps-underlying-reasons-for-bombing-iran-and-other-targets/1028209): > > This thread is created for you to engage in your speculation about why the US is now engaged in a bombing campaign against Iran and other targets. This is the thread for history lessons or other more current actions that in your view, may have led to the current conflict. Again, be mindful of the thread you’re posting in. ---
**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 7, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/634 "2026-03-07T14:31:35Z")
Israeli TV news has reported that Lebanon’s justice minister ordered the arrest of Hezbollah’s leader. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/635 "2026-03-07T19:03:55Z")
Today’s update on actions in Iran, gulf states, political statements. > **[Air War Against Iran Enters Week Two](https://www.twz.com/news-features/air-war-against-iran-enters-week-two)** > > Iran continues to target its neighbors' oil production as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is nearly at a stand still. ---
**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 7, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/636 "2026-03-07T20:07:51Z")
> **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mggpnxuswk2q)** > > Hegseth: "The only ones who need to be worried right now are Iranians who think they're going to live" Hegseth: “The only ones who need to be worried right now are Iranians who think they’re going to live” It is monstrous to be starting a war with this person in charge. Just disgusting, morally speaking. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/637 "2026-03-07T22:23:22Z")
CNN [4:09 PM EST, Sat March 7, 2026](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-07-26?post-id=cmmgovpbs000l3b6teynwwio5) - The Iranian state-affiliated Fars News Agency said US and Israeli bombing targeted an oil refinery in southern Tehran. - Meanwhile, CNN crews heard what sounded like a wave of airstrikes and major explosions in the Iranian capital. The team also saw a large fire in the south of Tehran, in the area where oil and gas installations are located. saw a large fire in the south of Tehran, in the area where oil and gas installations are located. ---
**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 8, 2026, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/638 "2026-03-08T08:25:01Z")
Regarding the girl’s school bombing, [Trump declares Iran did it](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-says-iran-fault-strike-225624856.html). > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump on Saturday denied U.S. involvement in a strike that killed more than 165 people at a girls’ elementary school in Southern Iran, instead placing the blame on Iran. > > When asked aboard Air Force One Saturday whether the U.S. conducted the Feb. 28 strike, Trump said, without evidence, “No, in my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran.” His secretary of defense is not so sure. (Same link) > [@](#): > > Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, standing next to the president, took a more cautious tone, saying the government is still “investigating” the attack but adding, “The only side that targets civilians is Iran.” Trump reiterated in response: > [@](#): > > Following Hegseth’s statement, Trump asserted: “It was done by Iran.” ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/639 "2026-03-08T09:17:48Z")
I bet you Reza’s bookcase is stuffed with histories of the Stuart Restoration and the Bourbon Restoration. Bet you anything. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/640 "2026-03-08T10:26:29Z")
> **Summary** > > > [@Hegseth](#): > > > > “The only side that targets civilians is Iran.” > > Would have thought there was ample evidence that when US weaponry is lethally directed against school children it’s considered an expression of the 2nd Amendment. > > I can hear an NRA spokesman now: “The only way to prevent this happening is to arm the teachers, globally.” ---
**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:** [March 8, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/641 "2026-03-08T13:49:30Z")
**moderating** Way off topic. I’ll hide it as it is so far off-topic. Domestic gun issues is a different thread. [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=31) [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=33)