# 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:** 37
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/724 "2026-03-12T11:03:08Z")
Wait a minute, did Iran “unconditionally surrender” when I wasn’t looking? 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/725 "2026-03-12T11:13:17Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I just read an article about the mining of the Strait of Ormuz (Strait Al-Dope in Persian) They’re mining the Straightdope? Now it’s personal. ---
**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 12, 2026, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/726 "2026-03-12T11:14:02Z")
Before fighting started, the U.S. and Israel agreed to leave all naval aspects of the war to the United States, on the assumption that the American military knew far more about naval warfare than the IDF and was far more capable in that field. So… yeah. ---
**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 12, 2026, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/727 "2026-03-12T11:31:26Z")
I am trying to keep my spirits up in a desolate situation, but no, that was not true. I should have perhaps written it Strait Al-Doup to make it less obvious? Anyway, they\* would bomb us if they could. \* They being the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, but beware of “our” side too! ---
**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 12, 2026, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/728 "2026-03-12T11:36:31Z")
So Israel partnered up with a bunch of known ass-clowns and started a war? Sounds like a questionable choice. You sure the current leaders in Israel aren’t also a bunch of known ass-clowns? ---
**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 12, 2026, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/729 "2026-03-12T11:40:48Z")
Oh, they absolutely are. But Israelis, in general, worship the United States. As far as we’re concerned, the U.S. can do no wrong. This isn’t the first time we’ve been suckered into assuming they know what they’re doing, and it won’t be the last. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/730 "2026-03-12T11:42:48Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > They’re mining the Straightdope? Now it’s personal. I laughed. (Hey, we need occasional moments of levity among all this horror.) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/731 "2026-03-12T11:56:11Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > JFC, is this real? Is that actually the president of the USA? Makes you so proud, doesn’t it? REALLY hard to not feel unfavorably towards people who find this sort of display desirable in their leader. My wife has a student in one of her classes who is in the reserves and is concerned about getting called up. Does not favor this war, says he regrets having voted for Trump, and as a result, thinks he will not vote for anyone in the future. 🙄 ---
**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 12, 2026, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/732 "2026-03-12T11:58:35Z")
This worship only appears to extend to one US political party, at least AFAICT from this side of the ponds. ---
**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 12, 2026, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/733 "2026-03-12T12:05:16Z")
A country is more than its political parties. Even when people we’re not crazy about are in power, Israelis still think that America, in general, is awesome. I mean, I despise Trump myself, but I’m still on your side. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/734 "2026-03-12T13:14:33Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Even when people we’re not crazy about are in power, Israelis still think that America, in general, is awesome. Good to know which side your bread is buttered on. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/735 "2026-03-12T13:15:35Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > {quoting Handelsblatt} the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked indefinitely. Doesn’t Iran need the Strait open for shipping? (in order to sell its oil to China.) If the strait is permanently closed, how will Iran survive economically? Oil sales make up half its GDP. ---
**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 12, 2026, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/736 "2026-03-12T13:20:11Z")
Just to be clear: you are quoting the article I had translated, not me. And yes, Iran needs the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping its oil, but if the regime can’t survive, so neither shall the others, it seems to be signaling. It is called nihilism. ---
**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 12, 2026, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/737 "2026-03-12T13:29:55Z")
Closing the Strait is very logical for the Iranian government - showing they have the power to decimate global trade indefinitely, even while the US is clobbering them, will be a very, very strong deterrent for future attacks against them. ---
**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 12, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/738 "2026-03-12T13:31:21Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > And yes, Iran needs the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping its oil, but if the regime can’t survive, so neither shall the others, it seems to be signaling. It is called nihilism. The difference is that Iran’s regime might fall because the Straits are closed, but the rest of the world doesn’t rely on the Straits to nearly the same extent. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/739 "2026-03-12T13:36:04Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > but if the regime can’t survive, so neither shall the others, it seems to be signaling Yeah, but right now there is no real danger to the Ayatollah’s regime. They have suffered damage to a lot of buildings, and maybe lost a few thousand soldiers, but the regime has survived, and still has the ability to kill tens of thousands of their own citizens to stop any rebellion, just like they did 3 months ago. And they know that Trump will have to quit soon. Iran will immediately start rebuilding its army, which will take a lot of money, and so the Strait of Hormuz will be vital to Iran, more than to the rest of the world. I don’t get their logic. ---
**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 12, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/740 "2026-03-12T13:42:08Z")
War update: > **[Iran Update Evening Special Report, March 11, 2026](https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-evening-special-report-march-11-2026/)** > > Iran’s attacks targeting radars and other missile defense equipment in the Gulf have not degraded air defenses. Some key notes: 1. Iran has been trying to target US radar installations in the region in order to degrade missile defense capabilities, but they do not appear to have been successful as interception rates remain high. Iran has suffered tremendous losses when it comes to their missile launchers, leaving them with a severe bottleneck as far as launching further missions. 2. Hezbollah’s efforts to join the war have led to them losing their last bits of political support within Lebanon, including their longtime allies the Amal Movement voting to outlaw their military activity. 3. US and Israeli strikes continue to target Basij and other security forces, especially in the heavily Kurdish northern part of the country. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/741 "2026-03-12T14:03:01Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > War is over! > > ['We've won' Trump says of Iran war: 'They didn’t expect anything like this'](https://apnews.com/video/weve-won-trump-says-of-iran-war-they-didnt-expect-anything-like-this-fc26e5da9b3e4ba681c2fad7af9e4f49?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share) As GWB would say, “Mission Accomplished!”™ ---
**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 12, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/742 "2026-03-12T14:19:04Z")
It’s about deterring the next attack, as well as motivating taco Trump to stop this one. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/743 "2026-03-12T14:26:51Z")
I agree that both those goals are logical for Iran–(deter the next attack, and force Trump to stop). And blocking the Strait of Hormuz temporarily is a good way for them to accomplish those goals. But the link in German says that the block will be permanent because nobody has the technology to clear them. Iran is going to need a lot of money very soon, and the only way to get it is to sell their oil, using the Strait. Is the link wrong? Maybe Iran does have technical abilities to clear the mines (I dunno, using suicide drone boats or something?) [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=36) [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=38)