# 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:** 40
**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 13, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/786 "2026-03-13T15:42:40Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Just gas for cars and SUVs costing more in the US will exert pressure on the current administration. And that doesn’t even require foreign pressure at this point. Also agriculture products like urea are driving up prices for farmers. One fifth of oil and LNG shipments worldwide. A concern I have, not sure if it is well-founded, is if the US starts to escort transport ships, then do we open ourselves up to more US casualties? ---
**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 13, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/787 "2026-03-13T15:44:43Z")
Of course. And loss of ships too. And environmental damage. ---
**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, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/788 "2026-03-13T15:51:28Z")
Surely, but only marginally IMHO, Iran would not attack the well defended warships, it will attack the tankers and hope the warships defenses do not stop the attack. ETA: Though, now that I think of it, the morale and propaganda value of successful attack against a warship may be enough to justify at least _trying_ to damage one. ---
**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 13, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/789 "2026-03-13T15:57:44Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > ETA: Though, now that I think of it, the morale and propaganda value of successful attack against a warship may be enough to justify at least _trying_ to damage one. Also, the more effort they put into defending themselves, the less effort the naval ships can put into defending any civilian targets. ---
**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 13, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/790 "2026-03-13T18:55:03Z")
Ground forces on the move. Also, all six crewman on the crashed tanker confirmed dead. > **[Marine Expeditionary Unit Deploying To The Middle East: Report](https://www.twz.com/news-features/marine-expeditionary-unit-deploying-to-the-middle-east-report)** > > The flotilla of Navy ships with Marines and their vehicles packed aboard will bring a very flexible set of capabilities to Operation Epic Fury. ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/791 "2026-03-13T19:38:30Z")
I’m sure we will be greeted like liberating heros /s ---
**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, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/792 "2026-03-13T19:48:42Z")
2200 marines, looks like to few by far to held the coastal area of the Straits, perhaps they plan on landing close to launch sites, destroying them and then going back to the ship? A dubious strategy. Or is just a flex? Unless more troops follow this doesn’t make much sense. ---
**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 13, 2026, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/793 "2026-03-13T19:54:53Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > 2200 marines, looks like to few by far to held the coastal area of the Straits, perhaps they plan on landing close to launch sites, destroying them and then going back to the ship? They’re probably planning to hold one of the islands in the Strait. ---
**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 13, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/794 "2026-03-13T20:06:38Z")
That’s the most plausible speculation that I have read. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/795 "2026-03-13T20:24:29Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > They’re probably planning to hold one of the islands in the Strait. They might be looking at grabbing Kharg Island. Which, according to reports, has not been bombed. It has the terminal for virtually all Iranian oil exports. > **[Kharg Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharg_Island)** > > Kharg Island (Persian: جزیره خارک), also spelt Khark Island and often referred to as the "Forbidden Island", is a continental island of Iran in the Persian Gulf. The island is 25 km (16 mi) off the coast of Iran and 483 km (300 mi) northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Its total area is 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi), and it has its own freshwater supply. Administered by the adjacent coastal Bushehr province, Kharg Island provides a sea port for the export of up to 90 per cent of its oil products, and is ther... ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/796 "2026-03-13T20:27:21Z")
Ahhh, I hadn’t thought about Iranian exports _vis a vis_ Kharg Island even though I knew both of the sides of the puzzle (that the island is used for exports and that the Iranians are still exporting.) Up until now I had been thinking about how it wouldn’t be useful for _other_ countries to export since the Strait would still be closed. But I still think it would be easier to just stop the tankers via naval methods than an invasion. ---
**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 13, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/797 "2026-03-13T20:27:58Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > They might be looking at grabbing Kharg Island. I’ve seen that speculation, but that would seem to be a strange target since it’s way deep inside the Gulf rather than at the Straits. ---
**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 13, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/798 "2026-03-13T20:47:50Z")
It would also be a prime target. Think Snake island in Ukraine. Impossible to hold for either side. A small immobile missile and drone sponge. ---
**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 13, 2026, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/799 "2026-03-13T20:50:38Z")
The Iranians are going to blow up their own oil facilities? Kharg Island is too valuable to the Iranians for them to attack - which makes it the perfect prize for the U.S. It’s the geopolitical equivalent of taking a family member hostage. ---
**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, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/800 "2026-03-13T21:10:31Z")
American boots on the ground in Iran. Goody. /s (There was more to this post, but I saw the mod note about being critical of Trump.) ---
**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 13, 2026, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/801 "2026-03-13T21:54:05Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The Iranians are going to blow up their own oil facilities? If it’s a choice between them or the US having it, yes. ---
**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 13, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/802 "2026-03-13T21:56:15Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > If it’s a choice between them or the US having it, yes. The U.S. doesn’t need it. Held by the U.S., blown up, it doesn’t matter - either way, Iran loses. ---
**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 13, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/803 "2026-03-13T22:02:29Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The U.S. doesn’t need it. Held by the U.S., blown up, it doesn’t matter - either way, Iran loses. Then they might as well shoot at it and hope to kill some Americans. ---
**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 13, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/804 "2026-03-13T22:04:16Z")
Right? What a strange exchange. “Those 2200 marines would make a fine target on that island.” “The Iranians wouldn’t blow up their own oil.” “What if they do?” “Who cares, it’s all the same to us.” Fuck the 2200 marines, I guess. ---
**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, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/805 "2026-03-13T22:07:26Z")
You seem to think that the Iranian government will reasonably accept losing power without doing everything it can to make it as Pyrrhic a victory for their opponents as they can. That doesn’t sound too likely to me. [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=39) [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=41)