# 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:** 45
**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 17, 2026, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/886 "2026-03-17T12:36:21Z")
**Moderating** : Anything further on Japan would belong in a new thread. > **How to Reply as a linked Topic** > > Click Reply, in the upper left corner of the reply window is the reply type button, _looks like a curving arrow point to the right_. > > Choose **Reply as linked topic** and it starts a new thread. As an example, you can choose GD, IMHO or The Pit for it. > > That is actually the best method. ---
**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 17, 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/1028071/887 "2026-03-17T13:14:27Z")
Nevermind. ---
**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 17, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/888 "2026-03-17T14:44:22Z")
> **[Israel says two top Iranian officials killed in air strikes in blow to Tehran...](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-17/middle-east-live-updates-march-17-2026/106462358)** > > Israel says it has killed Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, one of the country's most senior officials. Read how events unfolded. From the above referenced article: _“There was no let-up in attacks by both sides early on Tuesday, with Iran launching missiles on Israel overnight, underscoring that Tehran retains the capacity to carry out long-range strikes despite more than two weeks of pounding by US and Israeli weapons.”_ ---
**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 17, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/889 "2026-03-17T14:53:58Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > “There was no let-up in attacks by both sides early on Tuesday, with Iran launching missiles on Israel overnight, underscoring that Tehran retains the capacity to carry out long-range strikes despite more than two weeks of pounding by US and Israeli weapons.” Yes, they’re able to launch the very occasional ballistic missile, but their ability to try and overwhelm air defences by saturating them with hundreds of missiles is gone. Also, interesting note from ISW: > **[Iran Update Special Report, March 16, 2026](https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-evening-special-report-march-16-2026/)** > > Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s reported inner circle is dominated by long-standing hardline IRGC commanders. > [@](#): > > Iran has not attacked any vessels in the Strait of Hormuz since March 12. Anti-regime media also published footage on March 12 that shows a US Navy F/A-18 Hornet engaging targets with its auto cannon at extremely low altitude in Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, which is on the Iranian coast on the Gulf of Oman. This suggests that US forces have at least local air dominance along certain segments of the coast, which would enable US aircraft to engage drones and anti-ship cruise missiles at low altitudes to protect shipping if ordered to do so. ---
**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 17, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/890 "2026-03-17T15:48:07Z")
[Top counterterrorism official Kent resigns over Trump’s Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat](https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/top-counterterrorism-official-kent-resigns-over-trump-s-iran-war-says-iran-posed-no-imminent-threat/ar-AA1YPVTX?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ACTS&cvid=69b976fb393841479288f1f4f407b35c&ei=15) > Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing his concerns about the justification for military strikes in Iran and saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration’s war. > > “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent said in a statement posted on social media. ---
**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 17, 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/1028071/891 "2026-03-17T17:54:10Z")
[![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgw_kRcx2RZipVzRNqmBfzDCn9o_wyFWRpaA&s) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgw_kRcx2RZipVzRNqmBfzDCn9o_wyFWRpaA&s) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/892 "2026-03-17T22:11:20Z")
For those who may not remember, Kent was the MAGA favorite that Trump drafted to run for Congress against Jaime Herrera-Beutler after she voted to impeach him. He beat her in the primary, which was for a safe red seat in rural Washington… and then lost to a Democrat. Trump then appointed him to run the NCTC last year. Of course, now Trump never liked him and is glad he’s gone. > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mhbe2li4bi2p)** > > Trump on Joe Kent: "I always thought he was weak on security. Very weak on security. It's a good thing that he's out." ---
**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 17, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/893 "2026-03-17T22:48:11Z")
The underbussing is not surprising. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/894 "2026-03-17T22:54:54Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > underbussing This needs to become part of the Dope vernacular. Well done. ---
**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 17, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/895 "2026-03-17T22:59:46Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > This needs to become part of the Dope vernacular. Well done. Thanks, but not original with me… ---
**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 17, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/896 "2026-03-17T23:45:34Z")
We had the closest explosion so far about an hour ago. It was _loud_, even in our bomb shelter. The news said it killed two people and smashed up Tel Aviv’s biggest train station. Let’s hope it’s the last for the night. ---
**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 17, 2026, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/897 "2026-03-17T23:55:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > The news said it killed two people and smashed up Tel Aviv’s biggest train station. The news says it was an elderly couple in their 70s who were apparently on their way to a shelter but weren’t able to reach it. ---
**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 18, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/898 "2026-03-18T00:18:01Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > underbussing _Subvehicularization._ Your (borrowed) term made my day and it’s not even 8:30 in the morning yet! ---
**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 18, 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/1028071/899 "2026-03-18T01:00:30Z")
Video simulation of war in the Strait of Hormuz: ---
**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 18, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/900 "2026-03-18T01:04:31Z")
The aircraft carrier Ford that experienced a “minor” fire in the laundry (lasted 30+ hours it turns out and displaced 600 sailors to sleeping on decks and tables) is being withdrawn from the fight.The vessel is now heading to Souda Bay in Crete for repairs. > **[Navy Juggles Its Aircraft Carrier Plans To Stay Afloat](https://www.twz.com/sea/navy-juggles-its-aircraft-carrier-plans-to-stay-afloat)** > > One carrier was already tired before it had a fire, another saw its service life extended for the second time, while the delivery of a third is delayed. ---
**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 18, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/901 "2026-03-18T02:19:04Z")
Rumour has it (probably complete BS but hey) that the fire was started by disgruntled sailors who were pissed that they were being sent to a stupid war started by stupid politicians. As I say, probably BS, but one never knows. (And we’ll never know) ---
**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 18, 2026, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/902 "2026-03-18T02:32:56Z")
That [rumor](https://eadaily.com/en/news/2026/03/13/american-sailors-themselves-set-fire-to-the-aircraft-carrier-gerald-r-ford-out-of-fear-parstoday) _has_ been going around for a bit, yes. We might find out eventually, but it’ll take a while. ---
**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 18, 2026, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/903 "2026-03-18T02:39:44Z")
The fire on the USS Ford in the laundry is a little surprising. Not that there was a fire, laundries are prone to said. But the Laundry on large Navy vessels like carriers usually has an excellent fire suppression system as they are prone to fire. Lots of heat and lots of lint is a bad combo. Those machines are huge and numerous and serve 4500+ crew. Even back in the 80s the USS Ranger had a serious fire suppression system. I repaired some of those dryers back then. I would have expected the fire to be put out far faster than it was. Possibly another defect though in the troubled build that is the USS Ford. Doesn’t have to disgruntled sailors involved. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/904 "2026-03-18T02:59:24Z")
Then you and I both sailed with old-timers who remembered [when this had definitely been a real thing.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Our_Ship#:~:text=In%2520March%25201972%2520when%2520the,USS%2520Ranger%2520and%2520USS%2520Forrestal.%E2%80%9D) ---
**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 18, 2026, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/905 "2026-03-18T03:33:02Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The fire on the USS Ford in the laundry is a little surprising. Not that there was a fire, laundries are prone to said. But the Laundry on large Navy vessels like carriers usually has an excellent fire suppression system as they are prone to fire. Lots of heat and lots of lint is a bad combo. Those machines are huge and numerous and serve 4500+ crew. > > Even back in the 80s the USS Ranger had a serious fire suppression system. I repaired some of those dryers back then. Googling, it looks like they’d been at sea a long time - [nearing record-breaking](https://maritime-executive.com/article/uss-ford-likely-to-set-post-vietnam-deployment-record-delaying-maintenance), in fact - and piling up a lot of “deferred maintenance”. So it’s quite possible the answer is the system was broken and nobody knew or fixed it if they did. [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=44) [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=46)