# 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:** 48
**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 19, 2026, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/946 "2026-03-19T09:29:00Z")
Maybe Trump just forgot? Surely he wouldn’t lie about something so important! ---
**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 19, 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/1028071/947 "2026-03-19T15:44:55Z")
Hey, bro, can you spare **[200,000,000,000 dollar](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/world/middleeast/pentagon-200-billion-iran-war-funding-hegseth.html?unlocked_article_code=1.UVA.BO-y.pVi3clYUwGwt&smid=url-share)**? For comparison: > On Capitol Hill, the sum — nearly a quarter of the country’s entire annual defense budget — is already raising eyebrows among some moderate Republicans who would be key to approving the funds. > […] > In 2014, the Congressional Research Service calculated that the United States spent [$815 billion in direct costs](https://sgp.fas.org/crs/natsec/RL33110.pdf) for the war in Iraq over 13 years. A recent report from the Council on Foreign Relations, compiled from official government statistics, found that the United States had dedicated [$188 billion in aid](https://www.cfr.org/articles/how-much-us-aid-going-ukraine) to shore up Ukraine’s war effort since Russia invaded in early 2022. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/948 "2026-03-19T19:56:48Z")
Good lord, I hope there is substantial pushback. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/949 "2026-03-19T23:50:59Z")
I still say that it is all but an ~~ice~~ Greenlandish headfake operation… ( let’s keep his only neuron busy with other s\*\*\* ) ---
**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 20, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/950 "2026-03-20T03:00:01Z")
There is a report that an F-35 took a hit from some sort of Iranian projectile but managed to make a safe emergency landing. If so, this gives vibes of the 1999 Nighthawk that was shot down over Serbia. It would be the second time a stealth warplane has taken a hit from enemy action. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/951 "2026-03-20T03:40:53Z")
$200,000,000,000 here and $200,000,000,000 there and you are starting to talk about real money! It’s amazing that we spent $800B over 13 years back then but we’ve blown through a quarter of that in 3 weeks. WTEF? BTW, this is what I keep saying about how right wing media hides bad news. Go to CNN, NPR, etc and you can find this news. Go to the Fox News website and you won’t find mention of it that I can find. ---
**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 20, 2026, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/952 "2026-03-20T04:28:12Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > There is a report that an F-35 took a hit from some sort of Iranian projectile Still a lot of speculation but here is a bit more information. > **[USAF F-35 Makes Emergency Landing After Allegedly Being Hit by Iranian Fire](https://www.twz.com/air/usaf-f-35-makes-emergency-landing-after-allegedly-being-hit-by-iranian-fire)** > > The F-35 was flying a combat mission over Iran when it was forced to divert to a U.S. airbase. The F-35 was flying a combat mission over Iran when it was forced to divert to a U.S. airbase. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/953 "2026-03-20T09:31:30Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > It’s amazing that we spent $800B over 13 years back then but we’ve blown through a quarter of that in 3 weeks. WTEF? > > BTW, this is what I keep saying about how right wing media hides bad news. Go to CNN, NPR, etc and you can find this news. Go to the Fox News website and you won’t find mention of it that I can find. Does this count? > **[Pentagon’s request for $200B for war in Iran divides Congress | Fox News Video](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6391229851112)** > > Fox News contributor Kaylee McGhee White and National Review columnist Caroline Downey discuss U.S. intelligence officials testifying before the Senate and the Pentagon’s funding request for the war in Iran on ‘Fox News @ Night.’  ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/954 "2026-03-20T13:39:17Z")
That came out 9 hours ago and I posted 10 hours ago. BUT, if I go to the main Fox News site and search for it, it is not one of their top couple hundred articles they have posted. Also, that is a video of their talking heads doing what their talking heads always do. Can you find me an article on their website? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/955 "2026-03-20T13:47:19Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > It’s amazing that we spent $800B over 13 years back then but we’ve blown through a quarter of that in 3 weeks. WTEF? It is going to be truly shocking if, during the debate regarding this request, there is not loud and lengthy discussion of how much more will be needed for how long, as well as how much will be required for Cuba, and whomever else he intends to invade. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/956 "2026-03-20T15:01:59Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > That came out 9 hours ago and I posted 10 hours ago. BUT, if I go to the main Fox News site and search for it, it is not one of their top couple hundred articles they have posted. Also, that is a video of their talking heads doing what their talking heads always do. Can you find me an article on their website? Last time I checked, their coverage was dominated by stories of young people having wild parties in Democrat led cities. ---
**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 20, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/957 "2026-03-20T15:07:50Z")
**Moderating:** Please, don’t take this thread off to a meta discussion of news coverage. Either find a more general thread for it or start a new one. > **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:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/958 "2026-03-20T17:02:16Z")
From [the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/20/iran-war-live-updates-oil-prices-israel-netanyahu-ground-component-us-tensions-hormuz#top-of-blog): > "The Trump administration is considering occupying or blockading Iran’s Kharg Island to pressure Iran into reopening the strait of Hormuz. > > “‘[Trump] wants Hormuz open. If he has to take Kharg Island to make it happen, that’s going to happen. If he decides to have a coastal invasion, that’s going to happen. But that decision hasn’t been made,’ a senior administration official told Axios.” You know, the White House could take either or both of those extreme measures and find that it still hasn’t restored safe passage through the strait! How do the lyrics to “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” go again? ---
**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 20, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/959 "2026-03-20T17:03:35Z")
Bibi says that the war will need a “ground compenent” [https://thehill.com/policy/international/5793156-netanyahu-iran-regime-ground-troops/](https://thehill.com/policy/international/5793156-netanyahu-iran-regime-ground-troops/) And we are deploying more Marines [https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5793273-pentagon-speeds-up-marine-deployment/](https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5793273-pentagon-speeds-up-marine-deployment/) ---
**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 20, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/960 "2026-03-20T17:09:33Z")
Brilliant. I wonder why other presidents didn’t think of this! ---
**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 20, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/961 "2026-03-20T17:22:33Z")
Has there ever been a time before in history when Israel was such a steering wheel in what the USA did? I mean, it probably always has been to some extent, but this seems like an unprecedented level. ---
**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 20, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/962 "2026-03-20T17:39:47Z")
Bold of you to assume the U.S. even has a steering wheel right now. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 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/1028071/963 "2026-03-20T17:50:31Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Has there ever been a time before in history when Israel was such a steering wheel in what the USA did? I mean, it probably always has been to some extent, but this seems like an unprecedented level. I know. I kind of feel worried I’m running into anti-Semetic ideas of Jews running the United States, but it does appear Israel really, really did a good job duping the United States. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/964 "2026-03-20T18:02:03Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Has there ever been a time before in history when Israel was such a steering wheel in what the USA did? I remember people questioning whether Shapiro’s religion would be a liability. I guess that relieves any worry about people not wishing to vote for Pritzger. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/965 "2026-03-20T18:43:02Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > really did a good job duping the United States. All they had to do was dupe one easily influenced person. Unfortunately, that one person is in charge and no one can tell him no. [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=47) [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=49)