# 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:** 57
**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 31, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1133 "2026-03-31T17:05:26Z")
I am not sure President Ineptstein is able to understand what is fallacious about the sunk cost fallacy. In fact I fear that I know what word he will confuse the fallacy with and the press conference will be epic. ---
**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 31, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1134 "2026-03-31T17:07:34Z")
**Moderating** : This post looks better for a different thread on #iran-strikes-2026 Please no replies to it in this thread. ---
**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 31, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1135 "2026-03-31T17:55:53Z")
Currently… Subtle, thoughtful diplomacy. > **[‘Get your own oil’: Trump launches tirade against Europe for not joining Iran...](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/31/trump-launches-tirade-against-european-countries-not-joining-iran-war?CMP=share_btn_url)** > > Many countries in Europe have called the conflict illegal, with some blocking Israeli and US planes from moving weapons through their airspace ---
**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 31, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1136 "2026-03-31T18:09:19Z")
Metternich eat your heart out! ---
**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 31, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1137 "2026-03-31T19:01:48Z")
And here I thought we didn’t need the UK’s help with a war we’d already won. I wonder where I got that idea? [![](https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019c-ca25-d7e7-a19c-eb3f0d110000/62/ec/9e62cadc4c6c877aa345e88f650a/whatsapp-image-2026-03-07-at-11-08-56-pm.jpeg?&width=1500&height=1131&cmsprod) ](https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019c-ca25-d7e7-a19c-eb3f0d110000/62/ec/9e62cadc4c6c877aa345e88f650a/whatsapp-image-2026-03-07-at-11-08-56-pm.jpeg?&width=1500&height=1131&cmsprod) ---
**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 31, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1138 "2026-03-31T22:14:06Z")
Guess what Trump’s timeframe for ending the war is? > **[Trump says U.S. will leave Iran in 'two or three weeks'](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/31/trump-iran-war.html)** ---
**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 31, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1139 "2026-03-31T22:46:37Z")
Seven is still greater than four, his original timeframe. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1140 "2026-04-01T00:40:22Z")
Yes, we’re sending thousands of troops in that direction just to turn around and send them home. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1141 "2026-04-01T05:40:12Z")
[USAF flying 70-year old bombers in war with Iran.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-military-says-70-old-162120228.html) > [@](#): > > The growing US air superiority over Iran is opening the door for B-52 Stratofortress bombers to fly overland missions, America’s top general said Tuesday. > > The US Air Force has been flying its [B-52 bomber fleet](https://www.businessinsider.com/b-52-bombers-flying-decades-with-us-air-force-2025-6?utm_medium=referral&utm_medium=syndication&utm_source=yahoocom&utm_source=yahoo) for over 70 years. Although it lacks the speed and stealth of bomber aircraft like the B-1 Lancers and B-2 Spirits, the B-52s are a workhorse strike platform and will continue to see service into the coming decades with major upgrades. > > At a Tuesday press briefing, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed operational updates as the [US war with Iran](https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-higher-end-air-defenses-no-longer-factors-us-general-2026-3?utm_medium=referral&utm_medium=syndication&utm_source=yahoocom&utm_source=yahoo) stretches past a month of fighting, including the use of B-52 bombers for overland missions. > > “Over the past 30 days, we’ve struck more than 11,000 targets. Given the increase in air superiority, we’ve successfully started to conduct the first overland B-52 missions, which allow us to continue to get on top of the enemy,” Caine said. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1142 "2026-04-01T15:12:34Z")
The same planes? Or just mostly the same model? ---
**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:** [April 1, 2026, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1143 "2026-04-01T15:15:15Z")
The oldest ones in service are from 1962. Many upgrades since then though. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1144 "2026-04-01T15:33:03Z")
The oldest active B-52H appears to be serial number 60-0001 (i.e., the first B-52H procured in Fiscal Year 1960 and delivered into fleet service in 1961. And in fact, the first B-52 H model.) > **[Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Boeing B-52H-135-BW Stratofortress, s/n...](https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=162368)** > > This Aerial Visuals page provides airframe history details of a specific airframe from the airframe database. | Dates | | Event | | --- | --- | --- | | | | Constructed as a B-52H-135-BW by Boeing at Wichita, Kansas, USA. | | | | This was the first B-52H to roll off the Boeing assembly line. | | 3 May 1961 | | Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 60-0001. | Still active. I found a Facebook post from January of this year when the A/C made a little jaunt to Tinker AFB. > **[172K views · 6.1K reactions | B-52H Stratofortress 60-0001 "Memphis Belle IV"...](https://www.facebook.com/RedhomeAviation/videos/b-52h-stratofortress-60-0001-memphis-belle-iv-arrives-at-tinker-afb-as-doom72-fo/889262793860866/)** > > B-52H Stratofortress 60-0001 "Memphis Belle IV" arrives at Tinker AFB as "Doom72" for a quick stop before heading back to Barksdale AFB, LA. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1145 "2026-04-01T15:40:04Z")
Thanks. Almost as old as my tractors! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1146 "2026-04-02T00:25:56Z")
# “Casualty Cover-Up”: The Pentagon Is Hiding U.S. Losses Under Trump in the Middle East [https://theintercept.com/2026/04/01/iran-war-us-casualty-numbers-trump-hegseth/](https://theintercept.com/2026/04/01/iran-war-us-casualty-numbers-trump-hegseth/) ---
**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:** [April 2, 2026, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1147 "2026-04-02T10:03:58Z")
Is anyone who initially supported this war ready to admit what a colossal screwup it has been? If so, can you explain why you thought this would go any better than it has? ---
**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:** [April 3, 2026, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1148 "2026-04-03T12:46:24Z")
It’s not a war. It’s an… I don’t know, a conflict, something. Put on by our new Department Of War. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2026, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1149 "2026-04-03T12:48:54Z")
Or to borrow from the Korean War, IIRC, a “Police Action” ---
**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:** [April 3, 2026, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1150 "2026-04-03T13:00:26Z")
> **[US F-15E pilot likely captured by Iranian forces: Local media - Türkiye Today](https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/us-f-15e-pilot-likely-captured-by-iranian-forces-local-media-3217422)** > > Reports say a US F-15E was downed in Iran, with the pilot ejecting and possibly captured, though claims remain unconfirmed and conflicting ---
**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:** [April 3, 2026, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1151 "2026-04-03T13:02:18Z")
Another detailed update from the ISW (these are published daily) > **[Iran Update Special Report, April 2, 2026](https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-special-report-april-2-2026/)** > > The combined force has begun striking targets in Iran beyond narrowly defined military targets, by the Institute for the Study of War. Some key takeaways; the IDF has been taking out many of Iran’s missile forces’ commanders, which has been causing serious issues for Iran in terms of being able to fight back. > [@](#): > > Mokkarram Azimi: The IDF announced on April 2 that it killed the commander of a central ballistic missile unit in Kermanshah Province, Mokkarram Azimi, as well as several battalion commanders in the same unit who were responsible for dozens of missile launches at Israel.[21] Strikes on missile unit commanders such as Azimi likely explain, in part, why Iran has struggled to conduct large-scale missile barrages at Israel. And indeed, Iran _tried_ to turn up the heat over Passover evening in order to up the pressure on Israeli civilians, but they were foiled by the IDF: > [@](#): > > Iran launched over 20 missiles targeting Israel between April 1 and 2.[25] The IDF said on April 2 that Iran launched about 20 missiles within a 24-hour period.[26] One ballistic missile impacted in Petah Tikva, central Israel, on April 2.[27] At least two of the missiles that Iran launched during the 24-hour period contained warheads with cluster munitions.[28] The launch of 20 missiles within a 24-hour period represents a slight uptick in the volume of Iranian fire targeting Israel in recent days. Iran has fired around 10 to 15 missiles targeting Israel per day in recent weeks.[29] The IDF assessed that Iran tried to launch “dozens” more ballistic missiles during the 24-hour period, but that IDF airstrikes thwarted these efforts.[30] And it’s not just launches at Israel that are down. Much hay was made of Iran’s drones and shorter range ballistic missiles, and the supposed idea that nothing could slow their barrages at American bases in the surrounding Gulf states. Well, it turns out that the IRGC is feeling the pain here, too: [![](https://understandingwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NEW-Iranian-Launches-at-KSA-March-1-April-2-FINAL-1536x1152.webp) ](https://understandingwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NEW-Iranian-Launches-at-KSA-March-1-April-2-FINAL-1536x1152.webp) [![](https://understandingwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NEW-Iranian-Launches-at-the-UAE-April-2-FINAL-1024x768.webp) ](https://understandingwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NEW-Iranian-Launches-at-the-UAE-April-2-FINAL-1024x768.webp) ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2026, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1152 "2026-04-03T13:43:42Z")
This all seems a bit confused. In particular, the F-15E has a two-man crew, so why do the articles only mention the pilot? Then a separate article shows Iran claiming they shot down an F-35, but that wreckage looks much more like an F-15 to me. I think it’s best just to take all of those claims with multiple handfuls of salt until confirmation. ETA: OK, I did find another article that correctly refers to the search being for two crew members. [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=56) [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=58)