# United States and Israel are bombing Iran {for current/ongoing events, past/future have specific threads}

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071>\
**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:** 60

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**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 6, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1193 "2026-04-06T14:50:18Z")

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I love that we live in a world where Americans will bend over backwards to explain that the people saying “Death to America” are just being beautifully poetic, but the senile old man saying “no quarter” clearly isn’t using a popular expression without thinking it through, he’s making concrete policy proposals about how to treat POWs 🙄 That makes a ton of sense.

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**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 6, 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/1028071/1194 "2026-04-06T14:53:33Z")

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I’m sure Trump (and Hegseth, who I believe actually said it) would NEVER actually do anything evil! Such upright and decent folks might occasionally say things without thinking them through… but actually doing very bad things? Never! And we should never even consider holding our own leaders to a higher standard than an extremist government. That would be totally unfair!

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**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 6, 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/1028071/1195 "2026-04-06T14:53:50Z")

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**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 6, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1196 "2026-04-06T14:54:54Z")

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**Moderating:**

@Babale & @iiandyiiii take this argument to the Pit or something, but stop it here.

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**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 6, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1197 "2026-04-06T15:10:20Z")

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This topic was automatically opened after 15 minutes.

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1198 "2026-04-06T16:52:21Z")

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Dang mod notes - removed

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**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:** [April 7, 2026, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1199 "2026-04-07T01:55:21Z")

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The Weapons Systems Officer of the downed US-15E fighter jet was rescued nearly 48 hours after his plane was shot down.

155 (!) aircraft were involved in the rescue, including two MC-130J transport aircraft that became stuck in the sand and were later destroyed by the US military.

While I’m grateful that the airman was rescued, I have to shake my head at the cost of extracting one individual from behind enemy lines.

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**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:** [April 7, 2026, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1200 "2026-04-07T02:01:25Z")

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I do wonder why his identity is still unknown while Scott O’Grady rapidly became a household name even before he’d been rescued in Serbia.

I also wonder at what point combat search and rescue would be called off if, hypothetically, when rescuing one airman, it became a boondoggle and more and more aircrews were shot down and now the USA had to rescue not just 1 but 10 or 20 different crewmen.

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**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1201 "2026-04-07T03:58:56Z")

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> [@Railer13](#):
>
> While I’m grateful that the airman was rescued, I have to shake my head at the cost of extracting one individual from behind enemy lines.

Based on some speculation from talking heads on Youtube, I believe the rescue team might have been setting up for a commando raid on Isfahan but had to hastily re-purpose themselves when the WSO landed nearby and every cop, soldier and Iranian redneck with a gun (per the Lego propaganda video Iran themselves put out) all started heading over that way. I don’t think we have heard anything close to the full story yet.

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**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:** [April 7, 2026, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1202 "2026-04-07T04:35:03Z")

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> [@Velocity](#):
>
> I do wonder why his identity is still unknown while Scott O’Grady rapidly became a household name even before he’d been rescued in Serbia.

> [@DWMarch](#):
>
> Based on some speculation from talking heads on Youtube, I believe the rescue team might have been setting up for a commando raid on Isfahan but had to hastily re-purpose themselves when the WSO landed nearby and every cop, soldier and Iranian redneck with a gun (per the Lego propaganda video Iran themselves put out) all started heading over that way.

I’ve also seen speculation that there _never was_ any rescue operation, just an attempt at a raid that went bad. It would explain why the name is unknown.

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**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:** [April 7, 2026, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1203 "2026-04-07T08:15:22Z")

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So what I wrote **[two days ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1182)** is no longer true, as it was not a rescue mission. Neither was this **[really excellent news](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1175)** after all. And the movie they will make about this operation will not be the one **[Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1175)** expected. We shall see who makes this movie, if such a movie is ever made: Hollywood? Bollywood? Mullahwood? Who will be the goodies, who will be the baddies? Is the Weapons Systems Officer really alive?

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**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 7, 2026, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1204 "2026-04-07T09:21:06Z")

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Do you have a cite for your claims here?

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**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:** [April 7, 2026, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1205 "2026-04-07T09:35:19Z")

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Just following **Der\_Trihs** arguments from one post ago.

ETA: When you answer the immediately preceding post Discord does not show the reply sign. You answered me, it does not show, I answered you in this post, and **Der\_Trihs** in my previous post, and it does not show either. Yes, it distorts the message and the argument a bit.

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**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 7, 2026, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1206 "2026-04-07T09:51:32Z")

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Okay, I see, I thought you were commenting on some new story rather than speculation. Maybe the rescue story is all bullshit, but without good reporting it’s no more than baseless internet speculation.

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**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 7, 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/1028071/1207 "2026-04-07T13:02:21Z")

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> [@Pardel-Lux](#):
>
> So what I wrote **[two days ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1182)** is no longer true, as it was not a rescue mission. Neither was this **[really excellent news](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1175)** after all.

Huh? What are you talking about? It “wasn’t a rescue mission”? Of course it was. In what way wasn’t it?

> [@Pardel-Lux](#):
>
> And the movie they will make about this operation will not be the one **[Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1175)** expected.

Why not?

> [@Pardel-Lux](#):
>
> Who will be the goodies, who will be the baddies?

The people who slaughtered their own civilians by the tens of thousands will be the baddies, yeah.

> [@Pardel-Lux](#):
>
> Is the Weapons Systems Officer really alive?

…is there any reason to think that they _aren’t_?

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**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:** [April 7, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1208 "2026-04-07T13:57:59Z")

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Via the _New York Times_, here is the reaction of an ordinary Iranian to the indiscriminate bombing of her country and the bloodcurdling threats:

> Lili, [a] Tehran resident, said that as someone who long opposed her government and sympathized with the nationwide demonstrations that sought to topple it just months ago, Mr. Trump’s threats have shifted her feelings toward the United States and Israel.
> 
> Both countries’ leaders have repeatedly voiced support for Iran’s opposition and encouraged Iranians to use the war to rise against their leaders. But their warplanes are now bombing not just military sites, she said, but critical industrial facilities, universities, and schools.
> 
> “So now, we are supporting Iran and whatever government is running it,” she said.

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**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 7, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1209 "2026-04-07T14:30:09Z")

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You mean people don’t like being bombed and having their neighbors and children killed? Shocking!

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**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:** [April 7, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1210 "2026-04-07T14:33:19Z")

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[![](https://y.yarn.co/21d3d920-90be-46d4-b608-b59d22a19373_text.gif) ](https://y.yarn.co/21d3d920-90be-46d4-b608-b59d22a19373_text.gif)

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**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1211 "2026-04-07T14:36:00Z")

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> [@Pardel-Lux](#):
>
> Discord does not show the reply sign…Yes, it distorts the message and the argument a bit.

{Junior modding, without permission}

I avoid this problem by always quoting a sentence or two from the post which I’m replying to. Even when my reply is immediately adjacent and sequential to that post.

(apologies for junior modding}  
{…but I really do think it improves the flow of a thread }

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**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 7, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1212 "2026-04-07T14:37:13Z")

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It appears we have done a fabulous job of bringing together the Iranian people and their government. Great job America!

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