# 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:** 87
**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:** [August 13, 2026, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1735 "2026-08-13T07:44:55Z")
If I may add to this question, do Navy people get a commensurately longer leave if their previous deployment went on longer than expected? For instance, if your deployment was 2x longer than originally planned, do you get 2x longer shore leave? ---
**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:** [August 13, 2026, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1736 "2026-08-13T07:53:17Z")
Nope. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2026, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1737 "2026-08-13T09:17:02Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > You do not get _any_ shore leave? During a years-long war? Performative tough guys like Trump and Hegseth probably consider that a plus. _Real_ “warfighters” don’t need to relax, they live for battle 24/7. And only weaklings who deserve whatever happens to them have mental health issues. Besides, it’s not like it’s _Trump or Hegseth_ are the ones who have to live without leave on a ship with decaying amenities for months at the time. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1738 "2026-08-13T10:02:16Z")
That may be true, but I would prefer what factual information, or at least official statements, there are. Have policies changed since the start of the war? Are neighbouring countries refusing to allow U.S. personnel to land? Is the U.S. low on sailors and/or aircraft carriers? ---
**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:** [August 13, 2026, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1739 "2026-08-13T10:18:16Z")
The US Navy has more carriers than any other Navy currently at 11 super-carriers. The Navy overall is staffed to expected levels but are short a little in mostly junior trained first term sailors at sea. Retension is doing fine after some struggles recently. We have 2 additional Ford Class Carriers being built and when they are ready the Nimitz and Eisenhower scheduled to be retired. The JFK is due 2027. CVN79, The Enterprise CVN80 probably 2032 but subject to change. The US also has smaller flat tops that can carry F35s and Drones, but not designated carriers. Neighboring countries has no meaning, there are no ports near Iran for a US carrier. Generally liberty ports would be back at Guam, South East Asia, Philippines, Japan or Australia. But the issue is sailors want to get home to their families. Long deployments leads to increased divorce rates. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1740 "2026-08-13T17:45:35Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > (Also, a fun thought: > do ya suppose that Trump even knows how the pieces on a chessboard move?) I was thinking the same, but when you just sweep the pieces off the board and declare victory, they move all over the place. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1741 "2026-08-13T20:04:02Z")
I bet he plays chess like a pigeon. > “Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter how good you are, the bird is going to knock over the chess pieces, crap on the board and strut around like it won anyway” It is closely related to wrestling with a pig. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1742 "2026-08-13T21:33:50Z")
In case anyone was wondering what Israel was up to in Lebanon, they clarified today that they aren’t leaving: > **[Iran live updates: 'We are not withdrawing' from south Lebanon, Israeli...](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/iran-live-updates-no-negotiations-081230098.html)** > > President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes. I guess the next step will be to build some houses there then? ---
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1743 "2026-08-14T01:47:24Z")
No, just take the houses and beat the piss out of the people who already live there. ---
**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:** [August 14, 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/1028071/1744 "2026-08-14T02:01:59Z")
[The Lincoln is being replaced.](https://www.aol.com/articles/replacement-aircraft-carrier-heading-middle-171637000.html) > [@](#): > > The military is reportedly preparing to send a new aircraft carrier to the Middle East to [replace the issue-plagued USS Abraham Lincoln](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/uss-abraham-lincoln-sailor-texts-b3032651.html), which has carried out a lengthy and high-stakes deployment as part of the Iran war. > > The USS George Washington will take the Lincoln’s place, U.S. officials [told](https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-sending-fresh-aircraft-carrier-to-middle-east-amid-iran-war-strain-d0d6e98d)_The Wall Street Journal_. The switch is reportedly part of a previously planned rotation. > > The Navy has [said](https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2026-08-13/uss-george-washington-middle-east-abraham-lincoln-22541038.html) it is not publicly discussing plans for [the carriers](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-uss-abraham-lincoln-conditions-b3032737.html) because of operational security concerns. > > The swap comes after sailors and their families have alleged issues on the Lincoln including [food shortages](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/uss-abraham-lincoln-sailor-texts-b3032651.html), months at sea without interruption and deteriorating mental health. > > The George Washington and an accompanying [carrier strike group](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-uss-abraham-lincoln-conditions-b3032737.html) were in the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia on Thursday, USNI News [reports](https://news.usni.org/2026/08/13/uss-george-washington-heading-west-lincoln-deployment-nears-9-months). > > The Lincoln set sail in November and has gone a record-setting 200 days without making a port call, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Aircraft carrier crews typically visit ports roughly once every one or two months. When I was on the USS CARL VINSON, our record between ports was 117 days. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1745 "2026-08-14T02:06:39Z")
200 days is insane. There was a point where we set the record at 121 days on the USS Ranger. I wonder what the record was prior to this 200? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1746 "2026-08-14T02:13:19Z")
199, surely. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1747 "2026-08-14T02:27:34Z")
According to a quick Google, the USS Midway was deployed from April 10, 1972, to March 3, 1973, a total of 332 days. Of course it was actually involved in daily combat situations to keep the crew active and not just cruising about… ---
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1748 "2026-08-14T02:30:26Z")
That was probably not 332 at sea but away from port. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1749 "2026-08-14T02:36:58Z")
And you are right, my bad. The previous (USN) record, according to the US Naval Institute, was: > [@](#): > > USS _Abraham Lincoln_ (CVN-72) and its carrier strike group are in the Arabian Sea, where it has been since January. _Abraham Lincoln_ has been at sea for 241 consecutive days – smashing a [record of 206 days at sea](https://news.usni.org/2021/02/19/dwight-d-eisenhower-carrier-strike-group-begins-second-deployment-in-a-year) set by USS _Dwight D. Eisenhower_ (CVN-69) in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1750 "2026-08-14T03:13:11Z")
Our record had a stop in Diego Garcia as one of the bookends for it. I think it’s still debatable if that should be counted as in port or still at sea. 😉 ---
**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:** [August 14, 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/1028071/1751 "2026-08-14T21:10:45Z")
How long would it typically take them to get back to the US? ---
**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:** [August 14, 2026, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1752 "2026-08-14T21:15:41Z")
Varies, coming back from the IO (Indian Ocean), there is a good chance of a liberty port usually. Keep in mind they can cruise 24 hours per day at 20 knots. If they steam straight home, call it 11,000 nautical mile to get back to San Diego at 500 per day, 22 days. Damn that is a long time to go after what they’ve been through. Technically the carrier could go quicker as no fuel issues, but the escort fleet does has fuel issues so 20 knots is the likely speed for a fast transit. I did check, The USS Abraham Lincoln is based out of San Diego like I expected. My old port. * * * * * * **ETA** : I did a search and it indicated only 11,000 nautical miles, so 3 less days. Also of course, they cannot head home until the Washington relieves them on station. I fixed the numbers above. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1753 "2026-08-15T03:48:03Z")
This shows the Lincoln as being off the coast of Malaysia right now: > **[USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Live Military Ship Tracker | Free Real-Time...](https://www.cruisingearth.com/ship-tracker/united-states-navy/uss-abraham-lincoln/)** > > Track USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) current location for FREE in real-time with our live military ship tracker. View USS Abraham Lincoln's latest position, route, speed, course history, itinerary updates, port destinations, estimated arrival times,... I wonder if they are going to be called upon to assist with the earthquake in Indonesia. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-states-and-israel-are-bombing-iran-for-current-ongoing-events-past-future-have-specific-threads/1028071/1754 "2026-08-17T15:58:13Z")
You cannot make this stuff up! > **[Trump threatens to bomb US ally Oman if it 'gets in the way' over Iran issue](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5dzk0ryzdo)** > > The US and Oman have separately been negotiating to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that has been closed during the US war with Iran. > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman - a US ally - if it “gets in the way” of his administration’s own talks with Iran, Fox News reports. > > The US and Oman have separately been negotiating with Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that is vital to the global economy. It has been largely closed for nearly six months during the US-Iran war. > > A reporter for Fox said the US president made the threat to Oman while using an expletive during a phone interview. > > Earlier in the day, Iranian officials said they were close to finalising a deal with Oman. Meanwhile, the future of talks between the US and Iran is unclear as a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two sides is expiring. I hope Oman learned its lesson and gets some better allies… maybe Iran and China? [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=86) [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=88)