Trump says he bombed Iran

[DBCowboy]

I simply disagree.

Playing by rules is what separates us from them. When you start targeting civilian infrastructure, or civilians just to salt the earth, we're no different at that point.

There are a lot of different interests at play here. The US interest is to end this conflict as soon as possible while achieving our objectives. I think Israel's interests are to make sure that every Gulf country hates Iran as much as they do (emphasis on I think there, I can't read minds, nor speak for a foreign nation).

There are very few parties who are weathering this well. Russia is probably the only net positive. We are probably doing the best at weathering it for now, until spot oil price begins to equalize. Right now there is about a 50% differential on WTI, Brent and Gulf oil. That's a really long conversation on how that spread got so much disparity, but mainly its a logistics and refinery setup big economic regions have. It will eventually start to get closer to parity. 

But understand that this current escalation trap we're on can backfire. 

No matter how much someone hates their own government, they're going to hate any government that takes out their clean water and electricity. It will unify populations against foreign threats.

Worse than that, these Gulf countries who have only one major source of revenue have damage and production losses that are soon becoming more than short term problems. It took decades to build all these relationships with those nations, and there are religious elements to their populations. We saw a lot of foreign fighters enter Iraq who were sympathetic to ousting the Westerners... The neighboring countries didn't feel the pain that is being felt now. What happens if Bahrain's government falls? What happens if the Houthis enter and close off the Red Sea too which is supplementing a lot of the lost global supply with the Saudi bypass pipeline?

These aren't new questions. These are scenarios many people have war gamed out in the open for decades.

When only one side "plays by the rules", they will always lose.

[Oldcarpy2]

Iran has had "control" of that straight since 79 and has closed it during conflicts many times.  1988 is the big one, go take a look sometime.

I know.  But this is bigger, and now.  It's 2026.

What with your War and all.

[FlyersFan]

Playing by rules is what separates us from them. 

We ARE playing by the rules.

Israel is targeting economic infrastructure.
They are of the Middle East mentality.
For them to do otherwise would be seen as weak.

[FlyersFan]

When only one side "plays by the rules", they will always lose.

In the Middle East, that's a for sure.

[PorkChop96]

I know.  But this is bigger, and now.  It's 2026.

What with your War and all.

Only difference now is that Trump won't hesitate to sink every last ship that would even think of threatening a US ship, Iran never really showed their true selves to Reagan so he was apprehensive at best. 


Whatever you say bud

[bastion]

Is Pakistan the next hit because Gabbard says they are the greatest nuclear threat to U.S.?

North Korea has stolen $2 Billion in Crypto so far to fund it's military programs.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T_c03HA4M0]

Pretty crazy. Pakistan certainly has a problem with Wahabism and militant Islam being widespread in Madrasas but NK are a far greater 'threat'. Russia are a far bigger one given their weekly calls to nuke UK/Europe and ICBM capabiliity to carry out such an attack but the US gov kowtowed to them and lifted some sanctions for limited, temporary, domestic gain then moaned at those faciing nuclear holocaust for not being  enthusistuc enough tukeys voting for christmas.

[cherokeetroy]

Israel is targeting economic infrastructure.

"A U.S. defense official confirmed the Israeli strike on the gas facility in Iran was coordinated with the Trump administration"

https://x.com/BarakRavid/status/20342704...14276?s=20

[Oldcarpy2]

Only difference now is that Trump won't hesitate to sink every last ship that would even think of threatening a US ship, Iran never really showed their true selves to Reagan so he was apprehensive at best. 


Whatever you say bud

Ships are not the only threat, but we are talking about tankers, as the Strait remains closed.

You wanted our help, threw a hissy fit, and now you don't need it.

You are a laughing stock.

[cherokeetroy]

"This is a major development. Qatari officials spoke out about the strikes earlier today against Iran’s South Pars field over concern that Iran could target their energy infrastructure in response. Ras Laffan is the largest liquefied natural gas export facility in the world."


Ministry of Interior - Qatar:
"Civil Defence is responding to a fire in the Ras Laffan area following an Iranian targeting."

https://x.com/TreyYingst/status/20343402...90342?s=20

[CriticalStinker]

We ARE playing by the rules.

Israel is targeting economic infrastructure.
They are of the Middle East mentality.
For them to do otherwise would be seen as weak.

Fine, things are different there. Let's say they would have done this eventually, so we preempted.

What does that achieve? Now Iran retaliates on infrastructure in other Gulf nations and the global energy supply continues to dip. Was it worth it if their regime is still standing in a month? 

Now we have other Gulf allies who are hurting (I don't consider them allies, but that's the official line), and the global energy market is strained.

We're still letting Iranian oil tankers through, and I don't see that changing because attacking them if they're destined for China would flirt with an act of war. But tensions are going to raise globally.

We're even blatantly telling the world that, they'll be more effected than us, so they better come involve themselves in a war they weren't even read in on. Trump even alleged on 03/07 that the UK was going to send two aircraft carriers, and he told them we don't want other countries trying to join in on wars we already won.

This doesn't look like some grand controlled plan to me, and the only country I can think of one country that we're not actively pissing off right now, maybe two if you include Russia.