Trump says he bombed Iran

[quintessentone]

I mean, we have to hope to the contrary.

But i don't imagine Iran is anywhere near down and out just yet. 

Summer is going to be expensive, put it that way.

Unless cooler heads prevail...

But given the temperature of the place...

Iran is allowing other countries (India, China, Pakistan, Turkey) passage through the Strait, so there is a lot of room to cause more conflicts on the water with other countries, just saying.

[andy06shake]

Iran is allowing other countries (India, China, Pakistan, Turkey) passage through the Strait, so there is a lot of room to cause more conflicts on the water with other countries, just saying.

Pirates of "OPEC."

Not quite got the same ring to it as "Pirates of the Caribbean." 

We might need to work on the title. 

But you may not be too far wrong.

Anyone for "Mad Max" on the water?

Jokes aside, and as you suggest, the potential for oil theft and piracy may well be on the cards beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

[quintessentone]

Pirates of "OPEC."

Not quite got the same ring to it as "Pirates of the Caribbean." 

We might need to work on the title. 

But you may not be too far wrong.

Anyone for "Mad Max" on the water?

Jokes aside, and as you suggest, the potential for oil theft and piracy may well be on the cards beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

No, I think the piracy in the Caribbean is quite an accurate take.

[andy06shake]

No, I think the piracy in the Caribbean is quite an accurate take.

Yo ho ho and a barrel of Brent? 

Joking aside, the potential for escalation is rather obvious.

Hence, the reason the past 7 POTUS declined to enter into a direct conflict with Iran...

[EXETER]

It’s so painfully obvious already at this point what is happening here.

Destroy one of the last countries not controlled by Rothchilds’ banks.

Bleed the American military in another war.

Bleed the American people by wrecking the consumers’ spending ability.

Destroy the world economy through surging energy crisis.

Allow Israel to begin its plans of dominating the Levant.

Wipe Palestinians off the map so this glitzy condos can go up beachside.

Allow China to acquire Taiwan without trepidation.

Pay out 3-letter agencies/MIC so they can play with their new UAv/drone toys.

Destroy America’s standing and political capital. 

Voila. C’est Magnifique!

What I miss?

You missed the fact that Trump plans to personally make an obscene amount of money by seizing control of as much of the world's oil supply as possible while simultaneously increasing the demand by opposing renewable energy projects wherever he can. First, Venezuela, with the world's largest known oil reserves.  Then--a couple of months later--Iran, with the world's third largest reserves.  Why do you suppose he keeps on fantasizing about making Canada the 51st state?  Oh, that's right, Canada has the world's fourth largest known reserves.

[andy06shake]

You missed the fact that Trump plans to personally make an obscene amount of money by seizing control of as much of the world's oil supply as possible while simultaneously increasing the demand by opposing renewable energy projects wherever he can. First, Venezuela, with the world's largest known oil reserves.  Then--a couple of months later--Iran, with the world's third largest reserves.  Why do you suppose he keeps on fantasizing about making Canada the 51st state?  Oh, that's right, Canada has the world's fourth largest known reserves.

Does anybody play or watch "Fallout?"

Im a massive fan of the games.

And talk about life imitating art.

Ladies and germs, these kinds of shenanigans are not exactly a hop, skip, and jump.

Away from the "Resource Wars" that preceded and led up to "Vault-Tec's" little experiment with the remainder of humanity.  
 
https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Resource_Wars

[putnam6]

There is still significant value in deploying Marines (specifically a Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, with amphibious ships) to the region even without launching a full-scale ground invasion of Iran.
In short, Marines offer scalable, expeditionary tools that give commanders options in a naval/coastal theater like the Persian Gulf—making deployment worthwhile for containing the conflict and protecting global interests, even if no all-out ground war ensues.

Deterrence and presence — Positioning Marines offshore signals U.S. resolve, discouraging further Iranian escalation (e.g., mining the strait, using fast boats, or anti-ship missiles) without immediate ground commitment.
Rapid crisis response — MEUs are designed for quick-reaction missions: maritime security patrols, protecting or escorting commercial vessels, non-combatant evacuations (e.g., of U.S. personnel or allies), or reinforcing regional bases.
Limited, targeted operations — Options include raids on coastal sites (e.g., missile batteries, ports used for attacks, or islands in the strait), seizing key facilities like oil terminals (e.g., Kharg Island discussions), or clearing threats without occupying large swaths of Iranian territory. Amphibious forces excel at such "from the sea" actions.
Supporting broader objectives — Enhancing protection of shipping lanes, countering Iranian naval/minelaying threats (which airstrikes alone haven't fully neutralized), and providing options if the conflict widens—without the massive commitment of a full invasion.

Is there no point in deploying Marines to the region unless the U.S. intends to launch a full-scale ground invasion of Iran?
Searching the web
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No, there is still significant value in deploying Marines (specifically a Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, with amphibious ships) to the region even without launching a full-scale ground invasion of Iran.The current context (as of mid-March 2026) involves an ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began with strikes on February 28, 2026. Iran has responded by attacking commercial shipping and attempting to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil supply. This has driven up energy prices and threatened international trade.Recent deployments include elements like the 31st MEU (around 2,200–2,500 Marines) aboard ships such as the USS Tripoli (an amphibious assault ship) and associated vessels, redeployed from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East.These forces provide flexible, sea-based capabilities that serve multiple purposes short of a large-scale invasion (which would require far greater troop numbers, sustained logistics, and different force structures like Army divisions for holding territory):
Deterrence and presence — Positioning Marines offshore signals U.S. resolve, discouraging further Iranian escalation (e.g., mining the strait, using fast boats, or anti-ship missiles) without immediate ground commitment.
Rapid crisis response — MEUs are designed for quick-reaction missions: maritime security patrols, protecting or escorting commercial vessels, non-combatant evacuations (e.g., of U.S. personnel or allies), or reinforcing regional bases.
Limited, targeted operations — Options include raids on coastal sites (e.g., missile batteries, ports used for attacks, or islands in the strait), seizing key facilities like oil terminals (e.g., Kharg Island discussions), or clearing threats without occupying large swaths of Iranian territory. Amphibious forces excel at such "from the sea" actions.
Supporting broader objectives — Enhancing protection of shipping lanes, countering Iranian naval/minelaying threats (which airstrikes alone haven't fully neutralized), and providing options if the conflict widens—without the massive commitment of a full invasion.
Experts note that bombing from the air has limits against mobile or hardened threats like small boats, mines, or coastal defenses—ground or amphibious elements can address gaps that airpower can't fully cover.While some reports speculate about escalation (e.g., potential raids to secure uranium sites or oil resources, or foothold operations along the coast), the deployment's primary reported role aligns with rapid-response and deterrence rather than prelude to occupying Iran. A true full-scale invasion would involve orders of magnitude more forces and explicit political decisions far beyond current moves.In short, Marines offer scalable, expeditionary tools that give commanders options in a naval/coastal theater like the Persian Gulf—making deployment worthwhile for containing the conflict and protecting global interests, even if no all-out ground war ensues.

[Oldcarpy2]

You missed the fact that Trump plans to personally make an obscene amount of money by seizing control of as much of the world's oil supply as possible while simultaneously increasing the demand by opposing renewable energy projects wherever he can. First, Venezuela, with the world's largest known oil reserves.  Then--a couple of months later--Iran, with the world's third largest reserves.  Why do you suppose he keeps on fantasizing about making Canada the 51st state?  Oh, that's right, Canada has the world's fourth largest known reserves.

Maybe our and Norway's North Sea oil fields might be on his list?

[Oldcarpy2]

[Image: https://media0.giphy.com/media/EYgcWOSFyevTy/giphy.gif]

There is still significant value in deploying Marines (specifically a Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, with amphibious ships) to the region even without launching a full-scale ground invasion of Iran.
In short, Marines offer scalable, expeditionary tools that give commanders options in a naval/coastal theater like the Persian Gulf—making deployment worthwhile for containing the conflict and protecting global interests, even if no all-out ground war ensues.

Deterrence and presence — Positioning Marines offshore signals U.S. resolve, discouraging further Iranian escalation (e.g., mining the strait, using fast boats, or anti-ship missiles) without immediate ground commitment.
Rapid crisis response — MEUs are designed for quick-reaction missions: maritime security patrols, protecting or escorting commercial vessels, non-combatant evacuations (e.g., of U.S. personnel or allies), or reinforcing regional bases.
Limited, targeted operations — Options include raids on coastal sites (e.g., missile batteries, ports used for attacks, or islands in the strait), seizing key facilities like oil terminals (e.g., Kharg Island discussions), or clearing threats without occupying large swaths of Iranian territory. Amphibious forces excel at such "from the sea" actions.
Supporting broader objectives — Enhancing protection of shipping lanes, countering Iranian naval/minelaying threats (which airstrikes alone haven't fully neutralized), and providing options if the conflict widens—without the massive commitment of a full invasion.

Gotta love armchair Generals...

[cherokeetroy]

"warning from Professor Mearsheimer. He explains how the war in Iran will trigger a global famine. With the Strait of Hormuz blocked, the world is losing its fertilizer supply, leading to massive food shortages, hyperinflation, and millions of deaths."

https://x.com/FurkanGozukara/status/2034...19723?s=20



But gas is still cheap!