"So does the Iranian regime finally fall THIS TIME?" Topic

Ok

I'd ask: where is this Iranian strategy documented? First hand transcript not AI, not euro, Australian or U.S. MSM. Especially NOT the guardian or Irish sources! Not Russian sources! Not Chinese sources! Not like minded Muslim sources!
Transcripts directly from the Ayatollah's mouth.
Other sources not acceptable.

(See, I can play this ridiculous game too.) 😏

"Iran's strategy is to preserve its "missile cities" (a complex of underground factories and warehouses for producing and storing missiles). Only a concrete-piercing "superbomb" can damage them, and only a large bomber can deliver it. But these bombers don't risk using them, meaning Iran's air defenses aren't suppressed."

Those sites are for the big ordinances. The availability of which have been limited due to range. But now we have closer bases.

Today, Iran International:

"1 hour ago
White House says US hitting Iran missile sites with B-2 bunker busters

"The US military is moving to dismantle Iran's missile production infrastructure. Our incredible B2 bombers recently dropped dozens of 2000 pound penetrator bombs on deeply buried missile sites," White House Press Secretary told reporters on Tuesday"

Will it work? We really won't know until this adventure is done for a while.

But this I guarantee. As long as those currently in charge here and in Israel are in power, they will have NO issues hitting them again and again and again and again.

Same with any leader that the Israelis and US don't want. Eventually you have to come out and Israel has proven to be a master at nailing those they want. Time is NOT an issue. Ask all those old Nazis who escaped. Oh, you can't.

Do these Nazis include Verner von Braun, who escaped a lynching at Nuremberg because he was useful to the Americans? Asking for a kamerad.

Second:

Same criteria as the other. 😏

"The second part of the strategy is to destroy the enemy's air defense infrastructure in the region, thereby reducing its ability to intercept Iranian missiles. When the anti-Iranian forces' air defenses are significantly degraded, hundreds of cheap drones will be able to penetrate any target with relative ease. Just like what's happening in Ukraine. Moreover, these drones will most likely operate in swarms, carry anti-aircraft missiles for self-defense, and be accompanied by a large number of dummy drones to distract enemy air defenses. But these are, of course, my assumptions."

This says "assumptions".

Source BBC. But I could grab others.

Not an assumption.

"As of March 10, 2026, air defense coalitions are intercepting over 90% of massive Iranian missile and drone barrages targeting the Middle East. Key areas targeted include the UAE (over 2,150 threats intercepted), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Israel. The UAE specifically reported intercepting nearly all of 186 ballistic missiles."

From AI hitting many MSM sources (well except Fox and Newsmax 🙄 Seriously their news icons don't roll by as AI is thinking. 😂).

"As of March 10, 2026, Iranian forces have reportedly targeted and damaged at least seven U.S. military sites across the Middle East, with a specific focus on disabling the radar and communication infrastructure that powers regional missile defense.
The New York Times
The New York Times
+1

Confirmed and Reported Radar Hits
Multiple sources, including satellite imagery analysis and official statements, have confirmed damage to several high-value radar systems:
Jordan (Muwaffaq Salti Air Base): An AN/TPY-2 radar, which serves as the "eyes" for the THAAD missile defense system, was confirmed destroyed. Satellite imagery from CNN showed the radar and its support equipment severely damaged.

Qatar (Umm Dahal / Al-Udeid): A massive AN/FPS-132 early-warning radar was confirmed damaged. Imagery shows at least one of its three phased arrays was hit, with evidence of fire at the site.

United Arab Emirates (Al Sader & Al Ruwais): Satellite images from Planet Labs show damage to buildings at a THAAD battery near Al Sader, including vehicle sheds used to store radar systems.

Saudi Arabia (Prince Sultan Air Base): Imagery confirmed a charred tent and debris at a site previously used to shelter a THAAD radar unit.
Other Impacted Locations: Damage to communication or radar-related structures has also been reported at U.S. sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
CNN
CNN
+9

Nature of Confirmation
Satellite Imagery: The New York Times and CNN have analyzed imagery from Planet Labs PBC showing smoke plumes, burn marks, and structural destruction at these highly classified sites.

Official Statements: While U.S. Central Command has often declined to comment on specific damage, some U.S. officials have reportedly confirmed the loss of the $300 USD million radar in Jordan to media outlets like Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal.

Iranian Claims: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have destroyed four THAAD radars within a single 24-hour window on March 8, though international verification of this specific total remains ongoing.
CNN
CNN
+5
Would you like me to look for the latest U.S. military response or updates on the replacement timeline for these damaged radar units?"

Let's look at the facts.

Attacks on Israel, and other Arab countries are significantly down since the beginning.

Iran since day one, cannot even control their air space.

Iran claims to be getting ready to unleash many many things and 🦗🦗🦗🦗

Numbers on Israel directly from Iran (not proxies),

March 2026 (Recent Escalation):
March 1: Approximately 80 to 100 missiles were fired on the first day of new hostilities.
March 2: The volume dropped to roughly 60 missiles.
March 3 onwards: Attacks stabilized at a lower rate, with reports indicating fewer than 20 to 25 missiles per day.

Now here is a CNN story:

"according to two people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue."

A janitor and a window washer?
"I know what I saw in the trash can! This time I'm being totally honest with you."

Possible? Sure possible. But with the amount of planes in the air, naval presence, etc. and all looking for new targets. How long would a mine layer last. We have been blowing up small drug boats in SA.

But if they are and we sink them. Leave any survivors for the 🦈.

"Iran begins laying mines in Strait of Hormuz, sources say

By Natasha Bertrand

Updated: 3:40 PM EDT, Tue March 10, 2026

Source: CNN

Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important energy chokepoint that carries about one-fifth of all crude oil, according to two people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue.

The mining is not extensive yet, with a few dozen having been laid in recent days, the sources said. But Iran still retains upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine layers, one of the sources said, so its forces could feasibly lay hundreds of mines in the waterway.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which now effectively controls the strait along with Iran's traditional navy, has the capability to deploy a "gauntlet" of dispersed mine-laying craft, explosive-laden boats and shore-based missile batteries, CNN has reported.

The IRGC previously warned that any ship passing through the strait would be attacked, and the channel has effectively been closed since the start of the war. The state of the strait has been described to CNN as a "death valley" given the risks involved in transiting.

US officials said today that the US Navy had not escorted any vessels through the strait, though President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration was looking at options to do so."

OH and that Tanker that Iran said left loaded with Iranian oil. It would really be the height of irony if it went down. "Must have hit one of those mines you put down. Tough luck old man. Fortunes of war.. what!" 😏

Again questionable, but interesting.

Would be a blow to Iran, especially since the Houthis and Hamas have done nothing.

Source JFEED:

"In a dramatic development reported Monday evening, senior Hezbollah officials have initiated preliminary feelers to explore a potential ceasefire and an end to the current war with Israel. The proposal, which was reportedly funneled through Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to the Trump administration, marks a potential turning point in a decades-long struggle. As the Israeli military continues to exert massive pressure on the ground and from the air, the leadership in Jerusalem is now faced with a monumental strategic choice: should they launch a final, large-scale operation to permanently liquidate the terrorist organization, or should they accept a deal that effectively severs the umbilical cord between Hezbollah and its masters in Tehran? This choice comes as the Lebanese government expresses mounting panic that the continuation of the war will lead to the total destruction of the state."

OVI +1

SMb +1

These Iranian claims are easily refuted – just show these facilities intact… But Chinese reconnaissance satellite images confirm most of the Persian claims.
And matters of faith are handled by the church, not me.)))
I recall Trump's recent statements about the complete destruction of the Iranian nuclear program. When did he lie? Then or now?)))

I know this … 140 US Service personnel have been WIA. Most were minor and went back to duty. Now were those WIAs caused by those strikes on US locations? Maybe … what else would case them ? I await more intel …

Do you think the Chicoms would not lie ?

As we know Iran's islamist gov't does …

And frankly, I'm not so sure about your sources or predilections either. Just say'n …

Trump did lie that was BDA at that time. Now the intel says Iran was starting to build another facility for their nuke program. And in talks with the US, Iran boasted on having enough nuke material to make 11 nukes.

It appeared the islamist gov't was digging into those destroyed nuke sites. Why ? To retrieve that nuke material ?

Intel believes the islamist may have moved that nuclear materiel.

Where did the POTUS lie about the first US/IDF strikes that occurred months before. BDA at that time said those sites were destroyed. But no one knew what was under that rubble. Unless you were digging under it. Like the islamists.

Today's department of war transcript:

First a bit of General Caines portion.

"Let me talk a little bit about the progress thus far, acknowledging that Admiral Cooper will likely continue to give updates from CENTCOM. As the secretary said, we're in the 10th, moving in the 11th day of Operation Epic Fury. The joint force remains focused on three military objectives: continue to destroy Iranian ballistic missiles and drone capability in order to prevent attacks on the U.S. and others throughout the region. And this means attacking launch sites, command and control nodes, stockpiles before they can threaten our personnel, our facilities and our partners.

Second, we continue to strike the Iranian Navy and their capabilities in order to do things like sustain movement through the Straits of Hormuz. And third, we continue to start working on and going deeper into Iran's military and industrial base in order to prevent the regime from being able to attack Americans, our interests and our partners for years to come and project power outside their borders. This means servicing production facilities, research and development sites and infrastructure.

Let me turn to the map. We're going to try digital today to prevent laser injury. Since our last update, CENTCOM continues to make progress across the southern flank. To date, they've struck more than 5,000 targets. U.S. Strategic Command bombers recently dropped dozens of 2,000 pound GPS penetrating weapons on deeply buried missile launchers across the southern flank. We also have struck several one-way drone factories to get at the heart of their autonomous capability.

And of course, alongside our regional partners along the southern flank, continued to execute intercepts against one way attack drones using fighters and attack helicopters. Our strikes mean we've made significant progress in reducing the number of missile and drone attacks out of Iran.

Ballistic missile attacks continue to trend downward 90 percent from where they've started, and one way attack drones have decreased 83 percent since the beginning of the operation, a testament to our air defenders and our air defense systems. And as I said, our partners in the region continue to do great work as well.

Second, we're making substantial progress towards destroying the navy in the first ten days of the conflict. We're more than 50 Iranian naval ships into the campaign using a combination of artillery, fighters, bombers and sea launched missiles. As Admiral Cooper noted last Thursday, we struck and sank an Iranian drone carrier ship, and U.S. CENTCOM continues today to hunt and strike mine laying vessels and mine storage facilities. This — this work will continue.

Third, we've — against our objectives, we've begun to target Iran's military and industrial complex, again focusing on centers of gravity to get upstream of the shooters out in the field in order to deny them the ability to continue to generate those one-way attack drones."

Subject: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing > U.S. Department of War > Transcript | U.S. Department of War


link

I asked "MA" what are the strategic goals of the US government in this war and if they were achieved already, and those are the answers:
-destroy nuclear abilities of Iran: yes, achieved june 2025
-destroy MAGA: achieved by starting a war
-destroy superpower status: achieved by doing what Netanjahu asked for, not what US National Strategy is
-destroy US sanctions on Russian oil: achieved, Russia gets more money to fight those unthankful ukraines
-destroy US ammo stocks: no, those are endless
-destroy Irans current regime so Iranians can liberate themself: never planned

Parz +1

*Inca

Legion, I get what you're saying about OPSEC and deception. No one expects a war plan laid out in a press briefing. But even in past wars the political objective was usually clear enough that people understood what "winning" was supposed to look like. That's the part I'm still trying to get my head around here.

IMO As Parz just reiterated.

However, maybe it's just me. Or not ? But it seems to me and probably some others, what the objectives of this campaign was. And I listed those before and even the JCS GEN outlined them today as OVI already posted.

IMO once Iran's islamists can't make nukes or fire missiles drones etc. at Israel, and any of the Arab nations into and around that region. That is one part of the victory conditions.

The other one would be to free the Persians for these murdering butcher islamists that are in control of their country.

Which the road to both would be removing the islamist gov't. By attriting the leaders, IRGC, Basji, etc. so the Persians can overthrow those remaining members of that regime.

Overthrowing these butchers may include the IDF and maybe US Spec Ops giving the "Free Persians" and maybe other enemies[Kurds from Iran] of Iran's Islamists support. To make that happen.

I could be wrong or a bit off, but I think that OPLAN may in the Courses of Action list…

dogtail

I believe your assessment is incorrect. Pretty much based on everything, many of us have said here. Who are not Anti-POTUS … Pro-Israel … anti-islamists …

"I asked "MA""

Did she tell you to eat your vegetables and wash behind your ears too?

Its entirely possible to be anti-POTUS and pro-Israel, strongly anti-terrorist, Islamic or otherwise. There are plenty of patriots on both sides of the discussion about the war. We have lived through mistakes made on both sides. People have every right to ask questions.

Few believe the media, many question the way the POTUS and his people answer questions. His political opponents seek to discredit him at every turn. We have about a 55-45% split for disapproval of the decision to go to war, last I looked. Its the job of the POTUS to explain the war to the people. Many believe he has done so. But many do not.

@35thOVI: if you want to imply "MA" stands for my mother, your assumption is incorrect, she died in 1989. But please let my family members out of any discussion.

Dogtail, post serious threads with actual facts and I won't treat it with levity.

I guess they ignored the warnings

U.S. forces have destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, officials said Tuesday.

"U.S. Central Commanded, or CENTCOM, said multiple Iranian vessels were eliminated in a post on X that was accompanied by a video showing some of the strikes.

Earlier, President Donald Trump warned Iran against laying mines in the strait, saying it would face military consequences.

Trump added that 10 inactive mine laying vessels had been destroyed.

Posted by Louis Casiano"

Tort, they have done nothing but question, lie, half truth anything he does, since before his first election.

Bluntly, they don't like him, so no matter what he does, it's wrong.
At least Carville is honest about it.

Iran deserves everything they are getting and more. They and their paid mercenaries have been killing us and making us live with terrorism since 1978.

The Israelis feel the same way. October 10th was their last straw, as it was for many of us.

I've been waiting for a President to do this for all those years.

If this ended today, we and our ally, would have achieved a tactical victory. Bigger than that? We won't know for a while.

But both our countries can always go back and do it again and Iran will be even less able to stop us than this time.

Well unless we get more neutered Presidents like Barrack (since people can degrade the current president, I feel was in his heart a Muslim) and Biden, or whoever ran the country (another thing the MSM lied to us about for 4 years. BUT this time they're telling us the truth! 😏).

Regime change has been achieved. We may not have one we want yet, but we killed the previous two.

Alas, no matter the outcome, the anti Trumpers will attempt to paint it as a defeat. It is all they have.

For all those demanding to know when this is going to end, (another forever war! 😱). Not 2 weeks yet. 🙄

Let me remind you:
Their hero BHO

"Barack Obama's military campaign against Libya (Operation Odyssey Dawn/Unified Protector) lasted approximately seven months, beginning with airstrikes on March 19, 2011, and concluding with the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in October 2011. The intervention involved a NATO-led coalition enforcing a no-fly zone and conducting airstrikes to protect civilians."

What did those 7 months and expenditures accomplish?

Tell me a Democrat who has any policy they are running on other than "I hate trump! He's a danger to democracy! He and a followers are Nazis".

Yes, I don't believe MANY of them love this country any longer, care about our culture and history nor want it to survive as Democratic Republic. Too many of them see Socialism as the answer.

As far as polls. Of course the Democrats oppose it in droves. Independents, if one really exists, oppose it not quite 2 to 1. But his base, "Republicans (85 – 11 percent) support it."

Quinnapiac poll today

Yes I used your name, since it was your post, but you are at least fair about it. It's not framed in anti Trump rhetoric, innuendos and half truths.

35thOVI, if we assume that the rumors about all these deaths and injuries of Iranian leaders are true, but this doesn't affect Iran's ability to resist, then what does it matter?

I don't care who will be president of the United States. And I don't care what dirty methods are used to conduct domestic politics in the United States… I simply understand that little remains of real democracy in this world. And it wasn't authoritarian regimes that destroyed it, but the democrats and liberals themselves… Now we can call it a "dictatorship of liberals and democrats")))

Have oil prices fallen? Of course—after all, Trump is lifting some sanctions, and, as they say, against Russian oil as well. But how long will this help?

Parzival, you'd be better off considering that Western leaders aren't immortal either))) Now we also know that the capture and assassination of other countries' leaders is normal global practice.

SBminisguy, unimpeded bomber flights over Iran? Indeed. But Iran didn't use its air defenses to attack them… Why? Even though it had air defenses. I assume this was agreed upon with Iran as one of the conditions for ending the conflict…

The Shahed drone has a range of up to 1,000 km…

The US is withdrawing air defenses from South Korea… Why? There's nothing left to fear—Iran is practically destroyed…

thecradle.co/articles-id/36395
link

And here's footage of missile and drone launches, as well as the results of their operations, from a Ukrainian blogger striving to be objective. There's also footage of Israeli and American strikes on Iran and Hezbollah. Unfortunately, it's only in Russian. But it's interesting to watch:

link

@35thOVI: I can use sarcasm or make jokes whenever I want as long as I do not disobey forum rules. At least I write my own stuff and do not copy and paste mile long texts.

And btw, I do believe that Trump is a threat to US national security, as he suffers from frontotemporal dementia, which makes him unfit for service. His shifting explanations about war aims isn´t three dimensional chess, it is just an inability to remember what his thoughts were 30 minutes ago. And his praise of Putin is despicable

Dogtail as was my MA sarcasm.

As you say yours is just your own stuff.

Mine is from actual news reports.

Accept when responding to sarcasm, vitriol, innuendo, fake news, TDS …. Etc etc etc.

By the way, since you don't live here nor vote here your opinion of his threat here, or your unqualified opinion of his mental fitness is irrelevant.

The Germans do not seem to have a good track record of recognizing mental fitness in their leadership, as 39 million to over 40 million people in Europe would attest to, if they were able.

That by the way, is sarcasm.

@35thOVI

You can barely be bothered to link a single accessible source yet you demand that CUprum2 produce direct Iranian transcripts and use no Western press, no Russian/Chinese sources, no Muslim sources, no think-tank analysis? You've shifted the burden of proof to an impossible level.

That leaves almost no usable information sources.Cuprum2 wasn't presenting a confirmed Iranian doctrine. He was outlining a possible strategy based on Iran's known underground missile infrastructure.

Current launch rates and interception statistics describe the present battlefield, but they don't necessarily resolve questions about preserved production capacity or longer-term tactics.

Also, The "missile cities" idea that Cuprum2 referenced is not something he invented. It is actually a real, documented element of Iranian military doctrine, and understanding it would help understand Iran's strategy. It is common to have missile cities in countries that expect to lose air superiority.

Also, also if Hezbollah were actually on the verge of collapse, we'd probably be hearing it from more than a single JFeed report.

@35thOVI
At least the guy from Austria was a vegan.
As I mentioned before, I used to work with persons handicapped by dementia, and my father is also a case. So I am not as unquallified as you think.
Thank you for your service, Sir.

OVI +1

Many believe he has done so. But many do not.

I think it was explained as well as it could without violating OPSEC. And we are students of history, war gaming etc. Things develop as the conflict progresses. Again it was clear …

No nukes for Iran … ever …

No committing, sponsoring, supporting islamic terrorist … anywhere …

Stop slaughtering your own population …

Time frame based on how long Iran's islamist regime will last … estimated a few weeks. That could change. Things change sometimes in battle.

I can't remember how many times I've heard this or posted it …

Do these Nazis include Verner von Braun, who escaped a lynching at Nuremberg because he was useful to the Americans?

What Nazis ? None are involved in this conflict, AFAIK …

And we all studied WWII history. Operation Paperclip obtained many Nazi scientists for the US. As did the UK and Russia. We all know and understand this. So what ? It influences what is going on now very little.

Its entirely possible to be anti-POTUS and pro-Israel, strongly anti-terrorist, Islamic or otherwise. There are plenty of patriots on both sides of the discussion about the war.

Yes we all know that … And ?

I do believe that Trump is a threat to US national security, as he suffers from frontotemporal dementia, which makes him unfit for service.

Well IMO and many others you again couldn't be more wrong. I've gone over all the reasons before may times. FWIW – Closing the border and starting mass deportation of illegal aliens. That one of the most important things that has been done.

Removing Iran's ability to get nukes … That is Big … VERY BIG.

And you don't seem to get it, but you are not alone. He may say things at one time and the situation has changed so he will say something different. Again, as the conflict develops, etc.

Plus, again you and some others don't get it … He may be part of the disinformation effort. As I posted examples of that before.

Hi Legion 4,

Good posts and I understand the line of thinking, and the objectives the Chairman outlined — degrading Iran's missile forces, drone capability, and preventing a nuclear weapon — are fairly clear as military aims.

Where it gets less clear, at least to me, is the second part you mention: regime change. That's a very different category of objective. Historically, when the U.S. has pursued that openly (Iraq in 2003, for example), it was stated much more explicitly and accompanied by large ground commitments.

Attriting IRGC leadership and weakening the regime might create internal pressure inside Iran, but that isn't quite the same thing as a declared objective of overthrowing the government. It could be an indirect effect rather than the formal aim of the campaign.

On the intelligence side, early battle damage assessments are almost always provisional. In past wars we've repeatedly seen targets initially declared destroyed later turn out to be only damaged or rebuildable. That's a normal part of intelligence evolving as more information becomes available, rather than necessarily meaning anyone deliberately lied.

You also mentioned Chinese satellite imagery. If imagery like that truly confirms certain claims, it should be possible to cite the analysis or the imagery itself. Without that, it's difficult to evaluate how reliable the claim actually is.

The bigger unknown, in my view, is whether Iran dispersed nuclear material or key infrastructure before the strikes. Without physical access to the sites or reliable intelligence reporting, that question probably remains uncertain.

So the military objective of degrading Iran's strike capability seems relatively clear. Whether the political objective extends to regime collapse, or whether that's simply a hoped-for outcome if the regime weakens internally, is the part that still seems less defined.

Incavart, yet you and others demand it of me. Even though my sources are documented by source of information. 😂

I was actually playing on what exactly you had been demanding of me. 😏

You just did it again by ridiculing the JFeed report. Read closely the first line I wrote in that post.

Specifically: "questionable but interesting".

I did not accept it as fact. Just throwing out another report.

So I keep reading in these threads "there was no imminent threat to the U.S." of a weapon of mass destruction to the U.S.

Now playing the game that is played against me this is how I should reply:

"Oh yeah!! Where is your proof?? Document that Iran did not have enriched uranium buried that can quickly be turned into a weapon. CNN?!! MSNBC?! Go to real news, those sources aren't acceptable!! Hurmphh!! 😡 They can only be sources that match what my friends and work acquaintances will accept, while we drink our wine and expensive tea, with our one finger in the air. And of course admiring our electric vehicles outside."

Now the true answer to that fictitious quote of mine above, would be: There is not a d#mn one of us who could know. Nor can our pet medias. Because they have no access to the classified information.

"Iran has fired some 300 missiles at Israel, about half with cluster bomb warheads — ID
Bombs indiscriminately spread dozens of submunitions over radius of 10 kilometers, making interception challenging, military officials say, day after cluster bomb killed two"

It was coordinated with Hezbollah according to Arab and Israeli news sources.

Dogtail maybe it would never have happened if he had eaten meat 🍖
You just can't trust vegetarians. 😉

If dementia directly in the family or being around those suffering from it, makes one qualified. Then I too would be qualified to diagnose.

My diagnosis, no.

But since then I may be qualified, Biden did and was before his election.

Now is Trump narcissistic. Assuredly. Probably the definition of a narcissist.

Also self aggrandizing. Sometimes justified and other times not.

Also vindictive. But that is not a unique trait in politics.

Inca,

Yes you as usual are logical and make sense, etc. And yes, I agree or at least understand what you are saying.

I think the US does not want to regime change as we had tried in Iraq and A'stan. Of course we don't know what is going on behind the curtain. It seems to me and others to actually have some sort of workable "peace". We don't want to bring in any/many on the ground. CIA, Delta, IDF Spec ops may be on the ground already. Certainly, the IDF is … and has been for some time.

So the plan(?) to actually cause regime change is probably not going to be unclassified for quite some time … if ever. I'm sure there are a number of OPLANs for it.

I think this Pentagon has studied many lessons learned from Iraq and A'stan. I don't think they will make similar errors, miscalculations, etc. As in the past. Especially with the high tech we have.

It is possible to remove most of the islamist regime and its minions with the massive amounts of accurate, effective high-tech ordinance of all types.

The questions are can it be done ? And can it be done without massive amounts of boots on the ground involved ?

Can the Persians with some outside support rid their country of this islamist lunatic regime?

I'd think most if not all of those questions have been asked and solutions found. But again, we may never know(?).

We may have to be vigilant and see how this campaign plays out. As no matter what those on the opposite side of the aisle, in the media, etc. may try to influence this conflict. Again, my experience actually being on combat Bns and Bde staffs. Having a good amount of training in this type of military operation. There is a lot going on in Tactical Ops Ctrs and even in the field. That we don't know of. That is generally the way this occurs.

35thOVI,

Cuprum2 asked a legitimate analytical question:

"If Iranian leaders are killed but Iran's ability to resist isn't affected, what does it matter?"

Historically, killing individual leaders doesn't necessarily translate into immediate military collapse. In many cases organizations simply replace them and continue operating. We've seen that with insurgent groups and state actors alike.

Leadership losses can still matter, particularly if they disrupt command structures or decision-making. But whether that actually reduces a country's ability to sustain military operations usually depends more on things like its infrastructure, logistics, and industrial capacity.

That's why a lot of the discussion about underground facilities, missile production, and dispersed infrastructure is important. Even if senior figures are removed, the real question is whether the physical capacity to continue the fight has been significantly degraded.

Until more reliable information comes out about damage to those systems, it's probably difficult to say how decisive the current strikes have been.

On your point about classified Intel, I actually agree. None of us have access to the classified intelligence, which is why a lot of these questions about infrastructure, nuclear material, and long-term capability probably won't be answered for some time. As mentioned before, early reporting and early BDA are often incomplete.

Legion 4,

Those are fair points, and I agree that there are likely multiple OPLANs covering a range of contingencies that we will probably never see in detail.

Your point about the lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan is also very important. One of the big takeaways from those conflicts was how difficult regime change becomes once large numbers of ground forces and long-term stabilization operations are required.

That's why I tend to think the publicly stated objective — degrading Iran's missile, drone, and nuclear capabilities — is probably the primary military aim. Whether that pressure could indirectly create internal instability inside Iran is another question, but that's different from planning to impose regime change directly.

The key question you raised is the one that will likely determine how successful this campaign is: whether those capabilities can actually be degraded enough through air and stand-off strikes alone?

If Iran's production infrastructure, logistics, and command networks are significantly damaged, then the campaign may achieve its aims without large numbers of boots on the ground. If those systems prove more resilient — particularly the underground facilities people have been discussing — then the strategic picture becomes more complicated.

Like you said, a lot of what is happening inside operational command centers and intelligence channels simply isn't visible to us yet. So for now we're mostly trying to interpret fragments of information as they emerge.

Now is Trump narcissistic. Assuredly. Probably the definition of a narcissist.

Yep, he's basically like the General Patton of Presidents. He's got a big ego, he's a narcisist, he's brash, bold and abrasive -- rubs many the wrong way. But the man knows how to win!

@35th
Have you considered sending a transcript of TMP to the Department of "War" 🙄?
Maybe you can get a nice job as a spokesperson there, if you have the legs for it.

Fortunately, the Do"W" doesn't have a "3-paragraph copyright material" rule, while TMP does. (Ahem! 🙄)

What Nazis ? None are involved in this conflict, AFAIK …
And we all studied WWII history. Operation Paperclip obtained many Nazi scientists for the US. As did the UK and Russia. We all know and understand this. So what ? It influences what is going on now very little.

It is OVA's post directly above mine. He thought you devoured his every word and treated them as gospel. I'm sure he'll be devastated at finding out that you don't.

Anyway, please address your questions about non-sequiturs to him, not me.

Same with any leader that the Israelis and US don't want. Eventually you have to come out and Israel has proven to be a master at nailing those they want. Time is NOT an issue. Ask all those old Nazis who escaped. Oh, you can't.

Operation Paperclip 're-located' over 1600 Nazis to the US. That's a lot of Nazis.

As usual G you understood not at all.

Israel had specific Nazis they were after. Those they believed directly responsible for the holocaust killings of Jews (I know there are some who deny it happened. 🙄). Many escaped at the end of the war. Those they went after relentlessly, even picked off some ex concentration camp guards in my State in their 80's.

But you knew that. You were after another dig at the U.S. No inclusion of Russia? They grabbed a lot of scientists too.

Do I detect some anti Israel bias in your posts? 🤔

Maybe based on research, it does exist in Ireland.

Why the old Irish were hiding their fair share of ex Nazi's in the pews and 😱 were sympathetic.

"In the aftermath of World War II, between 100 and 200 Nazis and collaborators found refuge in Ireland. While Ireland was officially neutral during the war, some figures within the Irish establishment and the Catholic Church were sympathetic to the Nazi cause, viewing them as a bulwark against communism or as allies against British influence.
BBC
BBC

Notable Individuals who Fled to Ireland

Otto Skorzeny ("Scarface"): Known as "the most dangerous man in Europe," he was a high-profile SS commando who famously rescued Benito Mussolini. He purchased Martinstown House, a 160-acre farm in County Kildare, in 1959. Though he was never granted permanent residency, he was frequently seen in the local community and was even "feted" by Dublin's social elite.

Andrija Artuković ("The Butcher of the Balkans"): As the Interior Minister of the Nazi puppet state in Croatia, he was responsible for the genocide of up to one million people. He lived under a false name in the Dublin suburb of Rathgar in 1947 before eventually moving to the United States.

Pieter Menten: A Dutch Nazi war criminal and art collector who moved to a mansion in County Waterford in 1964. He lived there for years before being arrested, tried, and imprisoned in the Netherlands for his crimes.

Albert Folens: A Flemish collaborator and member of the Waffen-SS and Gestapo. He fled to Ireland after the war and became a successful publisher of educational schoolbooks that were used by generations of Irish children.

Yann Goulet: A leader of the Breton Nazi collaborator group Bezen Perrot. He was granted Irish citizenship in 1952 and became a prominent sculptor, even producing memorials for the "Old IRA".

Helmut Clissmann: A German intelligence agent who had worked with the IRA during the war. He returned to Ireland after the war and became a successful businessman in Dublin.
BBC
BBC

Key Context and Reception
Safe Havens: Many Nazis were able to enter Ireland with the help of Catholic religious orders, which sometimes provided false documentation and safe passage.

Public Sentiment: In the immediate post-war years, returning Irish veterans of the British armed forces often faced more hostility than the fleeing Nazis. This was partly due to a "my enemy's enemy is my friend" attitude toward those who had fought Britain.

Government Stance: The Irish government was often aware of these individuals' backgrounds but frequently took a legalistic or indifferent approach, only changing its stance from the 1970s onward as the full horror of the Holocaust entered public consciousness.
BBC
BBC"

Incavart,

I did not answer, as I've answered regime change in multiple previous posts.

But I will summarize all those.

regime change guarantees nothing. Unless you get someone who is not a religious fanatic and or willing to work with you.

Also there is a decent chunk of fanatical fundamentalist Muslims in Iran who will resist. Thats why they are called fanatics.

—
Let's ask a question similar, but elsewhere. If the Ukrainians kill Putin and a group of key Russian leadership, will Russian policy in the Ukraine change? The Russians will to continue?
—

But in the longterm, as I have explained, new anti U.S. leadership, some manufacturing survives, Iran still launches some drones or missiles. We and Israel have proven twice now, we can rinse and repeat and Iran is incapable of stopping us.

I'll ask also,

where is Hamas in all this? I had been told how Israel failed in Palestine.

Where are the Houthis? They have talked, but nothing. Again I was told the attacks on them had failed.

Irans Iraqi allies only lobbed missiles once. Again where??

Only Hezbollah. And they are paying the price now.

I'll leave there for now.

And they are all dead, you amadan, exactly like the Nazis who relocated to the Land of the Free and to South America. How they died is irrelevant.

As for Skorzeny, he was recruited by Mossad (yes, that Mossad) to provide intelligence about Egypt's missile programme and Arab terrorist groups that he had gained working for Nasser in the 1950s. In exchange he was removed from Israel's hit list. His handler, Yosef Raanan, attended his funeral.

SB yes no denying it. 😉

But most politicians are narcissistic. They just try and hide it. He just has a much bigger ego.

Obviously I believe in most of his administrations policies, including Iran.

G

What I read is "Oh yeah, but". 😏

We at least got useful information and advancement from our scientists.

Yours just sat at the local and drank your Guinness and complained about their stew not having sauerkraut. 😏

John,

"Have you considered sending a transcript of TMP to the Department of "War" 🙄?"

The DOW??!! I send them straight to the White House and himself personally! 😂

As to those long quotes. I've found after years on TMP, that people don't read links. Now I am coming to believe they don't completely read posts either.

Iran International:

"A Thai ship was hit by unidentified projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, causing and an explosion at the stern and fire in the engine room, Thailand's transport ministry said on Wednesday.

The Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was struck off the northern coast of Oman amid the Iran war.

The ministry said 20 crew members were rescued after abandoning the vessel in a lifeboat and were picked up by the Omani navy and three were still missing."

From Numerous Mid East news sources:

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote a message on his office's official X account on Tuesday night local time, where he addressed the people of Iran, urging them to seize what he calls a "once in a lifetime opportunity to remove the Ayatollah regime and gain your freedom".

"The Ayatollah [Ali Khamenei] is no more, and I know you don't want him replaced with another tyrant," Netanyahu posted.

"So you must act. We are creating the conditions for you to do so. When the time is right, and that time is fast approaching, we will pass the torch to you. Be ready to seize the moment!"

He also referred to Israel as Iran's "best ally" and that Israel fully respects Iran's "sovereignty, culture and heritage"."

Those in the streets previously begged for the opportunity.

"Opportunity knocks once"

As to those long quotes. I've found after years on TMP, that people don't read links. Now I am coming to believe they don't completely read posts either.

So that's why you feel free to violate the rules in the FAQ?

And you're correct in that I do not read the very long winded ones. Mine Eyes Glaze Over.
As Blaise Pascal wrote, "Please forgive me for writing such a long letter. I didn't have time to write a short one." (He was the first to write that. Many others copied him, it was so gosh darned witty!)

No John, I heard the word of the almighty.

"Go forth and post! For those not reading the links, are naughty in my eyes!"

My version of the "Holy Hand Grenade".

😉

SB posted this for you. Your governor's new reason for your high gas prices.

"California Governor Gavin Newsom has blamed the Trump administration for rising gas prices, specifically citing the administration's actions regarding Iran as a cause for increased costs, which reached roughly $5.29 USD per gallon in March 2026. Newsom argues that the administration's foreign policy is driving up global oil prices, while critics, including Republicans, blame his own policies and regulations for California's high costs.
Politico"

"Pay no attention to those taxes, this is the reason" 😂

If they ran a roller over his hair, couldn't they fill a few barrels? 😉

Terrorism? From several different news services.

The convoluted pretzel media reporting. 😏

"Police in Switzerland said they were investigating whether a bus fire that killed at least six people was started deliberately.

Police spokesperson Frédéric Papaux of Fribourg canton or region, said an unspecified "voluntary act" could have caused the fire Tuesday evening in the town of Kerzers, about 15 miles west of the capital Bern."

…

"Fribourg Canton police chief police confirmed on Wednesday that while 'an intentional act is the most likely scenario,' at present 'there is no evidence' it was a terror attack.

A bus fire that killed at least six people in western Switzerland was likely ignited deliberately but probably not as an act of terror, police said on Wednesday, March 11. The fire broke out on the bus in the main street of the small town of Kerzers, around 20 kilometers west of the Alpine nation's capital Bern, at about 6:25 pm on Tuesday. Videos shared on social media showed flames several meters high bursting out from the windows, and black smoke rising into the sky."
…

"KERZERS, Switzerland, March 11 (Reuters) – At least six people died and three were injured in a bus ​fire in a small Swiss town thought to have been caused by someone setting fire to themself.
Police said the bus became ‌engulfed in flames on Tuesday evening on a road in Kerzers, a town of about 5,000 inhabitants in the western canton of Fribourg, about 20 km (12 miles) from the Swiss capital Bern."

He sat himself on fire. Had enough fuel to engulf the bus.

Could he have not just sat himself on fire on the street if he was just committing suicide?

Did he believe he was a Viking Jarl and needed servants in the afterlife and no longship was readily available?

The media and politicians can identify an act as "white supremist" or " islamophobia" within a few hours.

Can they not just say:

this could be a terrorist act related to the war. We need to identify the perpetrator, nationality, religion and online presence to make a definitive judgement. But "Islamic" 😱 terrorism as a motive is not being ruled out.

But NO chance it's terrorism. Nothing to see here. 😏

From …….. Fox 😱😱😱😱

"U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Wednesday that American forces operating in the Middle East have taken out "the last of four Soleimani-class warships -- that's an entire class of Iranian ships now out of the fight."

"To date, we have struck more than 5,500 targets inside Iran, including more than 60 ships using a variety of precision weapons systems. Just yesterday, we had strike waves nearly every hours from different locations and directions going into Iran," Cooper said in a video posted to X.

"U.S. combat power is building, Iranian combat power is declining," Cooper said. "Every day we are striking hard at Iranian ballistic missiles and drones."

Cooper added that he continues to "be impressed with all the branches of the U.S. military."

"The entire team is performing superbly. Strike operations from our Joint Force continue as I've said. I assess that we are clearly exercising air superiority over vast swaths of Iran," Cooper said."

From Iran International:

Translated at the bottom.

"Iran says it cannot take part in World Cup due to security concerns

Iran does not have the conditions to take part in the World Cup due to security concerns after the killing of its leader in US-Israeli attacks, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.

"Our players are not safe and fundamentally such conditions for participation do not exist," Donyamali said, according to state media.

He said Iran therefore could not participate in the tournament."

Translated:

" We can't have our athletes making us look bad on the world's stage again like our women's soccer team did in Australia, not singing the National Anthem, saying how repressive we are and taking political asylum in a foreign country! jihad! Jihad! People might actually believe, we are the backward repressive, religious tyranny, still stuck in the Middle Ages, that we really are!! Jihad! Jihad!"

That is how you interpret Iranian news reports from government sources. 😉

California Governor Gavin Newsom has blamed the Trump administration for rising gas prices, specifically citing the administration's actions regarding Iran as a cause for increased costs, which reached roughly $5.29 USD USD per gallon in March 2026

All self-inflicted by sh1tty policies that drive refineries out of production, shut down gas stations and force California to IMPORT OIL FROM THE MIDDLE EAST. The rest of the US will be fine, your gas costs will bobble a bit, ours has nowhere to go but up, up, up…

Oh no!
T**** lost The Atlantic!
link

It's a link John. Sorry. 😏

Let me guess.

He and his administration were not as smart as all the rest, especially the last couple democrats.

He had no idea about the Straits. Total surprise!

No idea gas would go up! Not a clue!

Major governmental change isn't possible with just air and sea. (That by the way is true, if they said it), of course the Iranian people could surprise us, but I doubt it.

They had no idea the hardliners would continue to fight! Total surprise!!

How can the administration be this dumb!?

Am I pretty close? It is the current line of the MSM. But please tell me I'm wrong. 😉

So how do you define a

Tactical victory?
Strategic victory?

I've given mine.

You admitted it was overdue. You just are not happy Trump did it. 🙂

I'm not happy that Trump hasn't a clue, and has always thought he was smarter than anyone who knew what they were talking about.

And yet Venezuela has turned away from China and towards the US; Panama has terminated Chinese port contracts for the Panama Canal; generally improving relations in much of LATAM and joint security deals announced including cooperation going after communist insurgents and cartels; the possible "soft" ending of the Communist regime in Cuba; deep inroads in Africa against Chinese influence to woo countries away from Belt & Road like the Lobito Corridor (Angola–Zambia–DRC) rail and development project that breaks China's stranglehold on rare earth minerals in that region of Africa; similar actions in the Indo-Pacific, and of course you're familiar with the prodding and cajoling to get NATO countries to commit to 5% defense spending, and the ongoing action in Iran to hopefully topple the regime, but at a minimum reduce its threat level for years to come.

Right now, btw, with the Straights of Hormuz closed and Venzueland and Iranian oil cut off, China has lost 70% of its oil imports.