quote:

Air power can absolutely achieve the following aims:

1. Complete degradation of Iran’s ability to refine and process oil.

2. Substantial degradation of Iran’s ability to make and import conventional weapons.

3. Substantial degradation of Iran’s ability to make and launch nuclear weapons.

We were told that #3 was accomplished.
I thought that was the goal?
Do we now have new goals? If so, what are they?

We've already spent trillions on Middle East wars...
See:

• Lebanon Intervention (1982–1984): US Marines deployed as part of a multinational force during the Lebanese Civil War and Israel's invasion of Lebanon. Involved peacekeeping that turned into combat; ended after the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing.
  
• Operation Praying Mantis (1988): US naval retaliation against Iran during the Tanker War phase of the Iran-Iraq War (protecting oil tankers; part of broader US involvement in the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War).
  
• Gulf War / Operation Desert Storm (1990–1991): US-led coalition expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait after Iraq's invasion. Large-scale air and ground campaign; also known as the First Persian Gulf War.
  
• Operation Desert Fox (1998): US and UK airstrikes on Iraq in response to non-compliance with UN weapons inspectors.
  
• War in Afghanistan (2001–2021): Launched after 9/11 against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Often grouped with Middle East operations under the "War on Terror," though Afghanistan is in South/Central Asia. Longest US war.
  
• Iraq War (2003–2011): US-led invasion to remove Saddam Hussein (citing WMDs and terrorism links, later disputed). Followed by occupation, insurgency, and civil conflict; also called the Second/Third Persian Gulf War.
  

Does any of this really benefit the US?
We have more "wounded warriors" now than we did after World War II, which was the last war actually declared as a war by Congress.

quote:

We were told that #3 was accomplished.
I thought that was the goal?

It was of course, but now the battle over the Strait of Hormuz is a huge complication.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
They are masters at buying time and that's all the MOU did.

With their track record of lies after lies after lies, why the hell would anyone take them at their word? An MoU only works if both parties are honest and have a common Understanding of what the Memorandum intends to accomplish.

Why anyone would believe that the mullahs had any intent to honor the MoU in the first place is beyond me. Thank goodness we have a leader that is not afraid to punish these liars and weasels instead of making excuses for them as has happened too many times in the past!

The legacy of the Iraq war, especially the lives and limbs lost to IEDs would suggest using great caution in pursuing a ground war. As far as minimizing injury to civilians goes, that is not our responsibility. If Iranian citizens feel they are more at threat from their own Government than the US, it is beholden upon them to change things.

quote:

What is the point of this conflict, and how do we seek to achieve that?

He tells you in this video which was posted on the previous page. Clearly at least a few here didn't watch it.

The whole thing is only 9 minutes long, but if you must skip ahead, start at 4:09.

We should hand the keys over to the Arab states that Iran has attacked, let them know we will help with air support but they should invade and take control of Iran, we don't want it or need it.

Is this the Fox news channel?

Some of you do not seem to comprehend what Iran can do if China and Russia allow them to really take the gloves off.

For one, the artificial post-WWI Sykes-Pico created countries will cease to exist (Israel will be happy). Iran will decimate GCC countries critical infrastructure forcing a mass migration.

Israel too will be uninhabitable - but they can move to NY or FL, or Germany where they have status.

The rest of the globe will fall in to worse than 1929 depression. Russia and China will survive. We'll be crushed by our own debt.

Based on what I was watching on Friday, 2 different source, China has told Pakistan to get the US and Iran back to the MOU, by this Monday. If not, then it will be war.

I suspect that China has given Iran a green light to go full steam ahead if the US keeps it up.

Iran has been very restraint so far. I know many here do not believe this, but then some of you are still stuck in 1991.

Trump fucked up bad. He said he'll end the Ukraine conflict and no new forever wars. BS.

I wish it were not so. Voted 3 times for him, defended him against family members who had TDS. I'd re-watch the 2016 election coverage and re-listen to my Rush Limbaugh with Trump tapes.

I'm done. I actually held on, and thought he might be ok after signing the MOU and stating why he did so which was all true.

Fooled me again he did. I'm done.

quote:

Iran a green light to go full steam ahead

Into what- A brick wall.

Thanks for the unattributed levity.

quote:

Originally posted by icom706:
I'm done. I actually held on, and thought he might be ok after signing the MOU and stating why he did so which was all true.

Fooled me again he did. I'm done.

Well don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Bye.

quote:

Originally posted by icom706:
{proudly waives white flag}

I can't fathom the algorithm that's been feeding you the bullshit you just typed. Try a different login for wherever you're getting your "news."

Thank goodness China and Russia are counseling Iran to use restraint.

I know. They might shoot missiles at other Arab countries in the area...

Hehe.. God forbid they start attacking traffic in the straight.

quote:

Originally posted by icom706:
Is this the Fox news channel?

Some of you do not seem to comprehend what Iran can do if China and Russia allow them to really take the gloves off....

Waiting for the hammer...

Not sure what just happened at the top of the page... I must not have gotten the memo.

quote:

Originally posted by P220forever:
Not sure what just happened at the top of the page... I must not have gotten the memo.

Apparently none of us did.



.

quote:

Originally posted by icom706:
Is this the Fox news channel?

Some of you do not seem to comprehend what Iran can do if China and Russia allow them to really take the gloves off.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by icom706:
Some of you do not seem to comprehend what Iran can do if China and Russia allow them to really take the gloves off.

The black knight always wins? Is that your testimony?

quote:

Originally posted by Lunasee:
Waiting for the hammer...