War with...Iran?

[Alexander]

Coalition of the Begrudging

 

[fractl]

Coalition of the Begrudging

“Coalition of the Willing Not This Shit Again”.

 

[monsterscraponme]

“Coalition of the Willing Not This Shit Again”.

Speaking of shit. The US is like the neighbor who never picks up their dog's shit.

The responsible neighbors are irritated and inconvenienced at first. Mostly complaints and chatter. Eventually, the sidewalks & lawns are littered with so much shit you feel compelled to at least clean up a few piles. Otherwise, you'll be walking in shit every day.

Great job, US! And really great job MAGA! Really excellent work! A+

 

[Ananke]

Seagulling, but on the scale of a hegemonic empire?

 

[wco81]

Prior to the recent commencement of war with Iran, the general consensus of Tomahawk cruise missiles loaded in the deployed destroyers and submarines was ~600 missiles.

It is now almost certain that few, if any, of these Tomahawks remain. And, given that the main US naval base in Bahrain has been destroyed, Souda Bay, Crete, is the only base within thousands of miles with the facilities necessary to reload the navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

Souda Bay is not fitted out to reload missile-carrying submarines, which would have to return to the United States mainland to be reloaded.

The bottom line is that the US Navy has now exhausted virtually its entire magazine depth of Tomahawk cruise missiles.

That leaves only the JASSM air-launched cruise missiles as a serviceable stand-off munition for attacking Iranian targets.We know that the recent sorties of B1-B and B-52 bombers have all consisted of JASSM stand-off missiles (~600 mile maximum range).

If there have, in fact, been any B-2 bomber sorties in the past 18 days, they would also have almost certainly delivered JASSMs.T

he United States' worldwide total JASSM inventory at the beginning of 2026 was ~3000 units.

The B1-B can carry 24 JASSMs. The B-52 can carry 20 JASSMs. The B-2 can carry 16 JASSMs.

My rough guess for total strategic bomber sorties in the past 18 days would be in the range of 50 - 75 — so, an expenditure of at least 1000 JASSM cruise missiles.

In other words, at least one-third of the total JASSM inventory has been consumed in less than three weeks.

This brief analysis underscores why I have long argued that the US could not win a war of attrition against Iran.

View: https://x.com/imetatronink/status/2034006163868762385?s=20


I don't know the guys qualifications or if his facts are correct.

But it sounds kind of like Russia burning up stockpiles in Ukraine and these stockpiles were built up over years or decades and they burned it up in a year or two and have little to show for it.

So the US is using up all these expensive missiles from their high-tech aerial and naval launch platforms and now they're running low. Meanwhile, Iran regime still in control and they're controlling the global oil markets.

Oh and an F-35 took enemy fire and was forced to do an emergency landing.

https://www.newsweek.com/us-f35-hit-iranian-fire-forced-emergency-landing-report-11704866

 

[meisanerd]

You know how nobody wanted to send ships to protect oil tankers going through the strait of Hormuz? About that…


View: https://x.com/sentdefender/status/2034651315989585955?s=20


They are ready to contribute. Interpret that as you wish. Let’s revisit in a few weeks.

So, where does it mention sending ships in that? They have consistently said they wanted to ensure shipping safety through the strait, including through negotiations bringing about the end of the conflict.

 

[karolus]

View: https://x.com/imetatronink/status/2034006163868762385?s=20


I don't know the guys qualifications or if his facts are correct.

But it sounds kind of like Russia burning up stockpiles in Ukraine and these stockpiles were built up over years or decades and they burned it up in a year or two and have little to show for it.

So the US is using up all these expensive missiles from their high-tech aerial and naval launch platforms and now they're running low. Meanwhile, Iran regime still in control and they're controlling the global oil markets.

Oh and an F-35 took enemy fire and was forced to do an emergency landing.

https://www.newsweek.com/us-f35-hit-iranian-fire-forced-emergency-landing-report-11704866

Tomahawks and JASSMs are standoff deep penetration precision-guided assets. They are expensive, and should ideally be used in a limited manner. In the opening days of the forever wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, some were employed, until SEAD objectives had been achieved. Once that was done, most bombing was turned over to non-precision assets such as B-52s dropping unguided bombs. Perhaps this is an indication of either poor planning, or an admission that Iran may still have the capability to shoot down adversaries over their terrain. That possibility would probably be a PR disaster for the Trump Administration—even if the military could well absorb it.

 

[ahmerali]

So, where does it mention sending ships in that? They have consistently said they wanted to ensure shipping safety through the strait, including through negotiations bringing about the end of the conflict.

Yeah, I would think by now people should be used to the idea that other countries will tell Trump et al whatever he wants to hear for the moment, and it'll be forgotten by the next golf game.

And just in case he does remember something, they can always say, 'Oh yeah, we're totally doing what we promised."

 

[Sajuuk]

View: https://x.com/imetatronink/status/2034006163868762385?s=20


I don't know the guys qualifications or if his facts are correct.

But it sounds kind of like Russia burning up stockpiles in Ukraine and these stockpiles were built up over years or decades and they burned it up in a year or two and have little to show for it.

So the US is using up all these expensive missiles from their high-tech aerial and naval launch platforms and now they're running low. Meanwhile, Iran regime still in control and they're controlling the global oil markets.

Oh and an F-35 took enemy fire and was forced to do an emergency landing.

https://www.newsweek.com/us-f35-hit-iranian-fire-forced-emergency-landing-report-11704866

Clearly fake news, our Presidente has already (literally) confirmed the complete obliteration of all Iranian assets and that America has unlimited ammunition!

 

[Klinn]

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-...her-crimping-war-tightened-supply-2026-03-19/

China is going to restrict fertilizers export to ensure its domestic industry have enough. Fun time.

Canada may have to do likewise. So much winning for US farmers, the majority of which voted for Trump and probably will vote (R) again.

Edit: Woot! My 1300th post in 18 years.

 

[flere-imsaho]

Oh and an F-35 took enemy fire and was forced to do an emergency landing.

Took enemy fire or flew through rain?

 

[Tijger]

So, where does it mention sending ships in that? They have consistently said they wanted to ensure shipping safety through the strait, including through negotiations bringing about the end of the conflict.

It doesnt, the Dutch PM said and I am not paraphrasing or joking, that the Strait is currently too dangerous to commit navy ships to any sort of duty there.

 

[Tijger]

Tomahawks and JASSMs are standoff deep penetration precision-guided assets. They are expensive, and should ideally be used in a limited manner. In the opening days of the forever wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, some were employed, until SEAD objectives had been achieved. Once that was done, most bombing was turned over to non-precision assets such as B-52s dropping unguided bombs. Perhaps this is an indication of either poor planning, or an admission that Iran may still have the capability to shoot down adversaries over their terrain. That possibility would probably be a PR disaster for the Trump Administration—even if the military could well absorb it.

You are being led by someone who has assumed the role of DNI according to the actual person, also incompetent and a Putin flunky to boot, who is the DNI while being unable to find his own ass, do you think he has any clue about anything you just wrote?

Pardon my level of sarcasm but its just a huge cavalcade of moronism.

 

[Zod]

View: https://x.com/imetatronink/status/2034006163868762385?s=20


I don't know the guys qualifications or if his facts are correct.

But it sounds kind of like Russia burning up stockpiles in Ukraine and these stockpiles were built up over years or decades and they burned it up in a year or two and have little to show for it.

So the US is using up all these expensive missiles from their high-tech aerial and naval launch platforms and now they're running low. Meanwhile, Iran regime still in control and they're controlling the global oil markets.

Oh and an F-35 took enemy fire and was forced to do an emergency landing.

https://www.newsweek.com/us-f35-hit-iranian-fire-forced-emergency-landing-report-11704866

The depths of Hegseth’s stupidity are unplumbable.

 

[CPX]

Publicly available data claims the new B-21 Raider can also cary the JASSM, though unknown how many.

 

[concernUrsus]

It doesnt, the Dutch PM said and I am not paraphrasing or joking, that the Strait is currently too dangerous to commit navy ships to any sort of duty there.

There is really not much other nations can do. It is essentially a body shield that hoping Iran won't want to attack Europe/Asia battle ships. Trump's idea is to draw the other nations in to pressure Iran, but that carry too much risk for the other nations and not much rewards.

 

[VividVerism]

View: https://x.com/imetatronink/status/2034006163868762385?s=20


I don't know the guys qualifications or if his facts are correct.

But it sounds kind of like Russia burning up stockpiles in Ukraine and these stockpiles were built up over years or decades and they burned it up in a year or two and have little to show for it.

So the US is using up all these expensive missiles from their high-tech aerial and naval launch platforms and now they're running low. Meanwhile, Iran regime still in control and they're controlling the global oil markets.

Oh and an F-35 took enemy fire and was forced to do an emergency landing.

https://www.newsweek.com/us-f35-hit-iranian-fire-forced-emergency-landing-report-11704866

Reading that Newsweek story...

The U.S. lost a KC-135 helicopter when it crashed in Western Iraq last week

Helicopter‽ What the fuck...?

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to help produce this story.

...oh. Got it. Motherfucker.

/scratches Newsweek off mental list of semi-reliable sources.

 

[Klinn]

The depths of Hegseth’s stupidity are unplumbable.

This highlights an incredible achievement by the Administration -- they actually found somebody who lies more than Trump!

 

[VividVerism]

Reading that Newsweek story...



Helicopter‽ What the fuck...?



...oh. Got it. Motherfucker.

/scratches Newsweek off mental list of semi-reliable sources.

To follow up, here is some probably non-hallucinated coverage: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/politics/f-35-damage-iran-war

 

[meisanerd]

There is really not much other nations can do. It is essentially a body shield that hoping Iran won't want to attack Europe/Asia battle ships. Trump's idea is to draw the other nations in to pressure Iran, but that carry too much risk for the other nations and not much rewards.

Part of me thinks it would be absolutely hilarious if Iran started letting through everything except American and Israeli assets. And just waited for Trump to think the strait is open, send a US destroyer through it, and then sunk that.

Not that I want any more lives lost in this stupid fight...

 

[GloatingSwine]

I'm sure they, like 51% of voters, made the mistake of assuming a modicum of competence from this administration.

I think they made the mistake of assuming he'd stay bought.

A significant proportion of those 51% of voters just assumed his spite would be directed at those they disapprove of, which is why a lot of them are quite happy with him.

 

[Tijger]

I think they made the mistake of assuming he'd stay bought.

A significant proportion of those 51% of voters just assumed his spite would be directed at those they disapprove of, which is why a lot of them are quite happy with him.

Yep, thats the thing with Trump, he's always up for the highest bidder.

 

[Scotttheking]

All I can do is face palm. So we are going to lift sanctions on Iranian oil because oil prices are going up while we are busy bombing Iranian oil production?
How exactly does this make sense?

 

[bjn]

All I can do is face palm. So we are going to lift sanctions on Iranian oil because oil prices are going up while we are busy bombing Iranian oil production?
How exactly does this make sense?

Fuckwits gonna fuckwit.

 

[Tijger]

All I can do is face palm. So we are going to lift sanctions on Iranian oil because oil prices are going up while we are busy bombing Iranian oil production?
How exactly does this make sense?

Idiocracy rules.

Also, the Idiot-in-Chief reportedly compared the attack on Iran to Pearl Harbor during the visit of the Japanese PM. Anyone got any bets whether he knows how that ended for Japan? His son Eric, a worthy spawn of idiocy, called it one of the greatest responses ever to a journalist.

 

[wco81]

Three weeks of bombing, spending tens of billions. Yet Iran seems to still be able to launch a lot of drone and missiles still at Israel and the other Gulf states.

Bad AI targeting?

Or did they think decapitation of a couple of layers of the Iranian regime would make them surrender?

Trump keeps saying it's going great, they're ahead of schedule, they've wiped out the Iranian navy, etc.

But Iran is still causing damage.

 

[RefrigeratorCo.]

Iran is going to slaughter oil prices, flip congress, get Trump impeached and then take things from there.

Trump just sealed his fate.

 

[karolus]

Reading that Newsweek story...



Helicopter‽ What the fuck...?



...oh. Got it. Motherfucker.

/scratches Newsweek off mental list of semi-reliable sources.

Another shining example of the power of AI.

 

[Zod]

Financing Iran to fight back. The US government is insane.

 

[fractl]

Financing Iran to fight back. The US government is insane.

And stupid. Very, very stupid.

 

[Klinn]

All I can do is face palm. So we are going to lift sanctions on Iranian oil because oil prices are going up while we are busy bombing Iranian oil production?
How exactly does this make sense?

That's some 5D chess move alright.

 

[wco81]

US just targeted hardened sites with one of its newest bunker buster bombs. It's along the Strait of Hormuz, believed to host anti-ship missile launchers.

Updated 3:47 pm EDT Mar. 19, 2026


The United States is dropping its newest and second-most-powerful bunker-busting GBU-72 bomb on fortified targets in Iran, the first time the weapon has been used in combat, according to multiple reports.


Without officially identifying the bomb, U.S. Central Command, in a March 17 post on X, said military forces “successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites.”


Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Mark Weatherington later told CNN the munitions were Guided Bomb Unit-72 Advanced 5K Penetrators. The bombs were dropped on sites along the Iranian coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/grap...new-bunker-busting-bomb-iran-war/89224975007/

 

[timby]

Or did they think decapitation of a couple of layers of the Iranian regime would make them surrender?

Yes.

That's the long and the short of it. They decided that the reason Iraq was such a clusterfuck was that Bush didn't get Saddam quickly enough, and they thought--with the not-so-gentle nudging of Netanyahu--that if they pulled off a decapitation strike and knocked off Khomeinei, the IRGC would panic and flee, the Iranian populace would rise up and Iran would become a subservient vassal state and the United States would get free oil.

 

[Macam]

Financing Iran to fight back. The US government is insane.

To be fair, that sort of aligns with our Russian policy, so I guess it’s….kinda consistent?

 

[Yagisama]

Trump compares the pre-emptive attack on Iran to the attack on Pearl harbor when asked about it by a Japanese reporter. "Who knows better about surprise than Japan!"

Watch Takaichi's reaction:


View: https://youtu.be/uaftVA7wR2M

 

[concernUrsus]

To be fair, that sort of aligns with our Russian policy, so I guess it’s….kinda consistent?

Europe is also doing that with Russia... so yep? Modern wars are so weird....

 

[Paengwyn]

Financing Iran to fight back. The US government is insane.

This rather torpedoes any of the post facto justifications for the war:

• They were going to build a nuclear weapon, so we've decided to help fund it
• They were going to attack us first, so we're helping them buy more missiles to keep attacking us
• We wanted regime change, so we're going to prop up the regime financially
• We wanted to destroy their military capabilities, so we're funding their re-armament efforts

We should never have killed that gorilla. Stop the planet I want to get off.

 

[Spiral Jumper]

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/politics/f-35-damage-iran-war

Someone mentioned it up above but they are now saying it was Iranian AA that hit the F-35. Iran posted footage from the targeting computer too, apparently.

1.5 trillion dollar weapons program hit by 25+ year old targeting equipment. That’s our healthcare. That’s a country-wide electric high speed rail. That’s, I don’t know, pick a cool thing we could’ve had instead of that fucking plane.

Also puts paid to any notion that the US has “complete air superiority” like they’ve been claiming.

 

[SedsAtArs]

$200 billion? Well, that's perfect! We just freed up billions letting the ACA subsidies expire.

Let's see, CBO estimated we'd "save" $30 billion / year by cutting them. Some estimates put current costs of the Iran War at ~$2 billion a day. So by allowing more Americans to die, we can get 15 days of a war we can't win!

The art of the deal.

 

[Lt_Storm]

Don't forget that Israel is a key part of the apocalypse fantasies for a lot of religious Americans.

Including, you may recall, a significant portion of the military higher-ups.

This is an instance where Trump should be uniquely situated to pull the plug. Unlike Biden or other establishment neoliberals we've been given for decades who need to continue the same dog and pony show, he's not bound by that baggage (or maybe I'm mistaken and he is). He's not religious. He is amoral, transactional and doesn't give a shit about anyone.

I'm not sure I agree. I mean, Trump is bound by gas prices and oil interests. And, because Iran is in a position to screw with the oil supply, I don't see how Trump is, in any way, suited to pull the plug here. He's placed himself in a corner where there is no good out.

To be fair, they were probably led to believe that overwhelming U.S. military superiority would minimize any retaliation. And because most of them are in their positions due to family connections, not merit, they believed the promises without scrutiny.

That and because many of them, specifically, Qatar, likely didn't expect America to pick this fight. I mean, who would be that dumb?

The other Gulf states in general urged Trump to start the war and continue bombing behind the scenes.

Saudia Arabia, sure, but Qatar? No. Qatar has been pleading for this to stop pretty much since day one.

Trump compares the pre-emptive attack on Iran to the attack on Pearl harbor when asked about it by Japanese reporter. "Who know better about surprise than Japan!"

I guess, if the shoe fits ........... Though, he does recall that the Japanese were the bad guys, right?