The attack on Iran has begun [BUMPED UP – scroll down for newer posts]
[NOTE: I am busy this afternoon for a few hours, but will be adding to this later today. There’s much fast-breaking news at the moment. Meanwhile, I’ve bumped it up and you can scroll down for newer posts.]
The rumors were correct:
The US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran Saturday morning in response to the regime’s refusal to dismantle its nuclear program after weeks of negotiations — targeting military infrastructure and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound in Tehran.
The attacks — which the Department of War called “Operation Epic Fury” — follow a massive US military buildup in the Middle East and come after President Trump repeatedly warned Tehran that it would face consequences if it didn’t make a deal with the US.
Iran then launched missiles towards Israel in a retaliatory attack as officials claimed the response would be “crushing.”
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said in an eight-minute video address on Saturday. …
Airstrikes were also reported in other enclaves, including Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah.
Israeli military officials were prepared for the “initial phase” to last over several days, with the first strikes taking place during the day as a surprise to Iran, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.
Khameini himself is apparently somewhere other than home, as might be expected. He’s supposedly in an “undisclosed secure location.”
I can well believe it.
Trump is clear that he wants regime change, and that it’s up to the people of Iran:
“To the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered, don’t leave your home, it’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, we will take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump said.
“For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.
“Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close, within your reach. This is the moment for action, do not let it pass,” he said.
We don’t know the details of what will be happening before we are “finished.” The “we” here includes Israel, which in the past has had excellent intelligence on Iran. I hope that remains the case; do they have any tricks up their sleeve? They’d better. The risk level is high.
There have been retaliatory strikes by Iran against Israel, and against a US naval base near Bahrain, and perhaps other US bases in the Middle East. The extent of any damage isn’t clear.
I very much hope someone in the administration has thought about what comes next. Is there anyone who can lead the country after the Ayatollahs? Who can bring together a multi-ethnic society? I have not been impressed with the so-called “crown prince.” Will Iranians want that family back in power?
A rudderless Iran could be worse that what we have now.
F:
I am virtually certain they’ve thought long and hard about it. That certainly doesn’t mean they can control it. It is a risk.
I believe we had the discussion on this blog some time ago about whether something worse could succeed the present Iranian government if it topples. The successor government may still be bad, but I very much doubt it would be worse.
Oh good grief! Who cares what comes next. These assholes have got to go.
Very good news to hear (and I could hardly have been more wrong about this timing!). Hopefully well begun will be well ended too.
Has anyone asked the Seditious Six if these are lawful orders? Inquiring minds want to know.
I don’t know if a succeeding government could be worse but we will now be seen as responsible for whatever comes next. It’s a huge gamble and a defining moment for the region and for Trump’s presidency. If it succeeds we could see a new era in the Middle East and Trump will be viewed as a bold and visionary leader. If it fails, say hello to President Newsom/Harris/AOC.
I hope we can be cautiously optimistic here. It would be a good thing if the Iranian regime were seriously degraded. It would be even better if it were overthrown completely.
”Is there anyone who can lead the country after the Ayatollahs?”
Many of the protesters have called for the crown prince Reza Pahlavi to return to lead the government. He’s probably the best choice in that he has the backing of a large group of people and seems willing to lead Iran into a multi-party democracy.
After Ilhan et al have made their predictable responses some interesting things coming from Iranians themselves, including some video of women laughing as the Supreme Leader’s compound is hit, and some dancing in the streets….some other samples:
To all Americans who voted for Donald J. Trump: thank you from the bottom of my heart — from me and from Iranians everywhere.
— Arsalan Naamdar (@arsalannaamdar) February 28, 2026
If you’re not Iranian, shut the fuck up.
Iranians are celebrating and crying tears of joy right now.
Long live Iran
— Persian Culer (@Persian_Culer) February 28, 2026
I am an Iranian and I would like to ask you to pray for the U.S. forces, and the Iranian people (Not the Ayatollahs’ regime).
Long live the people of Iran, and God bless the United States of America.
— | Sana Ebrahimi (@__Injaneb96) February 28, 2026
Yep Congress Critters are already up in Arms (see what I did there) over the “Illegal” strikes. Wow, we might have some casualties, but we have been getting casualties all along because of Iran. They declared War against us many years ago, now we are returning the favor. I imagine that the attack on the nukes seriously degraded their air defenses, so maybe easier this time. Israel surely has assets on the ground again, helping the attackers. Iranian missile attacks on other ME countries isn’t winning them friends either. Saudia Arabia is pissed. Russia can’t do anything but wring their hands. Not sure of China’s response, but China could take advantage and get a slice of Iran.
Nothing in War is sure. As has been said, plans go out the window at the first shot.
May many of the Iranian leaders met the 72 Virgins.
Trump is saying to the everyday Iraninan, “I’m holding up my end. If this ends with the Mullocracy still in place, that’s on you.”
Trump has already signaled he will only do so much to assist in regime change, then he’s washing his hands of it.
Sinking the Iranian navy, and degrading the regime’s institutional, industrial and military infrastructure will pay off no matter what happens. Plus, Trump gets credit as of today for drawing a line and sticking to it.
But I predict Iran will still have some form of theocracy to deal with at the end of US and Israeli operations, unless part of our plan is to arm massively an opposition militia.
Fetterman supports the strikes.
https://x.com/SenFettermanPA
Since Iran has been at Death to America war with the US since ‘79, this is not a new war.
Since Trump has declared Iran will not be allowed to have nukes, but Iran admin has said their nuke program will not be stopped, negotiations failed to stop this escalation response.
The failure of the anti-American “international law” folk to stop the invasion by Russia has discredited them, as well as the idea of Int’l law.
Unenforced law is not real law, merely virtue signaling.
Hanania notes the real problem of Iraq was stupid nation building. Not the neocon idea of coming in, stopping the dictator, and leaving some mess.
https://www.richardhanania.com/p/the-right-way-to-do-regime-change
Boot out the current bad guys, support less bad or good guys in the upcoming civil war. Iranians as the boots on the ground, not Americans.
Controlling Iran oil production & sales is too little talked about, but a huge short & mid-term issue.
In the presumption the next regime will be worlse; in what regard? International troubles? We just showed that can be managed. Internally? Can hardly be worse, but can be addressed from the outside, possibly.
Israeli media say there are growing indications the Ayatollah has been killed.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15601515/Israeli-media-say-growing-indications-Irans-Supreme-Leader-Ali-Khamenei-killed-US-Israeli-strike.html
I’m thinking it’s time for Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlahib (sic), Jhamila Praypal (sic, I don’t care (IDC)
), Zohran Mamdami, Candace Owen, and Tucker Carlson, to be given a flight to Iran so that they can be human shields for the grand, supreme, wonderfull, fabulous allotayya (sic IDC).
They wouldn’t be missed and wouldn’t come back in a just world.
Kate:
The grand supreme A hole is dead? Well that’s a good start, maybe those American fan gals and fan isguy can go and guard his remains in perpetuity.
TACO dies again.
More on the Ayatollah here, with links to Israeli media.
https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2026/02/28/israeli-intel-khamenei-hit-irgc-commander-killed-in-opening-strikes-n3812379
The concern of the Tuckers and MTGs of the world is not that these attacks will fail but that they will succeed. It’s kind of hard to claim to be America First when you are rooting for your country to fail.
Well we heard it here first via IrishOtter49. Tomorrow’s news today. Yet another reason to read this blog.
ALMOST an hour ago, GBnews (UK) reports
“BREAKING: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has reportedly been killed in the military strikes, according to unconfirmed reports from Israel’s Channel 12. Iran’s Foreign Minister has denied these reports. GB News has not independently verified these claims…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DaBbqAyNbg
The report I just heard says Israel struck the building where Khamenei was based on their reports of his location.
Another report said it was surprising that the attack occurred during the day instead of night.
It seems possible that the strike’s timing was based on sure knowledge of Khamenei’s whereabouts.
I have very mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I agree with what Trump has called our military to do.
Take out Iranian nuclear weapon facility? Heck yeah.
Get rid of Maduro? I’m a little uncomfortable with that but I can see the rationale as dealing with a narco-terrorist.
Regime change? Even if the regime is the source of so much chaos and violence in the region and aorund the world? and is so violent and repressive toward its own citizens? Sigh. Have we not been down this road before?
At what point does this represent the President waging war without Congressional approval?
Some democrat by the last name of Moulton (not worth googling) is on CNN decrying all this. Of course accusing Trump of lying about everything. He just said, something like, “Trump was gifted, by president Obama, a nuclear deal that would have prevented Iran from ever attaining a nuclear weapon.” Emphasis his.
I switched back to Fox.
And IrishOtter49’s source was correct after all.
Excellent!
I wonder if IrishOtter’s source should have been telling him this. 🙂
Watching Fox News, while exercising. Bret Baier says there were simultaneous meetings of Iranian leadership at three sites , which is why these daytime strikes were ordered. Also, the delay for weeks may very well have been for beefing up Israeli anti-missile supplies.
“At what point does this represent the President waging war without Congressional approval?”
As Tom Grey points out, Iran has been at war with the US since Carter. How does that change congressional approval, I don’t know.
Head. Snake. Die.
At least one hopes so.
Never forget that the mullahs could have avoided all this. First of all by not masterminding the October 7 attack (not to mention all the other terrorism they’ve been responsible for since taking power in 1979). Then repeatedly refusing to give up their nuclear program, their ballistic missiles and their support for proxy terrorists.
They could have done so, received relief from sanctions, likely some advantageous deals, then spent their time time and resources rebuilding a peaceful, prosperous Iran.
But no….
This is 47 years in the making and weeks in the preps. Dead ass useless congress had plenty of time to allow or disallow. They chose a pet show.
I’m thinking of the very big picture here. It’s interesting that many months ago Trump made some serious statements and took actions in regard to the US re-establishing control of the Panama canal. He also made strong statements about how terrible it was that Jimmy Carter let it go in the first place.
Now he trying to remedy one of Carter’s biggest mistakes. Letting Iran descend into primitive chaos.
Carter was an absolutely dreadful president. So was Nixon, aside from all the Watergate stuff. Presidents really matter, unlike the beliefs of our leftist friends who apparently believe that an entirely dysfunctional president like Biden doesn’t matter much.
In an article from a week ago the Financial Times explains the possible thinking of the mullahs. The article is even-handed in a dishonest way.. Poor Iran. Mean Trump. No mention of Oct 7. But I think the analysis of the mullahs’ strategy is sound:
________________________________________
Why Iran is betting on war
Tehran thinks a drawn-out conflict could eventually yield a better deal than what Trump is offering today
The US appears poised to launch a major military attack on Iran. The last round of talks between the two countries was an opportunity for Iran to avert war but Tehran offered little to Washington. That is not because Iran’s rulers are too obdurate and caught up in their old ways of thinking. Rather they are putting little stock in diplomacy and increasingly see war as inevitable. They see talks more as a trap than a solution and seem to view an unavoidable war as more cathartic than a weak deal. They are focused on how to manage it — and even use it to their advantage….
This time Iran is preparing for a long war — a drawn-out and costly conflict that will affect US allies and interests across the region. But even if the US launches a massive strike and succeeds in impeding Iran’s ability to retaliate against US forces or Israel, Tehran may still retain the ability to use its regional proxies, and target oil facilities and energy supply routes. It could even decide to launch much of its arsenal against the US and its allies before the US is able to destroy it, thus quickly escalating the war.
Tehran may calculate that the longer the war lasts and the higher the stakes become, the US will be more likely to look for a way to end it. Negotiations then could yield a different — and more desirable — result for Iran than they will today. Many in the west will interpret this line of thinking as a catastrophic miscalculation that will end in the devastation of Iran and the Islamic republic’s downfall. But it would be a mistake if they dismiss it.
–Vali Nasr, “Why Iran is betting on war”
https://www.ft.com/content/6432bedc-1d22-4e21-9d8d-04f38bcf579b?segmentId=b385c2ad-87ed-d8ff-aaec-0f8435cd42d9
Keir Starmer declares that Britain led by a cabal of weak-assed leftist pussies is over and done, and he’s damned proud of it too.
I am squarely behind Trump, war though has a mind of it’s own, be prepared for surprises.
Rick67 observes “At what point does this represent the President waging war without Congressional approval?”
Consult your Constitution. It says Congress has the authority to “declare war”, and that the head Executive, the President, is “Commander in Chief” of the military.
It does NOT say that ONLY Congress can declare war! And the 45 years of the Third World War, better known as the Cold War, didn’t either!
In fact, since WWII, eg, War in Korea, no such declaration is forthcoming because to do so would trigger a mess of international treaties governing war.
It Begins…
_______________________________
Democrats in Oregon and Washington condemn military strike in Iran
Multiple representatives and senators called for a vote in Congress to end further military action.
https://www.opb.org/article/2026/02/28/pacific-northwest-lawmakers-reaction-iran-war/
Wow.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888293
Israeli sources say the Ayatollah is dead, and they say this comes from sources inside Iran. https://instapundit.com/779309/
Also at Instapundit, responses from some leftists and the Bulwark types against these strikes. Tucker Carlson is quoted as saying our attack on Iran is “absolutely disgusting and evil.”
On Fox I’ve heard that the Iranian opposition is being covertly armed as well. That should change the calculation when it comes to shooting protesters.
Hope so.
If the IRGC is cut down, the military might turn to help covertly armed opposition. Hope so.
@huxley “… I’ve heard that the Iranian opposition is being covertly armed as well.”
Ok, that’s the ticket, Iranian boots on the ground. The only way the regime change can be accomplished is by armed Iranians.
First the hand wringing that Trump DO something – those poor people are being slaughtered by their own government! Millions are dying! WHY is he not DOING something? WHY did he give them support (when no one else would) but not DO something?
And within hours of Trump finally DOING something (and doing it WITH the support and approval of two major players in the Middle East, Israel and Saudi Arabia) – the handwringing about how he is EVIL and he can’t DO that! How DARE he do something! How DARE he attack the country that has been openly and proudly at war with this country (Death to America!) for 40 years.
This is why he didn’t DO anything right away – tried all the diplomacy, and the talk talk and the blah blah – everything you’re *supposed* to do, which has been done for decades without result. In the meantime, got as much intel and support as possible, because once that first shot is fired, it’s all uncertainty afterwards.
You know – I don’t remember this level of handwringing over Obama’s going in and killing Quadaffi, taking out a stable dictator who was NOT openly at war with the US. Nobody cared what came next, nobody cared about how he treated the Libyan people. I am not sure Congress officially approved it. Just “Yay Obama, all hail and praise him!” and that was that. Trump sneezes and it’s the end of the world, we’re gonna lose the midterms, the world hates us, blah blah.
I need more coffee i guess. I am just old and sick and tired of all this two-faced BS.
“Tehran thinks a drawn-out conflict could eventually yield a better deal than what Trump is offering today.”
Wasn’t that Imperial Japan’s basic strategy c. December 1941?
All day war scrolling on X, some Iranian officials say Khamenei lives, but no TV evidence, despite a promise.
I guess dead.
I guess lots of Mossad agents on the ground, plus the Trump build-up, but also the semi-real negotiations. Expecting a No, but willing to not fight if only Iran had said the secret words: (SOTU)
We will never get nuclear weapons.
Not said. Just days ago the Iranian leaders were on TV talking about their nuke program.
TACO dies again! But Dems will lie again.
Rubio notified 7 of the 8 gang of 8 who needed to be notified within 48 hrs. He has 60, + 30, days of bombing before needing Congressional approval for more.
Likely the biggest unknown is the coming Iranian Civil War.
Karg island, where some 80% of Iranian oil is loaded, was recently hit. I think it should be occupied. Haven’t seen enough talk about control of Iranian oil production & sales.
Iran has sent missile or drones at 8 surrounding Muslim states, one drone just missing Burj Khalifa.
I guess Iranian allies of Mossad will be mostly recommending what Trump should do in the upcoming Iranian civil war, and whether they support the son of the Shah, or not.
While I prefer the neocon dream of nation building, I see it hasn’t worked well since the ‘73 Peace Accords that Dems allowed commies to violate.
Whack a mole against dictators opposed to America is better than what the Dems did, and would do.
Hope it’s true that internal Iranian folk are getting guns.
Mike Plaiss said: Well we heard it here first via IrishOtter49.
Thanks for the hat-tip, Mike!
https://youtu.be/j_urZ5KDPec
I’ll get back to everyone here with more “predictions” after I consult my Palantíri stones. 🙂
P.S. Open war between Afghanistan and Pakistan has also commenced.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on the 28th condemned the Israeli-U.S. attack on Iran as “reckless” calling it “a premeditated, unjustified military aggression against Iran, a sovereign nation and UN member state.”
https://en.sedaily.com/politics/2026/02/28/russia-condemns-us-israel-strike-on-iran-as-unjustified
The irony . . . it burns, it burns.
Hard to choose a winner between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both losers would be nice.
TJ Olson commented: Consult your Constitution. It says Congress has the authority to “declare war”, and that the head Executive, the President, is “Commander in Chief” of the military.
I appreciate the replies and pushback on my comment.
Olson rightly invited us to consult the Constitution = https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
However the argument that the Constitution “does NOT say that ONLY Congress can declare war” strikes me as odd. I would argue if the Constitution says Congress can do something we should be careful about saying “because it does not say only Congress can do something then the other branches also can do that something”.
It would be interesting to watch the Supreme Court declare war.
Although there is of course an obvious difference which Olson rightly points out. The Constitution explicitly states: The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States
It does not say Congress or the Supreme Court is the Commander in Chief of the United States military (including the Air Force and Coast Guard and now the Space Force). The obvious question is what exactly it means to be the Commander in Chief. What can the President order our forces to do? Is there a limit on this power? What can the President not command our armed forces to do?
I think the question of limits is one of the most important when discussing how power and authority work in our constitutional republic.
If the President can order an attack like this then what else can the President order? We have wrestled with this question before. Korea and Vietnam. As Lab Rat reminds us we did not wrestle with this during the Obama administration.
I don’t know the final answer to these questions. I genuinely appreciate the invitation to consult our Constitution. However I do not think even Article I Section 8 and Article II section 2 quite settle the matter. I rather like what President Trump has commanded our armed forces to do. But I also think these actions raise questions about the contours of his authority as Commander in Chief under Article II.2.
Zineb Riboua: “The Iran Question Is All About China — Why Operation Epic Fury Is the Opening Act of the Indo-Pacific Century”
https://www.zinebriboua.com/p/the-iran-question-is-all-about-china
Time to go after our Evil Party aka Democratic and prosecute the top for sedition. Prosecution short of conviction still serves a strong purpose.The Dems are not the oppo party; they are immoral, manipulative and anti-American.
Congressional resolutions currently in force require notifications to Congress within 48 hours of military action, which has been done per Sec. Rubio. The action then has 60 days before Congressional authorization is required. As I understand it, there is no plan to have an operation last that long. Plans, of course, change once the shooting begins. If the regime has already been decapitated then we can hope for a short duration.
My own theory is that a secularized military rule in Iran will result, with perhaps a figurehead Shah, while things settle down there.
Rick67, the founders created this dichotomy because all powerful congress is often paralyzed by inaction. POTUS can do whatever unless congress stops him and if they don’t have the votes too bad. A lot of law since Lincoln is to give the minority the unconstitutional ability to curtail POTUS via the courts.
Greetings from Israel.
We spent most of Saturday in our safe rooms/bomb shelters. I managed to make it to synagogue for morning prayers – especially important this week, for a special Torah reading that mentions Israel’s implacable enemy Amalek in the run-up to the Purim festival… the weekend newspapers were full of Purim references, underlying the obvious Persian connection in current events.
While preparing the Sabbath lunch meal, the alarms started, and continued pretty steadily – with audible sounds of Iron Dome launches and interceptions – all afternoon and into sundown. My son and other reservists received calls on the Sabbath and set out to their bases.
Home Front defense instructed Sabbath-observant citizens to leave at least one phone on over the Sabbath, so we picked up reports that Khameni was killed in the initial strikes.
My wife points out that this is a pattern with both Trump and Bibi – to start a campaign over the weekend, when the financial markets are closed and media have spun down for the weekend.
Regarding those who are worried about another regime change boondoggle – I remind you that the mullahs took over a modernizing country with a strong non-Islamic – and non-Arab – component to its national identity and heritage…. The son of the last Shah is the face of this resistance movement, and constantly talks about democracy. So there is something authentic and promising to fill the vacuum. It is clear that Trump intends to keep his promise to voters by avoiding long-term commitment of American troops.
A fascinating tidbit from a couple of PowerLine commenters:
Today is the 11th day of the 9th month of the Muslim calendar.
In other words Islamic 9/11
Now Trump wouldn’t do something like that on purpose, would he?
It would be a boon to see Ali Larijami found and eliminated right along with all the rest of the IRI nest of vipers. Get them all in detail. Rid the earth of them, however far they go to hide.
Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead.
Was that a house that landed on his bunker? Dropped by a tornado?
A Tornado? Probably something from one of those F- things (F-15, F-35, with help from F-16s, F-22s, F-18s, KC- …..), or something from those killer B-s.
China, Russia you know the drill.
Just sayin’
There’s more than one adversary being taught a lesson today, and more than one lesson is being taught.
Everyone has learned that cozying up to Russia and China does you no good. And the consequences will come home personally to leadership at the highest levels, that they can’t just expect to ride it out in their bunkers and let their citizenry bear the brunt.
Everyone is also learning, either shut up and get the nukes or don’t try to get them, but whatever you do, don’t brag about how you’re getting them and what you’re going to do with them, if you don’t yet have them.
Everyone is also learning, the red line is the red line. The clock really is ticking. If you’re given the chance to make a deal, make it right away.
Let me guess; the media will extensively cover and repeat what the demonrats say and totally ignore the plight of the average Iranian citizen; they won’t even bother interviewing any Iranians to hear what they think of Trump’s attack.
There really is no way to hate the media too much.
Re: Khamenei?
–Fox News, “BREAKING: Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in an Israeli airstrike”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lat7KKHBmM
It’s a new world.
Live Streams of Iran Attacks:
President Trump orders STRIKES on IRAN – Live Streaming
https://commoncts.blogspot.com/2026/02/president-trump-orders-strikes-on-iran.html
LIVE | US Israel Attack On Iran Kills Supreme Leader Khamenei, Body Recovered After Killing – CNN N18G Live Stream
https://commoncts.blogspot.com/2026/02/live-us-israel-attack-on-iran-kills.html
Today is the 11th day of the 9th month of the Muslim calendar.
In other words Islamic 9/11
Now Trump wouldn’t do something like that on purpose, would he?
It also is the Sabbath before Purim (a holiday commemorating the defeat of the Persian attempt to slaughter its Jewish population), when Jews are commanded to “Remember Amalek,” the tribe and its descendants that have periodically attacked the Jews.
It’s only a bet, but I consider it likely that the mullah regime will collapse sooner than later:
* A large portion of Iranians hate the mullahs.
* Iran, objectively speaking, is facing huge economic and environmental challenges, which severely degrade the quality of life for citizens.
* The mullahs don’t have much support worldwide.
* The mullahs keep losing.
* The US and Israel keep coming with ferocious effectiveness.
It’s not hard to discern the “strong horse” in the current circumstances.
I can’t recall if I’ve said it elsewhere; Iran’s best bet would have been to sign immediately everything Trump aske for and then to await a dem POTUS.
Jimmy – BOGO
Fascinating to watch my left friends spin their heads today as they try to fit every new report into their TDS world. First, it was “OMG, he’s gotten us into a quagmire war”, next was “he’s a dictator starting a war without congress.” Now, it’s “There’s plenty more to take Supreme Leader’s place so nothing will change just because he’s dead.”
Thought for second to respond, but I gave up trying to break through that mental spaghetti.
To the extent I have a bottom line in this matter, it is entirely defined by my total, virtually unqualified support for Israel, its people, and their preservation and victory.
CNN (!) Reporting on large crowds of Iranians in LA celebrating and noting some Israelis joining in. As one Iranian said, “Who would have believed Iranians and Israelis celebrating together. “
Some fair numbers of Iranians who have made it to, and now live in, this country came here to escape the very thing that we and the Israelis are now attacking: Shi’ite Islam. I know a few of them. They and the Israelis are philosophically natural allies.
The name unspoken who, with Israel, sent the supreme A hole to his maker.
Who might that be?
Keep in mind folks (referring to American countrymen and women), the bat shit crazy half of us think this is the absolutely the wrong thing to do and is the product of super-evil-villain Trump’s trying to aggrandize or protect himself. See, for example, https://snyder.substack.com/p/making-sense-of-iran-war?r=17nyqs&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true .
Ira,
Exactly. See what I wrote at 542pm. Their posts continuing in that vein apace.
Commentary Magazine doing an emergency podcast. Past experience tells me they are very dialed in to higher-ups in the IDF. They are saying the inbound missiles from Iran are fewer than what was expected.
They and the Israelis are philosophically natural allies.
And Iran under the Shah was very benevolent toward its Jewish population, which was substantial (around 100,000). It’s likely some of those “Iranians” in LA are in fact Persian Jews who fled Iran shortly before or after the revolution, many of whom went to LA.
America must come to grips with its citizens who claim to be big-D Democrats. I believe them to be anti-American, having forfeited the rights accorded to fellow citizens. But today they-Schmuckie Chuckie et al.- are very,very quiet. But they are not forgotten.
Jimmy: I do not know anyone in or from LA. But the Iranians I know here in the American southeast are, while not Jewish, also most definitely NOT practicing Shi’ite Muslims.
A whole lot of Iranians in Iran are also not practicing Shi’ite Muslims.
Betsybounds, the Persian Jews who came to the US mostly went either to LA or to Great Neck, NY. They are on the whole quite wealthy. The ornate mansions in Beverly Hills are legendary. We have some Persian Jewish friends in Manhattan, also quite successful–in the rug business, naturally.
Ben David:
Stay safe.
the Persian Jews who came to the US mostly went either to LA
There were a bunch at USU back in the day. My girl friend at the time was Jewish, and the Persian Jews held a Seder dinner, the next nearest one was 50 miles away in Ogden. Which reminds me that the owner of the metal recycling junk yard was also Jewish, or “the old Jew” as the townspeople referred to him. It was a small town at the time, that guy sent his sons to Denver to find wives. After the revolution a number of Persians stuck around, they run some of the local businesses.
Another observation from the Commentary podcast. While the attack had been planned for months, and everyone was ready to go at a moments notice, it was not known that the top leaders were going to be in the same place at the same time until Thursday. So the decapitation part of this strike was planned on Friday and carried out on Saturday.
Rita Panahi:
https://x.com/i/status/2027939677144289635
Together with Rita, I remember and can never forgive this barbarity, nor Obama who shrugged it off as if nothing had occurred.
Yes, yes and yes.
Also must spare a moment for those many victims of the Baha’i faith whose lives were destroyed, singled out as they were for special persecution and torture, and decimated by the evil regime…
…along with all the hostages that the Islamic Twelver “Republic”, captured, tortured and sometimes killed as a matter of “policy”….
@ Mike Plaiss > “it was not known that the top leaders were going to be in the same place at the same time until Thursday.”
Speaking of lessons not learned, as several of you did above: were they carrying pagers?
However, given that unplanned (?) coincidence, the connection with 9/11 and even Purim may be truly accidental.
Or part of Someone Else’s timing.
@ Ben David – may you and your family and friends stay safe – and I include all Israelis in that circle! — and thanks for your comments “from the front lines,” which so often give us a personal outlook on what would otherwise be just more headlines in the news.
@ Betsybounds > “To the extent I have a bottom line in this matter, it is entirely defined by my total, virtually unqualified support for Israel, its people, and their preservation and victory.”
Amen.
@ Lab Rat > “First the hand wringing that Trump DO something – those poor people are being slaughtered by their own government! Millions are dying! WHY is he not DOING something? …
And within hours of Trump finally DOING something (and doing it WITH the support and approval of two major players in the Middle East, Israel and Saudi Arabia) – the handwringing about how he is EVIL and he can’t DO that!”
Surely you know the rules by now: If the Democrats didn’t have double standards, they wouldn’t have any at all.
I used to limit that to “Democrat leaders” but sadly we have learned that the brain-rot has gone a long way down over the last 10-20 years.
And I do say that with great sadness.
@Rick 67: “At what point does this represent the President waging war without Congressional approval?” My thoughts on your comment were mirrored by the response from Chases Eagles; plus Kate’s comment just prior:
Chases Eagles on February 28, 2026 at 11:35 am said:
This is 47 years in the making and weeks in the preps. Dead ass useless congress had plenty of time to allow or disallow. They chose a pet show.
sdferr on February 28, 2026 at 2:46 pm said:
Zineb Riboua: “The Iran Question Is All About China — Why Operation Epic Fury Is the Opening Act of the Indo-Pacific Century”
Thanks for this article – very interesting. Plus it always seems to be disturbing to think of the CCP having the ability to achieve a strategy with a long term patience that we in the West sometimes seem to be unable to accomplish. Now we have several actions by Trump to set those chess moves back quite a bit.
Amazing!
https://xcancel.com/planefag/status/2027675360381239585
it was in fact, a bahai holy day, the 10th of Behand in their calendar, i’m sure there are some who realized this date,
yes Neda Sultan’s murder by a Basij gets some accountability, on my old extant blog, I had a few posts about the Green Movement then, who was headed by some dubious players, who were part of the Pasdarans proxy war in Iran Mohahestimi pur (sic) and mir mussawi, who had been the Iranian ‘moderates’
that Reagan foolishly tried to engage, but Iran has often been a ‘mystery wrapped inside of an riddle, inside an enigma
*a quarter century before! only a few experts like the late Admiral Ace Lyons acknowledged the very hot wat, the Pasdaran had waged not only against us, but French and even Italian forces in the Levant,
According to a video I just viewed, the new religious leader of Iran is to be elected by a council consisting of 80 plus Mullas–sort of like the Catholic council of cardinals.
Time to permanently “retire” each one of these council members.
— Jim Melcher
Even then, it would probably tend to go that way.
One of the errors America made in both Afghanistan and Iraq was to try to export Western hypersecularism in the aftermath, and it’s just not compatible with the operating system of the Islamic world. I was afraid that would happen from the very beginning in both places, because the Western elites have trouble imagining anything else. The Elite Right wants to export Ayn Rand, the Elite Left wants to export the freaky socio-sexual agenda, both are pure-secular to a tremendous degree. Neither is exportable except at the constant point of a gun.
For that matter, we’ve seen that pattern play out in the post-USSR Russia, in South Sudan, etc. Ever since the Cold War ended, the Western elites have been trying to implement two versions of a common vision of the world, a vision that Just Doesn’t Work.
No matter what comes to power in Iran, it’ll have to be at least Islam-compatible to function in that part of the world. But ‘compatible’ covers a lot of territory.
— Tom Grey
Unfortunately, that approach has failed more often than it has succeeded.
The reason we didn’t just remove Hussein and the Taliban and then immediately leave was that we had already tried that before.
We helped the Afghans drive the USSR out…and left. The Taliban filled the power vacuum, and the result was 911 and 3000 dead (and it was pure luck that 3000 wasn’t closer to 10,000). We had engaged in other interventions where we acted and left, and it rarely worked out well.
Where we succeeded (South Korea, West Germany, Japan, etc.) we always had a substantial presence of some sort after the fighting stopped.
Nation building is almost impossible, by its very nature.
State-building, on the other hand, is something the USA has considerable experience in successfully doing. You can’t export Western liberal democracy to a place with no underlying religious or social foundation for it. South Korea was a functional dictatorship before it was a democracy. Germany, OTOH, had that necessary foundation and West Germany mostly skipped the dictatorship.
Yep, and we’ll have to go down it again in the future, too, because sometimes all the alternatives are worse.
So we’d better start getting it right, since we’re going to have to do it either way.
— Rick67
Oh, it goes back much farther than that. The arguments about exactly what the President can unilaterally do militarily go back to the Washington Administration. Literally every Presidency since the first one has had this issue come up.
In practice, it is very difficult for Congress to stop the executive from using the military. They can cut off funding, of course, which would stop any action in its tracks, but doing so with fighting underway is politically super-risky. Thay can impeach, but that takes supermajorities. They can do subtler things like refusing to confirm a President’s officer choices (all officer commissions require Congressional approval, which is usually a formality below flag/star rank, but does not by any means have to be), but that takes time to have an effect.
As a practical political matter, the restraining force on what a President can do militarily is public opinion. If the public turns decisively against it, it won’t usually continue for long.
@HC68 @Tom Grey
I have to agree more with Hanania and HC68 on this, as one of those remnant Neocons. I’d also note that as dubious and flagged on as Iraq was, it was a victory. The current government is at least officially a constitutional, democratic republic and loose ally of ours, even if previously under heavy Iranian influence. And we have an enlarged, secured Kurdistan in the North that is a strong ally. Iraq was much closer to an unambiguous victory than pop culture remembers.
How the persians and Jews interact roots back to Cyrus the Great.