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Melon

(1,422 posts)
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:04 PM Thursday

There seems to be a lot of delusional thinking here

and in other liberal leaning Internet forums on Irans current position in the conflict and their ability to somehow extract victory out of the ashes.

There is an inability to differentiate between the actual performance of the US in the conflict and
our inner anger at the justification for the war.

Anger at the existence of the war should absolutely not cloud our understanding of how the war is going. Wishes should not become facts that the war is somehow going good for Iran.

They are not waiting for the US to run out of missiles or offensive weapons. That is simply not going to happen. They are unable to coordinate any kind of either offense or defense to protect them selves. They have no ability to meaningfully fight back.

73 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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There seems to be a lot of delusional thinking here (Original Post) Melon Thursday OP
And yet, the US does not have control of Iran on the ground Fiendish Thingy Thursday #1
Why would the Kurds Trust the US, after (under TSF), they were so terribly Betrayed?? Nictuku Thursday #5
I don't know that they trust the US Fiendish Thingy Thursday #6
The Iranian people need to rise up Melon Thursday #7
What vacuum? dpibel Thursday #19
The Revolutionary guard is organized and well armed Fiendish Thingy Thursday #22
And the Basij is vast pat_k Thursday #27
There is NO "vacuum." Do you understand that the IRGC/Basij is a vast military, industrial, economic conglomerate... pat_k Thursday #26
There is a vacuum in high level leadership for the mikitary Melon Yesterday #29
No. There isn't. pat_k Yesterday #30
When will we be greeted with rose petals? gab13by13 Thursday #2
Two weeks. nt sheshe2 Thursday #28
Duzy. nt KentuckyWoman Yesterday #48
You forgot the candy. choie 20 hrs ago #57
I had some difficulties differentiating between Russia's rhetoric (vs Ukraine) and the US propaganda to Nictuku Thursday #3
you mean the superfluous war that orange asshole started to take the focus off Epstein? NewHendoLib Thursday #4
IMHO Epstein's connection to Likud's version of Israel requires closer inspection. PufPuf23 Thursday #16
War in Iran bdamomma 19 hrs ago #62
The issue is that one man made the decison to enter the country into a war. CentralMass Thursday #8
Bombing the shit out of a country does not "regime change" make. pat_k Thursday #9
when iranian's lives are more miserable due to trump than the ayatollahs what then nt msongs Thursday #15
War of aggression is what people down south Melon Yesterday #36
There are still people who refer to it with that term. OldBaldy1701E 18 hrs ago #70
Good Lord! vanessa_ca Thursday #10
🙄 .... What nonsense.... Melon Thursday #12
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Thursday #11
Agreed. They rarely are. Melon Thursday #20
If only everybody were as clear-sighted as you! Prairie Gates Thursday #13
Think about this: How would the World's Catholics react if Iran Killed the Pope? Nictuku Thursday #14
Post removed Post removed Thursday #23
"There still be opportunities for gorilla actions" Prairie Gates Thursday #25
'gorilla actions' lol SamuelTheThird Yesterday #38
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Thursday #24
Or if we bombed Mecca or Rome? displacedvermoter 19 hrs ago #61
Yeah, dude! Afghanistan was helpless against our might, too! dpibel Thursday #17
Now that's the real point in all of this newdeal2 Yesterday #35
Afghanistan now is trying to attract tourist dollars Melon Yesterday #37
Enjoy your vacation True Dough 22 hrs ago #51
I hate everything ours and Iran fascist regimes does but you are right yaesu Thursday #18
There is a distinct difference between the Artesh (regular army) and the IRGC / Basij pat_k Yesterday #34
Its not all or nothing either way Cosmocat Thursday #21
Trump will likely cut and run when he gets bored, price of oil gets too high or congress pushes him. LeftInTX Yesterday #31
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Yesterday #33
You've been demonstrably wrong about the war SamuelTheThird Yesterday #32
March 6: US and Israel bombing sites in Bandar Abbas, presumably to prevent more hits on shipping Prairie Gates 19 hrs ago #67
Since you brought up "victory", let me ask you two questions. LudwigPastorius Yesterday #39
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Yesterday #40
I would bet against that happening. LudwigPastorius Yesterday #41
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Yesterday #43
As the OP said: dpibel Yesterday #42
I rec'd based on the hope but would moniss Yesterday #44
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Yesterday #45
"Democracy " is the imaginary clothing worn by the Emperor. AloeVera 21 hrs ago #55
Just like what happened in Iraq, right? Scrivener7 19 hrs ago #64
(running out of missles) is simply not going to happen? Tell the Atlantic scipan Yesterday #46
We are winning their hearts and minds, right? BidenRocks Yesterday #47
90 million new terrorists birthed is what I see as an outcome... SonOfNebanaube 21 hrs ago #56
Yesterday DU was called a pro-war board, today we're delusional about Iraq. What's next, we're ugly? betsuni Yesterday #49
Really Whip-poor-will 22 hrs ago #50
I agree ._. 22 hrs ago #52
Well - it's coming from somewhAIre. Scrivener7 19 hrs ago #63
There are 90 million people in Iran...I don't think bombs alone will make them do much of anything. pecosbob 22 hrs ago #53
And the topography Cosmocat 20 hrs ago #58
"They have no ability to meaningfully fight back." J_William_Ryan 21 hrs ago #54
There is one thing here I always read. rzemanfl 20 hrs ago #59
You're right. Iran has no real defense against our air assaults Buckeyeblue 20 hrs ago #60
Two days ago Trump was all about Kurd boots on the ground, yesterday he said ground action Prairie Gates 19 hrs ago #69
Probably. And he has to know that if he sends our troops in it'll be very unpopular Buckeyeblue 18 hrs ago #71
Your simplistic OP explains how a circus clown fascist got control of the most powerful military in the world maxrandb 19 hrs ago #65
I try to avoid the default position Torchlight 19 hrs ago #66
Christiane Amanpour spoke with Jon Stewart on Iran Quiet Em 19 hrs ago #68
It seems to me that they are doing a damn good job at fighting back. I am not the delusional one here. Ferrets are Cool 18 hrs ago #72
The Iranian regime is going no where fast. nt BootinUp 18 hrs ago #73

Fiendish Thingy

(22,854 posts)
1. And yet, the US does not have control of Iran on the ground
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:06 PM
Thursday

And it’s unlikely the Kurdish surrogates will gain control either.

Fiendish Thingy

(22,854 posts)
6. I don't know that they trust the US
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:22 PM
Thursday

But so far they have gotten a ton of free weapons from the CIA.

If they will carry out their assigned mission remains to be seen.

Melon

(1,422 posts)
7. The Iranian people need to rise up
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:27 PM
Thursday

There are not enough Kurds and they are at the border. The Iranian people need to somehow fill the vacuum.

dpibel

(3,868 posts)
19. What vacuum?
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:43 PM
Thursday

Your OP says it's all over. Why do the Iranian people need to rise up?

We've WON!!!!

That's what you said in the OP.

Fiendish Thingy

(22,854 posts)
22. The Revolutionary guard is organized and well armed
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:49 PM
Thursday

Haven’t heard any reports of them losing control of the streets in the major cities.

“Rising up” may take some time, if it happens at all.

pat_k

(13,136 posts)
26. There is NO "vacuum." Do you understand that the IRGC/Basij is a vast military, industrial, economic conglomerate...
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:55 PM
Thursday

... deeply embedded in every segment of the Iranian society. The oppressive power of the IRGC / Basij is effectively independent of the rule of the Ayatollahs.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221070279

Melon

(1,422 posts)
29. There is a vacuum in high level leadership for the mikitary
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:00 AM
Yesterday

The communication lines are cut. If a coupe were to occur, it’s not usually the people fighting the military. It’s portions of the military personnel and leadership rising up to fight their government.

pat_k

(13,136 posts)
30. No. There isn't.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:10 AM
Yesterday

Last edited Fri Mar 6, 2026, 01:40 AM - Edit history (1)

The Artesh (regular army) is about 600,000 strong. Key positions maintain levels of succession. They are a fairly conventional territorial defense.

But the IRGC/Basij is a COMPLETELY different animal.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221070279

Nictuku

(4,635 posts)
3. I had some difficulties differentiating between Russia's rhetoric (vs Ukraine) and the US propaganda to
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:10 PM
Thursday

I had some difficulties differentiating between Russia's rhetoric (vs Ukraine) and the US propaganda to justify its attack on Iran (Russia, even after 5 years, does not call it a 'War', it is a SMO - Special Military Operation. US is saying this is not a War, but a Special Combat Operation.

War is War. Propaganda is Propaganda

MAKE LYING WRONG AGAIN!

PufPuf23

(9,789 posts)
16. IMHO Epstein's connection to Likud's version of Israel requires closer inspection.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:39 PM
Thursday

Epstein activities with arms trade, dark money and blackmail in the ME to favor Israel date back to Iran-Contra.

Time to rip off the bandage.





bdamomma

(69,495 posts)
62. War in Iran
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 07:41 AM
19 hrs ago

is a distraction for Epstein files and possibly to cancel the US mid-term elections among other things Bibi is dirty too. Just like DJT. Just my two cents.

The other underlying thing is the Christian White Nationalists who want Armageddon in the area for the rapture. They are that mentally sick.

CentralMass

(16,932 posts)
8. The issue is that one man made the decison to enter the country into a war.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:30 PM
Thursday

He did not seek Congressional approval.
the Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war under Article I, Section 8. The founding fathers intent was the that the people, throught their proxy, Congress, have to give their approval to go to war. I'm certainly not rooting for Iran and support our military but it is unknown what kind of clusterf'k the Mango Malefactor has gotten us into and what the blowback and consequences will be.

pat_k

(13,136 posts)
9. Bombing the shit out of a country does not "regime change" make.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:34 PM
Thursday

I don't know where you are getting the notion that people here think the war is "going well" for Iran. I've seen no analysis or assertions that suggest that.

What I've seen is a lot of analysis and recognition that it is a shit show, and was destined to be such from the outset.

I've seen clear-eyed analyses from people with substantial expertise -- people like Tom Nichols -- that point to there being numerous paths to things getting WORSE, and a near zero chance of "regime change" for the better.

I've seen recognition of the fact that this war of aggression is a violation of international law and deeply immoral, not to mention that is is being prosecuted without the approval of Congress. (And NO, failure of the war powers bill to reign in the felon does NOT constitute authorization.) And in light of that, how "well" or "badly" the war is "going" for the United States or for Iran is irrelevant to the epic WRONGNESS.

The notion that decapitating the Iranian regime would somehow be sufficient was insane from the get go. And if you disagree, perhaps consider this post:

Let's talk about the magnitude of the IRGC/Basij military, industrial, economic conglomerate
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221070279

msongs

(73,529 posts)
15. when iranian's lives are more miserable due to trump than the ayatollahs what then nt
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:39 PM
Thursday

Melon

(1,422 posts)
36. War of aggression is what people down south
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:39 AM
Yesterday

Use to call the Civil War. They’d call it “ The war of Northern Aggression…”.

OldBaldy1701E

(10,934 posts)
70. There are still people who refer to it with that term.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:39 AM
18 hrs ago

I know of one that is a freaking History teacher!

Response to Melon (Original post)

Melon

(1,422 posts)
20. Agreed. They rarely are.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:44 PM
Thursday

Iran does have some modern weapons. They were using s-400 missile systems which China also uses. With that…they didn’t shoot down a single plane. Israel and the US are flying openly around Iran now with no return fire.

But the posts that Iran is saving there best technology or secret missiles etc is just fantasy. They are almost out of the bare basics which are truck mounted launchers.

They have a bunch of drones. They are slow prop driven drones with a cheap two stroke engine. Very slow and loud but cheap. The US sets up C-Ram gatling defense systems and other cheaper defense systems for these.

Nictuku

(4,635 posts)
14. Think about this: How would the World's Catholics react if Iran Killed the Pope?
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:38 PM
Thursday

The Ayatollah was the Spiritual Leader for, not Just Iran, but for all Shia Muslims WORLD-WIDE. The Quest for Revenge Against Americans has not even begun in the chaos of War.

This is a Huge Mistake on the Part of Americans, especially if it comes out that the US did it at the prodding of Israel.

Stupid Motherfuckers is all I can say. This will not end soon. Especially if his Son retains the seat as the new Ayatollah. The US/Israel attack did not only kill his Father, but they also killed his wife and children. Revenge is the Word of the Day, to be realized all too soon, I fear. Not on our Dear Leader who lies more than he breathes, but to Americans now in danger all across the globe.

Idiots

Response to Nictuku (Reply #14)

Prairie Gates

(7,851 posts)
25. "There still be opportunities for gorilla actions"
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:51 PM
Thursday

The military expert, ladies and gentleman. Gorilla actions.

SamuelTheThird

(919 posts)
38. 'gorilla actions' lol
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:42 AM
Yesterday

No one thinks Iran can 'win' militarily. What they can do is inflict global economic pain, which they are. Just -for example- look at Qatar stopping natural gas production, and just how much of the world depends on that.

Response to Nictuku (Reply #14)

displacedvermoter

(4,209 posts)
61. Or if we bombed Mecca or Rome?
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 07:38 AM
19 hrs ago

Qm is the religious center of the Shiite faith, and Israel is routinely bombing it now. I am sure noone in Iran is tucking that away for future reference.

dpibel

(3,868 posts)
17. Yeah, dude! Afghanistan was helpless against our might, too!
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:40 PM
Thursday

I think you should talk to GW Bush about the premature hanging of "Mission Accomplished" banners.

newdeal2

(5,261 posts)
35. Now that's the real point in all of this
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:21 AM
Yesterday

25 years of war and American democracy
and look at Afghanistan now. Why will Iran be different?

Melon

(1,422 posts)
37. Afghanistan now is trying to attract tourist dollars
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:41 AM
Yesterday

They also don’t want terrorism. It’s bad for business.

yaesu

(9,215 posts)
18. I hate everything ours and Iran fascist regimes does but you are right
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:41 PM
Thursday

Iran is a paper tiger militarily, no air force, no navy to speak of, about the only sea threat is a dozen or so miny 7man subs that can take out shipping, freighters, maybe a lone navy ship outside a carrier group. They have a large standing army only good for human wave assaults, aka, suicide missions.

pat_k

(13,136 posts)
34. There is a distinct difference between the Artesh (regular army) and the IRGC / Basij
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:20 AM
Yesterday

Discussion seems to assume we are dealing with the type of military we are familiar with -- a "regular" army.

In Iran, that is the Artesh.

But the true oppressive power is in the vast military/industrial/economic might of the IRGC / Basij

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221070279

Cosmocat

(15,389 posts)
21. Its not all or nothing either way
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:45 PM
Thursday

I do agree that people can be in a space where they are overly critical of the US military and over stating Iran's position, Im kind of fighting that personally.

The US is going to dominate the air and waters. At the same time Iran has been preparing for this a long time and are like all the others in the ME - highly patient, pragmatic, and 1,000% committed.

But, the US can't "win" this because DT either simply won't put boots on the ground in Iran or if he does it will be even worse than Afghanistan or Iraq.

.



LeftInTX

(34,098 posts)
31. Trump will likely cut and run when he gets bored, price of oil gets too high or congress pushes him.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:14 AM
Yesterday

Generally he has 60 days.

He will likely need congressional approval for ground troops.

Response to LeftInTX (Reply #31)

SamuelTheThird

(919 posts)
32. You've been demonstrably wrong about the war
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:15 AM
Yesterday
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21071828

'Iran is only a threat to the Straits verbally at this point. ' that was your claim

Yet Iran has successfully attacked tankers with missiles and a drone boat. Hence the huge downturn in traffic.

Prairie Gates

(7,851 posts)
67. March 6: US and Israel bombing sites in Bandar Abbas, presumably to prevent more hits on shipping
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:23 AM
19 hrs ago

in the Strait of Hormuz.

Link to RAI Italia

I guess the OP was wrong about that, too.

LudwigPastorius

(14,556 posts)
39. Since you brought up "victory", let me ask you two questions.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:59 AM
Yesterday

What constitutes victory for the United States? And, what defines victory for Iran?

Response to LudwigPastorius (Reply #39)

LudwigPastorius

(14,556 posts)
41. I would bet against that happening.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 01:16 AM
Yesterday

Bombing and killing people tends to make them put aside their internal differences and focus their wrath on the outsiders doing the killing.

Also see historic precedence: Somalia in the 90s, Afghanistan post-9/11, Libya post-Gadaffi, Iraq (grade it "incomplete" for having the trappings of a democracy, but still a corrupt and failed government)

Response to LudwigPastorius (Reply #41)

Response to moniss (Reply #44)

AloeVera

(4,156 posts)
55. "Democracy " is the imaginary clothing worn by the Emperor.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 06:04 AM
21 hrs ago

Visible only to the naive and delusional, make-believe to the complicit. The rest of us can see the Emperor/Empire has no clothes.

scipan

(3,020 posts)
46. (running out of missles) is simply not going to happen? Tell the Atlantic
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 02:07 AM
Yesterday
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221074139

I am really sure that we have more capabilities. But that doesn't mean it will be easy to just conquer Iran.

betsuni

(28,982 posts)
49. Yesterday DU was called a pro-war board, today we're delusional about Iraq. What's next, we're ugly?
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 02:33 AM
Yesterday

Whip-poor-will

(92 posts)
50. Really
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 04:52 AM
22 hrs ago

INVINCIBLE

Bow Down to US ..we own death and aren't afraid to use it.

Sow the wind reap the whirlwind means what ?

pecosbob

(8,371 posts)
53. There are 90 million people in Iran...I don't think bombs alone will make them do much of anything.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 05:10 AM
22 hrs ago

We don't have enough boots to occupy the country in a meaningful way.

Cosmocat

(15,389 posts)
58. And the topography
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 07:00 AM
20 hrs ago

It isnt flat like Iraq.

These idiots have absolutely no ability to see even one step ahead of things.

J_William_Ryan

(3,456 posts)
54. "They have no ability to meaningfully fight back."
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 05:54 AM
21 hrs ago

Which reinforces the fact that Iran was never a ‘threat,’ rending Trump’s illegal war reprehensible, wrong, and unwarranted.

Buckeyeblue

(6,329 posts)
60. You're right. Iran has no real defense against our air assaults
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 07:27 AM
20 hrs ago

Their defense is to attack other countries, which reminds of Sadam's scud missile attacks against Isreal during Desert Storm. The difference is that some of Iran's missiles are finding targets.

The problem is that Trump started this conflict with no real objective. I'm not clear why we are bombing Iran. They were years from a nuclear weapon, so that can't be the reason.

I do know that if he puts boots on the ground it's going to be an absolute mess, just like Iraq was, with lots of casualties, so I hope he doesn't do that.

Prairie Gates

(7,851 posts)
69. Two days ago Trump was all about Kurd boots on the ground, yesterday he said ground action
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:25 AM
19 hrs ago

would be a waste of time.

I guess the Kurds and Iraqis told him to pound sand in the interim.

maxrandb

(17,380 posts)
65. Your simplistic OP explains how a circus clown fascist got control of the most powerful military in the world
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:13 AM
19 hrs ago

I served almost 30 years in the United States Navy. I am neither "wishing and hoping" for an Iranian "victory", nor am I denying the overwhelming superiority of America's military might. I witnessed it myself for over 28 years of service.

I know in your "tik-tok, Instagram fight reel, Playstation War, attention span of a flea" social media world, you must feel exactly like Hegseth, that the "real story"...NO...THR ONLY story worth telling is the "glorious military victory" story. Heck, we're already basking in the glorious victory in Venezuela, as if the people of Venezuela will have no say in their longterm future.

We'll be greeted as liberators, right?

I mean, I am sure they will be super cool as their resources are raped by an imperial clown king.

We've seen this before.

Germany swept through about a dozen European countries in a little over a year. If we had social media at the time, I am sure there would have been millions of 15-second Facebook "war-porn" clips of ships and buildings being blown up.

Rah-Rah...look at the "glorious Christian victors". I imagine Musk, Zuckerberg and Bezos would have made a pilgrimage to Berlin, like the three Wise Men to genuflect and kiss the ass of the "boy king".

It's as if you think 'MuriKKKa has a monopoly on national pride and self-determination.

Let me put it in terms even MAGAt chicken hawk dipshits might understand.

Suppose an overwhelming military force came for America. Suppose they bombed the shit out of us, killed our children, imposed their will. Hell, you might even say we'd "submit" just to make it stop.

Would you consider it "over", or would you do everything in your power to resist and fight back. Would generations of Americans give-uo the fight, or would our children's, children's children still burn with the desire to be free?

Our military has the capability to go through country after country like crap through a goose, but like Alexander the Great learned; "all glory is fleeting".

It is the very epitome of patriotism to ask; "What's Next"?

Torchlight

(6,702 posts)
66. I try to avoid the default position
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:23 AM
19 hrs ago

that anyone disagrees with my opinions is delusional. Doing so tends to reflect poorly on my character more than it does strengthen, or even address the argument I'm making.

Quiet Em

(2,812 posts)
68. Christiane Amanpour spoke with Jon Stewart on Iran
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:23 AM
19 hrs ago

She discusses the complete lack of planning by the con's administration, and the uncertainty that remains.

War In the Middle East, Again w/ Christiane Amanpour & Amb. Wendy Sherman (Transcript)

https://singjupost.com/war-in-the-middle-east-again-w-christiane-amanpour-amb-wendy-sherman-transcript/

Ferrets are Cool

(22,776 posts)
72. It seems to me that they are doing a damn good job at fighting back. I am not the delusional one here.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:53 AM
18 hrs ago
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»There seems to be a lot o...