How this plays out will be interesting to watch. Ever since the protests began in Iran at the end of 2025 there have been calls for the United States to act.
The United States has acted.
As a geopolitical flex this surpasses by far the Maduro operation in Venezuela.
That countries such as Germany were apparently read in is a curious twist. Even the "Gang of Eight" in Congress received some briefings a few days ago, which is a different approach than for Venezuela.
Trump and all of the leaders in Israel know that this strike MUST succeed, or they are political toast.
Peter has reported that Iran has not been able to protect the areas targeted. Iran, in a move that seems really short-sighted to me, has attacked Qatar and other ARAB sites (how is THAT going to win them friends and influence?). So I’m betting that the U.S. military, fresh off its success in Venezuela, came up with some very airtight strategies. Now my gut feeling is: let’s get this over with, and successfully!
As side thoughts, this strike is happening during Ramadan - how significant will that be to the Islamic world? And also, this is happening on a day when six planets align in a rare, perfect arc in the night sky - will that be seen as a sign from God by many of the peoples involved? I could see people in Israel, America, Iran, and elsewhere reading significance into such a heavenly view…
WOW! It’s happening, and thank you, Peter, for staying up all night to bring us the news!
I was hoping for targeted strikes to take out Khamenei, as Trump did with Maduro. All-out war is very worrying, and the Left is going to have a political field day with this (on the plus side, none of them will be agitating about ICE anymore). Best case scenario is probably a swift kill to the top mullahs and their goons, with minimal damage to civilians, who rapidly take power over their own governmental affairs as free, democratic people.
Iran is not Venezuela. A targeted surgical strike was likely never an option.
I have not yet seen reports of an uprising by the Iranian people. If they don't act in the wake of these strikes to remove the Khamenei regime this war goes sideways on Trump in a hurry.
Logistically, how enabled are the Iranian people to rise up? They have few weapons - unless the Shaw’s people, or Western military assets, have been able to smuggle in arms. I’m hoping that Trump’s team has thoroughly thought this through and provided the means for uprisings.
The Iranian people had no "military assets" when they toppled the Shah. Nor has firepower been a factor in regime change across most of the world.
If the Khamenei regime command and control infrastructures are disrupted, the Iranian people have space to act. We shall soon see whether or not they do.
Welp, there goes President Peace. This is not going to end well, for anyone.
How this plays out will be interesting to watch. Ever since the protests began in Iran at the end of 2025 there have been calls for the United States to act.
The United States has acted.
As a geopolitical flex this surpasses by far the Maduro operation in Venezuela.
That countries such as Germany were apparently read in is a curious twist. Even the "Gang of Eight" in Congress received some briefings a few days ago, which is a different approach than for Venezuela.
Trump and all of the leaders in Israel know that this strike MUST succeed, or they are political toast.
Peter has reported that Iran has not been able to protect the areas targeted. Iran, in a move that seems really short-sighted to me, has attacked Qatar and other ARAB sites (how is THAT going to win them friends and influence?). So I’m betting that the U.S. military, fresh off its success in Venezuela, came up with some very airtight strategies. Now my gut feeling is: let’s get this over with, and successfully!
As side thoughts, this strike is happening during Ramadan - how significant will that be to the Islamic world? And also, this is happening on a day when six planets align in a rare, perfect arc in the night sky - will that be seen as a sign from God by many of the peoples involved? I could see people in Israel, America, Iran, and elsewhere reading significance into such a heavenly view…
WOW! It’s happening, and thank you, Peter, for staying up all night to bring us the news!
I was hoping for targeted strikes to take out Khamenei, as Trump did with Maduro. All-out war is very worrying, and the Left is going to have a political field day with this (on the plus side, none of them will be agitating about ICE anymore). Best case scenario is probably a swift kill to the top mullahs and their goons, with minimal damage to civilians, who rapidly take power over their own governmental affairs as free, democratic people.
Peter, any signs of a likely outcome yet?
Iran is not Venezuela. A targeted surgical strike was likely never an option.
I have not yet seen reports of an uprising by the Iranian people. If they don't act in the wake of these strikes to remove the Khamenei regime this war goes sideways on Trump in a hurry.
Logistically, how enabled are the Iranian people to rise up? They have few weapons - unless the Shaw’s people, or Western military assets, have been able to smuggle in arms. I’m hoping that Trump’s team has thoroughly thought this through and provided the means for uprisings.
Thanks again, Peter, for your efforts!
The Iranian people had no "military assets" when they toppled the Shah. Nor has firepower been a factor in regime change across most of the world.
If the Khamenei regime command and control infrastructures are disrupted, the Iranian people have space to act. We shall soon see whether or not they do.