“The U.S. and its allies have intensified the battle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, sending low-flying attack jets over the sea lanes to blast Iranian naval vessels and Apache helicopters to shoot down Iran’s deadly drones, American military officials said.

The stepped-up operation is part of a multistage Pentagon plan to reduce the danger from Iranian armed boats, mines and cruise missiles, which have halted ship traffic through the waterway since early March. If the danger can be reduced, the U.S. could send U.S. warships through the strait and eventually escort vessels in and out of the Persian Gulf.”

Excerpt From

“U.S. War Planes and Helicopters Kick Off Battle to Reopen Hormuz”

The Wall Street Journal

https://apple.news/AvqfiyrPXRvSbvMV7NSWA_A

This material may be protected by copyright.

https://apple.news/AvqfiyrPXRvSbvMV7NSWA_A

I'm not sure the WSF is misreporting the deployment of the AH-64s, which hitherto have been used over Iraq, not the Gulf, to shoot down drones. Difficult to say, because yet again, you are posting paywalled articles, while refusing to divulge, even editorialise, the content, to spread some sort of false picture.

A full package AH64 is about $100m. Its a flying tank designed to destroy without line of sight, tanks on the plains of Germany. The A10 is a legacy from the Vietnam War, where it was supposed to replace the Skyraider, and was essentially designed to mow down Vietnamese, who didn't have much in the way of armour.

Ukrainians show you don't need big bucks; a M134, PKM or Gimpy will do.

10 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

I'm not sure the WSF is misreporting the deployment of the AH-64s, which hitherto have been used over Iraq, not the Gulf, to shoot down drones. Difficult to say, because yet again, you are posting paywalled articles, while refusing to divulge, even editorialise, the content, to spread some sort of false picture.

A full package AH64 is about $100m. Its a flying tank designed to destroy without line of sight, tanks on the plains of Germany. The A10 is a legacy from the Vietnam War, where it was supposed to replace the Skyraider, and was essentially designed to mow down Vietnamese, who didn't have much in the way of armour.

Ukrainians show you don't need big bucks; a M134, PKM or Gimpy will do.

Full Metal Jacket and Platoon are 2 of my favourite movies that dig into the reality of US Imperial might at the hot end of their wars not so much surgical as a butcher's hammer looks impresive but what is it actually achieving. The road of death in Iraq was so brutal and shooting at sitting ducks that even the Warthog crews started to feel disgust at what they were doing mass killing which they could see in their sights. Back home mnay of these are broken suffering nightmares or with injuries and struggling to survive.

1 hour ago, 3NUMBAS said:

If the danger can be reduced, the U.S. could send U.S. warships through the strait and eventually escort vessels in and out of the Persian Gulf.”

And if it can’t, or if the Iranians have a plan B then no, there will be no safe passage through the straits of Hormus.

16 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Full Metal Jacket and Platoon are 2 of my favourite movies that dig into the reality of US Imperial might at the hot end of their wars not so much surgical as a butcher's hammer looks impresive but what is it actually achieving. The road of death in Iraq was so brutal and shooting at sitting ducks that even the Warthog crews started to feel disgust at what they were doing mass killing which they could see in their sights. Back home mnay of these are broken suffering nightmares or with injuries and struggling to survive.

A butcher's hammer or a bull in the China closet are both classic descriptions for Disaster Don.

I seriously doubt that any of this news is true, it sounds way too intelligent and way too organized for the US Military, and Trump's band of goons.

Just now, spidermike007 said:

A butcher's hammer or a bull in the China closet are both classic descriptions for Disaster Don.

I seriously doubt that any of this news is true, it sounds way too intelligent and way too organized for the US Military, and Trump's band of goons.

There's alot of triumphalist bull in thes statements - we've won , we don't need nay help , begging for help , drones and missiles keep coming. The pin point assainations are supposed to underpin if they can do that then nothing can be spared. But then Iram has long planned for such an eventuality with it's Mosaic Defecne stratagy wheras Trump appears to have done it on a whim and even with his stragic reserves only half full.Idiot.

If only there was someone with all the cards at shooting down drones🤔

9 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

A butcher's hammer or a bull in the China closet are both classic descriptions for Disaster Don.

I seriously doubt that any of this news is true, it sounds way too intelligent and way too organized for the US Military, and Trump's band of goons.

A few here, you included, have no idea what the US is capable of, and what they have remaining. Iran's military is being decimated. They have no Air Force, Navy and what they do have is being targeted all day long, and eventually they'll have nothing left.

The US military can destroy anyone at any time, and aren't using but a portion of the capabilities. . They're holding back because of the collateral damage they don't want to happen, as Iran's regime has much of their military hidden around civilian areas, showing just how little they care about their own people.

People make fun of Trump for obvious reasons, but the US military isn't Trump. If Iran was doing any real damage we would be hearing about it. If they had planes and boats in use, we would hear about it. A military without an Air Force is done before it starts. One without a Navy is a sitting duck and those missiles they're shooting will eventually run out, and looking at the daily celebrations by Iranians all over the world shows exactly what they think of America, and of their own regime.

Yes, it will cost a lot of money, but it'll come back, and Iran will have a normal leader installed instead of a megalomaniac that's bound for hell.

21 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Yes, it will cost a lot of money, but it'll come back, and Iran will have a normal leader installed instead of a megalomaniac that's bound for hell.

Only the delusional would think there would ever be anything normal in a country where martyerdom is embedded in the beliefs.

36 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

If only there was someone with all the cards at shooting down drones🤔

Trump Drones.

Well yes he does.

9 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Only the delusional would think there would ever be anything normal in a country where martyerdom is embedded in the beliefs.

.

As the years go on, the more people from other countries want to adopt western ideals.

Show me your WAR FACE 3NUMBAS!!!
"AGGGGHHHHHRRRRR - oohrah!!!"

DO YOU LOVE WAR 3NUMBAS!!!
"YES GUNNY!!! I LOVE WAR. KILL ALL IRANIANS!!! AGGGGHHHHHRRRR!!!"

19 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Only the delusional would think there would ever be anything normal in a country where martyerdom is embedded in the beliefs.

Delusional just about covers it.

2 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

Difficult to say, because yet again, you are posting paywalled articles, while refusing to divulge, even editorialise, the content, to spread some sort of false picture.

Deleted

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Trump Drones.

Don't give him ideas - it will be the next grift!

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

A butcher's hammer or a bull in the China closet are both classic descriptions for Disaster Don.

I seriously doubt that any of this news is true, it sounds way too intelligent and way too organized for the US Military, and Trump's band of goons.

If the reports are true, probably not, then A10s are being used to shoot up Dhows sneaking over a G-Wagen to Karachi.

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

As the years go on, the more people from other countries want to adopt western ideals.

Not really. The Shah got booted out because, among other things, he liked miniskirts.

The history since at least 2001 is that there is a trend to reject "western ideals" (or more precisely, Atlanticist Conceits). And what are "western ideals" supposed to mean? Individualism? How does that go down in societies like China? The West isn't exactly united in those "ideals" (and a good thing really). Since 1997, when Hong Kong returned to Chinese control, do you think the people of Hong Kong have continued the historic trend, pre-1997, of become more Western-thinking?

What was formally called the Royal Hong Kong Police changed their marching style to goose stepping in 2021, marking a shift in cultural values.

16 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

Not really. The Shah got booted out because, among other things, he liked miniskirts.

The history since at least 2001 is that there is a trend to reject "western ideals" (or more precisely, Atlanticist Conceits). And what are "western ideals" supposed to mean? Individualism? How does that go down in societies like China? The West isn't exactly united in those "ideals" (and a good thing really). Since 1997, when Hong Kong returned to Chinese control, do you think the people of Hong Kong have continued the historic trend, pre-1997, of become more Western-thinking?

What was formally called the Royal Hong Kong Police changed their marching style to goose stepping in 2021, marking a shift in cultural values.

Western ideals. Things the west enjoys that the whole world wants, especially the younger crowd, who are the future and are the ones who will change things. Look at all the things the other countries have adopted through the years, including Thailand. Music, phones, computers, racing, motorcycles, cars, trucks, military hardware, sports, entertainment and movies. The more a country tries to control it's people, the more they want changes. Iran's losing control now, as can be seen in it's people celebrating in the streets. They were afraid to speak and wanted changes, which is why they killed the protesters. Everyone wants the new gadgets and the younger crowd doesn't want wars or control. Eventually North Korea will be like this, as soon as they eliminate the maniacs.

23 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

7 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

I'm not sure the WSF is misreporting the deployment of the AH-64s, which hitherto have been used over Iraq, not the Gulf, to shoot down drones. Difficult to say, because yet again, you are posting paywalled articles, while refusing to divulge, even editorialise, the content, to spread some sort of false picture.

Here's a link to the entire article

https://archive.ph/TTiRq

6 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

A few here, you included, have no idea what the US is capable of, and what they have remaining. Iran's military is being decimated. They have no Air Force, Navy and what they do have is being targeted all day long, and eventually they'll have nothing left.

The US military can destroy anyone at any time, and aren't using but a portion of the capabilities. . They're holding back because of the collateral damage they don't want to happen, as Iran's regime has much of their military hidden around civilian areas, showing just how little they care about their own people.

People make fun of Trump for obvious reasons, but the US military isn't Trump. If Iran was doing any real damage we would be hearing about it. If they had planes and boats in use, we would hear about it. A military without an Air Force is done before it starts. One without a Navy is a sitting duck and those missiles they're shooting will eventually run out, and looking at the daily celebrations by Iranians all over the world shows exactly what they think of America, and of their own regime.

Yes, it will cost a lot of money, but it'll come back, and Iran will have a normal leader installed instead of a megalomaniac that's bound for hell.

Let’s just be real about this. The U.S. can smash things from a distance all day long. Precision strikes, assassinations, blowing up infrastructure, no problem. But that’s not the same as winning a conflict against someone who doesn’t care about playing by those rules. Iran isn’t trying to outgun the U.S., it’s built to absorb punishment and hit back in ways that actually hurt.

You can take out targets, sure. But what happens when the response is tankers getting hit, shipping lanes disrupted, oil and gas facilities across the region suddenly in play. That’s not a clean military exchange anymore, that’s global economic pain. And that’s the whole point. Iran doesn’t need to “win”, it just needs to make it too messy and too expensive to keep going.

And the U.S. isn’t the same as it was 20 or 30 years ago. There’s no appetite for another long war. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, people remember how those ended. Massive cost, years dragged out, and nothing clean to show for it. That changes the equation. If the other side is willing to just keep going and take losses, that’s where things get uncomfortable fast.

We’ve seen this pattern before. Smaller forces, less tech, but stubborn and patient, dragging a much bigger power into something it can’t neatly finish. That’s not some theory, that’s just history repeating itself in a different form.

And you can bet others are watching all of this very closely. Every move, every response, every weakness. Real conflict like this is basically live data collection. You don’t even have to be involved to learn from it.

So yeah, it won’t be called a defeat if the U.S. pulls back. It never is. But if it ends with them stepping away because the cost and chaos spiral, everyone will know exactly what happened, whatever label gets put on it.

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Western ideals. Things the west enjoys that the whole world wants, especially the younger crowd, who are the future and are the ones who will change things. Look at all the things the other countries have adopted through the years, including Thailand. Music, phones, computers, racing, motorcycles, cars, trucks, military hardware, sports, entertainment and movies. The more a country tries to control it's people, the more they want changes. Iran's losing control now, as can be seen in it's people celebrating in the streets. They were afraid to speak and wanted changes, which is why they killed the protesters. Everyone wants the new gadgets and the younger crowd doesn't want wars or control. Eventually North Korea will be like this, as soon as they eliminate the maniacs.

Historical note Britain nicked this territory becasue the Chinese didn't want British opium stuffed down their people's throats.

7 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

A few here, you included, have no idea what the US is capable of, and what they have remaining. Iran's military is being decimated. They have no Air Force, Navy and what they do have is being targeted all day long, and eventually they'll have nothing left.

The US military can destroy anyone at any time, and aren't using but a portion of the capabilities. . They're holding back because of the collateral damage they don't want to happen, as Iran's regime has much of their military hidden around civilian areas, showing just how little they care about their own people.

People make fun of Trump for obvious reasons, but the US military isn't Trump. If Iran was doing any real damage we would be hearing about it. If they had planes and boats in use, we would hear about it. A military without an Air Force is done before it starts. One without a Navy is a sitting duck and those missiles they're shooting will eventually run out, and looking at the daily celebrations by Iranians all over the world shows exactly what they think of America, and of their own regime.

Yes, it will cost a lot of money, but it'll come back, and Iran will have a normal leader installed instead of a megalomaniac that's bound for hell.

Yeah, the extraordinary US military has not won a war in 81 years, and has saddled Americans with trillions upon trillions of dollars of debt, in attempts at building democracies that have failed without exception. And that includes multiple campaigns where there were boots on the ground for years. Never has a country evolved into a democracy without opposing soldiers on the ground.

But we couldn't expect somebody as dim As Trump to learn anything from history.

7 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

A few here, you included, have no idea what the US is capable of, and what they have remaining. Iran's military is being decimated. They have no Air Force, Navy and what they do have is being targeted all day long, and eventually they'll have nothing left.

Some videos are circulating, its a turkey shoot. If its a boat, its gone. The planes are already gone.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Some videos are circulating, its a turkey shoot. If its a boat, its gone. The planes are already gone.

Some crappy old boats hanging around to provide CENTCOM with some target practice and propaganda videos whilst they hold back rubber dinghies and bombs along with drones and misisles for the real thing should the US dare. Where's your Isareli navy btw why aren't they helping out gorging on £4billion odf US aid every year and who started this infrenal thing. Oh I forgot they are on the look out for Greta Thunberg, silly me.

23 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

whilst they hold back rubber dinghies and bombs along with drones and misisles for the real thing should the US dare.

Now show us where you got that from. Made up stories much LOL

24 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Where's your Isareli navy btw why aren't they helping out gorging on £4billion odf US aid every year and who started this infrenal thing

How do you know they arent?

39 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Now show us where you got that from. Made up stories much LOL

How do you know they arent?

Sorry mate classified info not for your eyes.

3 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Sorry mate classified info not for your eyes.

Translation: Troll fantasy

5 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Western ideals. Things the west enjoys that the whole world wants, especially the younger crowd, who are the future and are the ones who will change things. Look at all the things the other countries have adopted through the years, including Thailand. Music, phones, computers, racing, motorcycles, cars, trucks, military hardware, sports, entertainment and movies. The more a country tries to control it's people, the more they want changes. Iran's losing control now, as can be seen in it's people celebrating in the streets. They were afraid to speak and wanted changes, which is why they killed the protesters. Everyone wants the new gadgets and the younger crowd doesn't want wars or control. Eventually North Korea will be like this, as soon as they eliminate the maniacs.

You don't have much of an opinion of "Western Ideals". All the things you listed as "Western Ideals", music, phones, computers, racing, motorcycles, cars, trucks, military hardware, sports, entertainment and movies, they have all that in China. Do you really think China pursues "Western ideals". And Iran has all those things as well. 79% had access to the internet, the number of smart phones is 179% of the population. Racing; I assume you mean car races not a night at the Dogs.

Iranian car culture. Seems fine, if that's your target. Note the number of burqas. And phones, which you think the Iranians don't have.

The protests were largely over economic mismanagement, and then hijacked by people with other, albeit noble motives, bit like the BLM riots in the US. Noble motives at the heart of them.

I'm afraid you have a naive view of the world, because of your limited exposure to media and what people actually want. You make the presumption we all want to be American. You don't really have that much idea what most people in the world actually want. In someways, you are a dinosaur; repeating the same aggrogant presumptions that got 50,000 of your countrymen killed fighting to make Vietnamese love Americans. I recalled your lot thought you could turn Vietnamese into Americans by carpet bombing the fu*k out of them. Didn't work in 1972. Why is it going to work in 2026, using pretty much the same B52s?

I note today the reported death toll in Iran, from independant observers, is about the same as the generally accepted death toll from the recent protests/riots.

I'm not saying there are nom repressions. Its a repressive country, but evidently more complicated than the American media portrays. If its about freeing people from repression, America should have bombed Riyadh. Bit of an easier nut to crack; that lot would have given in without a whimper.

2 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

You don't have much of an opinion of "Western Ideals". All the things you listed as "Western Ideals", music, phones, computers, racing, motorcycles, cars, trucks, military hardware, sports, entertainment and movies, they have all that in China. Do you really think China pursues "Western ideals". And Iran has all those things as well. 79% had access to the internet, the number of smart phones is 179% of the population. Racing; I assume you mean car races not a night at the Dogs.

Iranian car culture. Seems fine, if that's your target. Note the number of burqas. And phones, which you think the Iranians don't have.

The protests were largely over economic mismanagement, and then hijacked by people with other, albeit noble motives, bit like the BLM riots in the US. Noble motives at the heart of them.

I'm afraid you have a naive view of the world, because of your limited exposure to media and what people actually want. You make the presumption we all want to be American. You don't really have that much idea what most people in the world actually want. In someways, you are a dinosaur; repeating the same aggrogant presumptions that got 50,000 of your countrymen killed fighting to make Vietnamese love Americans. I recalled your lot thought you could turn Vietnamese into Americans by carpet bombing the fu*k out of them. Didn't work in 1972. Why is it going to work in 2026, using pretty much the same B52s?

I note today the reported death toll in Iran, from independant observers, is about the same as the generally accepted death toll from the recent protests/riots.

I'm not saying there are nom repressions. Its a repressive country, but evidently more complicated than the American media portrays. If its about freeing people from repression, America should have bombed Riyadh. Bit of an easier nut to crack; that lot would have given in without a whimper.

2 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

You don't have much of an opinion of "Western Ideals". All the things you listed as "Western Ideals", music, phones, computers, racing, motorcycles, cars, trucks, military hardware, sports, entertainment and movies, they have all that in China. Do you really think China pursues "Western ideals". And Iran has all those things as well. 79% had access to the internet, the number of smart phones is 179% of the population. Racing; I assume you mean car races not a night at the Dogs.

Iranian car culture. Seems fine, if that's your target. Note the number of burqas. And phones, which you think the Iranians don't have.

The protests were largely over economic mismanagement, and then hijacked by people with other, albeit noble motives, bit like the BLM riots in the US. Noble motives at the heart of them.

I'm afraid you have a naive view of the world, because of your limited exposure to media and what people actually want. You make the presumption we all want to be American. You don't really have that much idea what most people in the world actually want. In someways, you are a dinosaur; repeating the same aggrogant presumptions that got 50,000 of your countrymen killed fighting to make Vietnamese love Americans. I recalled your lot thought you could turn Vietnamese into Americans by carpet bombing the fu*k out of them. Didn't work in 1972. Why is it going to work in 2026, using pretty much the same B52s?

I note today the reported death toll in Iran, from independant observers, is about the same as the generally accepted death toll from the recent protests/riots.

I'm not saying there are nom repressions. Its a repressive country, but evidently more complicated than the American media portrays. If its about freeing people from repression, America should have bombed Riyadh. Bit of an easier nut to crack; that lot would have given in without a whimper.

Yes, and they adopted many of those from the west. We're talking about Iran here. They and a lot of other countries adopted these things from the west, and will continue to do so. My point is that the younger generation likes these things, especially the women, and are tired of being under control. All countries like all other countries things, cultures, music, etc. This is why you see them using them. Differences are enjoyed because they're different. You think Thai people don't like things western? The same for Iran and all other countries. Again, look at the celebrating going on. They wanted change, which is why people protest, and are killed, by lunatics. When that stops, they have democracy, and are happier.

Best not to assume what others know. I have exposure to many news outlets from all over the world, and always have. I'm not near naive about what goes on and what people like. I don't presume anything but see what people adopt all over the world. The internet has shown us this since it was invented, and some people read and research things.

We aren't trying to make others Americans but give them a better way of life, which is one reason why America gets involved in foreign affairs, along with helping the trade between. Thinking also you know all of what's going on is naive, as you don't. You have to hear all of it from many sources before you make up your mind unbiased, which a lot here are, hating Trump and disliking America itself. Think outside the box.

5 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Some videos are circulating, its a turkey shoot. If its a boat, its gone. The planes are already gone.

I've been watching videos every day, all through this conflict, and see not only what America and Israel are doing to destroy iran's military, but the Iranian people all over the world celebrating this.