To any reasonable person who has a significant level of objectivity, it would appear that Iran has beaten Trump at every turn during this ill-advised war of choice.

Iran’s state broadcaster published the statement by the council’s secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who is also a commander in the powerful Revolutionary Guard.

The U.S. must never threaten Iran again, the statement said, and must permanently end the war with Iran and its armed allies in the region. The U.S. must lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports and withdraw its military from the area. It also must “completely compensate” Iran for war damage, lift sanctions and “unconditionally” release frozen assets.

https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-turkey-kurdish-peace-mideast-roundup-aug-8-2026-feb75871fb82c44b3f7fd0ee02bb24b4?utm_source=app&utm_medium=android_share&utm_campaign=copy_link

Let us count the ways that he fouled up this mission.

1. There was very little planning that went into this thing which is quite obvious by the fact that the carriers that have as many as 5,000 soldiers are running out of toothpaste, toilet paper, the toilets are overflowing, and the food rations are getting slimmer by the day.

2. Munitions are running low and these are the types of armaments that are extremely costly and required for other potential conflicts around the world. Some estimate it could take years to replenish the stocks.

3. The Strait of Hormuz was wide open before this conflict and though I disagree, many would argue that the economy was doing fairly well.

4. Trump ran his campaign and incessantly talked about inflation and the need to bring prices down, and yet between his tariffs and this silly war inflation is raging in America right now, despite the fake government numbers.

5. Trump and his minions have caused untold instability around the world, have been responsible for the loss of millions of jobs worldwide, have created economic hardship for hundreds upon hundreds of millions of people, and what has actually been accomplished?

6. What is the end game, is there an endgame, and will the end game put America in a significantly weaker position than it was in January?

7. Why did Trump think that Little Pete would be adequate as SEC DEF? I doubt if he had the qualifications to run a county chapter of the Boy Scouts, and my guess is that he's disliked and disrespected at every level of the Armed Forces.

8. Will Don choose an off-ramp to this fiasco that makes America considerably weaker, and diminishes its influence and position throughout the world for decades to come? How many concessions will Iran be able to wrestle out of America at this point?

9. No war has ever been won since World War I without boots on the ground. Did Don and his advisors even consider this for a nanosecond, or did the chest thumping, arrogance, and hubris get in the way of making any rational decisions?

10. Donald Trump how to make America not great and alienate allies while cuddling dictators.

11. Will this cause a tremendous loss of power for the GOP, and considerable gains for the Democratic Party in the midterms?

Edited August 10Aug 10 by spidermike007

Not surprised it turned out this way after all what would you expect from someone who thinks in terms of a news cycle going against the cradle civilization……dangerous times indeed!!

It also must “completely compensate” Iran for war damage

You checked into the Hotel California Iraq Iran

"You can checkout any time you like but you can never leave"

And you signed an MOU.

There's been some damages.

You need to pay for.

Before we can give you back your luggage* 😂

*free passage through Strait of Hormuz

Trump is the kind of guy who always looks for a scapegoat and someone else to blame when things don't go well. They might have done a minimal amount of planning when it comes to the ridiculous Iraq war but they certainly did not do any planning for worst case scenarios which have definitely happened.

It is my guess that Trump will throw the spectacularly incompetent Pete Hegseth under the bus within 30 days.

Pete why didn't you tell me where were using up all of our ammunitions on a useless war?

I am not surprised when Iran is playing 3D chess ,and Trump is playing

2D checkers , but they want a deal , they are dying for a deal , we have

heard this so many times before , but it moves the market and he makes

more money....

regards worgeordie

This is like two bald men fighting over a comb. Both sides have lost massively, largely due to leadership incompetence. Scott Beasant is predicting 2 more years of this. Which means for the at least the next two years, the global economy is <deleted>. Which merely increases the chances of the US being involved in more foreign adventures. The Americans are starting to get stupid again over Greenland.

4 hours ago, worgeordie said:

I am not surprised when Iran is playing 3D chess ,and Trump is playing

2D checkers , but they want a deal , they are dying for a deal , we have

heard this so many times before , but it moves the market and he makes

more money....

regards worgeordie

The dimwits that he's sending over to negotiate are likely outclassed by the Iranian negotiators by 60 IQ points. It would never occur to somebody like Trump to use a very effective negotiator with a proven record. Kushner is utterly despised throughout the Middle East as he seems to sympathize with the ultra Zionists, and Witkoff is a true imbecile, and a man of stunning ignorance.

8 hours ago, Tug said:

Not surprised it turned out this way after all what would you expect from someone who thinks in terms of a news cycle going against the cradle civilization……dangerous times indeed!!

elect a clown, get a circus.

Posts using derogatory and toxic nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names will be removed. If you don’t want your post to be removed, spell people’s names correctly, this applies to both sides of the political debate.

9 hours ago, pomchop said:

elect a clown, get a circus.

I quite agree….and it seems the rubes who voted for this charlitan are finally starting to see their blunder.

It's just too easy. Trump definitely bit off more than he could chew.

OP you might change the title to Israel checkmates Trump. Israel banged on previous administrations to go after Iran, clearing the way for them to continue genocide in Gaza and those previous administrations said no. Bibi got his way this time with the imbecile President.

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Why did Trump think that Little Pete would be adequate as SEC DEF? I doubt if he had the qualifications to run a county chapter of the Boy Scouts, and my guess is that he's disliked and disrespected at every level of the Armed Forces.

I think I might have mentioned it before - but the Boy Scouts have adult leaders...

Some rules should never be broken.

I taught several combat sports for many years. Different styles, different tactics, different equipment. Regardless of the style, there was one rule that players adhered to religiously if they wanted to win...

... You NEVER enter the bout without a well-thought-out strategy.

Your plans will change during the combat, usually after the first engagement, but you always begin with a well-planned step-by-step strategy.

Combat is not a hammer fight. I hit you, you hit me, I hit you, you hit me...
It is a scientific, carefully planned out series of attacks designed to reduce the enemy's ability to fight back.
trump never had one. He didn't think it was needed.

Obviously, he was wrong. Again.

44 minutes ago, JAG said:

I think I might have mentioned it before - but the Boy Scouts have adult leaders...

And kiddie diddlers and overt bigots who had their misdeeds hushed up for decades.

I am not a supporter of Hegseth and my dislike of the man is well documented in the forum. However, he has handled himself well during the conflict. He hasn't shot his mouth off, he hasn't made any promises and he hasn't done a Benito Mussolini routine. He was tasked with overseeing a campaign against Iran which has been successful despite the unrealistic expectations that critics and chronic complainers set.

The US has engaged with Iran under a set of strict parameters that did not allow for taking out the large number of dual purpose locations because the civilian casualties would be high. The Iranian regime has located some of its critical infrastructure in residential districts and in close proximity to civilian infrastructure. The USA for the most part avoided targeting power plants, bridges, telecommunications, ports & harbors and oil and gas facilities. This allowed Iran to keep functioning, especially its military. In contrast, Iran targeted non combatants and civilian infrastructure in the Arab countries and Israel. This would have been a very different conflict had the USA turned much of Iran's cities to rubble and created 20 million+ urban refugees. In effect, the critics here are saying Trump failed because he did not level Iran.

2 hours ago, JAG said:

Everything the OP said is an accurate reflection of the god awful mess which Trump and his cabal have dragged the USA into, and have needlessly inflicted upon the rest of the world.

I guess the world would be a better place if Iran had nukes and total control of the Strait IYO.

10 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I guess the world would be a better place if Iran had nukes and total control of the Strait IYO.

The one benefit of Iran having nukes is that Israel and America would leave them alone, and stop creating unnecessary wars.

3 hours ago, JAG said:

I think I might have mentioned it before - but the Boy Scouts have adult leaders...

Don't the boy scout leaders have a pedophile reputation, unlike... Oh, wait a minute...

16 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The one benefit of Iran having nukes is that Israel and America would leave them alone, and stop creating unnecessary wars.

Do you not think that if Iran gets nukes then the entire Middle East will have nukes. Would this be a positive or negative for the world? As for Israel leaving the Islamic Republic of Iran alone if they had nukes this IMHO would definitely be the case as Israel would no longer exist. Fundamentalist Islamic lunatics with nukes. You think this is a good idea?

22 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

And kiddie diddlers and overt bigots who had their misdeeds hushed up for decades.

So do we agree that Hegseth (if compared to a scout leader using your criteria), is in suitable company in the Trump administration?

21 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I guess the world would be a better place if Iran had nukes and total control of the Strait IYO.

Now I have never advanced that opinion, never.

Before Trump trashed the International agreement so painstakingly negotiated by Obama (which may not have been perfect but worked) Iran was not developing nuclear weapons, and the Straits of Hormuz were open for all to navigate.

Trump trashed the agreement because he hated all and everything which Obama had done. It was petty, spiteful, vindictive and typical of the creature (I almost said man).

He subsequently allowed himself to be inveigled into a war of choice, by Nethanayu, and because it distracted from the gathering evidence of his disgraceful hebophile enthusiasm. Thousands have died in this war, for nothing. He has disgraced America, besmirched the reputation of the US armed forces, significantly degraded the US military's capability in other theatres, and spent vast amounts of money. He has totally ignored Congress through the deceit of "resetting the clock" after 60 days by proclaiming a faux ceasefire. He has caused massive damage to the world's economy, hazarding the prosperity of millions. He is a foul creature who deserves to rot (as indeed he appears to be rotting).

You may have gathered that

I have little time for him. In fact I loathe him.

That Iran may be pursuing ambitions of nuclear weapons, that the Straits are closed, and that thousands have died is entirely due to his imbecilic narcissism and vainglorious ambitions.

Edited August 11Aug 11 by JAG

17 minutes ago, JAG said:

Before Trump trashed the International agreement so painstakingly negotiated by Obama (which may not have been perfect but worked) Iran was not developing nuclear weapons, and the Straits of Hormuz were open for all to navigate.

They were moving toward nuclear weapons under said agreement. They were given enough money to build several civilian reactors. Why didn't they do this? As for the Strait of Hormuz being open do you think this would remain the case if the Islamic fundamentalist regime had nukes?

The original posters points are valid, but. Trump was correct in that one cannot allow Islamists to get their hands on nuclear weapons.

Unfortunately Trump's Art of the Deal system does not work on Muslims. A bit like offering a rabid dog food and wondering why you got bitten.

As for not putting boots on the ground, Trump was trying to save American lives. Ultimately the IRGC must be removed and the Uranium either extracted or buried forever.

Roadrunner waits to see how Trump is going to play this and suspects he is out of ideas.

Meanwhile I have no doubt that China is considering taking Taiwan while the Americans are stretched elsewhere. WWIII anyone?

On 8/10/2026 at 11:12 AM, spidermike007 said:

What is the end game

So Trump can personally profit off the movements in the oil price at least twice a week to the tune of billions of dollars.

Negotiations on, negotiations off.

Strait open, strait closed.

Blockade on, blockade off.

By the way, whilst he is sucking money out of the market, it means somebody is losing it. Probably your pension fund.

I wonder if the Iranians had the following in mind when confronting Trump over the strait. Barring the bit about exemption from military service of course as his bones spurs cover that:

Jizya Tax in the Quran

Overview of Jizya

The Quran refers to a tax known as jizya, which is imposed on non-Muslims, particularly Jews and Christians. This tax serves as a form of tribute in exchange for protection and exemption from military service.

So due to the war in Iran the US strategic oil reserves have dropped to their lowest level in 40 years. I'm just waiting for someone to go on air on Fox explaining that this is all Biden's fault.🤣

A post with unattributed information has been removed as there was no valid link provided to the source of information.

Low value posts have been removed:

13. Low-Value Posts - Posts that add no written contribution are not allowed.

This includes emoji-only replies, very short comments, memes, GIFs, screenshots, or embedded social media posts without explanation or opinion.

23 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

No doubt the Iranians hope that the US will get a better deal if a Democrat is in the White House, yes?

You forget the pre-election deal the Iranians hatched with Reagan look good when he entered the Whitehouse. Come December 2028, the Iranians might be talking to President Vance (not President Elect Vance). The Republicans are more likely to secure victory in November 2028 by putting forth a sitting President as candidate. 71% of sitting Presidents win elections. The win rate for Vice Presidents is 28%. Vance has comparatively less baggage. He has no known links, social or otherwise, to paedophiles or spies. If he waits until after this November, he controls the Whitehouse for the rest of the term, and has a shot at the next two full terms, providing an unrivalled opportunity for structural change of the US.

Vance has married and procreated with a Hindoo, producing half Hindoo kids. His wife refuses to convert to his adopted faith. Traditionally, Hindoo India has had warm relations with the Islamic Republic.

Just now, Roadsternut said:

You forget the pre-election deal the Iranians hatched with Reagan look good when he entered the Whitehouse. Come December 2028, the Iranians might be talking to President Vance (not President Elect Vance). The Republicans are more likely to secure victory in November 2028 by putting forth a sitting President as candidate. 71% of sitting Presidents win elections. The win rate for Vice Presidents is 28%. Vance has comparatively less baggage. He has no known links, social or otherwise, to paedophiles or spies. If he waits until after this November, he controls the Whitehouse for the rest of the term, and has a shot at the next two full terms, providing an unrivalled opportunity for structural change of the US.

Vance has married and procreated with a Hindoo, producing half Hindoo kids. His wife refuses to convert to his adopted faith. Traditionally, Hindoo India has had warm relations with the Islamic Republic.

If I were a gambler I would place a significant amount of money on the likelihood that Vance becoming president is under 10%. He is the very definition of an empty suit and he's an incredibly unlikable character. Perhaps even more so than Harris was. And his proclivity for eyeliner probably doesn't help his cause.

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

If I were a gambler I would place a significant amount of money on the likelihood that Vance becoming president is under 10%. He is the very definition of an empty suit and he's an incredibly unlikable character. Perhaps even more so than Harris was. And his proclivity for eyeliner probably doesn't help his cause.

Empty suit, that's hilarious.

Eyeliner? You leftists will stoop to anything.

https://www.news18.com/world/iran-rules-out-talks-with-trump-says-will-wait-until-his-term-ends-in-2029-10264715.html

Iran on Monday has ruled out any future negotiations with the Donald Trump’s administration, saying it will wait until the US President’s term ends on January 20, 2029, according to Iranian outlets and a post by an adviser to Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf.