Also Iranian AD isn't completely ineffective. They're shooting down drones quite regularly and the narrative that the US planes were shot down by friendly fire is questionable to say the least.
Questionable? They were shot down over Kuwait. If Iran is such a wizard they can shoot down F-15s in safe airspace, they should be slaughtering them when they actually fly over Iran. It was Kuwaiti air defense.
Wake me up when Israeli crews get shot down in Iran and we have to stage a ground op to rescue them. The Israelis have bombed Iran with American jets for decades.
Only that Iran is shooting back. Hard. And it's hurting. Bad. The Houthis already managed to bankrupt ports in Israel and caused significant financial damage. Iran is on an entirely different level. You don't see much footage of it because the censorship is quite drastic in Israel and it'll probably increase significantly in the Gulf states too.
The US is utterly destroying their relationships with the Gulf states by leaving them hanging while draining their munitions stockpiles (especially AD) in record time which they can't replenish in any timely manner.
I agree that this is likely, at least, but it's difficult to assess now. We'll see what blocking the Strait of Hormuz does to the global economy. AFAIK the Houthis only blocked Israel/US-connected ships, not oil tankers. However, with respect to the diplomatic effects, countries tend to harden their stance against their attacker regardless of the cause of the conflict. This is a problem for both Iran and the US.
Iran also has the potential to go gloves off and attack oil infrastructure. Not sure why they haven't done that yet, with Khomeini and Ahmedinejad getting killed.
Kuwait isn't safe airspace. It doesn't border on Iran but it might as well. There is no way to know for sure who actually shot them down. But it is pretty likely that IF Iran is responsible that the US would deny it if they can plausibly do so.
Iran also has the potential to go gloves off and attack oil infrastructure. Not sure why they haven't done that yet, with Khomeini and Ahmedinejad getting killed.
No reason to go scorched earth if you don't have to yet.
By the way Ahmadinejad hasn't been a relevant political figure for quite some time. He wasn't allowed to run for president in the last three elections. Also it's Khamenei. Khomenei has been dead since 89'.
Kuwait isn't safe airspace. It doesn't border on Iran but it might as well. There is no way to know for sure who actually shot them down. But it is pretty likely that IF Iran is responsible that the US would deny it if they can plausibly do so.
The shortest distance from Kuwait to Iran, border to border, is about 70 miles. Assuming the SAM sites are sitting on the border, which they aren't, it's possible to shoot down a plane from that distance, but it's overall pretty safe. For example, Russian bombers launch glide bombs with impunity from standoff distances of 40-50 miles in Ukraine. And yes, the Ukrainians have pretty decent SAMs.
In practice, all the obvious Iranian SAM sites have probably been eradicated with Growler platforms by now.
No reason to go scorched earth if you don't have to yet.
By the way Ahmadinejad hasn't been a relevant political figure for quite some time. He wasn't allowed to run for president in the last three elections. Also it's Khamenei. Khomenei has been dead since 89'.
OK, I got that wrong, but I'm aware Ahmedinejad hasn't been in power since Obama. It's still a huge insult to kill the sitting Supreme Leader and an ex-president.
Iran still has jets. So there is a slim possibility that one of them managed to pull a fast one. Unlikely yes but not impossible.
The odds of any Iranian jets shooting down three F-15Es in any circumstance (let alone BVR) are pretty much impossible, yes. As in "The Ghost of Kyiv" level of impossible.
Most definitely. Khamenei was basically the pope to the Shia Muslims worldwide. This will have lasting consequences.
I'd certainly be more wary around Muslims. Unfortunately they are all over the place now.
Questionable? They were shot down over Kuwait. If Iran is such a wizard they can shoot down F-15s in safe airspace, they should be slaughtering them when they actually fly over Iran. It was Kuwaiti air defense.
Wake me up when Israeli crews get shot down in Iran and we have to stage a ground op to rescue them. The Israelis have bombed Iran with American jets for decades.
I agree that this is likely, at least, but it's difficult to assess now. We'll see what blocking the Strait of Hormuz does to the global economy. AFAIK the Houthis only blocked Israel/US-connected ships, not oil tankers. However, with respect to the diplomatic effects, countries tend to harden their stance against their attacker regardless of the cause of the conflict. This is a problem for both Iran and the US.
Iran also has the potential to go gloves off and attack oil infrastructure. Not sure why they haven't done that yet, with Khomeini and Ahmedinejad getting killed.
Kuwait isn't safe airspace. It doesn't border on Iran but it might as well. There is no way to know for sure who actually shot them down. But it is pretty likely that IF Iran is responsible that the US would deny it if they can plausibly do so.
No reason to go scorched earth if you don't have to yet.
By the way Ahmadinejad hasn't been a relevant political figure for quite some time. He wasn't allowed to run for president in the last three elections. Also it's Khamenei. Khomenei has been dead since 89'.
The shortest distance from Kuwait to Iran, border to border, is about 70 miles. Assuming the SAM sites are sitting on the border, which they aren't, it's possible to shoot down a plane from that distance, but it's overall pretty safe. For example, Russian bombers launch glide bombs with impunity from standoff distances of 40-50 miles in Ukraine. And yes, the Ukrainians have pretty decent SAMs.
In practice, all the obvious Iranian SAM sites have probably been eradicated with Growler platforms by now.
OK, I got that wrong, but I'm aware Ahmedinejad hasn't been in power since Obama. It's still a huge insult to kill the sitting Supreme Leader and an ex-president.
Iran still has jets. So there is a slim possibility that one of them managed to pull a fast one. Unlikely yes but not impossible.
Most definitely. Khamenei was basically the pope to the Shia Muslims worldwide. This will have lasting consequences.
The odds of any Iranian jets shooting down three F-15Es in any circumstance (let alone BVR) are pretty much impossible, yes. As in "The Ghost of Kyiv" level of impossible.
I'd certainly be more wary around Muslims. Unfortunately they are all over the place now.