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.
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.