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On Iran and Trump's Deception and Trickery
40 years of US-Israeli aggression against Iran has culminated in the 2026 war of choice and exposure of the limits of US power in a military environment dominated not by naval power and boots on the ground, but by drones and missiles. Tensions first shifted from a 1953 CIA-backed coup to direct military confrontation in 2026, driven by nuclear, geopolitical, economic [energy] and regional power struggles.
Key Historical Precursors
* 1953: The Coup of Mohammad Mosaddegh: The CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup to overthrow Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister, reinstating Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to protect oil interests.
* 1979: Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis: Iran became an Islamic Republic, labeling the US “Great Satan.” Militants held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, severing formal diplomatic ties.
* 1980–1988: Iran-Iraq War: The US supported Iraq’s invasion of Iran, contributing to deep-seated mistrust.
* 1988: Iran Air Flight 655: The U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian civilian airliner, killing 290 people.
* 2002: “Axis of Evil”: President George W. Bush designated Iran as part of an “axis of evil” after revelations of undeclared nuclear facilities.
Escalation Timeline (2015–2025)
* 2015: Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA): The US and allies signed a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
* 2018: U.S. Withdrawal: President Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, reimposing “maximum pressure” sanctions.
* 2020: Killing of Qassem Soleimani: A U.S. drone strike killed the Iranian top military leader in Baghdad. Iran responded with missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq.
* June 2025: 12-Day Israel-Iran War & US Intervention: Following attacks on Israel-backed groups, Israel and the US engaged in a 12-day offensive, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz) with bunker-buster bombs.
* Sept 2025: “Snapback” Sanctions: UN sanctions were reimposed on Iran.
The 2026 Iran War (Operation Epic Fury)
* February 28, 2026: Operation Epic Fury Begins: The U.S. and Israel launched over 900 strikes in 12 hours. The campaign targeted Iranian missile sites, air defenses, and leadership.
* March 1-2, 2026: Death of Khamenei: Reports confirmed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the initial strikes.
* March 2026: Retaliation and Conflict Expansion: Iran retaliated by striking U.S. military bases in the Middle East, leading to at least six American service member deaths.
* March 2026: Civilian Casualties: Initial strikes included a strike on a girls’ school in Minab, killing over 170 people.
* March 20, 2026: Ongoing Conflict: Despite claims that the nuclear program was “obliterated,” the conflict remained ongoing with shifting goals, with U.S. officials projecting a potential weeks-long campaign.
The US-Israeli war on Iran, officially named Operation Epic Fury, has been used to justify the Trump administration’s attempts to decapitate the theocratic rulers of Iran, destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, navy, and nuclear ambitions, and to stop its funding of regional shia allies, the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas.
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By Dr. Digby James Wren provides rich analysis of Small State Diplomacy40 years of US-Israeli aggression against Iran has culminated in the 2026 war of choice and exposure of the limits of US power in a military environment dominated not by naval power and boots on the ground, but by drones and missiles. Tensions first shifted from a 1953 CIA-backed coup to direct military confrontation in 2026, driven by nuclear, geopolitical, economic [energy] and regional power struggles.
Key Historical Precursors
* 1953: The Coup of Mohammad Mosaddegh: The CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup to overthrow Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister, reinstating Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to protect oil interests.
* 1979: Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis: Iran became an Islamic Republic, labeling the US “Great Satan.” Militants held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, severing formal diplomatic ties.
* 1980–1988: Iran-Iraq War: The US supported Iraq’s invasion of Iran, contributing to deep-seated mistrust.
* 1988: Iran Air Flight 655: The U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian civilian airliner, killing 290 people.
* 2002: “Axis of Evil”: President George W. Bush designated Iran as part of an “axis of evil” after revelations of undeclared nuclear facilities.
Escalation Timeline (2015–2025)
* 2015: Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA): The US and allies signed a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
* 2018: U.S. Withdrawal: President Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, reimposing “maximum pressure” sanctions.
* 2020: Killing of Qassem Soleimani: A U.S. drone strike killed the Iranian top military leader in Baghdad. Iran responded with missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq.
* June 2025: 12-Day Israel-Iran War & US Intervention: Following attacks on Israel-backed groups, Israel and the US engaged in a 12-day offensive, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz) with bunker-buster bombs.
* Sept 2025: “Snapback” Sanctions: UN sanctions were reimposed on Iran.
The 2026 Iran War (Operation Epic Fury)
* February 28, 2026: Operation Epic Fury Begins: The U.S. and Israel launched over 900 strikes in 12 hours. The campaign targeted Iranian missile sites, air defenses, and leadership.
* March 1-2, 2026: Death of Khamenei: Reports confirmed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the initial strikes.
* March 2026: Retaliation and Conflict Expansion: Iran retaliated by striking U.S. military bases in the Middle East, leading to at least six American service member deaths.
* March 2026: Civilian Casualties: Initial strikes included a strike on a girls’ school in Minab, killing over 170 people.
* March 20, 2026: Ongoing Conflict: Despite claims that the nuclear program was “obliterated,” the conflict remained ongoing with shifting goals, with U.S. officials projecting a potential weeks-long campaign.
The US-Israeli war on Iran, officially named Operation Epic Fury, has been used to justify the Trump administration’s attempts to decapitate the theocratic rulers of Iran, destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, navy, and nuclear ambitions, and to stop its funding of regional shia allies, the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas.
Get full access to Small State Diplomacy at smallstatediplomacy.substack.com/subscribe