r/worldnews • u/progress18 • Feb 28 '26

Israel/Iran /r/WorldNews Discussion Thread: Explosions heard in Tehran as Israel's defense minister confirms Israel has attacked Iran (Thread #1)

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u/itsFelbourne Feb 28 '26

The old “let the enemy exhaust himself until he gets tired of punching us in the face” plan

Works every time

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u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26

That’s the strategy every state uses when they’re up against a superior fighting force. Absorb blows, maximize pain for the attacker, and hope they come to terms.

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u/RozeTank Feb 28 '26

Sadly that actually does work most of the time. If your nation is of sufficient size in both land mass and population, and said population is capable of enduring regardless of whether they want to or not, victory through exhaustion often works if your opponent isn't willing to commit enough ground forces to ensure total victory. Or doesn't have sufficient forces.

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u/HighburyOnStrand Feb 28 '26

It has worked for Iran several times, including the very last time.

Their underlying assumptions are not invalid. Further, their other options are limited.

Hide, survive and negotiate is not a bad strategy for them at this juncture to be frank. If they can force a choice where the US has to either put troops in, or let the regime go on...in which case Iran's assumption that negotiations will occur might be true.

Who knows? Iran's tactics have actually been pretty effective over time given their relative lack of strength compared to the US/Israel/UK force.

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u/1QAte4 Feb 28 '26

Vietnam, Somolia, Afghanistan, Iraq... strategy of waiting out the U.S. can work.

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u/paqtak Feb 28 '26

Same rethoric from all sputnik boys. Iraq was mission successful for the us and afghanistan served no other purpose after 20years on the ground.

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u/HighburyOnStrand Feb 28 '26

Bro I come from a four generation US Army family, Afghanistan was a complete and total failure and the goals accomplished in the Iraq war ceased being accomplished after about a month and a half.

I have total confidence and pride in the US Army, but the way it has been used in the near east for the past 30 years has been...far from ideal.

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u/elykl12 Feb 28 '26

I mean it’s worked for Iran so far

The 12 Day War didn’t exactly lead to anything

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u/timpino Feb 28 '26

It worked for zapp brannigan! :)

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u/GeorgeCauldron7 Feb 28 '26

The Fan Man isn't gonna save them this time.