US Attacks Iran 2026

[Soloist]

Yesterday, Iranian militias shot down a tanker plane in Iraq, adding six more deaths to this absurd war.

This information is incorrect. The tanker was not brought down by enemy or friendly fire, but by a mid-air collision between two US planes, according to US Central Command and various other sources, some of which posted pictures of the damaged tail of the plane that was able to land safely.

The first thing to die in a war is the truth.

The Iranians claim they hit that tanker in Iraq; Secretary of State for War Pete Hegseth confirms what you’re saying.

The aircraft carrier USS Ford is heading to the United States for port repairs after a Navy spokesman claimed a fire in the laundry room damaged the carrier, while Iran claims to have struck it with drones.



The same goes for the three F-15s shot down in Kuwait. The Trump administration claims it was a friendly fire incident.

And yesterday, the IRGC released footage showing the impact of an F-35 that managed to make an emergency landing, with no response yet from the Trump administration.



We really don’t know, but militarily this war has been a total disaster. The Iranians were much better prepared than Pentagon specialists assumed.

There was primarily two main things US appears to have not anticipated 1: the decentralized command structure with multiple company level military commands operating independently.
2: the support from China and the Russians.

I strongly suspect the tanker was actually hit by the Iranians, believe the F-35 was and strongly doubt the aircraft carrier was.
There is every incentive for the American government to downplay Iranian capabilities and every incentive for Iran to declare successful capabilities.
The simple fact is we cannot trust either government to give “factual” information on military operations or casualties.
Note, I didn’t say they will lie… there is a difference, I believe they will but that is a political view really.
I believe both China and Russia look at this maybe not by comparison but as America’s Ukraine.

[barnhart]

It would require a rather sophisticated coverup to change the story of the tanker plane from friendly collision to airstrike. There is a lot data public already and a lot of witnesses.

[ohio jones]

What is a bunsleeping quarter anyway?

[Jazman]

The regime has repeatedly just posted AI videos. Any videos from them have about zero credibility.

I could say the same about this admin... it also has a history of at least dabbling in AI generated content...

[Jazman]

2: the support from China and the Russians.

I strongly suspect the tanker was actually hit by the Iranians, believe the F-35 was and strongly doubt the aircraft carrier was.
There is every incentive for the American government to downplay Iranian capabilities and every incentive for Iran to declare successful capabilities.
The simple fact is we cannot trust either government to give “factual” information on military operations or casualties.
Note, I didn’t say they will lie… there is a difference, I believe they will but that is a political view really.
I believe both China and Russia look at this maybe not by comparison but as America’s Ukraine.

I don't understand how anyone would not anticipate the support from China and the Russians? Where has this admin's leaders been for the last decades? I could have told them to assume support from the get-go. Are they (or he) that ignorant?

To you other points: sounds like a fair read on things... I appreciate your realism perspective in our discussions.

[Soloist]

It would require a rather sophisticated coverup to change the story of the tanker plane from friendly collision to airstrike. There is a lot data public already and a lot of witnesses.

Have you seen the damage picture of the tail?

[JohnH]

2: the support from China and the Russians.

I strongly suspect the tanker was actually hit by the Iranians, believe the F-35 was and strongly doubt the aircraft carrier was.
There is every incentive for the American government to downplay Iranian capabilities and every incentive for Iran to declare successful capabilities.
The simple fact is we cannot trust either government to give “factual” information on military operations or casualties.
Note, I didn’t say they will lie… there is a difference, I believe they will but that is a political view really.
I believe both China and Russia look at this maybe not by comparison but as America’s Ukraine.

I don't understand how anyone would not anticipate the support from China and the Russians? Where has this admin's leaders been for the last decades? I could have told them to assume support from the get-go. Are they (or he) that ignorant?

What makes you think they didn’t think China or Russia would offer any “support”?

[barnhart]

It would require a rather sophisticated coverup to change the story of the tanker plane from friendly collision to airstrike. There is a lot data public already and a lot of witnesses.

Have you seen the damage picture of the tail?

Yes. It looked like it was damaged. Here is a video from someone who covers aviation disaster that shows some of the public data of the event.

[Soloist]

Yes. It looked like it was damaged. Here is a video from someone who covers aviation disaster that shows some of the public data of the event.

There is a similar incident with a military aircraft, the section was sheared off and both planes lost. The damage shown is inconsistent with a collision and certainly inconsistent with refueling ops.

[barnhart]

There is a similar incident with a military aircraft, the section was sheared off and both planes lost. The damage shown is inconsistent with a collision and certainly inconsistent with refueling ops.

I certainly don't know. Juan Brown, the channel operator was pilot of this aircraft so I assume he might know something about such missions. In the video he points out neither of the two aircraft were capable of receiving fuel, only refueling other planes so no one is claiming the damage was sustained in a refueling incident, only between two planes on the same mission.

However, should new evidence surface, I will certainly shift my thinking. As far as I know it is possible Iranian air defenses are significantly better than the US administration planned for.