Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

lostincalifornia

(5,366 posts)
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 07:49 PM Feb 28

Assuming the reports are correct that Iran's leader is dead, along with major Iranian military and security leaders,

and regardless of the arguments that trump has exceeded his power, if this is perceived as successful, I suspect the American public will support it at least initially, just like they did with the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.

The reality is we really won't know for a while, though it is pretty certain this is going to be an election issue, and I don't think anyone can predict how that will play out to the American public, because it all will depend on the aftermath, and who will replace the current government if it falls.





17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Assuming the reports are correct that Iran's leader is dead, along with major Iranian military and security leaders, (Original Post) lostincalifornia Feb 28 OP
Decapitating a country's leadership is the easy bit VMA131Marine Feb 28 #1
I don't think he willl put American boots on the ground, which according to your point would mean we would have no lostincalifornia Feb 28 #2
seems like he's already trying to play that card! lol Jack Valentino Mar 1 #16
I think people who never served just don't see the big picture Skittles Feb 28 #3
People in general don't give a shit about Iran SamuelTheThird Feb 28 #4
True but I also am sick that trump and his goons are reckless and think this is all a game vapor2 Feb 28 #5
THEY do, just trying to distract us from the EPSTEIN FILES....... !!!! Jack Valentino Mar 1 #17
This here fujiyamasan Mar 1 #12
The same people who were in power will remain in power Johnny2X2X Feb 28 #6
I think they are going to retry and install the Shah's family. All depends on lostincalifornia Feb 28 #9
It's been nearly 50 years since the Shah was deposed Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Feb 28 #10
It will only matter if things go bad or if our economy sucks JI7 Feb 28 #7
Remember ISIS? I could see that on steroids. Takket Feb 28 #8
Mossad must have some damn good assets in Iran Strelnikov_ Mar 1 #11
It does absolutely nothing to alter the reality of the grim state of the economy. BannonsLiver Mar 1 #13
There are videos now of statues of the Ayatollah being pulled down in Tehran by the people Melon Mar 1 #14
It's all downhill from here planj07 Mar 1 #15

VMA131Marine

(5,271 posts)
1. Decapitating a country's leadership is the easy bit
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 07:55 PM
Feb 28

We have no control over what happens in Iran next unless there are boots on the ground. Plus the likelihood of terrorist attacks against Americans around the world has just increased dramatically.

lostincalifornia

(5,366 posts)
2. I don't think he willl put American boots on the ground, which according to your point would mean we would have no
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 08:07 PM
Feb 28

real control over what happens next.

I could see trump playing the bush "mission accomplished" card, declaring victory, and leaving Iran to battle among themselves.


SamuelTheThird

(1,169 posts)
4. People in general don't give a shit about Iran
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 08:14 PM
Feb 28

They are worried about paying for groceries and health care. This is not going to buoy him.

And Iran is going to be left a complete mess anyway

vapor2

(4,529 posts)
5. True but I also am sick that trump and his goons are reckless and think this is all a game
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 09:13 PM
Feb 28

Who benefits from this ?

Jack Valentino

(5,053 posts)
17. THEY do, just trying to distract us from the EPSTEIN FILES....... !!!!
Sun Mar 1, 2026, 12:37 AM
Mar 1

"WAG THE DOG" as it were


fujiyamasan

(1,703 posts)
12. This here
Sun Mar 1, 2026, 12:14 AM
Mar 1

Groceries, health care, AI driven job losses (too many people still delusional enough to think they’re not expendable)…

Johnny2X2X

(24,218 posts)
6. The same people who were in power will remain in power
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 09:21 PM
Feb 28

Less their leader and a few of his military heads. This is a large government and there’s a succession plan.

I hope this could somehow cause a regime change, but I just don’t see that yet. They will have a new supreme leader soon who will probably crack down on the people, but maybe he’ll negotiate more.

lostincalifornia

(5,366 posts)
9. I think they are going to retry and install the Shah's family. All depends on
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 09:50 PM
Feb 28

how much support in Iran for that.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(135,808 posts)
10. It's been nearly 50 years since the Shah was deposed
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 09:57 PM
Feb 28

I doubt many in Iran are old enough to remember and I doubt they're nostalgic for him.

JI7

(93,632 posts)
7. It will only matter if things go bad or if our economy sucks
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 09:39 PM
Feb 28

Remember the first Bush and his success in the war.

If things go well and our economy sucks people will not care or even feel resentment.

It will only look good for Trump if things go will there and our economy improves. The problem will be Trump himself that will only see everything as a way to enrich himself.

BannonsLiver

(20,603 posts)
13. It does absolutely nothing to alter the reality of the grim state of the economy.
Sun Mar 1, 2026, 12:18 AM
Mar 1

It’s a sugar high. And when it subsides the headwinds he is facing will be back, worse than ever. People will still be paying more for everything, their retirement savings will still be in peril because of the volatility he creates, and if they have a job there will continue to be loads of anxiety about being able to keep it. The country is a mess.

Melon

(1,526 posts)
14. There are videos now of statues of the Ayatollah being pulled down in Tehran by the people
Sun Mar 1, 2026, 12:24 AM
Mar 1

If the Iranian people can change their government , this will be good for the populace. The US will not invade or put boots on the ground.

planj07

(60 posts)
15. It's all downhill from here
Sun Mar 1, 2026, 12:25 AM
Mar 1

This intervention isn’t popular and will not be popular moving forward. The reason being that there is no plan. No end goal. The big “hooray” was Ayatollah’s death.

And yet the regime did not disappear in a day. They are still replacing dudes and firing missiles. Most Americans can’t find Iran on a map. They don’t think Iran is a threat. It wasn’t an act of self defense, it was an act of service to Israel at a time when public opinion has turned against Israel.

I think the only silver lining here is that Trump’s popularity is about to take an even bigger hit. Americans don’t like wars. A good amount of them don’t even want us helping Ukraine in their self-defense.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Assuming the reports are ...