The United States and Israel have already taken out most of Iran’s naval and air capabilities. They have already taken out many of Iran’s missile launchers. They have already destroyed much of the Iran military’s communications apparatus.
And now? Bandar Abbas.
From Gila Isaacson’s article at jfeed.com:
6 precision strikes in 24 hours target Bandar Abbas, sinking 11 Iranian warships and setting the ‘Makran’ base ship ablaze. U.S. forces cripple Iran’s economic lifeline and intercept critical missile fuel components from China.
Bandar Abbas, Iran’s primary economic and military lifeline, is undergoing systematic destruction. Operation “Roaring Lion” and “Epic Fury,” led by U.S. and Israeli forces, has escalated with 16 precision strikes in a single day, targeting the heart of the Islamic Republic’s maritime infrastructure.
Satellite imagery from Planet Lab reveals a dramatic scene: the Makran, a 230-meter giant vessel serving as a mobile naval base for helicopters and attack boats, is engulfed in flames after taking a direct hit.
The strikes extended beyond the docks. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that 11 Iranian warships were sunk in the Gulf of Oman within just 48 hours—a move designed to achieve one of President Trump’s primary objectives: the total destruction of Iran’s naval capabilities.
Bandar Abbas is more than a military base; it is the capital of Hormozgan Province and the hub of the nation’s maritime activity. The nearby Shahid Rajaee port handles over 80% of Iran’s container traffic. Raging fires at infrastructure facilities and the main Naval Headquarters have plunged the entire region into acute uncertainty.
The timing of this massive assault appears linked to critical intelligence regarding supply routes. Reports reveal that two Iranian cargo ships, the Shabdis and the Barzin, were en route from a Chinese port to Bandar Abbas carrying sodium perchlorate, a key component for solid rocket fuel.
As you can see, this is not just eliminating Iran’s generic naval presence. It is eliminating Iran’s ability to replenish its offensive arsenal.
Simply stated, if you don’t have the goods to build more missiles, you can’t build them. If you’ve already used the vast majority of your missiles, you have few, if any, to shoot off going forward. And if your missile launching equipment, it is increasingly difficult to use even the few missiles you have remaining.
Is that a game-changer? A major game-changer?
Sure looks like it to me. And we’re only a week and a half in.
By way of comparison, consider Russia’s war against Ukraine – now over four years and counting – that has decimated Ukraine and hugely debilitated Russia.
Taking that into consideration, I’d say we’re doing pretty well…
…Even as many politics-uber-alles Democrats are attacking the effort daily.
It would be nice if this sorry bunch put their country over what they see as a political opportunity (one, by the way, that it looks like they will lose big-time). But, given the condition of today’s Democrat Party, I guess that’s not in the cards.
