Thoughts on U.S. attack on Iran
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Food for Thought
Judge of Probate Richard Dean
I want to address the U.S. attack on Iran and why I believe our actions are long overdue. These are solely my thoughts and opinions and do not represent the Coosa Probate Office or “The Coosa County News.”
The talking heads on the various news channels contradict their own recent reports about Iran. Listening to/reading reports, one could think there are two Iranian countries.
Now, to our U.S. politicians. Some either do not know any history regarding Iran or they just make up stuff because they believe most Americans will not research the facts. Some appear they would be happy to see the U.S. fail. Then we have those who wish to keep the Federal Government shutdown and pretend they care about the safety and security of America. Not funding Homeland Security, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement, during this time tells me they care about something other than America’s safety and security.
In 1979, when Islamic ideological zealots took control in Iran, I was stationed at Moody AFB, Georgia. Moody was home to the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing. The 347th had an outstanding reputation for air-to-air combat and air-to-ground operations.
Moody won many military combat competitions (war games) at home and abroad. Its personnel were deployed worldwide for operations and training, some as a show of force because of their combat capable reputation. Many of Moody’s personnel spent much time supporting Northern Africa and Middle East operations.
Iran’s Air Force was built around the Vietnam-era, combat-workhorse McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and the lightweight Northrup F-5 Tiger aircraft. At one point, 12 countries, including the U.S. (Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines), flew the F-4. Turkey, Greece, and until recently, Iran still fly/flew the F-4.
In 1979, the 347th was the last U.S. Air Force active-duty unit flying the F-4 Phantom. Anywhere U.S. Air Force Phantoms or Phantom expertise were needed, Moody’s 347th was deployed. Many countries relied upon Moody for Phantom combat training and tactics.
You can see why Moody’s personnel were very interested in events in Iran from 1977 through 1981. I had worked and trained with and knew some Iranian Air Force personnel (and their families) training in the U.S. From 1979-1981, many were afraid to return home because they feared, rightfully so, they would be immediately killed upon their return to Iran.
I say all of this to show I had a somewhat vested interest to understand and stay informed about events in Iran. Now to Iran. Fanatics who became the leaders of Iran have been at war with the United States since 1979. Fanatical Iran and their proxies have been killing Americans since 1979. Why?
The Carter Administration (in full disclosure, I voted for Carter) talked from both sides of their mouths. President Carter did not like the Shah of Iran and pressed for changes. Although the Shah complied with most of Carter’s demands, Carter directed administration officials to secretly negotiate with Khomeini whom President Carter mistakenly, possibly naively, viewed as a moderate. In January 1979, Carter sent U.S. Air Force General Robert Huyser to sway Iranian military leaders to allow a “transitional government” for Khomeini and his Islamic Republican Guard. They used the promises of U.S. friendship, aid and their safety if the leaders would allow Khomeini’s return and assumption of power. The outcome when the transition came: those Iranian military leaders and their families were brutally killed. You may go to the U.S. Army War College site to verify this.
The new regime, instead of being friends with Carter and America, held true to their long-held intent and nature by immediately implementing their goal of “Death to America and killing the great Satan.” All one and the same. Their goal has been consistent from day one. All their actions are aimed at achieving that goal.
Our Western, Judeo-Christian civilization is incompatible with and a threat to their fanatical Islam philosophy. They believe if they kill a Christian or Jew, it is a badge of honor and they gain immediate access to their heaven because their god directs them to do this.
Iranian leaders do not hate us because we are mean, successful, aggressive, or have caused them harm; well until a few weeks ago. They hate us because of our foundation and beliefs as a Judeo-Christian civilization. Iran has targeted and attacked the U.S., either by their own actions or through proxies they fund, train and direct. Iran has targeted U.S. military bases, personnel, diplomats, and civilians for years.
Many elected U.S. representatives and the press corps argue there was no imminent threat to us or our interest from Iran. I disagree. An imminent threat refers “to an immediate and unavoidable danger that poses a significant risk of harm or injury.”
Iran was an imminent threat before November 4, 1979, and every day they become an even greater threat. Based on many projections from U.S. intelligence, as well as agencies abroad, Iran was quickly building large stockpiles of bombs, missiles (short and long range) and drones. They had enriched nuclear materials of no use except for nuclear weapons. Iran boasted they had enough nuclear material for 11 nuclear weapons and claimed it was their God-given right to own nuclear weapons.
Maybe if you are sitting in Washington, D.C., or if you have no ties to any of our military, diplomatic, or government personnel, or to civilians traveling abroad; there is no imminent threat to you or your families. If you have ties to any of these groups, I think you might consider the threat to them imminent.
On December 11, 2023, the Associated Press (AP) reported, “Dozens of attacks on U.S. military facilities by Iran-backed factions in Iraq over the past two months….” On January 29, 2024, the AP reported, “… Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East….” A few months ago, Iran was a threat to U.S. interest and personnel. Today, they aren’t, according to the same press. I don’t understand.
There are at least 13 Iran-supported groups around the globe. These do not include possible sleeper cells in the U.S. or other countries Iran declares as hostile to their fanatical religious beliefs.
Following are a few of the attacks on U.S. citizens for which Iran is responsible. 2003-2011: Iranian-backed militias kill at least 603 U.S. troops in Iraq. August 2003: Hamas bomber blows up bus in Jerusalem, killing five Americans and wounding another. January 2007: Twelve men affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dressed as U.S. soldiers kill five U.S. soldiers in Karbala. July 2014: Hamas terrorists kill two Americans with the IDF. October 2015: Hamas terrorists kill an American citizen and his wife in the West Bank. December 2019: Hezbollah-fired rockets kill an American security contractor and wound several U.S. service members in the Kirkuk, Iraq. January 2020: An Iranian ballistic missile attack against an airbase in Iraq causes traumatic brain injuries to more than 100 U.S. troops. March 2020: Former FBI agent Robert Levinson’s, who disappeared in Iran in 2007, family announces he died in an Iranian prison. September 2020: U.S. intelligence reported Iran plot to assassinate U.S. Ambassador to South Africa. February 2021: An Iran-backed militia-fired rocket wounds a U.S. service member and four U.S. civilian contractors. July 2021: Iranian-backed militias conduct three rockets and a drone attack against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, wounding two U.S. service members. September 2022: An Iranian rocket attack kills an American citizen in Iraqi Kurdistan. November 2022: A captain in Iran’s IRGC plots killing of an American citizen working at an English language institute in Baghdad. March 2023: Iranian drone kills American contractor and wounds five U.S. military members and a contractor. October 7, 2023: Hamas kills 48 Americans and kidnaps 12 Americans in a massacre of 1,200 people in southern Israel. December 2023: An Iranian-backed militia drone attack against U.S. forces, in Erbil; wounds three American soldiers, one critically. January 2024: Hezbollah drone kills three U.S. soldiers at a U.S. military base in Jordan and wounds more than 40 other service members. November 2024: Foundation for Defense of Democracies reports Iran and its proxies conducted 180-plus attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East between October 17, 2023, and November 19, 2024, with over 180 wounded and three U.S. service members killed. November 2024: The U.S. Department of Justice charges an Iranian national and two American accomplices for plotting to assassinate President Trump. March 2025: U.S. jury convicts Iranian agents for plotting to assassinate Iranian-American journalist in New York in 2022. June 2025: At least three U.S. bases in Syria and two in Iraq attacked with missiles or drones.
This list is not inclusive, but should provide an idea of the Iranian leadership’s state of mind. Their current leaders are neither peaceful nor friendly and never were.
If Iran continued unchecked to build 200 missiles and bombs per month, that alone would be an increasing threat to the U.S. and our interests. As they built, they would continue to improve effectiveness and expand their attack range. If they obtained a nuclear weapon, all bets would be off. There would be no stopping them in their ideological terrorist attacks, anywhere. If one believes Iran would hesitate to launch a nuclear weapon against the U.S., think about President Carter’s beliefs.
I believe the time to attack Iran was now or possibly never. I support our U.S. military and their actions. I wish we had taken decisive action against the fanatical Iranian leadership many years ago when they showed their true colors. I pray for our military personnel, all Americans involved in this effort, and that God will bless and protect America and our supporters at home and abroad.
