Tom Paine

🚨If you're blaming President Trump for "starting a war" with Iran, perhaps it's time for a history lesson. The Islamic Republic's aggression against Americans and our allies dates back to 1979. For nearly five decades, through seven presidencies before Trump's current term, the United States has attempted diplomacy, sanctions, deterrence, and, at times, military retaliation. Yet the attacks continued. American embassies bombed. Marines murdered. Civilians slaughtered. Hostages taken. American service members killed and wounded. Iranian-backed terrorist organizations armed, financed, and trained. President Trump's stated objective is to end the aggression, not perpetuate it. You can discuss methods employed to achieve that objective. But pretending this conflict began with Trump ignores nearly five decades of Iranian and Iranian-backed attacks. Attempting to end a decades-long pattern of aggression is not the same thing as initiating that aggression. The historical record matters. And it didn't begin in 2026. HERE'S THE HISTORY: (with sources) ✴️Iranian and Iranian-Backed Attacks: 1979–2026 ~~ 1979–1989: Revolution, Hostage-Taking, and International Terrorism: - November 4, 1979 ~~ Tehran, Iran: Iranian revolutionaries seized the U.S. Embassy. 66 Americans taken hostage; 52 held for 444 days. No hostages killed during the embassy seizure. Iranian regime involvement. - April 18, 1983 ~~ Beirut, Lebanon: Suicide bombing of the U.S. Embassy by Islamic Jihad, a precursor to Hezbollah. 63 killed, approximately 120 injured. Seventeen Americans were among the dead. - October 23, 1983 ~~ Beirut, Lebanon: Hezbollah-linked suicide bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks. 241 American service members killed, approximately 128 wounded. A simultaneous attack on French forces killed another 58 paratroopers. - December 12, 1983 ~~ Kuwait City, Kuwait: Coordinated bombings targeting the American and French embassies and other facilities, attributed to Iran-backed Iraqi militants. 5 killed, approximately 80 injured. - March 1984 ~~ Beirut, Lebanon: CIA station chief William Buckley kidnapped by Hezbollah-linked militants. 1 American killed after prolonged captivity. - September 20, 1984 ~~ Beirut, Lebanon: Bombing of the U.S. Embassy annex by Hezbollah-linked militants. 23 killed, dozens injured. - December 1984 ~~ Tehran, Iran: Hijacking of Kuwait Airways Flight 221 by Hezbollah-linked militants. 2 American officials killed. - May 25, 1985 ~~ Kuwait: Assassination attempt against Kuwait's emir by militants associated with the Iran-backed Iraqi Da'wa movement. 2 killed, several injured. - June 14, 1985 ~~ TWA Flight 847: Hezbollah hijacking. U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem murdered. 1 killed; dozens held hostage. - 1985–1986 ~~ Paris, France: Bombing campaign linked to Hezbollah and Iranian intelligence. 12 killed, hundreds injured. - February 17, 1988 ~~ Lebanon: U.S. Marine Colonel William Higgins kidnapped by Hezbollah-linked militants and subsequently murdered. 1 killed. - April 5, 1988 ~~ Kuwait Airways Flight 422: Hijacking by Hezbollah-linked militants. 2 passengers killed. - July 13, 1989 ~~ Vienna, Austria: Assassination of Iranian Kurdish opposition leader Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou and two associates, attributed to Iranian operatives. 3 killed. These incidents are documented in Congressional Research Service reporting and historical terrorism investigations. Every CRS Report 1990–1999: International Bombings and Assassinations - August 6, 1991 ~~ Paris, France: Former Iranian Prime Minister Shapour Bakhtiar and his secretary murdered in an operation attributed to Iranian intelligence. 2 killed. - March 17, 1992 ~~ Buenos Aires, Argentina: Hezbollah bombing of the Israeli Embassy, linked to Iranian intelligence. 29 killed, 242 injured. - July 18, 1994 ~~ Buenos Aires, Argentina: Bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center. Argentine investigators attributed planning to Iranian officials and execution to Hezbollah. 85 killed, more than 300 injured. Iran denies involvement. - April 9, 1995 ~~ Kfar Darom, Gaza Strip: Palestinian Islamic Jihad suicide bombing of an Israeli bus. 8 killed, dozens injured. One American was among the dead. - August 21, 1995 ~~ Jerusalem, Israel: Hamas bus bombing. 5 killed, more than 100 injured. - February 25, 1996 ~~ Jerusalem, Israel: Hamas suicide bombing of Bus 18. 26 killed, dozens injured. - March 4, 1996 ~~ Tel Aviv, Israel: Suicide bombing at Dizengoff Center, claimed by Hamas. 13 civilians killed, approximately 125 injured. Some historical accounts give higher death totals when including the attacker or later deaths. - June 25, 1996 ~~ Khobar, Saudi Arabia: Truck bombing of Khobar Towers, attributed by U.S. authorities to Saudi Hezbollah with Iranian support. 19 American service members killed, approximately 500 injured. - September 4, 1997 ~~ Jerusalem, Israel: Hamas suicide bombings at Ben Yehuda Street. 5 victims killed, approximately 190 injured. Important distinction: Hamas received Iranian support, but individual Hamas operations cannot automatically be described as Iranian-directed. ✴️Sources: Congressional Research Service, historical investigations, and documentation of attacks against Americans. את"צ ~~~2000–2011: Hamas, Hezbollah, and Attacks on American Forces: - August 9, 2001 ~~ Jerusalem, Israel: Hamas suicide bombing at Sbarro restaurant. 15 civilians killed, approximately 130 injured. - July 31, 2002 ~~ Jerusalem, Israel: Hamas bombing at Hebrew University. 9 killed, approximately 100 injured. Five Americans were among the dead. - June 11, 2003 ~~ Jerusalem, Israel: Hamas suicide bombing of Bus 14A. 17 killed, more than 100 injured. - August 19, 2003 ~~ Jerusalem, Israel: Hamas suicide bombing of Bus 2. 23 victims killed, more than 130 injured. Some totals include the bomber and report 24 deaths. - October 15, 2003 ~~ Gaza Strip: Roadside bombing of a U.S. diplomatic convoy, attributed to the Popular Resistance Committees. 3 Americans killed, 1 injured. Iranian support for the group has been reported, but Iranian direction of this attack is not established. - 2003–2011 ~~ Iraq: Iranian-backed Shiite militias conducted repeated attacks on American forces using rockets, roadside bombs, and explosively formed penetrators. At least 603 American service members killed, according to a Pentagon assessment. This is a cumulative figure covering multiple attacks. - July 12–August 14, 2006 ~~ Israel and Lebanon: Hezbollah rocket and missile attacks against northern Israel during the Second Lebanon War. 43 Israeli civilians killed by rocket attacks; thousands injured or treated for related injuries. Hezbollah also killed Israeli military personnel during the conflict. - January 20, 2007 ~~ Karbala, Iraq: Attack on American soldiers by militants linked to the IRGC-Quds Force. 5 Americans killed, 3 wounded. - 2011 ~~ Washington, D.C.: Iranian-linked plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador at a restaurant. 0 casualties; plot disrupted. ✴️The Iraq figure is especially significant: it represents hundreds of American military deaths attributed to Iranian-supported militias, not merely isolated attacks. Source: whitehouse .gov ~~2012–2022: International Operations, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Regional Militias: - February 13, 2012 ~~ New Delhi, India: Bomb attack on an Israeli diplomatic vehicle, linked by investigators to Iranian operatives. 0 killed, 4 injured. - July 18, 2012 ~~ Burgas, Bulgaria: Hezbollah suicide bombing targeting Israeli tourists. 6 victims killed, approximately 36 injured. Five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver died. - 2014 onward ~~ Yemen: Houthi forces, supported by Iran, expanded missile, drone, and ground operations. Thousands killed across the wider conflict, but the overall Yemen war death toll cannot properly be attributed solely to Houthi attacks or Iran. - 2015–2022 ~~ Saudi Arabia: Repeated Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks against airports, energy infrastructure, and civilian areas. Multiple deaths and injuries. A reliable consolidated casualty count requires an incident-by-incident review. - September 14, 2019 ~~ Abqaiq and Khurais, Saudi Arabia: Major drone and cruise-missile attack against Saudi oil facilities. The Houthis claimed responsibility; U.S. and Saudi officials attributed the operation to Iran. 0 confirmed deaths. Major infrastructure damage. - December 27, 2019 ~~ Kirkuk, Iraq: Rocket attack attributed to Kataib Hezbollah. 1 American civilian contractor killed, several U.S. personnel injured. - January 8, 2020 ~~ Ain al-Asad Air Base, Iraq: Direct Iranian ballistic missile attack against U.S. forces. 0 killed; 109 American service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries. - March 11, 2020 ~~ Camp Taji, Iraq: Rocket attack attributed to an Iran-backed militia. 2 Americans and 1 British service member killed; approximately 14 injured. - February 15, 2021 ~~ Erbil, Iraq: Rocket attack attributed to an Iran-aligned militia. 1 civilian contractor killed, several others injured, including American personnel. - September 28, 2022 ~~ Iraqi Kurdistan: IRGC missile and drone strikes against Iranian Kurdish opposition groups. At least 13 killed, approximately 58 injured. An American citizen was among those killed. ✴️Sources: U.S. government reporting, Congressional Research Service, and documented attacks against American personnel. The White House ~~2023–2024: October 7, Regional Escalation, and Direct Iranian Attacks: - March 23, 2023 ~~ Hasakah, Syria: Drone attack attributed by U.S. officials to an Iranian-origin unmanned aircraft. 1 American contractor killed; 5 U.S. service members and 1 contractor injured. - October 7, 2023 ~~ Southern Israel: Hamas-led attacks on Israeli communities, military installations, and a music festival. Approximately 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage. Thousands were injured. Hamas receives Iranian funding, weapons, and training, but evidence does not establish that Iran directed the October 7 operation. - October 18, 2023 ~~ Iraq and Syria: Drone attacks against American installations at al-Asad and al-Tanf by Iranian-backed militias. At least 24 American personnel injured. - October 2023–November 2024 ~~ Iraq, Syria, and Jordan: More than 180 attacks against American military installations by Iran and affiliated militias. 3 American service members killed and more than 180 wounded. These are cumulative figures that include incidents listed separately below. - November 2023 onward ~~ Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: Houthi missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping. Multiple vessels damaged or sunk, with sailors killed and injured. Individual attacks are discussed below. - December 25, 2023 ~~ Erbil, Iraq: Drone attack attributed to Kataib Hezbollah. 3 American service members injured. - January 20, 2024 ~~ al-Asad Air Base, Iraq: Missile and rocket attack by Iranian-backed militants. Several American personnel injured. - January 28, 2024 ~~ Tower 22, Jordan: Drone attack attributed to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Iranian-backed militias. 3 American soldiers killed, more than 40 injured. - March 6, 2024 ~~ Gulf of Aden: Houthi missile attack on the commercial vessel True Confidence. 3 crew members killed, 4 injured. - April 13–14, 2024 ~~ Israel: Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles toward Israel in its first large-scale direct attack on Israeli territory. 0 confirmed deaths directly from impacts; a young girl was critically injured, and other injuries were reported. - August 5, 2024 ~~ al-Asad Air Base, Iraq: Rocket attack by an Iranian-backed militia. 5 American service members and 2 American contractors injured. - August 9, 2024 ~~ Syria: Drone attack against U.S. forces at Rumalyn Landing Zone. Several American personnel suffered minor injuries. - October 1, 2024 ~~ Israel: Iran launched approximately 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel. 1 Palestinian man killed by falling missile debris near Jericho; several injuries reported. - November 2024 ~~ United States: Federal prosecutors announced charges against an Iranian-linked operative accused of participating in plots to assassinate Donald Trump and Iranian-American dissidents. 0 casualties; alleged plots disrupted. ✴️Sources: U.S. government documentation and regional security reporting. The White House ~~ 2025–October 29, 2026: Continuing Attacks and Direct Regional Warfare: - 2025 ~~ Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: Houthi forces continued attacks against commercial vessels and maritime traffic. Deaths and injuries occurred, but a consolidated, independently verified casualty total is not available from the sources reviewed. - June 2025 ~~ Iraq and Syria: Iranian-backed militias attacked multiple American military installations, including at least three bases in Syria and two in Iraq. Casualty figures not established in the reviewed sources. - July 5, 2025 ~~ Gaza: Grenade attack attributed to Hamas affiliates against an aid distribution facility. 2 American aid workers injured. - February 28–June 2026 ~~ Israel and Gulf States: Following U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, Iranian forces launched retaliatory missiles and drones against Israel and countries hosting American forces. Attacks affected Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Jordan. - March–June 2026 ~~ Gulf States: Reported deaths associated with Iranian attacks included: - Bahrain: 3 killed; dozens injured. - Saudi Arabia: 3 killed; 29 injured. - United Arab Emirates: 10 civilians reportedly killed in attacks, with 224 injured. Two additional UAE military personnel died in a helicopter crash attributed to a technical malfunction and should not be counted as direct attack fatalities. - Other Gulf States: Additional deaths and injuries were reported, but the figures reviewed do not permit a reliable country-by-country reconciliation. - March 1–30, 2026 ~~ Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz: At least 20 commercial vessels reportedly attacked in or near the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and surrounding waters. At least 2 crew members reported dead or recovered deceased. Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened vessels transiting the strait. - April 1, 2026 ~~ Kuwait International Airport: Iranian drones struck fuel storage facilities, causing a major fire. 0 reported injuries. - October 9–15, 2026 ~~ Riyadh and Abha, Saudi Arabia: Reports describe renewed Houthi missile and drone attacks against airport infrastructure, including substantial civilian casualties. However, the available reports contain overlapping incidents and inconsistent casualty totals. I cannot responsibly give a verified combined death and injury count for these attacks without further corroboration. ✴️Sources: Reuters reporting, regional casualty tracking, and U.S. government documentation. The White House