I DON'T ADVOCATE FOR WAR Even as I realize that sometime war is the only answer. This is one of those times. Below is a partial list of all the ways Iran has murdered, bombed, and otherwise taken human lives, many of them American, since their "revolution". I asked Chat for help compiling this list. First let's look at just attacks directly on the United States and our interests:
1979–1989
- 1979–1981 — U.S. Embassy hostage crisis (Tehran): Seizure of the U.S. embassy and detention of American diplomats (state-revolutionary apparatus context; often treated as a foundational act in the post-revolution period). 52 Americans were held for 444 days.
- Apr 18, 1983 — U.S. Embassy bombing (Beirut, Lebanon): Large VBIED attack killing Americans among others; widely attributed to Hezbollah/“Islamic Jihad” tied to Iran’s emergence in Lebanon. 63 Americans were killed.
- Oct 23, 1983 — Beirut Marine barracks bombing (Lebanon): Truck bomb attack killing 241 U.S. service members (307 dead total); U.S. litigation/court findings and many analyses tie the operation to Hezbollah with Iranian support/direction.
- Dec 12, 1983 — Kuwait bombings (multiple targets incl. U.S./French interests): Coordinated bombings in Kuwait City often attributed to “Islamic Jihad” networks tied to Hezbollah/Iran.
- Sept 20, 1984 — U.S. Embassy annex bombing (Beirut): Suicide vehicle bombing; commonly attributed to Hezbollah with Iranian support/direction. 23 dead, 2 Americans killed.
- Jun 14–30, 1985 — TWA Flight 847 hijacking (Greek/Middle East circuit): Hijacking by Lebanese militants linked to Hezbollah; U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem murdered.
1990–2009
- Jun 25, 1996 — Khobar Towers bombing (Saudi Arabia): Truck bomb killing 19 U.S. Air Force personnel; U.S. DOJ/FBI charged members of Saudi Hizballah/Hezbollah al-Hijaz, described as pro-Iran.
- Jan 20, 2007 — Karbala raid (Iraq): Sophisticated assault on U.S. personnel (5 U.S. soldiers killed). Public reporting has long examined possible Iranian/Quds Force facilitation; attribution is discussed rather than universally “adjudicated.”
2010–2026
- 2011 (exposed Oct 11) — Alleged plot to assassinate Saudi ambassador in Washington, D.C.: U.S. DOJ described it as a plot “directed by elements of the Iranian government” (IRGC-QF allegations); separate U.S. Treasury and FBI releases support the case narrative.
- May–Jun 2019 — Gulf tanker sabotage/attacks (near Strait of Hormuz / Gulf of Oman): U.S. assessments and reporting pointed to Iranian involvement (Iran denied).
- Jan 8, 2020 — Iranian ballistic missile strikes on bases hosting U.S. forces in Iraq (Ayn al-Asad; Erbil area): IRGC operation (often referred to as Operation Martyr Soleimani); U.S. later reported service members treated for traumatic brain injuries.
- Jan 28, 2024 — Tower 22 drone attack (Jordan): Drone strike killed 3 U.S. troops; attributed to an Iranian-backed militia umbrella (“Islamic Resistance in Iraq”) in U.S./analytic reporting.
- 2026 (late Feb–Mar) — Reported direct Iranian attacks amid major escalation: Reuters/AP reporting describes Iranian retaliation including attacks on Gulf shipping and U.S. positions during a rapidly escalating conflict. (Because this is fast-moving and contested, treat details as provisional.)
And this isn't close to everything. They are the single largest sponsor of state terrorism in the world. Just look at how they treat their neighbors.
Saudi Arabia
1) 1987 Mecca Hajj Clashes
- Location: Mecca
- Actors: Iranian pilgrims vs. Saudi security forces
- Deaths: ~400+ (estimates vary; many were Iranian pilgrims)
- Context: Political demonstration during Hajj escalated into deadly violence.
- Significance: Severe rupture in Saudi-Iran relations.
2) 1996 Khobar Towers Bombing
- Location: Dhahran
- Target: U.S. Air Force housing complex
- Deaths: 19 U.S. service members; hundreds injured
- Perpetrators: Saudi Hezbollah (Hezbollah al-Hijaz), described by U.S. DOJ as Iran-linked
- Significance: Major attack on Saudi soil tied to Iranian-backed actors.
3) 2019 Abqaiq–Khurais Oil Facility Attack
- Location: Eastern Province
- Target: Saudi Aramco facilities
- Deaths: 0
- Impact: Temporarily cut ~5% of global oil supply
- Attribution: U.S., Saudi, and UN investigations concluded weapons originated from Iran (Tehran denied).
4) Ongoing Houthi Missile/Drone Attacks (2015–present)
- Target: Saudi cities, oil facilities, airports
- Deaths: Dozens over years
- Actor: Yemeni Houthis (Iran-backed; Iran denies directing attacks)
- Strategic Impact: Sustained pressure campaign against Saudi territory.
Kuwait
5) 1983 Kuwait Bombings
- Targets: U.S. and French embassies, airport, oil facilities
- Deaths: 6
- Actor: Islamic Jihad Organization (Hezbollah-linked network tied to Iran)
- Significance: Early example of Iranian-aligned proxy violence in Gulf states.
Bahrain
6) 1981 Failed Coup Attempt
- Target: Bahraini government
- Actor: Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain (Iran-linked group)
- Deaths: Coup foiled before large casualties
- Significance: Direct destabilization attempt.
7) 1990s Insurgency Support
- Iran accused of backing Shiite opposition violence (bombings, unrest).
- Bahrain repeatedly accuses IRGC of arms smuggling and training militants (especially post-2011).
United Arab Emirates
- No large-scale terror attacks.
- Ongoing territorial dispute over Abu Musa and Greater/ Lesser Tunb islands (seized by Iran in 1971).
- UAE has intercepted alleged Iran-linked arms shipments regionally.
Iraq
This is the largest category due to post-2003 events.
8) 1980–1988 Iran–Iraq War
- Deaths: Hundreds of thousands total war casualties
- Note: Interstate war, not terrorism, but foundational hostility.
9) 2003–2011 Iraq War Militia Campaign
- Actors: Iran-backed “Special Groups” (Kata'ib Hezbollah, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, etc.)
- Target: Coalition forces & Iraqi rivals
- Impact: U.S. military estimates attribute hundreds of U.S. troop deaths to Iran-supplied explosively formed penetrators (EFPs).
- Significance: Major proxy war theater.
10) 2020 Missile Attacks on Iraqi Bases Hosting U.S. Forces
- Direct IRGC ballistic missile strike after Soleimani killing.
- No deaths; over 100 U.S. troops treated for brain injuries.
Jordan
11) 2024 Tower 22 Drone Attack
- Location: Jordan–Syria border
- Deaths: 3 U.S. soldiers
- Actor: Iran-backed Iraqi militia umbrella group
- Significance: First U.S. combat deaths in region tied to proxy escalation since 2021.
Yemen
12) Houthi War Campaign (2014–present)
- Iran supports Houthis with missiles, drones, training (U.S./UN assessments).
- Houthis have:
- Fired missiles at Saudi Arabia and UAE
- Attacked oil infrastructure
- Conducted maritime attacks in Red Sea
- Civil war deaths: 100,000+ overall (multi-party conflict; Iran not sole cause).
Syria
- Iran deployed IRGC forces and mobilized Hezbollah and militias to support Assad.
- Involved in major military operations with high civilian death tolls.
- This is primarily civil war intervention rather than terrorism in the narrow sense.
Lebanon
13) Hezbollah Armed Campaign (1980s–present)
- Hezbollah (Iran’s most powerful proxy) engaged in:
- Civil war fighting
- Cross-border wars with Israel (2006)
- Political assassinations (e.g., critics of Syrian/Iranian influence — attribution contested)
- Hezbollah’s existence fundamentally alters Lebanese sovereignty.
Before you decide this is a "war for Israel" you must understand who you are protecting. The regime has done nothing but make the world a worse place since its inception. But Israel has dealt with it the most, from attacks by Iranian funded proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis. Here is what they have been dealing with.
Direct Iranian Attacks on Israel
1) April 13–14, 2024 — Direct Iranian Missile & Drone Attack
- Description: Iran launched ~300+ drones and missiles toward Israel.
- Impact: Most intercepted by Israel, U.S., UK, Jordan.
- Deaths: 0 (one serious injury reported)
- Significance: First direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory from Iran itself.
2) Ongoing Cyber Operations (2010s–present)
- Iranian-linked cyber units have targeted Israeli water infrastructure, ports, and civilian systems.
- Casualties: None reported
- Strategic effect: Escalating cyber conflict.
Hezbollah Attacks on Israel
3) 1990s–2000 — South Lebanon Insurgency
- Cross-border attacks against Israeli forces occupying southern Lebanon.
- Death toll: Dozens of Israeli soldiers over years.
4) 2006 Second Lebanon War
- Trigger: Hezbollah cross-border raid, killing 3 Israeli soldiers, kidnapping 2.
- Rocket fire: ~4,000 rockets into northern Israel.
- Israeli deaths: 121 soldiers, 44 civilians.
- Lebanese deaths: ~1,000+ (war context)
- Significance: Largest Israel–Hezbollah war to date.
5) 2012 Burgas Bus Bombing (Bulgaria)
- Targeted Israeli tourists abroad.
- Deaths: 5 Israeli civilians + 1 Bulgarian driver.
- Widely attributed to Hezbollah operatives.
6) 2023–2024 Northern Front Escalation
- Hezbollah launched sustained rocket, missile, and drone fire after Oct 7 attacks.
- Israeli deaths: Dozens (soldiers & civilians).
- Tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from northern border towns.
Hamas Attacks on Israel (Iran-backed group)
7) 1990s–2000s Suicide Bombing Campaign Buses, cafes, markets targeted. Israeli deaths: Hundreds over decade. Financial/military backing from Iran documented in multiple Western intelligence reports.
8) 2008–present Rocket Campaigns from Gaza Thousands of rockets fired over multiple conflicts (2008, 2012, 2014, 2021, etc.). Israeli deaths: Dozens (Iron Dome reduced fatalities significantly). Civilian displacement widespread.
9) October 7, 2023 — Hamas Mass Attack Cross-border infiltration into southern Israel.
- Israeli deaths: ~1,200 (including civilians).
- Hostages taken: ~240. 85 of those died/were murdered in captivity.
- Largest single-day loss of Jewish life since Holocaust.
- Iran praised attack; direct operational control debated.
- Triggered ongoing Gaza war.
Houthis (Iran-backed) Attacks on Israel
10) 2023–2024 Long-Range Missile & Drone Attacks
- Multiple ballistic missiles and drones launched toward Israel from Yemen.
- Most intercepted by Israeli and allied air defenses.
- Deaths: 0 reported inside Israel.
- Significant for geographic expansion of conflict.
When is enough ENOUGH? This is the best chance to topple this murderous, foul regime and I'm here for it. Here's praying this conflict is short lived, with as few deaths as possible of people who are caught in the crossfire. The world will be a better place when this regime falls. In the last 50 years we have rid ourselves of Gaddafi, Al Assad, and Hussein, and now it's time to cut the head off the snake that is Iran. Let's do this.