The U.S.-Israel attack was an Iranian victory
Vancouver: The material losses for both Israel and Iran must be enormous, with Israel’s much smaller size and population meaning much greater economic impact. The most important loss, though, is the strategic defeat to Israel and the U.S. Israel assassinated several leaders and scientists, but there are apparently hundreds of scientists in the wings, and the military and political personnel were fully replaced within 12 to 18 hours, when Iran was able to deliver its first massive retaliatory targeted missile strike hitting Israel. The planned destruction of Iran’s nuclear research system and the desired regime change were not accomplished.
Iran is probably much stronger today than it was a few weeks ago, politically and militarily. Weaknesses in its defenses will have been exposed with an eye to improvement, and the support of friends has been reinforced. Even the Arab League, rarely in unison, unanimously condemned Israel’s actions. In addition, Iran uncovered and exposed the tyranny and destructive spying by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency boss on behalf of Israel and the U.S. Iran should pursue indictments in this case.
However, are Israel and the U.S. likely to admit and accept this defeat? Not a chance. Until Israel is completely exhausted, or if Iran secretly acquires a few nuclear weapons — which it has sworn it does not want to do — or, as U.S. national polls are beginning to show, if the American public finally wakes up and clearly demonstrates that it will no longer back Israel or give any more financial and moral support for destructive acts against Iran, the likelihood of further military actions against Iran by Israel and the U.S. is virtually certain. Wayne Bailey
Jumped the gun
Jersey City: To Voicer Randy Jurgensen: In responding to my letter questioning our president’s procedure in unilaterally committing an act of war, I’m sure your heart was in the right place, as one of our president’s heroes, Joseph Stalin’s, probably was when he had his UN ambassador walk out of the Security Council rather than veto the “police action” you rightly praised. I only wish you knew your history better. President Harry Truman did not unilaterally send troops to Korea. That was in fulfillment of treaty obligations passed by the U.S. Senate and with the full knowledge and approval of leaders of both parties in Congress. President Trump’s apparently ineffective bombing of Iran had neither. Perhaps, Mr. Jorgensen, you also support our president’s ongoing war on higher education, which would be an equal pity. John Esche
Hangover huff?
Beechhurst: During that post-Operation Midnight Hammer good cop/bad cop presser (the former being Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, the latter being Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth), Hegseth was asked a pertinent question by Fox News’ respected longtime Pentagon correspondent Jennifer Griffin about troubling satellite images of trucks outside Iran’s Fordow nuclear enrichment site captured prior to the bunker-buster bombings. Griffin suggested the trucks may have removed enriched uranium material. The SecDef tore into Griffin, accusing her of exemplifying the media’s innate (i.e. Trump Derangement Syndrome) inability to give the president any credit for this stunningly successful strategic blow to Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability. Now, I wouldn’t say that “Pissed-Off” Pete is wrong about the media’s weird downplaying of this daring and salutary military operation. Nonetheless, Griffin’s question was waved off in a juvenile fit of anger. Perhaps a midnight-hammered event can explain the SecDef’s cranky behavior. James Hyland
Haven from hate
Forest Hills: Albert Fox Cahn’s op-ed about Israel and Zohran Mamdani (“Mamdani: No to Israel and yes to Jews,” July 1) is foolish and shortsighted. With antisemitism spreading throughout the world, it would be disastrous for our young generation of Jews to turn their backs on Israel, since it is the only country in the world where all Jews are welcome and will be protected. I abhor and condemn the killing being carried out in Gaza. However, Benjamin Netanyahu will not be prime minister for life. We need to protect Israel for all future generations of Jews. I do not know what is in Mamdani’s heart, but if protests break out on the city’s college campuses again, I doubt he will be interested in protecting Jewish students who will be harassed. He has proven to be on the side of the protesters. Libby Gurgis
Inexperienced
Palm Coast, Fla.: To Voicer T.S. Fallani: Yet, I’m sure you voted for the socialist who has never run anything in his life and isn’t qualified to run a lemonade stand. Douglas Weinberg
Food for thought
Jackson Heights: Presumptive Democratic nominee for NYC mayor Mamdani is advocating for government-run grocery stores. As the state is doing such a wonderful job managing the MTA, what could possibly go wrong? Glenn B. Jacobi
Unsolicited advice
Forest Hills: Where does Al Sharpton get off telling Andrew Cuomo what he should or shouldn’t do (“Sharpton says Cuomo should drop out of mayoral race,” July 3)? Sharpton should stick with what he knows and does, which has never been much. Sherri Rosen
Sway suspected
Whitestone: In my opinion — and only my opinion — I believe that one of Sean Combs’ associates got to one of the jurors, i.e. a John Gotti jury-tampering move. The Southern District of New York had this guy dead to rights and put on a brilliant case. And we taxpayers, who ultimately pay the millions to try this case, are to believe the jury came to a decision based on evidence and facts. I do not believe that for one second. The SDNY should keep a very close watch on all jurors for the foreseeable future to see if there is any criminality involved, and if there is, retry the miscreant. Thank God the judge decided to keep such an unstable, violent and accused predator in jail — for now, at least. Pat DeMarco
Jury of his peers
Jackson Heights: So, after all of the damning testimony against this monster, the jury did not, in my opinion, reach the correct verdict. I served on a jury many years ago in Queens and I can tell you that they were not the brightest people in the world. Ditto for this jury. I am sure some voted to acquit because of his celebrity, and I would not be surprised if others were bribed. Either way, justice was not served. And the likelihood is that he will be pardoned by Dictator Trump. God bless America. Michael Lawrence
Religious tolerance
Toronto: Re “Jimmy Swaggart dies” (July 2): Swaggart’s opinions on Jews and Catholics showed a lack of awareness of the best of Christian theology. If a religion or denomination has been around for several centuries and produced many righteous individuals, there is little to be gained by criticizing it. We should treat one another as respected neighbors and recognize that Scripture allows for a variety of well-meaning interpretations. Bruce Couchman
Unstatesmanlike
Ridgefield Park, N.J.: Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski should be ashamed of herself for voting in favor of Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, knowing how harmful it is to the people of this country, just because she was given carve-out exceptions for the people of her state. By doing so and admitting that’s why she voted in favor of it, she shows she has no backbone to stand up to Trump and is basically giving the middle finger to the rest of the people of this country as they get screwed over. These Republicans again show they have no humanity or conscience when it comes to doing the job they were elected to do. Joe Barbetta
Taken for a ride
Manhattan: I have to wonder how many people who voted for Trump will be adversely affected by his “Big Beautiful Bill.” I also wonder if they will ever vote for a Republican again. Chana Schwartz
Dubious deal
Manhattan: I’m not an economist, but it seems to me that if Trump wants Walmart and other companies to eat some of the tariffs (reducing profits) and then says we are going to reduce your corporate taxes (increasing profits), you are just substituting one loss of company income for another. Isn’t this type of action commonly called “smoke and mirrors”? Leonard Smoke
