How can the complete destruction of the Gulf's oil and water infrastructure be avoided?

[SamuelTheThird]

Negotiations are intractable.

If a hot war erupts again, Iran said it will hit those targets

If the blockade continues indefinitely (at the cost of the world economy), at some point Iran's cohesive existence will be untenable and the military will have nothing to lose, and will hit those targets.

It seems this is an insoluble situation.

[Melon]

1. Iran attacking its neighbors

Doesn’t seem to be building any regional support. I would expect at some point Saudi Qatar and UAE to also use their military against Iran if the continue being attacked.

[SamuelTheThird]

3. And then Iran destroys their oil and water

[Melon]

5. That's what Iran is threatening now against their neighbors

That’s my point. If Iran does that the gloves are off from the neighbors. Iran has that exact same infrastructure.

[SamuelTheThird]

6. As far water, that's not the case

ie Compare how much water Saudi Arabia derives from desalinization versus Iran

[EX500rider]

7. Yes, instead what Iran has is about 40 large dams that are easily targeted

[Melon]

9. Exactly. Plus they are in a water crisis in Tehran already.

Iran is in a far worse situation if their infrastructure were targeted.

[SamuelTheThird]

10. It doesn't matter

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) you're implying that Iran would not decimate the oil and desalinization infrastructure out of fear of something equivalent done to them. The evidence suggests this is woefully mistaken. Iran already made significant attacks against Gulf infrastructure*, and if they are cornered, their pride and religious apocalyptism will impell them to go full bore.

* https://www.france24.com/en/france-confirms-oil-crisis-says-30-40-gulf-energy-infrastructure-destroyed

[Melon]

11. Which to me makes sense that Iran needs to be dealt with to a final resolution

I agree. They are religious apocalyptic crazies. It’s been held over our heads for decades and the entire region. They are cornered. End it completely or we will be in the same spot 7 years from now. They are terrorizing that region and laying claim to international waters. They won’t ever change unless forced.

[SamuelTheThird]

12. How do you propose they are 'dealt with'?

Be very specific, because what you're calling for is 100,000s of troops on Iranian soil and a worse situation than Iraq or Afghanistan for them.

More conventional bombing won't work

Maybe you want nukes used?

[Melon]

13. No. Not nuke.

They need to be dealt with. I don’t believe that is 100,000 troops on the ground. Like a man, they can’t hold their breath forever. They have zero income and a populace that was rioting prior to the conflict. I was not calling for war, but if we are in it, then finish it. Don’t leave the issue for the next president or further bolden them by capitulating that they have any right to the straights themselves.

[SamuelTheThird]

14. You didn't really answer

But regardless...as I pointed out, if Iran's military feel they are going to be eliminated/out of power they are likely to launch an all-out assault on the gulf's infrastructure. The impact of that would be unimaginable. And there's nothing the US can do about that.

How can they be dealt with, specifically? Bomb- doesn't work, Full on war- theyll launch against the gulf states, Economic strangulation- they'll attack the gulf states before they implode

[efhmc]

2. Not to be too selfish but I have reservations for me and my family's once a year vacation to the coast so can you please

put it off a while? Thanks. I already paid a good size down payment.

[leftstreet]

4. Bibi could stop slaughtering people

Gaza
Lebanon

That'd be a nice start. Iran has made their demands pretty clear

[EX500rider]

8. So Israel needs to stop doing something or Iran will attack third countries infrastructure?

Countries that aren't even allies with Israel?
Not sure that scares Israel too much.