The US nearly got into a war with Iran over a porta-potty

The Air Force refused to bomb the porta-potty because notion that it posed a threat was "ludicrous," a defense official told Foreign Policy.

War with Iran was narrowly averted in May 2017 when the Air Force refused to bomb a truck carrying a porta-potty that was headed toward Iranian-backed forces in Syria.

Foreign Policy’s Lara Seligman has the scoop about when the s**t came close to hitting the fan after the U.S.-led coalition in Syria ordered the toilet to be annihilated.

The incident happened near a U.S. military outpost in al-Tanf, Syria, where pro-regime forces believed to be affiliated with Iran or Hezbollah established their own base, according to Foreign Policy, which cited an unnamed defense official. The U.S-led coalition bombed the site and then told the Russians that the coalition would use military force to prevent the pro-regime forces from moving closer to al-Tanf or bringing in supplies.

On May 19, 2017, U.S. forces ordered an airstrike on a truck that was bringing a porta-potty to the pro-regime outpost, but the Air Force refused because it did not believe the strike was a lawful order and the notion that the porta-potty posed a threat was “ludicrous,” the defense official told Foreign Policy.

A spokesman for U.S. Central Command refused to comment on the matter when contacted by Task & Purpose. No further information about the great crapper caper was immediately available on Monday.

SEE ALSO: No, US And Russian Troops Are Not Shooting At Each Other In Syria, US Official Clarifies

WATCH NEXT: Russian Mercenaries Describe Their Defeat In Syria

 

Task & Purpose Video

Each week on Tuesdays and Fridays our team will bring you analysis of military tech, tactics, and doctrine.

 
Jeff Schogol Avatar

Jeff Schogol

Senior Pentagon Reporter

Jeff Schogol is a senior staff writer for Task & Purpose. He has covered the military for nearly 20 years. Email him at schogol@taskandpurpose.com; direct message @JSchogol73030 on Twitter; or reach him on WhatsApp and Signal at 703-909-6488.