Question on Strike and using lightning rails for fiat transfers

posted this in bitcoin but not sure if the post was removed. anyway, will try here

I have some questions about Strike - the first being how does it actually work when using lightning rails to move fiat? is it converting fiat to lightning then sending that and selling and converting to local currency for the recipient on the other end?

Why was lightning chosen? is it because of the base layer settlement over a centralized entity like xrp or nano?

If it's a base layer settlement issue then would not of the other proof of work chains be viable? or is it because BTC is perceived as more neutral and more decentralised than, say, bitcoin cash for example?

How are strike and light spark different, other than one targets business clients and the other retail? does Strike also use UMA?

Does strike have an off-ramp, like a debit card for example? or is it all digitally native and within the app?

Can something like this ever be viable for people say, in Iran. Or is this simply not possible because of on-ramping and off-ramping and because of sanctions? Would someone in a sanctioned country just have to use lightning or a native crypto solution? (presumably using a stable coin can have transactions reversed etc)

Is there any real incentive for someone like me in the EU to use strike instead of revolute for example? The difference in fees sending money to friends and family isn't really that much of a big deal to me personally and it has a physical and virtual debit card, which is handy. but am i misunderstanding the value proposition?

Can you make payments into a bank account directly using strike (a bit like how I would use wise to move money into a bank account)?
thanks