What Would War With Iran Look Like?

"During President Trump's first term, Pentagon officials took a highly unusual step to diminish the likelihood of war: They shared their plans for a large-scale conflict with Iran with top White House officials. They reasoned that if advisers saw the risks that the plan entailed, they would choose another path, people familiar with the matter told me. The gambit was successful. At least twice, the president weighed ordering an attack on Iran, only to be dissuaded by aides from moving forward."

"More than 100 aircraft-including F-18 and F-35 fighter jets, drones, and surveillance planes-are in or near the region. The U.S. also has bolstered its air defenses to protect U.S. troops on nearby bases. The world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, left the Caribbean (where it had anchored a pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro) and is expected to be within striking range as early as Sunday."

"Asked yesterday whether he now favors a limited military strike, Trump told reporters, "I guess I can say I am considering that." But the administration has given no specific timeline for making a decision. And despite the impressive concentration of power, administration officials have yet to articulate a clear goal for what they want these forces to achieve, should Trump conclude that Tehran's time has run out."

Pentagon officials previously shared detailed war plans with top White House advisers to reveal the high risks of a large-scale conflict with Iran, a tactic that reportedly dissuaded the president from ordering strikes at least twice. The United States is now rapidly reinforcing military assets in the Middle East, deploying over 100 aircraft, bolstering air defenses, and positioning major carrier strike groups and guided-missile submarines. The president acknowledged he is considering a limited strike, yet the administration has set no timeline or clear military objective. Officials have proposed multiple, differing aims, each requiring distinct approaches, increasing uncertainty about potential action.

Read at The Atlantic