Will the United States carry out a
military strike against Iran? What
are the political and military indicators at the strategic
and tactical levels that confirm the possibility of a military strike by the US
against Iran?
The first part of this question is not accurate. The two most accurate questions in this regard from my point of view are as follows:
First, are the steps taken by US President Donald Trump and his advisers to indicate a possible US military strike?
The answer
is (Yes) according to the next seven steps taken by the US
and its allies:
- US provided Saudi Arabia with huge arms deals starting from 2017. This action is a clear step for war preparedness; Israel always demanded the US to do so to support its strategy (Israel, Sunni Arab states and US to confront their common enemy which is Iran).
- Israel tried strongly in the UN to condemn Iran that it has the complete intention to produce a nuclear weapon.
- US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
- US Listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
- Deploying US forces in the Gulf (navy, air and air defense forces with the size of a huge firepower in addition to subordinate forces).
- Arab League and GCC summits ended with escalation against Iran.
- US decision to deploy other forces of 1500 personnel in the Gulf.
Second is: Are current conditions in the region allow the US to carry out a military strike against Iran?
The current situation in the region is different from the situation during the war against Iraq in 1991. Obviously, we can see the spread of terrorism, the running civil wars in Yemen, Syria and Libya, the political instability in Sudan and the special situation in Iraq.
Moreover, the intensification of international and regional competition among international and regional powers in the region.
These all would lead us to the second part of the question which is:
What are the political and military indicators at the strategic and tactical levels that confirm the possibility of a military strike by the US against Iran?
My answer is:
In addition to the seven mentioned actions, strategically US should start doing next:
- Meetings and direct talks (political and military levels) with
international powers in the region (Russia, China and Europe Union), otherwise Veto will always be ready to stop any strong military action by the US against Iran. - Meetings and direct talks (political and military levels) with regional powers and countries surrounding Iran specially (Pakistan, Turkey and Iraq). Calming down the US speech with Turkey (US should approve the F35 deal with Turkey); also promise Pakistan with more military aids. However, Iraq will remain the main obstacle.
- Possibility of deploying US forces in West Pakistan in coordination with US forces in Afghanistan to threat Iran from the East.
- Redeployment of the US combat security forces in the region specially
the Patriot missiles and other air defense weapons.
Hence, the following could be expected:
The intensification of sanctions to impose a land, sea and air blockade on Iran. I think the United States may have an important alternative away from the military strikes, which is to turn US sanctions into binding international sanctions against Iran. The military situation, the US forces in the Gulf are clear and specific, namely protecting the freedom of navigation in the region and the consequent monitoring and readiness to interfere. And to protect its forces in the region. Which constitutes the necessary deterrent to Iran to submit to the US will. In case of issuing an order to the US forces in the Gulf to strike Iran (which seems to many analysts not possible enough), I expect it to be a “limited military tactical strike” to destroy specific targets in Iran. I think that the US Central Command is currently working on different scenarios; however, I believe that there’s a military willing willing to strike Iran, which is possibly not matching the true intention of President Trump.
However, it’s also difficult to speak about de-escalation of the crisis when maximum pressure is already put on Iran. Sanctions are so high that it prevents Iran to have some freedom of movement. It’s about US sanctions, but the effects are the same as international sanctions, because any country dealing with Iran will be economically sanctioned. Iran has no other choice than to react to putting some pressure on the international community. But Europe lost the momentum to react. I believe that the iranian reaction through its enrichment of uranium is to prevent any other aggressive action from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or the Iranian Armed Forces. I believe that US is trying to trap other countries in the conflict by demanding some involvement of those nations to protect the sea lines of communications. Even if Trump seems not to be committed for war, everything is put in place to force him to launch a strike. There will be a trigger. The question is when? Depending on some reaction from Iran? I’m wondering what will be the next act after the seizure of the Tanker in the strait of Gibraltar.
MG (Ret). Sayed Ghoneim
Fellow, Nasser Higher Military Academy
Chairman, Institute For Global Security & Defense Affairs (IGSDA)
www.igsda.org
