The US is teetering on return to all-out war with Iran after further losses of servicemen, reports The Washington Post, writes UNN.
Details
As the publication writes, "on Sunday, the United States and Iran moved closer to a full-scale conflict, as an exchange of strikes on civilian and military targets continued to escalate, and at least three, possibly four, American servicemen have been killed since the resumption of hostilities a week ago."
"The US is planning a larger war," said one American official familiar with the administration's internal discussions, adding that the Pentagon is increasing the number of military aircraft in the region.
However, the official warned that the expansion of US operations would be limited by dwindling stocks of air defense systems and long-range munitions, as well as constraints on deploying additional troops and aviation to the area due to combat damage.
"We don't have enough to safely conduct operations, and I don't think the White House realizes that," the official said.
Military experts stated that, in addition to the losses suffered by US equipment and ammunition stocks, "the US is not prepared for potential ground operations inside Iran, which Trump last week refused to rule out."
"I think it would be a mistake to place ground forces anywhere on islands in the strait or on land," said Seth Jones, director of the defense and security department at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "I don't think American forces are ready for strikes from a distance by the Iranians."
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on ABC's "This Week" program that the US mission to weaken "Iran's ability to terrorize the world" will continue "until the mission is complete."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews before departing for the Philippines, said the US "always remains open to a diplomatic solution." But, according to him, "it is becoming increasingly clear that even within their own system, a rift is growing."
The US has been striking Iran for the ninth consecutive night – CENTCOM20.07.26, 03:16