Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Five Options For A U.S. Military Response To Iran

Is a U.S. attack on Iran imminent? DOD

Mark Cancian, Forbes: Five Options For A U.S. Military Response To Iran

The United States is “locked and loaded” to attack Iran in response to its alleged attacks on Saudi oil facilities last week, according to President Trump. How might the United States carry out such an attack? Here are five options that range from defensive to an extended air campaign. These options come from actions presidents have taken in similar situations in the past. Of course, diplomats are working to find a solution, and the president is saying that “he does not like war.” Nevertheless, at some point, I believe Iran will go too far, and the U.S. will launch a military response.

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WNU Editor: All five will result in an escalation.

4 comments:

mlacix said...

Some more "just as much likely" options are missing from the article:
- In the article the second point mention strikes against Iranian military targets, but it does not mention the possibility to do it outside of Iran. Countless Iranian military and more so IRGC facilities and assets can be found in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq ( but striking Iraq is a no go for the sake of US forces in there ). The Intel must be available for that, and noone would figure out who did it, US, SA, Yemen, Israel, you name it.
- It mentions an aggressive quarantine, but not a softer more sanction, embargo, economy ( including countries that still maintain such relationships with Iran ) oriented way which is the safest of all the approaches.
- No mention of anything nuclear related thing to be targeted.

Anonymous said...

Let's suppose that we use one of thee options.

But instead if using it within the next 4 weeks we exercise the option 6 months form now?

Iran loses some control they cannot escalate events on a schedule/timetable of their choosing.

All the while they take damage over time.

They might launch another provocation, but they will just be digging themselves a deeper hole while continuing to take damage over time from sanctions.

They launched missiles for a border they share with Iraq and Kuwait to evade air defense or reduce their effectiveness by coming from an UNEXPECTED DIRECTION and GIVING AIR DEFENSE LESS TIME. The Kuwaitis and Saudis will adapt. The next such gambit will not be as successful.

Time can play into the hands of the Saudis. They adapt and and the Iranian timetable is upset. The Mullahs have a domestic problem and they did not yet (& maybe never) get their war. This poses severe problems for these corrupt plutocrats.

The Ayatollahs went to bed to a troubled sleep. There is at least doubt that they can shape the situation as they wish now.

Anonymous said...

Take out the buried nuclear facilities.

Stephen Davenport said...

Iran is playing a dangerous game right now, if you keep swatting at the Tiger's tail, sooner or latter that Tiger is going to turn around and maul you.