WASHINGTON: The United States may not have sufficient air defense and long-range missiles to sustain a prolonged, full-scale war against Iran, according to media reports.
Reports by The Telegraph and The Washington Post said President Donald Trump is weighing options to expand military operations against Iran. However, a U.S. official said limited missile stockpiles could restrict large-scale combat operations.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said the United States does not have enough missiles to safely sustain military operations over an extended period.
“I do not think the White House fully understands the situation,” the official was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command said strikes inside Iran continued for a ninth consecutive night. The campaign was described as an effort to reduce Iran’s military capabilities, particularly those that could threaten commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions were reported in several Iranian locations, including Tabriz, Bandar Mahshahr, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Chabahar and Konarak.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed attacks had been carried out against targets in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria. Bahrain said an Iranian strike had damaged its air navigation system.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country had once again entered a state of full-scale conflict with the United States. He warned Washington would face the consequences of its actions.
Despite the continuing exchange of attacks, diplomatic efforts have not completely stopped.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said proposals were still being exchanged through mediating countries to restart peace negotiations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said Washington remains ready to engage in talks with Iran.
The U.S. Department of Defense recently identified two service members killed in the conflict as First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan and Private Isabella Gonzalez.
Another U.S. soldier was killed in northern Iraq while attempting to dispose of unexploded ordnance from an Iranian drone.
President Trump said Iran had been given an “extremely tough response” in honor of the fallen American troops.
According to The New York Times, the United States has decided to further increase its military presence in the Middle East.
Neither the Pentagon nor the White House has officially confirmed reports that U.S. missile stockpiles have fallen to a level that would prevent the country from sustaining a prolonged military campaign against Iran.
