The war in the Middle East rages on. With quality satellite footage now available, the damage from Iranian attacks on U.S. bases can now be seen clearly, and it is worse than some expected it to be. According to official statements, at least three soldiers have been killed during missile attacks on military bases, with an unknown number injured. More cynical analysts, however, suspect that the real number may be much higher. According to some reports, President Trump is seeking to wage an all-out war against Iran in response to the numerous attacks on American bases to end the conflict once and for all.
The U.S. Takes Casualties
B-52 Bomber Bombs. Image Credit: National Security Journal.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, during a multi-day Bomber Task Force mission over Southwest Asia, Dec. 10, 2020. The B-52 is a long range bomber with a range of approximately 8,800 miles, enabling rapid support of Bomber Task Force missions or deployments and reinforcing global security and stability.(U.S Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
Over the weekend, the United States and Iran traded heavy blows as the two continue to battle for the Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces carried out heavy attacks against Iranian military targets to “further diminish Iran’s ability to attack” commercial shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier today, Iranian state media reported heavy strikes in the port city of Bandar Abbas, marking the ninth consecutive night of heavy aerial bombardments on the country. The U.S. has widened the scope of its attacks from purely military targets to civilian infrastructure such as bridges and energy facilities. “The reality is that today the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a full-scale war,” Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, said, warning Iran that the country may have to endure even more strikes.
In response, Iran launched several ballistic missile attacks against American bases located in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Now that satellite footage has been released, it is clear that Iran has successfully hit and caused significant damage to several U.S. military installations. Footage reveals multiple impacts on the Muwaffaq al-Salti Airbase in Jordan, where several aircraft and drone hangars were visibly destroyed by ballistic missiles. U.S. officials have yet to clarify the extent of the damage or verify whether any fighter jets were destroyed in their hangars.
On the Brink of Total War
The attack on Muwaffaq al-Salti and the death of American soldiers spurred President Trump to launch additional attacks against Iran.
Responding to questions on Sunday afternoon, the President informed reporters that yesterday’s attacks were “in honor of the … great patriots who were killed.” Trump expressed his condolences to the families of servicemembers who were killed but stated that they had given their lives for a greater cause. “We feel very badly,” he said. “But you know those great patriots were out there fighting so that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon. Iran has been very badly damaged; they’ve lost everything, almost, militarily.”
Thus far, the Pentagon has released the names of two soldiers who were killed in action, with a third body discovered that has yet to be identified.
Amidst the reports of killed American servicemembers, some sources seem to indicate that the U.S. intends to widen its war against Iran. According to some officials, the U.S. has been quietly relocating air assets into the region in preparation for further escalation. “The U.S. is planning for a wider war,” one official said under the condition of anonymity.
The official added that such operations would inevitably be hampered by the U.S.’ dwindling supply of air defense and long-range munitions. “We do not have enough to safely sustain operations, and I don’t think the White House is aware of that,” the official said. At the beginning of the month, it was reported that U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers stationed at RAF Fairfield in the UK were relocated back to the U.S. during the ceasefire implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding.
No Way Out?
The prospect of a wider war against Iran is frightening to some military experts and analysts, who contend that the U.S. is not ready for a total war against Iran. According to Seth Jones, the head of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Iran possesses much better stand-off capabilities than many give credit to. “I think it would be a mistake to put ground forces anywhere in islands in the strait or onshore,” he said. “I don’t think U.S. forces are prepared for standoff strikes from Iranians.” In addition to dwindling munition supplies, there is also concern about the safety of U.S. bases in the region, which have already taken a beating in the last week.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has little option but to keep turning up the heat until Iran capitulates. When answering questions from reporters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. remains open to negotiations but that it is growing more difficult due to apparent splits within the Iranian government.
Meanwhile, in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that while Iran remains committed to resisting the U.S., some diplomatic proposals are still being considered.
He added that some proposals had been suggested by Qatari mediators, but he was unwilling to share more details at the time.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
