How Trump can avoid a bloody, costly ground war in Iran

The term military “excursion” into Iran was coined by President Trump. The “excursion” is now entering its sixth month and has been downgraded to a mere “skirmish.” Yet, to any objective observer, the tens of thousands of strikes by U.S. forces on Iran and persistent attacks by Iran against U.S. and Gulf targets fit the definition of a war.

Time will tell whether the U.S. war on Iran will be a blunder or a breakthrough in changing the behavior of the leaders in Tehran.

Last week, massive attacks were temporarily placed on hold, resumed, and were then paused. Domestic political pressure on Trump and the Republicans over rising economic costs is fierce. Current polls suggest 70 percent of Americans oppose the war. With the House of Representatives out of session and the Senate set to leave soon, constituents will not be silent over these matters.

Despite assertions by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that Iran has reached its “weakest point militarily,” Tehran has continued to conduct massive drone and missile strikes. Some intelligence suggests Iran has reconstituted and increased its capacity to build these weapons. And although the true numbers are classified, it is clear that the U.S. and its Gulf allies are exhausting defensive missile magazines, a powerful constraint.

One U.S. option is increasing air and missile strikes. But suppose the list of Iran’s military targets has been exhausted. If so, attacks on largely civilian infrastructure to include electrical and power grids,........

© The Hill