Tehran has long been preparing for a potential U.S. ground invasion. Seyed Mohammad Marandi, an Iranian American academic often seen as representing the regime, has stated this as renewed U.S.-Iran conflicts create instability in the region. Recent missile launches and decentralized arsenals have been part of these preparations.
Iran’s Military Readiness
Marandi, once an advisor to Iran’s nuclear negotiation team, suggests America may have invasion plans. Although these plans are not certain, Marandi highlights that Iranian attacks have focused on areas where U.S. assets, like those in Bahrain and Kuwait, are concentrated for potential ground operations.
The conflict is spreading, with Iranian missile and drone attacks on U.S.-associated sites in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Jordan intercepted multiple missiles, while Kuwait reported significant damage to infrastructure.
U.S. Military Response
In retaliation, U.S. airstrikes targeted key Iranian infrastructure, including transportation routes and surveillance locations. Explosions in Iran’s Lorestan province were attributed to these strikes.
The Khorramabad missile complex in this region houses Iran’s primary missile storage facilities. Previously damaged by Israeli strikes, this site continues to be of strategic importance.
Iran’s Defense Strategy
Marandi revealed Iran’s approach to missile storage. Missiles and drones are not stored in centralized areas, reducing the risk of large-scale losses in attacks. This involves spreading resources underground and across various sites.
Despite a recent truce, the escalation resumed when the U.S. renewed airstrikes. The focal point of debate remains control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has considered expanded military actions, including ground operations.
Continued Tensions
The introduction of new weapons, including a missile by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG), underscores Iran’s ongoing military buildup. Marandi asserts Iran is well-acclimated to a ground offensive.
He concludes that Iran sees a U.S. land invasion as an opportunity to conclude the conflict under its terms, believing such an invasion would ultimately benefit Iran.
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