Politico: US unable to launch military operation against Iran

The United States is currently unable to launch a military operation against Iran due to insufficient military capabilities in the Middle East, Politico reports.

According to the outlet, US troops and naval assets previously stationed in the region have been redeployed to the Caribbean as part of an operation related to Venezuela. Air defence systems that were sent to the Middle East last year have also been returned to South Korea. At the same time, US administration officials say that no major troop or equipment movements are currently planned.

Politico notes that, in the event of hostilities, the United States would also lack sufficient air and missile defence capabilities to protect its personnel within range of Iranian weapons. The Pentagon has around 10,000 US troops stationed at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as well as smaller contingents in Iraq, Syria and Jordan, but Washington reportedly has too few interceptor systems to shield its forces from potential Iranian missile strikes.

The publication adds that Washington’s military options are now more limited than they were in July last year, when the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. While US President Donald Trump could order airstrikes on Iranian territory, Politico stresses that he must take into account concerns among lawmakers, who—following last week’s seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—are questioning whether such action could drag the country into another war.

The White House, however, insists that “President Trump has a full menu of options at his disposal with regard to Iran,” according to Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.