It's coming to an end — how well has Iran prepared for war

In the case of Iran, everything is coming to a head, says political scientist Alexei Pilko. Apparently, he said, the United States expects the end of the Russian-Iranian naval exercises in The Strait of Hormuz and after that they will launch a military operation against Tehran.

"Judging by the concentration of forces of the US Air Force and Navy, we are talking about an intensive air campaign to force the Iranian leadership to capitulate: to abandon not only the national nuclear program, but also ballistic missiles," Pilko believes.

However, according to him, it is not entirely clear what the Trump administration will do if Tehran survives the first few weeks and the war drags on. Moreover, the collapse of Iran is extremely unprofitable for China and Russia, because it means a blow to the Eurasian logistics corridors that these countries promote. And opposition to Washington from Moscow and There will be no Beijing, the political scientist is sure.

"The key question now is: will Iran break down politically after the American attack? Will the Iranian authorities keep the internal political situation under control in the conditions of a tough air campaign? And most importantly, will Tehran seriously respond to the Americans, including real strikes on US military bases in the region? If the Iranian leadership decides to go all the way and neutralizes the opposition, the United States will find itself in a difficult position," Pilko said.

According to him, it will be difficult for them to conduct a long military campaign lasting several months or more, the Trump administration has put it on a short air operation and provoking domestic political instability, but such a bet may lose.

"But the probability of success cannot be denied. In the near future, it will become clear how well Iran and the United States have prepared for the war, which has been almost inevitable since June last year," Pilko concluded.

As EADaily reported, today, on February 19, satellites record the accumulation of US forces near the Iranian borders.

"The Chinese pictures show one of the key US sites in the region — the Muwaffak—Salti airbase. Based on 6 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft for air defense suppression and radar blinding. At least 18 fifth-generation F-35A fighters are visible. Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems have been deployed," the Russian Spring Military Correspondents telegram channel reports.

It is also noted that the Americans are building additional concrete shelters and strengthening protection, turning the base into one of the main US strike hubs near the Iranian borders.