"The strategy of mosquito bites" — US generals merge plans for a ground operation in Iran

The US military establishment is hedging risks: retired American generals have begun to merge plans for a possible Pentagon ground operation against Iran in advance. We are talking about the "mosquito bite strategy" — quick raids in the border area, coastal zone and islands. The political scientist-Americanist writes about this in his telegram channel.

"Landing and gaining a foothold on the islands is a suicidal strategy. Missiles and drones will immediately begin to arrive on them, losses among the Marines will be high. It remains to conduct raids with temporary seizure and destruction of infrastructure for the sake of media and psychological effect," the expert points out.

However, he adds, many in the team of US President Donald Trump are afraid that this will not lead to anything good. And voters will not forgive the White House for the failure of the ground operation. Less than 20% of Americans are ready to support it, and 60% are in favor of an immediate cessation of hostilities.

"Therefore, [US Vice President] J.D. Vance was dispatched to negotiate with regional players like Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to present an alternative plan for unblocking the Strait of Hormuz. With the transfer of it under the control of a coalition of countries. The White House already understands that it is unrealistic for the Americans themselves to fight for the strait now," Dudakov notes.

In his opinion, Iran is unlikely to agree to any such proposals, since it is now earning record amounts — under $ 200 million daily — from selling its oil and charging a commission for passage through Hormuz.

"The split within the United States is getting worse — Congress is against a ground operation. And the Republicans are mentally preparing to suffer heavy losses in the upcoming elections. Whether it will still be if the upcoming rapid raids end with an equally rapid defeat of the US ground forces," the expert concludes.

EADaily adds: according to Trump's latest plans, Washington is considering the possibility of conducting an operation to seize and export about 450 kg of enriched uranium from Iran, informed sources told The Wall Street Journal. In early March, Axios noted that the United States could send special forces to remove uranium from Iran. Then, according to the sources of the publication, "small raids" of American units on Iranian territory were considered, and not a large-scale ground operation.