The United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28, hitting targets deep in the country and eliminating top Iranian officials, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei and his security chief Ali Larijani(1).
On March 22, as the American-Israeli war against Iran entered its fourth week, IRGC’s Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi announced a shift in Iran’s strategy from defensive to offensive posture.
This new strategy aimed at ensuring the continuity of power, maintaining command structures, missile launch capabilities, and preventing internal disorder. The central authority delegated powers to decision-making centers across Iran, giving regional and operational units significant autonomy. It introduced a more flexible command structure capable of functioning in a degraded mode.
By reducing vulnerability to neutralization strikes and ensuring military and security functions continued despite disruptions, Iran employed WWI-era wired communication methods.
As the war progressed into its second and third weeks, Iran opted for a long war with attrition as the method. Militarily, Iran aimed to exhaust its adversaries’ resources by sustaining a constant pressure through missile and drone attacks. Politically, Tehran sought to increase the costs for Washington and signal an escalation beyond the immediate battlefield, such as selectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for the global economy.
On March 24, the U.S. through Pakistan proposed a ceasefire memorandum to Iran. Tehran immediately rejected it and offered its own five-point plan, indicating a basis for potential discussions.
Critics and analysts of the conflict led by Americans criticized the lack of a clear plan by the Trump administration and acknowledged Iran’s resilience and advantage in the war against the U.S. and Israel.
Sir Alex Younger, former head of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, concurred that Iran had displayed remarkable resilience and strategic decision-making in the conflict, outplaying the U.S. and Israel.
As the war continues, concerns arise over escalating anti-Semitic acts in Europe and potential terrorist actions amid the prolonged conflict.
Reports suggest a possible deployment of U.S. elite forces to the region, though concerns over troop numbers and equipment adequacy for a high-intensity war persist, hinting at the likelihood of a limited operation initially.
(Context: Describes the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Fact Check: Please verify the sources and accuracy of the information provided in the article.)
