US-Israel Airstrikes on Iran: A Long Game

0:00On March 5, the United States and Israel kicked off coordinated airstrikes against Iran on February 28, following a classic air campaign. Blueprint, they first took out air defenses to gain full control of the skies, then targeted missile factories, drone sites, and naval bases to weaken, retaliation options. Precision hits also eliminated key commanders aiming to disrupt Iran's command structure. Operationally, this approach has clear upsides. With sky secured, cheaper munitions can replace pricier long-range weapons needed against defenses. The leadership strikes follow a proven tactic, keep removing top figures to so chaos and decision-making, slowing responses and breeding internal. Doubt. Iran's regime has a long track record of toughness, blending ideology with survival instincts. Leaders like Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have balanced fiery rhetoric with pragmatic moves, such as the 2015 nuclear deal, to endure.

1:00Sanctions and covert attacks, they frame endurance as victory, even after setbacks like last year's 12-day war. Tehran now plays a long game, using limited drone and missile strikes on Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf targets to create friction and stretch the fight. This preserves stockpiles while raising costs for opponents through multiple fronts and economic strain. In the end, while the strikes degrade capabilities, Iran's resilience means collapse isn't guaranteed. Miss steps could tip the balance, but the conflict risks wider regional fallout for everyone involved.