US shaping battlefield for broader Iran campaign, officials say
US officials report that recent military strikes on Iran are intended to degrade Iranian defenses and shape the battlefield for potential future operations. These actions follow the collapse of a memorandum of understanding and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters
The escalation of military conflict in the Middle East significantly impacts global oil markets and international geopolitical stability.
Recent waves of US strikes on Iran aimed at forcing open the Strait of Hormuz are also targeting Iranian military capabilities the US would want to destroy before executing more complex operations against Iran, three US officials said.The officials, who were granted anonymity to discuss military matters, said the strikes effectively strengthen additional military options for President Donald Trump, who has kept the world guessing about his next steps after notifying Congress last weekend of a formal resumption of conflict with Iran.Now in its fifth month, the Iran war continues to rage after the unraveling of a memorandum of understanding that was meant to stop the fighting and pave the way for a peace agreement.Despite heavy blows to Iran's military since the start of the US and Israeli campaign on February 28, Tehran retains significant drone and missile capability and has attacked passing tankers as well as its Gulf neighbors.US…
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