The United States has conducted new attacks on military targets in Iran as part of its strategy to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its military capabilities. US President Donald Trump indicated that the attacks aim to target Iranian radar equipment that was being reconstructed. "We waited until it was almost built, and then we hit it," Trump stated following the recent strikes.
On Tuesday, US forces targeted several locations in Iran, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The targets included air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine laying capabilities, and communications sites. In response, Iran launched rockets and drones at US facilities in the region, escalating the conflict.
Reports suggest that the US is considering a strategy of limited strikes at regular intervals to prevent Iran from reconstituting its military capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz. An American government representative referred to this approach as "mowing the grass," a term from Israeli security policy that implies regularly reducing an opponent's military capabilities without seeking total defeat.
While the US has achieved some military successes in reducing Iran's capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian forces are reportedly repairing or acquiring new military technology. Experts warn that this ongoing cycle of attacks and reconstruction could lead to a prolonged low-intensity conflict. Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cautioned that the strategy may not be effective against a state actor like Iran.
The US aims to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while Iran seeks to maintain the perception of danger in the area. Trump has warned Iran against retaliatory strikes, threatening severe consequences. However, Iranian forces have already responded with missile attacks on US facilities.
Yacoubian expressed concern that repeated US attacks might lead Iran to pursue nuclear weapons as a means of achieving lasting deterrence, potentially accelerating the very developments the US seeks to control. The alternatives for the Trump administration appear limited, as allowing Iran to rebuild its military could lead to renewed threats to shipping and global energy routes.
Despite the challenges, Trump's approach of "mowing the grass" may have domestic political appeal, allowing him to avoid large-scale military engagements. However, this strategy could inadvertently lead to a protracted conflict, described by Yacoubian as a "Sisyphean attrition strategy without end." The ongoing cycle of attacks and rebuilding may continue unless the US is willing to accept Iran's military capabilities.