US and Israel vs Iran: Why even the strongest armies can’t guarantee victory | World News

Teheran: Despite years of sanctions, numerous regional wars and targeted attacks, Iran continues to withstand the enormous pressure of the joint military might of the United States and Israel. Even after the Hamas offensive in October 2022, which led to extensive Israeli operations, Tehran has proven its resilience against both direct and indirect threats.

During the 12-day war in June 2025, Israel achieved complete air superiority over Iranian territory. Iran’s air force has been largely neutralized and its air defense infrastructure has been systematically disrupted. Top Iranian generals eliminated in precision strikes. This further weakened the country’s military leadership.

Iran’s regional proxy network, including the Houthis and Hezbollah, has also weakened. Syria, one of Tehran’s closest allies, saw Bashar al-Assad flee into exile in Russia. Moscow, meanwhile, is fully involved in the war in Ukraine, leaving Tehran largely unsupported except for China, which offers limited diplomatic and economic assistance in the event of conflict.

The country’s economy suffered heavy blows. The currency has collapsed, inflation has reached record levels, and domestic unrest poses one of the most serious challenges to the regime in decades. Israel argued that Iran was at its weakest and suggested that this could be the right moment for a regime change operation.

It is supported by the United States and regional allies such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain. The United States maintains approximately 18 military bases in the region and has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, as well as advanced fighter jets, missile destroyers and modern air defense systems. This demonstrates the enormous firepower at the disposal of Washington and Tel Aviv.

Despite this formidable arsenal, experts warn against rushing into war. They compared a potential invasion to the Iraq War, highlighting the risks of high costs, unexpected losses and long-term instability. Some have warned that a limited “warning airstrike” might be possible, but a full-scale conflict would face widespread popular resistance in the United States.

So why is it so difficult to conquer Iran, despite its weak economy and unpopularity? The answer lies in geography, military capability and strategic positioning.

Geographic and Strategic Advantages

Iran’s proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil chokepoint, gives it an extraordinary advantage. About one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through this narrow waterway. Tehran has repeatedly warned that it could close the Bosphorus during the conflict using submarine mines, cruise missiles, coastal defense systems and fast attack boats.

Such a move would affect not only US allies in the region but also global trade and energy security. Iran also has the ability to destabilize Red Sea shipping through Houthi proxies.

Missile and drone arsenal

Iran’s military power comes from its missile and drone capabilities. Its ballistic and hypersonic missiles, combined with long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, have proven capable of overcoming advanced air defense systems. During the June 2025 war, the country launched more than 500 missiles against Israel, most of which successfully hit targets despite Israel’s multi-layered defenses. Tehran’s missiles can also target US military bases in the region.

Experts have said Iran could disrupt energy production, inflict devastating damage on U.S. forces and launch attacks that could seriously challenge Israel’s ability to defend its people. Washington-based think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) says Iran has the largest and most diverse missile arsenal in the Middle East, with ranges ranging from a few hundred kilometers to 2,500 kilometers, covering Israel, parts of southeastern Europe and most US bases in the region.

Missile production has increased since the June war, and Iran is reportedly producing hundreds of ballistic missiles a month. The upgrades increased missile accuracy, reduced launch preparation times and incorporated satellite-based intelligence. Key systems include Shahab, Kheibar Shekan, Fattah, Sejjil and Khorramshahr missiles, as well as long-range cruise missiles such as the Kh-55 and advanced anti-ship weapons.

Iran also fields thousands of long-range Shahed and Mohajer drones, which have been used effectively in previous conflicts abroad.

Naval capabilities, asymmetric warfare

Iran has a capable navy consisting of two branches, the traditional Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN). Both branches focus on asymmetric warfare using fast attack craft, drones, mines and submarines to dominate strategic waterways. The fleet includes a significant submarine force of 27 ships, including the Tariq-class, Fateh-class and Gadir-class mini-submarines capable of launching cruise missiles and torpedoes, as well as modern destroyers and frigates.

In narrow passages such as the Strait of Hormuz, Iran can defeat larger enemies using speed, mobility and precision strikes. Previous operations, such as the US-led campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, demonstrate the difficulty of suppressing irregular but strategically effective forces.

Despite US investments and advanced weapons, the Houthis managed to destabilize Red Sea shipping lanes within three months; This underlined the potential for Iran to create similar disruptions in its own waters.

In summary, Iran is a very challenging target due to its geographical advantages, missile and unmanned aerial vehicle arsenal, naval capabilities and ability to disrupt global energy flows. Analysts warn that any military mishap would be costly, unpredictable and potentially devastating for the United States, Israel and regional stability. The combination of strategy, terrain and technology ensures that Iran remains a formidable power in the Middle East.