Warthogs over Iran: Tell-tale sign of a coming ground invasion
Meanwhile, military signals coming from the region point in a different direction. The gap between rhetoric and operational preparedness is widening. The latest deployments, exercises and reported planning show that the United States is not only pursuing an air campaign but is also quietly building the architecture for engagement on the ground. Among these signals, the deployment of the A-10 attack aircraft, called ‘Warthogs’, stands out as the clearest indicator of intent.
A-10 deployment and the logic of ground warfare
The New York Times reported that the Pentagon is doubling its fleet of A-10 “Warthog” aircraft in the Middle East. Another 18 A-10s are being sent to join nearly a dozen already operating in the region. This is not routine reinforcement. The A-10 is a highly specialized platform specifically designed for close air support that is tightly linked to ground operations.
The NYT report says the A-10’s defining feature is its ability to support advancing ground troops. Unlike high-altitude bombers or multirole fighters, the A-10 flies low and slow, circling the battlefield to provide sustained firepower. Its 30-millimeter gun, capable of firing 70 rounds per second, is optimized for destroying vehicles, fortifications and enemy positions near friendly forces. This makes it indispensable in scenarios where troops move to capture and hold territory. According to the NYT report, these planes could be used to help US ground forces capture areas near the Strait of Hormuz or Kharg Island.
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The report says the presence of A-10s indicates that Iranian air defenses have been destroyed or largely suppressed. This is a prerequisite for ground operations. The A-10 is relatively vulnerable compared to advanced fighters, so its deployment demonstrates confidence in air superiority. This confidence typically signals the transition from an air campaign to the next phase of warfare in which the risk to ground forces from enemy air defenses is reduced. NYT also reports that US commanders are currently using A-10s in active combat roles, including attacking Iranian boats and patrolling strategic waterways. The gradual escalation is consistent with the pattern seen in past conflicts where close air support assets were introduced before or alongside ground deployments. The deployment of the A-10 could be a clear signal to prepare the battlefield for combat on the ground.
Amphibious rehearsals and maritime targets
The Pentagon today released footage of US Marines conducting a simulated amphibious assault on Diego Garcia. Even though it is framed as an exercise, context is important. A CNN report says these exercises involve the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, part of an amphibious force that the network previously reported deployed to the Middle East with about 2,400 Marines. Amphibious units are not general purpose forces. They are specially trained in coastal assaults, capture of islands, and rapid entry into disputed coastal areas.
The CNN report says such sailors could be a key part of any US attack on islands in the Persian Gulf. This ties the exercise directly to potential operations around strategic targets such as Kharg Island and the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CNN, there are currently approximately 50,000 US soldiers in the region. Force concentration at this level exceeds that typically required for a limited air campaign. It provides the necessary manpower for sustained land or amphibious operations, especially if the aim is to control key points at sea.
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The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of limited ground operations in Iran, the Washington Post reported a few days ago. The plans reportedly go no further than a full-scale invasion, but also include raids by special operations forces and conventional infantry.
The report sets specific goals, such as the capture of Kharg Island and raids on coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz. These are closely aligned with possible A-10 use. Officials told the Post that operations could last “weeks, not months” or possibly “several months.” This suggests that rather than a protracted occupation, a limited but intense ground operation designed to achieve specific objectives quickly was contemplated.
However, the risks involved will still remain significant. Ground operations would expose U.S. forces to Iran’s drones, missiles, and improvised explosive devices.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said preparing such plans “does not mean the president has made a decision.” This reflects a familiar dynamic in U.S. military planning, where operational readiness is developed in parallel with diplomatic messaging, allowing political leadership to maintain flexibility.
Iran is preparing for a land attack
While US preparations are becoming visible, Iran is preparing for a conflict on the ground. The regime launched a significant nationwide recruitment and mobilization effort. Iran has launched a massive recruitment campaign to expand its fighter pool in anticipation of a potential US ground invasion. The messages accompanying this effort are clearly challenging. Iranian officials have warned that “Iran is where the occupiers are buried,” framing any ground attack as a trap for US forces. Officials claim that millions of Iranians are preparing to resist the occupying troops. Although such numbers are part of psychological warfare, they reflect a strategy of deterrence through the projection of mass mobilization.
According to Turkey Today, Tehran has launched a nationwide campaign called “Janfada”, which means “Sacrifice of Life”, aiming to recruit civilians to defend the country against a possible US invasion. According to the report, mass text messages were sent to millions of Iranians urging them to join the effort and confront what officials described as threats to Iran’s “coasts, islands, and borders.” This method of mobilization is important. It marks a shift from controlled recruitment to broad-based social participation, reminiscent of wartime mass mobilization strategies.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps actively invites young volunteers as young as 12 years old to participate in support duties, especially at checkpoints and military installations. According to various reports, children as young as 12 are assigned to patrol checkpoints in Tehran, assisting with logistics and basic security duties. According to reports, the recruitment of children clearly includes logistical tasks as well as activities such as operational and intelligence patrols and convoy support.
Officials affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard acknowledged that the minimum age was set at 12 following a request from young volunteers. As one official explained, young people were personally requesting to take part in checkpoint and patrol duties, which led authorities to formalize their participation.
The size of the mobilization is also remarkable. Reports indicate that Iranian officials anticipate that millions of citizens will potentially become involved in the defense effort. Although such figures are inflated for deterrence purposes, they frame the campaign as an attempt to build a model of mass resistance, drawing on Iran’s experience during the long-running Iran-Iraq war.
At the strategic level, this mobilization serves many purposes. Increases manpower against ground attacks. Strengthens internal security through expanded checkpoint networks. And it sends a signal to the United States that any invasion would face not only conventional forces but also deeply rooted and decentralized resistance.
