Trump Promises Support to Protesters in Iran. But Does He Have Enough Strength?
Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly stated the possibility of military action against Iran, where mass protests that began in late December are being brutally suppressed. But in practice, Trump's capabilities are limited, writes The Moscow Times.
Aircraft carrier USS Ford. Photo: U.S. Navy
Donald Trump has already redeployed a significant portion of troops from the Middle East to blockade Venezuela, resistance to military operations abroad is emerging in Congress, and Persian Gulf countries are not ready to support the United States.
Last year, Trump redirected the aircraft carrier USS Ford and a number of other ships from the Middle East to the Caribbean Sea, where they remain. The aircraft carriers USS Vinson and USS Nimitz, which previously supported Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025, have long left the region. No significant troop or resource redeployments are planned.
Patriot air defense systems, which were moved to the Middle East from South Korea, have returned to their permanent deployment locations and remain there. Meanwhile, the U.S. has already expended a lot of ammunition in the Red Sea, Iran, and Venezuela, and a shortage could become a problem if troops need to be defended from Iranian missiles for a long time.
Iran has a large missile arsenal, while the U.S. has about 10,000 troops at an airbase in Qatar, as well as smaller groupings in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. If Americans start bombing Iran and it retaliates, the supply of interceptor missiles could quickly run out, former Pentagon officials warn.
Washington is not disclosing specific plans for military action, but the chances of an attack are considered higher than its absence. Trump listens to different opinions but ultimately makes the decision he deems best.
But the possibilities for action are also limited by opposition in Congress and by Middle Eastern countries. Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar are unwilling to support a military operation, arguing that it would cause turbulence in oil markets and harm the U.S. economy. Saudi officials have also pledged not to allow their airspace to be used for strikes on Iran.
Even Trump's supporters in Congress oppose troop deployment. They support sanctions and economic pressure but not direct intervention.
Americans may not establish a permanent military presence in the region but instead redeploy troops and aircraft for limited strikes, as was the case in June 2025 during the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. If diplomacy fails, cyberattacks are also possible.
In the event of air strikes, the main targets will be "regime centers," command posts, military facilities, and important communication lines and assets. According to retired U.S. Admiral John Miller, there will be no major buildup of force in the Persian Gulf — operations will be limited, either from bases close to Iran or globally from U.S. territory.
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