IRGC targets US forces to drive America out from region before attacking Israel

Key Points:

• The IRGC is targeting American bases, assets, and allies in the region (excluding Israel) to weaken the US presence before any renewed conflict with Israel, according to military analyst Tom Cooper.
• Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US-linked sites in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain following US attacks on IRGC targets, aiming to pressure neighboring Gulf states by disrupting oil and gas exports and increasing shipping risks.
• The IRGC has prepared for a prolonged conflict for decades, focusing on asymmetric deterrence to inflict high costs on the US and its allies while managing escalation and preserving its capabilities against potential Israeli attacks.
• Cooper suggests that US President Donald Trump's impatience and declining American public support for Israel, especially among younger demographics, may limit US involvement in regional conflicts despite strong pro-Israel lobbying.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is perceived as trying to maximize American military support amid claims that Iran is depleting US strategic missile stocks, exposing what Cooper calls failures in US-Israeli leadership over recent years.