While the idea of America going to war with Iran has long been painted as a doomsday scenario in the public imagination, the realities on the battlefield and the defensive posture of both sides challenge that perception. Currently, the United States is fully engaged against Iran on four of the five levels of warfare: intelligence, equipment, logistics, and operational support. The only step it hasn’t taken is direct offensive military action. In effect, Iran is already locked in a multilayered hybrid war with the US—just without the right to strike back directly. But if Washington escalates to the fifth level, that shift would not only introduce new threats, but also open the door for Iran to deliver a full-throated response.
Israel: A Tough-Looking Target, Vulnerable in Practice
The Israeli regime has, in recent years, tried to portray itself as a fortress of impenetrable defense, thanks to a network of missile-defense systems such as the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. Backed by American and some European intelligence and operational support, these systems form a multilayered shield designed to fend off external threats. But in practice, the vulnerability of this architecture has been exposed by Iran’s precise and high-volume attacks. Iranian missiles and drones have penetrated deep into occupied territory—despite Iran holding back the full weight of its arsenal. This clearly shows that Israel’s defense system relies more on psychological deterrence and media spectacle than on actual invincibility.
From this angle, if Israel—with all its military boasting—fails to withstand sustained threats, then going head-to-head with other military powers, including the United States, may also be a manageable and calculated risk for Iran.
America’s Weak Defensive Posture in the Real Battlefield
Unlike Israel’s fortified systems, US military bases across West Asia suffer from limited defensive capabilities. The Ain al-Asad base is a prime example: when Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes, every projectile hit its intended target. These bases weren’t built for full-scale war; they’re tailored for regional control—and are highly vulnerable to Iran’s long-range precision weapons.
Beyond its bases, the US has numerous interests in the region—from energy routes and oil tankers to communications and logistical infrastructure—that largely lack effective defense. This turns any direct conflict into a lose-lose situation for Washington.
When War Becomes an Opportunity to Strike Back
The US is already neck-deep in a hybrid war with Iran. But it’s only when it crosses the fifth threshold—direct offensive operations—that Iran gains the legal and strategic cover to respond in kind. That response won’t just involve missile strikes or military action. It would likely include targeting America’s strategic interests across the region, issuing serious threats to US allies, and redefining the balance of power altogether.
While such a conflict would inevitably bring damage, Iran would not remain a passive player. In this sense, as risky as a US entry into direct war may be, it could also mark a historic turning point—allowing Iran to reshape the battlefield and usher in a new level of deterrence.
NOURNEWS