Harward said the most consequential element of such a campaign would target the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rather than Iran’s national infrastructure.
The deployment of US military forces across the Middle East has placed Washington in a position to carry out rapid, large-scale military operations against Iran if diplomatic efforts collapse, according to Vice Adm. (Ret.) Bob Harward, a former deputy commander of US Central Command.
Harward told the Jerusalem Post that the buildup reflects President Donald Trump’s decision to back diplomatic pressure with credible military readiness, particularly over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
He cited the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as an example of Trump following through on stated policy positions. “One thing he’s illustrated is that [President Donald] Trump does what he says,” Harward said. “Now he’s positioned the assets for a military action.”
