Iran's new defense move: 'Porcupine strategy' against the US

The US Department of Defense has updated its list of military targets to be used in potential military operations against Iran. While the possibility of President Donald Trump making a decision for a comprehensive operation is being discussed, officials emphasize that Iran has recently made significant changes to its defense system. Pentagon officials state that new intervention scenarios will face a much more complex picture than the first wave of attacks.

The Iranian military has moved its critical targets underground to protect its military potential, while making them harder to detect by dispersing its forces over a wide and mobile area. At the center of these changes are camouflage, high maneuverability, and the autonomous deployment of small units.

IRAN'S "PORCUPINE STRATEGY" COMES TO THE FORE

According to American military analysts, Iran has recently strengthened its defense framework with a new doctrine called the "porcupine strategy." In this approach, Iran prefers a defense that forces the enemy to suffer heavy losses rather than an aggressive structure. In this context, Shahab, Sejjil, and Khorramshahr-type mobile ballistic missile systems stand out on Washington's target lists. Additionally, fast-attack boats and anti-ship missile batteries are also considered part of Iran's asymmetric power projection.

CRITICAL STRATEGIC BALANCE IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

Eyes are once again turned to the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions between the US and Iran. While approximately 20 percent of global energy traffic passes through this narrow waterway, Iran maintains its deterrent power, which could jeopardize maritime traffic in the strait even after an initial attack, by transforming its military capacity into a flexible structure.

In Washington, the current administration is debating two different roadmaps. While diplomatic efforts to restore regional security continue on one hand, it is suggested that military, political, and diplomatic risks must be evaluated in a delicate balance on the other. Whether the US will resort to a large-scale attack again will depend on the balance between these factors.

News Source: 12punto