Former Pentagon official David Des Roches says US strike tactics have shifted
since the first phase, which aimed at decapitation and degrading Iran’s ability
to conduct consecutive ballistic-missile launches. He said those strikes have
reduced Iran’s ability to fire multiple missiles in rapid succession, though
Tehran can still launch single or two-to-three missile shots that are usually
intercepted. After Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, US
strikes moved to maritime surveillance and launch nodes—including observation
towers near Chabahar port that Iran has used with civilian navigation systems to
fix sea targets. In recent days operations have pushed inland to isolate coastal
areas and limit Iran’s ability to reinforce coasts with missiles, forces and
drones. Des Roches expects the next phase to focus on Iranian national
leadership, core military facilities and military-civilian dual-use
infrastructure, but warned air power alone has clear limits and airstrikes
rarely achieve the strategic effects claimed.
