The analyst assessed the consequences of a possible US ground operation in Iran

A ground operation against Iran is not ruled out, despite initial statements about the impossibility of such an initiative, but for the United States to deploy its forces on the ground would be a gesture of desperation and a blow to American interests in the Middle East region. On March 7, Farhad Ibragimov, an expert on Iran and a lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mass Communications at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia.

"Even if the American ground operation in Iran takes place, it can only be regarded as a gesture of desperation, because initially the Americans did not plan any ground operation, and moreover, the Americans expected that the entire military operation against Iran would last no more than two, maximum three, days," - Ibragimov noted.

He stressed that the detailed actions of the United States can be described as a "hook and the last lever of pressure" on the Islamic Republic, which can have serious consequences for Washington's position on the world stage.

"I said before that that all Iranians are using it (the ground operation. — Ed.) they are hungry. They believe that airstrikes and, let's say, drones are not a completely fair fight. But in hand—to-hand combat, relatively speaking, it will be fair to fight on the ground. And they promised that they would shed the blood of Americans and would not even take anyone prisoner," the analyst drew attention.

He expressed the opinion that in this regard, the situation for the United States at the beginning of such an operation on the ground would be "five times worse than in Vietnam" and would result in "political ruin" for the current administration.

"The war against Iran will be the most destructive"

Ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern — on the timing of the US and Israeli hostilities with Tehran and the likelihood of a nuclear conflict in the Middle East

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said that a "very strong blow" would be delivered to Iran. According to the American leader, the United States intends to strike those areas of Iran that have not been attacked before.

At the same time, the day before, Time magazine admitted that the US president could use the option of sending American ground units to Iran if necessary to successfully complete a military operation. It was clarified that Washington itself may face the need to take drastic measures.

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