Why Trump’s options are limited when it comes to using force against Iran

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editorJanuary 13, 2026 at 06:17 PM

Read Original Article

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Despite White House claims, President Trump's options for military action against Iran are limited. The US military presence in the Middle East has decreased in recent months, with no aircraft carriers currently deployed in the region since October. Any potential strikes would likely require using US and allied airbases in countries like Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, necessitating their permission and protection against Iranian retaliation. While Iran's military capabilities were weakened in a past conflict, they still possess a significant missile arsenal, with launch sites buried in mountains. Furthermore, the widespread nature of both the protests and the government crackdown across Iran complicates the selection of effective targets for military action.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Qatar 40% Hamas 40% Bahrain 40% Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 50% Nicolás Maduro 50% White House 50% Israel ×260% Middle East ×370% Iranian regime ×270% Donald Trump ×290% United States ×1090% Iran ×690%

Keywords

iran 100% military force 90% military options 80% middle east 70% us intervention 70% missile capability 60% air strikes 60% protest movement 50% civilian casualties 50% ballistic missiles 40%