The United States has significantly limited resources to use force against Iran, according to a report from Politico dated January 13.
The report states that while President Donald Trump retains the authority to order airstrikes targeting Iranian leadership or military facilities, the nation’s capabilities are now more constrained than they were in June — when the United States destroyed Iranian nuclear facilities.
This reduction in military readiness stems from the reallocation of a substantial portion of American troops and ships to the Caribbean amid tensions with Venezuela or back to the Asia-Pacific region, the report explains.
On January 12, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt indicated that President Trump would not hesitate to employ United States military force against Iran. The following day, the head of the White House urged Iranian protesters to seize government institutions and called on allies and citizens to leave the country immediately.
Reports indicate that between 12,000 and 20,000 people could have died during the recent protests in Iran.
