Preemptive Weapons Against Iran... Tomahawk Missiles Again [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Missiles Launched from Naval Vessels Strike Near Presidential Palace
B-2 Bombers and F-35 Fighters Provide Supporting Fire

On the 28th, following a large-scale airstrike on Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a phone interview with Axios, "We can either extend this into a full-scale, long-term operation and take control of the whole thing, or end the operation within two or three days and notify Iran, 'If you resume your nuclear and missile programs, we will meet again in a few years.'" While mentioning the possibility of a prolonged conflict, Trump also appeared to leave the door open for a diplomatic solution, likely because the MAGA (Make America Great Again) supporter base-which follows Trump-is concerned about extended involvement in the Middle East crisis.

Reuters Yonhap News

Given that his support base in the United States generally opposes overseas military interventions, this can be seen as a political gamble by Trump ahead of the November midterm elections. However, it is still too early to conclude that this gamble has been successful. The current preemptive strike against Iran could escalate into a new Middle East war and become mired in a protracted conflict. There is also a possibility that Trump could repeat the precedent of the Afghan and Iraq wars in the 2000s, where the United States became bogged down in astronomical costs and the sacrifice of numerous American soldiers. For now, such negative outcomes cannot be ruled out.

Trump Targets Weekend Attacks Using Diversionary Tactics

The large-scale airstrike by the United States and Israel against Iran was carried out over the weekend. Since President Trump began his second term in office on January 20 last year, major foreign military operations have also taken place on weekends. Last June’s attack on Iranian nuclear facilities and the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro this January were both executed on weekends. Analysts say that Trump’s selection of weekends for military operations is an attempt to achieve maximum results by targeting a period when the adversary is relatively relaxed. Additionally, Trump’s ongoing ambiguity over negotiation deadlines and the likelihood of actual attacks may be part of a ‘preemptive deception strategy’ designed to further confuse his opponents.

The primary weapons used in the recent Iran attack included Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles, B-2 stealth bombers, and F-35 stealth fighters-representing advanced military technology. After the attack, President Trump posted a video to social media declaring, "The U.S. military has just launched a major combat operation in Iran," and added, "We will destroy Iran’s missiles, completely obliterate the missile industry, and annihilate their navy."

Associated Press Yonhap News

A senior U.S. official told the Washington Post (WP) that the operation began around 1 a.m. with Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from naval vessels and aerial weapons fired from Air Force and Navy aircraft. As a result of this operation, seven missiles reportedly landed near the residence of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in central Tehran, and airstrikes were also carried out near the presidential palace. Additional airstrikes were reported in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, beyond Tehran.

U.S. Forces in Korea Units Also Provide Support for Middle East Deployment

At Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, early warning aircraft such as the E-3 have been deployed, while at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, the latest F-35 and F-15 fighters, as well as EA-18 electronic warfare aircraft, have reportedly been stationed. The United States is said to have bolstered its air assets for the Iran operation with more than 50 aircraft, including F-22s, F-35s, F-15s, E-3s, and E-11 communications support planes. The F-35, with its stealth capabilities, is able to strike targets without detection by Iranian air defenses.

Tomahawk Missiles Launched from Aircraft Carriers on Standby at Sea

The U.S. Navy has deployed the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. The Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class carrier with a displacement of 100,000 tons and nuclear propulsion, carries F-35 and F/A-18 aircraft. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), nine of the destroyers assigned to this strike group are capable of ballistic missile defense. President Trump has also ordered the redeployment of the Gerald Ford carrier strike group to the region. The Gerald Ford is a next-generation, nuclear-powered carrier following the Nimitz-class, also equipped with F-35s and F/A-18s. Maritime attacks may combine carrier-based aircraft sorties with Tomahawk cruise missile launches from surface vessels, as was done in last June’s strike. The Tomahawk has a range of over 1,000 kilometers.

The B-2 is stationed in the U.S. mainland. In June last year, the United States deployed B-2 bombers for the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz and elsewhere. The B-2 stealth bomber, undetectable by Iranian air defense, dropped 'bunker buster bombs (GBU-57)' on Iranian nuclear sites.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.