Iran is fighting for its very right to exist. “Right now you’re looking at an unpopular and increasingly costly war, and this historically has meant pressure for the United States to get out of that war,” said Paul Musgrave from Georgetown University in Qatar. He told Al Jazeera “severe criticism” is mounting not only from the Democratic Party but also from the right of the political spectrum. The asymmetry, he argued, is the central fact of the conflict. “Since February, the asymmetry on how interests have been conducted has been clear: the regime in Tehran is fighting an existential war. The United States and Israel are fighting a war over policy choices,” said Musgrave.
That asymmetry is written into the target sets. “The US attacks have been tremendously affecting the ordinary lives of Iranians living in the south of the country in particular,” notes Al Jazeera. “Several bridges have been hit, in addition to railways, tunnels, airports and roads. We have also seen some hospitals being evacuated and exams at schools being postponed. The destruction of civilian infrastructure is significantly limiting the movement of people, goods and logistical supplies.
