How long would it take to defeat the Iranian military? It took like 3 days to wipe out Iraq?

Answer 1

At the time of the first Gulf War Iraq was the largest military might in the Middle East, but it was outdated technology compared to ours. Only the surprise (because we didn't notify the UN, Russia and France in advance so they could warn Saddam) prevented Saddam from employing the new weapons he had secured through the UN oil-for-food nonsense against us. This includes the new MiGs found buried in the sand, the multi-laser target illuminator which confuses laser guided missiles so teh hit teh wrong targets, etc. There was a considerable truck convoy driven by Russian special forces (spetsnatz) that cleaned out facilities before these areas could be secured by our ground forces, so modern weapons and suspected WMDs went out that way into Syria and some into Iran. It won't be a matter of just taking on Iran, it will be Syria too. the latest news is the lack of activity at Natantz despite all the talk, has made it clear it was just "bait" all along, for a potential "turkey shoot" of any aircraft that might try and hit it, and we don't know where the other nuclear facilities are, but UN inspectors had found traces of plutonium (not for power plant use, only for weapons) in a nuclear waste facility not made in any facility that they had seen. So tehy have to locate the targets first, it's a big country and they don't want to be wandering around out there looking for targets, it has to be quick and surgical, taking out as much military as possible without making the civilian population suffer. Most of the people dislike where their country is heading and we don't want to give them cause to rally against us, but as soon as Iran has and uses a nuke, it's all over for the Iranian people, they know this and not all of them are ready to die for their fearless leader who like Hitler will be safe in his bunker while the cities and their populations are being destroyed above. Such a war doesn't have to include us, but the radiation and nuclear winter that will result will be the problem of the whole northern hemisphere, that is why we need less nukes in the world, not more. In the first Gulf War, Iraq flew 82 or so jet fighters into Iran for safe keeping, and never got them back, at that time Iran had a pitiful air force, since then the French and Russians have beefed it up some, but they are still using decrepit American aircraft badly in need of parts or replacement, and we don't feel like supplying it. So they are using the threat of missiles and terrorism to make up for their shortfall in airpower.

Answer 2

Iran has a few million martyrs that will charge into battle unarmed simply to make the opposing force use up all their ammo. They did this very effectively in the Iraq war. The Iranian military could be wiped out, but how do you defeat 7million lunatics? besides nukes or bio weapons. I hope we don't find out

Answer 3

My answer here is what would we fight them with? The post cold war military is not what it was in the Reagan era and is stretched thin now. We would be unable to muster the manpower to successfully engage Iran on their home turf. Our navy and air force can do much damage to Iran but the army and Marines do not have the strength to invade Iran. The "peace dividend" is a feel good piece of propaganda and our military while technologically superior than in times past is not the same force as in 1991, 1983 or even in Vietnam.

Answer 4

Well...if America took it seriously, then USA could defeat Iran in a month or so.

Troop build-up is necessary here; as it was in the Kuwait War...besides the US Navy and Marines will have a better base of manouver; provided the long coastline of Iran.

Don't forget that the presence of US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan has eased the tactic of the envelopement of Iran.

In short, America will need around 800,000 - 1,200,000 troops of all types to completely conquer Iran and overthrow the regime. Number of warplanes need not exceed 2,000. Number of artillery need not exceed 6,000 pieces of all calibres.

I do anticipate the UK would participate with some 60,000 troops of all types in this big event.

I'd greatly advocate three weeks of very intensive and massive airstrikes along with very heavy bombardment with CRUISE and other ballistics before the land warfare starts.

Answer 5

Probably longer - Iranians have shown themselves willing to fight despite odds stacked far against them (as they did in the 1980-88 war).

That said, I'm sure the USA could win. But could they hold onto a conquered Iran? Probably not - they're stretched pretty thin as is.

Answer 6

Considering what the Iranians are capable of, it would be a bloodbath. We would lose ships and a lot of men. Iran has the means and the capabilities to lock us out of the Gulf. Though we would eventually win, I've seen the scenarios and we would lose a carrier strike group. And that's IF everything goes right. Iran shouldn't be underestimated.

Answer 7

Oh yes Iraq's so peaceful. Wake up.

Answer 8

This was the thinking of the Romans at the height of their global domination. Gee they aren't around anymore.....

Answer 9

Why would we attack Iran?

Oh yeah, for the same reason we attacked Iraq...... For the Lying Parasitic Apartheid Terrorist Welfare State of ISRAEL.

Answer 10

Dah----if it only took three days, what the hell are we still doing there and why are our young brave troops still dying? Get your head out of your sandbox and start looking at whats going on in the world.