It will be difficult for US to destroy Iran's remaining missile stockpiles — Politico

WASHINGTON, April 3. /TASS/. The US military will have a hard time destroying Iran's remaining ballistic missile stockpiles because they are stored in heavily fortified locations, says an article published by Politico. It notes that the Pentagon is running out of strategically important targets to hit in Iran. A source cited in the article, a former US official, said that "the problem is there are few military sites accessible now without a ground invasion." "Tehran’s remaining ballistic missile stockpiles are getting harder and harder to hit, because the ones that remain are likely in hardened bunkers," he added. Another source believes that the effectiveness of US strikes is gradually declining, creating a politically delicate situation for President Donald Trump. "He’ll be humiliated if he leaves; and we’ll be in a quagmire if he stays," the source said. According to the publication, Tehran’s strategy of trying to wait out American forces is paying some dividends, driving energy prices higher and ratcheting up the political pressure on the Trump administration to resolve the conflict and avoid the wrath of angry voters. The sources expressed confidence that the current situation could give Iran sufficient leverage to refuse negotiations on its nuclear program, the Middle East security situation, or shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. On April 2, the US president, in a televised address to his fellow citizens, asserted that the military operation against Iran was nearing completion, as its goals had been nearly achieved. He stated that Washington is prepared to destroy the Islamic Republic's power plants and oil infrastructure if Tehran refuses to conclude the deal. At the same time, the American leader emphasized that restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz should be the responsibility of other countries, not the United States.