Seven aerial refueling aircraft have been downed in succession, leaving at least six U.S. pilots disappointed. President Trump could no longer remain calm and began to roar. The Pentagon hastily dispatched a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East, while a 5,000-strong U.S. force stationed in Japan set off for reinforcement. Amphibious assault ships also moved out. Roughly calculated, the U.S. war against Iran has already mobilized at least 60,000 troops, three aircraft carriers, eight warships, N sets of the THAAD system, and N fighter jets... The flames of war in the Middle East are spreading, unlike what Trump claimed "approaching the end." Both sides have made tough statements: Iran stated that the end of the war is not decided by the United States; the U.S. threatened to strike until Iran loses its ability to retaliate. Trump's "quick victory" plan has collapsed, and he is now getting involved in the protracted war he most fears.

U.S. military casualties, especially the deaths of personnel, are rapidly increasing. On March 13, Washington time, the Wall Street Journal cited statements from two U.S. officials, reporting that five U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft were damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. These refueling aircraft were hit during an Iranian missile attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, although no casualties were reported.

This was another major blow to the U.S. air refueling forces, following a collision between two Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft on the 12th, which resulted in one plane crashing and all six crew members being killed. This increased the total number of damaged or destroyed refueling aircraft to seven.

Facing the expanding damage, President Trump withdrew his previous optimistic statement that "the war is about to end," and on the 13th announced a significant escalation of military operations against Iran. The U.S. launched a fierce bombing campaign targeting all military objectives on the Kharg Island, a key oil export hub of Iran. Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, warning that although the island's oil facilities had not yet been destroyed, if Iran interfered with freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, he would immediately reconsider this decision.

01 U.S. Refueling Aircraft Continuously Hit, Logistics Weakness Exposed

The Wall Street Journal reported that five U.S. refueling aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia were attacked and damaged, with one American soldier killed in the explosion. These refueling aircraft are key support assets for the U.S. ongoing "Operation Inherent Resolve." This also exposed the fragility of the U.S. logistics support system in the Middle East.

From key hubs like Al Udeid Air Base suffering heavy damage, to multiple F-15 fighters being shot down, at least seven expensive THAAD systems being destroyed, to the Lincoln Carrier being bombed and fleeing more than 1,000 kilometers away from the Iranian coastline, seven refueling aircraft being bombed, and the increase in U.S. casualties, the claim by the Trump administration that "the war is basically over" has been proven false.

It seems like a case of losing both the chicken and the egg, and President Trump became desperate. On Washington time on the 13th, Trump posted on his own social media platform "Truth Social" announcing, "The U.S. Central Command executed one of the strongest bombing operations in Middle Eastern history, aiming to completely destroy all military targets on the Kharg Island, the crown jewel of Iran."

"I chose 'not' to destroy the island's oil facilities. However, if Iran or any other power intervenes in the 'freedom of navigation' through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision."

Previously, the U.S. and Israel had been cautious about Kharg Island, but according to reports, as the situation in the Middle East continued to escalate, capturing Kharg Island has also been considered by the Trump administration officials.

Kharg Island is approximately 30 kilometers away from the Iranian mainland. According to a recent memo from JPMorgan, Kharg Island handles about 90% of Iran's crude oil exports.

02 Trump's Strategic Shift, Expanding the Scale of Strikes

Faced with an unfavorable situation, the Trump administration had no choice but to adjust its strategy. Bombing Kharg Island was actually a symbolic action indicating the expansion of the war.

At the same time, Trump issued three orders, vowing to bring Iran to its knees. After all, if the war drags on, the U.S. military would not be able to sustain it, the civilian economy would collapse, and the Republican election would be ruined. Trump, despite his resistance, announced the expansion of the war scale.

First, he forced the Department of Defense to use the Defense Production Act to urge arms manufacturers to accelerate production to address the shortage of ammunition. Second, he sent additional troops to the Middle East, deploying Marine Corps and Army units to strengthen the Persian Gulf fleet's vigilance. Finally, he changed the operational goal from the initial decapitation operation to a comprehensive destruction of Iran's missile and naval capabilities.

Trump made a tough statement, saying that this war would continue until Iran could no longer threaten the U.S. and Israel.

03 Global Troop Movements, U.S. Forces in Japan Reinforce the Middle East

In fact, to cope with the tense situation in the Middle East, the Pentagon is currently mobilizing troops around the world. Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported on the 13th that the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Esper, had agreed to the request of the Central Command to dispatch amphibious reserve forces, Marine Expeditionary Units, and several warships to the Middle East region.

Three unnamed U.S. officials said that due to Iran's increased attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon will send Marines and warships to the Middle East, adding about 5,000 Marines and Navy personnel.

The USS Lippincott, an amphibious assault ship stationed in Japan, along with its accompanying Marine Corps personnel, has already departed for the Middle East. U.S. Marine Corps forces are currently supporting the Iraq War in the Middle East.

The New York Times cited statements from two unnamed officials, reporting that a group of approximately 2,500 U.S. Marines, possibly including up to three warships, is currently en route to the Middle East. The Marines will join the existing 50,000 U.S. troops in the Middle East.

Why is the U.S. mobilizing troops globally? Over the past two weeks, Iran has continuously conducted air strikes and long-range artillery attacks, showing that the Iranian military's combat resilience is higher than expected by U.S. officials. This troop movement reflects the U.S. resource allocation dilemma between the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East. As the situation in the Middle East intensifies, the U.S. has no choice but to weaken its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region to deal with the current more urgent crisis.

04 Largest Arms Sale to Taiwan, Changes in the Taiwan Strait Situation

To everyone's surprise, amid the intense conflict in the Middle East, the U.S. suddenly opened a new strategic containment line in the Taiwan Strait, escalating its provocation against China.

Reuters reported exclusively on the 13th that several informed sources revealed that a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan, including advanced interception missiles, was ready to be submitted to President Trump for approval, possibly signed after his visit to China at the end of this month. This arms sale, worth about $14 billion, will be the largest in U.S. history for arms sales to Taiwan.

Trump's arms sales to Taiwan have become increasingly aggressive, with each transaction amount breaking historical records. The latest was $11 billion. China has issued a strong warning.

Unexpectedly, Trump not only did not show restraint, but this time even increased it to $14 billion. What exactly is being sold? According to Reuters, citing a source, the main contents of this arms sale include the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) air defense missile system and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). The source said, "Once the president approves, it can be formally announced immediately. All procedures have been completed." Additionally, about $6 billion in "asymmetric" defense capability projects are also awaiting approval and may be announced in related or follow-up arms sale cases.

In response, China gave a firm reply. Guo Jia Kun stated that China's position of firmly opposing the U.S. sale of weapons to Taiwan is consistent and clear. The U.S. side should genuinely abide by the One-China Principle and the Sino-U.S. Three Joint Communiqués, especially the August 17 Communique, stop selling weapons to Taiwan, and take concrete actions to maintain the stable development of Sino-U.S. relations and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.

With the Middle East conflict not yet resolved, Trump is also planning to visit China. Why does he want to provoke the Taiwan Strait at this time? Obviously, the U.S. move aims to divert China's attention by escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, thereby easing its strategic pressure in the Middle East. This reckless act not only undermines Sino-U.S. relations but could also put the U.S. into a two-front strategic dilemma.

05 Russia Provides Military Aid, Dozens of Su-35 Jets May Help Iran Change the Battlefield

The Trump administration is just a makeshift team, thinking it can fight anywhere. Faced with the U.S. and Israel expanding the war, Russia has taken decisive action to strengthen Iran's military strength.

The Ukrainian "United 24" media reported that it has been proven that Iran has obtained Russian-made new aircraft and used them to counter the U.S. and Israel. For a long time, Russia has been quietly strengthening Iran's air power.

According to leaked documents, Russia has been assembling dozens of Su-35 aircraft for the Iranian Air Force.

And the documents show that Moscow began fulfilling the Yak-130 delivery contract with Tehran in October 2022. The first batch of Russian Yak-130s were delivered to Iran in 2023, mainly for training future fighter pilots.

If the transfer of Yak-130s to Iran is nearly complete, the documents indicate that the cooperation between the two sides may go beyond that. In the negotiations between Russia and Iran, there has been increasing frequency of messages about transferring more powerful Su-35s.

The Su-35 is a multi-purpose 4++ generation heavy fighter jet equipped with a powerful "Zhuk-E" radar and capable of carrying various air-to-air missiles. Its firepower, maneuverability, and operational range are not inferior to the Israeli F-35. The delivery of these aircraft will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Iranian Air Force, possibly changing the balance of power in the Middle East and making the U.S. and Israel's quick victory plan face greater difficulties.

The media also pointed out that Russia and Iran are building a systematic military and technological partnership, going far beyond simple weapon deliveries.

Facing the Iranian Air Force about to receive Su-35 fighter jets, the U.S. has no choice but to reassess the battlefield situation. The initial expectation of a quick victory by Trump is no longer possible, and the war is moving towards a protracted war. The chess game in the Middle East has reached a critical turning point, and the games among all parties will deeply reshape the regional security architecture.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7616906593224966662/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.