Senior US defense officials have admitted that Iran's military is adjusting its battlefield strategy as the US-Israel bombing campaign continues. Even as the Trump administration maintains that it is gaining the upper hand in the war, military leaders acknowledge that Tehran has been quick to modify its tactics on the ground. In the 11 days since the war began, Iran has focused attacks on American air defence and radar systems across the region, according to US officials and military analysts.
Officials said Tehran appears to recognise it cannot match the US and Israel in terms of sheer military firepower. Instead, its approach now seems focused on targeting perceived weaknesses in the US defences, particularly missile interceptors and air defence systems designed to protect bases and personnel. Since the war began, the Pentagon says seven American troops have been killed and about 140 injured. Of those injured, 108 have already returned to duty.
Iranian authorities say roughly 1,300 people have died inside the country, while Iranian attacks across the Middle East have killed at least 30 people.
Military experts say Tehran's current strategy may also reflect lessons learned during last year's 12-day conflict with the US and Israel. During that conflict, American and Israeli forces used significant portions of their interceptor stockpiles. "It's surprising how quickly they learned and implemented lessons from the 12-day war," said Vali R Nasr, an Iran expert at Johns Hopkins University. "They learned that what we are lacking is defensive capabilities, like interceptors, THAAD missiles and Patriots."
Nasr said Iran may be trying to exhaust American defensive systems while preserving its own offensive capabilities. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine confirmed that Iranian forces had changed their operational approach during the war. "No plan survives first contact with the enemy," he said during a press briefing. "They're adapting, as we are." Caine declined to detail the specific tactical changes. "I'd rather not, for operational security reasons, tell them what's working," he added.
Military analysts note that Iran's current approach is very different from previous confrontations. In earlier episodes, Tehran often informed in advance of its retaliation. For example, after President Donald Trump ordered B-2 stealth bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities last year, Iran responded by attacking the Al Udeid air base in Qatar - but made clear beforehand where it would strike.
That pattern appears to have changed in the current conflict.
Recent strikes damaged an early-warning radar system at Al Udeid, according to earlier reports. Officials say Iran has also hit radar installations at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, another site hosting US forces. Satellite imagery also showed damage near communications infrastructure at the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, including at least six buildings close to satellite communication facilities. A Pentagon assessment shared with Congress last week estimated that damage to a strike on the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters complex in Bahrain could reach about $200 million.
Iran has also widened its targeting strategy. Instead of focusing solely on Israel, it has launched thousands of low-cost one-way attack drones at US partners and military sites in countries including Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Bahrain.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that Washington did not fully anticipate the scale of Iran's response against regional neighbours. "I can't say that we anticipated necessarily that's exactly how they would react, but we knew it was a possibility," Hegseth said during the Pentagon briefing alongside Caine. "I think it was a demonstration of the desperation of the regime."
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