Goals of U.S. military operation in Iran are unclear - expert 

ArmInfo. Trump's stated goals for the military operation in Iran are unclear and inconsistent-this is certainly part  of his character and management style. This is what national security expert and political scientist Hrachya Arzumanyan writes in her article.

According to him, the stated goal of the operation is currently  regime change or overthrow in Iran. The means are the Air Force, and  the means are a strategic air campaign to destroy leaders, forces,  assets, and infrastructure.

However, the Air Force alone is not enough to force the IRGC and the  armed forces to lay down their arms.  And who is there to surrender  to if the US doesn't intend to occupy Iran-and they don't, since  that's impossible? Who can guarantee the lives and immunity of IRGC  personnel if the regime collapses? Who in Iran has the military  resources to fulfill such guarantees? "Rhetorical questions," the  political scientist believes. Moreover, he notes, the US is not  offering the Iranian people the means or means to revolt and seize  power in Iran. The regime is deeply rooted, and beheading the top  leadership will not overthrow it.  This is especially true given the  lack of an organized resistance movement within Iran that could take  advantage of the temporary chaos caused by the assassination of its  leaders.

"I think Trump will soon tell the Iranians that the US has done its  part to overthrow the regime, and Iranian society must do its part.  If it doesn't work, Iranian society is to blame. Trump's speeches  already suggest the kind of tone that will later allow him to blame  the Iranian people for failing to take advantage of his massive,  brilliant air campaign," Arzumanyan writes.

Arzumanyan makes the following important points. First, as recent  conflicts have shown, the consequences often prove larger-scale,  unexpected, and far-reaching than anticipated, extending beyond the  immediate conflict: "So far, I see a Libyan scenario, but on a much  larger scale." Second, it further weakens any meaningful  international rule of law. The US is clearly violating international  law. This includes violating US law: "Trump started the war without  even consulting Congress, which is supposed to authorize the war.   Given Congress's docility, I think Trump will get the authorization,  but only after the fact, demonstrating his absolute power."

But can it all end well, Arzumanyan asks. "I don't think so. US goals  are inconsistent with the means and methods, leaving a huge question  mark the day after the airstrikes cease. I've seen time and again how  carefully laid plans collapse, leading to unforeseen consequences. In  the ongoing Iran war, the US, unlike Israel, simply doesn't seem to  have a plan for the next day," the political scientist writes.  "Israel's goals are clear and precise - the collapse of Iran,  preferably with the disintegration of the country." In this sense,  one can speak of a clear asymmetry in American-Israeli relations,  with Israel in the lead and the United States the follower.