The US military is facing severe pressure as a result of the war on Iran, according to US officials familiar with developments in the Middle East who spoke to The Intercept.

One official warned that the strain could lead to "a collapse in the military's ability to continue the war effectively."

The outlet assessed that Iran's ability to penetrate US air defenses in the region using drones and advanced ballistic missiles has placed the US military in "a critical position."

Trump admin misjudged Iranian military capabilities

A US official said the administration of President Donald Trump "did not properly assess Iranian military capabilities," pointing to "a complete absence of war planning."

The military faces a growing list of challenges, according to the outlet, beginning with Iranian retaliatory strikes on US bases and warships in the Middle East, the depletion of defensive ammunition stockpiles, rising casualties, maintenance problems on ships, extended troop deployments, complex logistics, declining "morale," and other issues that have harmed military readiness.

The outlet said the Pentagon's budget is "strained," saying this contrasts with months of "rosy statements" issued by the Trump administration. Officials said the military's ability to operate at full capacity had been "paralyzed" in the first hours of the war.

Source:Websites