Former US defense official Adam Clements has stated that achieving victory in Iran through airstrikes alone is not possible. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Clements, who also served as a US diplomat in Jordan and Yemen, said that the ongoing US military campaign against Iran has revealed the limitations of relying solely on aerial attacks.

He explained that while the operation may have disrupted some of Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, the country has likely hidden or preserved parts of its arsenal for future use. Clements emphasized that the effects of the conflict are being felt far beyond the Middle East.

According to him, even South Asian and Far Eastern countries not directly involved in the war are being indirectly affected by its economic consequences, making it necessary to consider broader strategic and economic factors alongside military actions.