What to know about Iran's military as the U.S. weighs ground operations

Iran's military has sustained significant damage from U.S.-Israeli strikes since late February, including the deaths of senior IRGC and Navy commanders and destruction of roughly 70% of its estimated ballistic missile launchers, but the regime continues to pose regional threats through drones, naval vessels, and underground infrastructure. The White House and Pentagon are considering deploying at least 10,000 additional combat troops to the Middle East, with a potential ground assault on Kharg Island under consideration despite Iran's reinforcement of the island with military personnel and air defenses. Iran's cheaper Shahed drones have proven harder to intercept than missiles and remain a significant threat, while Tehran maintains its closure of the Strait of Hormuz and continues sporadic strikes on Israel and Gulf countries. Experts warn that falling Iranian missile launch rates may reflect constrained capability—or alternatively, strategic reserve of untapped weapons for future escalation. The scale of Iran's underground bunkers, speed boat networks, and naval mines make complete destruction of Iranian military capacity impossible from airstrikes alone.