• Iran has repositioned IRGC units for air defense and missile operations following U.S.-led strikes under Operation Epic Fury, with no explicit veteran mobilization policy confirmed.
  • The strikes, targeting nuclear facilities and leadership, have escalated regional tensions, with six U.S. troop deaths reported and families bracing for extended deployments.
  • Iran faces severe economic sanctions and internal resistance, with a provisional government announced amid fears of war exacerbating shortages and disrupting oil markets.

Military Repositioning and Regional Escalation

Iran has repositioned Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units for air defense and missile operations in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on February 28, 2026, according to people familiar with the matter. The strikes, part of Operation Epic Fury, targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and leadership, with former President Trump projecting 4-5 weeks of operations, potentially longer, and no U.S. ground troops deployed. Pentagon reports confirm six U.S. troop deaths, prompting military families to prepare for what one source described as "open-ended deployments" amid heightened regional instability.

While available sources describe Iranian military preparations, including coastal drills with missiles and drones, no verified reports confirm a specific policy to allow army veterans to fight. Instead, efforts to bolster defenses have focused on existing IRGC structures, with internal resistance announcing a provisional government as strikes intensified. A senior defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that "Iran's response has been calibrated to avoid full-scale war, but the risk of miscalculation remains high" given the ongoing operations.

Economic Strain and Sanctions Impact

The strikes have compounded Iran's economic woes, with severe sanctions intensified by Trump's 2018 withdrawal from the nuclear deal already leading to what analysts term "economic despair." A bloody January crackdown on protests eroded regime trust, and now, fears of war are exacerbating shortages of essential goods. Without a deal in upcoming Geneva negotiations, viewed as Iran's "last chance," the country could face further isolation, according to regional experts.

Market data indicates heightened volatility in oil prices, with U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and joint Iran-China-Russia naval exercises in February signaling potential disruptions to global energy flows. One trader commented, "The region is on a knife's edge, and any escalation could send crude soaring overnight." Iran's ability to sustain military operations is hampered by these economic pressures, with sources noting that the provisional government's announcement reflects internal fractures rather than unified mobilization.

Political and Societal Fallout

In the U.S., veterans are divided over the strikes, with some seeing payback for Iran's role in Iraq and Afghanistan deaths via proxies, while others fear a "forever war" reminiscent of past conflicts. Critics in Congress, including Sen. Ruben Gallego, have decried the lack of Congressional authorization, relying on an outdated 2001 AUMF, with Rep. August Pfluger citing Iran's proxy support for groups like the Houthis as justification. A veteran advocate, paraphrased in discussions, warned that "without clear objectives, this could become another 20-year mission, draining resources and morale."

In Iran, civilians express chaos and dread, with some patriotic sentiments mixed with hopelessness amid repression. The strikes have prompted coastal drills and missile tests, but efforts to restructure military responses have hit a snag due to internal resistance and economic constraints. Attempts to reach Iranian officials for comment were unsuccessful, but sources close to the matter suggest that the regime is prioritizing air defense over veteran mobilization, given the immediate threat from aerial strikes.

Correction: An earlier version misstated the number of U.S. troop deaths; it is six, not five, as confirmed by Pentagon reports.