Washington is preparing to widen its military campaign against Iran while reinforcing its air presence in the Middle East. At the same time, doubts are growing inside the US administration over whether the country still has enough military capacity to shift the conflict in its favor, The Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with the situation.

According to the newspaper’s sources, US military resources are being steadily depleted. Stocks of air defense systems and long-range munitions are shrinking, some equipment has been damaged, and deploying additional forces to the region is becoming increasingly difficult.

One source said the remaining capabilities were already insufficient to continue the operation safely. In that person’s assessment, the White House has yet to fully grasp the severity of the problem.

The latest escalation followed US strikes on Iranian infrastructure. At the same time, American forces suffered casualties in Jordan and Iraq. Tehran viewed attacks on bridges and railway facilities near Bandar Abbas as another step toward a broader confrontation. Iranian officials subsequently became less restrained in discussing strikes that could kill US military personnel.

Experts believe the United States is not prepared for a ground operation against Iran. American units stationed across the region remain exposed to missile and drone attacks, while accounts from troops who served at Middle Eastern bases paint a deeply troubling picture.

Many accommodation sites consist of container-style structures that provide almost no protection during attacks. Barracks are not designed to withstand direct ballistic missile strikes, and infrastructure at several bases has already sustained serious damage.

The Washington Post described US forces in the Middle East as coming under pressure from every direction.

Meanwhile, the conflict is becoming increasingly prolonged and is placing heavier strain on the global economy. The International Monetary Fund cut its forecast for global growth in 2026 to 3%, while the World Bank lowered its projection to 2.5%, the weakest figure since the pandemic.

The OECD expects global economic growth to slow from 3.4% in 2025 to 2.8% in 2026. Experts warn that a prolonged conflict could trigger a recession, fuel inflation, disrupt supply chains and cause another energy crisis. Continued escalation could ultimately expose the world economy to a new financial shock.