Retired Gen. Jack Keane said the United States is preparing to resume full-scale combat operations against Iran [1, 2].
The assessment suggests a significant escalation in military posture in the Middle East, potentially shifting from strategic deterrence to active warfare.
Keane's statements follow a recent operation in the Gulf of Oman, where U.S. Marines boarded a commercial tanker flying an Iranian flag [1, 2]. This incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy supplies.
Depending on the report, Keane said the anticipated military action was either "full-throttle combat" [1] or "full-out combat" [2].
The retired general said the move comes amid perceived disarray within the Iranian leadership [2]. He said this instability is playing out in real time, creating a window for U.S. strategic action.
However, the path to conflict is complicated by diplomatic friction. Reported discord exists between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the specific handling of the Iran conflict [1].
These tensions are layered over a broader trend of rising hostility between Washington and Tehran. The boarding of the tanker serves as a flashpoint in a region already strained by competing security interests, and geopolitical rivalry.
“the United States is preparing to resume full-scale combat operations against Iran”
The transition toward 'full-scale combat' would represent a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving away from the 'maximum pressure' sanctions model toward direct kinetic engagement. If the U.S. leverages perceived internal instability within the Iranian government, it may seek to dismantle regional influence quickly, though friction between the U.S. and Israeli leadership over strategy could lead to inconsistent operational goals.
