In an interview with Al Jazeera, former U.S. intelligence officer Scott Ritter criticized the strategic calculations of the U.S. and Israel regarding the potential war with Iran. Ritter contended that the initial assumptions about the conflict were fundamentally flawed, suggesting that the war has evolved beyond a technical struggle to a drawn-out engagement in which Iran maintains a significant stockpile of weaponry ready for use. He emphasized that, unlike the U.S. and Israel, which face constraints in supply and replacement of military assets, Iran is in a position of strength due to its preparedness.

Ritter pointed out the United States' unpreparedness for sustained military operations in the region. He noted that many munitions destined for this conflict are limited and inadequate, and the production of new weaponry requires time, preventing Washington from achieving its objectives promptly. This situation is compounded by President Biden’s meetings with defense contractors, which have yet to yield significant changes in military capability.

Looking ahead, Ritter predicted ongoing hostilities, with Iran likely to continue its offensive actions against Israel and U.S. bases throughout the Middle East. He warned that the military standoff would allow Iran to retain its advantage, asserting that the conflict will only conclude when the U.S. and Israel exhaust their ability to defend themselves, while Iran remains poised for continued engagement.