Besides the points made by spyguy and others, something very important to note about any major attack on Iran:
Iran's Islamic government enjoys strong support from their population. They are a democracy (in one form) after all. Their voter turnout numbers are much higher than in the US. Iranian popular support for their government would increase after any attack by the US or any other nation. Look at their popular mobilization in the Iran-Iraq War immediately following their revolution, when they were not well organized or self-sufficient in terms of military hardware design and production.
When we attacked Afghanistan and Iraq, the vast majority of their populations sat back and observed, without resisting our invasion. After all, Saddam and the Taliban were dictators kept in power through force and intimidation. The same is not true of Iran. Talk to any Iranian, whether an supporter of the Islamic government, an ambivelent Iranian or a secular-minded Iranian. See how they'd respond to an attack on their country and people.
In the case of any ground involvement from the US, or even just air strikes, US casualties would likely be high.
Besides the points made by spyguy and others, something very important to note about any major attack on Iran:
Iran's Islamic government enjoys strong support from their population. They are a democracy (in one form) after all. Their voter turnout numbers are much higher than in the US. Iranian popular support for their government would increase after any attack by the US or any other nation. Look at their popular mobilization in the Iran-Iraq War immediately following their revolution, when they were not well organized or self-sufficient in terms of military hardware design and production.
When we attacked Afghanistan and Iraq, the vast majority of their populations sat back and observed, without resisting our invasion. After all, Saddam and the Taliban were dictators kept in power through force and intimidation. The same is not true of Iran. Talk to any Iranian, whether an supporter of the Islamic government, an ambivelent Iranian or a secular-minded Iranian. See how they'd respond to an attack on their country and people.
In the case of any ground involvement from the US, or even just air strikes, US casualties would likely be high.