Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and Heritage Foundation senior counselor James Carafano has cautioned against the idea of a full-scale U.S. ground invasion of Iran, arguing that such an operation would be unrealistic and strategically unsound.
Speaking during an interview from 10:38 on Fox News on Monday, July 20, 2026, Carafano dismissed suggestions that the United States should invade Iran, saying the country’s vast size and geography would make it virtually impossible to control through military occupation.
Responding to claims that Tehran may be trying to lure U.S. forces into a land war, Carafano said Washington should avoid fighting on terms that favor its adversary. According to him, any attempt to occupy Iran would require an enormous military commitment while offering little chance of successfully controlling the country.
He stressed that the United States should instead continue pursuing its current strategy of using targeted military operations to degrade Iran’s capabilities rather than launching a large-scale invasion.
Carafano argued that the existing approach has already weakened Iran’s ability to threaten regional security, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz, while significantly limiting its military capabilities without exposing large numbers of American troops to the risks of a prolonged ground conflict.
He also maintained that Washington has no reason to alter its strategy, noting that a full invasion would create far greater costs in lives and resources while offering uncertain outcomes.
Summing up his position, Carafano said, “This is a country the size of Texas, we could put every American in uniform in the middle of Iran and not control the country….See More