Israel-Iran Tension: Why A Ground War Is Practically Impossible
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Even if Israel and Iran were to enter into open conflict, neither can roll its tanks or march its soldiers into the other's territory so a ground is practically not possible
In the geopolitical chessboard of West Asia, few rivalries are as intense, and as geographically inconvenient, as that of Israel-Iran. Unlike typical international hostilities that stem from a tense shared border, this enmity stretches over nearly 2,000 kilometres of separation, across multiple sovereign nations and some of the world's most volatile terrain.
Despite their bitter hostility, Israel and Iran are not neighbours like India and Pakistan or South and North Korea. In fact, they are so far apart that their militaries cannot physically confront each other without traversing at least two or three other countries. From Tel Aviv to Tehran, the shortest aerial route measures roughly 1,800 to 2,000 kilometres. On land, it's an even more complex and implausible journey.
To attempt a land route between Israel and Iran, one would likely have to pass through Jordan, Iraq, and potentially Syria. Even under peaceful circumstances, this overland path would require crossing multiple international borders, each governed by its own complex diplomatic alignments and permissions. In total, the estimated ground distance falls between 1,600 and 2,000 kilometres, depending on the exact route taken.
But the truth is, there is no road. There is no train. There is no sanctioned land corridor, and for Israeli or Iranian citizens, there is not even a legal pathway. Both nations have completely severed official diplomatic ties since 1979. Their citizens cannot visit each other. Israeli passport holders are banned from entering Iran, and any trace of Israel in an Iranian passport, even a visa stamp, can become grounds for denial of entry elsewhere in the region.
Why A Ground War Is Not On The Table
Iran has one of the largest ground armies in the region, with over 11 lakh personnel, including reserves. Israel, by contrast, maintains a leaner but technologically superior ground force of around 4 to 5 lakh troops. Yet in this standoff, numerical superiority on the ground is essentially irrelevant.
The battlefield between Iran and Israel has, by necessity, shifted to the air. Israeli fighter jets, primarily F-16s, have reportedly undertaken long-range operations deep into Iranian territory, often aided by mid-air refuelling to extend their reach. The air distance gives Israel enough range to strike and return without needing to land on foreign soil, although some reports suggest it receives silent cooperation from allies like Jordan (for airspace access) or Qatar (as an operational base).
Covert intelligence operations have also become a central tool. Israel's Mossad is believed to have orchestrated strikes inside Iran through localised drone bases. These drone campaigns are aimed at disabling missile launchers and sabotaging Iran's defence infrastructure from within.
For its part, Iran has leveraged proxy forces – Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and militias in Syria and Iraq – to keep Israel on edge without ever engaging directly. These groups operate as Iran's extended arms, ensuring Tehran remains a potent threat to Israel without deploying a single Iranian soldier across the border.
Airpower vs Missiles
If the two were to escalate into a full-fledged war, it would be fought from the skies and through proxy militias. In air combat, Israel holds a significant edge, boasting state-of-the-art aircraft and battlefield-tested pilots. Iran, in contrast, is burdened by an outdated fleet and limited air combat experience.
However, Iran balances this gap with its growing arsenal of ballistic missiles and combat drones. While its aircraft are outclassed, its long-range missile systems pose a serious threat to Israeli cities, infrastructure, and military targets, especially if launched in a coordinated wave.
The Role Of US And Strategic Allies
The United States' role remains murky but influential. Reports suggest that advanced US military assets, including B-2 bombers, have been stationed in nearby regions like Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Though the US denies direct involvement in Israeli strikes, the presence of such hardware signals a readiness to intervene, or at least to deter Iran.
In the wider region, countries like Jordan and Qatar have reportedly enabled certain Israeli operations either by offering airspace or tacit logistical support. These nations, walking tightropes in regional diplomacy, are unlikely to allow ground invasions, but may serve as silent enablers for limited aerial maneuvers.
A War Without Borders
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The Israel-Iran conflict is, quite literally, a war without borders. It is one of posturing and precision, espionage and air raids, not boots on the ground. And while that might sound less destructive than conventional warfare, it is no less dangerous.
What makes this standoff unique is not just the lack of a shared border, but the persistence of hostilities despite that absence. It's a 2,000-kilometre enmity sustained by ideology, geopolitics, and regional power plays. One that cannot be fought with tanks and trenches, but with drones, missiles, and proxy militias.
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First Published:
June 16, 2025, 13:31 IST
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