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What do wars of attrition in the Middle East tell us about the Iran conflict? - analysis

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • The Middle East has a history of protracted conflicts, and the current situation suggests the Trump administration is prepared for a war of attrition with Iran.
  • Past examples like the Iran-Iraq War, the War of Attrition after the 1967 Six-Day War, and the post-2003 Iraq insurgency illustrate the region's tendency towards long, grinding conflicts.
  • Israel has also experienced numerous rounds of conflict, including those in Gaza and Lebanon, highlighting the recurring nature of attritional warfare in the region.

The Middle East's history is replete with wars of attrition, and current developments indicate the Trump administration may be adopting a similar strategy against the Iranian regime. This approach is suggested by multiple rounds of engagements, including Israeli strikes supported by the U.S. in June 2025 and further U.S. and Israeli strikes in February 2026, with a third round now underway.

The Middle East has a long history of wars of attrition. It now appears that the Trump administration is prepared for a war of attrition with the Iranian regime.

— Seth J. FrantzmanThe author's central thesis regarding the U.S. strategy towards Iran.

Wars of attrition are not a new phenomenon in the region. While decisive victories like the 1967 Six-Day War or the 1991 Gulf War are notable, the Middle East has also endured prolonged conflicts. The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) serves as a stark example, a brutal conflict marked by immense casualties and the use of missiles and chemical weapons, reminiscent of World War I trench warfare.

Why are wars of attrition so common in the Middle East?

— Seth J. FrantzmanPosing a key question that the analysis seeks to answer by examining historical precedents.

Another significant instance was the War of Attrition following the 1967 Six-Day War, characterized by continuous fighting along the Suez Canal. This conflict, though often overlooked, preceded the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The aftermath of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq also saw a protracted insurgency emerge after the swift toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime, eventually leading to a U.S. troop surge.

That is one example of a war of attrition, but there are many more.

— Seth J. FrantzmanIntroducing the prevalence of attritional warfare beyond the Iran-Iraq War.

Israel has faced its own share of repeated and prolonged conflicts, including multiple rounds of fighting in Gaza (2009, 2012, 2014, 2021) and the war that began after the October 7, 2023, attacks. The long conflict in Lebanon, spanning the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) and Israel's military presence until 2000, further exemplifies the region's experience with sustained warfare. These historical patterns raise questions about which side can sustain repeated rounds of conflict in the current geopolitical climate.

Which side can sustain repeated rounds of conflict?

— Seth J. FrantzmanA concluding question that frames the ongoing challenge of attritional warfare in the region.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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