Two mountain ranges, two deserts, two seas: Iran’s geography is its greatest weapon

Two mountain ranges, two deserts, two seas: Iran’s geography is its greatest weapon Submitted by MEE correspondent on Mon, 04/06/2026 - 12:56 As a US ground invasion looms, MEE examines potential scenarios and how Iran’s terrain could impose high costs on invading forces A satellite view of shipping traffic in and around the Strait of Hormuz on 24 March 2026 (Romain Doucelin/Hans Lucas via Reuters) On As hundreds of US troops approach the Gulf in their transport aircraft ahead of a possible invasion of Iran, they may permit themselves a glance out of the window to the terrain below. A twisting sea dotted with islands; a coastline hundreds of kilometres long lined with sharp rockfaces; and mountains that domineer over any unwanted intruder. With geography like this, it’s no wonder that military and political experts say a ground operation would come at a high cost to the United States.