By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - French Air and Space Force general Jean-Marc Vigilant said on Monday that Iran has an interest in prolonging the Middle East conflict and expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a US ground operation in the country.

“The Iranians have an interest to make the conflict last,” Vigilant told French broadcaster RFI.

Vigilant, former director of the French War School and president of BeVigilant, a strategic and defense consultancy, said the US military routinely prepares multiple operational scenarios but a large-scale ground invasion of Iran remains unlikely.

He said current US operations have relied mainly on air and aerospace power, allowing rapid application of force and strategic effects ahead of political decisions.

“Deploying troops on the ground is of a different nature; it would put soldiers in danger,” he said, referring to the logistical and security challenges of positioning and protecting ground forces.

Vigilant also described Iran’s operational approach, saying Tehran has carried out intermittent drone and missile attacks that force regional actors to use more costly interceptor systems, creating an economic advantage for Iran.

“Economically, the Iranians are in a strong position,” he said.

He added that Iran had prepared for the conflict and that its leadership continues to manage military operations despite setbacks. Vigilant said the political objectives of US military involvement remain unclear and appear to shift over time.

“President Trump may not have realized this would be a long engagement,” Vigilant said.

The Middle East region has remained on alert since the US and Israel launched an air offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has since retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.