JOGANEWS.com – The Director of Political and Public Policy Studies (P3S), Dr. Jerry Massie, MA, Ph.D., assessed that the military power gap between the United States and Iran is very unequal, comparable to “heaven and earth.” According to Massie, the difference in defense budgets alone is significant. The United States allocates a military budget of around US$895 billion per year, while Iran’s is in the tens of billions. “Quantitatively and technologically, America’s military strength far exceeds Iran’s. This includes the number of fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and missile defense systems,” Massie said in a statement on Wednesday (March 28, 2026).
He cited stealth bombers like the Northrop B-2 Spirit and the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet, which are considered to have significant advantages in stealth technology and destructive power. Furthermore, the United States also possesses world-class aircraft carriers like the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, which are capable of carrying thousands of personnel and dozens of fighter aircraft in a single fleet.
“In terms of defense equipment and power projection, Iran will face significant challenges if it confronts Iran directly in open warfare,” he said. However, Jerry cautioned that the conflict is not solely determined by conventional military power. He believes escalation could spread if other major powers, such as Russia or China, become directly involved. “If major powers intervene, the regional conflict could potentially turn into a global crisis,” he said.
However, so far, he said, there have been no indications of direct military involvement from these countries in open conflict. Jerry also believes that geopolitical and energy factors cannot be ignored. The Gulf region, including strategic routes like the Strait of Hormuz, is a vital route for global oil distribution. “As long as regional energy and security interests are at stake, this conflict will continue to have complex strategic dimensions,” he said.
Jerry emphasized that although the power ratio may seem lopsided, the dynamics of modern warfare are determined not only by numbers and budgets, but also by the strategies, alliances, and domestic stability of each country. “Military superiority does not always guarantee a quick victory. Diplomacy and international pressure are also crucial factors,” he concluded.
