Web Desk: The United States has deployed AI in war against Iran, marking what analysts describe as a major shift in how modern wars are planned and executed.
The development came into focus after US President Donald Trump praised software firm Palantir Technologies, whose systems were used to support targeting and operational planning during the campaign.
According to reports, the US military relied on an advanced system known as the Maven Smart System to analyse vast amounts of battlefield data. The software processed satellite imagery, drone footage and intelligence inputs to generate more than 1,000 potential strike options ahead of operations, including reported strikes on Tehran on February 28.
Tasks that traditionally required days of human analysis were completed within minutes, significantly accelerating decision-making cycles. However, final strike authorisations remained under human control.
Rear Admiral Brad Cooper said AI platforms now enable commanders to process large volumes of information in seconds, allowing faster and more informed operational decisions.
Meanwhile, Trump publicly praised Palantir on his platform Truth Social, saying the company had demonstrated its superiority in enhancing battlefield capabilities. His remarks were widely seen as a strong endorsement of the firm’s role in modern warfare.
The Maven system, originally launched in 2017, integrates data from drones, satellites and sensors to identify, track and classify targets. It reduces targeting time from hours to under a minute and also supports predictive logistics, helping commanders anticipate resource needs and deployment timing.
Over the past year, the Pentagon has significantly expanded the integration of AI systems across multiple branches of the military. The Maven platform was further enhanced through collaboration with Anthropic, whose AI model “Claude” added contextual analysis capabilities to improve data interpretation.
The partnership, formalised in late 2025, aimed to strengthen real-time battlefield intelligence. However, differences later emerged, and the Pentagon indicated plans to gradually phase out certain AI components from the system.
In a separate development, Reuters previously reported that the Pentagon designated Maven as a “program of record,” paving the way for its long-term adoption within US defense infrastructure.
Experts say the Iran campaign reflects a broader transformation in warfare, where artificial intelligence is no longer limited to administrative or support roles but is actively shaping combat strategy.
They describe the conflict as one of the first major instances where AI guided military operations in real time, from target identification to strike planning.
However, the rapid adoption of such systems has also raised concerns.
Critics warn that AI-driven targeting compresses decision-making timelines, potentially increasing the risk of errors. Concerns intensified following reports of a strike in Iran’s Minab city that killed 168 people, including a large number of children.
The incident has drawn scrutiny in the US Congress, where lawmakers have raised questions about oversight, accountability and the ethical use of AI in combat.
At the same time, Palantir’s growing role in defense has translated into major financial gains. The company has secured multi-billion-dollar government contracts, and its market value has surged sharply over the past year.
As AI becomes embedded in military doctrine, the debate is shifting beyond capability to responsibility. The challenge now lies not only in how quickly wars can be fought, but how carefully decisions are made when machines increasingly shape the battlefield.
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