If the U.S. Strikes, Iran Could Unleash Devastation: Here’s What the Shia Nation Could Do

Tehran: Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. The U.S. has deployed another warship to the Middle East, joining the already stationed aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Meanwhile, countries like Qatar and Turkey are trying to mediate to prevent a full-scale conflict.

The pressing question remains: will President Donald Trump order a military strike on Iran, and how might Tehran respond? Reports indicate that the U.S. military is prepared to execute any directive from the President. According to The New York Times, U.S. plans include strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile stockpiles, and key elements of the Islamic government, with the potential for covert operations inside Iran.

Iran’s Potential Responses:
Experts note that while Iran may be militarily weaker, it possesses the capacity to inflict significant damage in retaliation. Iranian counterattacks could target U.S. and Israeli military installations across the Middle East. Tehran has already deployed thousands of ballistic missiles and drones, reportedly over 2,000 in total, demonstrating their capability during last year’s confrontation with Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently acknowledged the threat, stating, “Our 30,000–40,000 U.S. troops across eight or nine bases in the region are all within range of thousands of Iranian one-way UAVs and short-range ballistic missiles.”

Likely Iranian Measures if Attacked:

1. Strikes on U.S. Military Bases and Allies: Iran could target U.S. bases in West Asia, including in Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan. Israeli installations could also come under attack.
2. Mobilizing Proxy Forces: Iran may activate its proxy groups across the Gulf region, such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, opening new fronts. The Houthis could target commercial shipping in the Red Sea, while proxies are also positioned in Syria and Iraq.
3. Mining Strategic Sea Routes: Iran could mine vital maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman. This strait handles roughly 20% of the world’s LNG exports and 20–25% of oil shipments. Iran has previously conducted mine-laying exercises in these waters, threatening global shipping lanes.
4. Negotiation Attempts via Mediators: If conflict escalates, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei could seek to engage the U.S. through intermediaries such as Qatar or Turkey to negotiate a deal. However, Tehran is currently unwilling to concede, making direct talks a last-resort option. According to Israeli intelligence analysts, while the Supreme Leader might agree to negotiations, he will not compromise Iran’s core pillars of power. This means missile development will continue, and support for proxy forces will remain intact.

Conclusion:
As the U.S. bolsters its military presence, the risk of a direct clash grows. Experts warn that any strike could provoke a swift and severe response from Iran, targeting both regional allies and global trade routes. Diplomatic interventions by Turkey, Qatar, and other nations may delay conflict, but Iran’s steadfast stance suggests that war remains a very real possibility.