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The world is on high alert as Iran vows retaliation following President Donald Trump’s unprecedented U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities — a major escalation in a decades-long standoff that threatens to ignite broader conflict across the Middle East.
The strikes, confirmed by the Pentagon, targeted Iran’s key nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — using 14 GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs, some of the most powerful in the U.S. arsenal. It marked the first time the U.S. has directly bombed Iranian territory, with officials warning the next 48 hours could determine the course of a regional war.
Iran Vows “Everlasting Consequences”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the attacks, warning of “everlasting consequences” for what Tehran sees as a brazen act of aggression. Already, Iran has launched a missile barrage at Israel, causing significant damage in Tel Aviv and injuring civilians.
“Iran will try to redouble its efforts against Israel,” said Fawaz Gerges, professor at the London School of Economics. “But it will avoid being dragged into an all-out war with the United States.”
U.S. and Israeli Forces on High Alert
U.S. defense officials said American troops and assets in the region — from Iraq to Qatar — are at maximum readiness, with particular concern about retaliatory attacks by Iran’s proxies in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has labeled the widespread presence of U.S. troops in the region not a strength but a “point of vulnerability.”
The Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, remains a potential flashpoint. Iran has threatened to block the narrow shipping route in the past — a move that could send oil prices skyrocketing and trigger a global economic crisis.
Unclear Iranian Response, But Limited Options
Iran’s military capability has been significantly degraded. Analysts estimate it retains only 40% of its missile launchers, reducing its ability to sustain prolonged missile campaigns.
Despite that, Iran has a long history of asymmetric warfare, including proxy attacks and covert operations.
“Iran can still retaliate,” said H.A. Hellyer of the Royal United Services Institute. “But if it strikes American targets directly, it risks a full-scale and devastating U.S. campaign.”
Allies Weakened, Isolation Grows
Iran’s traditional regional allies appear unwilling or unable to offer much support:
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Hezbollah in Lebanon has suffered major losses and declined to escalate.
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The Houthis in Yemen and various Iraqi Shiite militias are active but limited in scope.
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Hamas in Gaza has been crippled by Israeli operations and decapitated leadership.
Even Iran’s neighbors in the Gulf — including Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE — declined to condemn the U.S. strikes, opting instead to call for “de-escalation.”
“Iran has no real friends left,” Hellyer said. “It’s increasingly isolated, surrounded by enemies, and facing enormous internal and external pressure.”
Oil Markets and Global Security Jittery
Oil prices spiked immediately after news of the strikes, with Brent crude climbing 8% amid fears of disruption to global supplies. Traders are watching closely for any Iranian move against shipping lanes or refineries in the region.
Meanwhile, U.S. and Israeli intelligence are monitoring for signs of cyberattacks, terrorist plots, or long-range missile strikes.
The Bigger Picture
President Trump has said that Iran’s nuclear program has been “obliterated” but Pentagon officials remain cautious, noting that without boots on the ground, verifying the success of the mission is difficult.
Iranian state media downplayed the strikes, claiming only limited damage to its nuclear infrastructure. However, foreign experts believe that Fordow — buried deep beneath a mountain — was the primary target of the U.S. assault.
While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted the U.S. seeks no war, he warned that any attack on Americans or their allies would be met with overwhelming force.
“We will act swiftly and decisively when our people, our partners or our interests are threatened,” Hegseth said.
What Comes Next?
With the Middle East on a knife’s edge, all eyes are now on Tehran. Whether Iran retaliates with force, chooses proxies to carry out attacks, or opts for a temporary de-escalation could determine whether this crisis becomes a broader regional war — or just the most dangerous flare-up yet in a long-simmering conflict.
