In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the United States launched airstrikes on three nuclear-related sites in Iran early Sunday, inserting itself directly into Israel’s ongoing military campaign aimed at crippling Tehran’s nuclear program.The Pentagon confirmed that American stealth bombers deployed the GBU-57 A/B bunker buster, a 30,000-pound bomb capable of penetrating fortified underground facilities, a capability exclusive to the US military. The targeted sites include Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, though the extent of the damage remains unclear.Iran’s foreign ministry warned of a “decisive response” that could upend the fragile security balance across the Middle East.Now, with over 40,000 US troops stationed across the region, the question isn’t if Iran will retaliate, it’s where.Top US Targets in Iran’s line of sightMilitary analysts and intelligence sources have flagged several high-value US military installations as likely Iranian targets, all well within Iran’s missile and drone range.
- Al Udeid Air Base – Qatar: Largest US military base in the Middle East
- US Navy’s fifth fleet – Bahrain: Controls much of the Persian Gulf
- Al Asad Air Base – Iraq: One of the largest US bases in the region. Previously hit by Iranian missiles in 2020 after Soleimani’s assassination.
- Harir Air Base – Erbil, Iraq: Key hub for US operations in Northern Iraq
- Al Tanf Garrison – Southern Syria: Strategic triangle bordering Iraq, Syria, and Jordan
- Ali al-Salem Air Base – Kuwait: Just 20 miles from the Iraqi border
- Al Dhafra Air Base – UAE: Base for F-22 Raptors, surveillance drones
Beyond bases: Other Iranian retaliation options
- Diplomatic strikes: US embassies in Iraq, the UAE, and Israel are also vulnerable.
- Proxy warfare: Hezbollah, Houthis, and Shia militias could be unleashed across multiple fronts
- Cyber attacks: Power grids, satellites, and infrastructure could be targeted
- Maritime escalation: Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would send global oil prices soaring and potentially drag in Nato
The Strait of Hormuz: The ultimate leverageRoughly 25% of the world’s oil and one-third of its LNG pass through the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran mines, blockades, or militarises this waterway, it could ignite an economic war with global fallout.