Iran eyes retaliation after US airstrikes: Key American bases now in crosshairs
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 sight
Military 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 leverage
Roughly 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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
22 minutes ago
- Hans India
BRICS Nations Respond to Trump's Ultimatum with Unified Pushback
The strong reaction from BRICS nations come after Donald Trump warned other countries against joining the group, threatening them with an additional 10 per cent tariff if they did. The verbal attacks on Trump were prompted by China, which said BRICS does not target any country and does not appreciate the use of BRICS nations anti-American policies as a tool of coercion. 'The countries are uniting to discuss new ways to participate in the definition of the new world economic order,' President Lula said at the end of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro. 'I think that's why the BRICS are making people uncomfortable,' he added. In an angry speech on Saturday, Trump accused the Trump vs BRICS nations– Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia – of indulging in 'anti-American practices'. While the US President did not elaborate what those practices are, he had earlier said the US would slap '100 per cent tariffs' on Trump ultimatum BRICS nations for their attempt on de-dollarisation. Brazil's BRICS presidency had already nixed efforts to advance a common currency for the group. However, that did not stop President Lula from repeating on Monday that global trade needs alternatives. 'Obviously, we have to be responsible about doing that carefully. 'Negotiations are necessary between our central bank and other countries. 'It takes time for it to take root and mature,' he said. China too vented its displeasure over the ultimatum. 'BRICS' mechanism is an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries; it advocates openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, and does not target any country,' said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. 'Mao added. On the issue of Trump tariffs implemented under former US president Donald Trump, 'we have always said that trade conflicts are best settled through talks and not threats. The use of tariffs as leverage serves no one's interests,' Mao said
India.com
27 minutes ago
- India.com
As Trump continues his trade war, Mukesh Ambani takes big decision on..., India's richest man set to...
As Trump continues his trade war, Mukesh Ambani takes big decision on..., India's richest man set to... Mukesh Ambani has planned to make India a global hub of plastic by betting on ethane gas imports from US. This will bring a big change in India's oil economy and trade relations. Amid US trade war, India can replace China and reduce oversupply in the American market, which will benefit both countries. Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani is in the news again. This time the reason is the large import of ethane gas from US, which was earlier sent to China, but is now coming to India. Due to the trade war of US President Donald Trump, there has been a big change in the world, which has given India a good opportunity. Ambani's company Reliance is preparing to unload this gas in Dahej, Gujarat. This gas will be used to make ethylene, a plastic making material. This will make India a global hub of plastic. What's Ambani's bet in the ethane game? Mukesh Ambani had bet on US ethane about a decade ago. His company Reliance started an ethane cracker unit in Dahej, Gujarat in 2017, which was the world's first major initiative of its kind. At that time, Reliance claimed that it was the first company to import ethane from North US. Today this foresight can prove to be a big weapon for India in trade agreements. In the ongoing talks between India and the US on the $43 billion trade deficit, India can say, 'We are buying your gas, so forget about the tariff.' US' 26% tariff deadline is going to expire on July 9, and India is ready to take full advantage of this opportunity. This move of Reliance is not limited to trade only. Ethane, which is a part of natural gas, plays an important role in making plastic. It is a colorless, odorless gas, which is brought in liquid form in special ships. Currently, one such ship, STL Qianjiang, is moving from the Gulf Coast of US to Dahej. Reliance has six such ships and the company is now planning to add three more ships. Why is ethane special? Earlier, Reliance and other refineries used naphtha, which is made from crude oil, to make plastic. But only 30% ethylene can be made from naphtha, whereas this figure reaches 80% from ethane. That is, ethane is more economical and effective. In terms of energy, ethane is almost half cheaper than naphtha. Earlier, ethane did not get that much priority in India. Even in the natural gas coming from Qatar, ethane was not separated. But now the situation is changing. Qatar Energy has clearly stated in the new agreement with India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) that it will give only 'lean' gas. If ethane is required, then it will have to be paid for separately. ONGC has also taken steps in this direction and has signed a deal with Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines for two large ethane carriers. But Reliance has already won the game. The company is now planning to lay a 100 km long pipeline from Dahej to its second unit in Gujarat. What's impact on India's oil economy? The increasing use of ethane can bring a big change in India's oil-based economy. Currently, India's refineries are mainly dependent on crude oil coming from the Middle East. But if the use of ethane increases, some refineries may go into losses. Naphtha, which earlier played an important role in making polyester, detergents, fertilizers and cosmetics, may now take a back seat. The oil industry in India has now entered a new phase. Last year, about one-third of the cars of the country's largest car manufacturer were running on CNG. To reduce pollution and reduce dependence on foreign oil, the government has made a rule to add 20% bio-ethanol to petrol. Also, the increasing demand for electric vehicles is also reducing petrol consumption. Despite this, a government company is building a new refinery of 9 million tonnes per annum in Andhra Pradesh. Experts believe that this project is running only for the greed of subsidy and employment, because its investment does not make much economic sense. How is Trump-Ambani's friendship? This move of Mukesh Ambani can prove to be beneficial not only for India but also for US. Due to Trump's trade war, questions have been raised on the demand for American ethane. China was a big buyer of this gas, but now India can take its place. Even if India cannot buy as much ethane as China, it can definitely help in reducing the oversupply in the US market. This will be an opportunity for Trump to praise his trade policy and say that he is making US great again.
The Hindu
27 minutes ago
- The Hindu
When will PM Modi breaks silence: Congress after Donald Trump repeats ‘stopped India-Pak conflict' claim
The Congress on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) said U.S. President Donald Trump has for at least the 21st time repeated his claims on bringing about a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan, and asked when will Prime Minister Narendra Modi break his "silence" on this issue. In his remarks on Monday (July 7, 2025), Mr. Trump repeated the claim that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan by telling the two neighbours that Washington would not do trade with them if they continued the fighting. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "For at least the 21st time in the last 59 days, President Trump has said that he "stopped the four-day India-Pakistan war in May; the war was about to escalate into a nuclear conflict." Mr. Trump has stated that India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire because the carrot-and-stick of trade with the U.S. was used by him, Mr. Ramesh said. "In other words, his message was: stop the war at once or face the real prospects of losing American markets (and presumably investment)," he said. 'President Trump has trumpeted all this just as he was also announcing that a US trade deal with India and Pakistan was about to be declared very soon,' Mr. Ramesh said. "When will Narendra Modi — once described by his senior colleague Ghanshyam Tiwari as the BJP's 'trump card' - break his silence on this issue?" the Congress leader said. Mr. Trump on Monday (July 7, 2025) said the U.S. is close to making a trade deal with India. "Now, we've made a deal with the United Kingdom, we've made a deal with China. We're close to making a deal with India. Others we met with and we don't think we're going to be able to make a deal, so we just send them a letter. If you want to play ball, this is what you have to pay," Mr. Trump said. Repeating his claim about bringing about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, Trump said, "We did a job with India and Pakistan, Serbia, Kosovo, Rwanda and the Congo, and this was all over the last three weeks or so and others that were ready to fight." "And we stopped a lot of fights. I think the very big one, frankly, a very, very big one, was India and Pakistan. And we stopped that over trade," he said. "We said we're not going to be dealing with you at all if you're going to fight. And they were maybe at a nuclear stage. They're both nuclear powers. And I think stopping that was very important," Mr. Trump added. Since May 10, Mr. Trump has repeated his claim several times that he helped settle the tensions between India and Pakistan and that he told the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours that America will do a lot of trade with them if they stop the conflict. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10. New Delhi has been maintaining that India's fierce counter-attack that day forced Pakistan to plead for ending the hostilities.
