How Iran Could Retaliate if Attacked
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A wave of strategic signals suggests the Middle East is edging closer to military confrontation. Israel has declared it is "fully ready" to strike Iranian nuclear sites, while the United States has quietly reduced diplomatic staff at regional embassies—widely seen as a precaution against possible Iranian retaliation.
Meanwhile, Tehran has issued sharp warnings that any attack on its nuclear facilities will be met with a swift, destructive response targeting not only Israel but also U.S. military bases across the region.
Amid this tense backdrop, Iran's multi-layered retaliation strategy is designed to impose significant costs, inflict strategic damage, and deter further attacks.
Why It Matters
The threat of an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites has far-reaching implications beyond the immediate conflict. Iran's warnings to target both Israel and U.S. military bases raise the risk of a wider regional escalation involving multiple countries. Disruption of the Strait of Hormuz—a key global oil transit route—could trigger economic turmoil worldwide. At the same time, ongoing nuclear negotiations in Oman remain fragile, with military threats undermining diplomatic efforts. Understanding how Iran might retaliate is essential for gauging the potential impact on regional security and global stability.
This photo released Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, shows the Guard's equipment in a drill on Abu Musa Island, in the Persian Gulf.
This photo released Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, shows the Guard's equipment in a drill on Abu Musa Island, in the Persian Gulf.
Sepahnews/AP Photo
Here are five of the most credible ways Iran might respond if attacked:
1. Choking Global Oil
Iran has repeatedly threatened to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint where nearly 20 percent of the world's oil passes daily. Earlier this year, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders warned they are prepared to deploy naval mines, missiles, fast-attack boats, and submarines to threaten or temporarily close the strait if sanctions or attacks escalate. This capability to disrupt shipping lanes could sharply raise oil prices and apply global economic pressure without triggering full-scale war, highlighting Tehran's ability to control this vital energy route.
4. Proxy Forces
Iran's proxy network—including the Houthis in Yemen, Iraqi militias, Palestinian factions, and Hezbollah in Lebanon—can launch rockets, sabotage, and covert attacks. However, Hezbollah has been significantly weakened by recent Israeli military campaigns and crippling economic sanctions, limiting its current capabilities. Despite this, U.S. and Israeli intelligence still see proxy retaliation as the most immediate likely response to an Israeli strike on Iran. In a recent interview with Newsweek, a senior Houthi official confirmed their readiness to support Iran in a conflict with Israel, highlighting Tehran's ability to coordinate a swift, multi-front response.
Houthi supporters chant slogans during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, April 18, 2025.
Houthi supporters chant slogans during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, April 18, 2025.
Osamah Abdulrahman/AP Photo
3. Cyber Warfare
Iran's cyber units, including the IRGC-run Mabna Institute, have targeted U.S. and Israeli banks, utilities, and military systems, causing economic and symbolic damage while maintaining plausible deniability. Recently, Iran claimed to have obtained thousands of sensitive Israeli documents, including details on Israel's nuclear program, which Iranian officials say could impact multiple countries. Iranian hackers have also intensified cyberattacks on Israel's critical infrastructure, such as water and energy systems, signaling a growing focus on cyber warfare as a key method of retaliation.
4. Drone and Missile Strikes
Iran's arsenal includes thousands of ballistic missiles and a growing drone fleet, central to Iran's retaliation strategy. In April 2024, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel in direct retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian targets—the first direct Iranian attack on Israeli soil. These strikes showed Tehran's ability to respond rapidly and precisely.
Despite Israeli airstrikes targeting its missile sites to curb Tehran's growing military capabilities, Iran's defense minister has stated that Tehran has rebuilt and expanded its defences, maintaining a potent arsenal with many missiles capable of reaching U.S. bases across the region, including those in Iraq and the Gulf—significantly raising the stakes of any conflict.
5. Nuclear Escalation
While Iran says it does not seek nuclear weapons, officials have warned that continued external pressures or threats to its existence could force a shift toward weaponization. Senior advisers to Iran's Supreme Leader have suggested that if sanctions return or Iran feels existentially threatened, it may abandon voluntary constraints and accelerate uranium enrichment toward weapons-grade levels—dramatically raising the nuclear stakes in any conflict.
In this photo released by the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei salutes during a meeting with army's air force and air defense staff, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 5,...
In this photo released by the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei salutes during a meeting with army's air force and air defense staff, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. More
Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP Photo
What Happens Next
With tensions escalating across the region, the upcoming sixth round of nuclear talks in Oman takes on heightened urgency. The U.S. continues to seek diplomatic solutions while bolstering its military presence, aware of Iran's warnings about swift and significant retaliation if attacked. Meanwhile, Israel says it is ready to strike Iranian nuclear sites should talks fail. How successfully these negotiations address Iran's nuclear activities and regional security will shape whether Iran moves forward with its multi-layered retaliation options—potentially triggering wider conflict.
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