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The World Holds Its Breath After Trump’s Strike
Global analysts are closely monitoring the Iran response to US strikes, as tensions surge across the Middle East. The dust has barely settled after Donald Trump ordered an airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites, and now the Iran response to US strikes is at the centre of global concern. With tensions at boiling point and global oil prices surging, many are asking the same question: what will Iran do next?
Trump, for his part, “promised future action if Iran retaliates” if Iran retaliates. That makes Tehran’s next move not just symbolic—it could tip the region into a broader conflict.
1. Closing the Strait of Hormuz
The most dramatic—and dangerous—move Iran could make is closing the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which 20% of global oil flows. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has threatened this before, and its navy has the capability to block tankers using mines, fast boats, and missiles.
If this happens, expect a near-immediate global economic shock. As Goldman Sachs warned, oil prices could skyrocket beyond $100 a barrel. The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, stationed in Bahrain, would likely be deployed to keep the strait open—risking direct military engagement.
2. Global Tensions Rise: Iran Response to US Strikes Under Scrutiny
Iran’s preferred playbook is asymmetry—and one of its most likely responses is via pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, Syria, or Yemen. Rocket and drone attacks on U.S. bases have occurred before and could resume quickly. These actions allow Iran to retaliate without overtly claiming responsibility, minimising the risk of a full-scale war.
Such strikes would likely be limited in scope but potent enough to send a clear message: we will not remain silent.
3. Launching Cyberattacks
Iran has become increasingly sophisticated in the cyber domain. In past years, it has hacked into U.S. infrastructure, private corporations, and even water systems. According to cybersecurity experts, a wave of state-sponsored cyberattacks could be launched against American banks, utilities, or government systems in response to the bombing.
Unlike physical retaliation, cyberattacks offer Iran plausible deniability—and a quieter, but still powerful, form of pushback.
4. Diplomatic or Nuclear Moves
While less dramatic than missiles, diplomatic retaliation can send a loud signal. Iran may expel International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, withdraw from parts of the nuclear deal, or restart high-level uranium enrichment. These moves would be intended to alarm the West—and signal that the era of diplomacy may be over.
This kind of response keeps things below the military threshold, but raises international pressure on Washington and its allies.
5. Proxy Attacks via Hezbollah or the Houthis
Iran’s reach across the region means it can hit back indirectly through proxy groups. Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and even militias in Syria or Gaza may act on Iran’s behalf, escalating against Israel, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE.
Proxy attacks muddy the waters—was it Iran? Was it just a local grievance? This ambiguity is part of Tehran’s strategic advantage.
Related Reading: The Rebel Alliance: Why Russia and China No Longer Trust the West
Conclusion: Symbolic Strike or All-Out Escalation?
Analysts believe Iran’s retaliation will be measured, symbolic, and deniable—at least initially. Tehran likely wants to avoid an all-out war but also cannot afford to look weak, especially at home. And with Trump already promising a second wave of strikes, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The next move may not come in the form of missiles—but make no mistake: the Iran response to US strikes is coming, and the world is watching closely.
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