The Middle East once again stands at the brink of heightened conflict. The latest report by The New York Times has sounded alarm bells, claiming that Iran-backed militias are preparing to target US military bases in Iraq and Syria.
According to the report, a senior US official revealed that American intelligence agencies have detected several notable activities suggesting that Shia armed groups are likely preparing for potential drone, rocket, or missile attacks.
Although no attack has occurred so far, US forces remain on high alert, while the Iraqi government is actively trying to prevent these groups from launching any assaults.
Tensions between Iran and the US escalated recently following alleged American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In response, Iran vowed that the timing and nature of its retaliation would be determined by its armed forces.
Analyst Nicholas Carl noted that while Iran’s ballistic missiles may not be able to directly hit Israeli territory, American bases in Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf certainly fall within range.
He stated that cruise missiles, rockets, and suicide drones are likely to be the weapons of choice for Iran’s proxies to retaliate against US interests in the region.
Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen could also resume attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, despite having reached a ceasefire agreement with the US in recent months.
US officials have acknowledged that although Iran possesses the capability to launch attacks, its ballistic missile stockpiles have been significantly depleted due to Israeli airstrikes.
Nevertheless, should Iran proceed with retaliation, it would likely involve launching a coordinated barrage of multiple missiles to overwhelm US defense systems.
