WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is weighing fresh attacks on Iran, while former commanders warn that escalating the Iran war could provoke retaliation across the Gulf.
US and Israeli options to escalate range from maritime campaigns to attempting regime change but risk provoking retaliation. Iran War Could Widen if US Resumes Strikes
Trump told Fox News this week, “I have a decision to make,” as he considered further strikes or diplomacy. Former US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Joseph Votel outlined a limited maritime campaign.
Targets could include coastal radar, anti-ship missile launchers and drone sites. Votel said Iran could rebuild those defences quickly. A broader offensive might hit nuclear facilities, rebuilt missile forces and senior military commanders.
Analysts also discussed strikes on oil refineries, power stations and factories. Trump has suggested attacking Pickaxe Mountain, a buried nuclear facility left untouched by earlier strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly advocated an offensive aimed at collapsing Iran’s government. Several experts doubted that air attacks alone could achieve that goal.
Former US defence secretary Mark Esper urged Washington to define clear objectives before escalating. The White House and CENTCOM declined to discuss possible strike plans.
A senior administration official said preparing options was a normal Pentagon responsibility. Iranian officials threatened an unprecedented response if strikes resumed.
Read: Iran’s Khamenei Warns US and Israel Against New Attacks
They raised the possibility of attacks on undersea communication cables, data centres and US-used facilities in Europe. Senior Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei warned of new fronts and unexpected responses.
Analysts warned that hitting civilian infrastructure could deprive Iranians of essential services. Such attacks might trigger reprisals against Gulf energy facilities and push fuel prices higher.
Votel also raised the prospect of new assaults by Iraqi militias and Yemen’s Houthis. He cited risks to Saudi Arabia, US targets and Red Sea shipping.
Read: US Orders Staff to Leave Saudi Arabia Over Houthi Attacks
US resources could constrain a longer campaign. The Congressional Research Service counted 81 US military aircraft lost or damaged, and 21 service members killed.
A July Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimate put Patriot interceptors below 1,000, down from 2,330 before the war.
It put Terminal High Altitude Area Defence interceptor stocks below 280, against 452 previously. Researcher Mark Cancian estimated that replacing heavily used long-range missiles could take one to five years.
