What Would Happen If the U.S. Attacks Iran? Military and Strategic Implications

40,000 US troops in the Middle East.

Iran could retaliate with missiles or drones.

Trump maintains uncertainty over going to war.

The Pentagon faces a direct threat on the ground in the Middle East, with approximately 40,000 US troops deployed at strategic bases from Bahrain to Syria.

This figure adds to the thousands of American civilians who live and work in the region.

The vulnerability of these forces is a major concern.

An attack on Iran could trigger reprisals that put these soldiers at serious risk.

The Pentagon and an Attack on Iran: Grave Risks

About 40,000 U.S. personnel are spread throughout the region, giving Iran a chance to strike back at American military forces. https://t.co/xglX08Tp7X

— ArmyTimes (@ArmyTimes) June 18, 2025

According to a US defense official, Iran has the capability to strike “everyone” in the area.

This is not a hypothetical threat. In January 2020, Iran launched 13 ballistic missiles at US troops in Iraq, in retaliation for the killing of General Qasem Soleimani, head of Iran’s Quds Force.

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That attack injured around 100 soldiers, highlighting the dangerous nature of the region, according to USA Today.

President Donald Trump, in a recent statement, left the door open regarding potential involvement in direct conflict with Iran.

The Iranian Threat: Missiles and Drones

The Pentagon and a Potential Attack on Iran – PHOTO: EFE Agency

“I might do it. I might not,” Trump said, creating further uncertainty about the US policy trajectory toward Iran.

Rising tensions could lead to a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

One possible weapon in such an attack is the Massive Ordnance Penetrator.

This deep-penetration bomb is capable of burrowing underground before releasing a devastating explosion, specifically designed to destroy heavily fortified infrastructure.

Conclusion

The current situation reflects the intense tension still present in the region and the complexity of the decision facing the United States.

The presence of troops in such a volatile area and Iran’s ability to launch immediate retaliatory strikes increase the risk that an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities could escalate into a broader conflict.

The future of US-Iran relations remains uncertain, with the Pentagon and the White House weighing the potential consequences of military action in a region where instability is the norm rather than the exception.