Iran’s Four Possible Responses to Israel — and Their Risks
What happens after Israel’s attack will shape both the endgame of this conflict and the future of the entire region.
How will a wounded Iran respond?
Photographer: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
Israel’s attack on Iran opens the next phase of the Great Middle Eastern War that began on Oct. 7, 2023. Over the past 20 months, that war has played out on fronts across the region and has drawn in actors from around the globe.
There is much we don’t yet know about what has happened, let alone what will happen. But it is clear that Iran has suffered significant damage to its leadership, its military and industrial capabilities, and perhaps its nuclear program. The endgame of this conflict and the future of the region will be profoundly shaped by how a wounded Iran responds.