How Iran could retaliate after US strikes on its N-programme

Iran has spent decades building multi-tiered military capabilities at home and across the region that were at least partly aimed at deterring the United States from attacking it. By entering Israel's war, the US may have removed the last rationale for holding them in reserve.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

That could mean a wave of attacks on US forces in the Middle East, an attempt to close a key bottleneck for global oil supplies or a dash to develop a nuclear weapon with what remains of Iran's disputed programme after American strikes on three key sites.

A decision to retaliate against the US and its region-al allies would give Iran a far larger target bank and one that is much closer than Israel, allowing it to potentially use its missiles and drones to greater effect. The US and Israel have far superior capabilities, but those haven't always proven decisive in America's recent history of military interven-tions in the region.

Ever since Israel started the war with a suprise bombard-ment of Iran's military and nuclear sites June 13, Iranian officials from the supreme lead-er on down have warned the US to stay out, saying it would have dire consequences for the entire region.

It should soon be clear wheth-er those were empty threats or a grim forecast. Below is a look at what Iran's next move might be.

TARGETING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ