Iran's Short-Range Weapons Pose a Threat to US Bases

But Israeli strikes on launch sites could limit ability to fire large-scale barrages: Experts

- Julian E. Barnes and Natan Odenheimer

WASHINGTON - Iran vowed to retaliate against American bases in the region even before the US attacked its nuclear sites on June 21, and US intelligence agencies have long warned that the military should prepare for such a response.

While Iran will likely attempt a fierce barrage, US and Israeli officials said before the attacks on June 21 that Israel's strikes in recent days had severely damaged Iran's ability to mount attacks, wiping out launchers and damaging military bases.

In more than a week of fighting before the US attacks, the Israeli Air Force struck Iranian missile launchers and launch teams, and Iran depleted its stockpile of medium-range missiles, according to US and Israeli officials.

In an address from the White House on June 21, US President Donald Trump warned Iran against further actions and demanded that Tehran "make peace".

"There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days," Mr. Trump said. "But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill."

Iran could ignore Mr. Trump's comments and deploy its remaining medium-range missiles, or its short-range weapons and cruise missiles, which could be used to threaten US bases in the Middle East, according to experts.