Mogadishu (KAAB TV) — A new report by The New York Times has revealed increasing fears that the United States may become directly involved in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, potentially sparking a wider war across the Middle East.
According to American officials, Iran has readied missiles and military equipment capable of striking U.S. bases in the region should the United States officially enter the war alongside Israel. Reports also suggest that the U.S. has deployed up to thirty aircraft to Europe in preparation for possible support operations against Iran.
Intelligence sources warn that any U.S. strike on Iran’s key nuclear facility in Fordow could provoke a broader regional response. Iran-backed groups, including Yemen’s Houthis, are expected to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria are also anticipated to target U.S. bases if hostilities escalate.
Other officials have voiced concerns that Iran may mine the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global oil transport — to disrupt the movement of U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf. As a precaution, American military bases in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have been placed on high alert. Over 40,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in the Middle East.
Two senior Iranian officials reportedly stated that if the U.S. becomes involved in the conflict, Iran would immediately retaliate by targeting American bases, beginning with those in Iraq. They warned that any Arab nation hosting U.S. military operations would be considered a legitimate target.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that “Iran’s enemies will never force the Iranian people to surrender.” He also accused Israel and its allies of being responsible for the potential expansion of the conflict.
U.S. defense analysts noted that Iran possesses missiles capable of reaching nearby Gulf states, including Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, in a short amount of time.
The report also indicates that if Israel is to inflict significant damage on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure — particularly the underground Fordow facility — it would likely require the use of U.S. B-2 stealth bombers equipped with powerful bunker-busting ordnance.
American officials have acknowledged that Iran and its regional allies have already inflicted damage on U.S. interests. In January 2024, a drone attack carried out by an Iran-aligned militia on a U.S. base in Jordan resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers.
U.S. intelligence assessments have long warned that Iran is nearing the capability to build nuclear weapons. While Iran has yet to make a final decision, officials estimate that it could produce a nuclear weapon in less than a year — possibly sooner if only a rudimentary device is needed.
Former President Donald Trump has consistently stated that he would never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. On Tuesday, he reiterated this stance, calling for Iran to surrender unconditionally. However, some analysts believe that Israel’s ongoing attacks may convince Iranian leadership that nuclear weapons are necessary for their national defense.
While several U.S. officials argue that a direct military strike may be unavoidable if Iran pursues a nuclear arsenal, critics of this approach insist that it is still possible for the United States to avoid becoming entangled in a broader war.