Iran Signals Readiness for Renewed Conflict with the United States

Iranian Revolutionary Guard social-media accounts reported a nationwide exercise that included the launch of 30 ballistic missiles in a single salvo. During the February-August war, Iran also fired more than 2,500 missiles and drones on the United Arab Emirates, the highest tally against any regional state. In response, the United States has drafted new strike plans that could employ the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb against Iranian energy and nuclear sites, and has relocated its long-range bombers from the United Kingdom back to U.S. bases earlier this month.

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Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned that any fresh U.S. attack would prompt retaliation against U.S. assets in the region, including the UAE. Ali Vaez, deputy program director for the Middle East and North Africa at International Crisis Group, said Tehran wants to show that a next round would be fought on a “much wider battlefield” with fewer restraints. White House advisers have discussed the possibility of resuming combat before the November 3 midterm elections, though President Trump publicly said he would hold off on new actions until then.

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• “These are propaganda tools intended to intimidate the Iranian people,” — Alireza Sheikh — Alireza Sheikh, Iranian army commander

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• “However, Iran would likely reserve that possibility to a very top level of escalation,” — Farzin Nadimi — Farzin Nadimi, senior fellow, The Washington Institute

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• “They haven’t demonstrated these capabilities yet, but they discussed developing such technologies in the past,” — Farzin Nadimi — Farzin Nadimi, senior fellow, The Washington Institute

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• “If another war breaks out, numerous undersea cables, data centers, AI facilities and other infrastructure across the region could be destroyed,” — Mohsen Rezaei — Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council

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Iran’s officials have floated threats to cut undersea internet cables, strike AI data centers, and attack regional oil and gas facilities if hostilities resume. Analysts note that Tehran could also consider pre-emptive strikes on U.S. bases in England or the logistics hub at Ramstein, Germany. The United Arab Emirates, citing its defense ministry, said it intercepted nearly all projectiles in recent attacks and is “better prepared” than it was on February 28. The combination of expanded Iranian targeting options and U.S. plans for high-yield conventional weapons raises the risk that a limited flare-up could quickly expand into a broader, more destructive confrontation.

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