Tensions between Washington and Tehran are edging into dangerous territory.

Iran has warned it is ready to retaliate if former U.S. President Donald Trump orders a military strike, with analysts cautioning that any escalation could spiral into a nuclear stand-off involving regional and global powers.

Iranian officials say any attack would be met with direct and asymmetric retaliation, potentially targeting U.S. forces, allies, or strategic assets across the Middle East. The warning comes amid heightened rhetoric, military signaling, and the shadow of Iran’s expanding nuclear capabilities.

Security experts note that while neither side appears to want full-scale war, miscalculation is the real danger — especially when threats, counter-threats, and deterrence doctrines collide.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about Iran and the U.S. A direct clash could pull in allies, disrupt global energy markets, and push nuclear diplomacy past a breaking point — with consequences far beyond the region.