What we know so far about Iran's retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli targets

In 2026, The Free Press contributor Jay Solomon and Hudson Institute national security fellow Aaron McLean provided analysis of Iran's retaliatory strikes against U.S. and Israeli targets, examining potential worst-case scenarios following recent U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iranian interests. The analysis comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Western allies, particularly following coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes that targeted Iranian military assets and nuclear facilities. The experts outlined multiple potential scenarios, ranging from limited missile and drone attacks to full-scale regional conflict involving multiple state and non-state actors. Their assessment suggests that Iran's retaliation could extend beyond immediate military targets to include cyber attacks, disruption of global energy supplies, and increased support for proxy forces across the Middle East. The Free Press, a Paramount publication, positioned this analysis as crucial for understanding the rapidly evolving security landscape in the Middle East, emphasizing that while direct confrontation between major powers remains a possibility, the most likely scenarios involve asymmetric warfare tactics and economic warfare.