Trump’s overnight military blitz against Iran has shaken the global stage, and experts are warning it may have just dragged the world a step closer to global conflict.
The U.S. obliterated three of Iran’s nuclear sites in what has now been dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, a strike described by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as “incredible and overwhelming.” While the U.S. celebrated the mission’s success, Iran is scrambling for support, and it’s turning straight to Russia.
With Iran humiliated and wounded, leaders in Tehran are leaning into their network of anti-West allies, raising the possibility of a tighter Axis of Evil alliance between Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China. According to global defense expert Philip Ingram, Iranian ballistic missiles can’t reach U.S. soil, meaning retaliation will come in different, and potentially darker, ways.
Ingram warns that we’ve moved “a couple of feet further up the escalation ladder towards a global conflict.” That includes the potential for military coordination between Russia and Iran, especially as Iran’s foreign minister reportedly plans a visit to Putin soon. The Kremlin has already made it clear that a regime change in Iran, or worse, an assassination of its supreme leader, would “open Pandora’s box.”
North Korea, which recently sent 12,000 troops to support Russia in Ukraine, may also be ready to back Iran with missile technology and manpower. As the U.S. and Israel successfully neutralize Iran’s regional dominance, Tehran still has cards to play, and powerful ones.
Closer to home, the biggest immediate threat could be economic. Retired British Army Major General Chip Chapman warned that Iran could attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of the world’s oil shipments. Such a move would spark an international oil crisis and possibly force the UK to jump into the conflict.
Russia, too, would welcome the fallout. Rising oil prices would only benefit Moscow’s economy, allowing it to fund its war in Ukraine while the West is distracted by chaos in the Middle East. As Ingram pointed out, escalating conflict in Iran diverts global attention away from Russia’s actions in Ukraine, something the Kremlin would exploit.
Meanwhile, Iran still holds sway with some powerful regional proxies. Though Israel has weakened Hamas and Hezbollah in recent months, the Houthis in Yemen remain a growing threat. Since the start of Israel and Iran’s direct missile exchanges, massive anti-West protests have erupted in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a.
Ingram predicts we’ll see a spike in Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. That could mean even more Western involvement. “The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force would have to help protect shipping,” Ingram said, forecasting possible UK bombing raids against Houthi positions.
But this isn’t just about Iran. Ingram notes that the growing instability could embolden China, especially in its tense standoff with Taiwan. If the international community becomes too consumed with the Middle East, China might seize the moment. “Xi Jinping might think… he has a window of opportunity, and he might try and take Taiwan,” Ingram said.
As Trump’s bold military action wipes out Iran’s nuclear capabilities, some are calling it a win for global security. But others argue it’s simply the start of something far more dangerous. If the Ayatollah is killed or Iran’s government is destabilized, it could trigger an unpredictable power vacuum, much like the fallout from the fall of the Shah.
And while regime change might be celebrated in Washington, history shows it rarely leads to immediate peace. Instead, it often sows the seeds for long-term conflict and resentment. “What happens over the coming days and weeks,” Ingram concluded, “will let us understand whether we’ve stepped back from the brink, or pushed forward.”
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
