Iran's retaliatory plans against US revealed; multiple bases on target amid Trump's regime threat

Iran's alleged plans to retaliate against the US were revealed on Sunday.

Updated on: Jun 23, 2025, 03:43:42 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Iran's alleged plans to retaliate against the US were revealed on Sunday. The New York Times cited an official to report that American military and intelligence teams have detected signs that Iran-backed militants are preparing to attack US bases in Iraq and possibly Syria. Neither the White House nor Iran have reacted to the report.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with a group of students in Tehran, (REUTERS file)

NYT further adds that ‘the groups have held off, and Iraqi officials are working hard to dissuade militia action’.

The US maintains a significant presence at Ain Al Asad Air Base in western Anbar province, Iraq, supporting Iraqi security forces and contributing to NATO’s mission, according to the White House. The base was targeted by Iranian missile strikes in January 2020, a retaliatory response to the US killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

Located in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, Erbil Air Base serves as a key hub for US and coalition forces, facilitating training exercises, battle drills, intelligence sharing, and logistical support for operations in northern Iraq.

Trump's regime threat

Earlier in the day, President Trump called for a regime change in Iran after several of his cabinet members stated that the US was not pressuring for Ali Khamenei's collapse.

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, “Regime Change,” but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Retaliation will be met with devastation

The US ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Camille Shea, said at a Security Council session that Iran's retaliation will receive a devastating response.

"For 40 years, the Iranian government has called for death to America and death to Israel and posed a constant menace to the peace and security of its neighbors, the United States and the entire world," Shea said.

"Any Iranian attack, direct or indirect, against Americans or American bases will be met with devastating retaliation," she added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.