Iran almost certainly will retaliate against the U.S. But when, where and how?

What comes next?

Iran − and its hard-line supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – are almost certainly going to strike back in response to historic U.S. military strikes on three of its suspected nuclear facilities.

But if history is any guide, that response could happen at any time − and anywhere, and in any form, former U.S. intelligence officials and diplomatic experts say.

“Missiles, militias and acts of hostage-taking – that’s their go-to” range of options, the Biden administration coordinator for the Middle East, Brett McGurk, said in an interview June 21 with CNN. “I suspect Iran will have to do something.”

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