Iran enumerating Soleimani’s killing retaliation options

Ali Rajab

Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei held a meeting with the members of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on January 3, for the first time.

The meeting followed the killing of the commander of the elite Quds Force Qasem Soleimani. It was indicative of the huge strategic loss Iran sustained by the killing of this senior Iranian commander.

The meeting focused on Iran’s expected reaction to Soleimani’s killing, with expectations that the Islamic Republic will target American interests in Gulf states allied with the United States.

Observers believe, meanwhile, that Tehran has limited options as far as its ability to avenge Soleimani’s killing is concerned. This is particularly so with the Iranian economy on edge. This means that Iran’s entry into war with any country can be economically catastrophic for it.

The Islamist Movements Gate cites some of the targets Iran can hit in the coming days in reaction to Soleimani’s killing.

Gulf

Iran may target American interests in this region as well as American military bases in it.

The United States has several military bases in the Gulf region, on top of which is the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Oil vessels navigating the Arab Gulf can also be targeted by Iran. The Islamic Republic can also attack oil facilities like it did in the case of the oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Iraq and Syria

Iran may also resort to attacking American bases in Iraq. Iran can do this through its allied militias in the Arab country. It can also provoke American ships in the Gulf. Some of the attacks can be unpredictable.

Yemen

Iran can threaten the international maritime movement in the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It can do this by using the pro-Iran Houthi militia in Yemen. Iran can also do this through Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corpse units in the Horn of Africa region.

Lebanon

Lebanon is also an important option for Iranian retaliation, given the influence of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in this Arab country.

Israel

Israel can also become an important target for Iranian retaliation. Iran can attack Israel through its militias which are operating in Syria. Iran can also attack Israel through some of the factions of the Palestinian Gaza Strip.