Donald Trump's apocalyptic threats against Iran have raised concerns about the US president's military intentions. Trump warned that 'a whole civilization will die' if Iran doesn't accept US war demands, while Vice President JD Vance hinted at additional 'tools' that could be used against Tehran.
The US has already employed advanced military capabilities, including air assets, cruise missiles, and stealth bombers, but experts say there may be 'exquisite unique hypersonic capabilities' or other bespoke systems that could be used against specific targets.
US officials have refused to rule out the deployment of ground troops, a major escalation in the war. Cyber warfare is also a possibility, with Trump mentioning a 'discombobulator' used in a January raid to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
However, experts say it's highly unlikely that the US will choose to use nuclear weapons against Iran, citing the devastating consequences of such a strike, including massive loss of life, global economic turmoil, and environmental impacts.
Trump has threatened to bomb Iran's bridges, power plants, and other civilian infrastructure, but experts say the risk of lasting damage to Iran's infrastructure and the immiseration of the population is significant.
