Iran Conflict: Experts Warn of U.S. Security Risks

⁣ ⁤ Updated June 24, 2025
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Following U.S. strikes against Iran, international ⁣relations experts ​are raising concerns about U.S.⁣ national security.The attacks, which ‌occurred without congressional approval, have drawn varied reactions globally.​ While Republicans largely supported President Trump’s actions, Democrats expressed ‍disapproval. Israel hailed the strikes, while Russia and China ‍condemned them.Iran, in turn, vowed retaliation and launched‌ missiles at the Al​ Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a major U.S. military installation, on Monday. Qatari air defenses ⁣reportedly intercepted the missiles, and no casualties were reported.

A recent survey of ⁢753 international relations⁢ scholars ⁤at U.S. colleges and universities, conducted by the Teaching, Research, and International Policy (TRIP) Project at the College of William⁤ & Mary and the University of georgia, reveals expert opinions on the Israel-iran conflict and the implications of U.S. involvement. The⁤ survey, conducted​ between June 18 and June 22, indicates ⁤that​ most experts believe U.S. military action against Iran will harm U.S. security, provoke ‌Iranian retaliation, and diminish domestic support for Trump in the‍ long term.

According ⁣too the survey, nearly two-thirds of experts believe that Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, which began June 13, have made the U.S. less ​secure. An overwhelming majority, 83%, said​ that U.S.strikes on Iran would also decrease U.S. security. The experts also predicted the likelihood of various Iranian responses, estimating a 63% chance of attacks against ⁢U.S. military forces in the Middle East and a 68% chance of cyberattacks against the United States. Iran’s parliament has already endorsed closing the Strait of Hormuz, a⁢ move that could be met with military force by the U.S.

The survey also gauged expert opinions on how Russia and China might ‌react⁣ to U.S. military action. A majority, 63%, felt Russia would likely increase ⁣military aid to Iran, while ​52% anticipated ​Russian cyberattacks against the U.S.Experts were less convinced that China would​ retaliate,with 53.5% predicting humanitarian assistance to Iran.

Despite the potential ramifications, the‌ survey found that only 12% of experts supported U.S. military action if Iran failed to dismantle its nuclear weapons program, as demanded by Trump. Instead, experts favored actions such as cyberattacks (36%) and sanctions (54%). There was⁢ little support for⁣ ground forces⁤ in Iran or ⁤regime change.

What’s next

While experts anticipate negative consequences for U.S. security from the strikes, they are divided on the potential domestic political benefits for ⁢Trump. Though, most believe any “rally-around-the-flag” effect would be short-lived, with 68% predicting a lower⁢ approval rating for Trump one year after an attack. The survey also revealed that 59% of ⁤experts believe⁢ Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, though 54% believe Iran was actively pursuing them before the recent israeli air campaign. Most experts,64%,believe ⁣that Iranian⁤ nuclear weapons would make Iran more⁤ secure but would decrease security for Israel,the U.S.,⁤ the Middle East, and the world.