Iran's options to escalate against US economic threats

Iran faces US threats of unprecedented sanctions, raising concerns of further Gulf escalation. Tehran's options include disrupting oil exports, attacking Gulf infrastructure, and launching cyber or proxy attacks on Western targets. Iran has threatened to halt all oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, which carried a fifth of global energy before the conflict. Attacks have already reduced traffic significantly, with 45 tankers blacklisted and Houthi allies restricting Red Sea shipping. Iran could intensify attacks on Gulf energy facilities, power plants, or desalination stations, risking higher oil prices and political damage to the US. Western countries remain out of range, but Iran-linked hackers and recruited operatives pose a threat.