Iran-aligned militias threaten retaliatory strikes, but will they follow through?

Militias aligned with Iran, such as Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen, have issued warnings of retaliation against any potential US attack on the Islamic Republic. Kataib Hezbollah declared it was prepared for "total war," while the Houthis threatened to resume attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. These threats emerge as the Trump administration reportedly debates precision strikes against high-value Iranian officials. The situation underscores the significant risk to the approximately 40,000 US troops stationed at bases across the Middle East, which have previously been targeted by similar groups.