Military and foreign policy experts said that another Israeli or U.S. strike against Iran could have severe consequences, including high casualties in Israel and disruption of the global economy, citing lessons learned from a previous 12-day conflict.

In a panel discussion hosted by the Community Alliance for Peace and Justice, Professor John Mearsheimer and Dr. Trita Parsi said Iran’s improved missile capabilities and experience from past engagements could inflict serious damage on Israel. Mearsheimer noted that Iran’s ability to target the Straits of Hormuz could also threaten international trade and force the United States into a costly conflict.

Parsi added that Israel’s security doctrine, which prioritizes regional dominance, makes a future strike more likely despite the strategic risks. He said previous Israeli attacks only strengthened Iranian national unity and argued that underestimating Iran’s resilience would be a miscalculation.

Panelist Mehlaqa Samdani highlighted the role of the United States in halting prior conflicts and questioned whether Washington would commit to a longer war, given prior losses of missile defense resources.

Experts agreed that any renewed military action would be strategically complex and potentially counterproductive, cautioning policymakers against underestimating the consequences.