President Donald Trump's decision to launch an air strike killing top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani has already brought the United States to the brink of yet another war in the Middle East.
With tensions between the two countries skyrocketing overnight after Trump's actions, Iran vowed to take harsh revenge against the United States.
Trump countered that with a Twitter thread threatening to destroy Iranian cultural sites—a war crime which would likely result in the deaths of numerous civilians.
The threat hasn't deterred Iranian officials, according to Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani.
Shamkhani said that the country has laid out 13 possible options for revenge against the United States:
"The Americans should know that until now 13 revenge scenarios have been discussed in the council and even if there is consensus on the weakest scenario carrying it out can be a historic nightmare for the Americans."
It's unclear what these scenarios would entail. Already, hackers claiming to be working for Iran infiltrated the Federal Depository Library Program website and a top Iranian advisor appeared to hint at an attack on Trump properties.
In a speech, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif also gave a foreboding hint of what's yet to come:
"The U.S. will receive the definitive resolute response to its brazen, criminal act in a place and at a time it hurts most."
The extent of damage that Iran can or is willing to do remains in question, but these statements from officials have some Americans worried.
Others think Iran is bluffing.
It's unclear how the attack on Soleimani has made the United States safer.
@GavinNewsom/X
