Global tensions involving the United States and several other nations remain elevated, which has fueled renewed fears about large-scale conflict.
During Donald Trump’s leadership, the US has strained relations across parts of South America following the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The US has also irritated NATO allies through repeated claims that Greenland should be annexed and brought under American control.
While these developments have stirred anxiety about a potential third world war, the idea of nuclear strikes hitting US soil still feels distant to many people.
Speaking to the Daily Mail last year, he explained: “If the adversary is Russia and their goal is to disable US retaliation, command centers and ICBM sites will be hit first. If the attacker is a rogue actor, symbolic or densely populated areas might be targeted instead.”
Great Falls, Montana
With a population of just 60,422, Great Falls may not seem like an obvious target at first glance.
Montana itself, despite being the fourth-largest US state by land size, is home to just over 1.1 million people.
However, Great Falls sits close to Malmstrom Air Force Base, which controls hundreds of nuclear missile silos that would be seen as a major threat during a global conflict.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne, Wyoming, lies just south of Montana, though it is nearly a 10-hour drive from Great Falls.
The city has a population of around 65,168 and includes Francis E. Warren Air Force Base within its boundaries.
The base houses a key control center for US nuclear missile operations, making the surrounding population vulnerable if hostilities escalated.
Ogden and Clearfield, Utah
Ogden and Clearfield sit about 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City, close to the Great Salt Lake.
Together, the two cities have a combined population of 121,737.
Their risk stems from their proximity to Hill Air Force Base, one of the country’s main centers for nuclear weapons, rather than from the cities themselves.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana, would likely appear on Iran’s list of potential targets in a nuclear conflict.
The city is home to B-52 bombers capable of delivering large-scale nuclear strikes.
Its 177,959 residents live just six miles from these assets, placing them at serious risk if an attack occurred.
Honolulu, Hawaii
The memory of Pearl Harbor explains why Honolulu remains one of the most at-risk cities in the US.
The Hawaiian capital hosts major naval and air force operations and sits nearly halfway between the US mainland and Asia.
With a population of 341,778, Honolulu would face devastating consequences in any major conflict.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha’s 483,335 residents live near Offutt Air Force Base, a cornerstone of US nuclear command operations.
The base played a major role during the Cold War and continues to serve as a key strategic hub.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is home to 488,664 people and several high-value military installations.
Among them is NORAD, which operates from the base of the Rocky Mountains and oversees North American airspace defense.
Its strategic importance would make it an attractive target in a large-scale conflict.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque sits in central New Mexico and is home to 560,274 residents.
The city also houses Kirtland Air Force Base, which maintains one of the largest nuclear arsenals in the country.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is an obvious inclusion, serving as the seat of the US government and the residence of the president.
The city is home to 678,972 people.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s metro area has more than 737,015 residents and sits near Naval Base Kitsap.
The base supports US submarines and nuclear weapons operations.
The city’s geography, surrounded by water and mountains, limits evacuation routes and adds to the risk.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a major economic and cultural center, even though it does not sit near nuclear facilities.
The city is home to 873,965 people.
Houston, Texas
Houston may not be Texas’ capital, but it remains one of the country’s largest cities.
The city has a population of approximately 2.3 million people.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago sits along Lake Michigan and is home to 2.6 million residents.
A nuclear strike would create severe environmental damage in addition to mass casualties.
The broader metro area includes around 9.6 million people.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is home to Hollywood and a population of 3.8 million people.
Its cultural influence and size make it one of the most recognizable cities in the world.
New York City
New York City stands as the most populous city in the US.
The city is home to approximately 8.8 million people.
