SAVANNAH, Ga. () — A Georgia Southern assistant professor of political science talked with following Iran’s retaliation efforts on Monday.

Qatar confirms that all missiles were successfully intercepted, with no casualties reported. The situation intensified swiftly on Monday following Iran’s response to the U.S. airstrikes on three nuclear facilities over the weekend.

There’s growing concern that the retaliation could mark the beginning of a broader conflict in the Gulf.

“Most analysts understand that Tehran is aware it cannot decisively win a conflict against the U.S. and Israel,” remarked Assistant Professor Kimberly Martin Tecklenburg. “Such a conflict might lead to a prolonged, smaller-scale war of attrition, which President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to avoid as much as possible.”

Tecklenburg notes that the U.S. maintains a military presence in other regional countries, including Iraq and Yemen. Those bases could potentially be targeted next, she indicated.

When asked if military personnel based in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry would join the already 40,000 American troops there, Tecklenburg said it’s dependent on Iran’s next moves.

“Just having those military installations abroad makes a difference,” Tecklenburg said. “If this does rise to the point where the president and even congress decides to take military action, then that obviously would have a very direct impact on the folks that live in this area.”

Iran could also threaten the global market in retaliation by closing the Strait of Hormuz, according to Tecklenburg. A large portion of the world economy relies on oil from that region.

A closure could mean higher oil prices which could lead to pain at the gas pump.

“On one hand it would be a good thing for the United States, because there would be more demand for our own oil exports,” Tecklenburg said. “But on the other hand, it would be a bad thing for everyone because scarcity around the world could then lead to inflation, which could then become a big part of our every day as well.”

reached out to the 3rd Infantry Division about security on the bases.

“We routinely assess and adjust our security posture to keep our communities safe,” a 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson said. “We will make modifications based on orders from our higher headquarters as required.”