As the US continues to call for peace in the Middle East after bombing Irans nuclear sites, there are still fears the situation could push the world closer to all-out war.
Irans nuclear-powered allies, China and Russia, have two of the largest arsenals on the planet, which means any world war could have devastating consequences for the US.
In 2019, Russian state television even listed a number of targets across America that would be targeted in a nuclear strike, according to Reuters.
Since then, world policy experts, investigative journalists, and even financial analysts have warned about what could possibly happen if there was a third world war.
While famous and strategically vital cities like New York and Washington DC top the list of likely targets in a nuclear attack, several other targets that could be in the crosshairs may surprise the everyday American.
From Shreveport, Louisiana to Ogden, Utah, many remote locations throughout the country could come under missile attack because of the hidden importance to national security.
Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear historian and professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, told the Daily Mail: 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.
These 15 sites are the likeliest targets because of population density, air distance to a strategic military facility, emergency preparedness, and ease of evacuation.
Honolulu, Hawaii 
Honolulu, home to 357,000 residents and key military bases like Pearl Harbor, is one of the most isolated and vulnerable targets if the US was attacked
Honolulu may seem like a peaceful tropical escape, but its actually one of the most at-risk nuclear targets in the country.
The island is home to several major military installations, including Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base.
With around 350,429 residents in 2025, the islands population remains densely packed. Since its surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and 2,500 miles from California, escaping the island quickly would be nearly impossible.
Shreveport, Louisiana 
390,000 residents live just six miles a US Air Force Base that houses the nations nuclear-armed B-52 bombers
This Louisiana metro area is often overlooked, but its home to one of the most powerful nuclear airbases in the US.
Barksdale Air Force Base hosts B-52 bombers capable of delivering nuclear strikes globally.
With a 2025 population of around 172,033, Shreveports proximity to this base (less than six miles) makes the threat of civilian casualties very high.
Ogden-Clearfield, Utah 
The Ogden-Clearfield metro area is home to over 700,000 people and also sits near Hill Air Force Base
Ogden and Clearfield are two cities tucked along Utahs Wasatch Front, near one of Americas most important military bases: Hill Air Force Base. It supports the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.
Their combined population is over 121,717 in 2025. Despite its mountain views and suburban vibe, this region is a direct line of fire in any strategic nuclear attack.
Evacuation would be difficult because of its mountainous surroundings and a limited number of main roads. Highways could quickly become jammed.
In 2023, experts predicted that a nuclear bomb detonated here would cause 87,140 deaths.
Cheyenne, Wyoming 
Francis E Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne has been a part of Americas nuclear sponge since the Cold War
Cheyenne is a small city with massive strategic value. It hosts the Francis E Warren Air Force Base, a key command center for US nuclear missile operations.
Though its 2025 population is just 66,000, the citys decades-long role in Americas missile defense makes it a high-priority target.
Evacuations here are complicated because of the surrounding mountains and sparse transportation options.
Rural areas would struggle to move large numbers of people quickly. Despite its size, Cheyenne would likely be one of the first cities hit in a nuclear war.
Great Falls, Montana 
Just miles from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls and its 61,500 residents are surrounded by missile silos, limited roads, and harsh conditions for evacuation
Great Falls might not seem like a big deal, but its only a few miles from Malmstrom Air Force Base. This base controls hundreds of nuclear missile silos that could be used in a world war.
Despite a modest 2025 population of just 60,422, its still one of the most strategically important US cities.
Evacuation is also difficult in Montana. Long distances between major population centers, cold weather, and a limited road network make emergency slow and dangerous.
Colorado Springs, Colorado 
Colorado Springs, nearing 490,000 people in 2025, houses NORAD and other command hubs, making it a high-priority nuclear target with mountainous escape challenges
Nestled at the foot of the Rockies, Colorado Springs is home to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and several other key military facilities.
These include Peterson Space Force Base and military satellite operations. NORAD is the military command responsible for defending the airspace over the US and Canada.
With a population nearing 492,528 in 2025, Colorado Springs is a major city with global military importance.
The mountainous terrain makes evacuation extremely difficult. Shelters for civilians are reportedly sparse, with limited exits out of town causing traffic jams.
Omaha, Nebraska 
About 486,051 people live in Omaha. It played a key role during the Cold War and remains essential to Americas nuclear operations
Omaha isnt just a Midwestern city, its the nerve center of US nuclear command. Just south of the city lies Offutt Air Force Base, a top-level command site.
In 2025, about 486,051 people live in Omaha. It played a key role during the Cold War and remains essential to Americas nuclear operations.
Winter weather and flat plains make evacuation tricky. Roads can become impassable and shelters are limited.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 
With 569,000 residents and Kirtland Air Force Bases vast nuclear arsenal, Albuquerque is a key target during a potential world war
Albuquerque may be known for its desert scenery, but its also home to Kirtland Air Force Base. This site holds one of the largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons in the US arsenal.
With a population of 557,198 in 2025, the city is a vital hub for nuclear storage and logistics.
The desert environment and sprawling layout make evacuating a slow process. Its infrastructure also has difficulties with sudden mass exits.
Houston, Texas 
Houston’s 2.3 million residents live near vital oil refineries and nuclear facilities, making it an economic and strategic bullseye with severe evacuation issues
Houston isnt just a big city, its vital. With 2.3 million people in 2025, its the US energy capital and sits just miles from a nuclear power plant.
Its oil refineries, shipping ports, and economic weight make it a high-priority target for enemy nations. Any hit here would ripple across the country.
Evacuating the region would be a nightmare. Roads are often congested even on regular days, and hurricane flooding is a regular concern in the summer months.
Seattle, Washington 
Seattle’s 767,060 residents are boxed in by mountains and water, living near Naval Base Kitsap, a submarine nuclear hub, with limited exits in a crisis
This Washington metro area is home to more than 767,060 people and is near Naval Base Kitsap, a major US submarine and nuclear weapons base.
Seattle is also a global tech hub and major seaport, adding to its importance.
The local geography also works against Americans trying to evacuate. Surrounded by mountains and waterways, there are only a few exits on land.
Los Angeles, California 
Home to 3.7 million and critical industries, LA faces near-impossible evacuation with jammed freeways and limited shelter options in a large-scale emergency
Los Angeles now has a population topping 3.7 million, making it Americas second-largest metropolitan area.
Its also home to major ports, tech, media, and defense industry sites. Its vast size and economic importance make it a clear target.
Evacuating Los Angeles could be a near impossible task. Freeways are chronically jammed, and the citys public transportation would be strained by a full-scale emergency.
San Francisco, California 
San Francisco’s 842,000 residents are trapped between mountains and water, near major ports and tech centers, making it a symbolic and logistical target
This Bay Area city has 842,000 residents in 2025. Its also a major tech center and port zone with global connections.
However, San Francisco is also geographically boxed in by water and mountains, making a quick exit very difficult.
Bridges would clog quickly, and there are few other routes out of town on land.
Chicago, Illinois 
The Chicago is a vital economic hub with vulnerable infrastructure that now home to roughly 2.7 million people
Chicago is Americas third-largest city with nearly 2.7 million living the city and approximately 9.6 million people in its great metro area.
Its surrounded by four nuclear power plants and is a national transportation hub. It might not seem obvious, but Chicagos economic role and infrastructure make it a high-risk location.
Lake Michigan, a dense urban center, and aging roadways could make escape routes unreliable.
Washington, DC 
The capital, with 684,394 people, houses the White House, Pentagon, and Congress, making it a first-strike target with dense population and rigid lockdowns
With about 684,394 residents in 2025 in its greater metropolitan area, the US capital is the political heart of America.
Its home to the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon. As the seat of government and military command, DC would be a top target in any nuclear conflict.
Theres no question Washington would be a target in any global conflict, large or small.
New York City 
New York, with 7.9 million people and landmarks like Wall Street and the United Nations, is the ultimate high-visibility target
Americas most populous metro area, with 7.9 million people in 2025, may also be its most symbolic. Its home to Wall Street, the United Nations, and key media outlets.
A strike here would be both devastating and highly visible. Its the kind of target meant to send a global message.
Its the most obvious and expected target on the list, potentially crippling the nations economy as well as kill millions in a nuclear strike.
