Expert Shares The 15 US Cities Most Likely To Be Targeted First If WW3 Erupts — And Some Will Shock You

As global tensions keep climbing between world leaders and major nations, a nuclear expert has stepped in to highlight which US cities could be at serious risk if World War 3 were to break out.

Just last week, President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead for a US military strike on nuclear facilities in Iran. This move hasn’t gone down well with Russian President Vladimir Putin—who is still deep in conflict with Ukraine after initiating an invasion back in February 2022.

The 79-year-old former US President has repeatedly pushed for his 72-year-old Russian counterpart to find common ground with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in hopes of securing a peace deal. But despite these efforts, there appears to be no sign of real progress. The situation today looks just as tense as it did six months ago.

To complicate matters even more, Trump has also waged trade wars with several major countries—including Canada, Mexico, and more significantly, China. The latter is especially concerning due to its massive military and the ongoing friction between the two nations.

Now, Professor Alex Wellerstein, a well-known nuclear historian at the Stevens Institute of Technology, has compiled a list of 15 US cities he believes could be prime targets if hostile nations decided to launch a nuclear assault on American soil.

While speaking to the Daily Mail, 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

At first glance, Great Falls, Montana, with its modest population of just 60,422, might not seem like a place that would top anyone’s nuclear target list—especially not Putin's. After all, Montana is only the fourth largest state in terms of area and has a little over 1.1 million residents.

But there's more beneath the surface. Great Falls sits relatively close to Malmstrom Air Force Base, a critical site believed to oversee hundreds of nuclear missile silos. That kind of military significance makes it a place that countries like Russia and China wouldn’t overlook if a world war ever broke out.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Cheyenne, located just south of Montana in Wyoming, is another city that could be in serious danger, even though it’s nearly 10 hours away by car from Great Falls.

This relatively small city has a population of around 65,168, but what makes it stand out is the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base nestled within its limits.

This base plays a key role in managing US nuclear missile systems. So, if any conflict were to escalate, people living in Cheyenne could sadly end up in the line of fire simply because of what’s located there.

Wyoming small capital, Cheyenne, could be completely wiped out by a nuke Getty stock

Ogden and Clearfield, Utah

If you happen to live in either Ogden or Clearfield, Utah—which sit about 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City and right near the Great Salt Lake—you might want to take note. Especially if you believe World War 3 is a real possibility.

Combined, these two cities have a population of 121,737.

But it’s not the people or the cities themselves that would likely be the target. The real concern is Hill Air Force Base, a major site for the US' nuclear capabilities, which sits nearby and could draw serious enemy attention.

Shreveport, Louisiana

If Iran ever decided to launch a nuclear attack, they’d almost certainly take a hard look at Shreveport, Louisiana.

The reason? It’s home to several B-52 bombers that are capable of delivering large-scale nuclear strikes.

Sadly, the 177,959 people living in Shreveport, just six miles from where those bombers are based, could suffer devastating losses if the city were ever targeted.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Most Americans are familiar with the attack on Pearl Harbor, so it likely won’t come as a shock that Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, is considered one of the top cities at risk of a nuclear strike.

Honolulu is a strategic hub, home to key naval and air operations. Its location nearly halfway between mainland America and Asia adds to its military importance.

With a population of 341,778, everyone’s hoping that tensions don’t escalate to the point where it becomes a real target again.

The beautiful skyline of Honolulu, Hawaii Getty stock

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska, where 483,335 people live, has reason to be concerned following Trump’s involvement in the Iranian conflict. That’s because Offutt Air Force Base sits right outside the city.

This base played a vital role during the Cold War and continues to be a key part of America's nuclear operations today.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs, with its 488,664 residents, is more than just a scenic city. If America’s enemies were looking to deal a heavy blow by targeting both civilians and military infrastructure, this place would be a prime candidate.

One major reason is the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which is based at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Since NORAD is in charge of protecting North American airspace, knocking it out would be a big move in any conflict.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

If a nuclear strike ever hit central New Mexico, one might echo the quirky line from 1980s band Prefab Sprout: "Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque."

Albuquerque is not only home to 560,274 people, but also to Kirtland Air Force Base—one of the largest nuclear arsenals in the country is stored right there.

Washington, D.C.

This one feels pretty obvious, right? Washington, D.C. isn’t just another city—it’s the heart of American government. It's where the president lives and where all the country’s key decisions are made. It’s also home to 678,972 people.

The White House, home to President Donald Trump, would be a major target - located in Washington DC Getty stock

Seattle, Washington

Seattle, part of the greater Washington metro area, has a population exceeding 737,015 and lies close to Naval Base Kitsap—an essential submarine and nuclear weapons facility for the US.

Aside from that, Seattle is a booming tech city and a key seaport, which makes it an attractive target in many ways.

Geography also poses a problem here. With mountains and water all around, escaping from the city by land could be very difficult if disaster strikes.

San Francisco, California

For the next few cities, it’s pretty clear why they’d be on the list. They play huge roles economically and culturally in the United States—even if they aren’t near any major military installations or nuclear storage facilities.

San Francisco, California, is home to 873,965 residents.

Houston, Texas

Houston might not be Texas’ capital, but it’s still one of the biggest and most influential cities in the state. It has a population of 2.3 million people and continues to grow rapidly.

Houston, we have a problem... if Russia, China or North Korea ever decide to bomb the Texan city of Houston! Getty stock

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago sits right on the edge of Lake Michigan, and if it were to suffer a nuclear strike, the environmental consequences could be catastrophic—not just locally, but for regions further north as well. And that’s not even mentioning the human toll: 2.6 million people live in the city itself.

Zooming out to the larger metro area, Chicago is the third-largest city in the US, with around 9.6 million people calling it home.

Los Angeles, California

To the leaders in Russia and China: if you bomb Los Angeles, California, the world’s movie lovers will never let it go. That’s because LA is the center of the entertainment industry—it’s the home of Hollywood and also where 3.8 million people live.

New York City

Last but definitely not least, we have the iconic Big Apple—New York City. It stands as the crown jewel among American cities, home to an astonishing 8.8 million people.

While no one can predict exactly how global conflicts will unfold, experts like Professor Wellerstein offer insight into how military strategy might shape potential targets. These insights help everyday people understand how geopolitical tensions could impact ordinary cities across the US.

It’s also a reminder of just how interconnected the world has become. Even places that seem far removed from major power centers might hold strategic value simply because of what's housed nearby—be it a missile silo, an air base, or a command center.

Of course, these scenarios are worst-case projections. But understanding them might help people think more critically about international affairs, military infrastructure, and how peace efforts remain as vital as ever.