American media outlets have reported that the Trump administration is preparing for a potential Iranian response to the recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, with the next 48 hours considered especially critical.
According to NBC News, senior U.S. officials confirmed that the administration is on high alert for possible Iranian retaliation, though it remains unclear whether Tehran’s response will target domestic or foreign installations.
On Sunday, the U.S. government warned Iran against retaliating, declaring that any escalation would be met with a “massive American response”—one that could have catastrophic consequences for the Islamic Republic.
“Midnight Hammer” Operation Sparks Fears of Wider War
At a press conference, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kane, warned that any Iranian action would be a “very poor choice,” and promised the U.S. would respond decisively.
He confirmed that the recent U.S. operation—code-named “Midnight Hammer”—was a deliberate and precise strike targeting three major Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The operation was reportedly overseen by U.S. CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla.
Late Sunday night, American B-2 bombers carried out strikes on all three sites, as President Donald Trump later confirmed. He claimed that the objective was to diminish Iran’s nuclear capabilities, stating that Tehran must agree to “end this war” or face more severe consequences.
Iran Was Prepared for Fordow Strike
In earlier reports, the Iranian Parliament revealed that Tehran had anticipated an attack on Fordow, and evacuated the facility ahead of time. As a result, the nuclear site sustained no irreparable damage.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran also reiterated that the Islamic Republic would not suspend its nuclear program following the American strikes.
Global Condemnation of the U.S. Attack
The international response to the U.S. airstrikes was swift and critical. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, describing it as a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to international peace and security.
Similarly, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla denounced the U.S. action as an irresponsible and criminal act that violates international law and carries unpredictable consequences for the region.
Within the United States, the operation has also drawn significant backlash from lawmakers. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie labelled the strikes unconstitutional, while Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York suggested the attack provided grounds for presidential impeachment proceedings.
