Washington - (Saba):
US media reported that the administration of President Donald Trump is preparing for an Iranian response, and that the next 48 hours are of particular concern.
NBC quoted unnamed US officials as saying: "The Trump administration is preparing for a possible Iranian counter-response, and the next 48 hours are of particular concern."
The officials told the channel that it remains unclear whether the Iranian responses will target foreign or domestic facilities.
On Sunday night, the United States launched strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. President Trump said the goal of the strikes was to degrade the country's nuclear capabilities, stressing that Tehran must agree to "end this war," or face more serious consequences.
Earlier, the Iranian parliament stated that Tehran had anticipated an attack on the Fordow nuclear facility and had evacuated it, and that no irreparable damage had been caused to the facility. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran also confirmed that Tehran had no intention of halting the development of its nuclear program after the strikes.
The US attack sparked negative reactions internationally, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres describing it as a dangerous escalation in the region and a direct threat to international peace and security.
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno RodrÃguez Parrilla also condemned the US aggression against Iran, describing it as an irresponsible, criminal act that violates international law and has unforeseen consequences.
Members of the US Congress also criticized the strikes. Republican Representative Thomas Massie described the attack as unconstitutional, while Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said the incident warranted impeachment proceedings against the country's president.