Iran’s retaliation against US strikes could come in next 48 hours: Report

Iran could launch retaliatory attacks against US forces in the Middle East within the next 48 hours, further escalating the conflict in the region following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.

While the Trump administration is continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict, two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to news agency Reuters, said intelligence assessments point to a heightened threat window in the next day or two.

Tehran has vowed to defend itself after the US struck multiple targets, including components of its nuclear infrastructure, in what Washington described as a preemptive move to prevent an “unacceptable escalation” in the region. The strikes have prompted fears of a broader military conflict between the long-time adversaries.

US President Donald Trump, who authorised the mission dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, warned that any Iranian retaliation would be met with “a force far greater than that used in the weekend US attacks”.

In preemptive moves, General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the US military has heightened protection measures for its troops in the region, including those stationed in Iraq and Syria.

The US maintains around 40,000 troops across the Middle East, many of whom operate high-value assets including air defence systems, fighter aircraft, and warships—all of which could be vulnerable in the event of a coordinated Iranian strike.

Last week, the Pentagon began repositioning some of those assets to reduce exposure. Among the moves was the moving out of aircraft from the sprawling Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses around 10,000 US personnel and serves as a strategic hub for operations across the region.

Despite its vows to retaliate, Tehran has so far refrained from attacking US positions or attempting to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which roughly a quarter of the world’s oil shipments pass.

Abd al-Rahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said the country will respond appropriately to the American aggression.

“Regardless of the damage caused to the three nuclear facilities, we will respond against the US simply because it attacked our country,” Mousavi said.

– Ends