The American public awoke to stark warnings from Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding potential Iranian retaliation following the US military's dramatic airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran.

According to the New York Post, Rubio issued the warning during an appearance on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," where he emphasized that any Iranian response would be "the worst mistake they ever made."

The Secretary's comments came just hours after Operation Midnight Hammer, during which US B-2 stealth bombers successfully deployed six massive "bunker buster" bombs on Iran's Fordow nuclear enrichment facility and two other key sites, marking the first combat use of the 15-ton GBU-57 weapons.

Diplomatic Tensions Rise After Military Operation

President Trump had previously extended a 60-day window for nuclear negotiations with Iran, demonstrating an initial preference for diplomatic solutions before authorizing military action.

The operation followed extensive Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure through Operation Rising Lion, which significantly degraded Tehran's defensive capabilities according to US officials.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as "extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior," while Iran's leadership vowed America "shall be held fully accountable" without specifying their intended response.

Strategic Vulnerabilities Expose Iranian Weakness

Rubio highlighted Iran's current military disadvantages, noting that US forces conducted the operation without facing any resistance from Iranian air defenses.

The Secretary emphasized Iran's vulnerability, stating that they "don't control their own airspace" and "can't even protect their own leaders," suggesting any retaliatory action would be ill-advised.

Experts are particularly concerned about Iran's potential to disrupt global oil markets by attempting to close the Straits of Hormuz, through which approximately 20-25% of the world's consumed oil flows.

Regional Allies Support US Action

While several Middle Eastern nations publicly condemned the strikes, Rubio revealed that many privately supported the US operation against Iran's nuclear program.

The Secretary of State maintained that the US is not seeking regime change, pointing to Trump's earlier diplomatic outreach to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Rubio characterized Iran as "the sole source of instability in the entire Middle East," arguing that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability justified the military action.

Middle East Stability Hangs in Balance

The situation remains tense as military analysts assess Iran's capacity for meaningful retaliation, given their previous attack on Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq following the 2020 killing of Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani.

The success of Operation Midnight Hammer, combined with Israel's Operation Rising Lion, has significantly impacted Iran's military capabilities, potentially limiting their options for response.

Intelligence reports suggest Iran may have anticipated the strikes, with satellite imagery showing suspicious truck activity at the Fordow facility in the days leading up to the attack, raising concerns about possible uranium relocation.