Iran Weighing Response to US Strikes on Its Nuclear Sites

The Iranian regime said on Sunday that it is still weighing its options for retaliation after the United States struck its nuclear sites. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said it will consult Russia on Monday and urge the United Nations to condemn the U.S. strikes. The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the Security Council to convene an emergency session to unequivocally condemn the criminal act of aggression by the United States against Iran and to hold the administration in Washington accountable for its violations of fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and of norms of international law. I will have serious consultations with the Russian president tomorrow and we continue to work with each other. Russia is also a permanent member of the Security Council and we know that they were trying together with China to introduce a resolution to the Security Council for the cessation of hostilities. Obviously now the situation has been changed and I will have a discussion with them on how it should be proceeded. The Iranian parliament reportedly approved closing the Hormuz Strait, but the final decision will rest with the country's Supreme National Security Council and leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The parliament vote merely advises him of the option to pursue. In an operation called Operation Midnight Hammer, the United States struck three Iranian nuclear sites with 14 bunker-buster bombs and more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles. Seven B-2 Spirits bombers and over 118 other military aircraft were included in the operation. Trump warned that more serious strikes would come if Iran retaliates. However, regime change in Iran is not the goal of the United States, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday. Is regime change off the table, Mr. Secretary? This mission was not and has not been about regime change. The president authorized a precision operation to neutralize the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear program and the collective self-defense of our troops and our ally Israel.