Critics feared it would plunge the Middle East into a wider war. That doomsday scenario has not come to pass, at least for now: Iran made only symbolic retaliation against America; soon after, a ceasefire ended the fighting between Iran and Israel.

Some experts said they believe the U.S. strikes have the potential to lead to a "fork-in-the-road" moment that could result in Tehran taking an even more dangerous path.

Iran is assessing the damage and lashing out over the American and Israeli airstrikes that damaged its nuclear sites.