In Response to US Attack, Iran Announces Start of 'Decisive Operation'

The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Tuesday that Iran's armed forces have begun a "decisive" operation in response to the latest US attack.

The agency quoted an official source saying that American bases and interests in the region will be among the targets hit by Iranian missiles and drones.

Iran's General Staff had previously announced that Iran's armed forces would respond to US aerial raids targeting sites in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan by delivering harsh and painful strikes against US forces.

In a statement released Tuesday evening following US attacks on southeastern Iran, the General Staff said the US military "will bear heavier and greater losses the more it insists on continuing its hostile actions in the region," as stated.

It emphasized that Iran has repeatedly declared it will never retreat under any circumstances from the rights of the Iranian people, stressing that the armed forces will impose heavy costs on the United States in response to what it described as recent attacks.

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces are currently conducting strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said the strikes were "strong and extensive," explaining they were in response to what he described as a "failed Iranian attempt to plant naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz."