Trump had threatened, the US has struck Iran! Retaliation has come from Tehran

Following US President Donald Trump's statement earlier in the day that "We will strike Iran very hard today," the US military conducted a comprehensive operation against targets in Iran during the night hours.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the strikes targeted Iran's military assets and were carried out in self-defense. In a statement made approximately four hours after the operation began, it was announced that the attacks on the designated targets had ended.

TRUMP: IF NO AGREEMENT IS REACHED, ATTACKS WILL INTENSIFY

Evaluating the situation after the operation, Trump stated that US warplanes were operating in Iranian airspace. Expressing that he had been in contact with Iranian officials, Trump said the attacks would end shortly.

Trump also stated that if Iran does not sign the agreement offered by Washington, the attacks will continue more severely. He argued that the current ceasefire is one of the most violated ceasefires in the world.

RESPONSE FROM THE TEHRAN ADMINISTRATION

A denial came from Iran regarding Trump's claims that Iranian officials had called him to request that the attacks be stopped.

Speaking to Iranian state television, a high-ranking official whose name was not disclosed stated that no meeting had taken place with Trump and that Iran continues to provide a military response.

Following the attacks, reports of explosions came from various parts of Iran. It was reported that explosions occurred in the cities of Sirik and Minab, located near the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports in the Iranian press stated that air defense systems were activated in the western parts of the country as well as in the Fars and Asaluyeh regions. It was also claimed that explosion sounds were heard in Minab, Bandar Abbas, Kish, and Sirik.

CLAIMS OF CLASHES AROUND THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The Mehr News Agency claimed that clashes also took place at sea between Iranian and US elements.

In the report, it was alleged that US ships near the Strait of Hormuz were targeted by missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles fired by Iran.

The Iranian Army announced that all sea vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, would be targeted. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy also claimed that two ships attempting to pass through the strait had been struck.

IRAN ANNOUNCES RETALIATION AGAINST US BASES

Iran announced that it has targeted American bases in the region in response to the US attacks.

In a statement made by the Revolutionary Guard Corps, it was stated that the US had targeted Bandar Abbas Airport along with police and security units, and in response, the Iranian Air Force and Navy carried out retaliatory operations.

According to the statement, 18 targets belonging to the American military were struck in the two-stage attacks, including the Ali Al Salem and Ahmed Al Jaber air bases in Kuwait and the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain.

Following Iran's statement, the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced that the country's airspace had been temporarily closed.

ISRAEL: WE ARE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION

Speaking to the Israeli state television KAN, security sources announced that the Israeli military was not directly participating in the ongoing attacks.

The report stated that the operation was being conducted by US warplanes and warships, while sharing the assessment that Iran could launch new missile attacks against Israel and countries in the region where American soldiers are stationed.

STATEMENTS BEFORE THE OPERATION

In his assessment earlier in the day, Trump had stated that he could target Iran's infrastructure, claiming that Tehran had agreed not to possess nuclear weapons but had not yet signed the necessary agreement.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also said in a statement before the operation that CENTCOM would target critical facilities in Iran, expressing that the attacks would contribute to US military interests and strengthen its diplomatic position.

Due to developments in the region, the US Embassy in Baghdad also warned American citizens in Iraq to be cautious.

MUTUAL ATTACKS CONTINUE

In assessments regarding developments on the ground, it was stated that tensions escalated further following the downing of a US Apache helicopter operating over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Washington administration announced that in response, it had conducted an operation lasting approximately four hours targeting Iran's air defense systems, radar facilities, and ground control centers.

Iran, on the other hand, claimed to have struck 21 targets, including the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain and the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. It was also alleged that a US MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down over Bushehr.

NO MESSAGE OF RETREAT FROM IRAN

Iranian officials made statements indicating that there would be no retreat in the current process.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that diplomatic channels were open but that they would continue to respond using different methods if deemed necessary.

News Source: 12punto