Tehran Slams U.S. Military Action as “Epic Mistake Operation” Amid Rising Casualties

KUALA LUMPUR – Tensions in the Middle East have reached a new flashpoint as Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, fiercely condemned recent United States military strikes, labeling the campaign as the “Epic Mistake Operation.”

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Araghchi accused Israel of being the primary architect behind the offensive, while asserting that American citizens would ultimately bear the economic and humanitarian consequences of Washington’s intervention.

Military Capabilities and Resilience

Despite claims from U.S. officials that Iran’s missile program has been significantly degraded, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) maintained that its strategic assets remain fully intact.

The IRGC issued a statement confirming the deployment of advanced projectiles equipped with warheads exceeding one ton. This serves as a direct rebuttal to Pentagon assertions, with Tehran emphasizing that its defensive and offensive capabilities have not been compromised by the ongoing bombardment.

Escalation from Washington and Tel Aviv

The rhetoric from the opposing side remains equally firm. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that military operations are set to intensify, with plans to deploy the largest fleet of fighter jets and bombers seen since the start of the conflict to target Iranian strategic positions.

Echoing this stance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to strike Iranian government targets with “ever-increasing strength.” Netanyahu characterized Israel as a potential ally to the Iranian people, claiming that the military pressure is intended to create conditions where citizens can “determine their own future.”

The Human and Infrastructure Toll

The humanitarian cost of the conflict continues to mount. According to Iran’s Deputy Health Minister, Ali Jafarian, the combined U.S.-Israeli strikes have resulted in at least 1,255 fatalities and over 12,000 injuries.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, reported catastrophic damage to civilian infrastructure, including:

• Nearly 10,000 civilian sites destroyed.
• 65 schools and educational institutions leveled.
• Approximately 8,000 residential homes turned to rubble.

Regional Contagion

The conflict shows no signs of localized containment. To the north, the confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has intensified. Lebanese authorities report that Israeli airstrikes have claimed nearly 500 lives, with the death toll rising daily as the regional crisis deepens.