Israel, early Saturday morning, launched "precise strikes" on military sites in Iran, in retaliation to the October 1 missile offensive by Iran that saw approximately 200 ballistic missiles fired at Israel, marking a peak in long-standing hostilities between Israel and Iran amid flaring up tensions in West Asia.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement confirming the targeted military operations, "In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel, the IDF is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran". The IDF also noted that its defensive and offensive capabilities were fully mobilised, advising civilians to stay vigilant amid the heightened alert. "Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilised. We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel", it further added.
After three waves of strikes over several hours, the Israeli military confirmed successfully executing “precise and targeted” airstrikes on military installations in Iran. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated, “The retaliatory strike has been completed and the mission was fulfilled. Our planes have safely returned home.”
Later in the day, the IDF announced that it successfully conducted airstrikes targeting Iran's missile manufacturing facilities, as well as surface-to-air missile systems and other aerial capabilities located in various regions of the country.
According to a military statement, the Israel Air Force (IAF) targeted these facilities based on intelligence, asserting that they were involved in producing missiles that Iran has launched at Israel over the past year. "Based on intelligence, IAF (air force) aircraft struck missile manufacturing facilities used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at the State of Israel over the last year," the IDF noted.
Explosions were reported across Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj in the wee hours of Saturday, with Iranian state media confirming the sounds without specifying the cause. Tehran’s state media suggested the explosions might be linked to Iran's air defense systems. Semi-official Iranian outlets, including Fars News Agency, reported that Israeli jets had targeted several military installations west and southwest of Tehran, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Witnesses in Tehran described the explosions as intense, with one resident stating, "The noise was deafening, and the sky turned red."
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In addition to Tehran, Syrian media reported "hostile activity," with the Syrian state news agency SANA noting that Syrian air defenses intercepted incoming targets near Damascus. The Iranian state media has, meanwhile, reported that explosions in Tehran and Karaj were the result of activated air defense systems around the capital.
Shortly after, Iran confirmed that Israel conducted airstrikes targeting military facilities across several provinces, including Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam. According to state news agency IRNA, while the attacks caused "limited damage" in some areas, Iranian air defenses successfully intercepted and countered majority of the strikes. As per Iranian officials, the air defence systems were activated in various locations around Tehran and other parts of the country in response to the Israeli offensive.
The US has backed the Israeli strikes as a legitimate act of self-defense, with the White House confirming prior notification from Israel but clarifying that US forces were not involved. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett stated, “We recognise these targeted strikes as an act of self-defense in response to Iran’s recent missile attacks.”
“Israel's strikes on military targets in Iran are an exercise of self-defense,” said White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett, referencing the October 1 missile barrage from Tehran that prompted Israeli retaliation. President Joe Biden has publicly expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself while cautioning against direct attacks on Iran’s nuclear or oil infrastructure.
While Washington supports Israel’s right to defend itself, Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently urged Israel to avoid escalation, underscoring the risk of a wider regional conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant closely monitored the operations from military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Gallant warned that “enemies would pay a heavy price” for any further aggression against Israel.
Netanyahu conducted a “security situation assessment” from the Kirya military base, where he was accompanied by the chief of staff of the IDF and the heads of intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet. During the attack on Iran, Netanyahu was reportedly in a bunker at the military base early Saturday (local time), as confirmed by his office.
Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Chief of the General Staff, was commanding the operation, accompanied by Major General Tomer Bar, Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force.
Iran has, meanwhile, announced the closure of its airspace until Saturday at 9:00 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET), as per an official notice from its civil aviation authority.
The Israeli strikes, which had been threatened for almost a week, come at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East following the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. This attack prompted Israel to launch a ground offensive in Gaza and conduct operations in Lebanon against Iran-backed militants.
On October 1, Iran executed a significant missile barrage against Israel, described as its largest assault on Tel Aviv to date. While these strikes were reportedly aimed at military bases, Israel's air defense systems largely intercepted them. Since the initial Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths and the hostage-taking of 250 individuals, Iran has engaged in multiple attacks on Israel.
The risk of a regional war involving Iran and the US has escalated as Israel intensifies its military actions against Hezbollah, including airstrikes on Beirut and ground operations. Tensions rose after the assassination of key figures, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Revolutionary Guards general Abbas Nilforoushan, in an Israeli air raid on September 27.
This pattern of escalating violence is part of a broader conflict involving Israel and the "axis of resistance," comprising Iran and its allies, particularly as hostilities intensified after the surprise Hamas attack in October 2023.
(With inputs from agencies)
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