Israel launched direct airstrikes on Iranian military bases on Saturday morning, in retaliation for Tehran's missile attack earlier this month. Iran confirmed that its two soldiers were killed in the Israeli airstrikes.
At least three rounds of strikes were conducted over the Iranian capital, Tehran, and nearby areas, in "precise" strikes on “military targets” by the Israeli army within the Islamic Republic.
Iran responded, stating that its defence systems had successfully countered the attacks, though "limited damage" was reported at some locations. Hours later, the Israeli military announced it had completed its strikes and achieved its objectives in what it called 'Operation Days of Repentance'. An Iranian source warned of a "proportional response" to Israel's "aggression".
The Israeli military, in a statement, said it launched “precise strikes on military targets” in response to "months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the state of Israel". The army spokesperson said, "If the regime in Iran makes a mistake and starts a new round of escalation - we will be obliged to respond".
The Iranian army said that two of their soldiers were killed in the airstrikes. "The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in defending Iran's security and protecting the people and Iran's interests, sacrificed two of its fighters while countering projectiles from the criminal Zionist regime," the statement said.
According to the Israeli media, over 100 fighter jets were striking military targets in more than 20 locations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv while the attack was launched, Netanyahu's office said.
The targets did not include energy infrastructure or nuclear facilities, as initially feared. Earlier reports had suggested that Israel might target Iran’s oil facilities. Several military bases in the west and southwest of Tehran had been targeted by Israel, news agency Reuters reported.
Iran said its air defence system successfully tracked and countered Israel’s "aggression", though limited damage was caused to some locations. An Iranian official source said that the country is prepared to retaliate and said, "There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes".
Iran cancelled flights on all routes until further notice and Israel has also announced the complete closure of its airspace to civil aviation. Iraq's transport ministry said they are suspending flights across all airports until further notice "due to regional tensions".
The United States was notified by Israel ahead of its strikes on targets in Iran but was not involved in the operation, a top White House official said, calling it an "exercise of self-defence". President Biden has been briefed and is closely following the developments, officials said.
The Israeli military said the targets included missile manufacturing facilities used by Iran in its attacks on Israel. The army said that the retaliatory strike has been completed, and its objectives have been achieved.
The long-threatened Israeli attack, seen as a widely expected retaliation, occurred weeks after Iran’s October 1 missile barrage in which an estimated 180 ballistic missiles were launched at Tel Aviv and Israeli airbases.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army also launched attacks on multiple locations in Iraq and Syria. Loud explosions were heard in Tikrit, Baiji, Samarra, Al-Dour in Salah al-Din, and Diyala in Iraq. Israel also reportedly struck several military sites in southern and central Syria around 2 am on Saturday.
Source: India Today