Israel launched direct airstrikes on Iran on Saturday, calling the action retaliation for "months of continuous attacks" from the Iranian regime. At least three rounds of strikes were conducted over the Iranian capital, Tehran, and nearby areas, as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced they were executing "precise" strikes on “military targets” within the Islamic Republic.
Iran responded, saying that their defence system successfully countered attacks but that "limited damage" was caused to some locations. An Iranian source said that the country is prepared to respond to any Israeli "aggression," news agency Reuters reported. However, an Israeli public broadcaster said that the operation against Iran was over after three waves of strikes.
ISRAEL SRIKES IRAN | LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
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". It said the army was its "right" and "duty" to respond to Iran.
Iranian state TV reported that explosions were heard around Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj, though the source of the blasts remained unclear. According to residents, at least seven explosions were heard, shaking the surrounding area.
According to the Israeli public broadcaster, dozens of fighter jets were striking military targets. 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 so far have not included 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 strike occurred just as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the US following a tour of the Middle East, where he urged Israel to respond in a way that would avoid further escalation and to steer clear of targeting nuclear sites in Iran.
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.
