A fresh wave of explosions echoed across Iran’s capital early Saturday as Israel targeted military sites in Iran, claiming retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month.
Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though the Islamic Republic insisted they caused only “limited damage.”
The attack heightens the risk of all-out war between the archenemies amidst escalating violence in the Middle East, where Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are already in conflict with Israel.
This marks the first time Israel’s military has openly attacked Iran since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.
Anatomy of attacks
The operation, involving more than 100 fighter jets, comes after Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israel earlier this month.
In a series of strikes, Israel launched three waves of attacks against military targets in Iran. The first wave targeted on Iran’s defense system.
The second and third waves followed swiftly, homing in on missile and drone bases that Iranian forces have used to support regional proxies and potentially target Israel.
The Israeli military said the strikes respond to “relentless attacks” from Iran and its proxies since October 7, highlighting its “right and duty to respond.”
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson, said in a recorded statement, “The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7 .. including direct attacks from Iranian soil. Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.”
‘Precise strikes on military targets’
Israeli officials, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the strikes did not target nuclear or oil facilities. The Israeli military stated it was carrying out “precise strikes on military targets in Iran.”
The attack could bring the archenemies closer to all-out war amid escalating violence across the Middle East, where Iran-backed militant groups such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon are already engaged in conflict with Israel.
Strikes lead to airspace closures and flight suspensions in Iraq
The situation heightened with Iran closing its airspace and commercial airlines avoiding routes over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. Residents of Tehran reported hearing at least seven explosions, which Iran’s state media acknowledged but provided limited details on.
In response to the regional tensions, Iraq’s transport ministry also announced the suspension of flights at all airports until further notice, as reported by the Iraqi state news agency INA, after Israeli military strikes against Iranian military targets.
Syria also reported missile attacks on its military sites but stated that some missiles were intercepted by air defenses.
Israel wraps up response to attacks
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari later announced the conclusion of Israel’s response to the attacks, saying, “I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.”
Cycle of retaliation
Earlier, Iran had launched ballistic missiles at Israel, claiming the strikes were in response to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. This sequence of attacks and retaliations has raised concerns about a potential escalation into a broader conflict in the region.
Israel had pledged to retaliate against Iran for its October 1 missile strike, marking only the second direct attack by the Islamic Republic on its longtime rival.
US says it was briefed on Israel’s strikes but did not participate
The United States officials have indicated that Israel notified them in advance of the strikes, but the US was not involved in the operation.
White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said, “we understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” and referred further inquiries to the Israeli government.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on Israel’s retaliatory strikes against military targets in Iran and are monitoring the developments closely, the White House said in a statement.
‘Proportional response to Tehran’s attacks’: US
Israel’s strikes on military sites in Iran were a targeted and proportional response to Tehran’s previous attacks, with minimal risk to civilians, according to a senior Biden administration official.
The official expressed hope that this would mark the end of direct hostilities between the two nations, adding that the US has several direct and indirect communication channels with Iran to convey its stance clearly.
However, the Israeli army has warned its adversary Iran that it will “pay a heavy price” if it initiates a new round of escalation.
Aftermath of October 7
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in major casualties and hostages. Israel’s retaliation against Hamas in Gaza and attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon have led to thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis in the region.
As fighting continues, the international community watches closely, urging restraint to avoid further escalation.
#aircraft #involved #Israel #conducted #precise #strikes #military #targets #Iran #Times #India
