Israel launches strikes against Iran, targeting capital Tehran
Israel has launched attacks against Iran, as reported by the U.S. media outlet Axios. The offensive is said to be in retaliation for the massive ballistic missile attack on October 1, with U.S. and Israeli officials anticipating a military response from Iran.
Simultaneously, the Iranian semi-official Fars News Agency reported that explosions were heard in the Iranian capital.
Reported targets of these strikes include military bases in Yafet Abad, Tehran Airport, Karaj, Hamadan, Kermanshah, and the Qudsieh barracks of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) in Tikrit.
Israel confirms strikes
Meanwhile, Israeli army announced strikes against Iran. The Israeli military said on Saturday it was carrying out “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran.
“Right now, the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Danial Hagari said in a statement.
Israeli army radio said dozens of Israeli aircraft are launching attacks against Tehran, Meshed and a power station in Karaj.
Mutliple explosions in Syria
Alongside the explosions in Tehran, reports of similar blasts emerged from the Syrian capital Damascus and Homs province.
The Syrian regime news agency SANA confirmed that explosions were heard near Damascus. Social media accounts affiliated with the regime also indicated that blasts occurred in Homs.
Hezbollah and Iran-backed groups maintain a significant presence in both Damascus and Homs.
Israel strikes Iran under ‘right to self-defense’, says White House
Israel conducted targeted strikes against “military targets in Iran” in response to Tehran’s Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack against Israel, the White House said Friday.
“We understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran as an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1st,” National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement.
“We would refer you to the Israeli government for more information on their operation,” he added.
That was after Israel announced early Saturday that its military conducted “precise strikes” against “military targets” in Iran, as explosions were heard in Tehran.
Israel reportedly informs US ahead of strikes
Meanwhile, Israeli state television KAN reported that Israel informed the United States ahead of its military action against Iran. The broadcast stated, “Israel provided information to the U.S. before the attack on Iran.”
KAN also highlighted that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were present at the Defense Ministry during this crucial communication.
Details to follow…
