Jerusalem:
Israel fired back at Iran early Saturday, announcing that Iranian forces were carrying out attacks on military targets in response to Tehran’s attacks on Israel.
The Middle East is on edge, anticipating Israeli retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles that Iran fired about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, and a direct attack on Israel by Iran. This is the second time in the last six months.
“In response to months of continued attacks by the Iranian regime against the State of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces are currently conducting precision strikes against Iranian military targets,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Israel maintains that it has the right and obligation to respond to attacks from Tehran and its proxies, including missile attacks launched from mainland Iran.
“Our defensive and offensive forces are fully mobilized,” he added.
The scope of the attack is not clear at this time.
Iranian state television said several strong explosions were heard around the capital, Tehran. Iranian semi-state media said explosions were also heard in the nearby city of Karaj.
“So far there have been no reports of rockets or planes being heard over Tehran,” Tasnim news agency said.
State television quoted an unnamed Iranian intelligence official as saying the source of the loud explosion “may have been the activation of Iranian air defense systems.”
Iranian authorities have repeatedly warned Israel not to launch attacks against Iran, saying they would be met with stronger retaliation.
A U.S. official told Reuters that the United States was notified by Israel ahead of the attack on Iranian targets but was not involved in the operation.
White House National Security Council Press Secretary Sean Savet said, “Israel conducted targeted attacks against Iranian military targets as an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1.” We understand that there are.”
The US government is trying to prevent further escalation of the conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Israeli retaliation should not lead to further escalation.
Syrian state television said explosions were also heard in rural and central Damascus areas.
Israel’s defense minister said this week that enemies “will pay a heavy price” for attempting to harm Israel.
In recent weeks, Israel has stepped up attacks on Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Iran-backed ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. The war was sparked a year ago by Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
