In a significant escalation, Israel launched airstrikes targeting military sites within Iran early Saturday, with blasts reported in Tehran, Karaj, and Mashhad around 2:30 a.m. local time. The strikes, involving multiple Israeli jets, were in response to a recent barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israeli sites earlier in October, marking a rare direct conflict between the two countries.
According to U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, a second wave of attacks hit Iranian targets shortly after the initial assault. While Iranian state media downplayed the strikes initially, local outlets confirmed explosions and activated air defense systems across affected regions. The Iranian Fars news agency later indicated that military installations near Tehran had been hit.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the strikes, framing them as a response to ongoing assaults from Iran and its allied factions, including Hamas. The attack follows Israel’s response to Hamas’s October 7 raid, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties and significant retaliatory measures in Gaza. This broader regional conflict has also involved Hezbollah and Iranian proxies across Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
The U.S., a key ally of Israel, was reportedly notified before the strike but did not participate. In an official statement, the White House reiterated the need to avoid further escalation, and the U.S. National Security Council spokesperson confirmed Israel’s actions as self-defense.
Despite warnings from both sides, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized that any adversary seeking to harm Israel will face severe repercussions. However, with Israel already engaged on multiple fronts, a full-scale conflict could draw in more regional players, leading to broader instability across the Middle East.
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