Iran’s National Air Defence Headquarters has confirmed that Israel targeted several of its military sites early Saturday, with strikes reported in Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces. According to officials, the nation’s air defense system managed to track and engage the attacks, although limited damage was sustained in certain areas. Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage.
The strike comes as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran. Early reports indicated that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launched the operation in response to a recent missile attack from Iran, which targeted Israel this month. Following the strikes, the IDF announced that it had achieved its objectives, cautioning Iran against any form of retaliation.
In response, a semi-official Iranian news agency stated that Tehran would mount a “proportional reaction” to Israel’s offensive. Multiple explosions were reported throughout the Iranian capital and nearby military bases, beginning just after 2 a.m. By dawn, Israeli public media confirmed that three waves of attacks had been conducted and that the operation had concluded.
The region has been bracing for such an escalation, especially following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1, when about 200 missiles were reportedly fired, resulting in the death of one person in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Relations between the two nations have grown increasingly tense since October 7, 2023, when Hamas, the Iran-backed Palestinian group, launched an attack on Israel. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group also supported by Iran, has since aligned with Hamas, contributing to the intensifying hostilities.
The prospect of a broader regional conflict has led to increased concern, especially with the potential involvement of Iran and the United States. Israel has also heightened its military operations, carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon’s capital Beirut and continuing its ground operations in Gaza as part of its year-long campaign against Hezbollah.
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