New Delhi: In a major escalation of regional tensions in the Middle East, Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian military sites early Saturday, after describing “months of continuous attacks” by Iran and its proxies, adding that it has the “right and duty to respond.” The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, citing direct attacks from Iran since October 7. Local media reports from Iran stated that the situation remained normal in the capital, Tehran. The Tasnim news agency reported explosions were heard, but there were no sightings of missiles or warplanes. Iranian state television also indicated normal operations at Tehran’s main airports.
IDF statement on X: “In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel—right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran. The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th—on seven fronts—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. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized. We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”
IDF statement on strikes
The IDF stated that it is conducting “precise strikes on military targets in Iran” as a measure of self-defence. According to the IDF, these operations come in response to “relentless attacks” from Iranian-backed forces across multiple fronts, as well as Iran’s ballistic missile strike on October 1. “Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized,” the IDF added.
White House response
The Joe Biden administration has supported Israel’s actions, calling the strikes an “exercise of self-defence”, news agency AFP reported. Sean Savett, a spokesman for the US National Security Council, indicated that the targeted strikes were justified, given the recent Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel. US officials reportedly received notification shortly before the strikes began, according to a Reuters report.
Scope of Israeli operations
An unnamed Israeli official clarified that the strikes did not target Iran’s nuclear facilities or oil fields, focusing solely on military infrastructure that may pose threats to Israeli security. “We’re targeting things that might have threatened us in the past or could do in the future,” the official told NBC.
Attack on Syria
Simultaneously, Syria’s state-run SANA news agency reported Israeli strikes on military installations in southern and central Syria. Syrian air defences reportedly intercepted some of the missiles. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government suspended flights across its airports until further notice, citing the elevated regional risk.
