October 26, (THEWILL) – Israel has launched direct airstrikes against Iran in a high-stakes retaliatory attack that brings the Middle East closer to a regional war.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the strikes are in response to “months of continuous attacks” from Iran and after a barrage of Iranian missiles hit Israel on 1st October.
Warning that “If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we will be obligated to respond”, the IDF said it completed its targets on Saturday morning, hitting missile manufacturing sites and aerial defences and its planes had safely returned home.
At least seven explosions were reported over the capital, Tehran, and nearby Karaj, as well as the eastern city of Mashhad just after 2.30am local time on Saturday.
But Iran said its air defence system successfully countered Israel’s military targets in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam with “limited damage” to some locations.
Pentagon said the US was briefed on Isreali retaliatory strikes beforehand, but did not have any involvement in the operation.
The Middle East has been on edge awaiting Israel’s retaliation after Tehran fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1.
Tensions between both countries have escalated since Hamas, the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group based in Gaza, attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas has been supported by Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants, also backed by Iran.
“I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.”
Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari talk about the… pic.twitter.com/1OOss3etpV
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 26, 2024
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