Explosions Rock Iran Amid Israeli Air Strikes Targeting Military Sites
In the early hours of Saturday, Israel launched multiple air strikes across Iran, aiming to target what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described as “military installations.” The IDF stated the strikes were a response to what they called “months of unrelenting assaults” from Iran and its allied factions, particularly since the recent hostilities escalated in early October.
The IDF confirmed that it was conducting “precision strikes” against Iranian military targets, following reports from Iranian state media of explosions around Tehran. The attacks follow Iran’s ballistic missile launches toward Israel on October 1, which Tehran declared were in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran back in July – an incident Iran attributed to Israel, though Israel did not claim responsibility at the time.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari explained that the strikes were part of Israel’s “right and duty to defend itself,” noting that the country’s defense forces were “fully prepared.” In response, a U.S. National Security Council representative expressed that the strikes were viewed as “self-defense” actions, clarifying that while the U.S. backs Israel’s right to defend itself, it was not involved in Saturday’s attacks.
Tehran’s state media reported explosions in western Tehran, with some targeting military sites around the capital. Iran’s media has downplayed the damage from the attacks, with conflicting reports on the extent of the impact. Meanwhile, Syria’s state news also reported air strikes targeting military sites in central and southern Syria, allegedly carried out by Israel.
