Israel retaliates against Iran
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Israel early Saturday said it had begun retaliatory strikes against Iran, the latest salvo in an escalating conflict between the regional rivals as the United States and its allies fear a war. comprehensive.
The Israeli military provided few details about the attacks, other than describing them as “precise” and targeting “military targets in Iran.”
“Our defensive and offensive capabilities have been fully mobilized,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a statement. “We will do whatever is necessary to protect the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”
Iranian officials have not yet confirmed the attacks. However, explosions could be heard in Tehran and the western city of Karaj. Iranians on social media described multiple explosions rocking the capital.
Saeed Chalanderi, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City Company, said the capital’s international airport was in a “stable” condition and there were “no instructions to suspend flights.”
The United States has pressed Israel to avoid attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities or oil facilities after the Islamic republic fired about 180 ballistic missiles at the Jewish state three weeks ago.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials and reiterated Washington’s call for a measured response.
A senior US government official said the Biden administration was informed in advance about the attack but did not participate in the attack.
“We understand that Israel is conducting targeted attacks against military targets in Iran as a self-defense exercise and response,” said US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett. response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1.”
Iran launched a series of ballistic missiles against Israel in response to Israel’s assassination of the Israeli leader. Hassan Nasrallahleader of the Lebanese militant group Hizbollah, during an airstrike on Beirut.
The attack was considered much more serious than Iran’s previous attack on Israel in April, which involved hundreds of missiles and drones but was transmitted clearly. It was the first direct attack on Israel from Iranian soil but caused limited damage and Israel responded with a missile attack on a military base near the Iranian city of Isfahan.
That tit-for-tat exchange was averted. However, Iran’s attack this month came without prior notice and targeted multiple targets, including an intelligence base just north of Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial hub, and Israel expected will launch a stronger response than in April.
Earlier this month, the United States sent an advanced anti-missile system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system, to bolster Israel’s air defenses ahead of the planned response.
On Thursday, US Central Command said multiple F-16 fighter jets had arrived in the area, part of a US effort to support Israel if Iran decides to respond.
