Israel Executes “Targeted Strikes” on Iran; Explosions Reported Near Tehran
Israel launched early Saturday strikes aimed at what it identifies as military facilities in Iran. Explosions were reported in Tehran, with similar blasts also heard in Karaj, located northwest of the capital.
New Delhi: Israel has carried out targeted strikes on Iran, stating that these actions are a direct response to the missile attack on October 1, when Iran fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.
“In response to months of ongoing attacks from the Iranian regime against Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are carrying out precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” the IDF stated. Israeli officials emphasized that these actions are justified as self-defense measures. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari also urged Israeli citizens to “stay alert and vigilant.”
The United States confirmed that it was notified of the upcoming strike, although no US personnel or assets were involved in the operation. Sean Savett, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, described Israel’s actions as “an exercise of self-defense in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel.”
Iranian state television reported “strong explosions” in the vicinity of Tehran on Saturday morning, though it did not specify the cause. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency indicated that there were no rockets or aircraft detected in the skies over Tehran at the time of the blasts.
Iranian state television asserted that the explosions heard around Tehran were a result of the “activation of the air defense system.” It reported, “The loud blasts in the vicinity of Tehran were connected to the activation of the air defense system in response to the actions of the Zionist regime, which attacked three locations outside the city.”
Iranian authorities indicated that the noises might be linked to defensive measures, suggesting that the country’s air defense systems could have been activated.
In addition to Tehran, residents in the nearby city of Karaj reported hearing explosions. Iranian authorities stated that operations at key locations, including Imam Khomeini International Airport, Mehrabad Airport, and a major oil refinery south of Tehran, remained “normal” and were not impacted by the strikes. However, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that several military bases near Tehran were allegedly targeted by Israeli forces.
Reports from Syria’s state news agency SANA indicated that Syrian air defenses were activated in response to “hostile targets” near the capital, Damascus. Although there was no official statement linking the Syrian incidents directly to the Israeli strikes in Iran, explosions were reported in Damascus and surrounding central regions.
In recent weeks, Israel has escalated its operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—both of which are allies of Iran—following a historic attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
This vicious attack, described as the deadliest in Israel’s history, has sparked ongoing Israeli offensives throughout Gaza and increased security measures along the northern border with Lebanon to counter Hezbollah’s presence.
Earlier this week, Israel’s defense minister cautioned that any attempt to threaten the country would come at a “heavy price.” Meanwhile, the United States has expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself while actively working to prevent a regional escalation that could destabilize the area.