“Israeli Army Claims Response to ‘Months of Attacks’ by Iran is Complete, Warns Tehran Against Retaliation”
Iran Reports Two Soldiers Killed in Israeli Air Strikes on Military Bases Following Israeli Retaliation
The Iranian army announced that two soldiers were killed in Israeli air strikes targeting military bases, shortly after Israel declared its attack “complete” and issued a warning against retaliation. The strikes, launched after 2 a.m. on Saturday (22:30 GMT on Friday), were carried out in response to what Israel described as months of attacks by “Iran and its proxies” in the region. Following the assault, the Israeli military stated that it had “achieved its objectives.”
“Iran Confirms Air Bases Hit by Israeli Strikes, Vows Proportional Response”
Iran’s air defence headquarters confirmed that military bases in the provinces of Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran were targeted by Israeli air strikes but claimed the attacks were “successfully countered.” According to a statement, “minor damages were caused in some areas, and the extent of the incident is currently under investigation.”
In response, Iran signaled its readiness to retaliate, with sources quoted by the semi-official Tasnim news agency stating, “there is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes.”
Israeli air strikes targeted multiple locations across Iran, including areas in the north, east, and south of the country. However, the primary focus of the attacks was on the Iranian capital, Tehran.
“Israeli Strikes Target Iran’s Air Defence, Missile Bases, and Drone Facilities, Says Israeli Military”
According to Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari, the strikes were primarily aimed at Iran’s air defence systems, missile bases, and drone facilities. He added that Iranian officials have not reported additional casualties and claim that their integrated, multi-layered air defence system functioned effectively, presenting the response as a success.
“Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization Reports Flights Return to Normal After Israeli Strikes, No Airports Hit”
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) confirmed that flights had resumed normal operations across the country, with no airports, including Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, targeted during the Israeli air strikes.
Earlier, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated in a prerecorded video that “the regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7 … including direct attacks from Iranian soil.” Hagari emphasized Israel’s “right and duty to respond” after Iran launched a missile barrage earlier in October, firing around 200 missiles at Israel, which resulted in the death of one person in the occupied West Bank. Iran said that missile attack was in retaliation for the killing of leaders from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Iranian military in recent months.
“US Calls on Iran to Break ‘Cycle of Fighting’ Amid Rising Tensions”
Following Israeli air strikes on Iran, the United States urged Iran to halt its attacks on Israel to de-escalate the violence. US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett emphasized, “We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so that this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation.” He added that Israel’s response was an act of self-defense, focused on military targets and avoiding populated areas, in contrast to Iran’s recent missile attacks on Israel’s most populous city.
While the US did not participate in the operation, Savett highlighted Washington’s aim to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. Several countries condemned the strikes and called for restraint.
Analyst Abas Aslani noted that this was the first time Israel publicly acknowledged a direct strike on Iran, with Tehran downplaying the damage and Israel likely exaggerating its success. Aslani suggested that Israel, possibly encouraged by the US, may be avoiding a full-scale war. Although a significant Iranian response seems unlikely, some form of retaliation is expected.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have intensified since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, with fears that both Iran and the US could be drawn into a broader regional conflict as Israel continues its military operations, including air strikes on Hezbollah and Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Israel’s war on Gaza has claimed at least 42,847 lives, with 100,544 wounded since the fighting began.
