Early Saturday, Israel announced it had completed airstrikes targeting Iran. The Israeli military confirmed that its aircraft had “safely returned home.”
The strikes targeted missile manufacturing facilities used to produce missiles that Iran launched at Israel over the past year. The military described these missiles as a direct threat to Israeli citizens.
Israeli forces also struck surface-to-air missile arrays and other Iranian aerial capabilities. These were intended to limit Israel’s operational freedom in the region.
Iran has yet to acknowledge any damage or casualties from these attacks. The strikes came in response to a recent barrage of ballistic missiles fired from Iran towards Israel.
Explosions were reported in Tehran, with witnesses hearing multiple blasts. Iranian state media confirmed the explosions but did not provide detailed accounts of damage or injuries.
The airstrikes mark a significant escalation, as this is the first time Israel has openly targeted Iran. The ongoing violence in the region includes conflicts with Iranian-backed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari emphasized that Israel has the right to respond to attacks. He referred to the recent missile barrage as relentless and a significant threat to Israeli security.
The U.S. was notified in advance of the strikes, but there was no American involvement in the operation. Meanwhile, Iran closed its airspace and initiated its air defenses in response to the attacks.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation as tensions in the Middle East escalate further.
