Last Updated:
The Iranian military said its air defense system intercepted the Israeli missiles over Tehran Province.
Iranian military shared a footage showing its air defence system intercepting ‘hostile projectiles’ over Tehran Province | Image/X
The Israeli forces on early Saturday hit back at Iran with its military saying it was conducting strikes against military targets in response to Tehran’s air attack on Israel.
The Iranian military confirmed the attack and shared footage on social media claiming its air defense system intercepted ‘hostile projectiles’ over Tehran Province.
The first footage published online shows our air defense systems successfully intercepting hostile projectiles over Tehran Province. pic.twitter.com/hFD72f5uSp— Iran Military (@IRIran_Military) October 26, 2024
Iranian media reported at least two waves of multiple explosions over more than two hours in the capital and at nearby military bases, playing down the attacks in initial reports and highlighting Iran’s air defenses.
The Middle East has been on edge awaiting Israel’s retaliation for a ballistic missile barrage carried out by Iran on October 1, in which around 200 missiles were fired at Israel, Iran’s second direct attack on Israel in six months.
‘Right And Duty To Respond’: Israel
Meanwhile, Israel said it has the right and duty to respond to attacks from Tehran and its proxies, which have included missile strikes launched from Iranian soil.
“In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel—right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran.The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking… pic.twitter.com/OcHUy7nQvN
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 25, 2024
A US official said targets did not include energy infrastructure or nuclear facilities.
Earlier, US President Joe Biden had warned that Washington, Israel’s main backer and supplier of arms, would not support a strike on Tehran’s nuclear sites and has said Israel should consider alternatives to attacking Iran’s oil fields.
US Informed Ahead Of Strikes
Israel said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant closely followed the operation at the military’s command and control centre in Tel Aviv.
Gallant spoke to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shortly after Israel’s response began, a U.S. defense official said.
The United States was notified by Israel ahead of its strikes on targets in Iran but was not involved in the operation, a U.S. official told Reuters.
Fears that Iran and the U.S. would be drawn into a regional war have risen with Israel’s intensifying assault on Hezbollah since last month, including airstrikes on Beirut and a ground operation, as well as its year-old conflict in the Gaza Strip.