The IDF confirms launching strikes in Iran.
In a statement, the IDF says it is carrying out “precise strikes” on Iranian military targets, in response to “months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel.”
“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th – on seven fronts – including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” the military says.
“Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond,” the statement continues.
The IDF says its “defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized,” and that it “will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”
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Netanyahu holds security assessment with Gallant and security chiefs
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials are assessing the security situation, his office says, as the military carries out airstrikes on Iran.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is conducting an assessment of the security situation at the air force Base in the Kirya (defense ministry) with the defense minister, the army chief, the head of the Mossad and the head of the Shin Bet,” a statement from his office says.
Iran cancels flights on all routes until further notice
Iranian sources threaten ‘proportional reaction’ to Israeli ‘aggression’
Iran is prepared to respond to any Israeli “aggression,” Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency says, citing sources.
“There is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes,” Tasnim quotes the sources as saying.
Israeli strikes said expected to continue several more hours
The Washington Post reports that Israeli strikes on Iran are expected to last several more hours, citing a person briefed on Israel’s military plans.
The source says among the military sites being targeted are air defenses and missile production plants.
Fresh wave of Israeli strikes reported in Iran
All three of Israel’s main TV stations are reporting a second wave of Israeli strikes on Iran. Channel 12 quotes non-state reports in Iran saying Israeli raids are taking place in eastern Tehran and an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command facility.
Channel 12 also reports that the first wave of Israeli airstrikes targeted missile production and air defense facilities.
According to AFP reporters, continuous explosions and light trails are visible across the sky in central Tehran following the new blasts.
Reuters quotes local media saying that four further explosions were heard in eastern Tehran and that “air defense is still active” in the capital.
Iran news agency says Israeli strikes targeted several military bases near Tehran
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reports that several military bases near Tehran were targeted in Israeli strikes.
Iranian media also says there are no fires or explosions reported at a key Tehran refinery.
“There are no reports of fire or explosions at a Tehran refinery,” Tasnim news agency reports, referring to a key oil refinery south of the capital.
Syrian state media says Israel hit military sites in south and center of country
Syria’s state-run SANA news agency reports that Israel struck several military sites in southern and central Syria at around 2 a.m.
The strikes came simultaneously as Israel launched attacks on Iran.
SANA says that air defenses shot down some of the Israeli missiles, and authorities are still assessing the damage.
Israeli official to NBC: Strikes not targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities or oil fields
Israel is not striking Iranian nuclear facilities or oil fields and is focusing on military targets, NBC cites an unnamed Israeli official as saying.
“We’re targeting things that might have threatened us in the past or could do in the future,” the official is quoted saying.
The Biden Administration has been urging Israel not to strike such targets, while backing Israel’s right to respond to Iran’s October 1 ballistic missile attack.
IDF says Halevi commanding strikes on Iran alongside air force chief
The IDF releases an image of Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi commanding the strikes on Iran from the Israeli Air Force’s command center, with the chief of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar.
US National Security Council: Israeli strikes on Iran ‘an exercise of self-defense’
Israeli strikes on military targets in Iran are “an exercise of self-defense” following Tehran’s ballistic missile attack earlier this month, the White House says.
National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett says the “targeted strikes on military targets” are “an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1.”
PM’s office releases photo of him meeting defense brass in bunker as Israel strikes Iran
As Israel strikes in Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office releases a picture of the premier huddled with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and top IDF generals in the bunker below the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv.
White House reportedly given heads up shortly before Israel began striking Iran
Israeli sources confirm that the IDF began its retaliatory strike on Iran.
The strike comes following Iran’s October 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel.
Iranian authorities have not yet blamed Israel for the blasts seen in the Tehran area.
Several loud explosions have been heard in Iran’s capital Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj city early Saturday, semi-official Iranian media says, adding that the cause is unknown.
The New York Times quotes Fars News, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reporting multiple large explosions in Tehran. It says other Iranian media reporting explosions near or at Imam Khomeini international airport. Eyewitnesses say residents have poured into the streets, the Times says.
At least five explosions are heard near the Iranian capital of Tehran, according to multiple reports on social media.
No further details are immediately available.
There is no official comment from Iranian authorities on the blasts.
The reports come amid repeated promises by Israeli leaders in recent days to respond to Iran’s firing of 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1.
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