Israel has initiated direct airstrikes against Iran, escalating tensions to a critical level and potentially bringing the Middle East closer to a regional conflict that might involve the United States.
The Israeli military completed its airstrikes early Saturday, targeting missile production facilities and air defense systems across various regions in Iran. According to Israel’s national broadcaster, the operation consisted of three separate attacks.
Iran’s air defense units reported that Israel targeted military sites in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam, causing minimal damage at some of these locations.
A senior US official characterized the airstrikes as comprehensive and precise, focusing on military targets throughout Iran. The official noted that while the US did not participate, it supported Israel’s aim for a controlled strike to avoid civilian casualties.
The official described the action as a measured self-defense measure intended to prevent future assaults and weaken Iran’s attack capabilities.
The US views this operation as potentially concluding the recent exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran, according to the official.
Explosions were reported in Tehran, nearby Karaj, and the eastern city of Mashhad around 2:30 AM local time on Saturday, following Israeli airstrikes on these military sites.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in a rare acknowledgment, confirmed the strikes on Iran, signaling a shift from covert engagements to overt conflict between these longstanding adversaries.
The Israeli broadcaster reported that numerous fighter jets participated in this mission.
“In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the state of Israel — the Israel Defense Forces are currently conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” the IDF said in a statement posted to X.
The attacks were anticipated as retaliation for Iran’s missile attack on 1 October, which involved about 180 ballistic missiles aimed at Tel Aviv and other military sites, marking a direct and unprecedented confrontation.
Iran stated that this massive missile attack was in support of Hezbollah following Israel’s ground incursion and in retaliation for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, in Tehran in July.
While many missiles were intercepted, some hit the Nevatim airbase, indicating Iran’s capability to breach Israel’s advanced air defenses at some critical locations. The attack resulted in one fatality in the occupied West Bank.
President Joe Biden cautioned Israel against targeting Iranian nuclear or oil infrastructure to avoid escalating the conflict into a broader war.
The potential for a miscalculation could thrust Iran and Israel into comprehensive warfare, with the US concerned about being implicated and the repercussions for the global oil market.
Before the airstrikes, Iran had declared that it had no reservations about defending itself against perceived threats.
Last week, after the US deployed an advanced missile defense system and troops to Israel, Iran’s foreign minister issued a veiled warning against US military involvement in the region.
A commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards suggested that Iran might not retaliate if the Israeli strikes were limited and avoided civilian casualties.
US news outlet Axios reported that US and Israeli officials believe Iran’s response will likely be restrained.
On Saturday, the Israeli military stated that the attacks were in retaliation for multiple assaults against Israel, including a significant attack by the Hamas-aligned Palestinian group on 7 October 2023, which resulted in substantial Israeli casualties and abductions.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, causing severe destruction and high Palestinian casualties.
Israel has also conducted operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, part of Tehran’s broader regional alliance, resulting in significant displacement and ongoing cross-border skirmishes. The conflict has extended to include other Iranian-supported groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
