Israel announced the launch of "precision strikes" on military targets in Iran on Saturday in retaliation for attacks on it, and Iranian state media reported several explosions around the capital Tehran, AFP reported.
"In response to the months-long continuous attacks by the regime in Iran against the state of Israel - the Israeli Defence Forces (Israeli army) are currently carrying out precision strikes on military targets in Iran," the military said in a statement.
"The Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, is currently directing the strike against Iran from the underground command center of the Israeli Air Force in Kirya, together with the Commander of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar," the army later clarified.
"Our defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized," the Israeli army said in a statement. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari, in a separate statement, urged people to be "alert and vigilant."
Following Iran's October 1 missile attack, Israel vowed to strike back. After the deadliest attack in its history on October 7, 2023. Israel is fighting Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza. It has since expanded its operations to Lebanon, vowing to defend its northern border after nearly a year of cross-border attacks by Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Iranian state television reported that "loud explosions" were heard around the capital on Saturday, but did not specify the cause of the blasts. Six blasts were reported. "Minutes ago, the sound of loud explosions was heard from the vicinity of Tehran, the source of these sounds is still unclear," a state television anchor said.
Iranian media said there were no reports of fire or explosions at a major oil refinery near Tehran.
The capital's two main airports, which are operating normally, were also unharmed.
Israel's strikes on military targets in Iran are an "expression of self-defence" following Tehran's ballistic missile attack earlier this month, the White House said. National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the "targeted strikes on military targets" were "an exercise in self-defense and in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1."
The Syrian news agency SANA said Syrian air defences had intercepted "hostile targets" near the capital Damascus.
"Our air defences are confronting hostile targets in the skies around Damascus," the agency said in a Telegram message. It also reported "sounds of explosions" in the vicinity of Damascus, although the origin of those blasts is unclear. | BGNES
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