Iran has asserted its right to self-defense following a series of retaliatory airstrikes launched by Israel against Iranian military targets overnight.
Early this morning, Israel executed airstrikes on various military installations within Iran, claiming the action was a direct response to Tehran’s missile assault on Israeli territory earlier this month. This incident marks yet another chapter in the ongoing and tense saga between these heavily armed adversaries.
Shortly after completing the airstrikes, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that their mission objectives had been met and advised Iran against any form of retaliation. Meanwhile, a semi-official Iranian news outlet threatened a “proportional reaction” to Israel’s military actions.
Reports from Iranian media outlets indicated that a series of explosions could be heard over several hours in Tehran and surrounding military bases, beginning just after 2 am local time.
Iran’s air defense system reportedly managed to intercept Israeli strikes targeting military posts in Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam, resulting in “limited damage” to a few locations. The situation underscores the high degree of volatility in the region.
In the broader context, the Middle East has remained on high alert, bracing for Israel’s retaliation following a significant missile barrage fired by Iran on October 1, which involved approximately 200 missiles and tragically resulted in one fatality in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
As tensions surged, the situation intensified following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This Iran-backed Palestinian militant group, backed by Hezbollah from Lebanon, has fueled fears of a regional war.
“In response to months of unrelenting aggression from the Iranian regime against Israel, the IDF is carrying out precision strikes on military targets in Iran,” stated an IDF spokesman as they announced the latest offensive.
Israel claimed it specifically targeted missile production facilities and surface-to-air missile defense systems, all while ensuring the safety of its aircraft as they returned home.
The military further cautioned, “Should Iran choose to escalate this conflict, we will be compelled to respond decisively.” A U.S. official indicated that crucial energy infrastructures or nuclear facilities were not among their targets.
Amid this turbulent backdrop, President Joe Biden reminded Israel that the U.S., its primary ally and arms supplier, would not endorse a strike against Tehran’s nuclear sites and suggested that alternatives to attacking Iranian oil fields be considered.
Iranian leaders have consistently warned Israel of the consequences of any military actions. “Iran reserves the right to counteract any aggression, and Israel should have no doubt that its actions will provoke a proportional response,” declared the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
A senior U.S. official noted that Israel’s “targeted and proportionate strikes” should ideally close the door on direct hostilities, adding that the U.S. stands ready to support Israel should Iran retaliate.
In the wake of the strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant communicated with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shortly after operations commenced. During these discussions, Austin underscored the U.S.’s commitment to bolstering defense capabilities for both Israel and its allies in the region.
Videos circulating in Iranian media depicted air defense systems engaged in firing at incoming projectiles over central Tehran, although details on specific attack sites remained vague.
According to Tasnim, the military bases belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps suffered minimal impact and were set to resume air travel by 9 am following a brief suspension during the assault. Reports from Iraq indicated a return to normal flight operations as well.
Simultaneously, Israel directed a number of airstrikes against military positions in Syria’s central and southern regions early on the same day, although Israel has yet to confirm these actions, as reported by the Syrian state news agency SANA.
Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant, monitored the operation closely from their command center in Tel Aviv. Gallant’s earlier conversation with Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the U.S.’s heightened state of readiness to defend both American and Israeli personnel across the region, according to Pentagon sources.
Despite clearly informing the U.S. prior to conducting the strikes, American officials confirmed that Washington did not participate in the operations.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, engaged in diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, cautioned that Israel’s retaliation should not provoke further escalation.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia condemned the airstrikes against Iran as a “violation of sovereignty” and international law, urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and encouraging the international community to act towards conflict de-escalation.
While attempting to persuade Israel to moderate its military actions, the U.S. has simultaneously taken steps to reassure its closest Middle Eastern ally of its defensive support, including President Biden’s directive to place THAAD anti-missile systems in Israel, manned by around 100 U.S. soldiers.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
