The Israeli military executed a series of airstrikes on Iranian military installations early Saturday, describing the operation as “precision strikes” in retaliation for a missile attack from Iran on October 1. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the Israel Defense Forces targeted military sites in Iran after enduring months of attacks from the Iranian regime.
The strikes were completed shortly before dawn in Tehran, with Israel asserting it successfully conducted targeted operations against missile manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air missile sites, and additional aerial capabilities linked to Iran. An unofficial source reported that the Israeli operation involved three waves of strikes: the initial targeting of Iranian air defenses, followed by attacks on ballistic missile and drone storage and production facilities.
While Israel did not disclose the extent of the damage caused by the strikes, Iranian state media reported several casualties. However, the Iranian government claimed there was only “limited damage.” The Iranian army stated it intercepted attacks on military sites across three provinces—Khuzestan, Ilam, and the region surrounding Tehran—and reported the deaths of two military personnel.
This latest operation comes in the wake of Iran’s launch of approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, most of which were intercepted with assistance from U.S. forces. The missile strikes were a response to earlier Israeli assaults on Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group in Lebanon, that resulted in significant losses, including the death of its leader in an airstrike.
Following the onset of hostilities with Hamas on October 8, there has been ongoing exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah. The aerial strikes marked a significant military engagement for Israel as it targeted Iranian military infrastructure on such a scale, which is unprecedented since the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.
A senior U.S. administration official characterized the Israeli strikes as “targeted and proportional,” emphasizing the U.S. had no role in the operation. They expressed that the approach undertaken by Israel was aligned with U.S. encouragement to respond in a measured way, aimed at reducing civilian harm. Nonetheless, the decision not to strike Iran’s nuclear or energy facilities has faced criticism within Israel, with opposition leaders arguing that a more aggressive response was warranted.
As tensions remain high, the U.S. has indicated its readiness to support Israel against any potential Iranian retaliation and is actively pursuing dialogue to de-escalate conflicts in the region. International reactions to the airstrikes have been mixed, with several countries, including Qatar and Egypt, condemning the attacks as violations of international law and sovereignty.