IDF says it is striking military targets in Iran as sound of explosions reported around Tehran

Israel has carried out direct airstrikes on Iran in a high-risk response that escalates tensions in the Middle East, potentially pulling the United States into a regional conflict.

Early Saturday morning, around 2:30 AM local time, there were reports of at least seven blasts in Tehran, Karaj, and the eastern city of Mashhad. Israeli aircraft targeted what have been referred to as "military sites" within Iran.

It wasn't immediately obvious if that signified the conclusion of the assault. According to the Wall Street Journal, referencing American officials, about two hours after the first round, there were reports of another series of strikes targeting Iran.

Iranian news outlets initially seemed to minimize the significance of the airstrikes, emphasizing that operations at Tehran’s airport continued without disruption. State television mentioned that loud explosions were heard in various parts of the capital, while the state news agency, IRNA, indicated that there were no reported injuries. There was no prompt official response regarding the source of the explosions, which Iranian media stated were being looked into. Air defense systems were also activated across the nation.

On Saturday morning, the semi-official Fars news agency from Iran reported that multiple military installations in the western and southwestern areas of Tehran had come under attack.

In a recent announcement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made the unusual decision to confirm their involvement in the attack on Iran. This marks a significant shift in the long-standing covert conflict between the two nations, which has now become a public matter.

Kan, the Israeli public broadcasting service, reported that a significant number of fighter jets took part in the operation.

The Israel Defense Forces announced on X that, following months of ongoing assaults by the Iranian regime against Israel, they are currently carrying out targeted military strikes on locations in Iran.

The strikes came as no surprise, as many anticipated them in response to a missile attack conducted by Iran on October 1. During that incident, around 180 ballistic missiles were launched towards Tel Aviv and various military installations, marking an extraordinary direct confrontation between these two rival nations in the region.

Tehran stated that the unprecedented attack was launched in support of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon, following Israel's ground invasion. It was also a reaction to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, which took place in the Iranian capital in July.

Although many of the missiles were intercepted, several still hit the Nevatim airbase, showing that Iran was able to partially overcome Israel's advanced air defense systems in some of its most secure areas. One individual lost their life in the occupied West Bank.

President Joe Biden of the United States has indicated that Israel should refrain from attacking Iranian nuclear or oil sites to avoid escalating tensions that might trigger a direct war.

A misjudgment might push Iran and Israel into an all-out conflict. The United States, which is a strong supporter of Israel and its primary provider of military equipment, is cautious about becoming involved in the fighting and is concerned about potential adverse effects on the global oil market.

Prior to Israel's airstrikes on Saturday, Iran had consistently stated that it would not hesitate to defend itself, indicating there were "no limits" to its response. Just last week, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, issued a veiled warning to US forces regarding their presence in Israel, following the deployment of a THAAD missile defense system and 100 troops by the US to support its ally during rising tensions.

Nevertheless, a commander from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards hinted in comments made on Thursday that Tehran probably wouldn't take additional actions in response if Israel's attack was deemed "limited" and did not result in any casualties.

On Saturday, the American news website Axios revealed that officials from the US and Israel believe Iran is likely to respond with military action, though they anticipate it will be somewhat restrained.

In a statement released on Saturday, Israel’s military explained that the recent strikes were in response to several assaults on the country. This includes the assault on October 7, 2023, carried out by Hamas, a Palestinian group allied with Iran, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of an additional 250 individuals.

In response, Israel initiated military operations in the Gaza Strip, resulting in widespread destruction and the deaths of no fewer than 42,000 Palestinians. Additionally, Israel has carried out air and ground attacks against Hezbollah, a significant militia allied with Iran, in Lebanon. This escalation follows a year of reciprocal attacks across the border that have forced hundreds of thousands to flee on both sides. The conflict in Gaza has also involved various Iranian-backed groups active in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

Since October 7th, the Iranian government and its allied groups have been continuously assaulting Israel from multiple directions, including direct strikes coming from Iran itself. Just like any other nation, Israel has both the right and obligation to defend itself.

Israel is anxious about the prospect of an expensive prolonged conflict with Iran, especially while it is already engaged in battles in Gaza and Lebanon. After Tehran launched its first direct attack on Israel in April in response to the assassination of a high-ranking Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander in Syria, Israel responded to Western appeals for caution by targeting an air defense system at an Iranian airbase.

This time, Israel's reaction is anticipated to be tougher.

This week, Yoav Gallant, Israel's defense minister, stated that those who attempt to threaten Israel will face serious consequences.

A spokesperson reported that the White House was informed just before Israel launched airstrikes against Iran. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that Israel’s response should not result in further escalation.

Sean Savett, the spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated, "We recognize that Israel is carrying out focused attacks on military sites in Iran as a means of self-defense, particularly in reaction to the ballistic missile assault launched by Iran on Israel on October 1st."

An unnamed US official informed Reuters that the United States did not take part in Israel's mission in Iran.

In what might suggest the extent of Israel's assault on Saturday, Syrian state media mentioned that Syrian air defenses managed to intercept what they referred to as "hostile targets" and reported "explosion noises" close to the capital, Damascus, though they provided no further details.