Israel Bombs Tehran

Israel launched air strikes on the Iranian capital Friday night. While the extent of the damage is unclear, the US is expecting Iran to retaliate.

Iranian media reported that some sites in the capital city of Tehran were targeted. A statement from the Israel Defense Forces confirmed the strikes. “In response to months of continuous attacks … The Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” it said.

According to Axios, the US expects Iran will retaliate. “US and Israeli officials believe Iran will respond militarily,” the outlet reported, adding, “but hope it will be limited and allow the two adversaries to break the tit-for-tat cycle.”

However, the White House is concerned that Iran’s response to Israel will lead to a regional war. An official speaking with the Wall Street Journal confirmed that Tel Avi did inform Washington it was preparing to strike Tehran but did not specify how far in advance Israel warned the US of its plans.

The US claimed Israel’s attack on Iran was an act of self-defense. “We understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran as an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1st.” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett continued, “We would refer you to the Israeli government for more information on their operation.”

Continue reading at news.antiwar.com

Israel sent message to Iran ahead of attack and warned against response

By Barak Ravid

Israel sent a message to Iran on Friday ahead of its retaliatory airstrikes warning the Iranians not to respond, three sources with knowledge of the issue told Axios.
Why it matters: The Israeli message was an attempt to limit the ongoing exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran and prevent a wider escalation, the sources said.
Driving the news: U.S. and Israeli officials said three waves of airstrikes took place on Saturday morning local time.
  • The first wave focused on Iran’s air defense system and the second and third waves focused on missile and drone bases and weapons’ productions sites.
  • Iran said it defeated the Israeli attack and that only “limited damage” was done to military targets around the country.
  • Israeli officials said the attack was in retaliation for Iran’s massive ballistic missile attack on October 1.
Behind the scenes: The Israeli message was conveyed to the Iranians through several third parties, the sources said.
  • “The Israelis made it clear to the Iranians in advance what they are going to attack in general and what they are not going to attack,” one source told Axios.
  • Two other sources said Israel warned the Iranians not to respond to the attack and stressed that if Iran does retaliate, Israel would conduct another more significant attack, especially if Israeli civilians are killed or injured.
  • The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not respond for a request for comment.
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Iran’s air defenses foil multiple Israeli attacks on military bases

Israeli warplanes launched an aggression on Iran, as explosions were heard in several areas, including the capital Tehran, early on Saturday. Attacks renewed at around 4:30 am, as footage circulated of several successful interceptions near the capital.

The Israeli military command confirmed that its Air Force is conducting strikes on “military targets” in Iran.

It also warned Israeli settlers, urging them to remain “alert and vigilant,” in a statement.

At least three explosions were heard near Tehran, Al Mayadeen‘s correspondent in Iran reported.

Later, our correspondent said that Israeli warplanes attempted to target three bases in Tehran Province, which includes multiple counties. However, Iranian air defenses were able to intercept the incoming attack.

Continue reading at english.almayadeen.net

Strikes on Iran suggest Israel may have heeded US warnings

By Sebastian Usher

Israel’s attack on Iran has been anticipated since the latter launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles on Israel almost a month ago.

In a statement announcing that the operation was under way on Saturday, Israel’s military spokesman said Israel had the “right and duty” to respond and that its defensive and offensive capabilities were fully mobilised.

Iranian state media has confirmed that explosions have been heard in the west of Tehran.

But there’s no clarity as yet in precisely what the targets have been and whether they have been successfully hit by Israel.

News sites close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards says that some military bases in the west and south-west of the Iranian capital have been targeted.

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The Syrian state news agency says that Israeli air strikes have also targeted some military sites in central and southern areas of Syria.

The office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a picture of him in the operations centre of the military headquarters during the attack.

For now, at least, Iranian media is playing down the impact. The true nature of what has happened is only likely to trickle out bit by bit from the Iranian authorities.

Continue reading at www.bbc.com

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