The Iranian army reported that two of its soldiers lost their lives due to Israeli air strikes aimed at military installations. This came after Israel announced it had “completed” its operation and cautioned against any retaliation.
The strikes occurred early Saturday morning, targeting military bases in Iran as a response to what Israel described as months of attacks from “Iran and its proxies” in the area.
Following the bombings, Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that the country has both the right and duty to defend itself against external aggression. Iran’s air defense confirmed damage to bases in Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran, but insisted that the missiles were effectively countered, minimizing reported damage.
Iran indicated a willingness to retaliate against any Israeli aggression, highlighting that “there will be a proportional reaction” to any Israeli actions.
Coverage from Tehran noted that while multiple regions were targeted, the primary aim was the Iranian capital. The assaults were primarily focused on air defense systems, missile launch sites, and drone facilities. Iranian officials claimed no casualties on their side and portrayed their air defense response as successful.
Meanwhile, international flights resumed without disruption, and no attacks were reported at key airports in the country. Earlier, an Israeli military spokesperson asserted that the Iranian regime and its regional allies had been launching persistent attacks on Israel since October 7, and stressed Israel’s right to respond.
The American government called on Iran to halt its attacks to break the cycle of violence, emphasizing that the Israeli response was targeted solely at military sites.
The situation marks a significant escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran amidst ongoing tensions stemming from the recent conflict involving Hamas, which has resulted in substantial casualties. Concerns over a wider regional conflict are growing as Israel’s actions against Hezbollah continue to increase.
