Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heeded the United States of America’s appeal to restrict its retaliatory strike on Iran to military assets and not the country’s nuclear or oil facilities, as its Saturday attacks targeted military bases.
The Israeli military said the strikes, which were concluded hours ago, were in retaliation for Iran’s ballistic missile barrages on Israel earlier this month and in April.
Israel Defence Forces, IDF, spokesperson hinted at more severe and deadlier action if Iran struck back.
But the Islamic country confirmed that Israel “attacked parts of military centres in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam.”
Iranian state news agency IRNA reports that “the attack has been successfully intercepted and countered” by Iran’s “integrated air defence system.”
Iranian officials earlier said air defences were deployed “in several areas around Tehran and the country,” according to IRNA.
Meanwhile, Israel warned Iran against further escalation, saying it “reserves the right to defend its citizens,” as fears rise that the long-running confrontation between the two powerful militaries could escalate into a wider regional war – potentially drawing in the United States.
The Israeli military says it carried out Saturday’s air strikes on Iran based on intelligence, and its IAF aircraft struck missile manufacturing facilities used to produce the missiles that Iran fired at Israel in the last year.
“Simultaneously, the IDF struck surface-to-air missile arrays and additional Iranian aerial capabilities, that were intended to restrict Israel’s aerial freedom of operation in Iran,” the statement adds.
Israel says Iran’s attacks in April and October, as well as its support for its proxies in the region, “undermine regional stability and security, and the global economy”.
World Leaders Weigh in, Call for Halt to Tit-for-Tat
Do Not Retaliate – Biden, Starmer Tells Iran
The US has urged Iran not to retaliate against the latest Israeli strikes against it.
“If Iran chooses to respond once again, we will be ready, and there will be consequences for Iran once again,” a statement by senior administration officials said.
It added that the US did not want to see this happen.
“This should be the end of this direct exchange of fire between Israel and Iran,” the statement went on, adding that Washington was prepared to “lead an effort to secure an end to the war in Lebanon” and try to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, together with the return of hostages seized from Israel.
Speaking at a press conference in Samoa, the British Prime Minister said: “I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression and I am equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint.
“Iran should not respond. We will continue to work with allies to de-escalate the situation across the region.”
Arab countries condemn Israeli strikes
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) says it condemns Israel’s strikes on Iran and stresses the importance of “exercising utmost self-restraint and judgment to mitigate risks and prevent the expansion of the scale of conflict”.
Saudi Arabia said Israel’s action is a violation of “international laws and norms”, and urged “all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and reduce escalation”.
Qatar expresses its “strong condemnation” of the Israeli strikes, also describing it as a “clear breach” of international law and urging “all concerned parties to exercise restraint”.
Egypt says it is deeply concerned with escalation in the Middle East, including the Israeli strikes on Iran, and condemns all measures that threaten regional security and stability.
Iran: Entitled to Defend itself
Iran’s foreign ministry says it “considers itself entitled and obligated to defend itself” after Israel hit military sites overnight in a wave of retaliatory strikes.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the use of all the material and spiritual capabilities of the Iranian nation to defend its security and vital interests, as well as standing by its duties toward regional peace and security,” the statement said.
