The Israel Defense Forces is conducting “precise strikes on military targets” in Iran, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed early Saturday.
In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel—right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran.
The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking… pic.twitter.com/OcHUy7nQvN
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 25, 2024
“In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” the rear admiral said in a brief video statement.
“We will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel,” he said, adding that the Jewish state’s “defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized.”
The scale of the attack was not immediately clear, and there was no information on damage in the Islamic Republic. A Tehran resident told AP that at least seven explosions could be heard in the capital.
On October 1, Iran fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in response to the killing of the Hamas and Hezbollah leaders as well as an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) general.
Israel has since threatened to deliver a “deadly, pinpoint accurate, and surprising” retaliation, without specifying any time frame.
Tehran has warned Israel against conducting any strikes, vowing a “decisive and regretful” response, should it do so.
US reacts to Israel’s strikes on Iran
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tonight about updates on Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets.
During the call, Austin “emphasized the enhanced force posture of the United States to defend U.S. personnel, Israel, and partners across the the region,” according to a readout of the call provided by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.
The United States is determined “to prevent any actor for exploiting tensions,” the summary of the call stated.
Israel’s targeted, retaliatory attack on Iran is expected to be the last of the back-and-forth, direct military action between the two countries, a senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration said tonight.
“This should be the end of the direct military exchange between Israel and Iran,” the official said. “As far as we’re concerned that should close out the direct exchange between Israel and Iran.”
The official said this is the “very strong view” of the U.S. and“it’s been communicated to our partners throughout the region.”
The official said Biden and his security team “worked with the Israelis over recent weeks to encourage Israel to conduct a response that was targeted and proportional with low risk of civilian harm and that is precisely what transpired this evening.”
In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, Biden said any attack should be designed to deter further attacks against Israel and reduce the risk of further escalation, the official said.