TEL AVIV/TEHRAN, Oct 26: Israel struck military installations within Iran early Saturday, responding to recent missile attacks by Tehran in a sharp escalation of tensions. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed targeted strikes on several Iranian military sites, intensifying the longstanding conflict between the two heavily-armed nations.
Iranian media reported two waves of explosions over a two-hour period, with blasts in Tehran and nearby military bases. Initial reports from Iran downplayed the incident but acknowledged that air defense systems were activated in response.
This latest clash follows a series of hostile actions, including Iran’s October 1 barrage of 200 ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, marking its second direct strike in six months. Iran described this as targeting Israeli military facilities, a response to Israel’s recent killing of Hezbollah’s top leaders in Lebanon. Hezbollah, a strong ally of Tehran, joined Hamas in recent hostilities against Israel, which intensified after Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7.
Israel justified its actions as a necessary response to “continuous attacks” by Iran and its affiliates, stating that it aimed solely at military targets, excluding nuclear and energy facilities. A U.S. official confirmed this, aligning with President Joe Biden’s caution against strikes on Iran’s nuclear or oil sites. Biden, Israel’s main supporter and arms supplier, urged Israel to explore alternatives to escalating the conflict further.
ABC reported that Israel’s offensive is anticipated to be limited to one night. As the situation unfolds, the international community remains on edge, watching as tensions rise between Israel and Iran, potentially impacting the entire region.
