In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel launched targeted airstrikes on Iranian military locations on Saturday, October 26, in response to a series of missile attacks attributed to Tehran.
As explosions were reported across Tehran, Israel confirmed that its military initiated “precise strikes on military targets in Iran” following months of ongoing threats from the Iranian government.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation was a direct response to an October 1 missile attack by Iran, which Israel labeled as a clear act of aggression.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had previously warned of a “deadly, precise, and surprising” response to any acts of aggression against Israel, indicating the nation’s preparedness for increased defensive and offensive measures.
This operation occurs amid an intense regional conflict, with Israel actively countering Iran-backed groups such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, following the Hamas assault on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 civilians in Israel.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari urged citizens to remain “alert and vigilant,” emphasizing the heightened state of readiness within Israel’s defense forces.
The current tensions are compounded by a series of significant incidents, including Israeli strikes that eliminated key figures like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Revolutionary Guards general Abbas Nilforoushan.
Although explosions were reported around Tehran on Saturday night, Iranian state media has yet to confirm their cause, and no fires have been reported at critical sites.
The United States, which was informed of the planned strikes by Israel, clarified that it was not involved, with National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett describing the operation as a “self-defense measure.”
Additionally, Syrian state media reported that its air defenses intercepted “hostile targets” near Damascus, which may be linked to the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
This confrontation, as Israel intensifies its operations against what it views as the “axis of resistance,” has raised concerns about a broader regional conflict involving multiple nations and factions across the Middle East.
