Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) announced that it has carried out “precise strikes” on multiple military targets in Iran. The move can be considered as Israel’s retaliation to Iran’s missile attack on October 1.
In a statement, the IDF stated that it is carrying out “precise strikes” on Iranian military targets, in response to “months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel.”
“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7th – on seven fronts – including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” the military added. IDF mentioned that its “defensive and offensive capabilities are fully mobilized,” and that it “will do whatever necessary to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel.”
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.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 25, 2024
The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking… pic.twitter.com/OcHUy7nQvN
The Israeli military concluded its statement saying: “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.” Before the confirmation, it was reported that at least 5 explosions were heard across Tehran.
White House briefed shortly before the strikes
Amid all the chaos, reports are emerging that the White House was notified shortly before Israel conducted strikes in Iran. It is pertinent to note that the United States has been advocating for the de-escalation of the conflict. Earlier this month, Washington urged Tel Aviv not to hit Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
However, the exact location of these strikes in Iran is still not clear. Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has released a picture of the premier huddled with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and top IDF generals in the bunker below the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv. The photograph was released shortly after the strikes.
While commenting on the matter, the White House maintained that Israeli strikes on military targets in Iran are “an exercise of self-defence” following Tehran’s ballistic missile attack earlier this month.
“The targeted strikes on military targets” are “an exercise of self-defence and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement.
Israel has opened several fronts of the war after Hamas’s October 7 attack rocked the nation’s south, killing 1,200 people. In the span of a few months, the country’s military has managed to eliminate the top brass of both Hamas and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The reports of these strikes are emerging a day after Israel and Hamas expressed openness to negotiate a hostage deal.
With inputs from agencies.