Israel conducts airstrikes on Iran

KABUL (Pajhwok): Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran on early Saturday, responding to what it termed “months of continuous attacks,” according to reports from the BBC.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they were carrying out “precise strikes on military targets,” accusing Iran of “relentlessly attacking Israel” since October 7, 2023.

The IDF's confirmation of the strikes followed reports from Iranian state media of explosions in and around Tehran.

This escalation comes after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, claiming it was retaliation for the assassination of Hamas's political leader on Iranian soil in July.

The United States, one of Israel's closest allies, described the strikes as an “exercise of self-defense.” A National Security Council spokesman confirmed that the targeted strikes were a direct response to Iran’s missile attack on October 1.

After the strikes, a White House official stated that President Joe Biden was being briefed and closely monitoring the situation. However, a US defense official emphasized that there was no American involvement in the strikes.

Iranian state media reported explosions in western Tehran, with a news agency close to the Revolutionary Guards stating that some military bases in the area had been targeted.

The full extent of the damage and specific targets hit remain unclear.

sa